bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PSO-optimized sensor-less sliding mode control for variable speed wind turbine chains based on DPIG with neural-MRAS observer
Authors: Saihi Lakhdar , Ferroudji Fateh , Roummani Khayra , Koussa Khaled , Djilali Larbi
Published: July 2024

This research introduces a resilient Sensor-Less 1st Sliding Mode (SL-FOSM) approach employing a novel observer, the Artificial Neural Network with Model Reference Adaptive System-Adaptive (Neural-MRAS), for wind turbine chains. The proposed model is implemented on a Doubly Powered Induction Generator (DPIG) operating under genuine variable speed conditions in the Adrar region in Algeria. The control objective is to independently regulate the active and reactive power of the DPIG stator, achieved through decoupling using the field-oriented control technique and control application via FOSM-C. Notably, this methodology reduces both the control scheme cost and the DPIG size by eliminating the need for a speed sensor (encoder). To enhance the MRAS-PI, an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) is suggested to replace the typical classical Proportional-Integral (PI) controller in the adaptation mechanism of MRAS. The rotor position estimation is scrutinized and discussed across various load conditions in low, zero, and high-speed regions. Optimal controller parameters are determined through particle swarm optimization (PSO). The results demonstrate that the proposed observer (Neural-MRAS) exhibits compelling attributes, including guaranteed finite time convergence, robust performance in response to speed variations, high resilience against machine parameter fluctuations, and adaptability to load variations when compared to the MRAS-PI. Consequently, the estimated rotor speed converges to its actual value, showcasing the capability to accurately estimate position across different speed regions (low/zero/high).
Research on the Performance of Hot Recycled Asphalt Mixture Based on Recycled Asphalt Pavement Dispersion Uniformity
Authors: Zhu Yunsheng , Yuan Yang , Wang Kaifeng , Liu Yang , Xu Lin
Published: July 2024

For hot recycled asphalt mixture with high content of recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) material, the road performance of the recycled asphalt pavement may be degraded if the aggregate particles of RAP are unevenly dispersed. In this study, recycled asphalt mixture with a RAP content of 50% was used to investigate the uniformity of RAP aggregate. On this basis, the road performance of recycled asphalt mixtures with different RAP dispersion uniformity was analyzed. Firstly, the Marshall test specimens of hot recycled asphalt mixture were prepared and saw-cut, and the microstructure of each cross-section was extracted using digital image processing. Then, based on the distribution characteristics of RAP aggregate inside the mixture, a uniformity index was proposed using the distribution eigenvalue method. Finally, the road performance test was conducted on the recycled asphalt mixture with different RAP dispersion uniformity. The results demonstrate that the homogeneity can be accurately and quantitatively evaluated by a uniformity index based on the area ratio of the RAP aggregate in each cross-section. Higher RAP heating temperature and mixing time result in improved uniformity of RAP aggregates. Meanwhile, the gray correlation analysis revealed a good correlation between the proposed uniformity index and the moisture susceptibility of the recycled asphalt mixture. In short, the quantitative uniformity evaluation index of RAP aggregate presented in this study reflects the homogeneity of hot recycled asphalt mixture, which is helpful for controlling the quality of recycled asphalt pavement.
Demonstrating Crashworthiness of Bridge Railings in Maine
Authors: Ray Ethan M. , Carrigan Christine E. , Plaxico Chuck A.
Published: July 2024

The “New England steel bridge rail” family of bridge rails, which were designed and tested under the auspices of the New England Transportation Consortium (NETC), has been installed on roadways in New England for more than 20 years. Recently, guidelines for the assembly and analysis of in-service performance evaluation (ISPE) data were published in NCHRP Report 1010. An ISPE using the NCHRP Report 1010 data collection and analysis methodology was conducted for the state of Maine. This paper summarizes those findings. The crash dataset used in this ISPE included 99 crash cases that occurred over an 8-year period on public roads within the state of Maine. The objective of this ISPE was to evaluate the field performance of the NETC bridge railings with regard to occupant risk, structural adequacy, and postimpact vehicle trajectory under real-world conditions. The Maine ISPE demonstrated that the NETC bridge railings had similar or better field performance than other similar systems across all three performance outcomes. This field performance demonstrated the crashworthiness of the NETC bridge railings and supports their continued use. This paper summarizes the results of this ISPE.
Time to Equilibrium in a Car-Following Scenario under Local Stable Conditions
Authors: Zhuo Junfan , Zhu Feng
Published: July 2024

In traffic flow stability analysis, extensive research has been conducted on stability criteria, offering binary classifications of stability, that is, defining flow as stable or unstable. Despite being informative, this classification falls short of providing detailed characteristics of stability, such as the time required for a vehicle to regain equilibrium subject to a disturbance from a preceding vehicle. To address this problem, in this study, a quantitative metric, the time to equilibrium (TTE), is introduced under the condition of local stability. In a car-following scenario of two vehicles, considering that the preceding vehicle undergoes a short-term deceleration–acceleration change, an analytical formulation of the TTE is derived by employing linear stability analysis with the disturbance approximated using the Dirac delta function. The bisection method is then applied to approximate analytical solutions. Subsequent simulation experiments, utilizing various car-following parameters and disturbance settings, demonstrate the general validity of the proposed analytical TTE, barring some large errors in extreme scenarios (unlikely in real-world driving) and the intrinsic features of the Dirac delta function. We then provide applicable ranges for car-following parameters with different selection criteria. Lastly, by using real-world vehicle trajectory data, the proposed TTE is further validated.
Microsimulation Approach to Investigate the Impact of Incorrect Automated Pedestrian Detection on the Operation of Signalized Intersections
Authors: Gavric Slavica , Erdagi Ismet Goksad , Rodriguez Daniel , Stevanovic Aleksandar
Published: July 2024

Numerous studies have assessed video detection systems, but automated pedestrian video detection systems (APVDS) have not received as much attention. Although some researchers have evaluated the accuracy of APVDS, none quantified the consequential effects that false or missed pedestrian calls have on critical vehicular and pedestrian performance metrics. To address this gap, this study introduces a microsimulation-based approach to analyze the impact of missed and false pedestrian calls on signalized intersection operation. This method employs simulation inputs that mimic various detection scenarios from the field, allowing for greater flexibility in analysis. Additionally, the study compares the impacts of incorrect calls under different operational strategies, including APVDS with and without the pedestrian recycle feature of the controller, pedestrian recall operations, and common push-button operations with or without pedestrian recycle. Results show that the proposed microsimulation approach is a valuable tool for future studies, especially considering the idiosyncratic nature of specific sites where the percentage of false and missed calls depends on local conditions. The study reveals that neither of the two analyzed APVDS systems is mature enough to work as a standalone option. Microsimulation results show that even though the single-camera video detection system (VDS) appears to be a safer option than the double-camera VDS, it fails to provide any benefits in pedestrian and vehicular delay over the pedestrian recall operations. This research may be of practical significance as transportation agencies could utilize the proposed microsimulation approach to evaluate APVDSs effectively. Knowing the strengths and limits of APVDS can help agencies make informed implementations.
Behavioral-Adaptive Deep Q-Network for Autonomous Driving Decisions in Heavy Traffic
Authors: Liu Zhicheng , Yu Hong
Published: July 2024

Deep reinforcement learning (DRL) is confronted with the significant problem of sparse rewards for autonomous driving in heavy traffic because of the dynamic and diverse nature of the driving environment as well as the complexity of the driving task. To mitigate the impact of sparse rewards on the convergence process of DRL, this paper proposes a novel behavioral-adaptive deep Q-network (BaDQN) for autonomous driving decisions in heavy traffic. BaDQN applies the idea of task decomposition to the DRL process. To break down the complexity of the driving task and achieve shorter exploration paths, BaDQN divides the driving task into three subtasks: Lane-Changing, Posture-Adjustment, and Wheel-Holding. BaDQN uses the finite state machine (FSM) to model the collaborative relationship between different subtasks, and abstracts each subtask separately using the Markov decision process (MDP). We used the Carla simulator to conduct experiments in a specific heavy traffic scenario. Compared with previous methods, BaDQN achieves a longer safe driving distance and a higher success rate. To discuss the adaptability of BaDQN to changes in traffic density and traffic velocity, we also conducted two extended experiments, which fully demonstrated the performance stability of BaDQN.
Trust in Autonomous Cars Does Not Largely Differ from Trust in Human Drivers when They Make Minor Errors
Authors: Yokoi Ryosuke
Published: July 2024

Studies have explored the factor of trust in autonomous cars (ACs), and it has been shown that their ability and performance are crucial for determining trust. However, little is known about the effects of minor errors without involving negative consequences such as property damage and fatalities. People are likely to expect automation technologies to perform better than humans. It was, therefore, hypothesized that minor errors would destroy expectations and significantly decrease trust in ACs. This study aimed to investigate whether minor errors have a more negative effect on trust in ACs than in human drivers. Two experiments were conducted ( N = 821) in Japan. Two independent variables were manipulated: agent (AC and human) and error (error and no-error). Some participants were shown videos depicting ACs and human drivers making minor errors, such as taking a longer time to park (Experiment 1) and delaying to take off when traffic lights turned green (Experiment 2). These minor errors did not violate Japanese traffic laws. Others watched videos in which no errors occurred. The results of the two-way analysis of variance did not show evidence that the agent type modulated the negative effects of these minor errors on trust. Minor errors did not lead to a significant difference in trust levels between ACs and human drivers. This study also indicated that people expected ACs to not make more errors than humans did. However, these expectations did not increase trust in ACs. The findings also suggest that minor errors are unlikely to cause an underestimation of ACs’ capabilities.
Design and evaluation of mechanical strength of multi-material polymeric implants for mandibular reconstruction
Authors: K Kalaithendral , Karuppudaiyan S , Roy Sandipan
Published: July 2024

Reconstruction of mandible implants to address segmental abnormalities is still a challenging task, both in vitro and in vivo. The mechanical strength of the materials used is a critical factor that determines how well bone is regenerated. The reconstruction technique of mandibular abnormalities widely uses polymeric implants. It is critical to evaluate the mechanical resilience under different load cases, including axial, combined, and flexural loading conditions. This study developed implants for mandibular defects using a combination of four materials: polylactic acid (PLA), polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), and polycaprolactone (PCL), with the aim of mimicking the inherent characteristics of cortical and cancellous bone structures and evaluating their mechanical properties to support bone Osseo integration. The eleven of these combinations of structures result below the micro strain threshold level of <3000 µε, and the five combinations of the structures result in micro strain above the threshold value. The intact bone study results show that the stress under axial, combined, and flexural loading conditions is 27.6, 38.9, and 64.9 MPa, respectively. This study’s stress results are lower than those from the intact bone study. The study found that the combinations of PLA and TPU material were most preferred for the cortical and cancellous bone regions of polymeric implants. These materials are also compatible with 3D printing. The results of this study can be used to find multi-material combinations that are strong and flexible.
Schooled Families: Higher Education and Family Virtue
Authors: Monaghan David
Published: July 2024

In today’s “knowledge society,” education is understood as highly instrumentally valuable, and institutional theorists have highlighted its immense cultural importance. What escapes commentary is the nearly universal moral reverence with which education is held. Since families are increasingly expected to participate in children’s schooling, a family’s moral virtue is partially established through offspring’s school success. I explore this using in-depth interviews with two American populations on the margin of college-going: beginning community college students and adult undergraduates. I discuss how respondents present support for education as evidence of caretakers’ status as loving and responsible parents. I then elaborate on how families create moral worthiness in relation to familial educational trajectories. I locate three narratives—maintaining the tradition, the rising family, and educational redemption. What narrative families deploy seems related to their location in social space, and each tacitly reflects the deep moral valuation of education that pervades modern culture.
Applying cultural perspective in Indonesia municipal solid waste management process towards a grounded climate concept and action: A mini-review of opportunities and challenges
Authors: Resolute Prisilia
Published: July 2024

This mini-review emphasises the role of municipal solid waste (MSW) as the biggest contributor to climate change, as well as the need for more grounded climate action. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 2023 Synthesis Report by the co-facilitators on the technical dialogue Key Finding 3 of applying the ‘whole-of-society’ approach in this article is interpreted as a cultural approach in MSW management planning and implementation process. Using anthropological critiques of development, the cultural approach is frequently considered an obstacle or a justification for a project’s failure rather than an important aspect of the people being developed. Therefore, the goal of this mini-review is to showcase the findings and explore the practical application of UNFCCC Key Finding 3, emphasising its importance in every phase of the solid waste management process for climate action. This mini-review argues that applying a cultural perspective presents both opportunities and challenges. More importantly, without careful acknowledgement and consideration, opportunities can become challenges, if not vice versa. The discussion section explores the ways in which religious and economic conditions might offer a contextual understanding and effective techniques for managing MSW at the local level. To apply Key Finding 3 in practice, academia needs to move away from generality and embrace multiple ‘modernities’, while practitioners also need to include cultural perspectives to complement scientific knowledge.
Open-source media project: Community attitudes after 5-year organizational evolution
Authors: Mwangi Samuel Chege , Bressers Bonnie , Smethers J. Steven
Published: July 2024

The Kiowa County Media Center was set up as a community media that would focus solely on citizen-produced news content. But challenges such as technophobia, citizen’s lack of time to contribute content, and an aging population meant the media center had to reinvent itself and evolve beyond its citizen-journalism mission if it hoped to survive. Four main findings from this study offer key lessons for other community media facing challenges.
The Barriers Encountered and Facilitators Desired: A Systematic Review of What Latino/x Families Experience Within Special Education
Authors: Barrera-Lansford Alyssa , Sánchez Neyda J.
Published: July 2024

Latino/x families experience barriers when navigating and accessing special education (SPED) services. Previous research has identified some of these barriers that Latino/x families encounter and facilitators to provide support for a positive SPED experience (Rios & Burke, 2020). The purpose of this study is to continue the investigation of the barriers Latino/x families face when navigating and accessing SPED services and identify past and current recommended facilitators that ameliorate these barriers. During this investigation, the authors also considered how acculturation might contribute to the obstacles Latino/x families face. This review identified 16 eligible studies highlighting barriers and facilitators to SPED services. Barriers to navigating and acquiring SPED services included limited access to SPED knowledge, communication barriers, lack of resources, and lack of cultural understanding. Facilitators included family/caregiver education, access to resources, communication, support, cultural understanding, and teacher quality training. Implications for research, practice, and policy are discussed.
Overlapping Central Clock Network Circuitry Regulates Circadian Feeding and Activity Rhythms in Drosophila
Authors: Saurabh Sumit , Meier Ruth J. , Pireva Liliya M. , Mirza Rabab A. , Cavanaugh Daniel J.
Published: July 2024

The circadian system coordinates multiple behavioral outputs to ensure proper temporal organization. Timing information underlying circadian regulation of behavior depends on a molecular circadian clock that operates within clock neurons in the brain. In Drosophila and other organisms, clock neurons can be divided into several molecularly and functionally discrete subpopulations that form an interconnected central clock network. It is unknown how circadian signals are coherently generated by the clock network and transmitted across output circuits that connect clock cells to downstream neurons that regulate behavior. Here, we have exhaustively investigated the contribution of clock neuron subsets to the control of two prominent behavioral outputs in Drosophila: locomotor activity and feeding. We have used cell-specific manipulations to eliminate molecular clock function or induce electrical silencing either broadly throughout the clock network or in specific subpopulations. We find that clock cell manipulations produce similar changes in locomotor activity and feeding, suggesting that overlapping central clock circuitry regulates these distinct behavioral outputs. Interestingly, the magnitude and nature of the effects depend on the clock subset targeted. Lateral clock neuron manipulations profoundly degrade the rhythmicity of feeding and activity. In contrast, dorsal clock neuron manipulations only subtly affect rhythmicity but produce pronounced changes in the distribution of activity and feeding across the day. These experiments expand our knowledge of clock regulation of activity rhythms and offer the first extensive characterization of central clock control of feeding rhythms. Despite similar effects of central clock cell disruptions on activity and feeding, we find that manipulations that prevent functional signaling in an identified output circuit preferentially degrade locomotor activity rhythms, leaving feeding rhythms relatively intact. This demonstrates that activity and feeding are indeed dissociable behaviors, and furthermore suggests that differential circadian control of these behaviors diverges in output circuits downstream of the clock network.
CAR/CETARS/CSAR Practice Guideline on Imaging the Adult Patient With Right Lower Quadrant Pain
Authors: Chawla Tanya , Gopee-Ramanan Prasaanthan , Green Courtney R. , Hartery Angus , Kassam Zahra , Murray Nicolas , Vu Kim-Nhien , Kirkpatrick Iain D. C.
Published: July 2024

In 2023, the Canadian Society of Abdominal Radiology (CSAR) and Canadian Emergency, Trauma, and Acute Care Radiology Society (CETARS) received Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR) member feedback that there was an unmet educational need for guidance in the imaging investigation of right lower quadrant (RLQ) pain. Members requested specific guidance on how to handle controversial scenarios including which test to order when, specifics of imaging protocols, and managing pregnant patients who have RLQ pain—all from a Canadian perspective. After conducting an exhaustive literature review, the working group agreed that a Canadian-specific set of guidelines was warranted. The management recommendations presented in this guideline were discussed as a group to achieve expert consensus. As the workup for RLQ pain can vary considerably in the paediatric population, the scope of this paper was restricted to adults (18 years of age or older). Whenever possible, the best evidence was used to inform the clinical guidance, and where gaps existed, the guidelines reflect consensus among experts in the field. The result is a framework to aid in this process of managing patients with RLQ pain across various clinical scenarios while addressing current questions and controversies, particularly those most relevant to the Canadian healthcare system.
Constructing, Deconstructing or Abolishing? Discourses on Masculinities in Violence Against Women Prevention by Stakeholders in Spain
Authors: Nardini Krizia , Cerdán-Torregrosa Ariadna , Sanz-Barbero Belén , Davó-Blanes MCarmen , Vives-Cases Carmen
Published: July 2024

In the field of violence against women (VAW) prevention, one of the current questions at stake is how to address men’s role and masculinities, but it is still an emerging field in Spain. The aim of this study was to analyze the up-to-date discourses on masculinity among stakeholders in the field of VAW prevention and gender equity in Spain. We used a qualitative methodology with semi-structured interviews, conducted between October 2019 and February 2020 in Madrid and Alicante (Spain), with 23 key stakeholders from different areas: in governmental (public health and VAW prevention/intervention, and institutional and policy positioning) and nongovernmental organizations (anti-violence masculinities workers, youth education workers, and feminist and LGBT associations). A discourse analysis was performed with the data collected. Our findings showed that discourses around masculinities among Spanish stakeholders in VAW prevention and gender equity were diverse and presented different layers of critique. Despite a general agreement on the importance of transforming sexist men’s practices toward more gender equitable relations, three main interpretive repertoires were identified: “Constructing positive/new masculinities” discourse, focused on promoting men’s engagement and egalitarian practices; “Deconstructing hegemonic masculinity” discourse, intended to critically identify and question harmful masculinities norms; and “Abolishing gender” discourse, which aims at dismantling masculinity, and gender in general, as a social structure that generates oppression in itself, advocating for its abolition. Those interpretive repertoires were not mutually exclusive and sometimes stakeholders incorporate in their work more than one approach. The study findings shed light on this current emerging and urgent debate and contributes more broadly to the critical assessment of the concepts used and their implications for VAW prevention.
“I Don’t Think a Broken Spirit Can Be Quantified”: Perceptions of College Victimization and Its Consequences Among Students at a Hispanic-Serving Institution
Authors: Lynch Kellie R. , Pinchevsky Gillian M. , Tillyer Marie Skubak , Augustyn Megan Bears
Published: July 2024

This study investigated students’ perceptions of victimization among college students (e.g., extent, location, consequences) through eight focus groups at a large, urban Hispanic-serving institution. Understanding students’ perceptions of crime sheds light on the consequences of victimization as well as the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral impacts of the possibility of experiencing victimization. Our results yielded several key findings that warrant further discussion: (1) victimization—particularly sexual and property victimization—is an issue that many students thought about extensively and viewed as important; (2) the psychological impact of victimization and threatened sense of safety were perceived to be enduring consequences of victimization that can impact the college experience; (3) there was nuance to perceptions of “on-” versus “off-” campus victimization, with consequences carrying over to campus life even when incidents occur off campus; and (4) participants expressed both moral and conceptual issues with assigning a dollar amount to consequences of victimization. These results inform how perceptions of victimization risk and anticipated consequences shape student fears and behavior, while also highlighting key areas that universities may consider for prevention and intervention efforts.
Swipe Left on Sexual Harassment: Understanding and Addressing Technology-Facilitated Sexual Violence on Dating Apps
Authors: Porter Andrew , Falcon Ashley , Graefe Beck , Metheny Nicholas , Cooper Spring , Astorini Angela
Published: July 2024

Dating violence is a pervasive issue that has become increasingly complex to address as technologies mediating interpersonal connections become more widely utilized. The incidence and ways in which violence manifests through digital media are not fully understood. This study aimed to better understand the relationship between geolocational dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Grindr and technology-facilitated sexual violence (TFSV) among university students. An anonymous survey was electronically administered to a convenience sample of 1,000 undergraduates at a large private university in the southeastern United States. Participants indicated their dating app usage and the frequency of specific TFSV experiences they had encountered. Chi-square tests were conducted to identify relationships between demographic characteristics and experiences of TFSV. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to predict TFSV based on respondent characteristics. A total of 910 respondents completed the survey, with more than half (54%) of respondents reporting some type of TFSV while using dating apps. Women and non-heterosexual students experience significantly more TFSV than male and heterosexual students. While participants’ academic year (first-year through senior) and participation in extracurricular activities were not associated with TFSV, dating app selection was a significant predictor of the likelihood to report TFSV, with Grindr users being significantly more likely to report. Major Implications Due to the near-ubiquitous use of dating apps in this population, interventions to address campus social norms, comprehensive sexuality education, and consent education, and improved regulation of TFSV by technology companies should be implemented- especially for cisgender, heterosexual women, and gender and sexual minorities.
Perceptions of Social Capital Before and After the Perpetration of Femicide, Homicide, and Other Serious Crimes: Evidence from Argentina
Authors: FarrHenderson Maya , Di Marco Martín Hernán , Evans Dabney P.
Published: July 2024

Over the past two decades, femicide—the gender-based killing of women or girls—has become an issue of international concern. Yet relatively little data on perpetrators exist. Current research primarily focuses on individual risk factors with less attention on community and societal factors. We use a social capital approach to examine femicide by analyzing the extent to which crime perpetrators experience and perceive social punishment (exclusion) from their social networks. Using a quota sampling strategy, we administered a cross-sectional questionnaire to perpetrators of femicide ( N = 71), male–male homicide ( N = 73), and other serious crimes ( N = 64) across four prisons in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Other crime perpetrators served as a control to the two lethal crime groups. Perceived social capital scores were assigned based on responses to two scales adapted from the World Bank’s “Integrated Questionnaire for the Measurement of Social Capital.” Before committing murder, femicide and homicide perpetrators’ scores were not statistically different. Yet after the crime, femicide perpetrators retained significantly greater scores than homicide perpetrators. The perceived social capital scores of other crime perpetrators did not change after the commission of their crimes. As a secondary objective, we examined the individual and social contexts of femicide perpetrators. Most (85%) of the femicide perpetrators could name at least one other person in their social network whom they knew to be physically violent during disagreements with their partner, while 11% stated that “everyone” they knew used violence during disagreements. Although the penalty for committing femicide and homicide is ostensibly equivalent—a life sentence of 50 years—we found that the informal social punishment femicide perpetrators perceived is less severe than that experienced by homicide perpetrators. These data indicate a lack of social punishment for femicide, compared to other crimes, showing social legitimization of the crime. These findings support the development of community-level interventions to prevent femicide.
Using dendrogeomorphic and lichenometric approaches for rockfall analysis in the high mountains of Central Mexico
Authors: Pablo-Pablo Marco A. , Franco-Ramos Osvaldo , Vázquez-Selem Lorenzo , Cerano-Paredes Julián
Published: July 2024

Rockfall represents one of the most destructive geomorphic processes for infrastructure and settlements located at the foot of mountain slopes. Furthermore, it poses a hazard for visitors and hikers. Despite the high anthropic activity in these environments, research on the reconstruction of rockfall in the high mountains of Mexico is still scarce. We used dendrochronological, dendrogeomorphological and lichenometric approaches to study the age and rockfall dynamics in a talus slope in central Mexico. Tree- ring chronologies were constructed from 140 samples of 50 Pinus hartwegii trees, 10 Juniperus monticola shrubs and 16 Ribes ciliatum shrubs to determine the age, frequency and rockfall stability at the upper limit of the forest (~4000 m a.s.l.). 52% of the tree samples showed impact scars, 39% callus tissue, 7% growth suppression and 2% corresponded to trees killed by rockfall. The frequency of rockfalls has increased since the second half of the 20th century, with the 1990s being the period of greatest activity. The years with the greatest disturbance were 1991, 1994 and 1998, possibly due to the intense rainfall that accumulated during the summer, as well as the earthquakes recorded in central and southern Mexico with magnitudes ⩾6. For the lichenometric analysis, 231 thalli of Rhizocarpon geographicum were measured in an active rockfall area. The results suggested three areas of rockfall activity. In the first area the ages were from 61 (±5 year) to 322 years (±41 year). In the second area, the ages were from 12 (±3 year) to 50 years (±12 year). The third area corresponds to an active zone with lichen-free blocks, located near the escarpment. The combination of dendrochronological and lichenometric methods allows a better determination of the minimum ages of rockfall, frequency, spatial distribution, and their possible factor triggers.
Involvement of polish libraries in citizen science
Authors: Kowalska-Chrzanowska Małgorzata
Published: July 2024

The article discusses the involvement of Polish libraries in citizen science. Based on a survey of library staff, the author answers whether Polish libraries are involved in promoting the idea of citizen science, how they participate in projects in this field and what barriers they encounter doing so. The research used the diagnostic survey method. The survey questionnaire contained nine questions and demographics. The survey was available in the LimeSurvey system from November 2, 2023, to January 31, 2024. A link to the survey was sent via e-mail to over 600 librarians of various types of libraries using the Association of Polish Librarians mailing list. It was also shared on Facebook. In response to the survey, 256 responses were received, of which only 107 were complete. The research proves that Polish libraries are involved in citizen science to a limited extent. Only 25% of the surveyed librarians admitted that their institution is involved in projects in this field, and this involvement comes down to providing library resources and lending technical infrastructure. Only four people (3.6% of all respondents) stated that citizen science is a priority in their institutions (which means that the library promotes citizen science, launches independent projects, creates resources, and conducts workshops for scientists and volunteers). As many as 63% of librarians said their institutions are currently separate from citizen science. Polish librarians listed the most significant barriers hindering involvement in citizen science: resource shortages (human resources, financial resources and equipment) and a low level of knowledge about the essence of citizen science and the possibilities of incorporating its projects into library activities.
Firm–education–industry association linkages: Driving the territorial embeddedness of business services multinational corporations in Romania?
Authors: Jipa-Muşat Ioana
Published: July 2024

This study examines the nature and implications of linkages between multinational corporations and local institutions across peripheral regions. Analysing the development of outsourced and offshored business services in Romania, the study highlights the role of firm–education–industry association linkages in driving the territorial embeddedness of multinational corporations into host country regions. Firm–education–industry association linkages facilitated changes in higher education curricula to supply firm-specific skills, the development of advanced technical and management skills, and a programme of state policies privileging foreign capital. While this industrial and institutional transformation facilitated Romania’s move up the value chain into more advanced business services, it simultaneously drove forms of corporate capture and dependency, reproducing a flexible, co-opted workplace labour regime.
The Determinants and Synergies of Livelihood Choices Across Climate-vulnerable Regions: An Empirical Analysis from Rural Bangladesh
Authors: Sharna Shaima Chowdhury , Anik Asif Reza , Shifa Sharmin
Published: July 2024

This study explores the role of diverse climatic vulnerabilities and socio- economic variables in explaining Bangladeshi rural households’ livelihood choices and the synergies that exist across the choices. We develop a multivariate probit model for analysing a dataset of 5,604 households that is representative of rural Bangladesh. The findings reveal a landscape where agriculture-based strategies predominate, with households strategically combining various approaches. Households complement agriculture-based strategies, while substituting beyond agriculture-based strategies. Climate stressors such as flood, salinity, river erosion, drought, storms and cyclones induce notable shifts in livelihood choices. Among these, the most prominent is the substantial influence of storm and cyclone vulnerability. Migration is more prevalent in areas susceptible to salinity, storms and cyclones, while casual labour prevails in drought-prone and flood-vulnerable regions. Households residing in the economically marginalized and environmentally vulnerable feed-the-future (FtF) zone make distinct decisions regarding income strategies compared to their counterparts in other rural areas across the country. Households in this zone exhibit a higher likelihood of opting for specific agriculture-based income sources and casual labour, while self-employment, migration and salaried jobs are less favoured. Furthermore, we elucidate the pivotal role of infrastructure, information access and institutional factors in shaping income sources. Households in different divisions make distinct livelihood choices, especially in agriculture. Ultimately, the findings advocate for precise interventions tailored to climate vulnerabilities. This includes enhancements in road connectivity, the utilization of mobile banking and the provision of extension services, with a specific focus on geographically marginalized and climate-vulnerable regions.
What Is the Impact of Custodial Grandchildren Receiving Mental Health Care on Grandparent Caregivers?
Authors: Hayslip Bert , Montoro-Rodriguez Julian
Published: July 2024

The purpose of the present study is to analyze the potential impact of a custodial grandchild receiving mental healthcare on grandparent caregivers’ psychosocial functioning. Findings suggested that grandparents of grandchildren who had received some form of mental healthcare were more personally distressed, experienced less social support and more parental strain/stress, and were less resilient. Such grandparents were also less attached to their grandchildren and had grandchildren who were experiencing more emotional/behavioral difficulties. They were, however, more open to receiving psychological help. Findings also revealed that such effects were mediated by resilience, social support, and, to an extent, by parental self-efficacy. These data indicate that raising distressed grandchildren takes its toll on grandparents and that they are especially vulnerable, even if such grandchildren are receiving help.
Addressing Anti-Black Racism in Social Work Education: A Policy Brief to Ensure Black Students Thrive in Social Work
Authors: Oduro Alexia , Sonsteng-Person Melanie , Montgomery Dominique Mikell , King-Shaw Sam , King-Shaw Natalie , Santos Angelina
Published: July 2024

Black students’ experiences of racism and microaggressions in college are widespread and often met by a lack of university response. Social work programs are not immune, as experiences of racism within social work programs lead to poor mental health and academic outcomes for Black students. Of concern, increasing legislation across the United States has been enacted to restrict and weaken university diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. This legislation abrogates means to address racialized inequities within higher education and, therefore, social work education, leaving Black students vulnerable to mistreatment. In the current landscape of anti-Black violence and the disavowal of legislation meant to benefit the Black community, we recommend policies to reduce the hate perpetuated by current legislation and to transform social work programs from places of harm to places of safety and belonging for Black students.
Survivor Experiences Living in an Intimate Partner Violence Shelter in the United States in 2022: Implications for the COVID-19 Endemic and Beyond
Authors: Ravi Kristen E. , Leat Sarah , Rai Abha , Obenauf Caterina , Masters-Henry Nichole , Dunbar Delisia
Published: July 2024

This study examines the lived experiences of survivors of IPV ( n = 13) living in IPV shelters in the Southern United States in 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study makes recommendations for researchers and service providers that can be applied to other public health and environmental emergencies. Descriptive statistics were analyzed for the demographic questions and the participants’ responses to the COVID-19 impact scale. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the interviews. Most participants reported moderate to severe impact. Thematic analysis yielded three key themes: (a) ongoing COVID-19 disruptions, (b) COVID-19 policy implementation, and (c) consequences of social distancing. As COVID-19 is constantly evolving and the United States is experiencing new outbreaks of other infectious diseases, shelters should consider developing and reviewing general infectious disease and disaster protocols, leveraging technology, and utilizing outdoor space when available.
Building Multiple Pathways to Healing, Safety, and Accountability to Address Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Davis Brittany R. , Thomforde Hauser Rebecca , Berhane Heaven , Johnson Gene , Sethi Saloni , Hanson Bea , Deane Devin , Betances Karolin
Published: July 2024

Many responses to intimate partner violence (IPV), especially work to engage those who have caused harm through IPV, have remained relatively unchanged over the past few decades despite the widespread, long-lasting, and devastating impact IPV continues to have on communities. Engaging people who cause harm is a crucial part of supporting survivors, fostering healthy relationships and communities, and ending violence. In response to a need to develop more effective programming, New York City implemented a comprehensive citywide approach to people who cause harm, developing multiple programming options for people who cause harm both within and outside of the criminal legal system. This practice note outlines these programs and proposes several practice implications for the field.
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Cultural Beliefs of Afghan Refugee Women Toward Gynecological Cancer: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Kuru Alici Nilgun , Arikan Donmez Ayse , Oguncer Ali
Published: July 2024

Gynecological cancers constitute an important global health problem with increasing incidence and prevalence. The aim of this study was to explain gynecologic cancer knowledge, attitudes, and cultural beliefs of Afghan refugee women living in Türkiye. This research was carried out as a descriptive phenomenological design for qualitative research. The study was conducted at the Refugee Support Center Association in Eskişehir, Türkiye, and data were collected between January and April 2023, guided by a semi-structured interview guide. Nineteen Afghan refugee women were interviewed. A purposive sampling method was used to recruit participants. Content analysis method was used for data analysis. Four overarching themes that described Afghan women’s gynecologic cancer knowledge, attitudes, and cultural beliefs were identified: (a) limited awareness and knowledge of gynecological cancer among women, (b) women’s attitudes toward gynecological cancers, (c) women’s cultural beliefs regarding gynecological cancer, and (d) healthcare system factors. In line with the main themes, subthemes were created for each main theme. Afghan refugee women, who were in the double risk group as both women and refugees, had insufficient knowledge of gynecological cancers, and their cultural beliefs and attitudes played an essential role in their access to gynecological cancer-related preventive healthcare services. It is recommended that training be planned to increase the awareness and knowledge of Afghan women on gynecological cancers, considering their cultural characteristics.
Barriers and Facilitators to Youth Decision-Making Involvement in Families Referred for Stem Cell Transplant
Authors: Schulz Ginny Lynn , Painter Angela Christine , McQueen Amy , Shenoy Shalini , DuBois James M.
Published: July 2024

Youth prefer to be involved in treatment decisions, yet youth participation is minimally present in decisions like stem cell transplant (SCT) that require frequent medications and social isolation to be successful in curing cancer and chronic illness. The purpose of our study is to identify the barriers and facilitators to youth decision-making involvement in the youth–parent interaction when referred for treatment with SCT. We report qualitative findings from our theory-driven mixed-methods study. We thematically analyzed our field notes of youth and parent observations and audio-recordings during SCT consultations and semi-structured interviews. Data were collected from 10 youth, 8 to 16 (median 12) years of age, and their parents ( n = 20). Three themes emerged: (a) Reluctant unless motivated, (b) Uncertain but capable, and (c) Limited unless supported. Our findings emphasize the critical role parents may take in facilitating youth involvement in decisions.
Indigenous Biologists and Culture Frames: Effects on Stereotype Perceptions and Conservation Policy Support in Environmental News
Authors: Comfort Ryan N. , Gruszczynski Mike
Published: July 2024

Indigenous scientists represent a growing cohort of expert sources for news stories about environmental issues and policies, but the effects of these sources on support for conservation policy and stereotype perceptions of Indigenous peoples remain uncertain. In a 2 ( Source: Tribal, State) × 2 ( Emphasis: Biodiversity, Culture) between-subjects experimental survey ( n = 624), we found that the inclusion of tribal wildlife biologists as sources in environmental news increased overall public perceptions of Indigenous competence. We also found frames emphasizing the cultural values of conservation resulted in greater support for conservation policy than emphasizing the importance of biodiversity regardless of source.
Teaching Postqualitatively
Authors: Fathalizadeh Roya , Koro Mirka , Taylor Carol A. , Murris Karin , Kuby Candace R. , Bozalek Vivienne , Dopierala Ania
Published: July 2024

The purpose of this article is to explore how teachers, scholars, and mentors teach postqualitatively in diverse ways. Teaching postqualitatively does not easily conform with the delivery of set learning outcomes nor does it seek to measure learner progress or teaching quality in prescriptive and traditional ways. Rather, this kind of teaching could be seen as the task of the impossible and calls for the curious seeker and infinite learner, resembling art, craft, and creation. The more we attempt to describe and articulate how we have in the past, through literature and collective experiences, and how we could teach postqualitative research in the future, the more the inquiry practices and learning assemblages escape and disappear. We wonder what collective affects and practices are associated with teaching and learning postqualitatively and what speculative postqualitative practices of the futures may produce.