bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
African Renaissance, Afrotopia, Afropolitanism, and Afrofuturism: Comparing Conceptual Properties of Four African Futures
Authors: Kroeker Lena
Published: May 2022

Since the turn of the millennium, the African continent has been extremely active in producing African futures. These are part of the multiple non-western modernities existing simultaneously; modernities of revolution, reform, or restitution. This contribution adds to the debate by analysing four recent concepts along four axes: the representation of time and space, the initiators behind those four concepts, and the concepts’ social inclusiveness. The paper first discusses the idea of the “African Renaissance,” which has been proposed as official government policy in South Africa and has given shape to Pan-African political bodies. Second, “Afrotopia” is a term coined by the Senegalese economist Felwine Sarr that emphasises identity politics. Third, “Afropolitanism” proposes an “African-style” modernity as seen in the works of Achille Mbembe and Sarah Nuttall and is also likened to John and Jean Comaroff's writings on “Afromodernity.” Finally, “Afrofuturism” emerged in relation to science fiction literature and digital visual arts and uses the virtual sphere to address an international audience.
“The Big Lie”: How Fact Checking Influences Support for Insurrection
Authors: Painter David Lynn , Fernandes Juliana
Published: May 2022

This experimental investigation explores the influence of election fraud fact-checking and cognitive processing styles on participants’ confidence in the 2020 U.S. presidential election’s legitimacy and characterizations of the January Sixth Capitol Hill Attack. The results indicate fact-checking, accuracy motivated reasoning, and systematic processing exerted positive effects on participants’ legitimacy levels, especially among Republicans. We also found that participants’ systematic processing, affiliation with the Democratic Party, and negative attitudes toward Donald Trump were associated with their characterizations of the January Sixth Capitol Hill Attack as violent and extreme. Overall, these results support both motivated reasoning and dual process models, but partisan motivated reasoning exerted the greatest effects. Further, these findings suggest Republican and pro-Trump participants who rely on heuristic processing may find violent, extra-political actions acceptable means of attempting to achieve their goals.
Injury Patterns Following Falls Down Open Manholes
Authors: Emigh Brent , Schellenberg Morgan , Owattanapanich Natthida , Cheng Vincent , Lam Lydia , Inaba Kenji
Published: May 2022

Little is known of the possible injuries caused by a fall through an open manhole, with the last study published 40 years ago. The purpose of this study was to examine the injuries, surgical interventions, and outcomes in patients suffering from a fall through an open manhole or storm drain. All patients injured by falling through open manholes (ICD codes E883.2, W17.1) from 2007 to 2017 were queried from the National Trauma Data Bank® (NTDB). Transferred patients were excluded. Studied variables included patient demographics, comorbidities, emergency room physiology, toxicology, injury severity and pattern, surgical interventions, and outcomes. A total of 388 patients met study criteria. The number of patients injured from open manholes per year ranged from 20 (0.004%) to 49 (0.005%). Major trauma (ISS ≥16) occurred in 37 patients (10%). Severe injuries (AIS ≥ 3) most frequently occurred in the lower extremities (13%), chest (12%), and head (8%). Major surgery was performed in 18 patients (5%) and five (1%) died. Despite an increase in reporting in recent years, the number of patients who suffer severe injuries following a fall through an open manhole is low. Nonetheless, these injuries are easily preventable and mandate an increased focus on manhole safety.
Palliative Care in the Trauma and Surgical Critical Care Settings: A Narrative Review
Authors: Newsome Kevin , Sauder Matthew , Spardy Jeffrey , Kodadek Lisa , Ang Darwin , Michetti Christopher P. , Bilski Tracy , Elkbuli Adel
Published: May 2022

Background

We aimed to conduct a narrative review of available literature to understand the use of palliative care in the trauma and surgical critical care setting.

Methods

PubMed, EMBASE, and Google Scholar databases were searched for studies investigating the use of palliative care in the trauma and surgical critical care setting. The search included all studies published through January 9th, 2022. The risk of bias of included studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist tools. Outcomes were summarized in tables and synthesized qualitatively.

Results

A total of 22 studies were included in this review. Key elements of successful palliative care include communication, shared decision-making, family involvement, pain control, establishing a patient’s prognosis, and end-of-life management. Approaches to implementation based upon these key elements include best-case/worst-case scenarios, consultation trigger systems, and integrated institutional palliative care programs. Palliative care may reduce hospital length of stay, improve symptom management, and increase patient satisfaction, but the impact on mortality is unclear.

Conclusion

The core elements of palliative care have been identified and palliative care has been shown to improve outcomes in trauma and surgical critical care. However, the approaches for implementation still require development. The underutilization of palliative care for trauma patients reveals the need for refining criteria for use of palliative care and improvement in the education of surgical critical care teams to provide primary palliative care services.
IgG4-Related Pancreato-Biliary Disease in the Disguise of Malignancy
Authors: Mathew Anvin , Rakesh Nirjhar Raj , Kaushal Gourav , Ramachandra Deepti , Goyal Anuj , Karthyarth Mithun Nariampalli , Azad Shweta , Sanyal Sumit , Dhar Puneet
Published: May 2022

The Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a multisystem inflammatory condition. Pancreaticobiliary manifestations often present as mass lesions that mimic malignancies. The diagnosis is confirmed by histopathological examination, that shows lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, storiform fibrosis, obliterative phlebitis, and positive immunohistochemistry for IgG4. We encountered 3 such patients in a tertiary care hospital in India. Two patients presented with obstructive jaundice and the third with pain abdomen. They had resectable lesions involving the pancreatic head, the right hepatic duct, and gallbladder fundus, respectively, on imaging. Tumor markers were not significantly elevated in any of them. All 3 patients underwent radical surgeries, suspecting malignancy. Surgical specimens showed typical features of IgG4-RD on histomorphology. Serum IgG4 level was elevated in first 2 patients but was normal in sclerosing cholecystitis patient. To conclude, IgG4-RD is a malignant mimicker; hence, on clinical suspicion, liberal attempts for tissue diagnosis may avoid radical surgeries.
Employing Smartphone Health Apps in Weight Management for Adolescents: Analysis on Experiences and Perspectives From Pediatric Providers
Authors: Wen Xin , Nguyen Linh N. , Kowalski-Dobson Theresa M. , Mohammed Layla , Woolford Susan J.
Published: May 2022

The rising popularity of smartphone health applications (apps) offers great potential for facilitating pediatric weight management. Pediatric providers can determine health interventions for young patients with excess weight. We surveyed 51 pediatric providers at a Midwest academic medical institution and found that 78% thought currently available resources were not sufficient for pediatric weight management. In all, 76% of respondents reported use of at least one smartphone health app for their personal health. The quality of pediatric providers’ experiences with their favorite app was strongly associated with their willingness to recommend the app to their patients ( P < .001), but few of them have made such a recommendation in practice, mainly due to the lack of either personal knowledge about health apps or about evidence-based health apps for pediatric weight management. Moreover, respondents shared ideas about qualities for an effective health app, which shed new light on developing apps specifically for adolescents with excess weight.
A Window Into the Tired Brain: Neurophysiological Dynamics of Visuospatial Working Memory Under Fatigue
Authors: Karthikeyan Rohith , Carrizales Joshua , Johnson Connor , Mehta Ranjana K.
Published: May 2022

Objective

We examine the spatiotemporal dynamics of neural activity and its correlates in heart rate and its variability (HR/HRV) during a fatiguing visuospatial working memory task.

Background

The neural and physiological drivers of fatigue are complex, coupled, and poorly understood. Investigations that combine the fidelity of neural indices and the field-readiness of physiological measures can facilitate measurements of fatigue states in operational settings.

Method

Sixteen healthy adults, balanced by sex, completed a 60-minute fatiguing visuospatial working memory task. Changes in task performance, subjective measures of effort and fatigue, cerebral hemodynamics, and HR/HRV were analyzed. Peak brain activation, functional and effective connections within relevant brain networks were contrasted against spectral and temporal features of HR/HRV.

Results

Task performance elicited increased neural activation in regions responsible for maintaining working memory capacity. With the onset of time-on-task effects, resource utilization was seen to increase beyond task-relevant networks. Over time, functional connections in the prefrontal cortex were seen to weaken, with changes in the causal relationships between key regions known to drive working memory. HR/HRV indices were seen to closely follow activity in the prefrontal cortex.

Conclusion

This investigation provided a window into the neurophysiological underpinnings of working memory under the time-on-task effect. HR/HRV was largely shown to mirror changes in cortical networks responsible for working memory, therefore supporting the possibility of unobtrusive state recognition under ecologically valid conditions.

Applications

Findings here can inform the development of a fieldable index for cognitive fatigue.
Schooling and Parental Labor Supply: Evidence from COVID-19 School Closures in the United States
Authors: Amuedo-Dorantes Catalina , Marcén Miriam , Morales Marina , Sevilla Almudena
Published: May 2022

This article examines changes in parental labor supply in response to the unanticipated closure of schools following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. The authors collect detailed daily information on school closures at the school-district level, which they merge to individual-level data on labor supply and sociodemographic characteristics from the monthly Current Population Survey spanning from January 2019 through May 2020. Using a difference-in-differences estimation approach, the authors find evidence of non-negligible labor supply reductions. Having a partner at home helped offset the negative effect of school closures, particularly for maternal employment, although respondents’ job traits played a more significant role in shaping labor supply responses to school closures. Overall, the labor supply impacts of school closures prove robust to identification checks and to controlling for other coexistent social distancing measures. In addition, these early school closures seem to have had a long-lasting negative impact on parental labor supply.
Navigating Conflicting Influences During Complex Strategic Changes: The Contribution of Diagnosis, Congruence, and Leadership
Authors: Worley Christopher G. , Beaujolin Rachel
Published: May 2022

This study explored how managers implement complex strategic changes with multiple, often conflicting, influences and initiatives. A large, regional operating division of a French electrical utility was implementing a top-down, enterprise-wide digital transformation and developing broad agile capabilities in a participative way. Conclusions from the 18-month collaborative research effort suggest that three change activities made pragmatic and theoretically insightful contributions. First, diagnosis – a process not integrated in theories of strategic change and adaptation – served as a powerful source of tailored solutions that orchestrated diverse change activities. Second, the organization's existing culture and identity – typically considered a target of or constraint to change – became an important source of change congruence. Third, managers collectively leveraged and re-framed hierarchical authority in leading the change. Exercising authority in traditional ways kept emerging changes safe. Reframing authority as the power to convene conversations helped to focus expertise on key issues.
“A bit of the other”: Black edibility and white consumption in Andrea Levy’s Small Island
Authors: Collins Corrine
Published: May 2022

This article examines depictions of interracial violence in Andrea Levy’s Small Island to argue that the novel challenges the ways that interraciality is mobilized as a symbol of progress. By examining tropes of black edibility and white consumption, this article situates the duality of attraction and repulsion white characters feel for black characters within libidinal economies of racialized desire and power. Through an analysis of main protagonist Queenie’s anti-blackness towards her black friends, lovers, and child, this article argues that love and affection themselves are implicated within racialized economies of power and an anti-black desirability politics that seeks to possess and destroy black people.
Radiation and lead nanoparticles effects on the mechanical properties of unidirectional carbon fiber/epoxy composites
Authors: Abdelal Nisrin , Abu Saleem Rabie , Alsabbagh Ahmad , Al-Jarrah Maram , Al- Jawarneh Fatima
Published: May 2022

This study investigates the effects of two different parameters on the mechanical properties of carbon fiber-epoxy composites. The two addressed parameters are the composite’s exposure to gamma radiation with different doses, and the incorporation of lead nanoparticles with different weight percentages in the epoxy matrix. Unidirectional carbon fiber-epoxy composites are manufactured using the hand layup vacuum bagging process, and they are characterized by tensile tests and scanning electron microscope. The first part of the study entails fabricating composite laminates with different weight percentages of lead nanoparticles, namely, 0wt%, 1wt%, 2wt%, 3wt%, 4wt% and 5wt%. The results show that composites incorporating lead nanoparticles up to 3wt% exhibit monotonically improved tensile strength and Young’s modulus without compromising their ductility. Whereas, degradation of these mechanical properties is observed with increasing lead content beyond 3wt%. For the second part of the study, composite specimens are exposed to different doses of gamma radiation, namely, 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 kGy. It is observed that the tensile strength, the modulus of toughness and the ductility of the composites improve for radiation exposures up to 25 kGy. However, radiation exposures higher than 25 kGy lead to deterioration in the tensile strength, modulus of toughness and Young’s modulus with negligible effect on the ductility.
Escape From the Cold War: Planning Civilian Evacuation from British-Occupied Germany, 1946–55
Authors: Huxford Grace
Published: May 2022

Evacuations, imagined as well as actual, reflect national strategic preoccupations, cultural assumptions and prevailing social values; they also reveal practical strengths and weaknesses in international relationships and in states’ interactions with their own citizens, at home and abroad. But evacuations are deeply symbolically significant too and grounded in far longer, intertwined social and strategic histories. Using the remarkable case study of Operation Chivalrous, the first plan devised for the evacuation of British military families from early Cold War Germany, this article uses evacuation to throw light on the changed relationship between British citizens and the state after 1945. The plan and planning revealed not only the renewed significance of the family in the post-war world, but also the tensions in the new welfare state. But, more broadly, this article argues that Britain's Cold War planning was closely linked, both practically and symbolically, to its responses to the end of empire and the domestic aftermath of the Second World War. In unpacking the intricacies of a proposal that was never used, for a war that was never fought, this article underlines the wider historical value of unrealised plans in revealing ‘ideational contexts' and social attitudes.
How Do Nutritional Warning Labels Affect Prices?
Authors: Pachali Max J. , Kotschedoff Marco J.W. , van Lin Arjen , Bronnenberg Bart J. , van Herpen Erica
Published: May 2022

Obesity is increasing worldwide, and in many countries, the problem is particularly serious among lower-income groups. Front-of-pack nutritional warning labels are a prominent regulatory tool to fight obesity and have been implemented or are currently being debated in many countries. Existing studies document that warning labels incentivize consumers to substitute away from unhealthy products. However, not much is known about equilibrium price changes in response to consumers’ utility for warning labels. Using household purchase data in the cereal category, this article studies the adjustments of prices after the mandatory introduction of warning labels in Chile. The authors develop a model showing that warning labels lead to higher prices of labeled cereals, as is also observed in data. In contrast, prices of unlabeled products tend to drop or at least increase less, incentivizing price-sensitive consumers to remain in the category. The authors decompose postlabeling market share adjustments into a pure label effect that fixes prices at initial levels after regulation and a total effect that accounts for price reoptimizations. Their findings point to self-enforcing effects of a warning label regulation as the price adjustments amplify policy makers' goal of reducing unhealthy food intake, especially because market forces incentivize low-income segments to choose healthier alternatives.
Using Network Science and Psycholinguistic Megastudies to Examine the Dimensions of Phonological Similarity
Authors: Castro Nichol , Vitevitch Michael S.
Published: May 2022

Network science was used to examine different dimensions of phonological similarity in English. Data from a phonological associate task and an identification of words in noise task were used to create a phonological association network and a misperception network. These networks were compared to a network formed by a computational metric widely used to assess phonological similarity (i.e., one-phoneme metric). The phonological association network and the misperception network were topographically more similar to each other than either were to the one-phoneme metric network, but there were several network features in common between the one-phoneme metric network and the phonological association network. To assess the influence of network structure on processing, we compared the influence of degree (i.e., neighborhood density) from each of the networks on visual and auditory lexical decision reaction times obtained from two psycholinguistic megastudies. The effect of degree differed across network types and tasks. We discuss the use of each approach to determine phonological similarity and a possible direction forward for language research through the use of multiplex networks.
Self-Disclosure, Self-concept, and Friendship’s Perceived Functions among Aggressive and Popular Adolescents
Authors: Cuadros Olga , Berger Christian
Published: May 2022

This study explores the subjective experiences and perceptions related to intimacy in friendships in a group of aggressive-popular adolescents in urban schools characterized by high rates of community violence. Individual interviews were conducted with 12 volunteering adolescents (12–14 years old). Procedures from grounded theory were used to enable thematic coding, departing from a social identity, socio-emotional, and ecological perspective. The narratives by adolescents highlighted the influence the social environment in which they grew had on individual psychological conditions that shape their emotional responses, self-concept, and beliefs. They exhibit aggressive behavior and to value popularity as an adaptive form of social survival, and belonging. Their social behavior has influence on their friendships face challenges, especially regarding the perception of envy from friends and the associated self-disclosure constraints when individuals are involved in high-violence contexts.
Classification of Pharmaceutical Policy Measures During the Portuguese Financial Crisis
Authors: Donato António Augusto , Pita João Rui , Batel-Marques Francisco
Published: May 2022

Background:

A rise in pharmaceutical expenses in Portugal led to the introduction of policy measures aimed at controlling outpatient public costs. This research examines and categorizes the most common pharmaceutical measures implemented during the Troika intervention, as well as comparing this period of time to prior ones.

Methods:

A hierarchical structure of descriptors was built to classify and group measures over a 20-year period, including whether they might be deemed austerity measures. The nature, relative weight, and frequency of measures, along with the evolution of public drug expenditure, were assessed.

Results:

Although there were fluctuations, frequency tended to increase. The highest number of policy changes per year was in 2010, a year before the financial assistance. The Troika intervention was characterized by a strong emphasis on pricing and prescription-related initiatives. Generic medicines played a significant role in the effort to reduce public drug expenditure.

Conclusions:

During the Troika intervention, outpatient public drug expenditure was consistently reduced through a comprehensive “package of measures” aimed at both the demand and supply sides. The effectiveness of some previous independent measures, if any, was temporary.
Reinfection by SARS CoV2 in Valle Del Cauca, Colombia: A Descriptive Retrospective Study
Authors: Hurtado Isabel Cristina , Hurtado Juan Sebastián , Valencia Sandra Lizeth , Pinzón Elisa María , Guzmán Ana Roció , Lesmes María Cristina
Published: May 2022

Introduction: In coronavirus cases, reinfection has been associated with short-term immunity and genetic changes in viruses which allow them to escape from immune response, viral genotyping is required to make the precise diagnosis of reinfection, but the suspicion occurs in patients with more than 90 days between the tests and total improvement between them. We made a descriptive retrospective study with the cases of reinfection in Valle del Cauca, Colombia. Results: We found up to June 30, 3249 cases with suspected reinfection, 1.1% of all cases. During the first infection episode, 68% of the patients had symptoms, while at the moment of reinfection, the percentage was 73.4%. 55% of the analyzed cases had symptoms in both infection episodes, hospitalization of reinfection cases was 2% during the first episode and 2.2% in the second one. Conclusion: the reinfection percentage was low, as well as the hospitalization and ICU cases. These results allow to define that in terms of the provision of healthcare services, reinfection defined in this study, does not generate any differences in care required vs the first episode.
Abolition as Praxis and Virtual Community-Based Learning
Authors: Rocha Beardall Theresa
Published: May 2022

The distressing events of 2020 challenged the United States to reimagine how our social institutions can and should respond to demands for racial justice. These demands impacted higher education and debates arose about whether the classroom is an appropriate place for teaching abolition. I address this debate by introducing a senior-level elective course, Policing in the American City, to explore how abolitionist pedagogy can guide our teaching, learning, and doing sociology alongside our students. I begin with a brief grounding in abolition and then introduce virtual community-based learning (VCBL) as an ideal medium to facilitate abolitionist pedagogy in the classroom. Next, I provide preliminary insights into the use of VCBL to illustrate how it helped students develop critical skills, mobilize their learning, and benefit community partners. Throughout, I call on instructors to consider how online education, service learning, and public sociology can align with abolitionist practices to create communities of care in our classrooms and empower students to engage abolition as praxis beyond their college years.
Individual differences in the effectiveness of a narrative-promoting intervention: Relation with executive function skills
Authors: Veneziano Edy , Bartoli Eleonora
Published: May 2022

This work is based on previous studies showing that a short conversational intervention (SCI) focusing on the causes of the story events is effective in promoting the causal and mental content of children’s narratives. In these studies, however, not all the children improved their narratives after the SCI). The present study examined individual differences in the effectiveness of the SCI and investigated whether they were related to variation in the children’s executive function skills such as cognitive inhibition and flexibility. Eighty 6- to 8-year-old French-speaking children participated in the narrative task and executive function tasks. In the narrative task, they first told a story (NAR1) based on the Stone Story made up of five wordless pictures involving a misunderstanding between two characters; each child then participated in the SCI, and finally narrated the story a second time (NAR2). Then, the children were presented with executive function tasks. Cognitive inhibition was assessed by the Animal Stroop test, and cognitive flexibility was assessed by a three-criterion classification task and a local/global figure-matching task. Group results showed that the children expressed the misunderstanding between the characters in mental terms significantly more in their second than in their first narratives. Results also showed individual variation in the post-SCI improvements and indicated a significant positive relation between large improvements in the children’s post-SCI narrative and their inhibitory control skills. No significant relations were found in this study between large improvements and the two cognitive flexibility measures. These results suggest that narrative-promoting interventions should closely consider individual differences in the effectiveness of their procedures and envisage working not only on promoting narrative content but also on the skills needed to benefit from the interventions.
Community-set goals are needed to increase diversity in language acquisition research: A commentary on Kidd and Garcia (2022)
Authors: Havron Naomi , Scaff Camila , Hitczenko Kasia , Cristia Alejandrina
Published: May 2022

This commentary argues that to increase diversity in language acquisition research, the field should define specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-defined goals, and prioritize solutions based on their importance, tractability, and neglectedness, ideally in collaboration with a variety of other agents outside the research community.
Towards a Universal Mathematical Braille Notation
Authors: van Leendert Annemiek , Doorman Michiel , Drijvers Paul , Pel Johan , van der Steen Johannes
Published: May 2022

Introduction: Across the world, mathematical expressions are represented very differently in braille. The aim of this study was (1) to gain an overall insight in mathematical braille notations and (2) to investigate how mathematical braille notations support braille readers in reading and comprehending mathematical expressions. Method: Twenty teachers from sixteen countries (thirteen European Union, EU, and three non-EU) were asked to transform 21 mathematical expressions and equations into the mathematical braille notation currently used by their braille readers. Three mathematical expressions were selected, and the transformed expressions in the different braille notations were qualitatively compared at braille and mathematical structure level. Results: The results illustrated that most mathematical braille notations use mathematical structures that either support braille readers in getting an overview of an expression—for example, by announcing the start and end of a fraction—or facilitate communication between braille readers and people who can see. Discussion: The method of comparing transformed expressions at structure level can be extended to other types of mathematical expressions and other mathematical braille notations. Agreement on the structure of different mathematical expressions can be a first step towards a universal mathematical braille notation. Implications for Practitioners: Mathematics teachers should be aware of and use the strengths of the mathematical braille notation and try to compensate for weaknesses of the notation in the support of braille readers.
Effect of Container Shape, Age, and Visual Acuity on the Readability of Prescription Label Information in Persons With Visual Impairments
Authors: Connors Elyse , Lee Helen , Kim Dae , Curtis Amy , Freeland Amy
Published: May 2022

Introduction: The readability of prescription drug labels has been found to be faster with labels attached to flat surfaces compared to round surfaces, in persons with visual impairment. This study extends this finding by examining the readability of drug labels, as measured by speed and accuracy, as they interact with factors of age and vision acuity across different container shapes. Methods: A repeated-measure, three-factor design (container shape, age, and vision acuity) with within-subject control was used with 54 adults with vision loss. Participants read 3 unique prescription drug labels across four container shapes, for a total of 12 trials. The amount of time needed to locate and read aloud 6 pieces of label information and the number of errors made in reading were outcome measures. Results: A two-way interaction was found between container shape and acuity for the time it takes to read the label information (Wald χ2 = 22.836, df = 3, p < .001). The legally blind group required more time to read the label and had more variation in mean times across container type, compared to the low vision group. Both age and acuity showed statistically significant ( p < 0.001) main effects on reading accuracy. Discussion: Within the legally blind acuity group, cylinder-shaped containers took statistically significantly longer to read compared to the flat label by 18 seconds. Increased age and lower visual acuity negatively affected reading accuracy, across all container shapes. Implications for Practitioners: Individuals with legal blindness may need more time to read prescription drug labels and may benefit from labels adhered to flat surfaces over traditional cylindrical containers. As medication safety is a critical skill for independent living, practitioners should assess their clients’ ability to access prescription drug label information, keeping in mind that these abilities may differ across different container shapes.
When Information Is Not Enough: School Choice, Segregation, and the Elusive Notion of Fit
Authors: Kafka Judith
Published: May 2022

Background:

School choice models assume that parents and children have varied educational preferences and that catering to those preferences will result in superior educational experiences for all. Yet, we still know relatively little about how parents identify the best school “fit” for their children and families. This question is particularly important in the context of gentrifying urban districts, where school choice often serves to broaden and intensify school segregation at precisely the moment in which racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic school integration could be a real possibility.

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to better understand how parents determined the best school fit for their children within a competitive system of public school choice.

Setting:

The study was conducted in a diverse school district in Brooklyn, New York, in which families were required to rank their preferred middle schools and schools were required to rank interested students. This competitive choice model has the potential to match students and schools by educational fit when top choices align, but can also lead to greater academic stratification and racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic segregation.

Participants and Research Design:

Twenty-six parents from a range of social, economic, racial, ethnic, linguistic, and geographic locations and identities were interviewed over a 15-month period before, during, and after applying to middle schools for their children. The study’s longitudinal design captured parents’ shifting priorities, perceptions of school options, and notions of fit across time.

Findings:

Study participants’ school preferences shifted through time and were often constructed collectively. Parents sought out and accessed information about their options but, faced with too many uncertainties, also turned to others for guidance and assurance. Race, ethnicity, and class often informed parents’ perceptions of schools, but not uniformly. Notions of fit varied both within and across groups, and at times parents with similar backgrounds and stated educational priorities arrived at disparate school preferences based largely on perceptions constructed within their social networks.

Conclusion/Recommendations:

These findings suggest that offering families expanded access to and better quality information about their school options will do little to reduce the segregating effects of choice without also ensuring that schools are organized to address the diverse needs of students and families. Seeking to make all schools inclusive and pedagogically responsive to diverse learners will decrease some of the market efficiencies school choice has promised to deliver, but may offer an even greater social good by advancing the goals of integrated and equitable schooling.
The Reliability and Validity of the Turkish Version of Smartphone Impact Scale
Authors: Birinci Tansu , Van Der Veer Pınar , Mutlu Caner , Mutlu Ebru Kaya
Published: May 2022

The Smartphone Impact Scale (SIS) was originally developed in English to determine the cognitive, affective, social, and behavioral impacts of smartphones. This study aimed to translate and cross-culturally adapt the SIS instrument into Turkish and investigate its psychometric properties. Two hundred and sixty-four young and middle-aged adults (186 females) with a mean age of 36.24 years (SD = 14.93; range, 18–65 years) were included. For cross-cultural adaptation, two bi-lingual translators used the back-translation procedure. Within a 5-to-7-day period after the first assessment, the participants completed the Turkish version of SIS (SIS-T) to evaluate test-retest reliability. Cronbach’s alpha (α) was used to assess internal consistency. The correlation between the Turkish version of the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS-T) and the Nottingham Health Profile was determined to check the validity. The SIS-T had a high-level internal consistency (α = 0.86) and test-retest reliability (ICC2,1 = 0.56 to 0.89 for subscales). The SIS-T subscales were correlated with the SAS-T (r = 0.31 to 0.66, p < 0.01), indicating a good concurrent validity. The results show that the SIS-T is semantically and linguistically adequate to determine smartphones' cognitive, affective, social, and behavioral impacts on young and middle-aged adults. Good internal validity and test-retest reliability of the SIS-T were defined to evaluate the impacts of smartphones among Turkish-speaking young and middle-aged adults.
The MNU Plus Testosterone Rat Model of Prostate Carcinogenesis
Authors: Bosland Maarten C. , Schlicht Michael J. , Horton Lori , McCormick David L.
Published: May 2022

Animal models of prostate cancer are essential to identify chemopreventive treatments against this major male malignancy. The N-methyl- N-nitrosourea (MNU) plus testosterone rat model of prostate carcinogenesis is a reliable animal model that recapitulates human prostate cancer in many respects and has been used extensively in chemoprevention studies with good predictive value for the results of human clinical trials. The objective of this article is to describe the induction protocol of this model, demonstrate its robustness and reproducibility over time and across rat strains, provide diagnostic criteria for the identification of prostate lesions, and present the current tumor induction protocol so that others can use this model in a reliable manner. The majority of accessory sex gland tumors in this model are adenocarcinomas originating in the anterior and dorsolateral prostate that metastasize to lungs and abdominal structures. The rat strain used is of critical importance, with the commercially available Wistar WU and Fischer F344 strains yielding the highest tumor incidences. Low dose, long-term testosterone treatment is essential for a high tumor incidence, but in advanced stage, large adenocarcinomas do not appear to be androgen dependent. This rat model is a robust and reproducible prostate cancer animal model of human prostate cancer.
Variations in Definitions of Evidence-Based Interventions for Behavioral Health in Eight Selected U.S. States
Authors: Maranda Michael J. , Lee-Easton Miranda J. , Magura Stephen
Published: May 2022

Background

U.S. state legislatures fill a vital role in supporting the use of evidence-based interventions (EBIs) through statutes and regulations (mandates).

Objective

The study determined the terms used by selected states to describe EBIs and how those terms are defined in mandates.

Research Methods

The mandates of eight purposely selected states were accessed and coded using the Westlaw Legal Research Database.

Results

Considerable variation was found in the terms used by states to describe EBIs. Although “evidence-based” was the most frequently utilized term (60% of mandates), an additional 29 alternative terms appeared with varying frequencies. Most terms were simply mentioned, with no further definition or elaboration. When terms were further defined or elaborated, the majority were defined using numerous and different types of external sources or references. Three approaches were found in the mandates defining EBIs: “single definition,” “hierarchies of evidence levels,” and “best available evidence”; the states differed considerably in the approaches used in their mandates.

Conclusions

The variations in EBI-related terminology across states and within states, coupled with a lack of elaboration on the meaning of important terms and the predominant use of external rather than internal guidelines, may be a source of confusion for behavioral health provider agencies that seek direction about what constitutes an EBI. Prior studies indicate that many agencies may lack staff with the technical ability to adequately evaluate what constitutes an EBI. Thus, lack of clear guidance from official state government mandates may impede the implementation of EBIs within states.
Are Your Participants Real? Dealing with Fraud in Recruiting Older Adults Online
Authors: Salinas Margaret R.
Published: May 2022

The internet offers exciting opportunities for quick, cost-efficient, and widespread recruitment and data collection without face-to-face contact. Previous research has demonstrated success in reaching population subgroups not typically included in traditional recruitment methods, yet challenges in data quality protection remain paramount. This article describes using Amazon Mechanical Turk, Facebook groups, and email distribution lists to recruit older adults who live alone for a quantitative study using a cross-sectional online survey. Fraudulent survey takers became a major concern in this study, and a protocol was developed to identify and exclude suspicious data. Of 738 recorded participants, 117 responses were retained in the final sample. The majority of sham responses were collected from Facebook with the fewest number of issues identified in responses collected via targeted emailing. Implications for survey design, data analysis, and future research are discussed.
A structural equation modeling examining the influence of body mass index on the lipid profile of type II diabetes patients
Authors: CP Gayathry
Published: May 2022

Background: High Body Mass Index (BMI) has a two times greater risk of developing type II diabetes compared to low BMI. The results showed that general obesity had a risk of 2.24 times while abdominal obesity had a risk of 2.44 times for the occurrence of diabetes. Aim: Based on the background described, the researcher was interested in examining the influence of BMI on the lipid profile of type II diabetes patients. Methods: A considerably large sample of 500 type II diabetes patients who attended the outpatient department of Endocrinology wing of NIMS Medicity (NICER-Noorul Islam Centre for Endocrinology Research), Kerala, India were selected to the macrosample pool following purposive random sampling method. Height and weight of the patients were taken following standard methods and BMI of the patients was computed. Biochemical investigations such as their lipid profile along with Fasting, Post Prandial Blood Glucose values and HbA1C were obtained from patients’ medical records. Finally, the hypothesized model was developed and tested by Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) technique using SPSS AMOS 22.0. Results: The results show that height and weight highly influenced the BMI, among which weight, as shown by Standardized Regression Weights (SRW) Estimate- 1.102, Statistically Significant) influenced more than height (SRW Estimate:-0.683, Statistically Significant), weight had a positive influence, whereas height had a negative influence in selected Type II Diabetes patients. The model could not establish any relationship between BMI and lipid profile (SRW Estimate:-0.037, Statistically not Significant). Conclusion: The findings suggest that in diabetes patients increase in BMI alone does not lead to any alterations in their lipid profile.
Estimating the impact of information technology on economic growth in south Asian countries: The silver lining of education
Authors: Ximei Liu , Latif Zahid , Danish  , Latif Shahid , waraa Kaif ul
Published: May 2022

In this paper, the impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) on economic growth in South Asian countries is investigated during 1990–2014. For this purpose, the newly developed panel data estimation method Dynamic Seemingly Unrelated Regression (DSUR) is applied. According to the results, the impact of ICTs on economic growth remains positive in South Asian economies. In addition, education stimulates economic growth; however, foreign direct investment does not contribute to economic growth. The newly acquired result would guide policymakers and government officials to focus on the advancement of ICT for maintaining the sustainable economic growth. The findings imply that South Asian countries should raise the ICT level with proper technology education level to achieve the desired economic growth.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation during pregnancy and peripartal. An international retrospective multicenter study
Authors: Malfertheiner S Fill , Brodie D , Burrell A , Taccone FS , Broman LM , Shekar K , Agerstrand C L , Serra A L , Fraser J , Malfertheiner MV
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) may be used in the setting of pregnancy or the peripartal period, however its utility has not been well-characterized. This study aims to give an overview on the prevalence of peripartel ECMO cases and further assess the indications and outcomes of ECMO in this setting across multiple centers and countries.

Methods

A retrospective, multicenter, international cohort study of pregnant and peripartum ECMO cases was performed. Data were collected from six ECMO centers across three continents over a 10-year period.

Results

A total of 60 pregnany/peripartal ECMO cases have been identified. Most frequent indications are acute respiratory distress syndrome ( n = 30) and pulmonary embolism ( n = 5). Veno-venous ECMO mode was applied more often (77%). ECMO treatment during pregnancy was performed in 17 cases. Maternal and fetal survival was high with 87% ( n = 52), respectively 73% ( n = 44).

Conclusions

Various emergency scenarios during pregnancy and at time of delivery may require ECMO treatment. Peripartal mortality in a well-resourced setting is rare, however emergencies in the labor room occur and knowledge of available rescue therapy is essential to improve outcome. Obstetricians and obstetric anesthesiologists should be aware of the availability of ECMO resource at their hospital or region to ensure immediate contact when needed.
Moral distress amongst palliative care doctors working during the COVID-19 pandemic: A narrative-focussed interview study
Authors: Fish Ellis C. , Lloyd Anna
Published: May 2022

Background:

Palliative care professionals have had to adapt to rapidly changing COVID-19 restrictions with personal protective equipment and physical distancing measures impacting face-to-face communication with patients and relatives.

Aim:

To explore the narratives of palliative care doctors working during the pandemic to understand their experiences at a personal and professional level.

Design:

In-depth narrative interviews were carried out via video call. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using a joint paradigmatic and narrative approach to elucidate common themes and closely explore individual narratives.

Setting/participants:

Eight palliative care doctors who had worked on a hospice inpatient unit in the UK before and during the pandemic were recruited from two hospices in Scotland.

Results:

Three intersecting themes are described, the most significant being moral distress. Participants articulated a struggle to reconcile their moral convictions with the restrictions enforced, for example, wanting to provide support to patients through physical proximity but being unable to. To differing degrees, this resulted in internal conflict and emotional distress. Two further themes arose: the first concerned a loss of humanity in interaction and a striving to re-humanise communication through alternative means; the second being a change in staff morale as the pandemic progressed.

Conclusions:

Restrictions had a considerable impact on palliative care doctors’ ability to communicate with and comfort patients which led to moral distress and contributed to decreasing morale. Future research could explore moral distress in palliative care settings internationally during the pandemic with a view to compare the factors affecting how moral distress was experienced.
Chinese Adolescents’ Perceptions of Parental Socialization Goals: Variations by Ethnicity and Gender
Authors: Zhang Meng-Run , Ng Florrie Fei-Yin
Published: May 2022

This research examined ethnic and gender variations in early adolescents’ reports of parental socialization goals among the majority Han and two Muslim ethnic minority groups (Hui and Kazakhs) in China. 1584 adolescents (mean age = 13.49; 54.6% girls) listed and ranked the five most important goals from parents. Achievement outcomes were emphasized the most across ethnicities. According to adolescents, Han (vs. Kazakh) parents emphasized relatively more on self-maximization and psychological well-being, and less on extrafamilial relationships, morality, and social contribution, with the Hui appearing to be midway between the two groups. Gender differences in perceived parental goals were mostly consistent with traditional gender roles across ethnicities. This research painted a more nuanced picture of adolescents’ perceptions of parental socialization in China. Results pointed to the significance of traditional values and economic development in understanding the socialization goals of Chinese parents of different ethnicities.