bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parental Teleological Awareness Based on Research Conducted in Central Poland
Authors: Zawadzka Edyta
Published: December 2021

The research problem discussed in this text concerns the specificity of parental teleological awareness, the components of which, in accordance with a constructed theoretical framework, are parental attitudes towards the child-rearing goals, types of their teleological awareness and the content of the child-rearing goals. The considerations are based on the results of the surveys that were conducted in central Poland. The research sample consisted of 212 parents who have filled the survey questionnaire that consisted of both open-ended and closedended questions. The results show that within the study group of parents, the child-rearing activity is usually deliberate, and that one can identify 4 types of parental teleological awareness (passive and active, as well as primary and secondary), with active and secondary being the dominant ones. Regardless of the fact that the content of the child-rearing goals within the said group is characterised by diversity, they usually form internally coherent system. In terms of preferred goals, one can observe the tendency among the parents to declare the intentions to pursue the objectives related to universal values, having a negotiable meaning, more often than not with individualistic rather than social qualities, and those assuming the child’s subjectivity in the process of achieving them. The stated (verbalized) goals usually refer to postulated vision of a human being or his/her features.
The Importance of Evaluative Thinking and the Excess of Scientific Effectiveness - Inspirations from Henryk Elzenberg’s Thought
Authors: Łukaszewska Katarzyna
Published: December 2021

The dynamics of changes in science inevitably, but also increasingly urgently begins to include ethical reflection. These issues include such problems as: the gap between the prestige of scientific and didactic activity, building scientific achievements solely through the prism of their carrying capacity, or the lack of influence of science on social and cultural life. The dominant role in shaping teaching standards is played by such phenomena as parameterization, indexing, coefficients or accreditation, while the normative space of scientific activity is no longer subject to such obvious standardization. The educational and cultural role of the people of science devalues towards entrepreneurship and effectiveness. Based on Henryk Elzenberg’s views on the excess of the importance of science to the detriment of evaluative thinking, it can be noted that contemporary academic expertise does not seem to pursue any axiological connotations, which in the long run is a highly disturbing advantage for culture.
Form and perception of nature in Elizabeth bishop’s “questions of travel”.
Authors: Gordanpour Yazdanmehr , Rezaei Tahereh
Published: December 2021

Elizabeth Bishop’s poetry is acutely form-conscious and human perception informs its descriptions of nature; critics who study Bishop’s poetry refer to her use of poetic artifice and note in passing the ethics of restraint and impersonality in her poetry. However, Bishop’s poetry is rarely discussed in the sphere of ecocriticism; and the formal significance of human perception infused with the descriptions of nature in her poetry is conveniently overlooked. Likewise, anthropogenic climate change is underrepresented in traditional ecocriticism which insists on removing form—and with it, any trace of the human—from the text. This article proposes that a study of Bishop’s travel writing and exploring the significance of concern for nature in conjunction with form-consciousness can contribute to a more profound understanding of both human-nature relationship and Bishop’s ecopoetic sensitivities. “Questions of Travel” is one of Bishop’s poems that directly grapples with the ethics of human presence in nature. The article explicates the textual and formal features of this poem to elucidate the function of form in its ecopoetic descriptions. The article shows how Bishop accepts the inevitability of human perception of nature and its literary corollary in ecopoetry as form-consciousness, and, thus, by implication, points to the importance of such poetry for a deeper understanding of the relationship between human beings and nature in the context of climate change.
Flourish or Perish? The Impact of Technological Acquisitions on Contributions to Open-Source Software
Authors: Chen Wei , Jin Fujie , Xue Ling
Published: December 2021

Flourish or Perish? The Impact of Technological Acquisitions on Contributions to Open-Source Software

This study examines how acquisitions of open-source software (OSS) firms may impact the internal and external contributors to the OSS projects of acquisition targets. We find that, for target firms, acquisitions hurt internal contributions from their employees to their OSS projects but attract more external contributions from outside developers. Therefore, managers of merged entities should strive to maintain the incentives of target firms’ internal developers after acquisitions, and they can also leverage acquisitions to attract external developers. We also find that acquirers with prior OSS experiences and similar OSS projects with target firms are in an advantageous position to attract contributions from both target firms’ internal developers and external developers in the OSS community. In this regard, managers of acquirers can consider building their OSS experiences and selecting appropriate target firms before acquisitions. Moreover, our study suggests that acquisitions of OSS firms can also benefit the whole OSS community by motivating the contributions of internal and external developers to other projects in the community. Therefore, for both practitioners and policy makers, acquisitions should have important implications for nourishing the entire OSS community.
Technical Note—A Monge Sequence-Based Approach to Characterize the Competitive Newsvendor Problem
Authors: Bansal Saurabh , Nagarajan Mahesh
Published: December 2021

Replicating cash flows of multiple agents in game-theoretic settings tends to be a challenging task. In this paper, we consider the competitive newsvendor game where multiple newsvendors choose inventory levels before demand arrival and the unmet demand of each newsvendor spills over to multiple other newsvendors. We show that this spillover behavior and the resulting cash flows of each newsvendor can be replicated within a transportation problem after assigning artificial costs on spillover behavior. This replication provides an opportunity to study structural properties of the problem, as well as determine the equilibrium of the game. This paradigm of using artificial costs within an optimization framework to replicate agents’ cash flows can be used in many other games as well.
A Probabilistic Approach to Growth Networks
Authors: Jelenković Predrag , Kondev Jané , Mohapatra Lishibanya , Momčilović Petar
Published: December 2021

Single-class closed queueing networks, consisting of infinite-server and single-server queues with exponential service times and probabilistic routing, admit product-from solutions. Such solutions, although seemingly tractable, are difficult to characterize explicitly for practically relevant problems due to the exponential combinatorial complexity of its normalization constant (partition function). In “A Probabilistic Approach to Growth Networks,” Jelenković, Kondev, Mohapatra, and Momčilović develop a novel methodology, based on a probabilistic representation of product-form solutions and large-deviations concentration inequalities, which identifies distinct operating regimes and yields explicit expressions for the marginal distributions of queue lengths. From a methodological perspective, a fundamental feature of the proposed approach is that it provides exact results for order-one probabilities, even though the analysis involves large-deviations rate functions, which characterize only vanishing probabilities on a logarithmic scale.
The Role of Akashvani Kozhikode in the Radio Broadcasting History of Kerala with Emphasis on the Contributions of Khan Kavil
Authors: Yasmin Fida
Published: December 2021

The study examines the history of radio broadcasting in Kerala from the 1940s to the 21st century, focusing on the contributions of Akashvani Kozhikode. An attempt is made to search the social and cultural history of Akashvani Kozhikode and find out the contemporary relevance of Kozhikode station. The study's primary aim is to delve into the life history of Khan Kavil, who was an anchor, drama writer, actor, drama director, and broadcasting artist. Khan Kavil, born in a small village named Kavumthara in Kerala, was a voice artist who worked in Akashvani Kozhikode from 1978 to 1997 and carved a niche with his dynamic voice in the realm of radio broadcasting in Kerala. The study is trying to identify his contributions to the Akashvani Kozhikode and society. His life and contributions are recollected through popular memories, and an attempt is made to write a local and oral history based on this data gathered through the conversations with the eminent personalities of Khan Kavil's time who admired him and his colleagues. Further, the paper attempts to trace out why radio broadcasting still has a significant impact on ordinary people despite the advent of new forms of media. Magazines, newspapers, brochures, and interviews are used as the primary sources of this study.
Formica rufa ants have a limited effect on the abundance of the parasitic fly Ernestia rudis in Scots pine plantations
Authors: Véle Adam , Dobrosavljević Jovan
Published: December 2021

Red wood ants (the Formica rufa group) are important predators which affect animal communities in their territory. Therefore, they are useful in forest protection. On the other hand, they also prey on beneficial organisms. We have asked whether Formica rufa L. affects the abundance of the parasitic flies Ernestia rudis (Fallén). Ten anthills situated in about 40-year- old pine plantations were used for the study. The presence of E. rudis cocoons was assessed in eight soil samples excavated in the surrounding of each nest at a distance of 2–17 m. Our results show a considerably lower abundance of E. rudis only to 4.5 m from the nests. The occurrence of Formica rufa ants therefore had no significant effect on the beneficial E. rudis population in plantation forests, where ants populations are low.
Apparatus and Its Uses: ‘Ecologising' Diffraction As A Materialist-Epistemological Practice
Authors: Julien Christopher F.
Published: December 2021

This paper addresses the problem of how to 'do' theory without implying “that theorizing is outside the world” (Barad & Gandorfer, 2021, p. 16) by elaborating a particular, ecological use of the apparatus. Tracing Foucault’s use of the dispositif (Foucault, [1977] 1980, p. 194), I argue that his key invention is identifying the generative capacity of the apparatus in terms of its constraints, which coincide with its situatedness as part of the world. By diffractively reading this invention through Barad’s posthumanist use of the apparatus, their agential realist practice of diffraction is re-iterated as a specifically 'ecologising' technique. Rather than following Barad in grounding this technique ontologically, Foucault’s “author-function” (Foucault 1969) leads me to ground such theorising an ongoing, materialist-epistemological engagement with the environment.
Density and size-dependent bioturbation effects of the infaunal polychaete Nephtys incisa on sediment biogeochemistry and solute exchange
Authors: Michaud Emma , Aller Robert C. , Zhu Qingzhi , Heilbrun Christina , Stora Georges
Published: December 2021

The impact of bioturbation on the geochemistry of aquatic sediments is known to depend on the benthic infauna species that are present. However, burrowing and activity patterns of each species may also change during the different stages of a life cycle. In this study, we examined the
effects of four size classes of the polychaete Nephtys incisa on burrow networks and sediment biogeochemistry. In our experimental aquaria, the total biovolume (~ biomass) of Nephtys was kept constant, but different age classes were introduced, so the size and abundance varied
between treatments. Despite differences in the geometry of burrow networks (due to varying density and size of burrows as revealed by X-radiography), the transport of nonreactive solutes (Br–) showed little difference between treatments. In contrast, the depth distribution
of reactive solutes (Fe2+, Mn2+, TPO3– 4, TCO2, O2, pH) depended on oxidized sediment volumes and on spatial micro-heterogeneity related to burrowing patterns. Net fluxes of O2, TCO2, and NO–
3 fluxes were strongly affected by age-dependent burrowing patterns. Carbonate dissolution and remineralization rates (reflected by TCO 2fluxes) were enhanced as the size of individuals increased. NO– 3fluxes showed progressive change from dominance of nitrification
(release) to denitrification (uptake) as burrow densities decreased with larger individuals. We conclude that different age-size classes of a single species at identical biovolume affect biogeo- chemical cycling differently, due to changes in burrow sizes and burrow densities. Because of redox
reaction coupling associated with burrow geometries (Fe2+, Mn2+ oxidation patterns), similar magnitudes of nonlocal transport may be a misleading indicator of biogenic impacts. Our observations demonstrate that biogeochemical impacts must be evaluated in the context of
size (age-) specific traits and population densities rather than biomass or biovolume alone.
Evolution law of comet-shaped defects in magnetorheological
finishing
Authors: Shu Quanlin , Hai Kuo , Huang Wen , Jiang Lili , Yuan Shenghao , Li Kailong , Sun Pengfei , Tian Dong , Zhang Yunfei
Published: December 2021

Ultraprecision optical systems such as high-energy laser systems have very strict requirements for surface defects of optical components. Comet-shaped defects are common in magnetorheological finishing, which is one of the main ultraprecision manufacturing technologies. Computational fluid dynamics is used to simulate the pressure and velocity of the magnetorheological fluid in pits during magnetorheological finishing for the first time, to the best of our knowledge. The simulation model analyzes the distribution of velocity and pressure in the process of the formation of comet-shaped defects. After the simulation, magnetorheological polishing experiments were carried out on the fused quartz silica glass. The polishing experiments use the rotation speed and immersion depth of the polishing wheel to verify the velocity and pressure distribution in the simulation experiment. The polishing experiment results are consistent with the simulation results, which show that the high polishing speed will increase the depth of the defect, and the uneven velocity and pressure distribution at the pits make the pits evolve into comet-shaped defects. We explain the cause of comet-shaped defects from the perspective of material removal and provide an optimization method of process parameters for high-efficiency removal of comet-shaped defects.
A hybrid stochastic-deterministic approach to explore multiple infection and evolution in HIV
Authors: Kreger Jesse , Komarova Natalia L. , Wodarz Dominik
Published: December 2021

To study viral evolutionary processes within patients, mathematical models have been instrumental. Yet, the need for stochastic simulations of minority mutant dynamics can pose computational challenges, especially in heterogeneous systems where very large and very small sub-populations coexist. Here, we describe a hybrid stochastic-deterministic algorithm to simulate mutant evolution in large viral populations, such as acute HIV-1 infection, and further include the multiple infection of cells. We demonstrate that the hybrid method can approximate the fully stochastic dynamics with sufficient accuracy at a fraction of the computational time, and quantify evolutionary end points that cannot be expressed by deterministic models, such as the mutant distribution or the probability of mutant existence at a given infected cell population size. We apply this method to study the role of multiple infection and intracellular interactions among different virus strains (such as complementation and interference) for mutant evolution. Multiple infection is predicted to increase the number of mutants at a given infected cell population size, due to a larger number of infection events. We further find that viral complementation can significantly enhance the spread of disadvantageous mutants, but only in select circumstances: it requires the occurrence of direct cell-to-cell transmission through virological synapses, as well as a substantial fitness disadvantage of the mutant, most likely corresponding to defective virus particles. This, however, likely has strong biological consequences because defective viruses can carry genetic diversity that can be incorporated into functional virus genomes via recombination. Through this mechanism, synaptic transmission in HIV might promote virus evolvability.
The relationship between home ownership and fall-related outcomes: The National Health and Aging Trends Study
Authors: Tsai Ching-Yao , Tung Tao-Hsin , Li Yang-Tzu , Chen Wei-Cheng
Published: December 2021

Although many studies have tried to explore the association between fall incidents and fear of falling (FOF)/worry about fall-limited activities and various risk factors, few studies have recognized the relationship between house ownership and fall-related outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess whether house ownership will affect an older adult’s experience of falling or lead to fear of falling. The National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) collected data that would provide an understanding of basic trends in people aged 65 years and older living in the United States of America. This study conducted round one of the NHATS and did logistic regression to examine the relationship between house ownership and fall-related outcomes among 7,090 persons aged 65 or older. Twenty five percent of the sampled population who lacked house ownership. All fall-related outcomes (fall last month, fall last year, fear of falling, and worry about fall-limited activities) were statistically significant in the bivariate analysis. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that house ownership (OR = 0.75, 95%CI: 0.65–0.86) was significantly associated with fear of falling after adjusting for other covariates. The findings underscore the association between the lack of house ownership and fall-related outcomes.
Free-ranging pigs identified as a multi-reservoir of Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma congolense in the Vavoua area, a historical sleeping sickness focus of Côte d’Ivoire
Authors: Traoré Barkissa Mélika , Koffi Mathurin , N’Djetchi Martial Kassi , Kaba Dramane , Kaboré Jacques , Ilboudo Hamidou , Ahouty Bernadin Ahouty , Koné Minayégninrin , Coulibaly Bamoro , Konan Thomas , Segard Adeline , Kouakou Lingué , De Meeûs Thierry , Ravel Sophie , Solano Philippe , Bart Jean-Mathieu , Jamonneau Vincent
Published: December 2021

Background

The existence of an animal reservoir ofTrypanosoma brucei gambiense(T.b.gambiense), the agent of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), may compromise the interruption of transmission targeted by World Health Organization. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of trypanosomes in pigs and people in the Vavoua HAT historical focus where cases were still diagnosed in the early 2010’s.

Methods

For the human survey, we used the CATT, mini-anion exchange centrifugation technique and immune trypanolysis tests. For the animal survey, the buffy coat technique was also used as well as the PCR usingTrypanosomaspecies specific, including theT.b.gambienseTgsGP detection using single round and nested PCRs, performed from animal blood samples and from strains isolated from subjects positive for parasitological investigations.

Results

No HAT cases were detected among 345 people tested. A total of 167 pigs were investigated. Free-ranging pigs appeared significantly more infected than pigs in pen. Over 70% of free-ranging pigs were positive for CATT and parasitological investigations and 27–43% were positive to trypanolysis depending on the antigen used.T.bruceiwas the most prevalent species (57%) followed byT.congolense(24%). Blood sample extracted DNA ofT.bruceipositive subjects were negative to single round TgsGP PCR. However, 1/22 and 6/22 isolated strains were positive with single round and nested TgsGP PCRs, respectively.

Discussion

Free-ranging pigs were identified as a multi-reservoir ofT.bruceiand/orT.congolensewith mixed infections of different strains. This trypanosome diversity hinders the easy and direct detection ofT.b.gambiense. We highlight the lack of tools to prove or exclude with certainty the presence ofT.b.gambiense. This study once more highlights the need of technical improvements to explore the role of animals in the epidemiology of HAT.
Treponema pallidum genome sequencing from six continents reveals variability in vaccine candidate genes and dominance of Nichols clade strains in Madagascar
Authors: Lieberman Nicole A. P. , Lin Michelle J. , Xie Hong , Shrestha Lasata , Nguyen Tien , Huang Meei-Li , Haynes Austin M. , Romeis Emily , Wang Qian-Qiu , Zhang Rui-Li , Kou Cai-Xia , Ciccarese Giulia , Dal Conte Ivano , Cusini Marco , Drago Francesco , Nakayama Shu-ichi , Lee Kenichi , Ohnishi Makoto , Konda Kelika A. , Vargas Silver K. , Eguiluz Maria , Caceres Carlos F. , Klausner Jeffrey D. , Mitjà Oriol , Rompalo Anne , Mulcahy Fiona , Hook Edward W. , Lukehart Sheila A. , Casto Amanda M. , Roychoudhury Pavitra , DiMaio Frank , Giacani Lorenzo , Greninger Alexander L.
Published: December 2021

In spite of its immutable susceptibility to penicillin,Treponema pallidum(T.pallidum) subsp.pallidumcontinues to cause millions of cases of syphilis each year worldwide, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality and underscoring the urgency of developing an effective vaccine to curtail the spread of the infection. Several technical challenges, including absence of anin vitroculture system until very recently, have hampered efforts to catalog the diversity of strains collected worldwide. Here, we provide near-complete genomes from 196T.pallidumstrains–including 191T.pallidumsubsp.pallidum–sequenced directly from patient samples collected from 8 countries and 6 continents. Maximum likelihood phylogeny revealed that samples from most sites were predominantly SS14 clade. However, 99% (84/85) of the samples from Madagascar formed two of the five distinct Nichols subclades. Although recombination was uncommon in the evolution of modern circulating strains, we found multiple putative recombination events betweenT.pallidumsubsp.pallidumand subsp.endemicum, shaping the genomes of several subclades. Temporal analysis dated the most recent common ancestor of Nichols and SS14 clades to 1717 (95% HPD: 1543–1869), in agreement with other recent studies. Rates of SNP accumulation varied significantly among subclades, particularly among different Nichols subclades, and was associated in the Nichols A subclade with a C394F substitution in TP0380, a ERCC3-like DNA repair helicase. Our data highlight the role played by variation in genes encoding putative surface-exposed outer membrane proteins in defining separate lineages, and provide a critical resource for the design of broadly protective syphilis vaccines targeting surface antigens.
Long-term changes in populations of rainforest birds in the Australia Wet Tropics bioregion: A climate-driven biodiversity emergency
Authors: Williams Stephen E. , de la Fuente Alejandro
Published: December 2021

Many authors have suggested that the vulnerability of montane biodiversity to climate change worldwide is significantly higher than in most other ecosystems. Despite the extensive variety of studies predicting severe impacts of climate change globally, few studies have empirically validated the predicted changes in distribution and population density. Here, we used 17 years (2000–2016) of standardised bird monitoring across latitudinal/elevational gradients in the rainforest of the Australian Wet Tropics World Heritage Area to assess changes in local abundance and elevational distribution. We used relative abundance in 1977 surveys across 114 sites ranging from 0-1500m above sea level and utilised a trend analysis approach (TRIM) to investigate elevational shifts in abundance of 42 species. The local abundance of most mid and high elevation species has declined at the lower edges of their distribution by >40% while lowland species increased by up to 190% into higher elevation areas. Upland-specialised species and regional endemics have undergone dramatic population declines of almost 50%. The “Outstanding Universal Value” of the Australian Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, one of the most irreplaceable biodiversity hotspots on Earth, is rapidly degrading. These observed impacts are likely to be similar in many tropical montane ecosystems globally.
Unobtrusive measures of prejudice: Estimating percentages of public beliefs and behaviours
Authors: Furnham Adrian , Arnulf Jan Ketil , Robinson Charlotte
Published: December 2021

This study was concerned with how accurate people are in their knowledge of population norms and statistics concerning such things as the economic, health and religious status of a nation and how those estimates are related to their own demography (e.g age, sex), ideology (political and religious beliefs) and intelligence. Just over 600 adults were asked to make 25 population estimates for Great Britain, including religious (church/mosque attendance) and economic (income, state benefits, car/house ownership) factors as well as estimates like the number of gay people, immigrants, smokers etc. They were reasonably accurate for things like car ownership, criminal record, vegetarianism and voting but seriously overestimated numbers related to minorities such as the prevalence of gay people, muslims and people not born in the UK. Conversely there was a significant underestimation of people receiving state benefits, having a criminal record or a private health insurance. Correlations between select variables and magnitude and absolute accuracy showed religiousness and IQ most significant correlates. Religious people were less, and intelligent people more, accurate in their estimates. A factor analysis of the estimates revealed five interpretable factors. Regressions were calculated onto these factors and showed how these individual differences accounted for as much as 14% of the variance. Implications and limitations are acknowledged.
Nonadherence in diabetes care among US adults with diabetes by stroke status
Authors: Tran Phoebe , Tran Lam , Tran Liem
Published: December 2021

Objective

Effects of stroke (i.e., memory loss, paralysis) may make effective diabetes care difficult which can in turn contribute to additional diabetes related complications and hospitalization. However, little is known about US post-stroke diabetes care levels. This study sought to examine diabetes care levels among US adults with diabetes by stroke status.

Methods

Using 2015–2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System surveys, the prevalence of nonadherence with the American Diabetes Association’s diabetes care measures (<1 eye exam annually, <1 foot exam annually, <1 blood glucose check daily, <2 A1C tests annually, no receipt of annual flu vaccination) was ascertained in people with diabetes by stroke status. A separate logistic regression model was run for each diabetes care measure to determine if nonadherence patterns differed by stroke status after adjustment for stroke and diabetes associated factors.

Results

Our study included 72,630 individuals, with 9.8% having had a stroke. Nonadherence levels varied for each diabetes care measure ranging from 20.4–42.2% for stroke survivors and 22.8–44.0% for those who had never had stroke. By stroke status, nonadherence with diabetes management measures was comparable except for stroke survivors having both a lower prevalence (30.2% versus 40.1%) and odds of nonadherence (OR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.65, 0.82) with daily blood glucose check than those who had never had stroke.

Conclusion

While nonadherence with diabetes management does not vary by stroke status, considerable nonadherence still exists among stroke survivors with diabetes. Additional interventions to improve diabetes care may help to reduce risk of further diabetes complications in this population.
National attitudes of medical students towards mandating the COVID-19 vaccine and its association with knowledge of the vaccine
Authors: Mayan Danel , Nguyen Kenny , Keisler Brian
Published: December 2021

Background

With the introduction of the novel COVID-19 vaccine, public hesitancy is being experienced with many turning to healthcare professionals for advice. As future physicians, medical students play a critical role in the public’s view of the vaccine.

Objectives

To determine the attitude of U.S. medical students toward mandating the COVID-19 vaccine to healthcare workers and patients, as well as whether their knowledge of the vaccine plays a role in their view.

Methods

The authors emailed a survey link to all U.S. medical schools with request to distribute it to their medical students. The survey remained open from 02/09/2021 to 03/15/2021 and included questions to determine the attitude of the medical students toward recommending the COVID-19 vaccine, and general knowledge questions about the vaccine. Chi square, Fisher’s exact test, and linear regression were conducted to determine associations between willingness to recommend the COVID-19 vaccine and general knowledge of the vaccine.

Results

Among the 1,899 responses from medical students representing 151 U.S. medical schools, 57.82% approved of making the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory to healthcare workers, and 16.27% approved of making it mandatory to patients. Additionally, those who tested most knowledgeable of the vaccine were less likely to approve of making the vaccine mandatory for patients (66.67% vs. 72.70). Those that tested most knowledgeable were also more likely to personally receive the vaccine (72.35% vs 62.99%) as opposed to those that tested the least knowledgeable who were less willing to personally receive the vaccine (4.12% vs 14.17%).

Conclusions

The data revealed that a slight majority of medical students support a vaccine mandate toward healthcare workers while a minority of medical students support a vaccine mandate toward healthcare workers. Additionally, medical students that had relatively high knowledge of the vaccine correlated with not approving of making the vaccine mandatory for patients. However increased knowledge of the vaccine correlated with increased willingness to personally receive the vaccine.
Associations between COVID-19 mobility restrictions and economic, mental health, and suicide-related concerns in the US using cellular phone GPS and Google search volume data
Authors: Gimbrone Catherine , Rutherford Caroline , Kandula Sasikiran , Martínez-Alés Gonzalo , Shaman Jeffrey , Olfson Mark , Gould Madelyn S. , Pei Sen , Galanti Marta , Keyes Katherine M.
Published: December 2021

During the COVID-19 pandemic, US populations have experienced elevated rates of financial and psychological distress that could lead to increases in suicide rates. Rapid ongoing mental health monitoring is critical for early intervention, especially in regions most affected by the pandemic, yet traditional surveillance data are available only after long lags. Novel information on real-time population isolation and concerns stemming from the pandemic’s social and economic impacts, via cellular mobility tracking and online search data, are potentially important interim surveillance resources. Using these measures, we employed transfer function model time-series analyses to estimate associations between daily mobility indicators (proportion of cellular devices completely at home and time spent at home) and Google Health Trends search volumes for terms pertaining to economic stress, mental health, and suicide during 2020 and 2021 both nationally and in New York City. During the first pandemic wave in early-spring 2020, over 50% of devices remained completely at home and searches for economic stressors exceeded 60,000 per 10 million. We found large concurrent associations across analyses between declining mobility and increasing searches for economic stressor terms (national proportion of devices at home: cross-correlation coefficient (CC) = 0.6 (p-value <0.001)). Nationally, we also found strong associations between declining mobility and increasing mental health and suicide-related searches (time at home: mood/anxiety CC = 0.53 (<0.001), social stressor CC = 0.51 (<0.001), suicide seeking CC = 0.37 (0.006)). Our findings suggest that pandemic-related isolation coincided with acute economic distress and may be a risk factor for poor mental health and suicidal behavior. These emergent relationships warrant ongoing attention and causal assessment given the potential for long-term psychological impact and suicide death. As US populations continue to face stress, Google search data can be used to identify possible warning signs from real-time changes in distributions of population thought patterns.
Using a ligate intestinal loop mouse model to investigate Clostridioides difficile adherence to the intestinal mucosa in aged mice
Authors: Castro-Córdova Pablo , Mendoza-León María José , Paredes-Sabja Daniel
Published: December 2021

Interaction of Clostridioides difficile spores with the intestinal mucosa contributes to the persistence and recurrence of the infection. Advanced age is one of the main risk factors for C. difficile infection and recurrence of the disease. However, interaction of C. difficile spores with the intestinal mucosa during aging has not been evaluated. In the present work, using intestinal ligated loop technique in a mouse model, we analyzed C. difficile spore adherence and internalization to the ileum and colonic mucosa during aging. Additionally, we provide visual documentation of the critical steps of the procedure. Consequently, our data suggest that spore internalization in the ileum and colonic mucosa is higher in elderly mice rather than adults or young mice. Also, our data suggest that spore adherence to the ileum and colonic mucosa decreases with aging.
Provincial division of economic zones based on the improved urban gravity model: A case study of Hunan Province, China
Authors: Guo Yuanyuan , Xi Shengjie , Zhang Mingdou
Published: December 2021

Regional collaboration and the division of economic zones have been widely discussed for sustainable development. This paper aims at building a framework for analyzing the provincial division of economic zone (DEZ) via considering spatial interaction among regions based on the improved gravity model and clustering approaches. The proposed framework of province DEZ is applied in the case study of Hunan Province, China. The results reveal that Chenzhou city in the south of Hunan Province is always excluded from the DEZ due to its larger external gravity from other cities in neighboring provinces. It also shows that the city components of economic zones (EZs) have experienced a fluctuation at a higher degree from 2002 to 2006 to 2009 while it reached to a stable phase in 2013. Furthermore, cross-provincial regional integration and the highway construction have a significant impact on the change of city components of EZ. The findings are of great potential in regional planning that should be incorporated to the toolkit of regional policy and sustainable development for local governments.
‘It is not fashionable to suffer nowadays’: Community motivations to repeatedly participate in outreach HIV testing indicate UHC potential in Tanzania
Authors: de Klerk Josien , Bortolani Arianna , Meta Judith , Erio Tusajigwe , Rinke de Wit Tobias , Moyer Eileen
Published: December 2021

Objective

This study examined people’s motivations for (repeatedly) utilizing HIV testing services during community-based testing events in urban and rural Shinyanga, Tanzania and potential implications for Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Methods

As part of a broader multidisciplinary study on the implementation of a HIV Test and Treat model in Shinyanga Region, Tanzania, this ethnographic study focused on community-based testing campaigns organised by the implementing partner. Between April 2018 and December 2019, we conducted structured observations (24), short questionnaires (42) and in-depth interviews with HIV-positive (23) and HIV-negative clients (8). Observations focused on motivations for (re-)testing, and the counselling and testing process. Thematic analysis based on inductive and deductive coding was completed using NVivo software.

Results

Regular HIV testing was encouraged by counsellors. Most participants in testing campaigns were HIV-negative; 51.1% had tested more than once over their lifetimes. Testing campaigns provided an accessible way to learn one’s HIV status. Motivations for repeat testing included: monitoring personal health to achieve (temporary) reassurance, having low levels of trust toward sexual partners, feeling at risk, seeking proof of (ill)-health, and acting responsibly. Repeat testers also associated testing with a desire to start treatment early to preserve a healthy-looking body, should they prove HIV positive.

Conclusions

Community-based testing campaigns serve three valuable functions related to HIV prevention and treatment: 1) enable community members to check their HIV status regularly as part of a personalized prevention strategy that reinforces responsible behaviour; 2) identify recently sero-converted clients who would not otherwise be targeted; and 3) engage community with general prevention and care messaging and services. This model could be expanded to include routine management of other (chronic) diseases and provide an entry for scaling up UHC.
Sequentially estimating the dynamic contact angle of sessile saliva droplets in view of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Bapat Sudeep R.
Published: December 2021

Estimating the contact angle of a virus infected saliva droplet is seen to be an important area of research as it presents an idea about the drying time of the respective droplet and in turn of the growth of the underlying pandemic. In this paper we extend the data presented by Balusamy, Banerjee and Sahu [“Lifetime of sessile saliva droplets in the context of SARS-CoV-2,” Int. J. Heat Mass Transf. 123, 105178 (2021)], where the contact angles are fitted using a newly proposed half-circular wrapped-exponential model, and a sequential confidence interval estimation approach is established which largely reduces both time and cost with regards to data collection.
Acceptability of home fortification with multiple micro-nutrients among Sri Lankan children
Authors: Liyanage G. , Anupama K. G. I. S. , Sudarshini M. L. P.
Published: December 2021

Micronutrient deficiencies are mostly hidden; clinically less visible compared to macronutrient deficiencies. Food fortification with multiple micronutrients (MMN) is provided for children between 6–23 months, daily for two months at three-time points. We assessed the acceptance and adherence of this nutritional intervention in an urban community setting in Sri Lanka. This cross-sectional study enrolled caregivers of children aged 7 to 23 months with a cluster sampling method. Caregivers ’ acceptance of taste and smell, health gains, ease of use, and need perception (Cronbach’s reliability: 0.801) were assessed. Also, anemia knowledge (Cronbach’s reliability: 0.642), MMN knowledge, and reported adherence (number of sachets consumed per month) were evaluated through a self-administered questionnaire. Adequate adherence was defined as the use of ≥80% sachets. The univariate and multivariate statistical analysis examined the association of acceptability, adherence, and anemia knowledge with independent variables (socio-demographic, household characteristics, and knowledge). The survey included 153 respondents. The Median (range) age of children was 12 months (7–23). The mean (SD) acceptability score was 66.82% (9.78%). Acceptance of sensory qualities (smell/taste) had a lower score than perceived health benefit. Most consumed MMN adequately (72.5%). The mean (SD) anemia knowledge score was 62.20% (25.79%). In multivariate analysis, child’s age (OR: -0.360, 95% CI:-0.510,-0.211) and father’s education (OR: 2.148, 95% CI: 0.439, 3.857) were independently associated with acceptability. Child’s age (OR: -0.108, 95% CI:0.818, 0.985), anemia knowledge (OR:0.016, 95% CI: 1.003, 1.031) and acceptability (OR:0.236, 95% CI:1.140, 1.406) were significant determinants of adherence. Anemia knowledge was significantly associated with the mother’s education and household income when adjusted. In conclusion, unpleasant smell/taste and daily schedule were reported as barriers to MMN use. Yet, perception and trust regarding health benefits were encouraging. Reported adherence was somewhat high. Improving acceptability and anemia knowledge could enhance adherence further in this population.
Wearables in rugby union: A protocol for multimodal digital sports-related concussion assessment
Authors: Powell Dylan , Stuart Sam , Godfrey Alan
Published: December 2021

Background

Pragmatic challenges remain in the monitoring and return to play (RTP) decisions following suspected Sports Related Concussion (SRC). Reliance on traditional approaches (pen and paper) means players readiness for RTP is often based on self-reported symptom recognition as a marker for full physiological recovery. Non-digital approaches also limit opportunity for robust data analysis which may hinder understanding of the interconnected nature and relationships in deficit recovery. Digital approaches may provide more objectivity to measure and monitor impairments in SRC. Crucially, there is dearth of protocols for SRC assessment and digital devices have yet to be tested concurrently (multimodal) in SRC rugby union assessment. Here we propose a multimodal protocol for digital assessment in SRC, which could be used to enhance traditional sports concussion assessment approaches.

Methods

We aim to use a repeated measures observational study utilising a battery of multimodal assessment tools (symptom, cognitive, visual, motor). We aim to recruit 200 rugby players (male n≈100 and female n≈100) from University Rugby Union teams and local amateur rugby clubs in the North East of England. The multimodal battery assessment used in this study will compare metrics between digital methods and against traditional assessment.

Conclusion

This paper outlines a protocol for a multimodal approach for the use of digital technologies to augment traditional approaches to SRC, which may better inform RTP in rugby union. Findings may shed light on new ways of working with digital tools in SRC. Multimodal approaches may enhance understanding of the interconnected nature of impairments and provide insightful, more objective assessment and RTP in SRC.

Clinical trial registration

NCT04938570.https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?cond=NCT04938570&term=&cntry=&state=&city=&dist=
Where is emotional feeling felt in the body? An integrative review
Authors: Davey Steven , Halberstadt Jamin , Bell Elliot
Published: December 2021

Contemporary research on “embodied emotion” emphasizes the role of the body in emotional feeling. The evidence base on interoception, arguably the most prominent strand of embodied emotion research, places emphasis on the cardiac, respiratory and gastrointestinal systems. In turn, interoception has evidence-based links with improved emotion regulation. Despite the focus on separate bodily systems, it is unclear whether particular interoceptive locations play a greater role in emotional feeling and emotion regulation. Further, according to Gross’ “process model”, the sooner that regulation of an emotion occurs, the better; hence, it is additionally important to identify the first body areas to activate. These issues are investigated in a two-stage integrative review. The first stage was preliminary, giving an overview of the evidence base to highlight the distribution of measured body areas. This indicated that 86% of publications (n = 88) measured cardiac activity, 26% measured the respiratory system, and six percent the gastrointestinal system. Given the emphasis placed on all three systems in interoception theory and research on emotion, this suggests a dearth of comprehensive findings pertaining to feeling locations. The second stage investigated the core issues of where emotional feelings are felt in the body and time-related implications for regulation. This was based on ten texts, which together suggested that the head, throat and chest are the most consistently detected locations across and within numerous emotional contexts. Caution is required, however, since–among other reasons discussed–measurement was not time-restricted in these latter publications, and direct physiological measurement was found in only a minority of cases.
Secure base effect in former shelter dogs and other family dogs: Strangers do not provide security in a problem-solving task
Authors: Cimarelli Giulia , Schindlbauer Julia , Pegger Teresa , Wesian Verena , Virányi Zsófia
Published: December 2021

Domestic dogs display behavioural patterns towards their owners that fulfil the four criteria of attachment. As such, they use their owners as a secure base, exploring the environment and manipulating objects more when accompanied by their owners than when alone. Although there are some indications that owners serve as a better secure base than other human beings, the evidence regarding a strong owner-stranger differentiation in a manipulative context is not straightforward. In the present study, we conducted two experiments in which pet dogs were tested in an object-manipulation task in the presence of the owner and of a stranger, varying how the human partner would behave (i.e. remaining silent or encouraging the dog, Experiment 1), and when alone (Experiment 2). Further, to gain a better insight into the mechanisms behind a potential owner-stranger differentiation, we investigated the effect of dogs’ previous life history (i.e. having lived in a shelter or having lived in the same household since puppyhood). Overall, we found that strangers do not provide a secure base effect and that former shelter dogs show a stronger owner-stranger differentiation than other family dogs. As former shelter dogs show more behavioural signs correlated with anxiety towards the novel environment and the stranger, we concluded that having been re-homed does not necessarily affect the likelihood of forming a secure bond with the new owner but might have an impact on how dogs interact with novel stimuli, including unfamiliar humans. These results confirm the owner’s unique role in providing security to their dogs and have practical implications for the bond formation in pet dogs with a past in a shelter.
How pornography saved fashion from boredom and improved its financial situation and vice versa: Communication technology overlaps between fashion and pornography
Authors: Linfante Vittorio , Pompa Chiara
Published: December 2021

Fashion, eroticism and pornography, especially in recent years, have created different synergies that not only embrace the design of fashion products and collections, but have defined and define precise visual, photographic and cinematographic languages as well as communication strategies that have not only borrowed the language and aesthetics of pornography, but also communication models, tools and channels. Today, we have thus witnessed an increasing hybridization of languages and channels that have generated forms of communication (performative, editorial, cinematographic or digital). It is not easy to identify the limits between fashion and pornography and between private and public spheres. Through literature review and several case studies, the article aims to investigate the evolution of the relationship between fashion, pornography and mass communication from an aesthetic, performative and, last but not least, technological point of view.