bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Humanizing the Enlightened Childhood: Epistolography as Human Formation in Tibetan Buddhism
Authors: Kilby Christina A.
Published: June 2021

This article contributes a Buddhist studies perspective to the question of what it means to be human. By analyzing a collection of letters written to a young Tibetan Buddhist lama, I trace the contours of a humanizing project that grounds the youth within the lived experience of the human life course that his elder has traversed. I also analyze epistolography as a medium for humanistic formation within Tibetan Buddhist monastic education. This textual study, though rooted in the context of a single epistolary relationship in early modern Tibet, illuminates the search for human wisdom that is fundamental to Buddhist childhoods across historical and cultural contexts.
When the Dam Breaks
Authors: Johns Michael
Published: June 2021

This article provides an overview of the key events in Catalonia during 2019. In order to put the events in context, the article begins with a brief overview of the recent history of Catalonia and its relationship with the rest of Spain. Particular attention is placed on the events of 2014 through 2017 and, in particular, the second unauthorized referendum and its aftermath. The article then focuses on the protests, counter- protests and clashes with the police that followed the sentencing of Catalonian officials in October 2019. The article concludes with an examination of the lack of role the European Union has had on this conflict and minority issues generally and what this all means for Spain and Catalonia moving forward.
A Revised Description of the Larva of Leptocerina pauliani (Ross 1957 (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae), an Endemic Species of La Réunion Island
Authors: FORCELLINI MAXENCE
Published: June 2021

Leptocerina is an endemic Afrotropical genus of Trichoptera, with 19 species documented but only five partially described at the larval stage. The first description of Leptocerina pauliani (Ross 1957) larva by Marlier & Marlier (1982) included very few illustrations, making comparisons with other species challenging. I present a revised description of the L. pauliani larval stage, using specimens collected from the River Marsouins in La Réunion Island. I apply a focus stacking approach for emphasizing coloration patterns and providing a detailed description of larval characters. Criteria for distinguishing L. pauliani from the other species of Leptocerina already described or partially described for the larval stage are discussed.
Taxonomy of some Indian and Pacific oceans Corticium, with the description of three new species from Western Australia (Porifera: Homosclerophorida)
Authors: MURICY GUILHERME , SARMENTO KAREN , LAGE ANAÍRA , ALMEIDA ANA CARINA , FROMONT JANE
Published: June 2021

The sponge genus Corticium has important evolutionary significance and great pharmacological potential, but its diversity remains poorly known. In this contribution we redescribe two poorly-known Indian and Pacific oceans species, viz., Corticium simplex and C. bargibanti, and describe three new species of Corticium from Western Australia. We observed for the first time the presence of rare calthrops in C. simplex, which has a wide distribution and may be a species complex. The three new species are mainly characterized by their spiculation: Corticium furcatum sp. nov. has large calthrops and exclusive candelabra with bifurcated rays in the apical actine; C. monolophum sp. nov. has large monolophose calthrops, smooth calthrops and candelabra; and C. verticillatum sp. nov. has acanthocalthrops with verticillated spines, which are exclusive to this species within the genus. The diversity of Corticium is raised to 11 species worldwide, but it still remains highly underestimated. A key to all valid species is here provided.
Design and Implementation of an Adaptable Trickle Algorithm for Amelioration of RPL Usage in Internet of Things Networks
Authors: Swarup Kumar J. N. V. R. , Suresh D.
Published: June 2021

The efficient message routing is highly challenging in terms of low power and lossy networks (loT) for transmission of data with overhead and delay. The protocols used for routing need to be designed such that they should be working efficiently. Efficiency in calculated in terms of
energy and delivery of packets. RPL protocol is also designed with the aim of making these two parameters efficient. Even then it contains drawbacks. Trickle algorithm is designed with a goal to reduce the drawbacks in RPL. Trickle algorithm is used in RPL protocols for creation of routes
between nodes in the network with different intervals. Unfortunately, there exists some more downsides for the trickle algorithm, which made design of several algorithms inorder to analyse different drawbacks. In this paper, on analysing different types of trickle algorithms and locating the
drawback in every algorithm, a novel algorithm is designed which helps in reduction of the drawbacks that are found. The description of this algorithm along with the simulation results done using Cooja 3.0 simulator is also discussed in this paper. The Simulation of the algorithm that is newly
designed is done by assuming a network with different count of nodes and comparing the results with the previously introduced Trickle algorithms.
A Novel Improved Grey Wolf Optimization Algorithm Based Resource Management Strategy for Big Data Systems
Authors: Babu L. R. Aravind , Kumar J. Saravana
Published: June 2021

Presently, big data is very popular, since it finds helpful in diverse domains like social media, E-commerce transactions, etc. Cloud computing offers services on demand, broader networking access, source collection, quick flexibility and calculated services. The cloud sources are usually
different and the application necessities of the end user are rapidly changing from time to time. So, the resource management is the tedious process. At the same time, resource management and scheduling plays a vital part in cloud computing (CC) results, particularly while the environment
is employed in the analysis of big data, and minimum predictable workload dynamically enters into the cloud. The identification of the optimal scheduling solutions with diverse variables in varying platform still remains a crucial problem. Under cloud platform, the scheduling techniques should
be able to adapt the changes quickly and according to the input workload. In this paper, an improved grey wolf optimization (IGWO) algorithm with oppositional learning principle has been important to carry out the scheduling task in an effective way. The presented IGWO based scheduling algorithm
achieves optimal cloud resource usage and offers effective solution over the compared methods in a significant way.
Combined Gray Level Transformation Technique for Low Light Color Image Enhancement
Authors: Pandurangan Durai , Kumar R. Saravana , Gebremariam Lukas , Arulmurugan L. , Tamilselvan S.
Published: June 2021

Insufficient and poor lightning conditions affect the quality of videos and images captured by the camcorders. The low quality images decrease the performances of computer vision systems in smart traffic, video surveillance, and other imaging systems applications. In this paper, combined
gray level transformation technique is proposed to enhance the less quality of illuminated images. This technique is composed of log transformation, power law transformation and adaptive histogram equalization process to improve the low light illumination image estimated using HIS color model.
Finally, the enhanced illumination image is blended with original reflectance image to get enhanced color image. This paper shows that the proposed algorithm on various weakly illuminated images is enhanced better and has taken reduced computation time than previous image processing techniques.
Image Fusion-The Pioneering Technique for Real-Time Image Processing Applications
Authors: Sreedhar P. Siva Satya , Nandhagopal N.
Published: June 2021

An image is a two-dimensional function that is expressed through spatial coordinates X, Y. At any pair of coordinates (x, y), the amplitude of a point is called the intensity of that pixel. Digital Image comprises a predictable number of components, each of which has a precise
value at a given region. Those components are called pixels. Image Fusion is a phenomenon of transforming data from two or more images of a scenario into a single, more descriptive image taken than both of the input images, and is more appropriate for information processing. Image Fusion (IF)
has been utilized in numerous application regions/areas. Remote Sensing Satellites (RSS) produce different images based on their sensory characteristics. Among those images, Panchromatic (PAN) and Multi-Spectral (MS) images are widely used in Satellite Image Fusion (SIF). The Image Fusion
(IF) techniques are broadly classified as methods for the Spatial and Frequency domains. Wavelet Fusion Techniques (WFT) based on the Frequency-Domain (FD) are having applications in medical, space, and military applications. This literature delivers a study of some of the Image Fusion (IF)
techniques. Remote Sensing Image (RSI) and Data Fusion (DF) seeks to merge the data acquired from sensors installed on satellites, airborne platforms, and ground-based sensors with specific spatial, spectral and temporal resolutions to produce merged data containing more accurate information
than is found in each of the individual data sources.
Influence of the Azimuthal Angle on the Dynamic Forced Response of the Magnetization of Nanoparticles in Superimposed Ac and Dc Bias Field
Authors: Madani Malika , Missoum Adda , Ouari Bachir , Titov Sergey
Published: June 2021

A consistent study of the consequence of the azimuthal angle φ on the susceptibility and the hysteresis of the nanoparticles is performed, we treat the problem with Brown’s magnetic equation thereby extending the statistical moment method. The (DMH) loops are obtained,
the principal-axis of the magnetization is oriented to the direction of the field under an any azimuthal angle. It’s demonstrated that the hysteresis and the nonlinear ac susceptibility powerfully depend on the Azimuthal angle φ.
Submesoscale Instability in the Straits of Florida
Authors: Chérubin Laurent M. , Le Paih Nicolas , Carton Xavier
Published: June 2021

The Florida Current (FC) flows in the Straits of Florida (SoF) and connects the Loop Current in the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf Stream (GS) in the Western Atlantic Ocean. Its journey through the SoF is at time characterized by the formation and presence of mesoscale but mostly submesoscale frontal eddies on the cyclonic side of the current. The formation of those frontal eddies was investigated in a very high resolution two-way nested simulation using the Regional Oceanic Modeling System (ROMS). Frontal eddies were either locally formed or originated from outside the SoF. The northern front of the incoming eddies was susceptible to superinertial shear instability over the shelf slope when the eddies were pushed up against the slope by the FC. Otherwise, incoming eddies could be advected relatively unaffected by the current, when in the southern part of the straits. In absence of incoming eddies, submesoscale eddies were locally formed by the roll-up of superinertial barotropically unstable vorticity filaments when the FC was pushed up against the shelf slope. The vorticity filaments were intensified by the friction-induced bottom layer vorticity flux as previously demonstrated by Gula et al. (2015b) in the GS. When the FC retreated further south, negative vorticity West Florida Shelf waters overflowed into the SOF and led to the formation of submesocale eddies by baroclinic instability. The instability regimes, hence, the submesoscale frontal eddies formation appear to be controlled by the lateral ‘sloshing’ of the FC in the SoF.
Thing one and thing two1: What ‘Doctors use’ to doctor you?
Authors: Malhi Gin S
Published: June 2021

This perspective piece is a detailed analysis of the critique by Gordon Parker of the mood disorders clinical practice guidelines (MDcpg2020), in which he claims that bipolar II disorder has been ‘banished’ despite its formal status in current taxonomies. In this article, I defend the reasoning used by the Committee to adopt a dimensional model for describing and managing mood disorders, in particular bipolar disorder. I also robustly contend the many erroneous inferences made by him in his Viewpoint regarding management recommendations within the MDcpg2020 and demonstrate that there is no valid justification for subtyping bipolar disorder – especially in the manner proposed by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition. Thus, I argue that it was appropriate for the MDcpg2020 Committee to pursue an alternative model to the usual subtyping of bipolar disorder into ‘thing one’ and ‘thing two’ and conclude that the now clearly redundant model of Bipolar II should be altogether removed from our lexicon and clinical practice. Indeed, it is time to develop new and alternative models for defining bipolar disorder and among these a dimensional model should be given consideration.
The Modernist Interest in Mysticism. Friedrich von Hügel’s Contribution to the Discourse on ‘Religious Experience’ around 1900
Authors: Stoll Christian
Published: June 2021

The article analyzes from the case of Friedrich von Hügel what the special interest of Roman Catholic Modernism in mysticism was about. Different from major tendencies in modernist research, it places his work in the framework of the discourse on “religious experience” around 1900. This way it becomes visible that von Hügel’s account of mysticism was shaped to a great extent by scholars from a liberal Protestant background, such as William James, Rudolf Eucken, and Ernst Troeltsch. In engaging these scholars, von Hügel was able to develop his own concept of the “mystical element” of religion from the perspective of a Catholic believer. The case of von Hügel suggests that Roman Catholic Modernism in general should be studied more in connection with its scientific setting outside Catholic theology.
Optimization of input machining parameters in SBCNC-60 for turning and drilling on P8 (H-13,HSS) material
Authors: Saxena Arti , Dubey YM , Kumar Manish , Saxena Abneesh
Published: June 2021

Today’s technology of automobile manufacturing industries depends mainly on a metal cutting operation like turning and drilling. This paper aims to improve turning and drilling operations in industries where necessity is to increase productivity by improving the metal removal rate. This paper-work uses the Taguchi method to analyze the input control parameter and optimize the significant ones to obtain the desired output. Taguchi method is a broadly used technique for experimental design and analysis of experimental data to improve the performance of machining operations like face turning, drilling, etc. in a CNC machine by taking input control factor cutting speed (CS), feed rate (FR), depth of cut (DOC) and then find out the significant ones to optimize machining operation. In this paper, CNMG190616-M5-TM2501 and SD205A-1050–056-12R1-P cutting tool are used for turning and drilling operation respectively for H-13 (P8) material, and then by applying Taguchi L9 array and further analysis using ANOVA and validation test through regression model is done on input control parameters to obtain better optimum performance of SBCNC 60 lathe machine.
The impact of teaching culture online during COVID-19
Authors: Bennett Bindi
Published: June 2021

This article speaks to an Aboriginal academic’s experience during COVID-19 teaching cultural content via the Internet and an online platform. It highlights the challenges of teaching deeply spiritual content online in a unit where being able to develop relationships and trust before these units are offered would be beneficial.
Resilience-based intervention for youth: An initial investigation of school social work program in Kuwait
Authors: Al-Rasheed Malak
Published: June 2021

This article describes the preliminary investigation of the initial feasibility of the ‘ Fostering Youth Resilience Project’, a universal school-based program delivered by school social workers to 54 high school students in Kuwait. Results reported significant positive change and high satisfaction with the program. The study provided initial evidence support to the applicability of the program for youth in a non-Western culture. Future research needs to evaluate the effect of the program in larger groups, using controlled trials and longer term follow ups. Discussion of limitations and practical implications for the social work profession are presented.
Introducing Translanguaging in an EAP Course at a Joint-Venture University in China
Authors: Hiller Kristin E
Published: June 2021

This article describes an innovative approach to introducing translanguaging in an English for academic purposes (EAP) course at a young Sino–US joint-venture university in China. To promote the use of Chinese students’ full linguistic and communicative repertoires in an English-medium-of-instruction university, I intentionally incorporated translanguaging into an EAP course through three components: explicit discussion of translanguaging, a short writing assignment on an extended definition of a Chinese concept, and a team survey project to test a generalization about Chinese culture. Observation and feedback from students indicate that these translanguaging writing assignments have the potential to contribute to students’ cultural knowledge, writing and communication skills, intercultural communication and awareness, and identity construction as translingual and transnational students. I describe the context and rationale for the innovative assignments, and the assignments themselves. I then reflect on the process and discuss implications and plans for expansion of activities that promote translanguaging.
Practical Work or Simulations? Voices of Millennial Digital Natives
Authors: Leung Promail K.Y. , Cheng Maurice M.W.
Published: June 2021

Students nowadays grow up with electronic devices and are adept at navigating the virtual world. Practical activities may be more of a novelty for them than simulations. Using the topic of electric circuits as a context, we examined the ways in which Grade 11 students perceived and learned from practical work and simulations, respectively. In this quasi-experiment study, a group of 19 students used a free online simulations package “Circuit Construction Kit,” while another group of 17 students learnt through practical work. We administered a validated instrument to both groups and found that practical work and simulations supported students’ learning in similar ways. The interventions were then reversed so that all participants experienced both practical work and simulations. Finally, seven students from each group were selected for a group interview. Through the interviews, we identified features of simulations and practical work respectively that students believed contributed to their learning.
COVID-19 Impact on Buying Behaviour
Authors: Verma Meghna , Naveen B. R.
Published: June 2021

Executive Summary

Pandemics like COVID-19 result in a disruption in the lifestyle and buying pattern of a consumer and adversely impact the global economy. Consumer purchase of country’s own brand and the products manufactured in their own country plays a vital role in the GDP of that country and help in revival of the country’s economy. This study focuses on understanding the factors that influence consumer’s buying behaviour and model these factors to understand the causal relationship using partial least square-structural equation modelling. An online survey which was carried out between 30 March 2020 and 18 April 2020. A total of 367 responses were collected during this period. Findings of the study indicate that economic nationalism, lockdown sentiments and sustainable approach (LSSA), and product-specific ethnocentric behaviour (PSEB) tendency significantly influence the willingness to buy country’s own brands and products. Present study results reveal that during pandemic consumers have realized the importance of hygiene products, environment-friendly products, regional (local) products, and satisfaction beyond shopping; these factors determine their willingness to buy Indian brands (WBIB)/made-in-India products. Further, post lockdown and post COVID era, consumers feel that buying Indian-made products and encouraging others to buy them would impact and revive the Indian economy constructively. It was also found that the influence of factors such as economic nationalism, LSSA, and PSEB on the WBIB is mediated by attitude towards foreign products. The findings of the study can aid marketing managers in planning appropriate promotion strategies to stimulate ethnocentric tendency, and cues can be provided to invoke a sense of economic nationalism in consumers when they buy products or services.
In search of optimal cardioplegia for minimally invasive valve surgery
Authors: Russell Sion , Butt Salman , Vohra Hunaid A
Published: June 2021

Cardioplegic solutions are used in cardiac surgery to achieve controlled cardiac arrest during operations, making surgery safer. Cardioplegia can either be blood or crystalloid based, with perceived pros and cons of each type. Whilst it is known that cardioplegia causes cardiac arrest, there is debate over which cardioplegic solution provides the highest degree of myocardial protection during arrest. Myocardial damage is measured post-operatively by biomarkers such as serum TnT, TnI or CK-MB. It is known that the outcomes of minimally invasive valve surgery are comparable to full sternotomy valve operations. Despite there being a wide diversity in use of different cardioplegic solutions across the world, this comprehensive literature review found no superiority of one cardioplegic solution over the other for myocardial protection during minimally invasive valve procedures.
Nationwide evaluation of palliative care (Q-PAC study) provided by specialized palliative care teams using quality indicators : Large variations in quality of care
Authors: Cohen Joachim , Hermans Kirsten , Dupont Charlèss , Van den Block Lieve , Deliens Luc , Leemans Kathleen
Published: June 2021

Background:

Although a number of quality indicators for palliative care have been implemented worldwide, evidence regarding the performance of palliative care teams is scarce.

Aim:

Evaluating the quality of palliative care using quality indicators; to describe the variation in quality between palliative care teams; and to suggest quality benchmarks for these teams.

Design:

A repeated cross-sectional study design to collect quality indicator data by means of a validated quality indicator set in 36 Belgian palliative care teams at home and in hospitals. Risk-adjustment procedures, taking into account patient-mix, were applied to suggest benchmarks.

Participants:

Between 2014 and 2017, five quality measurements with questionnaires were conducted in 982 patients receiving palliative care, 4701 care providers and 1039 family members of deceased patients.

Results:

A total of 7622 assessments were received. Large risk-adjusted variations between the different palliative care teams were identified in: regularly updating patient files (IQR: 12%–39%), having multidisciplinary consultations about care objectives (IQR: 51%–73%), discussing end-of-life care decisions with patients (IQR: 26%–71%–92%), relieving shortness of breath (IQR: 57%–78%), regularly assessing pain (IQR: 43%–74%) and symptoms by means of validated scales (IQR: 23%–60%), initiating palliative care at least 2 weeks before death (IQR: 30%–50%), and weekly contact with the GP in the last 3 months of life (IQR 16%–43%).

Conclusion:

The large risk-adjusted variation found across the quality indicator scores suggest that repeated and standardized quality improvement evaluations can allow teams to benchmark themselves to each other to identify areas of their palliative care delivery that need improvement.
Corporate Responses to COVID-19: A Nonmarket Strategy Approach
Authors: Zhang Yongjun
Published: June 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has been an unprecedented threat to the survival of U.S. firms. Prior studies show that firms use market strategies such as layoffs and pay cuts to cope with organizational crises. Little is known about how firms engage in corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate political activities (CPA) during crises. This study focuses on how America’s largest publicly traded firms use these two nonmarket strategies to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. Results suggest that public firms actively engaged in both CSR and CPA after the outbreak. The preliminary estimation shows that firms listed in Russell 1000 have donated or pledged over $3.9 billion to corporate philanthropy and invested over 2.1 billion in observed political donations and lobbying in Congress in the early pandemic. The marked variation in corporate nonmarket strategies could be partially attributed to corporate elites’ political ideology, political accountability, and perceived COVID-19 risk.
Peer and Community Influences on Adolescent Substance Use in the Context of Adverse Childhood Experiences
Authors: Stritzel Haley
Published: June 2021

Both adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and peer influences consistently predict early tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drug use. However, less research considers how peer and community influences contribute to or modify the association between ACEs and early substance use. This study addresses these gaps in the literature by analyzing multilevel, longitudinal data from the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods (PHDCN; N = 1,912). Unstructured socializing and peer substance use largely explained the association between ACEs and drinking, smoking cigarettes, and illicit drug use in the past month. A history of ACEs magnified the association between peer substance use and the number of cigarettes smoked. Collective efficacy also shaped the associations between peer influences, ACEs, and substance use, but in different ways depending on the substance use outcome analyzed.
Why Do They Stay? Factors Associated With Special Education Teachers’ Persistence
Authors: Scott LaRon A. , Taylor Joshua P. , Bruno Lauren , Padhye Ira , Brendli Katherine , Wallace Weade , Cormier Christopher J.
Published: June 2021

Special education teacher (SET) persistence and attrition have been investigated for several decades. However, there are several predictors for SETs’ intent to stay or leave that are yet to be investigated. Using Bandura’s social cognitive theory, we developed the Special Education Teacher Persistence in Teaching Survey (SETPTS) and examined multiple factors for SETs’ persistence in their careers despite a range of challenges they face. Ninety-six SETs at various stages in their careers completed the survey to understand the complex dynamics of persistence. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient and hierarchical logistic regression analysis revealed factors correlated with teacher persistence, and barriers that may cause attrition. In the findings, we address ways to improve SET retention, as well as possible future directions for research, education policy, and practice for teacher preparation and retention.
Factors Associated with Gender-Based Violence Perpetration by Male High School Students in Eastern Ethiopia
Authors: Beyene Addisu Shunu , Chojenta Catherine , Loxton Deborah
Published: June 2021

Gender-based violence (GBV) perpetration is a severe problem among youths in schools and the community at large. As most studies focused on adults, this study aimed to investigate factors associated with GBV by male high school students in eastern Ethiopia. An institutional based cross-sectional survey was conducted with 1,109 male students aged 15–24 years in eastern Ethiopia in December 2018 using self-administered WHO Multi-Country Study on Women’s Health and Life Events and UN Multi-Country study on perpetration. Poisson regression model was used to determine the prevalence ratio. Multivariable analysis showed that having girlfriend, chewing khat, drinking alcohol, watching pornography and being sexually active increased the prevalence of perpetrating any type of GBV (emotional, physical, sexual, and overall GBV) by young male in the last 12 months. Compared to those who did not smoke tobacco, smokers had an prevalence of perpetrating emotional violence (adj. PrR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.03–1.44) and any type of GBV (adj. PrR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.00–1.31). Young males who had a mother who had completed Grade 9–12 (adj. PrR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.59–0.96) had a 25% lower prevalence of perpetrating emotional violence compared to male students who had an illiterate mother. Young males who had used illicit drugs, smoked shisha (adj. PrR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.10–1.77), and were married (adj. PrR = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.15–3.12) had a higher prevalence of perpetrating sexual violence compared to young males who hadn’t used smoked shisha and were not married, respectively. Young males who had discussed reproductive health with their family (adj. PrR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.03–1.24) and who chewed khat (adj. PrR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.02–1.55) had a higher prevalence of perpetrating any GBV compared to young men who hadn’t discussed reproductive health with their parents and who hadn’t chewed khat, respectively. Any type of GBV (emotional, sexual, or physical violence) was significantly associated with several individual and relationship factors. Effective prevention and intervention programs should be focused on education of the influence of pornography, prevention of substance use and interventions for those in romantic relationships could all assist in reducing GBV.
The Interplay of Perceptions and Conflict Behaviors during Disagreements: A Daily Study of Physical Teen Dating Violence Perpetration
Authors: Fortin Andréanne , Paradis Alison , Hébert Martine , Lapierre Andréanne
Published: June 2021

Physical dating violence (DV) is a widespread problem among adolescents. A growing body of literature demonstrates that physical DV often occurs during disagreements when partners use destructive conflict management strategies, such as conflict engagement (e.g., losing control, criticizing) or withdrawal (e.g., acting cold, being distant). However, little is known regarding how the individual daily variability on the use of destructive conflict management strategies can influence the probability of perpetrating day-to-day physical DV, especially if the other partner is also perceived as using destructive behaviors. Using an intensive longitudinal approach, the current study first aimed to examine the daily associations between the use of various conflict management strategies and physical DV perpetration in adolescent dating relationships. A second objective was to investigate if perceived partner’s conflict behaviors moderated the relation between self-reported conflict management strategies and day-to-day physical DV perpetration. A sample of 216 adolescents ( Mage = 17.03, SD = 1.49) involved in a dating relationship, completed a baseline assessment followed by 14 daily diaries. Results of multilevel logistic analyses revealed that using conflict engagement strategies significantly increased the probability of day-to-day physical DV perpetration. Furthermore, the probability of perpetrating physical DV was significantly higher on days in which teens reported using high levels of conflict engagement while also perceiving their partner as using high levels of conflict engagement or withdrawal. These findings yield new insights on the daily context in which disagreements might escalate into aggression. Evidence from this study further supports the conflict escalation pattern and the demand/withdraw communication pattern in the context of adolescent dating relationships. Preventive initiatives should address the interplay of perceptions and conflict behaviors concerning physical DV perpetration.
Changes in Antisecretory Factor in Human Milk During the Postpartum and Length of Gestation
Authors: Gustafsson Anna , Johansson Ewa , Henckel Ewa , Lange Stefan , Bohlin Kajsa
Published: June 2021

Background

Preterm infants are more susceptible to inflammatory complications than term infants. Human milk contains numerous bioactive components protecting the newborn infant. Antisecretory factor, a protein regulating secretory and inflammatory processes by complex binding with complement factors, is present in human milk.

Research Aims

To describe antisecretory factor (1) in mother’s own milk in term and preterm infants; and (2) in donor milk before and after Holder pasteurization.

Methods

The study was prospective, longitudinal, explorative, and descriptive. Antisecretory factor-compleasome was determined using sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in longitudinal human milk samples over 12 weeks from mothers ( N = 87) of term ( n = 41) and of preterm ( n = 46) infants and 20 anonymized donor human milk samples before and after Holder pasteurization.

Results

Antisecretory factor-compleasome was overall higher in colostrum versus mature milk ( p < .001) and no difference was found in term or preterm colostrum ( p = .82). In mature milk, compleasome was higher and more variable in the preterm group ( p = .01). After Holder pasteurization, compleasome levels increased ( p < .001).

Conclusion

Antisecretory factor followed the pattern of other immunological factors with high levels in colostrum. After preterm birth, levels of antisecretory factor were higher and more variable in mature milk. Holder pasteurization did not degrade antisecretory factor, indicating preserved anti-inflammatory properties in donor human milk.
Alienation Is Not ‘Bullshit’: An Empirical Critique of Graeber’s Theory of BS Jobs
Authors: Soffia Magdalena , Wood Alex J , Burchell Brendan
Published: June 2021

David Graeber’s ‘bullshit jobs theory’ has generated a great deal of academic and public interest. This theory holds that a large and rapidly increasing number of workers are undertaking jobs that they themselves recognise as being useless and of no social value. Despite generating clear testable hypotheses, this theory is not based on robust empirical research. We, therefore, use representative data from the EU to test five of its core hypotheses. Although we find that the perception of doing useless work is strongly associated with poor wellbeing, our findings contradict the main propositions of Graeber’s theory. The proportion of employees describing their jobs as useless is low and declining and bears little relationship to Graeber’s predictions. Marx’s concept of alienation and a ‘Work Relations’ approach provide inspiration for an alternative account that highlights poor management and toxic workplace environments in explaining why workers perceive paid work as useless.
An approach to identify the weak parts of stiffness for the machine tool cantilever structure
Authors: Guo Tieneng , Meng Lingjun , Cao Jinxuan , Bai Chunsheng
Published: June 2021

Investigating weak parts of the structure is one of the most important issues for improving the stiffness of the machine tool. However, studies show that overcoming the static deformation is a challenging problem in practical structures. In the present study, the dynamic hammer testing approach is applied to analyze the cantilever structure of the machine tool with elastic support. Accordingly, a new weakness index (WI) is proposed to identify weak parts of the cantilever structure with an elastic support. Then the cantilever beam with the elastic support is numerically simulated and weak parts are modeled as stiffness reduction. In this regard, finite element (FE) simulations are carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of the WI method in several scenarios with single and multiple weaknesses, including the noise case. In the combined structure of the tailstock and the bed of the machine tool, sensors are utilized to collect vibration data. Furthermore, the dynamic characteristics are calculated through the modal state-space method to obtain the stiffness data at zero-frequency. Then, weak parts of the structural stiffness are identified based on the weakness index. It is found that the FE simulations are in an excellent agreement with the experiment. Therefore, it is proved that the WI can accurately identify the weak parts of the machine tool cantilever structure.
Personality Traits and Memory: A Multilevel Analysis Across 27 Countries From the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe
Authors: Luchetti Martina , Terracciano Antonio , Stephan Yannick , Aschwanden Damaris , Sutin Angelina R.
Published: June 2021

Personality traits are associated with memory in older adulthood: Individuals higher in conscientiousness and openness and lower in neuroticism tend to perform better on memory-recall tasks. We conducted a preregistered study to replicate these associations in a large, multinational cohort and test whether the associations varied by national-level socioeconomic indicators (e.g., per capita gross domestic product). Multilevel modeling was used to analyze data from 71,566 individuals (age: M = 67.9 years, SD = 9.5; 57% women) across 26 European countries and Israel. Higher conscientiousness, openness, and extraversion and lower neuroticism were associated with better memory performance, even when analyses accounted for risk factors including diabetes, hypertension, obesity, emotional disorders, and sleeping problems. Consistent with the resource-substitution hypothesis, results showed that higher conscientiousness and agreeableness and lower neuroticism were associated with better memory in countries with lower gross domestic product. This pattern suggests that psychological (trait) resources may help compensate for country-specific disadvantaged contexts.
Frequentist rules for regulatory approval of subgroups in phase III trials: A fresh look at an old problem
Authors: Edgar K , Jackson D , Rhodes K , Duffy T , Burman C-F , Sharples LD
Published: June 2021

Background

The number of Phase III trials that include a biomarker in design and analysis has increased due to interest in personalised medicine. For genetic mutations and other predictive biomarkers, the trial sample comprises two subgroups, one of which, say [Formula: see text] is known or suspected to achieve a larger treatment effect than the other [Formula: see text]. Despite treatment effect heterogeneity, trials often draw patients from both subgroups, since the lower responding [Formula: see text] subgroup may also gain benefit from the intervention. In this case, regulators/commissioners must decide what constitutes sufficient evidence to approve the drug in the [Formula: see text] population.

Methods and Results

Assuming trial analysis can be completed using generalised linear models, we define and evaluate three frequentist decision rules for approval. For rule one, the significance of the average treatment effect in [Formula: see text] should exceed a pre-defined minimum value, say [Formula: see text]. For rule two, the data from the low-responding group [Formula: see text] should increase statistical significance. For rule three, the subgroup-treatment interaction should be non-significant, using type I error chosen to ensure that estimated difference between the two subgroup effects is acceptable. Rules are evaluated based on conditional power, given that there is an overall significant treatment effect. We show how different rules perform according to the distribution of patients across the two subgroups and when analyses include additional (stratification) covariates in the analysis, thereby conferring correlation between subgroup effects.

Conclusions

When additional conditions are required for approval of a new treatment in a lower response subgroup, easily applied rules based on minimum effect sizes and relaxed interaction tests are available. Choice of rule is influenced by the proportion of patients sampled from the two subgroups but less so by the correlation between subgroup effects.
Book review: Carlos Gill. 2019. The End of Marketing: Humanizing Your Brand in the Age of Social Media and AI
Authors: Sharma Priyanka
Published: June 2021

Carlos Gill. 2019. The End of Marketing: Humanizing Your Brand in the Age of Social Media and AI. Kogan Page, pp. 240, ₹1409 (Paperback), ISBN (Paperback): 978-0749497576.
Diamonds on the Soles of Their Feet: Groundwater Monitoring in the Hout Catchment, South Africa
Authors: Goldin Jaqui , Mokomela Resego , Kanyerere Thokozani , Villholth Karen G.
Published: June 2021

With the impulse to control and order the disorderly, the threads or tributaries of affect and emotion, which mimic the meanderings of the aquifer itself, are often oversimplified or ignored. These are not anomalies of citizen science (CS) but ‘normal’ and expected ‘disconnects’ that surface when working within a multidisciplinary environment. The article adds value to current discourse on CS by reflecting on the confusing configurations and shifting allegiances that are part and parcel of CS experience. In presenting research from a current project in the Hout Catchment, Limpopo Province in South Africa, it suggests that CS is often oversimplified and does not capture the array of emotions that emerge at multiple scales around CS projects. The authors reflect on the field, which is fraught, fragile and fleeting—and on the intrusions into the field—similar itself to an aquifer with its dykes and flows. Considering CS within the frame of feminist philosophy, it is emancipatory and personally transformative with the element of ‘surprise’ that the end point is undetermined—and the process, however much ‘planned’ is unknown. CS in this instance is a powerful tool for creating virtuous cycles of inclusion and equality and promoting sustainable development through improved water literacy through a grassroot, out-of-the-classroom pedagogy.
Determinants of Crime Against Women in India: A Spatial Panel Data Regression Analysis
Authors: Bhattacharyya Antara , Haldar Sushil Kr. , Banerjee Swapnendu
Published: June 2021

Gender discrimination has been an important socio-economic and cultural issue in Indian backdrop; though India is one of the fastest-growing nations in the world but she has ranked 108th (out of 144 countries) in 2016 on the global gender gap index. In order to explore the determinants of crimes (such as dowry death, rape, molestation and torture) in India, we consider 24 states and five time points (over 1995–2015). Rank correlation over time clearly suggests that states exhibiting higher incidence of molestation experience higher incidence of rape; we get similar results in case of torture and dowry death as well. We employ both global and local Moran’s indices for dowry death, which has the least reporting bias, and observe that space as well as neighbourhood effect does matter; on the contrary, we find that other types of crimes vary randomly. Specifically, spatial panel regression results on dowry death clearly show that space along with neighbourhood effect does matter towards variations of dowry death; only two variables namely female work force participation and police station significantly reduce the incidence of dowry death.
Experimental (Re)structuring: The Clinical Trial as Turning Point Among Medical Research Participants
Authors: Jaffe Kaitlyn , Korthuis P. Todd , Richardson Lindsey
Published: June 2021

Amid the growth of addiction medicine randomized controlled trials (RCTs), scholars have begun examining participants’ study experiences, highlighting facilitators and barriers to enrollment. However, this work can overlook the interplay between trial participation and social-structural dimensions among people with substance use disorders linked to the social nature of use, socioeconomic marginalization, and time demands of substance procurement and use. To effectively conduct RCTs with this unique population, it is necessary to examine the broader social context of study participation. We conducted nested qualitative interviews with 22 participants involved in an RCT testing a treatment for alcohol and opioid use disorders in HIV clinics. Thematic analyses revealed social-structural circumstances shaping RCT participation as well as how participation constitutes a turning point, prompting individuals to reconfigure social networks, reorient to spatial environments, and reorganize day-to-day life—with implications for how substance use disorder RCTs should be approached by researchers.
A Systematic Review of Mandibular Distraction Osteogenesis Versus Orthodontic Airway Plate for Airway Obstruction Treatment in Pierre Robin Sequence
Authors: Abbas Darren B. , Lavin Christopher , Fahy Evan J. , Choo HyeRan , Truong Mai Thy , Bruckman Karl C. , Khosla Rohit K. , Lorenz H. Peter , Momeni Arash , Wan Derrick C.
Published: June 2021

Objective:

Mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO) is frequently performed to address airway obstruction in patients with Pierre Robin sequence (PRS), though more recently the technique of orthodontic airway plating (OAP) has gained traction. We aimed to evaluate OAP compared to MDO for airway obstruction in PRS.

Design:

A systematic literature search across PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar identified all studies published in English, which involved MDO or any form of OAP as treatments for PRS. All relevant articles were reviewed in detail and reported on, adhering to PRISMA guidelines.

Main Outcome Measures:

Airway (tracheostomy avoidance, decannulation rate), feeding (full oral feeding tolerance).

Results:

Literature search identified 970 articles, of which 42 MDO studies and 9 OAP studies met criteria for review. A total of 1159 individuals were treated with MDO, and 322 individuals were treated with OAP. Primary outcomes appear similar for MDO and OAP at face value; however, this must be interpreted with different pretreatment contexts in mind.

Conclusions:

Orthodontic airway plating may be considered for airway obstruction in PRS, as some airway-related and feeding-related outcomes appear similar with MDO, per existing evidence in the literature. However, since PRS severity differed between studies, OAP cannot be uniformly considered a replacement for MDO. Further research is required to more comprehensively assess these treatment modalities inclusive of metrics that allow for direct comparison.