bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spinal anaesthesia with clonidine: pain relief and earlier mobilisation after open nephrectomy – a randomised clinical trial
Authors: Thurm Mascha , Hultin Magnus , Johansson Göran , Dahlin Britt-IngerKröger , Winsö Ola , Ljungberg Börje
Published: September 2022

Objectives

Early mobilisation and effective pain management after open nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma often include epidural analgesia (EDA), requiring an infusion pump and a urinary catheter, thus impeding mobilisation. Spinal anaesthesia (SpA) may be an alternative. This randomised clinical trial evaluated whether SpA improves analgesia and facilitates mobilisation over EDA and which factors influence mobilisation and length of stay (LOS).

Methods

Between 2012 and 2015, 135 patients were randomised and stratified by surgical method to either SpA with clonidine or EDA. Mobility index score (MobIs), pain scale, patient satisfaction questionnaire, and LOS were the main outcome measures.

Results

SpA patients exhibited an increase in MobIs significantly earlier than EDA patients. Among SpA patients >50% reached MobIs ≥13 by postoperative day 3, while 29% of EDA patients never reached MobIs ≥13 before discharge. SpA patients had higher maximum pain scores on postoperative days 1 and 2, but both groups had similar patient satisfaction. One day before discharge, 36/64 SpA versus 22/67 EDA patients (56% and 33%, respectively) were opioid-free. SpA patients were discharged significantly earlier than EDA patients.

Conclusions

SpA facilitates postoperative pain management and is associated with faster mobilisation and shorter LOS. The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.org (ID-NCT02030717).
White Collars, Dark Histories: The Factors That Lead Women to Commit Corporate Crimes
Authors: Einat Tomer , Ben-Moshe Lilach
Published: September 2022

The literature on white-collar crimes committed by women is sparse, dealing mostly with their motivations, the incidence of the phenomenon, and differences between the women who commit them and those who commit other types of offenses. This qualitative study maps factors leading women to commit such crimes, with particular focus on their family and personal histories, and on the various roles they played as children and adults, which prepared and “trained” them for future illegal behavior. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews with 18 women convicted and imprisoned for white-collar crimes. A relationship was found between problematic family background and difficulty in help seeking and a nearly obsessive need for love in adulthood, and between the latter and white-collar crime. Theoretical and practical conclusions are discussed and future directions proposed.
Articulation of the cross-boundary effects of China’s ecological conservation redline program: A perspective on the ecological security network and ecological radiation
Authors: Du Fujun , Gao Jiangbo , Zuo Liyuan , Jiang Yuan
Published: September 2022

China’s Ecological Conservation Redline (ECR) program ensures the coordination and sustainability of natural and economic development while maintaining regional ecological security. Current research focuses on the ecosystem services within ECR areas but ignores cross-boundary ecological flow and the interactions between the internal and external ecological effects of ECR areas. In addition, the ecological background has spatial continuity that is not limited by boundaries, and the radiation effect areas extending beyond ECR areas have not been quantified. In this study, the Beijing ECR areas and ecological security network were integrated in order to connect the ecological process and landscape pattern to the ECR through the circulation path of ecological corridors, and cross-boundary effects between patches were examined. The field spread model was used to quantify the radiation influence range of ECR areas. Additionally, 972.46 km of ecological corridors were identified in Beijing, and abundant corridors effectively linked the ECR areas and maintained the material cycle. In the surrounding areas, ecological corridors were spread radially, with a total length of 941.85 km, promoting cross-boundary ecological flow between the ECR and surrounding source areas. This study used 25 ecological nodes to constitute the cross-boundary ecological security network system. The total radiation area based on the ECR source was 9572.16 km2. These results provide support for the radiation effect of ECR and cross-boundary ecological flows and suggest a useful model for sustainable ecological development and cross-boundary management.
Financialized accumulation, neoliberal hegemony, and the transformation of the Swedish Welfare Model, 1980–2020
Authors: Skyrman Viktor , Allelin Majsa , Kallifatides Markus , Sjöberg Stefan
Published: September 2022

Drawing on a Gramscian Regulation Approach and Harvey’s accumulation by dispossession thesis, this article discusses the structural and hegemonic mechanisms of the neoliberal transformation of Sweden’s welfare sectors. Providing new longitudinal data on welfare retrenchment, corporate governance, wealth shares, and private economic power, the article further analyzes how the transformation of the Swedish post-war universal welfare model is related to class struggle and accumulation regime change in the Swedish economy. Following a decade-long countermobilization of Swedish capital and a severe economic crisis in the early 1990s, neoliberal economic common sense was cemented among social democratic policy elites that manifested itself in an institutionalized austerity polity, leading to a slow but steady dismantling of the Swedish welfare project. Roughly a fifth of employees in the three largest welfare sectors work in private welfare companies that generate tax-financed profits on politically created welfare markets. Welfare profits are in turn defended by a welfare–industrial complex and undergirded by a hegemonic bloc consisting of capital elites and sympathetic policymakers. In the virtual absence of vocal antihegemonic forces, many social democratic leaders have limited criticism against welfare profits throughout the last decades. On the contrary, austerity measures practiced by Swedish social democrats have thereto led to deteriorating social cohesion and spawned distrust among core social democratic voters.
Performance of Rocking Shallow Foundations and the Evolution of Beam-on-Nonlinear-Winkler Foundation Modeling
Authors: William Harden Chad , Lozano Andres
Published: September 2022

The nonlinear behavior of shallow bridge and building foundations under large-amplitude seismic loading is an important aspect of performance-based earthquake engineering. Soil yielding beneath foundations can be an effective energy dissipation mechanism; however, this yielding may lead to excessive permanent deformations. The research and engineering community has established decades of model testing and analytical modeling to understand foundation nonlinearity and uplift. Physical model testing provides insight into the mechanisms at work in rocking, shallow foundations, while analytical modeling and simulation are validated against these experiment results such that modeling recommendations can be applied in practice. This body of work led to the current design procedures in industry, such that the benefits and consequences of foundations allowed to rock under seismic events can be understood and implemented in practice generally for design of proposed structures, as well as retrofit of existing structures. While there are various established analytical modeling approaches, this paper presents a summary of both the elastic and nonlinear Winkler analytical modeling approaches used to approximate observations from experiment, the status of codified design procedures incorporating rocking, and includes speculation on the future of research and design in this field.
Exploring the Potential Impact of Crowdshipping Using Public Transport in Singapore
Authors: Zhang Meijing , Cheah Lynette , Courcoubetis Costas
Published: September 2022

Because of increased urbanization and a rise in e-commerce activities, the demand for freight transport in cities is growing. E-retailers and logistics companies face the challenge of making timely, cost-effective, and reliable deliveries. To address this problem, the concept of crowdshipping has gained interest. Crowdshipping enlists members of the public to pick up and drop off parcels, ideally en route to their pre-committed destination. Individuals, such as commuters using public transport, can be engaged to fulfill deliveries as “crowdshippers.” This research explores the potential impact of crowdshipping using public transport in a congested city, focusing on Singapore as a case study. First, an online survey was conducted to investigate the willingness of transit passengers to act as crowdshippers. Then, a parcel allocation model was developed to match parcels with public bus journeys. In the case of there not being enough crowdshippers available, the remaining parcels will be delivered using the carrier’s delivery vans, which are subject to a vehicle routing problem. Using real-world data, we compared the performance of an e-commerce carrier with and without crowdshipping. The results show that crowdshipping can reduce vehicle kilometers traveled and associated air emissions by up to 17%. The carrier’s delivery cost can be reduced by up to 29% per parcel. These savings can be realized even if crowdshipping is limited to off-peak travel hours only. In a congested city with an extensive transit system, crowdshipping using public transport has the potential to be a sustainable means of moving goods in urban areas.
Vehicle Detection Approach Adjusting Road Curves to Estimate Local Traffic Density under Real Driving Conditions
Authors: Chang Justin S. , Hwang Jihwan , Choi Mingyu
Published: September 2022

This paper has measured local traffic density under real driving conditions. The methodology employed is based on the traditional process of image recording. However, the conventional method has suffered from three typical limitations: long processing times, low vehicle detection performance, and inaccurate road length estimates. This study proposed two sequential approaches to resolve the three drawbacks. First, the you-only-look-once (YOLO) algorithm was used to shorten the computation time and enhance vehicle detection accuracy. Second, the vanishing point was identified during digital image processing to adjust the vertical and horizontal curves of roads, thereby calculating accurate road lengths. The proposed framework was applied to an arterial road in Seoul, South Korea. This approach was fast enough to measure local traffic density in real time. The performance of vehicle detection evaluated using a weighted mean average precision (mAP) was high at 88.73%. The accuracy of estimated road lengths evaluated using the Pearson correlation coefficient was also high at 0.97. Some co-benefits expected from the proposed method are also discussed.
Risk Factors for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Graft Failure in Professional Athletes: An Analysis of 342 Patients With a Mean Follow-up of 100 Months From the SANTI Study Group
Authors: Hopper Graeme P. , Pioger Charles , Philippe Corentin , El Helou Abdo , Campos Joao Pedro , Gousopoulos Lampros , Carrozzo Alessandro , Vieira Thais Dutra , Sonnery-Cottet Bertrand
Published: September 2022

Background:

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are among the most common knee injuries sustained in elite sport, and athletes generally undergo ACL reconstruction (ACLR) to facilitate their return to sport. ACL graft rupture is a career-threatening event for elite athletes.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The purpose of this study was to determine the risk factors for graft failure in professional athletes undergoing ACLR. It was hypothesized that athletes who underwent combined ACLR with a lateral extra-articular procedure (LEAP) would experience significantly lower rates of graft rupture in comparison with those who underwent isolated ACLR.

Study design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Professional athletes who underwent primary ACLR with a minimum follow-up of 2 years were identified from the Santy database. Patients were excluded if they underwent major concomitant procedures, including multiligament reconstruction surgery or osteotomy. Further ipsilateral knee injury, contralateral knee injury, and any other reoperations or complications after the index procedure were identified by interrogation of the database and review of the medical notes.

Results:

A total of 342 athletes with a mean follow-up of 100.2 ± 51.9 months (range, 24-215 months) were analyzed. Graft failures totaling 31 (9.1%) were reported, requiring revision surgery because of symptomatic instability. The rate of graft failure was significantly higher when ACLR was not combined with a LEAP (15.5% vs 6.0%; P = .0105) and in athletes aged 21 years or younger (13.8% vs 6.6%; P = .0290). A multivariate analysis was performed using the Cox model and demonstrated that athletes undergoing an isolated ACLR were at >2-fold risk of ACL graft rupture (hazard ratio [HR], 2.678 [1.173; 4.837], P = .0164) when compared with those undergoing a combined ACLR with a LEAP. Additionally, athletes aged ≤21 years were also at >2-fold risk of graft failure (HR, 2.381 [1.313; 5.463]; P = .0068) than those aged >21 years. Sex, sport, and graft type were not found to be significant risk factors for graft failure.

Conclusion:

Professional athletes undergoing isolated ACLR and aged ≤21 years are at >2-fold greater risk of graft failure. Orthopaedic surgeons treating elite athletes should combine an ACLR with a LEAP to improve ACL graft survivorship.
Does Femoral Osteoplasty Improve Long-term Clinical Outcomes and Survivorship of Hip Arthroscopy? A 15-Year Minimum Follow-up Study
Authors: Nepple Jeffrey J. , Parilla Frank W. , Ince Deniz C. , Freiman Serena , Clohisy John C.
Published: September 2022

Background:

Although femoral osteoplasty is common practice in treating cam-type femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), long-term data are lacking that support the ability of this procedure to optimize outcomes and alter natural history.

Purpose:

To compare long-term clinical outcomes and survivorship of treatment for symptomatic FAI via arthroscopic correction of labral or chondral pathology with and without femoral osteoplasty.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

A retrospective cohort study was performed across 2 consecutive cohorts of patients with isolated cam-type FAI who underwent hip arthroscopic treatment of labral or chondral pathology without femoral osteoplasty (HS group) or with femoral osteoplasty (HS-OST group). These unique cohorts were established at a distinct transition time in our practice before and after adoption of femoral osteoplasty for treatment of FAI. Clinical outcomes were measured using the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS). Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to assess for total hip arthroplasty (THA)–free and reoperation-free survivorship.

Results:

The final HS group included 17 hips followed for 19.7 ± 1.2 years, and the final HS-OST group included 23 hips followed for 16.0 ± 0.6 years. No significant patient or morphological differences were found between groups. Compared with the HS group, the HS-OST group had significantly higher final mHHS (82.7 vs 64.7 for HS-OST vs HS, respectively; P = .002) and mHHS improvement (18.4 vs 6.1; P = .02). The HS-OST group also had significantly greater 15-year THA-free survivorship versus the HS group (78% vs 41%, respectively; P = .02) and reoperation-free survivorship (78% vs 29%; P = .003).

Conclusion:

This study demonstrated superior long-term clinical outcomes and survivorship with combined arthroscopy and femoral osteoplasty compared with hip arthroscopy alone. These long-term data strongly support the practice of femoral osteoplasty in patients with cam FAI morphologies and suggest that this treatment alters the natural history of FAI at long-term follow-up.
Graduate School, Work, or Unclear? Gender Differences in Post-college Plans among China’s Recent College Students
Authors: Yao Man
Published: September 2022

Women are becoming the majority in China’s universities and colleges. This study examines gender differences in post-college plans of China’s college students under the new social context. Drawing on survey data from college students across 15 universities in Beijing, this study identifies a gendered post-college planning process. Descriptive findings show that the majority of students plan to go to graduate school, while women are less likely to have a graduate school plan and more likely to be unclear about their future than men. Multivariate analyses show that these gender gaps can be partly attributed to women’s underrepresentation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Moreover, family socioeconomic resources and anticipated parenthood timing are associated with post-college plans, and these associations are more pronounced among women. This paper discusses the implications of these findings for research on the formation of gender stratification in education and career in the global context of women’s progress in education.
Advancing Healthy Food Service in the United States: State Food Service Guidelines Policy Adoption and Implementation Supports, 2015-2019
Authors: Lowry-Warnock Amy , Strombom Nicole , Mugavero Kristy , Harris Diane , Blanck Heidi M. , Onufrak Stephen
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Food service guidelines (FSG) policies can impact the nutritional quality of millions of meals sold or served to government employees, citizens in public places, or institutionalized persons. This study examines state FSG policies adopted January 1, 2015 to April 1, 2019, and uses a FSG Classification Tool (FSG Tool) to quantify alignment with nutrition recommendations for public health impact.

Design

Quantitative Content Analysis

Setting

State Government Worksites and Facilities

Participants

50 states and District of Columbia (D.C.) in the United States.

Measures

Frequency of policies and percent alignment to FSG tool.

Analysis

FSG policies were identified using legal databases to assess state statutes, regulations, and executive orders. Content analysis and coding determined attributes of policies across 4 FSG Tool domains, (1) nutrition standards referenced; (2) behavioral design strategies encouraging selection of healthier offerings; (3) facility efficiency and environmental sustainability; and (4) FSG implementation supports.

Results

From 2015-2019, 5 FSG policies met study inclusion criteria. Four out of 5 policies earned a perfect nutrition score (100%) by referencing nutrition standards that align with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) and are operationalized for use in food service venues. Four out of 5 policies included at least 1 implementation supports provision, such as naming an implementing agency, and 2 included provisions that encourage local food sourcing.

Conclusion

From 2015-2019, overall FSG policy comprehensiveness scores ranged from 24% to 73%, with most policies referencing food and nutrition standards that align to national nutrition recommendations. Public health practitioners can educate decision makers on the potential impact of FSG policies on diet-related health outcomes and associated cost savings, as well as other important co-benefits that support locally grown products and environmental sustainability practices.
Social Network Analysis of Nonprofits in Disaster Response: The Case of Twitter During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States
Authors: Gong Xi , Peng Shuyang , Lu Yujian , Wang Shaohua , Huang Xiao , Ye Xinyue
Published: September 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has created complex problems that require organizations to collaborate within and across the sector line. Social media data can provide insights into how nonprofits interact for the pandemic response from both social network and geographical perspectives. This study innovatively investigated the connection and interaction patterns among 74 National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) nonprofits and three government agencies based on structural analyses and content analyses of their Twitter communications during the long-term global COVID-19 pandemic. The daily tweeting quantities of all nonprofits were generally consistent with the pandemic severity in the United States before July 2020 and remained stable afterward. Nonprofits’ tweets can reflect their purposes of sharing information, building communities, and taking actions for disaster response. Government agencies played leadership roles in providing COVID-19 guidelines and information. Human services, International and Foreign Affairs, and Public and Societal Benefit nonprofits, especially American Red Cross played central roles in the nonprofit communication network. Possible explanations include the following: (1) Geographically, connections and interactions among nonprofits are more likely to happen within the same city or in neighboring states. (2) Both mission homophily and heterophily contribute to connections and interactions among nonprofits, depending on their subsectors. The findings not only help the public better understand how nonprofits are collaboratively fighting the pandemic, but also provide guidance for nonprofits to plan for better interactions and communications in future disaster response.
Experimental studies on the effects of reinforcing cowpat ash with aluminium composites
Authors: Varun B. , Gopi S. , Manikandan R.
Published: September 2022

A brief study is attempted to identify the effects of cowpat ash (CPA) having single reinforcement and also a second reinforcement with titanium diboride (TiB2) in aluminium 7075 alloys through the liquid metallurgy technique. The microstructural and mechanical properties of the fabricated samples are evaluated and compared with the base material to identify the increase and decrease in properties of the composite materials. In the first stage, single reinforced composites (SRCs) with CPA were varied by 2, 4, 6 and 8 weight percentages. It was found that at 6% of CPA the properties have enhanced in the composite materials. In the second stage of the research, hybrid reinforced composites (HRC) were fabricated with 6% CPA which was kept constant and TiB2 were varied by 2, 4 and 6 weight percentages. Among the composition, it was found that at 6% CPA and 4% TiB2 the properties of aluminium 7075 have enhanced. Optical microstructure, SEM with EDAX and XRD for SRC and HRC exhibited uniform distribution of reinforcements and their existence in the matrix respectively. The density has reduced for both SRC and HRCs but porosity has increased with an increase in reinforcement percentage. Hardness has increased by 18.18% for SRC and 34.54% for HRC. Tensile strength has increased by 14.28% for SRC and 29.67% for HRC. The impact strength has gradually decreased by 31.25% for SRC and 43.75% for HRC. Flexural strength has increased by 7.54% for SRC and 15.09% for HRC. The fracture SEM images exhibited cracks, voids, and dimples for tensile and impact specimens for fabricated samples.
Applicability and development of a direct method algorithm for simultaneous optimization of trajectories and energy minimizing control for hybrid fuel cell railway vehicles
Authors: Kühlkamp Florian , Schenker Moritz , Konrad Marcel , Dittus Holger
Published: September 2022

While the electrified rail network can directly utilize renewable energy sources, track electrification is costly and subject to environmental and structural limitations. Therefore, research is currently underway on alternative propulsion systems that enable overhead line-free operation. As a promising solution, the fuel cell electric drive came into focus as an emission-free drive system at the point of use. In order to be able to present a cost-efficient substitution of the propulsion systems in use today, an intensive examination of energy-optimal operating patterns, i.e. minimal fuel consumption, is crucial. This is the basis of this work, as it aims to develop an optimization algorithm that can handle fuel cell hybrid electric powertrains in a flexible and robust manner. The developed algorithm allows simultaneous optimization of the speed trajectory and on-board energy management with the aim of reducing hydrogen consumption. A comparison is made between a rule-based approach and the optimization algorithm. By simultaneously optimizing the trajectory and power distribution, 16% of the hydrogen savings potential can be achieved on a regional route in Germany compared to the rule-based approach. Finally, an in-depth evaluation of the algorithm’s ability to flexibly handle different fuel cell hybrid powertrain topologies is performed. The results show that the optimization algorithm opens up the possibility of evaluating reasonable fuel cell hybrid component sizes while achieving optimal operation. Thus, it can be used in the future to support feasibility analysis for specific use cases.
A detailed analysis in thoracic aorta by means of the entropy generation rate: Prediction of the atherosclerotic lesion
Authors: Crespo-Quintanilla Jesús A , Alfaro-Ayala Jorge A , Ramírez-Minguela José J , Vidal-Lesso Agustín , Cano-Andrade Sergio
Published: September 2022

A detailed numerical analysis is carried out in a real human thoracic aorta by means of the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for the prediction of the atherosclerosis lesion. Common hemodynamics parameters, such as, the oscillatory shear index (OSI) and the time average wall shear stress (TAWSS) are used for the prediction of the atherosclerosis lesion. Furthermore, the entropy generation rate is considered to obtain the main irreversibilities that occurs inside the thoracic aorta for the prediction of the atherosclerosis lesion. The model considers the blood flow inside the thoracic aorta in an unsteady state. The results show contours of velocity, streams lines, velocity profiles and the comparison of the hemodynamics parameters OSI versus TAWSS. Moreover, contours of the entropy generation rate are showed inside the aorta. The time averaged entropy generation rate (TAEGR) is obtained as a result of the entropy generation analysis. Finally, TAEGR index is compared and discussed with the common hemodynamics parameters, OSI and TAWSS. The accuracy to detect prone locations to atherosclerotic development in the real aorta using the TAEGR in comparison to the OSI and the TAWSS is in good agreement.
Antiphospholipid syndrome in patients over 65 years: A comparative study of clinical and biological features and thrombotic relapses
Authors: Masson Colombe , An Nguyen Thi T. , Dufrost Virginie , Audrain Marie , Hémont Caroline , Agard Christian , Artifoni Mathieu , Connault Jérôme , Fouassier Marc , Hamidou Mohamed , Guedon Alexis F , Wahl Denis , Zuily Stéphane , Espitia Olivier
Published: September 2022

Objective

The aim of the study was to describe clinical and biological characteristics and thrombotic relapses of patients diagnosed with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) after the age of 65 years, in comparison with patients diagnosed with APS before 65.

Methods

This retrospective multicenter study was performed to 2005 from 2017 and included patients diagnosed with APS after the age of 65 years, in accordance with Sydney criteria. We compared these patients with APS patients diagnosed before the age of 65 years, and with control thrombotic patients older than 65 years.

Results

Fifty-eight APS patients over the age of 65 years were compared to 127 APS patients aged less than 65 and to 58 controls. In elderly APS versus younger APS, there was a male predominance (58.6% vs 36.2% p = .001); myocardial infarction and lower limb deep vein thrombosis (LLDVT) were more frequent in elderly, respectively, 12.1% versus 1.6% ( p = .005), and 44.8% versus 29.9% ( p = .048). Anticardiolipin antibody (aCL) IgM was more frequently found in old patients compared to younger patients (33.9% vs 18.1%, p = .02), contrary to lupus anticoagulant (LAC) (52.8% vs 66.9%, p = .02). Older patients were more often diagnosed with single positive APS (82.8% vs 59.8% p = .002). The thrombotic relapse free survival was lower in elderly APS patients ( p = .044) compared to younger APS. Elderly APS patients had more recurrent arterial and venous thrombosis ( p = .03) and had poorer overall survival ( p = .004) than elderly controls.

Conclusion

In this study, APS was different in patients aged more than 65 years, with a male predominance and more myocardial infarctions and LLDVT at diagnosis. Single antiphopholipid positivity and aCL IgM were more frequent in older patients. Older patient with APS had more thrombotic recurrence during follow-up. Compared to elderly controls, elderly APS patients had more thrombosis recurrences and poorer survival.
Does it Make You Better Off? Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) and Corporate Sustainability Performance: Empirical Evidence
Authors: Harasheh Murad
Published: September 2022

Going public (or an IPO) is a strategic decision for value creation motivated by various reasons such as capital raising, windows of opportunities that reflect the perfect market timing and publicity. It is associated with financial and business attributes. In this article, we establish an original linkage between the IPO event and sustainability performance post-IPO, emphasizing the impacts of listing on enhancing sustainability performance. We integrate IPO theories and sustainability views in explaining the effect of the IPO on sustainability measures. We study a sample of Italian firms that went public from 2009 to 2018. Sustainability performance is measured by a sustainability rating which is a composite rating that comprises of 10 elements. Using empirical testing, we show a positive effect of the IPO on sustainability and governance indicators in the 3 years following the IPO, suggesting an image-improving and better compliance practices. And a mixed impact on financial performance.
Infrastructures of globalisation. Shifts in global order and Europe’s strategic choices
Authors: Abels Joscha , Bieling Hans-Jürgen
Published: September 2022

In the emerging triad competition between the US, China and the EU, the control over infrastructures is increasingly contested. This paper asks how this conflict of connectivity influences the EU’s infrastructure policy and what specific factors play a role when translating these global shifts into strategies. We develop a political-economic perspective that highlights the relevance of infrastructures for capitalist production and the pattern of dependencies between actors. Viewing the triad competition in infrastructural terms, we argue that the EU is in the process of becoming a geopolitically and geoeconomically oriented infrastructural policy actor. Two cases in the field of high-tech infrastructure are studied more deeply: the EU’s development of the satellite navigation system Galileo and its strategy on 5G. They show that – despite the EU’s geoeconomic approach – the particular mode of global competition in combination with internal political factors can hinder the translation of geoeconomic ambitions into specific policies.
The Road to Hell Is Paved With Good Intentions: How Common Practices in Scale Construction Hurt Validity
Authors: Steger Diana , Jankowsky Kristin , Schroeders Ulrich , Wilhelm Oliver
Published: September 2022

Sound scale construction is pivotal to the measurement of psychological constructs. Common item sampling procedures emphasize aspects of reliability to the disadvantage of aspects of validity, which are less tangible. We use a health knowledge test as an example to demonstrate how item sampling strategies that focus on either factor saturation or construct coverage influence scale composition and demonstrate how to find a trade-off between these two opposing needs. More specifically, we compile three 75-item health knowledge scales using Ant Colony Optimization, a metaheuristic algorithm that is inspired by the foraging behavior of ants, to optimize factor saturation, construct coverage, or a compromise of both. We demonstrate that our approach is well suited to balance out construct coverage and factor saturation when constructing a health knowledge test. Finally, we discuss conceptual problems with the modeling of declarative knowledge and provide recommendations for the assessment of health knowledge.
No Escape From the Media Gates? How Public Support and Issue Salience Shape Interest Groups’ Media Prominence
Authors: Willems Evelien
Published: September 2022

This study adopts an issue-specific approach to explain interest groups’ media prominence. Contrary to the classic presumption that groups confronted with public opposition invariably manage to escape the public spotlight, the results—based on a news content analysis of 196 positions expressed by 68 Belgian groups on 56 issues—show that on salient issues, some groups defending unpopular positions gain substantial prominence. Not only is media prominence used to pressure policymakers, but especially for salient issues, groups get pulled into the news to counteract adversaries and secure ties with their organizational constituencies.
The mSteps pilot study: Analysis of the distance walked using a novel smartphone application in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Alexander Sarah , Braisher Marie , Tur Carmen , Chataway Jeremy
Published: September 2022

Background:

Clinical studies in multiple sclerosis (MS) often require accurate measurement of walking distance. Utilisation of electronic devices could theoretically improve this. Mobile devices have the potential to continuously monitor health by collecting movement data. Popular fitness trackers record steps taken and distance travelled, typically using a fixed-stride length. However, applications using fixed-stride length may be less accurate in those with altered gait patterns. While useful for everyday purposes, medical monitoring requires greater accuracy.

Objective:

Our aim was to determine the agreement and reliability of using a smartphone application to measure distance walked.

Method:

A phone application (mSteps) was developed and tested in a pilot study and then a validation study, looking at an indoor and outdoor setting with people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) and a control cohort.

Results:

In the pilot study, the 95% limits of agreement (LOA) for outdoor tracking in control cohort lay within the a priori defined limit; however, the indoor tracking in both cohorts did not meet the defined limit. The app was then successfully validated outdoors in PwMS.

Conclusion:

mSteps could be used to accurately measure distance outdoors in PwMS. There is still a need for solutions to accurately and reliably measure distance walked indoors.
From TERF to gender critical: A telling genealogy?
Authors: Thurlow Claire
Published: September 2022

Over the last 5 years the UK has seen a significant rise in the prominence of trans-exclusionary feminism. What was once termed TERF (trans-exclusionary radical feminism/feminist) is now more often referred to as gender critical feminism/feminist. In this article I argue that this new moniker represents more than a renaming. Instead, it can be interpreted as a rebranding for a present-day where the explicit transphobia of earlier trans-exclusionary feminism is no longer tolerated. I will map two telling changes that I argue currently separates gender critical from TERF, this involves (i) the linguistic pivot from ‘anti-trans’ to ‘pro-woman’ and, (ii) the nascent questioning of the traditional theoretical underpinning of trans-exclusionary feminism. Through this mapping I will explain the rebranding as an attempted claim to legitimacy with an aim of accruing mainstream support. However, exploration of the two changes will show that, despite efforts to obscure the point, gender critical feminism continues to rely on transphobic tropes, moral panics and essentialist understandings of men and women. These factors also continue to link trans-exclusionary feminism to anti-feminist reactionary politics and other ‘anti-gender’ movements.
A revisit on the characteristics of Yao-Cheng non-linear oscillator
Authors: Rath Biswanath , Nayak Bibekananda , Mallick Pravanjan , Sahoo Rati Ranjan , Erturk Vedat Suat , Wannan Rania , Jarrar Rabab , Shanak Hussein , Asad Jihad
Published: September 2022

We revisited the characteristic features of Yao-Cheng non-linear oscillator by employing both analytical as well as numerical approaches. Our study indicates that the solution of the non-linear oscillator shows oscillatory behaviour. Further, the phase portrait for this oscillator system reflects the closed loop signifying the stability of the system. Our results suggest the absence of damping in this physical system.
Men in aprons versus men in suits: Reshaping masculinities within a Japanese nonprofit promoting fatherhood
Authors: Koike Evan T.
Published: September 2022

One of the most influential nonprofit organizations in Japan’s contemporary parenting movement, Fathering Japan has a mission to “increase the number of smiling fathers” and to eliminate obstacles that prevent fathers from participating in family life, which the nonprofit promotes as an enjoyable and fulfilling sphere of activity. Fathering Japan encourages fathers of young children to break with the practices of previous generations of Japanese fathers—who generally eschewed domestic labor—by practicing masculinities that engage actively in child care in ways that lessen women’s workloads and help to raise Japan’s low birthrate. Yet many of the nonprofit’s projects cater to the needs of suit-wearing men pursuing Japan’s traditional heteronormative lifestyles. In contrast, within Fathering Japan, members of the subgroup called the Secret Society, “The Househusband’s Friend,” don aprons and engage in play and parody that both problematize and reaffirm the links among masculinity, work, and family.
(How) are decisions made in child and family social work supervisions?
Authors: Webb Joseph , Wilkins David , Martin Richard
Published: September 2022

Supervision is widely recognised as a core activity for social work. In this paper, we explore the nature of decision-making in supervision, using a collection of twelve audio-recordings from one child protection team in England. We apply Conversation Analysis to see how potential actions are put ‘on the table’, by whom, and the interactional work that occurs before any final decision is made. Within these data we find that supervision may not be an especially key site for decision-making. When actions are proposed, we identify three primary patterns: unilateral decision making, bilateral decision making and polar questions which instigate decision making sequences. In each, it is almost always the supervisor who proposes a possible future action, and the social worker who responds. If the social worker is agreeable, there is often little further discussion. When the social worker resists the proposal or there is further talk around the future action, the subsequent conversation was likely to focus on how it reflects on the worker’s professional competence, rather than the merits of the action and implications for the family. These findings raise the question of how (and where) casework decisions are made in this social work team, if not in supervision. They also suggest we need to pay more attention to issues of professional standing and creating opportunities for shared decision making when thinking about supervision. Our analysis furthers current knowledge of what happens in social work supervision by demonstrating how epistemic and deontic domains, as well professional competency, are interactionally relevant forces shaping the decision-making process.
Spanking and Corporal Punishment Parenting Practices and Child Development: A Systematic Review
Authors: Avezum Marina Dias Macedo de Melo , Altafim Elisa Rachel Pisani , Linhares Maria Beatriz Martins
Published: September 2022

Violence against children is a significant problem, particularly during early childhood development. Spanking and other forms of corporal punishment in child-rearing have been used by families worldwide to correct children’s unwanted behaviors. Despite previous studies focusing on the negative consequences of these parental practices, open questions remain. The present study aimed to systematically review the empirical studies published in scientific literature that examined the associations between parenting practices of spanking and corporal punishment of mothers and their children’s behaviors and development in early childhood. Search was performed in PubMed, APA PsycNet, Web of Science, SciELO, and LILACS databases using the combination of the following keywords: ((spank OR physical punishment OR physical abuse OR physical maltreatment OR corporal punishment) AND (parenting)) AND (child* development OR child* behavior). The inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied and 34 articles were selected for review. The inclusion criteria were the following: studies that evaluated associations between maternal spanking or corporal punishment practices and behaviors or development of 0-to-6-year-old children; quantitative studies; studies published in English, Spanish, or Portuguese language. The results showed that in 94% of the studies, there were significant associations between maternal spanking and corporal punishment with deteriorated child behavior and development, concurrently or later. In addition, maternal physical practices also acted as mediators or moderator variables in models that explained behavioral and developmental problems in early childhood.
Comprehensive Behavioral Treatment of an Older Adult Man with Trichotillomania
Authors: Coyne Allison F. , Carlson Emily , Flannery Meghan , De Oliveira Fernanda , Haaga David A. F.
Published: September 2022

The Comprehensive Behavioral (ComB) model of treatment for trichotillomania (TTM) and other body-focused repetitive behaviors offers a framework for individualized, flexible intervention based on functional analysis. This case report focuses on the treatment of a patient who enrolled in the first randomized clinical trial of ComB for TTM (Carlson et al., 2021) as well as a long-term follow-up of participants from that trial conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic (Flannery et al., in press). Walter (pseudonym) entered the treatment trial at 69, having had TTM since age 17 but not received treatment for it. Walter showed clinically significant improvement in treatment, ultimately abstaining from hair pulling for two years. A single case from a parallel-groups trial cannot support strong conclusions about why his results were favorable, but qualitative review of Walter’s experience in therapy suggested that allowing him a good deal of collaborative input on the specific methods of implementation of ComB principles was helpful. Along with the general literature on patient age as a predictor of therapy outcome, Walter’s case serves as a reminder that older adults, even those with highly chronic clinical conditions, can benefit greatly from psychotherapy.
Ecobehavioral Analysis of the Experiences of Students With Complex Support Needs in Different Classroom Types
Authors: Zagona Alison L. , Kurth Jennifer A. , Lockman Turner Elissa , Pace Jesse , Shogren Karrie , Lansey Kirsten , Jameson Matt , Burnette Kristin , Mansouri Mary , Hicks Tyler , Gerasimova Daria
Published: September 2022

Students with complex support needs frequently experience restrictive educational placements such as self-contained and separate school classrooms. Given the need to support students with complex support needs to experience positive outcomes and make progress in the general education curriculum, there is a need to investigate the characteristics of the classroom contexts in which they are learning. The purpose of this study was to use ecobehavioral assessment observation methods to investigate how student behaviors, educator behaviors, and classroom ecology vary across general education, resource, self-contained, and separate school classrooms. We observed 116 students with complex support needs across the United States, and results indicated that contextual features of resource, self-contained, and separate school classrooms do not offer superior levels of instruction or supports for students with complex support needs as compared with general education classrooms. We were more likely to observe no one interacting with the focus student, no instruction, and the presence of distractions in self-contained and separate school classrooms compared with general education classrooms. Implications for policy, research, and practice are presented.
Abnormal Cross Frequency Coupling of Brain Electroencephalographic Oscillations Related to Visual Oddball Task in Parkinson's Disease with Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Bayraktaroğlu Zübeyir , Aktürk Tuba , Yener Görsev , de Graaf Tom A. , Hanoğlu Lütfü , Yıldırım Ebru , Hünerli Gündüz Duygu , Kıyı İlayda , Sack Alexander T. , Babiloni Claudio , Güntekin Bahar
Published: September 2022

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a movement disorder caused by degeneration in dopaminergic neurons. During the disease course, most of PD patients develop mild cognitive impairment (PDMCI) and dementia, especially affecting frontal executive functions. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that PDMCI patients may be characterized by abnormal neurophysiological oscillatory mechanisms coupling frontal and posterior cortical areas during cognitive information processing. To test this hypothesis, event-related EEG oscillations (EROs) during counting visual target (rare) stimuli in an oddball task were recorded in healthy controls (HC; N = 51), cognitively unimpaired PD patients (N = 48), and PDMCI patients (N = 53). Hilbert transform served to estimate instantaneous phase and amplitude of EROs from delta to gamma frequency bands, while modulation index computed ERO phase-amplitude coupling (PAC) at electrode pairs. As compared to the HC and PD groups, the PDMCI group was characterized by (1) more posterior topography of the delta-theta PAC and (2) reversed delta-low frequency alpha PAC direction, ie, posterior-to-anterior rather than anterior-to-posterior. These results suggest that during cognitive demands, PDMCI patients are characterized by abnormal neurophysiological oscillatory mechanisms mainly led by delta frequencies underpinning functional connectivity from frontal to parietal cortical areas.
The gaslighting of authentic leadership 2.0
Authors: Alvesson Mats , Einola Katja
Published: September 2022

This article is a response to Bill Gardner and Kelly McCauley’s ‘gaslighting’ critique of our text on the perils of authentic leadership. Against gaslighting 1.0 (evilly trying to convince people to doubt their perceptions), we propose gaslighting 2.0 (enlightenment). We argue that organizations face severe problems and challenges that cannot be solved by motivating managers to engage in introspection and being overly preoccupied by their own authenticity. A search for one’s true self is a personal journey of inner growth and heightened self-awareness that individuals, leaders and non-leaders may engage in and find highly beneficial, but outside any notion of exercising influence or power on others to reach career objectives or corporate goals. The broad use of simple recipes with claims of overwhelming positive effects is problematic. Leadership research is often based on highly problematic measures, making most efforts to capture the core phenomenon unreliable. That many people are attracted by simplistic, positive-sounding and ego-enhancing formulas is not the same as evidence for theoretical value and relevance of a truth claim. Taking aspiration as a critical element would call for the development and study of Aspirational Authentic Leadership Theory, which would be something quite different from the static study of how managers score in terms of being true to their values, a core self, and so on. In-depth process studies of managers trying to be authentic navigating dilemmas at work could be an alternative to focus further research on.