bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Presence of medium and large sized terrestrial mammals highlights the conservation potential of Patharia Hill Reserve in Bangladesh
Authors: M. Aminur Rahman  , Ai Suzuki  , Uddin M. Sunam , M. Motalib  , Chowdhury M. Rezaul Karim , Hamza Ameer , Aziz M. Abdul
Published: June 2023

Establishing and managing protected areas is a common approach for in situ conservation of wildlife and their habitats, but its effectiveness relies on the magnitude of anthropogenic pressures and their successful mitigation. Bangladesh is a densely populated country, and demand for land and natural resources is accelerated in and around the remaining forests. It is particularly of concern for an important transboundary hill forest, called the Patharia Hill Reserve in the northeastern Bangladesh, which appears to be the last resort for many important forest mammals. We conducted a camera-trap survey for assessing the occurrence of mammals in this tropical forest patch during January 2019 and July 2021. An effort of 2,805 trap-nights yielded 1,986 records of 22 medium and large-sized mammal species. We confirmed the presence of globally ‘Vulnerable’ Fishing Cat, Oriental Small-clawed Otter, Hog Badger, & Northern Pig-tailed Macaque and the globally ‘Endangered’ Phayre’s Langur in this study. Our records include a number of species which are either the first record for the northeastern region or have been detected after several decades. In contrast, we could not detect several large carnivores which were recorded previously in the study site and in the Indian side of Patharia Hill Reserve. This study highlights the conservation value of this poorly known reserve forest, and presents a call for immediate action to maintain its function as a transboundary forest area.
Dark Clouds Ahead? Anecdotal evidence for an illegal live trade in Sunda Neofelis diardi and Indochinese N. nebulosa Clouded Leopards (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae)
Authors: Giordano Anthony J. , Winstead Leah M. , Ali Imron Muhammad , Rustam  , Sompud Jephte , Vijaya Kumaran Jayaraj , Pei Kurtis Jai-Chyi
Published: June 2023

The Sunda Clouded Leopard (Neofelis diardi) and Indochinese Clouded Leopard (N. nebulosa) are medium-sized felids native to tropical south and southeast Asia. In 2019, we began investigating the trade in Clouded Leopards and their parts in Asia. This was partly inspired by social media posts of an apparent pet Sunda Clouded Leopard. Investigations continued with respect to how and where Clouded Leopards are sold on social media and other digital platforms. We discovered several social media posts and local language news articles, that we believe are indicative of an illegal live trade in Sunda Clouded Leopards in Indonesia. While fewer instances of trade in Indochinese Clouded Leopards have been discovered thus far, patterns of trade in other large felids and small carnivores in the region, particularly as influenced by social media, may have implications for future live trade in Indochinese Clouded Leopards and increased trade in Sunda Clouded Leopards. We recommend that additional international attention and investment of resources, including local, national, and international law enforcement activities, focus their efforts on the growing trade in Clouded Leopards.
Description of last instar larva of Gomphus kinzelbachi Schneider, 1984 and new aspects on distribution and habitats in Iran (Odonata: Gomphinae)
Authors: SCHNEIDER THOMAS , SCHNEIDER ELIAS , IKEMEYER DIETMAR , SEIDENBUSCH RICHARD , MÜLLER OLE
Published: June 2023

Gomphus kinzelbachi Schneider, 1984, was described on the basis of a single teneral male captured by B. L. Sage on the Alwand River in eastern Iraq. A detailed redescription of the male and description of the female were published recently. However, the larva of the species has remained unknown so far. In late April 2017 two of the authors (ES & TS) discovered freshly emerged G. kinzelbachi, some of them still on their exuviae, on the upper part of the Zoreh River in southwest Iran (Khuzestãn). Larvae ready to emerge were observed leaving the water and climbing reed stalks. The development from last instar larvae to freshly emerged G. kinzelbachi was observed, some until maiden flight. Five exuviae and two freshly emerged males were collected for further identification and description. Male and female exuviae of G. kinzelbachi are described and compared with exuviae of Gomphus schneiderii Selys, 1850, from Mazandarãn province in Iran. Furthermore, a key is provided to determine the exuviae of four Iranian species belonging to the subfamily Gomphinae: Gomphus kinzelbachi, G. schneiderii, Stylurus ubadschii (Schmidt, 1953), and Anormogomphus kiritshenkoi Bartenev, 1913. In addition, the eastern Mediterranean Gomphus davidi Selys, 1887, is included in the comparison, because it seems to be the sister species of G. kinzelbachi. During the trips to Iran in 2017 eight new populations of G. kinzelbachi on different stretches of the river systems of Marun, Zoreh, Dalaki, Alwand, and Abi Zinkan were detected, enlarging the known range and habitat requirements significantly. The flight period of G. kinzelbachi in Iran is also discussed.
Resolving species delimitation within the genus Bunopus Blanford, 1874 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) in Iran using DNA barcoding approach
Authors: KHOSRAVANI AZAR , RASTEGAR-POUYANI ESKANDAR , RASTEGAR-POUYANI NASRULLAH , ORAIE HAMZEH , PAPENFUSS THEODORE J.
Published: June 2023

Mitochondrial COI sequences were used to investigate species delimitation within the genus Bunopus in Iran. A dataset with a final sequence length of 633 nucleotides including 100 specimens from 31 geographically distant localities across Iran were generated. The result demonstrated that two major clades with strong support can be identified within the genus Bunopus in Iran. Clade A includes Bunopus crassicaudus and two new entities, eastern populations (subclade A2,1) and Shahdad populations (subclade A2,2). The second clade comprises western and southwestern populations (subclade B1,1), Arabian populations (subclade B1,2) and south and southeast populations in Iran, to which Bunopus tuberculatus (subclade B2) is assigned. In addition to Bunopus crassicaudus and B. tuberculatus, three new candidate species in Iran can easily be identified based on the DNA barcoding approach.
New Genera, Species, and observations on the biology of Antarctic Valvatida (Asteroidea)
Authors: MAH CHRISTOPHER L.
Published: June 2023

Assessment of Antarctic taxonomic diversity for asteroids and other taxa for poorly studied or unknown regions, such as the deep-sea, will be important for our understanding of these understudied habitats. Eleven new species and a new genus are described from three families (Asterinidae, Goniasteridae, Solasteridae) within the Valvatida, nearly all of which were collected from deep-sea settings below 1000 m by the US Antarctic Research Program in the 1960s. A new subfamily, the Kampylasterinae subfam. nov. is designated for Kampylaster and Astrotholus nov. gen. which were supported as sister taxa on a monophyletic clade within the Asterinidae. Astrotholus nov. gen. is described to accommodate “Anseropoda” antarctica and four new bathyal and abyssal species, which are a significant morphological divergence from the typological definition of Anseropoda. New species of the goniasterid Notioceramus and the solasterid Paralophaster are also described from bathyal depths (2000–3000 m). Paralophaster ferax n. sp. is among the deepest asteroids known to brood, is the first brooding species within Paralophaster and the second species in the Solasteridae known to brood. Following examination of the type and molecular data, Lophaster densus is found to be included within Paralophaster. A review of Antarctic Lophaster species shows additional specimens of Lophaster abbreviatus which support it as a distinct species from Lophaster stellans. New occurrence data for bathyal Antarctic Asteroidea as well as unusual-gut content observations of shallower-water species are also included.
Polarimetric Radar Observations of a Long-Lived Supercell and Associated Tornadoes on 10–11 December 2021
Authors: Van Den Broeke Matthew S. , Wilson Matthew B. , Van Den Broeke Cynthia A. , Healey Devon J. , Wood Michaela J. , Nelson Raychel E.
Published: June 2023

We present environmental and polarimetric radar observations of a long-lived December supercell that tracked approximately 750 km from Arkansas to northern Kentucky. The storm was associated with two long-track EF4 tornadoes, one of which was among the longest-tracked tornadoes recorded in the United States. The supercell’s life cycle is documented from 2000 UTC 10 to 0700 UTC 11 December 2021, using data from five operational polarimetric weather radars. After convection initiation in central Arkansas, it took nearly 4 h for a supercell to develop. Afterward, the storm’s ZDR column and arc became anomalously large leading up to genesis of the first EF4 tornado. During this time, the storm’s environment had moderate convective available potential energy (CAPE) and strong deep-layer shear. A cell interaction at about 0200 UTC disrupted the supercell updraft, weakening the ZDR arc and column, and initiating the largest radar-implied hailfall event observed with this storm. The remnant circulation associated with the first EF4 tornado did not fully dissipate, and it appeared to merge with the low-level mesocyclone on the nose of a rear-flank downdraft surge likely initiated by the hailfall. It is hypothesized that this merger was important to the intensification of the storm’s second EF4 tornado, which lasted nearly 3 h and traveled approximately 267 km. During the second EF4 tornado the storm experienced decreasing CAPE and increasing storm relative helicity. Increasing interactions with other cells eventually weakened the storm, and its original updraft was obscured before the storm’s remnants dissipated in northern Kentucky.

Significance Statement

In December 2021, a long-lived supercell thunderstorm produced two long-track, violent tornadoes, including one that produced historic damage across western Kentucky. Radar observations indicate that, once the storm became a supercell, its updraft became anomalously large relative to similar storms studied prior. Simultaneously its storm-relative inflow strengthened markedly, supporting the first long-lived tornado. Interactions with a developing thunderstorm disrupted the supercell’s updraft, leading to hail fallout and updraft weakening. The remnant circulation associated with the first strong tornado merged with the supercell’s updraft and became a rotation source for the second long-track tornado, which persisted for nearly 3 h. Eventually interactions with other thunderstorms weakened the supercell.
Freud’s Red Thread: Explorations of the Unconscious Sense of Guilt
Authors: Ackerman Sarah
Published: June 2023

The concept of an “unconscious sense of guilt” bedevils Freud throughout his life, rearing its head in at least twenty-four of his major works and working behind the scenes in many others. In a sense, we can see Freud’s oeuvre, and psychoanalysis more generally, as a discourse of unconscious guilt. While Freud frames the oedipus complex as the central defining dynamic of human experience, the unconscious sense of guilt is arguably the underbelly that both precedes and exceeds that complex. By unraveling a range of complexities within Freud’s conceptualization of unconscious guilt, we will come to see that guilt is an unavoidable by-product of the human condition, intrinsically interwoven with libidinal desire.
Thinking in a marrow Bone: Embodiment in Vajrayana Buddhism and Psychoanalysis
Authors: Fiorella Kristin
Published: June 2023

Nondualistic conceptions of the body in Vajrayana Buddhism and some schools of Zen potentially extend the range for imagining and conceptualizing the analyst’s body. They add dimension to psychoanalytic explorations of nonverbal, body-to-body communication in the analytic dyad. Vajrayana Buddhism posits that the body that we have from the point of view of the conceptual mind is not our only body. The body that we are, known as the Vajra body, is experientially available only when the conceptual mind is relaxed. The Vajra body suggests an aspect of embodiment that upsets distinctions of subject/object, mind/body, and internal/external. From a Vajrayana perspective, some psychoanalytic views of the body blunt our bodies’ potential sensitivity and then theorize in response to this objectified body. Thinking that the body is primitive and requires the transformative capacities of the mind distorts modes of sentience that are bodily. From a Vajrayana perspective, this assumption locks in an overreliance on the conceptual mind that is self-perpetuating. It also inhibits a useful, though at times disturbing potential for intercorporeal communication. A detailed clinical example illustrates how these nondualistic ideas about embodiment might influence analytic work.
Collaborative Inquiry Fuelled by Reflexive Learning: Changing Change
Authors: Antonacopoulou Elena P. , Bento Regina , Edward Gareth , Hawkins Beverley , Moldjord Christian , Rigg Clare , Sklaveniti Chrysavgi , Soh Woon Gan , Stokkeland Captain Christina
Published: June 2023

In this paper, we dig deeper into the reflexive learning that fuels collaborative inquiry by examining the unique ways in which changing itself takes place. We draw on two examples of collaborative inquiry, offering autoethnographic insights from our own lived experiences of changing change. These insights are underpinned by reflexive learning which we capture in textual form to show how learning in collaborative inquiry involves “impacting with” rather than “impacting on.” Our analysis reveals that reflexivity is not a homogenous or static experience but consists of several dynamically changing entangled “dimensions” of practice. Through dimensions relating to the process, content, and impact of reflexive learning, collaborators can arrive at a “stance”—a fluid, loosely shared basis for action that enables organizational practices to be reconfigured or preserve key principles.
Effect of cellulose and lignin content on the mechanical properties and drop-weight impact damage of injection-molded polypropylene-flax and -pine fiber composites
Authors: Nasri Khaled , Loranger Éric , Toubal Lotfi
Published: June 2023

Designing bio-composites for structural applications requires a thorough understanding of their mechanical behavior. In this study, we examined the differences in the tensile strength and drop-weight impact response between polypropylene reinforced with flax fibers and that reinforced with pinewood short fibers, as both fibers differ in composition (cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin) and length-to-diameter ratio. We found that flax fibers, which have higher cellulose content and are twice as long as pine fibers, increased the stiffness and shock resistance of bio-composite materials. However, pine fibers, which contain more lignin, showed increased material ductility and energy absorption. Impulse excitation, acoustic emission and micro-CT techniques were used to evaluate the post-impact mechanical properties and the contribution of each damage mechanism to the final material failure (tearing). The experimental results were used to validate a model based on finite elements. Our results revealed that the experimental and finite-element analyses were in good agreement.
“Commercial and political needs demand the establishment of a Black Sea port”: Infrastructure development, opportunities and anxieties in an Eastern European periphery (1860s–1870s)
Authors: Ardeleanu Constantin
Published: June 2023

This paper is the biography of a failed infrastructural project: that of building a Romanian seaport and of linking it to the mainland via a canal and/or a railway. It details its rich life, its initiators and partisans, but also its (mostly foreign) contenders; “born” in the early 1860s in a certain geopolitical, economic or infrastructural environment, the initiative morphed in the coming years in close connection and in direct competition with complementary or rival projects. While the plan of having an “independent” Romanian Black Sea port remained central to the Jibrieni project, most of its other infrastructural components were continuously reimagined, so as to fit into the Romanian government's priorities and – with them – into the extremely dynamic transportation map of Central and Eastern Europe in the 1860s–1870s.
Enough and Sharing the Abundance: Two sermons
Authors: Barnes Dawn
Published: June 2023

Farms in the United States produce food sufficient for every person, yet millions of people are hungry and food-insecure. The Bible consistently affirms God’s provision and humanity’s abundance in Jesus Christ. There is enough grown, but reported numbers reflect a reality in which many people do not have enough healthy food to eat. Gleaning, a concept from the Hebrew scriptures, can be part of a connecting web that brings people together to harvest, share healthy food, reduce food waste, and build caring communities by offering nourishment to hungry neighbors. Christians are called to ensure that all are fed and that there is not just enough to feed everyone, but an abundance.
Performing power in the public court of reputation: Capital punishment, John the Baptist, and Julius Jones
Authors: Engelhardt Jillian
Published: June 2023

The story of John the Baptist’s execution in Mark 6:14–29 has intrigued artists and biblical interpreters alike. The daughter’s dance, Herodias’s grudge, and Herod’s impulsive oath have proven to be fertile ground to speculate on internal motivations and private conversations absent from the Markan account. The daughter has been blamed for John’s death because her erotic dancing tricked Herod into making his promise. Herodias gets blamed for orchestrating the events of the banquet that lead to John’s death. Herod gets blamed for losing control of himself and making an oath without considering the implications. This article reconsiders this scene with attention to the function of the dinner guests who legitimate Herod’s authority, thereby implicating them as much as anyone else in John’s death. Furthermore, John’s execution is compared with the commutation of Julius Jones’s death sentence in Oklahoma in 2021 to highlight the role of the public in determining the exertion of power.
Determination of constant diffusion coefficient for error function solution of diffusion equation using film-roll method
Authors: Park Geon Yong
Published: June 2023

The error function solution of the diffusion equation with the constant surface concentration was derived by the heat kernel to determine the constant diffusion coefficient for diffusion satisfying the infinite dye-bath condition. For the sublimation diffusion of disperse dye in paste into PET film using the film-roll method, the constant surface concentration was determined from the concentration distribution, and the diffusion coefficients of each layer were obtained by the constant surface concentration from the error function solution. When comparing the diffusion coefficients between the layers and comparing the mean diffusion coefficients for different times at a specific temperature, the constant surface concentrations determined from the quadratic regression curves for concentration–distance plots were more appropriate than those determined from the steady-state concentration distributions, which was also confirmed by the plots of concentrations obtained from the error function solution. At a specific temperature, the average of the mean diffusion coefficients obtained by the constant surface concentration of the quadratic regression curve at three specific times matched well with the constant total-amount diffusion coefficient obtained by the slope of the linear regression line for the plot of total amount against square root of time, which was confirmed by their Arrhenius plots.
Surveillance of Vaccination Coverage of Inactivated Influenza Vaccines and Allergic Rash Adverse Events Following Immunization for Children From 6 Manufacturers
Authors: Li Zhi-qun , Tan Hui-feng , Zhang Zhou-bin , Jing Qing-long , Zhang Chun-huan , Qin Zi-qi , Ni Li-Hong , Yun Xue-xia , Huang Yong , Chen Jian , Cui Min , Wang Wen , Xu Jian-xiong , Feng Wen-ru , Kang Yan , Tang Lin
Published: June 2023

The composition of influenza vaccines is updated annually. To ensure vaccine safety, the coverage and adverse events following immunization (AEFI) of 6 manufacturers of trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV3) need to be evaluated. In January 2022, we analyzed data from more than 1.59 million children in the Childhood Vaccination Information Management System and the AEFI Surveillance Information Management System and evaluated influenza vaccines for children aged 6 to 35 months in Guangzhou from 2016/17 to 2019/20 Vaccination rates and AEFI reporting rates. From 2016/17 to 2019/20, the 1-dose influenza vaccination rate was 25.0% (range: 20.7%-30.2%), and the 2-dose (full course) influenza vaccination rate was 21.6% (range: 17.7%-26.4%). The full vaccination coverage rate has trended down since 2017/2018 (2017/18: 26.0%; 2018/19: 8.3; 2019/20: 17.7%). Fifty-two cases (13.1/100 000) and 24 cases (6.9/100 000) received AEFI reports for 1 dose and 2 doses, respectively, mainly due to fever ≥38.6°C (39 cases for 1 dose, 9.8/100 000; 15 cases for 2 dose, 4.3/100 000) and allergic rash (9 cases with 1 dose, 2.3/100 000; 5 cases with 2 doses, 1.4/100 000). Patients who received A and F manufacturers were more likely to report side effects. The safety of influenza vaccines from 6 manufacturers is good, and it is necessary to improve the recommended information on influenza vaccines to dispel people’s concerns and increase the vaccination rate.
A novel multimodal multi-objective optimization algorithm for multi-robot task allocation
Authors: Miao Zhenhua , Huang Wentao , Jiang Qingchao , Fan Qinqin
Published: June 2023

Multi-robot task allocation (MRTA) is widely used in various fields and plays an important role in some complex task environments due to its ability to distribute parallel processing tasks. However, the multi-robot cooperative system is susceptible to actual environments or preferences of decision-makers. Therefore, providing enough solutions/schemes in the MRTA is important. To improve the reliability and feasibility of obtained solution set, an improved multimodal multi-objective differential evolution algorithm hybrid with a simulated annealing algorithm (IMMODE-SA) is proposed to solve MRTA problems in this study. In the proposed IMMODE-SA, a novel population initialization method is used to improve the population quality, and a redundant solution deletion method is employed to delete redundant solutions during the search process. Moreover, a simulated annealing algorithm is utilized to improve the exploitation capability in the last generation of evolutionary process. To verify the performance of the proposed algorithm, extensive simulation experiments are conducted on three MRTA instances. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm performs better than other competitors on MRTA instances in terms of Hypervolume (HV). Also, the validity of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated via three experiments and experimental analysis results indicate that the IMMODE-SA can provide more equivalent optimal schemes to decision makers. Finally, it is crucial to solve MRTA problems with time window constraints.
Modelling and analysis of misinformation diffusion based on the double intervention mechanism
Authors: Jiang Cheng , Yu Yongtian , Zhang Xinyu
Published: June 2023

Although official departments attempt to intervene against misinformation, the personal field often conflicts with the goals of these departments. Thus, when rumours spread widely on social media, decision-makers often use a combination of rigid and soft control measures, such as blocking keywords, deleting misinformation, suspending accounts or refuting misinformation, to decrease the diffusion of misinformation. However, existing methods rarely consider the interplay of blocking and rebuttal measures, resulting in an unclear effect of the double intervention mechanism. To address these issues, we propose a novel misinformation diffusion model called SEIRI (susceptible, exposed, infective, removed, and infective) that considers the double intervention mechanism and secondary diffusion characteristics. We analyse the stability of the proposed model, obtain rumour-free and rumour-spread equilibriums, and calculate the basic reproduction number. Furthermore, we conduct numerical simulations to analyse the influence of key parameters through comparative experiments. Finally, we validate the effectiveness of the proposed approach by crawling a real-world data set of COVID-19-related misinformation tweets from Sina Weibo. Our comparison experiments with other similar works show that the SEIRI model provides superior performance in characterising the actual spread of misinformation. Our findings lead to several practical implications for public health policymaking.
International Migration and Development: The Changing Impact of Migration on Redistributing Global Population
Authors: Charles-Edwards Elin , Bernard Aude , Rowe Francisco , Abel Guy
Published: June 2023

This research note explores the impact of international migration on global population distribution since the 1990s. The impact of migration on population distribution is a function of both the intensity as well as the effectiveness of migration, that is the imbalance between flows and counter-flows. The presence of reciprocal flows is a well-recognized feature of international migration systems; however, this dimension has been difficult to capture at the global level due to a lack of origin-destination flow data. In this research note, we apply metrics developed for the analysis of internal migration to global migration flows to explore the impact of international migration on global population distribution over time, and across levels of human development. In the five years to 2020, international migration redistributed 0.39 percent of the world's population (28 million people) despite 1.38 percent (101 million) changing country of residence. This has declined from 0.56 percent of the global population in 1990–1995. This decline in impact is underpinned by a reduction in migration effectiveness, that is, the migration system is becoming more balanced over time. The impact of migration was greatest for flows between countries at Very High levels of human development, reflecting high migration intensity and exchanges between countries at Low and Very High levels of human development, reflecting significant asymmetry of flows. Our results suggest systematic shifts in both the level and pattern of flows across the development ladder, with flows becoming more intense and balanced with higher levels of human development.
Managing economies, managing nature: Industry and regulation of fisheries in the post-war Soviet Union and Norway
Authors: Ferguson-Cradler Gregory
Published: June 2023

In the aftermath of the Second World War, states across the world sought to expand industrial fishing to both feed and employ their populations. This article examines the structure of the post-war fishing political economies in two countries separated by the Cold War divide: the Soviet Union and Norway. Their political-economic organization and governing ideologies differed, yet many of the goals and objectives of resource management were similar. The mechanisms to enforce regulation, however, were widely divergent, reflecting varying configurations of state power and social control.
Primary Versus Secondary Prevention Effects of a Gender-Transformative Sexual Violence Prevention Program Among Male Youth: A Planned Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Culyba Alison J. , Fuhrman Barbara , Barker Gary , Abebe Kaleab Z. , Miller Elizabeth
Published: June 2023

Engaging adolescent males is a promising violence prevention strategy. This study explored primary versus secondary prevention effects of a gender-transformative program (i.e., Manhood 2.0) versus job-readiness training on multiple forms of violence perpetration. Adolescent males, ages 13 to 19 years, were recruited through youth-serving organizations in Pittsburgh, PA, between July 27, 2015, and June 5, 2017, to participate in an unblinded community-based cluster-randomized trial in 20 neighborhoods. The intervention curriculum, Manhood 2.0, focused on challenging norms that foster gender-based violence and building bystander skills. The control program was job-readiness training. We completed a planned secondary analysis of surveys from baseline and 9 months post intervention (follow-up), wherein we stratified participants based on any sexual violence/adolescent relationship abuse (SV/ARA) at baseline and examined risk of perpetration of SV/ARA, incapacitated sex, sexual harassment, cyber sexual abuse, peer violence, bullying, and homophobic teasing at follow-up. Among 866 participants, mean age was 15.6 years, 70% identified as Black, 6% as Hispanic, and 6% as multiracial. In both the Manhood 2.0 intervention group and job-readiness control groups, youth who reported SV/ARA at baseline were significantly more likely to report any form of SV/ARA, incapacitated sex, sexual harassment, cyber sexual abuse, bullying, and homophobic teasing at follow-up. Among participants who reported no SV/ARA perpetration at baseline, participating in the Manhood 2.0 intervention program was associated with increased risk of SV/ARA at follow-up compared to participating in the job-readiness control program. Among participants who reported SV/ARA perpetration at baseline, participating in the Manhood 2.0 intervention group was associated with lower risk of peer violence at follow-up. Synergizing gender-transformative approaches with job-readiness training may offer opportunities for crosscutting prevention programming to address multiple forms of violence.
Multi-mode switching control of electromagnetic hybrid suspension based on human subjective sensation
Authors: Xu Jianan , Kou Farong , Zhang Xinqian , Chen Chen
Published: June 2023

This study proposes a multi-mode switching control strategy based on electromagnetic hybrid suspension (EMHS) to achieve the best relationship possible between the vehicle’s vibration reduction performance and energy consumption. The working modes of EMHS are divided into active, semi-active, and energy recovery modes according to the relationship between the root mean square of weighted acceleration and the human subjective sensation. The two key switching parameters of the analysis sampling interval and switching judgment times are introduced to optimize the switching conditions and reduce the deterioration of comfort and handling stability caused by frequent system switching in mode switching decisions. In the sub-modes, it’s designed that an LQG main control loop uses an ant colony algorithm to optimize parameters to obtain the ideal output force. And inner-loop control strategies in active and semi-active modes are designed so that the actual force output by the actuator tracks the ideal force. The results show that the multi-mode switching control strategy can switch the EMHS reasonably in the three modes and achieve good vibration reduction performance. The RMS of SMA, SDD, and TDL are reduced by 27.5%, 6.3%, and 17.6%, respectively under the variable conditions road.
The dynamic relationship between military expenditure, environmental pollution, and economic growth in G7 countries: A wavelet analysis approach
Authors: Wu Cheng-Feng , Huang Shian-Chang , Wu Tsung-Pao , Chang Tsangyao , Lin Meng-Chen
Published: June 2023

This study applies wavelet analysis to examine the interplay between treadmill of destruction theory and environmental Kuznets curve theory in G7 countries over the period 1970–2018. The results indicate that, in the short term, co-movement and causality exist between military expenditure and environmental pollution at different frequencies and times. Positive causality runs from military expenditure to environmental pollution in Italy, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Germany in different sub-periods. After adding economic growth as a control variable, positive causality runs from military expenditure to environmental pollution in Italy, the United Kingdom, Japan, the United States, Canada, and France in different sub-periods. Decision-makers can refer to the empirical results to consider the direction of policy and managerial implications at macroeconomic and microeconomic levels.
Income Diversification, Bank Volatility Risk and Performance in Low- and Middle-income African Countries: Evidence from Normal and Crisis Periods
Authors: Adem Mohammed
Published: June 2023

Using panel data from 2000 to 2019 for low-income and middle-income African countries, this study examined what determines income diversification and its impact on bank risk and performance. Based on the system’s generalized method of moments and least square dummy variable results, high volatility risk, profitability, cost efficiency and high GDP encourage banks to diversify their income. While having lower leverage, a high net interest margin, and during inflationary times, banks are less encouraged to pursue income diversification. Moreover, income-diverse approaches improve profitability in regular and crisis periods for low-income and middle-income countries. However, income diversification does not lower volatility risks during crisis times. The study shows that increasing the cost efficiencies, higher liquidity and leverage ratios positively affects profitability and reduces volatility risk during the non-crisis period. The net interest margin positively influences risk during and after a crisis. The results show that GDP positively connects to a bank’s profitability. The link between profitability and inflation varies based on the analysis’s emphasis (i.e., before, during or after the crisis) and income level (i.e., low income or middle income). This study’s results have significant implications for bankers, regulators and the banking literature on the determinant, merits and risks of income diversification.
Estimating Relative Tax Efficiency for Selected States in India: An Error Correction Approach
Authors: Srivastava Dinesh Kumar , Bharadwaj Muralikrishna , Kapur Tarrung , Trehan Ragini
Published: June 2023

We estimate state-level tax efficiency in India using an error correction framework, making a distinction between a long-term cointegrating relationship and a short-term dynamics around it. We use a stochastic frontier approach in a panel data framework considering 17 medium and large (ML) states for the period 2004–2005 to 2019–2020. We find that the FC14’s initiative to sharply increase the states’ share in the divisible pool of central taxes had an adverse impact on states’ own tax revenues. The short-term relationship converges to the long-term relationship in 2.6 years. In terms of relative tax effort, the most efficient state was Tamil Nadu, while the least efficient was Bihar. Results from this study would be useful in averting the problem of adverse incentives, while determining the intergovernmental transfers. In the post-GST scenario, operating at their tax efficiency frontier would be critical for states especially in the light of discontinuation of the GST compensation cess.
COVID Pandemic and Spousal Violence Against Indian Women: An Exploration of NFHS-4 (2015–2016) and NFHS-5 (2019–2021) Data Sets
Authors: Banerjee Tanmoyee , Mishra Tanusree
Published: June 2023

We explore the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on spousal violence (SV) against Indian women using NFHS-4 and NFHS-5 datasets on Indian married women. We observe that probabilities of experiencing less severe physical violence and sexual violence actually declined as compared to NFHS-4 level for women from the group of states that were surveyed during pandemic period (Phase-2 states) whereas for the group of states that were surveyed prior to pandemic (Phase-1 states) no such significant decline in SV was noted under NFHS-5 survey vis-à-vis NFHS-4 level (except for the level of emotional and psychological aggression which shows a significant decline). The same counter intuitive result was observed for consolidated SV index, which declined for Phase-2 states during COVID-19 pandemic, whereas no such decline under NFHS-5 was observed for Phase-1 states, while we are controlling for different socio-demographic variables and level of women empowerment.
“The Little Money I Get Is Used to Buy Drugs”: A Qualitative Exploration of the Economic Cost of Intimate Partner Violence for Female Survivors in Ghana
Authors: Apatinga Gervin Ane , Tenkorang Eric Y.
Published: June 2023

Empirical research confirms the economic costs of intimate partner violence (IPV) for women. Yet, scholarship on this topic is lacking in Ghana, where IPV against women is commonplace. We used in-depth interviews with 15 female survivors of IPV in the Eastern Region to examine the economic costs of IPV for women. Findings showed that the economic costs were both direct and indirect. Direct costs included out-of-pocket payments for medical and nonmedical services, while indirect costs included diminished work abilities, increased absenteeism from work, and lowered work productivity. Ghanaian policymakers must enforce and strengthen policies to prevent violence against women.
The Alberta Indigenous Mentorship in Health Innovation Network: approach, activities and reflections of an Indigenous mentorship network programme
Authors: Barnabe (Métis Nation of Alberta) Cheryl , Henderson Rita , Murry (Chiricahua Apache) Adam , Baker (Métis Nation of Alberta) Janelle , Leason (Anishinaabe) Jennifer , Currie Cheryl , Fellner (Cree Métis) Karlee , Henry Robert , Voyageur (Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation) Cora , Crowshoe (Piikani Nation, Blackfoot Confederacy) Lynden
Published: June 2023

The Alberta Indigenous Mentorship in Health Innovation (AIM-HI) Network was developed by Indigenous faculty members as an intergenerational mentorship programme for First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) scholars engaged in health research training programmes. Through activities and funding programmes, the AIM-HI Network provided opportunities for these scholars to strengthen their personal and professional resources and gain resilience along paths to academic success. While generating evidence on wise practices for Indigenous mentorship, we also advocated for systemic change to enable Indigenous scholar promotion and success in academia and in health research more broadly. In this article, we describe the philosophical approach to mentorship and the organizational structure to deliver aligning activities and supports to students. We also reflect on the successes and learnings from our leadership of the Network, including the impact of the coronavirus-19 pandemic on FNMI scholars, and the ways in which the Network adapted to address these challenges.
Telemedicine for follow-up of systemic lupus erythematosus during the 2019 coronavirus pandemic: A pragmatic randomized controlled trial
Authors: So Ho , Chow Evelyn , Cheng Isaac T , Lau Sze-Lok , Li Tena K , Szeto Cheuk-Chun , Tam Lai-Shan
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Patients with systemic lupus erythematous were vulnerable to severe coronavirus disease 2019 infection and the negative impact of disrupted healthcare delivery. Telemedicine has been a popular alternative to standard in-person care during the pandemic despite the lack of evidence.

Methods

This was a 1-year pragmatic randomized-controlled trial. Patients followed at the lupus nephritis clinic were randomized to either telemedicine or standard follow-up in a 1:1 ratio. Patients in the telemedicine group were followed up via videoconferencing. Standard follow-up group patients continued conventional in-person outpatient care. The primary outcome of the study was the proportion of patients in low disease activity after 1 year. Secondary outcomes included cost-of-illness, safety, and various patient-reported outcomes.

Results

From 6/2020 to 12/2021, 144 patients were randomized and 141 patients (telemedicine: 70, standard follow-up: 71) completed the study. At 1 year, 80.0% and 80.2% of the patients in the telemedicine group and standard follow-up group were in lupus low disease activity state or complete remission, respectively ( p = 0.967). Systemic lupus erythematous disease activity indices, number of flares and frequency of follow-ups were also similar. There were no differences in the cost-of-illness, quality of life or mental health scores. However, significantly more patients in the telemedicine group (41.4% vs 5.6%; p < 0.001) required switch of mode of follow-up and higher proportion of them had hospitalization during the study period (32.9% vs 15.5%; p = 0.016). Being in the telemedicine group or not in low disease activity at baseline were the independent predictors of hospitalization (odds ratio: 2.6; 95% confidence interval: 1.1–6.1, odds ratio: 2.7, 95% confidence interval: 1.1–6.7, respectively) in the post hoc analysis.

Conclusions

In patients with systemic lupus erythematous, telemedicine predominant follow-up resulted in similar 1-year disease control compared to standard care. However, it needed to be complemented by in-person visits, especially in patients with unstable disease.
Bigger is really better: Resolution of conflicting behavioural evidence for semantic size bias in a lexical decision task
Authors: Larranaga Daniel , Sereno Anne
Published: June 2023

Previous literature has indicated conflicting results regarding a response time bias favouring words indicating large real-world objects (RWO) over words indicating small RWO during a lexical decision task. This study aimed to replicate an original experiment and, expanding on it, disentangle possible alternatives for why this effect is sometimes observed and sometimes not. The same methods as the original study were followed, and the results were inconsistent with all previously published findings. Although no significant difference was observed for response time, the findings indicated a significant difference in accuracy and inverse efficiency scores such that “large” words were recognised significantly more accurately than “small” words. After examining several linguistic dimensions that may also contribute to response time, statistical models accounting for these dimensions yielded a significant and increased effect size for the response time size rating of words in our sample from the United States. Our findings indicate that there is a cognitive bias favouring words representing large RWO over small ones but suggest several additional linguistic factors need to be controlled for it to be detected consistently in response time.
Comparative efficacy and safety of various mechanical thrombectomy strategies for patients with acute ischemic stroke: a Bayesian network meta-analysis
Authors: Meng Jiahao , Yan Zeya , Zhang Jie , Wang Wei , Tao Xinyu , Gu Feng , Yang Xingyu , Xue Tao , You Wanchun , Chen Zhouqing , Wang Zhong , Chen Gang
Published: June 2023

Background:

Stent retriever, contact aspiration, and combined treatment are crucial mechanical thrombectomy strategies for patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to compare and rank three different mechanical thrombectomy strategies for AIS due to large vessel occlusion by means of a Bayesian network meta-analysis.

Design:

A systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis based on PRISMA guidelines.

Data sources and methods:

Relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified in Embase, MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library database, and Clinicaltrials.gov from inception to 15 March 2022. We used random effect models to estimate corresponding odds ratios (ORs) and rank probabilities using pairwise and Bayesian network meta-analysis. We applied the grading of recommendations assessment, development, and evaluation (GRADE) methodology to rate the certainty of evidence.

Results:

We identified 10 RCTs enrolling 2098 participants. As for modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0–2, moderate certainty evidence established all mechanical thrombectomy strategies that were more effective than standard medical treatment [combined: log OR 0.9288, 95% credibility intervals (CrI) 0.1268–1.7246; contact aspiration: log OR 0.9507, 95% CrI 0.3361–1.5688; stent retriever: log OR 1.0919, 95% CrI 0.6127–1.5702]. The same applied to mRS 0–3 (combined: log OR 0.9603, 95% CrI 0.2122–1.7157; contact aspiration: log OR 0.7554, 95% CrI 0.1769–1.3279; stent retriever: log OR 1.0046, 95% CrI 0.6001–1.4789). Combined treatment was superior to stent retriever in substantial reperfusion (log OR 0.8921, 95% CrI 0.2105–1.5907, high certainty). Stent retriever had the highest probability of being optimal for mRS 0–2 and mRS 0–3. Standard medical treatment had the lowest risk of subarachnoid hemorrhage. For all other outcomes, combined treatment was most likely the best treatment.

Conclusion:

Our results indicated that, with the exception of functional outcome, combined treatment might be the outstanding strategy. Apart from subarachnoid hemorrhage, all three mechanical thrombectomy strategies proved better strategies than standard medical treatment.

Registration:

PROSPERO (CRD42022351878).
Going to the Principal’s Office: Principal Perceptions and the Potential Alliance Between PK-12 Schools and Institutions of Higher Education to Meet Professional Development Needs
Authors: Dionne Gregg B. , Patrick Kaleb G. , Francis Raymond , Deschaine Mark E. , Sloan Katie
Published: June 2023

As the complex responsibilities of principals and teachers expand, the need for effective professional development (PD) is greater than ever. This quantitative study examines the PD needs of schools and the relationship between PK-12 and Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs), as perceived by principals, identifying areas for collaboration. Thirty-nine variables were analyzed using exploratory factor analysis, bivariate correlation analysis, and linear regression analysis. Findings reveal that principals report the potential of partnership benefits, between PK-12 and IHE’s for PD needs, as a predictor of all need variables ranging from improved communication with teachers to increased teacher proficiency in curriculum and instruction, disciplinary expertise in mathematics, whole child development, diversity, and technology. Furthermore, results provide evidence that schools have PD needs beyond academics and there is a potentially powerful role for IHEs to collaborate with PK-12 schools.
Identity and Institutions as Foundations of Ingroup Favoritism: An Investigation Across 17 Countries
Authors: Spadaro Giuliana , Liu James H. , Zhang Robert Jiqi , Gil de Zúñiga Homero , Balliet Daniel
Published: June 2023

Ingroup favoritism can represent a challenge for establishing cooperation beyond group boundaries. In a behavioral experiment conducted across 17 societies ( N = 3,236), we tested pre-registered hypotheses forwarded by social identity and material security frameworks to account for ingroup favoritism in trust toward national ingroups. We related individual-level measures of national identification and perception of institutions to trust, trustworthiness, and behavioral expectations of partner’s trustworthiness toward a national ingroup, outgroup, or unidentified stranger in a trust game. Our findings support a social identity framework, as national identification was positively associated with greater ingroup favoritism. However, in contrast to predictions from a material security framework, perceptions of national institutions as trustworthy and benevolent were positively associated with greater ingroup favoritism. These findings suggest some potential challenges that support for national institutions might pose to the establishment of trust beyond group borders.