bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Capitalism and the Organization of Displacement: Selma James’s Internationalism of the Unwaged
Authors: Forrester Katrina
Published: January 2024

As political theorists explore work beyond traditional workplaces, how should we understand the vast class of insecure, informal, and unsalaried workers whose existence defies traditional categories of employment? In asking this question, I revisit the political theory of the Marxist feminist and cofounder of the International Wages for Housework movement, Selma James, to explore her “internationalism of the unwaged” and her writings on wagelessness. An example of political theory in service of struggle, James’s internationalism was widely circulated in anticolonial, Black radical, and autonomous Marxist circles in the 1970s. In this article, I argue that it was grounded in three intertwined and mutually reinforcing arguments: an account of how capitalist life is spatially divided into distinct workplaces; an anticapitalist theory of identity that explains social difference as maintained by the international division of labor and labor market hierarchies; and a diagnosis of work organization viewed from the perspective of the wageless worker. I trace how James developed these arguments about the spatial division of labor, hierarchies of identity, and internationalist political struggle and how her view of the common exploitation and division of workers formed the basis of a class-struggle identity politics. Her political theory was an important contribution to women’s international thought and transnational feminist critiques of global forms of domination and exploitation. It also offers a critique of capitalism’s organization of the displacement of work and workers and an account of wagelessness as a work situation, both of which illuminate capitalist organization of work and wageless life today.
Bringing Public Virtue Back: How Does Ethical Leadership Impact Street-Level Bureaucrats’ Enforcement Style?
Authors: Zheng Guanghuai , Ma Mingzi , Wu Zexin , Wang Yean
Published: January 2024

Public virtues can help street-level bureaucracies reflect and respond to the shortcomings in current public administration. According to the public virtue approach, this research identifies the key role of ethical leadership in improving the enforcement of street-level bureaucrats (SLBs). By promoting subordinates’ psychological empowerment, ethical leadership is significantly and positively correlated with facilitation, accommodation, and legal style. Public service motivation and organizational citizenship behavior moderate the above processes in diverse ways. This research calls for bringing public virtue back to street-level practices, and particularly for educating and encouraging the public sector about ethical leadership that will provide values, guidance, and empower SLBs to exercise virtue.
On the universality of the subject preference in the acquisition of relative clauses across languages
Authors: Tanaka Nozomi , Lau Elaine , Lee Alan L. F.
Published: January 2024

Subject relative clauses (RCs) have been shown to be acquired earlier, comprehended more accurately, and produced more easily than object RCs by children. While this subject preference is often claimed to be a universal tendency, it has largely been investigated piecemeal and with low-powered experiments. To address these issues, this meta-analysis follows an established and rigorous scientific method to test the generalizability of the subject preference in RC acquisition by evaluating the collective evidence. While the results show a significant crosslinguistic subject preference, there is a large amount of heterogeneity in the data. The manifestation of this subject preference may not be uniform across languages, depending on typological properties such as language headedness, RC headedness, and main clause similarity. The true impact of these features, however, requires research on more typologically diverse languages.
Use of design thinking in the proposal of a multi-compound solar dryer applied to processes of traditional P'urhépecha Medicine
Authors: Núñez-Montiel Natalia , Cira-Ramos Jorge , Corral-Huacuz Juan Carlos , Morales-Máximo Mario , López Sosa Luis Bernardo , García Carlos A. , Aguilera-Mandujano Arturo , Arias Navarrete Cesar Ricardo , Rodríguez-Magallón María del Carmen
Published: January 2024

The development of small-scale solar thermal technologies is useful to address specific energy needs; however, there is a gap between the technology that is developed and the one that is accepted and achieves its use in a sustained long-term manner. In this sense, the development of a double-inclination solar dryer for the dehydration of medicinal plants used in traditional P'urhépecha medicine is presented. From a participatory and consensual perspective of technological co-creation with the user that allows promoting its long-term use, the solar dryer was generated from the Design Thinking methodology and the conventional technological development process. The stages of the proposed process considered the identification of the energy need, the design, sizing and simulation, the prototyping, and the characterization and implementation of the technology in a group of traditional doctors for the drying of local medicinal plants. The result is a solar dryer with thermal efficiency of 23% and exergy efficiency of 3%, which achieves the dehydration of medicinal plants in 1 day with 4.7 kWh of average solar irradiance, and removes more than 80% of the humidity from a maximum load of 5 kilograms. The temperature of the drying chamber exceeds 50°C, and the energy distribution is homogeneous, being a natural convection device, easy to build and with affordable materials. This technology has been implemented in the home of a traditional doctor and it is expected that it can be replicated to satisfy the demand for drying products in indigenous community families in Mexico.
Longitudinal Changes in Chinese Prosociality
Authors: Chen Sijing , Yang Shasha
Published: January 2024

This article presents three studies using data from the World Values Survey, 128 published studies, and China Family Panel Studies to comprehensively examine the longitudinal dynamics of Chinese prosociality, encompassing prosocial attitudes, tendencies, and behaviors, with the overarching goal of shedding light on the evolving nature of prosociality in the Chinese context. These studies reveal a consistent pattern, illustrating a decline followed by a resurgence in all three aspects, with a nadir around 2014. In addition, the study investigates the intricate relationship between economic inequality, prosocial behavior, and prosocial attitudes. The findings suggest that while economic inequality significantly relates to prosocial behavior, it does not entirely explain its fluctuations. Prosocial attitudes partially mediate the connection between economic inequality and prosocial behavior. These insights suggest that addressing inequality could contribute to a more conducive social environment for societal-level prosociality. However, further research is imperative to explore additional determinants of prosociality shifts.
TCR's Strong Role in Supporting Junior Scholars and Engaging With the Public
Authors: Hodge Emily M.
Published: January 2024

This commentary outlines some of the many contributions Teachers College Record has made to my personal development as a scholar, to supporting junior scholars more broadly, and TCR’s continuous evolution in developing new modes of public engagement.
Understanding the Dynamics of Refugee Impact on Employment: Evidence from Northern Uganda
Authors: Musasizi Joseph , Arunachalam Dharma , Forbes-Mewett Helen
Published: January 2024

Uganda hosts the largest refugee population on the African continent and the third highest worldwide. The country also has one of the world's most progressive refugee policies. Refugees are allowed to work and operate businesses anywhere in the country, which is uncommon in other African countries and beyond. Despite the large refugee population, their impact on employment and the associated dynamics remains poorly understood. This paper explores the impact of the presence of the refugee population on local employment opportunities and how it is connected to refugees’ sociocultural and livelihoods background and local refugee policies. Drawing on in-depth interviews with local hosts, government officials, and refugee agencies, we show that hosting refugees enhances opportunities and competition for jobs. We argue that refugees’ presence mainly affects unskilled locals in sectors that align with refugees’ livelihood backgrounds. The locals in distant sectors and the highly educated and experienced locals face less competition in employment. Moreover, refugees’ complementary livelihoods have the potential to minimize refugee-host competition for jobs.
Empowering Teachers With Low-Intensity Interventions: Using the Caught Being Good Game to Promote Positive Behavior Among Students With ADHD
Authors: Alkahtani Keetam D. F.
Published: January 2024

Students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may engage in disruptive classroom behaviors. The Caught Being Good Game (CBGG) has been identified as an intervention for managing class-wide behaviors. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effect of the CBGG in increasing class-wide academically engaged behavior (AEB) and decreasing disruptive behaviors (DB) among target students diagnosed with ADHD. This study used a multiple baseline design across three elementary classrooms. The results indicated that all participants’ AEB increased when the CBGG was implemented. The results also suggested that the CBGG decreases DB among target students diagnosed with ADHD. Using the CBGG as part of classroom management could reduce the time teachers spend managing student behavior and increase the time they spend on teaching.
Description of Nomophobia Among College Students: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
Authors: Ranjan Rajeev , Balhara Yatan Pal Singh , Mishra Biswa Ranjan , Sarkar Siddharth , Bharti Ayushi , Sinha Muskan , Ahmad Shamshad , Kumar Pankaj , Jain Meha , Panigrahi Sahadeb
Published: January 2024

Background:

Nomophobia is a situational phobia evoked by unavailability of smart phone or the thought of the possibility of not having it, not being able to use it and losing it. Currently used instruments for assessment of severity of nomophobia offers challenges of administration and have limited applicability in the Indian setting. Therefore, this study was aimed to depict and understand the lived experience of college students with nomophobia and making sense of it.

Methods:

This interpretative phenomenological analysis research design study was carried out on 17 undergraduate students belonging to different academic streams including Science, Social science and Commerce from the three study sites situated in different locations of India. An in-depth interview guide was prepared. The students who scored more than 90 on nomophobia questionnaire (NMP-Q Questionnaire) were included in the study. The data was recorded in audio and video format, it was transcribed, and translated from Hindi to English language. Coding was done and the theme were extracted.

Results:

The findings identified six superordinate themes: Digital Obsession, Digital Compulsion, Approval Motivation, Digital Intensement, Digital Well-being and Insight.

Conclusion:

The lived experiences of the students with nomophobia had explicitly shown a strong inclination towards the smartphone. They also focused on some of the significant aids provided by the smartphone. Further the intensive use of the smartphone was posing major challenges to the students when they were away from it.
A Follow-up Study on Coping Strategies and its Association with Relapse Among Alcohol-dependent Patients
Authors: Venkateswaran Sabitha , Thirumalai Ranganathan
Published: January 2024

Background:

Alcohol Dependence Syndrome is a chronic illness that is relapsing in nature. Past research has shown that coping strategies that are specific to alcohol dependence are useful in preventing long-term relapse. This follow-up study is, therefore, an attempt to understand the coping styles and strategies that are associated with relapse among individuals dependent on alcohol.

Methods:

We aimed to cross-sectionally assess the severity of alcohol dependence and coping styles of Alcohol dependent individuals. One hundred and twenty-seven consecutive patients who satisfied the International Classification of Diseases Tenth Edition (ICD 10) criteria for alcohol dependence and who were above the age of 18 years were included. This study was conducted in the de-addiction outpatient services of a Tertiary care center in South India between April 2019 and June 2020. Our Institutional Ethical Committee granted the approval for this study. We used a self-designed proforma for collecting the socio-demographic details. The Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire (SADQ) and Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory (Brief – COPE) were administered. Patients were followed up for six months. Motivation Enhancement Therapy was given to all our participants during their monthly follow-up visit. Descriptive analysis was performed using mean and standard deviation. We used the student t-test and chi-squared test to understand the differences in the coping strategies between relapsed and non-relapsed persons. Spearman’s correlation was used to assess the correlation between the severity of alcohol dependence and coping strategies. A p value of <.05 was taken as significant.

Results:

Non-relapsed individuals had significantly higher scores on active coping ( p = .008), emotional support ( p = .044), informational support ( p = .017), planning ( p < .001), acceptance ( p = .030), and humor ( p = .001). Relapsed individuals had statistically significant scores on denial ( p = .005), substance use ( p = .024), and self-blame ( p = .012). We found a positive correlation between the severity of alcohol dependence and maladaptive coping strategies ( p < .01).

Conclusions:

Relapsed individuals were found to have significantly higher maladaptive coping strategies. Non-relapsed individuals exhibited greater adaptive coping styles. Maladaptive coping strategies positively correlated with the severity of alcohol dependence.
Association Between Sleep-related Cognitions, Sleep-related Behaviors, and Insomnia in Patients with Anxiety and Depression: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Muthuraman Kavya , Sankaran Avudaiappan , Subramanian Karthick
Published: January 2024

Background:

The cognitive model of insomnia states that worry about sleep contributes to poor sleep quality. Besides worry, beliefs about sleep and maladaptive safety behaviors also affect sleep quality. We aimed to find the association among the presence of insomnia, sleep-related cognitions, and behaviors among patients diagnosed with anxiety or depression.

Methodology:

The present cross-sectional comparison study included patients with anxiety spectrum or depressive disorders as per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders—fifth edition and healthy controls. Mood status, insomnia severity, sleep quality, dysfunctional beliefs about sleep, maladaptive safety behaviors, and pre-sleep arousal were evaluated using Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A), Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), Insomnia Severity Index, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes Sleep Scale (DBAS), Sleep-related Behavior Questionnaire (SRBQ), and Pre-sleep Arousal Scale (PSAS), respectively. A p value ≤.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:

Both patients ( n = 80) and controls ( n = 80) were similar in sociodemographic profile, though the sample was predominantly female. Comparison between patients with insomnia ( n = 60), patients without insomnia ( n = 20), and healthy controls ( n = 80) showed that HAM-A and MADRS, DBAS, SRBQ, and PSAS scores were higher in patients with insomnia compared to their counterparts. DBAS and SRBQ scores positively correlated with increasing severity of insomnia. Dysfunctional beliefs regarding sleep (OR: 1.05; 95% CI = 1.00–1.09) and maladaptive behaviors related to sleep (OR: 1.02; 95% CI = 1.00–1.05) predicted insomnia in patients with depression or anxiety.

Conclusion:

Insomnia in anxiety or depression is associated with illness severity, dysfunctional beliefs regarding sleep, and sleep-related maladaptive behaviors. Maladaptive cognitions and behaviors can independently influence sleep quality.
Prevalence and determinants of insufficient vitamin D status in young Canadian Inuit children from Nunavik
Authors: Turgeon O’Brien Huguette , Gagné Doris , Blanchet Rosanne , Vézina Carole
Published: January 2024

Background: Vitamin D deficiency has reached pandemic levels affecting over one billion people worldwide. However, limited data is available on the prevalence and determinants of vitamin D status of Canadian Indigenous children and no study has been reported in Inuit children from Nunavik. Aim: Therefore, using data collected between 2006 and 2010, we aimed to investigate the prevalence and main determinants of insufficient serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (s25(OH)D) concentrations in Inuit children attending childcare centres in Nunavik. Methods: This study included 245 Inuit children aged 11 to 54 months. s25(OH)D concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay. Dietary intakes were assessed using 24-hour recalls. Usual dietary intakes were estimated using the National Cancer Institute method. We used a multiple imputation technique to replace missing values when performing regression analysis. Results: Our findings revealed that 64.5% of children had a s25(OH)D concentration < 75 nmol/L, while 78.1% did not meet the estimated average requirement (EAR) for vitamin D. Vitamin D intake and fluid milk consumption were positively associated with s25(OH)D concentrations, while negative associations were observed with children’ energy intake, non-alcoholic beverage consumption, body weight, breastfeeding duration and, biological/adoptive/foster parents’ educational level. Conclusion: Vitamin D inadequacy was highly prevalent and closely aligned with levels observed over the years in non-Indigenous children. Breastfed children who do not receive vitamin D supplementation, overweight and obese children, and children with inadequate milk consumption were at high risk of vitamin D insufficiency. Eating vitamin D rich foods such as fluid milk and seafood along with vitamin D supplementation when needed are recommended.
The use of social media networks for healthy nutritional practices by deaf and hearing students
Authors: Ellala Ziyad K , Abuawad Balkees , Abdel-Hadi Samer A , Kaba Abdoulaye
Published: January 2024

Background: Social media networks such as Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, and YouTube are among the most commonly used social networks among people. If used properly, they can contribute to enhancing individual knowledge and scientific values. Aim: The study aimed to investigate the use of social media networks for healthy nutritional practices among deaf and hearing students. Methods: The sample of the study consisted of 103 students (50 deaf and 53 hearing). The researchers used a descriptive approach and adopted a questionnaire for data collection. Results: The findings of the study showed that the use of social media networks for healthy nutritional practices among deaf and hearing students was at a moderate level. However, there were statistically significant gender differences in the average responses of deaf and hearing students in the use of social media networks for healthy nutritional practices. For the status of students (deaf and hearing students), there were statistically significant differences in the average responses to the use of social media networks for healthy nutritional practices. Conclusion: Social media networks play an important role in raising awareness and promoting healthy nutrition practices for both deaf and hearing students.
An analysis of visual functioning and cerebral visual impairments in children with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities
Authors: Steendam Marieke , Wallroth Marjolein , Tijmes Nel , van der Putten Annette , Waninge Aly
Published: January 2024

The aim of this study was to gain insight into the visual functioning of children with profound intellectuual and multiple disabilities (PIMD). A mixed methods study was performed, determining cross-sectional quantitative ophthalmological/orthoptic data, and qualitative observational data with a standardized research protocol (SRP) of 73 children with PIMD. Descriptive statistics and correlations were used for analyses of the data. Using ophthalmological data, 90.4% of the participants were found visually impaired. Based on the visual acuity (VA) testing, 49.6% of the participants had an impaired VA (<0.3), and 15.3% could not be tested. Applying the SRP, profound cerebral visual impairment (CVI) was found in 43.8% of the participants; severe CVI in 28.8%; mild CVI in 13.7%; and no CVI in 12.3%. The correlation (Spearman’s rho) between CVI and severity of motor impairments was 0.61 ( p= .01). The results showed that visual impairment (VI) based on medical and ophthalmological data was present in nearly all of the participants with the highest prevalence among those with severe motor impairments. Providing specific information about visual functioning and the characteristics of CVI, using the SRP, may contribute to the individually adapted support of the development and partcipation of children with PIMD.
Correlation analysis of balance and postural stability as a risk for falls in individuals with visual impairment
Authors: Gandawidura Raden Galuh Gurmadi , Ikeda Yumi
Published: January 2024

Vision is critical for human balance. Visual impairment (VI) decreases the ability of individuals to maintain balance and greatly impacts the activities of daily living. Hence, the purpose of this study is to assess balance in individuals with VI using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale regarding its correlation with fall risk. A total of 88 participants were eligible for this study. We administered pre-tested questionnaires for demographic conditions and history of falls after recruiting participants; following that, BBS and ABC Scale tests were conducted for the participants. A t-test was used to determine statistically significant differences between the means in the fall and non-fall groups. A Pearson bivariate correlation test and linear regression were used to determine the existence of relationships between BBS and ABC variables. In all, 51 participants in this study had experienced falls within 1 year (fall group), while 37 participants had falls over the past 1 year (non-fall group). The fall group had a lower mean of BBS (49) and ABC (69) scores than the non-fall group; also, there was a significant correlation between the BBS and ABC Scales ( p < .05). The type of VI and sex also had significant differences in the risk of falls. These findings suggest that individuals with VIs should raise their awareness about improving aspects of balance in the body with specific exercise and training to minimize the risk of falls.
Exploring social networks in foster caring: The mockingbird family in Australia
Authors: Jones Michelle , Patmisari Emi , McLaren Helen , Mather Simone , Skinner Chris
Published: January 2024

In their care of children and young people, foster carers report experiencing social isolation and a lack of support. This study examines the social network experiences of Australian foster carers who are members of Mockingbird Family. While well established in the United States and United Kingdom, Mockingbird Family was introduced to Australia offering a new approach to address the unique challenges of foster caring for vulnerable children and young people. The model geographically networks 6–10 foster care households in a ‘constellation’ with a central ‘hub home provider’ tasked with providing information, support, and respite care. This study employed a cross-sectional explanatory sequential mixed methods approach to investigate social connections and supports in the first four Australian Mockingbird Family constellations. A social network tool was used to survey participants ( n = 27) and two focus groups ( n = 20) to gather their experiences. Analysis found the highest mean social network connections with people from within their own Mockingbird Family constellations. Three measures of centrality were used indegree, betweenness and closeness, to report the connections and role of members within each constellation. Comparing constellations at different stages of maturity, the hub home provider was consistently ranked with high betweenness centrality as the bridge. In the longer-running constellations, the hub home provider was ranked with high indegree centrality or the primary source of advice or expert support. This indicated micro-network evolution that may potentially result in reduced reliance on statutory and other formal system supports over time. Changes to micro-dynamics in social support within constellations were explained qualitatively through three themes: leadership and expertise, information diffusion and communication, and trust and familiarity. Mockingbird Family was found to provide social connections and support networks amongst foster carers, indicating the model’s capacity to strengthen supports to carers thereby strengthening the immediate environment of children and young people in care.
Teacher's practice and perception of the influence of stories during preschool child development: A cross-sectional study from ethnically diverse South Indian city
Authors: Prasanna Aparna , Anakkathil Anil Malavika , Bajaj Gagan , Bhat Jayashree S.
Published: January 2024

Stories constitute a significant part of the Indian preschool curriculum due to their various benefits in preschool child development. However, the teachers’ practice of stories and their perception regarding the influence of stories on preschool child development are vital determining factors in the benefit preschoolers receive from stories. The global concern for providing quality education for preschool children necessitates the exploration of teachers’ practices and perceptions; however, such studies in the Indian context, where education is shaped by its multicultural and linguistic diversities, are limited. The present study provides an original contribution to exploring the Indian preschool teachers’ practice of stories and perception of the influence of stories on preschool child development using a developed questionnaire, Teachers’ Practice and Perception of Stories (TPPS). Ninety-six preschool teachers from English medium schools in Mangalore, India, participated in the study. The findings indicated that irrespective of teachers’ demographic variables, they played an active role in telling stories to children and positively believed that stories facilitate speech and language, cognition, literacy, and socio-pragmatic development in preschoolers. The findings broadly apply stories for preschool child development in clinical and school settings.
Russian imperialism, racist differentiation and refugees at the Polish borders: Media as ‘borderscapers’
Authors: Polynczuk-Alenius Kinga
Published: January 2024

This article investigates media as ‘borderscapers’ that discursively shape state borders by representing human interactions with and at the borders and generating ‘borderscapes’ that imbue borders with social and political meaning. Empirically, the article focuses on a two-pronged border emergency in Poland, involving non-European irregularised migrants stranded at the frontier with Belarus and the arrival of millions of war refugees from Ukraine. It applies Foucauldian discourse analysis to the coverage by the pro-government wPolityce.pl and the watchdog OKO.press. The study uncovers four borderscapes: (1) the Polish–Belarusian ‘borderscape of invisibility’ (wPolityce.pl); (2) the Polish–Belarusian ‘borderscape of rejection’ (OKO.press); (3) the Polish–Ukrainian ‘borderscape without borders’ (wPolityce.pl); and (4) the Polish–Ukrainian ‘borderscape of assimilation’ (OKO.press). The article argues that these borderscapes are contingent on (1) who is seen to interact with a given border and how and why, and (2) each outlet's referential relation towards the state politics of belonging.
Media resentment
Authors: Jakobsson Peter , Stiernstedt Fredrik
Published: January 2024

Building on an interview study from Sweden (n = 80), this article develops the concept of media resentment as a tool for understanding contemporary developments such as the diminished trust in news media and journalism. We view media resentment as a complex of feelings and ideas that are both individual and social, embodied, and ideal. Media resentment is defined as the feeling that the media – intentionally or unintentionally – are denying you or endangering what you have rightfully earned, whether by not giving it to you, by directly telling you to abstain from it or by intervening in social processes so that your enjoyment of what you have earned becomes impossible.
Influence of vaginal birth on lumbopelvic muscle mechanical properties on urinary incontinence
Authors: Garzón-Alfaro María Teresa , Cruz-Medel Inés , Alcaraz-Clariana Sandra , García-Luque Lourdes , Carmona-Pérez María Cristina , Garrido-Castro Juan Luis , Alburquerque-Sendín Francisco , Rodrigues-de-Souza Daiana Priscila
Published: January 2024

Objective

To identify differences in the muscle mechanical properties of the pelvic floor (PF) and lumbar paravertebral (LP) muscles between young nulliparous and uni/multiparous women. Secondarily, specific behaviors, depending on the presence or absence or urinary incontinence (UI), were also researched.

Design

Case–control study.

Setting

Higher education institution.

Participants

One hundred young women participated, divided into two groups depending on whether they had vaginal birth (nulliparous or uni/multiparous). Each group included women with and without UI.

Main measures

A muscle mechanical properties (tone, stiffness, decrement—inverse of elasticity—, and viscoelastic properties: relaxation and creep) assessment of the PF and LP muscles were performed with a hand-held tonometer.

Results

Tone and stiffness of both sides of the PF presented group by UI interaction ( p < 0.05), with uni/multiparous women with UI showing higher tone and stiffness compared to multiparous women without UI. In LP muscles, uni/multiparous women showed greater tone and stiffness on the right and left sides [−2.57 Hz (95% confidence interval −4.42,−0.72) and −79.74 N/m (−143.52,−15.97); −2.20 Hz (−3.82,−0.58) and −81.30 N/m (−140.66-,21.95), respectively], as well as a decrease in viscoelastic properties compared to nulliparous women [relaxation: 2.88 ms (0.31,5.44); creep: 0.15 (0.01,0.30); relaxation: 2.69 ms (0.13,5.25); creep: 0.14 (0,0.28), respectively].

Conclusions

Vaginal birth and UI have a differential influence on the muscle mechanical properties of the PF and LP muscles. The determination of muscle mechanical properties by externally applied hand-held tonometry improves the knowledge of the lumbopelvic status, with applicability in clinical and research fields.
Improvement in sustainability: Evidence from the mergers and acquisitions market
Authors: Nguyen Duy Thanh , Michayluk David , Van de Venter Gerhard , Walker Scott
Published: January 2024

One approach to improve a firm’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) rating is to acquire a target with a higher relative ESG rating. We explore changes in an acquirer’s ESG rating around merger and acquisition (M&A) announcements and provide empirical evidence of a positive relationship between the change in an acquirer’s ESG rating and the target’s relative ESG rating. Of the three components of an ESG rating, an acquirer’s environmental rating displays the largest increase, with social and governance ratings exhibiting a smaller but still significant post-merger increase. This relationship is weaker for cross-border deals or cross-industry deals. However, deals that are both cross-border and same-industry are associated with a larger increase in an acquirer’s ESG rating. In addition to improved ESG ratings, the acquisition of a firm with a superior ESG rating is also associated with higher bid premiums and improved post-merger financial performance which suggests that acquirers act in shareholders’ best interests.

JEL Classification: G14, G34
Revising Telecommuting Intention After a Mass Experience Brought on by COVID-19 Mobility Restrictions: An Integrated Choice and Latent Variable Model
Authors: Alberto Ortiz-Ramirez Hernan , Rodriguez-Valencia Alvaro , Mesa-Garcia Santiago
Published: January 2024

Mobility restrictions implemented worldwide to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic led to mass telecommuting or remote working (RW). RW has been studied since the 1970s, mainly based on controlled situations or stated preferences in the Global North. However, the pandemic forced thousands of millions of people worldwide to work remotely, which serves as a natural experiment to better understand telecommuting from real-life experiences. In this respect, the purpose of this paper is to identify the objective and subjective factors that explain RW scheme preferences based on the RW experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper explores future RW intention among workers, who did not change jobs during the pandemic, using sociodemographic, trip- and location-related variables, attitudes, and perceptions, via an integrated choice and latent variable (ICLV) model. Besides corroborating the influence of many traditional factors in the literature, we have found that individuals’ pre-COVID commute mode and its related satisfaction are key determinants of future RW preferences or intentions. Using a private car as the main commute mode increases the likelihood of preferring workplace-based labor, whereas using transit is associated with a preference for RW. Also, more satisfied travelers prefer more office time. Based on massive actual lived RW experiences, this study discusses the implication of the results in transportation modeling and travel behavior. We also discuss how this massive experience can reshape mobility worldwide.
Effects of Thermo-Reversible Aging on the Cracking Resistance of Asphalt Mixtures in the Semi-Circular Bend Test
Authors: Elliott Blaise , Mohanta Chandra , Nawarathna Hanwalle M.C. , Ma Jianmin , Hesp Simon A.M.
Published: January 2024

The semi-circular bend (SCB) test has been widely used to evaluate the cracking resistance of asphalt mixtures. However, uncertainty has arisen with respect to the accuracy of the test method in cold regions where thermo-reversible aging of the asphalt binder plays a significant role in determining the cracking resistance of asphalt pavement. This study aimed to optimize the current SCB protocol by including an evaluation of thermo-reversible aging phenomena. Asphalt mixtures were collected from different regions in North America. Two groups of SCB samples were prepared, with one tested at 0°C after 2 h of conditioning at the test temperature, and the other tested at the same temperature after 72 h of conditioning at −20°C. The SCB tests were conducted at 50 mm/min and the force was recorded versus both the vertical load line displacement and horizontal crack mouth opening displacement (CMOD). To quantify the effects of thermo-reversible aging on cracking resistance, indicators including the flexibility index (FI), fracture energy (FE), cracking resistance index (CRI), balanced cracking index (BCI), and cracking initiation index (CII) were calculated. The results show that the FI and BCI are greatly affected by cold conditioning, decreasing by 34.6 % and 22.3 %, respectively. The post-peak slope of the force–CMOD curve deteriorates to varying degrees, which provides guidance for optimizing the current SCB protocol to better rank the low-temperature cracking resistance of asphalt mixtures. In contrast, the CII is affected to only a minor degree by thermo-reversible aging and is also a preferred indicator from a repeatability perspective. Important variations in stress relaxation ability (e.g., m-value, phase angle), and how these respond to cold conditioning, are missed in rapid SCB mixture tests and therefore best determined on recovered asphalt binder.
Spatio-Temporal Graph Attention Convolution Network for Traffic Flow Forecasting
Authors: Liu Kun , Zhu Yifan , Wang Xiao , Ji Hongya , Huang Chengfei
Published: January 2024

Because of the complexity of the traffic network and the non-linearity of traffic data, it is extremely challenging to accurately predict long-term traffic flow. Spatio-temporal graph neural networks are currently the best paradigm for traffic flow forecasting, but most studies are still conducted on predefined graphs or graphs entirely generated by parameter training, which fail to extract the genuine spatio-temporal correlations in road networks. While the attention mechanism is effective in capturing global information, it may overlook local changes. We propose a novel spatio-temporal graph attention convolution network for traffic flow forecasting. In the time dimension, we combine temporal convolutions, which are good at capturing short-term features, with temporal attention, comprehensively considering short-term and long-term temporal correlations. In the spatial dimension, we utilize graph convolutions of fused multiple graphs to thoroughly extract the hidden information and local changes in road networks. By integrating this with spatial attention, we fully consider both local and global spatial correlations. Experimental results on real-world datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach.
Sexual relationships in group analysis: Theoretical investigations and clinical applications
Authors: Koukis Anastassios
Published: January 2024

The theoretical framework for understanding the sexual relationships developed between members of a group-analytic group is investigated and supported by clinical cases. The circumvention of the members’ identification with the conductor as a leader/ego ideal/Name-of-the-Father as favoured by multi-transference and the members’ and/or therapist’s sliding from desire/symbolic to enjoyment/imaginary, entailing the incursion of the real, play a structural role in the patients’ sexual enactment. Romantic/sexual relations constitute projective identifications in action against the group experienced as a bad object and plead unconsciously for a premature separation from it as a sufficiently good object. This study has clinical implications concerning the monitoring of transference/countertransference, exercising leadership and coping with forced termination in group analysis.
Facilitating Student Learning With a Chatbot in an Online Math Learning Platform
Authors: Cheng Li , Croteau Ethan , Baral Sami , Heffernan Cristina , Heffernan Neil
Published: January 2024

Chatbots represent a promising technology for engaging students in math learning. Guided by Jerome Bruner’s constructivism and Lev Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development, we designed and developed a chatbot that incorporates scaffolding strategies and social-emotional considerations, and we integrated it into ASSISTments, an online math learning platform. We conducted an experimental study to examine the influence of learning math with the chatbot compared to traditional learning with hints. This study involved 85 middle and high school students from three diverse school settings in the United States. The results revealed no significant differences in students' math learning performance and perceived helpfulness and interest between the chatbot and traditional hints conditions. However, students in the chatbot condition displayed significantly lower confidence in solving a similar problem after the intervention, likely due to the removal of the high level of support provided by the chatbot. Despite this, students’ open responses indicated that a significantly higher number of students had positive attitudes towards chatbots. They appreciated the chatting feature, breaking down a problem into steps, and real-time support. The study concludes with a discussion of the findings and implications for chatbot designers and developers and presents avenues for future research and practice in chatbot-assisted learning. In support of Open Science, this study has been preregistered and both the data and the analysis code used in this study are publicly available at https://osf.io/am3p8/ .
Planning the “Ruralopolis” in India: Circular Migration, Survival Entrepreneurship, and the Subversive Non-Farm Economy
Authors: Randolph Gregory F.
Published: January 2024

Urban research has scarcely investigated the planning context of the “ruralopolis”—poor and predominantly agrarian regions of the Global South with very high population densities. Today, some of these regions are urbanizing, in the sense that elements of urbanism beyond density, such as a large non-farm economy, are emerging. This paper uses a case study of an Indian district in Bihar to investigate urbanizing ruralopolis settlements. I identify and discuss the planning implications of three distinctive features of their urbanization: circular out-migration, a non-farm economy rooted in consumption and survival entrepreneurship, and shifts in agrarian social hierarchies that present progressive possibilities.
Deep-Learning Reconstruction of High-Resolution CT Improves Interobserver Agreement for the Evaluation of Pulmonary Fibrosis
Authors: Hamada Akiyoshi , Yasaka Koichiro , Hatano Sosuke , Kurokawa Mariko , Inui Shohei , Kubo Takatoshi , Watanabe Yusuke , Abe Osamu
Published: January 2024

Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether deep-learning reconstruction (DLR) improves interobserver agreement in the evaluation of honeycombing for patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) who underwent high-resolution computed tomography (CT) compared with hybrid iterative reconstruction (HIR). Methods: In this retrospective study, 35 consecutive patients suspected of ILD who underwent CT including the chest region were included. High-resolution CT images of the unilateral lung with DLR and HIR were reconstructed for the right and left lungs. A radiologist placed regions of interest on the lung and measured standard deviation of CT attenuation (i.e., quantitative image noise). In the qualitative image analyses, 5 blinded readers assessed the presence of honeycombing and reticulation, qualitative image noise, artifacts, and overall image quality using a 5-point scale (except for artifacts which was evaluated using a 3-point scale). Results: The quantitative and qualitative image noise in DLR was remarkably reduced compared to that in HIR ( P < .001). Artifacts and overall DLR quality were significantly improved compared to those of HIR ( P < .001 for 4 out of 5 readers). Interobserver agreement in the evaluations of honeycombing and reticulation for DLR (0.557 [0.450-0.693] and 0.525 [0.470-0.541], respectively) were higher than those for HIR (0.321 [0.211-0.520] and 0.470 [0.354-0.533], respectively). A statistically significant difference was found for honeycombing ( P = .014). Conclusions: DLR improved interobserver agreement in the evaluation of honeycombing in patients with ILD on CT compared to HIR.
Preparation and properties of modified zirconium dioxide reinforced poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)
Authors: He Xiao-feng , Nie Guang-zhi , Zhang Shuang , Xie Ya-qi , Ge Tie-jun , Liu Pei-han
Published: January 2024

Inorganic particles dispersed in the polymer matrix can enhance the strength of polymers. In this paper, 3-Glycidyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (KH560) and 2-Amino-1,3-propanediol were used to surface modify Zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) to prepare modified Zirconium dioxide (ZrO2), denoted as ZrO2-g. The modified ZrO2-g was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic hydrogen (1HNMR) spectroscopy, and the results showed that the modification was successful. Then the PBAT/ZrO2-g composites were synthesized by grafting ZrO2-g into poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) molecular chain segments using in situ copolymerization. The results showed that ZrO2-g acted as a nucleating agent and improved the crystallinity of poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT). The rheological behavior analysis showed that the composite viscosity, storage modulus and loss modulus of PBAT/ZrO2-g composites were improved compared to PBAT. The ZrO2-g content had a significant effect on the tensile properties of the composites, and the composites had the highest tensile strength and elongation at break when the ZrO2-g content was 1% wt, reaching 23.27 MPa and 888.89%, respectively, which were increased by 60% and 38%, respectively, compared with PBAT. When the content of ZrO2-g exceeds 1.5 wt%, aggregation phenomenon occurs, which rather reduces the performance of the composites. Meanwhile, the thermal stability of the composites decreases with the increase of ZrO2-g incorporation.
‘Stand Against the Wiles of the Devil’: Interpreting QAnon as a Pseudo-Christian Extremist Movement
Authors: Miotto Nicolò , Droogan Julian
Published: January 2024

The religious dimensions of the QAnon movement and links with political violence have been noted by researchers. This paper furthers this scholarship by conducting an analysis of 121 religious images taken from QAnon Telegram channels over 18 months. Through adopting semiotic and hermeneutical theory, it is argued that QAnon religious imagery can be categorised into a series of types, all influenced by Christian theological themes. When interpreted in a Christian context, these images reveal a close relationship with US-based Christian evangelicalism and with Christian liberation theology movements. By presenting contemporary politics as an eschatological battle between the oppressed and oppressors, framed as the QAnon community versus the devil, the QAnon movement encourages political activism closely analogous to Christian liberation theology movements. This contributes to an explanatory framework for the connections between QAnon followers and anti-government protest and violence during the Covid-19 pandemic and the 6 January storming of the US Capitol.
Predictors of Retirement Voluntariness Using Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging Data
Authors: MacLean Mary Beth , Wolfson Christina , Hewko Sarah , Tompa Emile , Sweet Jill , Pedlar David
Published: January 2024

Objectives: Involuntary exit from the labor force can lead to poor health and well-being outcomes. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to better understand the factors that contribute to perceived retirement voluntariness. Methods: We conducted descriptive and multivariable logistic regression analyses using a sample of recent retirees ( n = 2080) from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA). Results: More than one-quarter (28%) of older workers perceived their retirement to be involuntary. Among 37 possible predictors, 14 directly predicted retirement voluntariness and many more indirectly predicted retirement voluntariness. Only four direct predictors were common to both women and men, retiring because of organizational restructuring/job elimination; disability, health, or stress; financial possibility; and having wanted to stop working. Discussion: Findings suggest the need for employment support, health promotion, work disability prevention, financial education, and support that is sensitive to the differences between women and men to prevent involuntary retirement.