bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leadership for quality in long-term care
Authors: Bourgeault Ivy L. , Daly Tamara , Aubrecht Catherine , Armstrong Pat , Armstrong Hugh , Braedley Susan
Published: October 2021

Leadership in long-term care is a burgeoning field of research, particularly that which is focused on enabling point of care staff to provide high-quality and responsive healthcare. In this article, we focus on the relatively important role that leadership plays in enabling the conditions for high-quality long-term care. Our methodological approach involved a rapid in-depth ethnography undertaken by an interdisciplinary team across eight public and non-profit long-term care homes in Canada, where we conducted over 1,000 hours of observations and 275 formal and informal interviews with managers, staff, residents, family members and volunteers. Guiding our analysis post hoc is the LEADS in a Caring Environment framework. We mapped key promising leadership practices identified by our analysis and discuss how these can inform the development of leadership standards across staff and management in long-term care.
British naval assistance at the twilight of empire: The case of Abu Dhabi, 1966–1968
Authors: Yates Athol , Rossiter Ash
Published: October 2021

Britain long sought to establish, develop and utilise local military capabilities across its empire. In its informal empire among the Arab Gulf Sheikhdoms of Eastern Arabia, Britain increasingly encouraged – and often cajoled – its protégés to build up their own security forces as London's moment in the Middle East was coming to an end. The scholarly literature on imperial assistance to local forces is invariably army-centric; little attention is given to how powers such as Britain helped establish local naval forces. This article seeks to address this imbalance by describing how British naval institutions supported the establishment of the local naval force in Abu Dhabi in the years immediately before British withdrawal from the region in 1971. This case study expands the historiography of British military assistance to cover naval forces and describes the repertoire of support provided by the Royal Navy and Navy Department.
Linking People’s Mobility and Place Livability: Implications for Rural Communities
Authors: Zhang Xue
Published: October 2021

This study integrates life-course theory and mobility research to explore livability factors that attract migrants in different age groups between rural and urban counties in the United States. Place livability is measured by economy, housing market, natural amenity, neighborhood, civic and social engagement, and health. Migrants are grouped into young, middle-aged, and older adults. Results of Structural Equation Modeling show that, as people age, the attractiveness of place shifts from a focus on the economy and housing market to the neighborhood and engagement. Rural communities, which rank the highest on engagement, attract working aged and older migrants. Natural amenities and lower housing costs also attract migrants moving to rural counties. This study suggests that the natural environment and social environment could make up for the lack of accessible physical design in rural communities. Affordable housing and an inclusive community are key to retaining and increasing the population in rural communities.
Dementia Family Carers’ Quality of Life and Their Perceptions About Care-receivers’ Dementia Symptoms: The Role of Resilience
Authors: Kalaitzaki Argyroula , Koukouli Sofia , Foukaki Michaela-Eirini , Markakis George , Tziraki Chariklia
Published: October 2021

Aim: The study examined (a) the relationship between caregivers’ (CG) quality of life (QoL) and their reports about care receivers’ dementia symptoms and (b) whether CG’s resilience would be a mediator in this relationship. Method: This was a cross-sectional study based on a purposeful sampling. Face-to-face structured interviews were conducted with 118 CGs (79% females, mean age = 59, SD = 12). CGs provided assessment of their QoL and resilience, and proxy assessments of people with dementia (PwD) symptoms (cognitive functioning, functional activity and behavioural problems (BP)). Results: The BP were the only perceived dementia symptoms associated with the CGs’ QoL. CGs’ resilience fully mediated the relationship between perceived BP and CGs’ QoL. Implications: Tailored training programs designed to improve CGs’ QoL should focus on strengthening their personal resources, such as skills to manage the behaviour problems exhibited by PwD and their resilience to adapt to self-perceived behaviour problems common to dementia.
An analysis of the effect of various parameters on surface roughness, springback and thinning while performing single point incremental forming on polypropylene sheet
Authors: Jain Piyush S. , Kagzi Shakil A. , Patel Sankalp , Vasava Jainesh
Published: October 2021

One of the sheet metal forming processes known as single point incremental forming (SPIF) uses simple tools instead of devoted costly dies and gives us the flexibility to incorporate the change in the design of the product by using the same tools. Polymers are increasingly used nowadays because of the higher strength to weight ratio. Polymers can be deformed in the required shape using SPIF. The effect of SPIF on polypropylene is studied experimentally in the current work. Springback, thinning and surface roughness are the responses studied while performing SPIF at room temperature. Tool diameter, wall-angle, step size and feed rate are the factors considered for the present study. The effect of the tool diameter was found to be significant in each of the responses considered. The increase in tool diameter causes an increase in the springback and surface roughness. The percentage of thinning and surface roughness was found to be increasing with the increase in wall angle. With the increase in wall angle, the percentage springback is found to be decreasing.
Comparative prediction of surface roughness for MAFM finished aluminium/silicon carbide/aluminium trioxide/rare earth oxides (Al/SiC/Al2O3)/REOs) composites using a Levenberg–Marquardt Algorithm and a Box–Behnken Design
Authors: Sharma Mayur , Janardhan Gorti , Sharma Vipin K , Kumar Vinod , Joshi Ravinder S
Published: October 2021

The aim of the current research is to compare the surface roughness models based on the Box–Behnken Design and Levenberg–Marquardt Algorithm-based artificial neural networks. For prediction of the surface roughness of magnetic abrasive flow machining (MAFM) finished rare earth oxides (REOs) aluminium composites, Box–Behnken Design models were developed using three-level factorial design as magnetic flux density, number of cycles and extrusion pressure as process parameters. The artificial neural networks predictive models of surface roughness were developed using feed forward back propagation network procedures called the Levenberg-Marquardt Algorithm. Also, an attempt has been made to compare the Levenberg–Marquardt Algorithm-based artificial neural networks and Box–Behnken Design for the modeling of surface roughness results. The value of coefficient of determination for the Box–Behnken Design model is found to be high ( R2 = 0.9737), which is an indication of good fit for the model with high significance. The percentage error for the Box–Behnken Design model is observed to be more as compared to the Levenberg–Marquardt Algorithm-based artificial neural networks model. The comparison evidently indicates that the prediction capabilities of trained artificial neural networks models are far better than the Box–Behnken Design models. Further, specimens were examined using atomic force microscopy for three-dimensional surface profiles.
Modeling and optimization of A-GTAW process using Box–Behnken design and hybrid BPNN-PSO approach
Authors: Azadi Moghaddam Masoud , Kolahan Farhad
Published: October 2021

Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) is the most extensively used process capable of fabricating a wide range of alloys based on its distinctive merits has been introduced. However, some demerits have been reported among which shallow penetration is the most crucial ones. In order to deal with the poor penetration of the process, different procedures have been proposed among which activated gas tungsten arc welding (A-GTAW) is the most extensively used one. In this study effect of percentage of activating fluxes (TiO2 and SiO2) combination (F) and the most important process variables (welding current (C), welding speed (S)) on the most important process measures (weld bead width (WBW), depth of penetration (DOP), and consequently aspect ratio (ASR)) in welding of AISI316L austenite stainless steel parts have been investigated. Box-behnken design (BBD) has been used to design the experimental matrix required for date gathering, modeling, and statistical analysis purposes. A neural network with a back propagation algorithm (BPNN) in artificial neural network (ANN) modeling approach has been employed to relate the process input variables and output characteristics. The proper BPNN architecture (number of hidden layers and neurons/nodes in each hidden layer) has been determined using particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. Moreover, process optimization in such a way that maximum DOP, minimum WBW, and desired ASR achieved has been carried out using PSO algorithm. Next, the performance of PSO algorithm has been checked using simulated annealing (SA) algorithm. Finally, to evaluate the performance of the proposed method a set of confirmation experimental test has been conducted. Results of experimental tests revealed that the proposed method is quite efficient in modeling and optimization (with less than 4% error) of A-GTAW process.
Assessing the feasibility of fabrication and welding of nickel-alloyed ductile iron through the evaluation of tensile properties and mechanical characterization
Authors: Kandavel N. , Krishnaraj C. , Dhanapal P. , Sowrirajan M.
Published: October 2021

Fabrication of metallic components using welding processes is of great importance in the engineering world. Alloying element added material is a necessary to fabricate industry-ready components, especially after the invention of fabrication methods using welding processes. In the present work, raw materials including iron scraps, sponge iron, and forged steel scraps are melted in a medium frequency furnace. Casting samples are cast produced as per the ASTM standards using nickel alloyed ductile iron and inspected for porosity and other defects. Tungsten inert gas welding is exercised to check for the suitability of produced alloy for the welding process. Mechanical characterization and tensile property of as-welded components were performed. Both cases were carefully examined and found with satisfactory results. Tungsten inert gas-welded samples were noticed without any weld defects; this opens the advantage to employ welding processes for the fabrication. This will certainly enhance the feasibility of welding process for various component fabrications.
Vinpocetine attenuates fluoxetine-induced liver damage in rats; Role of Nrf2 and PPAR-γ
Authors: Mohamed Kamel Gellan Alaa
Published: October 2021

Background

Fluoxetine (FLX) has been widely used as first-line treatment in cases of depression and other neuropsychiatric disorders. Although its safety has been approved, the use of FLX was associated with liver injury and chronic liver disease. Vinpocetine (Vinpo), a nootropic drug, possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of Vinpo on FLX-induced liver damage pointing to the role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-γ) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2).

Methods

Rats were randomized to four groups: control group, Vinpo group (20 mg/kg/day; orally), FLX group (10 mg/kg/day; orally), and Vinpo + FLX group.

Results

FLX-induced liver damage was evidenced through elevated liver function biomarkers and induced hepatic histopathological changes. Concurrent Vinpo treatment resulted in a significant decrease in hepatotoxicity biomarkers and histopathological alterations. FLX-induced oxidative stress and inflammation were attenuated by Vinpo. In addition, Vinpo attenuated the hepatic NRF2 and HO-1 levels and up-regulated PPAR-γ expression. Moreover, FLX elevated Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) mRNA expression and decreased B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2) mRNA expression were markedly reversed by Vinpo.

Conclusion

Vinpo possesses ameliorative effects against FLX-induced liver injury in rats. This effect may be due to attenuation of oxidative stress and inflammation, in addition to upregulation of PPAR-γ expression.
Assessing Attention in Category Learning by Animals
Authors: Wasserman Edward A. , Castro Leyre
Published: October 2021

Appreciating that varied stimuli belong to different categories requires that attention be differentially allocated to relevant and irrelevant features of those stimuli. Such selective attention ought to be definable and measurable in both humans and nonhuman animals. We first discuss the definition of attention and methods of assessing it in animals. We then introduce new experimental and computational tools for assessing attention in pigeons both during and after category learning. Deploying these tools, we have found that, as do humans, pigeons attend more to relevant than to irrelevant stimulus features during category learning. Nonetheless, postacquisition assessment reveals that, compared with human adults, pigeons less selectively attend to deterministic features in preference to probabilistic features of category members, which indicates that pigeons’ attention is more distributed. Fresh opportunities now exist for more effectively understanding the evolution and mechanisms of categorical cognition.
A comprehensive overview of dual-layer composite membrane for air (O2/N2) separation
Authors: Karim Syed Shujaat , Farrukh Sarah , Hussain Arshad , Noor Tayyaba , Younas Mohammad
Published: October 2021

The separation of air (O2/N2) via a polymeric membrane has recently piqued the interest of academic researcher as well as the industrial sector. Because of its remarkable characteristics, the polymeric membrane has emerged as one of the innovative and fast growing technology. However, two major problems faced by membrane technology, which hinder its growth in the commercial sector are, 1): The trade-off between permeability and selectivity. 2): Maintaining physical and chemical structural stability in a long-term commercial scale process. Recent advancements in membrane material, structural, and process design have enabled the development of dual-layer composite (DLC) membranes. This concept combines the benefits of both thinner mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) based active layer and porous support substrate. Due to these properties, the membrane exhibits higher perm-selectivity with enhanced mechanical strength as compared to single layer polymeric membrane. This review article mainly focused on the developmental progress of DLC membrane throughout the years. In which membrane structural details, selection criteria, fabrication methodologies, application [e.g., air (O2/N2) separation] were critically reviewed. In addition, challenges arising in the DLC membrane production and future prospects for the development of these membranes were also thoroughly discussed in this literature. This creates a paradigm for future research in the commercial development of these membranes for the air (O2/N2) separation process, which can be utilized in both medical and industrial sectors.

[Formula: see text]
Are the Organisational Management Characteristics of Healthcare Organisations Distinguishable from Other Professional Organisations?
Authors: Bartlett Christopher W. , Ray William C.
Published: October 2021

Organisational management characteristics occur with varying rates across industries and organisations within industries. While professional organisations tend to have fewer undesirable management characteristics than non-professional organisations, little work has been done to assess whether healthcare, with its unique legal structure that can put hospital administration at odds with physician autonomy, is an exception among professional organisations. In this study, rates of positive as well as undesirable management practices were estimated from publicly available ethnography data and compared to data from non-healthcare professional settings. A structured literature review was conducted to validate the ethnography data and further explore possible mechanisms. The main finding is that healthcare professionals do have greater group conflict with administration than other professionals and that healthcare settings exhibit greater instances of unwritten rules than other professional organisations. Overall, our results suggest that common management practices in other professional settings may not fully apply to healthcare. The potential for group conflict between physicians and administration is higher than other autonomous professional fields. Healthcare administration may benefit from examining practices in non-professional settings for beneficial ideas in management innovation.
Linkages Between Advertising Value Perception, Context Awareness Value, Brand Attitude and Purchase Intention of Hygiene Products During COVID-19: A Two Wave Study
Authors: Karamchandani Shikha , Karani Anushree , Jayswal Mitesh
Published: October 2021

The novel coronavirus, COVID-19 has affected the advertising industry in India. This study tries to gauge the purchase intention towards hygiene products during the ongoing pandemic with reference to smartphone advertising. The purpose of the study is to explore the features of smartphone advertisements like advertising value perception, context awareness value and brand attitude, pertaining to COVID-19 hygiene-related advertisement narratives. To serve the purpose, two-wave shortitudinal study was conducted at time T1, that is, lockdown period and T2, that is, unlock period in India with the help of non-probability snowball sampling. The total numbers of respondents at T1 were 311, while for T2 the total 160 respondents were contacted through online mode. At T1, the relationship between perceived advertising value and purchase intention was not established, which depicts the pandemic effect. At T2, the relationship between context awareness value, brand attitude and purchase intention was established. Further, at T1, the brand attitude did not show a mediating effect on purchase intention, but at T2, it was found to have a mediation effect on purchase intention. The study has important implications as ongoing pandemic has altered the way of living. This also has significantly impacted the advertising industry especially the hygiene products.
A Retrospective Analysis of Creatinine-Based Kidney Function With and Without Sex Assigned at Birth Among Transgender Adults
Authors: Fadich Sarah K. , Kalayjian Alin , Greene Dina N. , Cirrincione Lauren R.
Published: October 2021

Background

Clinicians use sex-based kidney function estimating equations, but the appropriate sex modifier for transgender adults undergoing hormone therapy (HT) is undetermined.

Objectives

Compare median estimated creatinine clearance (eCrCL; Cockcroft-Gault) and estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFRs; Modification of Diet in Renal Disease [MDRD] and Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Study [CKD-EPI]) before and during HT when estimated with and without sex assigned at birth.

Methods

Single-system retrospective cohort study of transgender adults (2007-2017) prescribed ≥90 days HT (index date = first order) and measured serum creatinine ≤6 months pre-index date (baseline) and ≤12 months post-index date. We grouped patients based on testosterone or estrogen treatment and compared eCrCL and eGFRs at baseline up to 6-12 months post-index date using equations based on sex assigned at birth (female or male modifier in testosterone or estrogen groups, respectively) or gender identity (male or female modifier in testosterone or estrogen groups, respectively). We used Wilcoxon signed-rank tests (Bonferroni correction) for all comparisons.

Results

In total, 29 (median age 26 years, follow-up 259 days) and 41 patients (29 years, 250 days) were prescribed testosterone or estrogen, respectively. In the testosterone group, the maximum eCrCL and eGFR changes based on sex assigned at birth were −14%, P = 0.0181; −18%; P = 0.0009, respectively, and based on gender identity were +5%, P > 0.025 and +11%, P = 0.0094, respectively. In the estrogen group, eCrCL or eGFRs based on sex assigned at birth did not change from baseline but based on gender identity were −17%, P < 0.0001 and −26%, P < 0.0001, respectively.

Conclusion and Relevance

Female-based equations may underestimate kidney function in transgender adults undergoing testosterone or estrogen treatment. Prospective cohort studies are needed to confirm the clinical significance of these findings.
Epidemiological Profile and Clinicopathological, Therapeutic, and Prognostic Characteristics of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma in Northern Morocco
Authors: Reffai Ayman , Mesmoudi Mohamed , Derkaoui Touria , Ghailani Nourouti Naima , Barakat Amina , Sellal Nabila , Mallick Parag , Bennani Mechita Mohcine
Published: October 2021

Background

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a multifactorial disease mainly affecting the Asian and North African populations including Morocco. This study aimed to determine the epidemiological profile of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Northern Morocco as well as its clinicopathological, therapeutic, and prognostic characteristics.

Methods

129 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma followed at the regional center of oncology of Tangier in the period between April 2017 and July 2019, and diagnosed elsewhere from March 2000 to February 2019, were included in this study. Statistical analysis of the data was realized using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software.

Results

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) represented 5% of all cases with a median age of 50. The most affected age group was 40–54 years (41.1%). Of all patients, 65.9% were men and 34.1% were women with a sex ratio of 1.93 (Male/Female). Undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinomas were the most common histological type affecting 96.12% of patients. At diagnosis, the majority of patients (82.2%) had an advanced stage of NPC (III, VIa, b, c) including 5.4% of metastatic cases (IVc). Most cases (86%) had lymph node involvement with cervical mass being the most common clinical presentation. 81.4% of patients received radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy. Among these patients, 54.3% had concurrent radiochemotherapy preceded by induction chemotherapy. The 5-year overall survival (OS) was 86.8% for all patients. It represented 91.3% for early stages, 87.9% for locally advanced stages, and 57.1% for the metastatic stage significantly. The disease-free survival (DFS) at 5 years was 87.6% knowing that relapse occurred in 16 cases.

Conclusions

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a particular disease with a late declaration. It is common in Morocco as is the case in other endemic areas with a high prevalence. Patients’ survival is significantly influenced by disease staging.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder as a Risk Factor for COVID-19 Infection
Authors: Cohen Herman Avner , Gerstein Maya , Yaniv Noga , Richenberg Yael , Jacobson Eyal , Marton Shoval , Hoshen Moshe , Shkalim Zemer Vered
Published: October 2021

Objective:

To postulate that ADHD is a potential risk factor for COVID-19 infection; to evaluate the COVID-19 risk factor on drug-treated ADHD subjects.

Methods:

A retrospective chart review was performed on ADHD subjects aged 6 to 18 years in Israel, who had undergone at least one COVID-19 test during the study period.

Results:

Of the 64,409 subjects included in the study, 6,207 (9.64%) had at least one positive COVID-19 test result, 13,300 (20.65%) were diagnosed with ADHD, and of whom 1,751 (13%) had purchased at least two ADHD medications 3 months prior to COVID-19 testing and were defined as being medically treated. Medically-treated ADHD subjects had a significantly lower likelihood to be infected with COVID-19 than untreated subjects.

Conclusion:

Untreated ADHD patients seem to constitute a risk group for COVID-19 infection. Drug treatment ameliorates risk of spreading COVID-19 infection within the pediatric population and secondary spread in the general population.
Multi-Level Analysis and Spatial Interpolation of Distributions and Predictors of Childhood Diarrhea in Nigeria
Authors: Bolarinwa Obasanjo Afolabi , Tadesse Tessema Zemenu , Frimpong James Boadu , Seidu Abdul-Aziz , Opoku Ahinkorah Bright
Published: October 2021

Background:

Diarrhea is one of the health problems contributing to Nigeria’s under-5 mortality rate, ranked as the eighth highest globally. As our search is concerned, there is limited evidence on the spatial distribution of childhood diarrhea in Nigeria. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the spatial distribution and predictors of diarrhea among under-5 children in Nigeria.

Materials and Methods:

Using data from the child’s recode file of the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, a sample of 28 583 children of women of reproductive age was considered as the sample size for this study. The outcome variable used in this study was childhood diarrhea. We employed both multilevel and spatial analyses to ascertain the factors associated with childhood diarrhea as well as its spatial clustering.

Results:

The regional distribution of the prevalence of diarrhea among children in Nigeria ranged from 0% to 62%. The hotspots for childhood diarrhea were in Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Sokoto, Imo, and Taraba. The likelihood of a child having diarrhea in Nigeria was higher among women whose partners have secondary education and above [aOR = 1.18; 95%CI = 1.05-1.33], women currently working [aOR = 1.24; 95%CI = 1.13-1.35], women practicing Islam [aOR = 1.24; 95%CI = 1.04-1.46], and women who were exposed to mass media [aOR = 1.29; 95%CI = 1.18-1.42], compared to women whose partners had no formal education, women not currently working, women practicing Christianity, and those who were not exposed to mass media. Children born to mothers who reside in North East [aOR = 2.55; 95%CI = 2.10-3.10], and communities with medium socioeconomic status [aOR = 1.44; 95%CI = 1.09-1.91] were more likely to experience diarrhea compared to those born to mothers residing in the North Central and in communities with low socioeconomic status.

Conclusion:

High proportions of childhood diarrhea among under-5 children in Nigeria were located in Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Sokoto, Imo, and Taraba. Policies and interventions that seek to reduce or eliminate diarrhea diseases among under-5 children in Nigeria should take a keen interest in the factors identified as predictors of childhood diarrhea in this study as this will help in achieving the aims of WASH, ORT corners, and SDG 3 by the year 2030.
Imagine there’s no heaven: Imaginaries of local government austerity
Authors: Orr Kevin , Bennett Mike
Published: October 2021

This article critically analyses the management of public sector austerity. Focusing on the case of UK local government chief executives, we develop the concept of austerity imaginaries. We provide four examples of these based on extensive interviewing. Offered as a theoretical concept, austerity imaginaries involve shared understandings of the role and potential for local government during times of acute fiscal pressure. We contribute empirical knowledge about the local dynamics of austerity and contribute to critical scholarship in this field. We argue that a simple thesis of ruination and destruction can obscure the creative work involved at the front line and we advocate the value of engaging both critically and empathetically with the everyday meanings in action of public managers working in circumstances far from their choosing. At the same time, the imaginaries reveal the insidious ways in which neoliberal assumptions about the public sector appear to delimit the scope for action.
Does tourism activity reduce the size of the informal economy? Capturing long-term heterogeneous linkages around the world
Authors: Salinas Aldo , Ortiz Cristian , Ponce Pablo , Changoluisa Javier
Published: October 2021

This paper investigates the long-term and causal relationship between tourism activity and the informal economy in 76 countries from 1995 to 2015. We explore this relationship at the global level and by country group, using panel, co-integration techniques that indicate the existence of a long-run co-integration relationship between tourism and informal economy for the whole sample and at the level of country groups. Additionally, the paper analyzes the long-run coefficients of the model by using fully modified ordinary least square regressions (FMOLS). The results from FMOLS evidence a negative and significant impact of tourism on the informal economy at the global level and in high, upper-middle, and lower-middle income countries, but a positive link in low-income countries. However, the results reveal a heterogeneous long-run relationship within country groups. Also, the result of the Dumitrescu-Hurlin Granger causality test indicates bidirectional causality in the global sample, but the direction of causality varies by country group. The main policy implication derived from our findings suggests that in order to reduce the size of informal economy, policy-makers should foster tourism activities.

JEL Classification

: J01, L83, C23, O57, C00, C01
Dreaming of effective diet change? Motivation, emotions, and dietician presence can all matter
Authors: Wąsowicz Grażyna , Poraj-Weder Magdalena , Matthys Christophe
Published: October 2021

The objective of this study is to verify the relevance of motivational and emotional factors, as well as dietician presence in relation to the optimization of the dietary pattern-change process. This study was carried out with an on-line survey, including 341 respondents, almost half of whom were consulted by a dietician. Two measures were applied to evaluate the effectiveness of the dietary pattern-change among participants. The first of these measures refers to subjective evaluations of diet improvement, while the second refers to weight loss. The results show that autonomous motivation and dietician presence are associated with positive anticipatory emotions, and diet improvements. Extrinsic regulation, dietician presence, and lack of negative emotional experiences are related to greater weight loss.
Rethinking the moral in narrating trauma: Ethnographic insights on clinical reasoning
Authors: Plotkin Amrami Galia
Published: October 2021

This article explores the moral dimensions of the clinical narration of suffering in a highly political context. Based on an ethnographic analysis of psychotherapists’ discussions of a clinical case related to the Israeli evacuation from Gaza, I illustrate how the care providers navigate competing moral logics while explaining the reasons for the patient's experience. Capturing moments of the simultaneous appearance of different explanatory models, informed by contradictory moral grammars, during the process of clinical reasoning allowed me to obtain a complex and nuanced picture of social reality in which the experience of the patient simultaneously appeared as both a success and a failure of communal education. The ethnographic observation and analysis of clinical reasoning challenge the assumed connection between practitioners' ideological identifications and their narration of suffering, and allow moving beyond the idea of coherent moral subjects who act according to a priori moral values informed by political ideology. This perspective is particularly significant for the field of traumatic suffering because it questions the moral grammar of trauma narratives that imply unambiguous and idealized distinctions between victims, perpetrators, and witnesses, revealing the complex dynamics of suffering and caring.
Leaning in, pushed out: Postfeminist precarity, pandemic labor, and journalistic discourse
Authors: Maddox Jessica , Creech Brian
Published: October 2021

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the postfeminist ideal of “having it all” became more contradictory, as women struggled to juggle work and childcare. This research, using critical discourse analysis, examines how lifestyle and explanatory journalism made sense of this problematic ideal as it became evidently untenable during the pandemic. Here, journalism operates as a discursive structure, obscuring its own complicity in sustaining postfeminist and neoliberal relations around the expectations that surround working mothers.
An analytical method for full-range mechanical behavior of continuous slab-deck in multi-span simply supported concrete bridges
Authors: Zhang Xiang , Yan Quan-Sheng , Jia Bu-Yu , Yang Zheng , Zhao Ying-Hao , Yu Xiao-Lin
Published: October 2021

Connecting the ends of girders with a continuous slab-deck to make a multiple-span simply supported girder bridge provides many benefits, but there is no suitable nonlinear analysis model which considers continuous slab-deck cracking under tension and bending. In this article, the rotational spring model is further refined to replace the restraining effects at both ends of the girder by the simplified mechanical model associated with axial stiffness, bending stiffness, and shear stiffness. Then, it is introduced into the analysis of continuous slab-deck. The more accurate rotations and displacements of both ends of continuous slab-deck are obtained to investigate the more precise moment and tension of the continuous slab-deck. Furthermore, this article presents an improved nonlinear analysis model of continuous slab-deck based on a detailed boundary rotational spring model. The displacements of important positions and the strain of key components in continuous slab-deck after cracking are investigated by numerical analysis and full-scale model test to verify the accuracy of the proposed nonlinear analysis model. The result shows that the nonlinear analysis model presented in this article could successfully evaluate the depth of cracks and the stress of rebars in continuous slab-deck, and it is instructional in predicting the cracking state of the continuous slab-deck and the reinforcement design.
Change in cardiorespiratory fitness on self-rated health: prospective cohort study in 98 718 Swedish adults
Authors: Holmlund Tobias , Blom Victoria , Hemmingsson Erik , Ekblom Björn , Andersson Gunnar , Wallin Peter , Ekblom-Bak Elin
Published: October 2021

Aim: To study how change in cardiorespiratory fitness over time is associated with the development of poor self-rated health in healthy Swedish adults, and whether this association varies with sex, age, body mass index and cardiorespiratory fitness at baseline. A secondary aim was to study the influence of other predictors of self-rated health. Methods: A total of 98,718 participants (45% women, mean age 42.2 years) with two assessments from occupational health service screenings between 1988 and 2019 (mean duration 4.3 years), with good self-rated health at baseline were included. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed as estimated maximal oxygen consumption using submaximal cycle testing. Change in cardiorespiratory fitness was expressed as percentage annual change. Poor self-rated health at follow-up was defined as percieving self-rated health as ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’. Results: A large decrease in cardiorespiratory fitness (⩾−3%) was associated with a 34% higher risk of poor self-rated health compared to maintainers (−1 to +1%) after multi-adjustment including change in body mass index, back/neck pain, stress, exercise habits and sleep quality or sleep problems. The associations for decreasers were stronger with longer follow-up time (>10 years). Preserving, or changing to, risk level for body mass index, back/neck pain, stress, exercise and sleep quality/problems were associated with a higher risk of poor self-rated health. Conclusions: Preserving or increasing cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with a lower risk of poor self-rated health, independently of change in other health-related variables, which may act as a protection against future poor self-rated health. This is of high clinical value, and strategies for maintaining or improving cardiorespiratory fitness have the potential to influence both disease and mortality.
Effective social media communication for startups in China: Antecedents and outcomes of organization–public dialogic communication
Authors: Chen Zifei Fay , Ji Yi Grace , Men Linjuan Rita
Published: October 2021

This study examines startups’ social media communication practice in China through the theoretical lens of dialogic communication. Drawing interdisciplinary insights from public relations and computer-mediated communication, this study explored conversational human voice and social presence as antecedents of startups’ dialogic communication with publics on social media and explored publics’ trust and positive word-of-mouth as potential outcomes of this process. Results from an online survey with 1061 social media users in China who had followed at least one startup organization revealed that startups’ conversational human voice and social presence on social media helped drive organization–public dialogic communication, which in turn fostered publics’ trust and positive word-of-mouth toward startups. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Comparison of the bending fatigue performances of selective laser sintered and injection moulded nylon spur gears
Authors: Pandian A Karthik , Gautam Sachin Singh , Senthilvelan S
Published: October 2021

This study compares the bending fatigue performance of a selective laser sintered Nylon 12 spur gear with an injection moulded Nylon 66 gear. Test gears were subjected to load-controlled, single tooth bending fatigue tests in a custom-built test setup. Cyclic pulsating loads were applied on the test gear using a steel driver gear. The bending fatigue life of selective laser sintered gears was superior compared to the injection moulded gears. In the high cycle fatigue region, the difference between the fatigue life of selective laser sintered and injection moulded gears was higher, whereas it was lower in the low cycle fatigue region. The variation in the fatigue strength of the selective laser sintered gears was due to the different thermal behaviour at low cycle fatigue and high cycle fatigue regimes. The lower surface temperature caused the higher fatigue strength of the selective laser sintered gears in the high cycle fatigue regime. On the contrary, the selective laser sintered gears’ surface temperature was higher than injection moulded gear in the low cycle fatigue regime, which reduced fatigue strength. The crack path was tortuous in selective laser sintered gears and smoother in injection moulded gears. In selective laser sintered gears, the layered structure of the part aided in impeding the propagation of crack.
Guaranteeing positive destinations for youth in a Danish municipality: the transfer, translation, and transformation of a policy instrument
Authors: Friche Nanna , Enemark Nanna Ramsing , Ydesen Christian
Published: October 2021

In 2019, Hjørring Municipality launched a comprehensive Youth Guarantee programme to ensure ‘positive destinations’ for the municipality’s youth. The strategy was explicitly inspired by Edinburgh’s interpretation of the Scottish Youth Guarantee. In this article, we conceptualize the Youth Guarantee as a policy instrument and unpack the transfer, translation, and transformation from the initial coincidental inspiration to the policy instrument developing a ‘life of its own’. The instrument serves as a vehicle for creating a constituency centred on a value-based governing paradigm, alliances, and the enthusiastic spread of the Youth Guarantee spirit. The case serves as an example of how the transfer, translation, and transformation processes of a policy instrument into a foreign legal context can play out, as well as how dominating forms of governance centred on values, alliances, and common enthusiasm in the constituency – and even the contours of a governance paradigm – can be teased out through such an endeavour.
Retrieval Practice Effects in a Psychology Lecture: Illustrating the Relevance of Study Design, Item Difficulty, and Selection of Dependent Measures
Authors: Barenberg Jonathan , Dutke Stephan
Published: October 2021

This study investigated the effects of retrieval practice on the cognitive and metacognitive learning outcome in a psychology lecture at university. In a within-subjects design, N  =  180 students completed an intermediate knowledge test in the 9th session and a final test in the 13th session of the semester. Both tests assessed students’ correctness of answering and confidence in their answers. In the final test, items that were intermediately tested were answered as correctly as items that were not intermediately tested. The failure to find a testing effect at the level of cognitive performance could not be attributed to interference with item difficulty, as intermediately tested and not tested items were balanced according to their a priori difficulty. However, testing improved performance at the metacognitive level. Confidence ratings were more accurate and less biased in items that were intermediately tested compared to items not intermediately tested. The results are discussed in the context of metacognitive monitoring as a condition of self-regulated learning in an authentic psychology learning context.
Rethinking Democratic Innovations: A Look through the Kaleidoscope of Democratic Theory
Authors: Asenbaum Hans
Published: October 2021

The study of democratic innovations has long been situated in the deliberative paradigm. Today, however, a new scholarly generation conceptualizes democratic innovations from various theoretical angles. This article reviews participatory, agonistic and transformative accounts of democratic innovations. This multiperspectival analysis presents democratic innovations in a new light. The term changes its meaning, going beyond institutions designed by experts to include the remaking of the structures that govern our everyday lives. Democratic innovations interrupt established modes of governance and create spaces for systemic transformations.
Diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased incidence of aortic valve stenosis
Authors: Roderburg Christoph , Loosen Sven H , Luedde Tom , Kostev Karel , Luedde Mark
Published: October 2021

Background:

The prognosis of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) is particularly determined by vascular comorbidities. A recent theory implies that DM could also promote aortic valve stenosis (AS). The present study investigates this association in a large collective of outpatients.

Methods:

This retrospective cohort study compared the incidence of AS in patients with an initial diagnosis of type 2 DM and a matched non-DM cohort in 809 general and diabetologist practices in Germany between January 2005 and December 2018. Cox regression models were performed to study the association between type 2 DM and AS incidence.

Results:

A total of 78,805 patients with type 2 DM and 78,805 patients without diabetes were analysed. Diabetes patients were more frequently diagnosed with obesity (52% vs 21%). Four percent of patients with and three percent of without diabetes were diagnosed with AS ( p < 0.001). Diabetes was significantly associated with an increased incidence of AS (HR: 1.36, p < 0.001). This association was higher in men (HR: 1.41) versus women (HR: 1.30). The strongest association was observed in young patients (18–50 years, HR: 2.35, p < 0.001).

Conclusion:

In our study, diabetes patients had a higher incidence of aortic stenosis during their disease course.
Rushed Decisions: Ethical Considerations for Digital Storytelling Practitioners
Authors: Lowe Sarah E.
Published: October 2021

The American Dreaming project, a community-based participatory research study conducted in collaboration with the nonprofit organization Define American, focuses on bolstering the mental health of immigrant rights advocates between the ages of 25 and 40 years. All participants identify as undocumented or formerly undocumented and have been public with their status since 2012. Seven people were recruited for the pilot program to participate in a digital storytelling (DST) workshop. They created digital stories (videos approximately 3 minutes in duration) from a series of general story prompts about their lives. Participants also completed pre- and posttests with measures assessing change in posttraumatic stress disorder, stress, self-esteem, depression, belonging, social support, and resilience. Follow-up, semistructured workshop evaluations were gathered, and life history interviews were conducted. The project also included a strategic communications component. In this article, I outline ethical challenges faced as the goals and parameters of the project shifted while conducting a multifaceted critical narrative intervention. The key lesson learned was to make space, prior to the DST workshop, for establishing and agreeing on project priorities with all stakeholders. I recommend creating a one-page memorandum of understanding that includes (1) a brief project description outlining the objectives, (2) goals listed in priority order, and (3) a decision tree to help stakeholders navigate competing interests. While DST is a powerful tool for supporting storyteller agency, working within structures of funding, support, and research can create challenges that critically complicate the narrative intervention.
Visualizing DEPICT: A Multistep Model for Participatory Analysis in Photovoice Research for Social Change
Authors: Switzer Sarah , Flicker Sarah
Published: October 2021

As a critical narrative intervention, photovoice invites community members to use photography to identify, document, and discuss issues in their communities. The method is often employed with projects that have a social change mandate. Photovoice may help participants express issues that are difficult to articulate, create tangible and meaningful research products for communities, and increase feelings of ownership. Despite being hailed as a promising participatory method, models for how to integrate diverse stakeholders feasibly, collaboratively, and rigorously into the analytic process are rare. The DEPICT model, originally developed to collaboratively analyze textual data, enhances rigor by including multiple stakeholders in the analysis process. We share lessons learned from Picturing Participation, a photovoice project exploring engagement in the HIV sector, to describe how we adapted DEPICT to collaboratively analyze participant-generated images and narratives across multiple sites. We highlight the following stages: dynamic reading, engaged codebook development, participatory coding, inclusive reviewing and summarizing of categories, and collaborative analysis and translation, and we discuss how participatory analysis is compatible with creative, interactive dissemination outputs such as exhibitions, presentations, and workshops. The benefits of Visualizing DEPICT include feelings of increased ownership by community researchers and participants, enhanced rigor, and sophisticated knowledge translation approaches that honor multiple forms of knowing and community leadership. The potential challenges include navigating team capacity and resources, transparency and confidentiality, power dynamics, data overload, and streamlining “messy” analytic processes without losing complexity or involvement. Throughout, we offer recommendations for designing participatory visual analysis processes that are connected to critical narrative intervention and social change aims.