bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection and Management of Malnutrition in Primary Care
Authors: Backer Mortensen Trude
Published: April 2021

Background & aims: Malnutrition or undernutrition, arising from a deficiency of energy and protein intake, occurs commonly among community-dwelling individuals in developed countries. Once identified, malnutrition can be effectively treated in the majority of cases with dietary advice and the prescription of oral nutritional supplements (ONS) for patients who can eat and drink orally. However, previous research has reported inadequate screening and treatment of malnutrition in the community. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore general practitioners’ (GPs) experiences and opinions on the management of malnutrition and the prescription of ONS in the primary care/community setting in Ireland. Methods: Sixteen semi-structured interviews including chart stimulated recalls (CSR) were conducted with GPs. The interviews and CSRs explored, among others, the following domains; barriers and facilitators in the management of malnutrition, ONS prescribing in the primary care/community setting, and future directions in the management of malnutrition and ONS prescribing. Recorded interviews were transcribed and analysed following a generic qualitative approach with inductive thematic analysis using NVIVO 12 to facilitate data management. Results: Three main themes were identified. Theme 1: ‘Malnutrition is a secondary concern’, encapsulating the idea that the identification of malnutrition is usually secondary to other clinical issues or disease rather than an independent clinical outcome. This theme also includes the idea that obesity is viewed as a dominant nutritional issue for GPs. Theme 2: ‘Responsibility for malnutrition and ONS management in the community’, highlighting that GPs feel they do not know who is responsible for the management of malnutrition in the community setting and expressed their need for more support from other healthcare professionals (HCPs) to effectively monitor and treat malnutrition. Theme 3: ‘Reluctance to prescribe ONS’, emerging from the GPs reported lack of knowledge to prescribe the appropriate ONS, their concern that ONS will replace the patient’s meals and the costs associated with the prescription of ONS. Conclusions: GPs in Ireland do not routinely screen for malnutrition in their clinics as they feel unsupported in treating and managing malnutrition in the community due to limited or no dietetic service availability and time constraints. GPs also view malnutrition as a secondary concern to disease management and prioritise referral to dietetic services for patients with overweight and obesity. GPs reported that they have insufficient knowledge to change or discontinue ONS prescriptions. This study demonstrates that there is a clear need for primary care training in malnutrition identification, treatment and management and more community dietetic services are needed in order to support GPs and deliver high quality care to patients.
Food Insecurity and Malnutrition
Authors: Avery Amanda
Published: April 2021

Purpose of Review: Food insecurity is defined as the disruption of food intake or eating patterns because of lack of money and other resources. Although a relationship between food insecurity and malnutrition would seem intuitive, this relationship remains unclear. This review was aimed at summarizing the emerging evidence of the relationship between food insecurity, malnutrition, and intestinal microbial changes. Recent Findings: Evidence suggests that malnutrition is certainly associated with alteration in the intestinal microbiome. Alternative theories have been proposed as to the nature of the alteration, whether that be a result of microbial immaturity, dysbiosis, or contributions from both processes. Summary: Although the evidence continues to evolve, targeted nutritional therapies in conjunction with specific microbial therapy of probiotics or prebiotics may hold great promise for the treatment of malnutrition in the clinical and community settings.
Populism and Environmental Performance
Authors: Böhmelt Tobias
Published: April 2021

This article examines the impact of populism on environmental politics, focusing on countries’ outcome-level performance. I develop the argument that populist leadership likely undermines environmental quality. First, populist leaders tend to reject and refrain from implementing “green” policies, as these are usually promoted by “corrupt elites.” Second, populism erodes democratic institutions, thus offsetting a series of mechanisms that are related to better environmental outcomes. Empirically, I combine data from the Global Populism Database covering sixty-six countries and more than two hundred executive leaders with information on environmental performance at the outcome level. The findings suggest that populist leadership is strongly linked to lower environmental performance—also when controlling for a series of alternative influences and distinguishing between left- and right-wing populism. This research greatly adds to our understanding of the determinants of environmental policies, the role of regime type and ideology, and the literature on populism.
WikiAsp: A Dataset for Multi-domain Aspect-based Summarization
Authors: Hayashi Hiroaki , Budania Prashant , Wang Peng , Ackerson Chris , Neervannan Raj , Neubig Graham
Published: April 2021

Aspect-based summarization is the task of generating focused summaries based on specific points of interest. Such summaries aid efficient analysis of text, such as quickly understanding reviews or opinions from different angles. However, due to large differences in the type of aspects for different domains (e.g., sentiment, product features), the development of previous models has tended to be domain-specific. In this paper, we propose WikiAsp,1 a large-scale dataset for multi-domain aspect- based summarization that attempts to spur research in the direction of open-domain aspect-based summarization. Specifically, we build the dataset using Wikipedia articles from 20 different domains, using the section titles and boundaries of each article as a proxy for aspect annotation. We propose several straightforward baseline models for this task and conduct experiments on the dataset. Results highlight key challenges that existing summarization models face in this setting, such as proper pronoun handling of quoted sources and consistent explanation of time-sensitive events.
Courtship rhythm in Nasonia vitripennis is affected by the clock gene period
Authors: Dalla Benetta Elena , van de Zande Louis , Beukeboom Leo W.
Published: April 2021

The clock gene period (per) is a regulator of circadian rhythms but may also play a role in the regulation of ultradian rhythms, such as insect courtship. Males of the parasitoid wasp Nasonia vitripennis court females by performing series of head movements (‘head-nods’) and wing vibrations within repeated cycles. The pattern of cycle duration and head-nod number is species-specific and has a genetic basis. In this study, the possible involvement of per in regulating Nasonia courtship rhythms was investigated in a southern and northern European strain that differ in number and timing of courtship components. Knockdown of per via RNA interference (RNAi) resulted in a shortening of the circadian free running period (tau) in constant darkness (DD), and increased both the cycle duration and the number of head-nods per cycle in both strains. These results point at a role of per in the regulation of ultradian rhythms and male courtship behaviour of N. vitripennis and may contribute to resolving the controversy about the role of per in insect courtship behaviour.
Effects of Audiovisual Presentations on Visual Localization Errors: One or Several Multisensory Mechanisms?
Authors: Nazaré Cristina Jordão , Oliveira Armando Mónica
Published: April 2021

The present study examines the extent to which temporal and spatial properties of sound modulate visual motion processing in spatial localization tasks. Participants were asked to locate the place at which a moving visual target unexpectedly vanished. Across different tasks, accompanying sounds were factorially varied within subjects as to their onset and offset times and/or positions relative to visual motion. Sound onset had no effect on the localization error. Sound offset was shown to modulate the perceived visual offset location, both for temporal and spatial disparities. This modulation did not conform to attraction toward the timing or location of the sounds but, demonstrably in the case of temporal disparities, to bimodal enhancement instead. Favorable indications to a contextual effect of audiovisual presentations on interspersed visual-only trials were also found. The short sound-leading offset asynchrony had equivalent benefits to audiovisual offset synchrony, suggestive of the involvement of early-level mechanisms, constrained by a temporal window, at these conditions. Yet, we tentatively hypothesize that the whole of the results and how they compare with previous studies requires the contribution of additional mechanisms, including learning-detection of auditory-visual associations and cross-sensory spread of endogenous attention.
‘Our Traditions Will Kill Us!’: Negotiating Marriage Celebrations in the Face of Legal Regulation of Tradition in Tajikistan
Authors: Borisova Elena
Published: April 2021

Based on extensive ethnographic research in northern Tajikistan, this article examines the implications of the law ordering traditions and rituals (tanzim), including marriage celebrations, in Tajikistan. At the centre of my analysis is the figure of a state employed ‘worker of culture’, Farkhod, whose family was affected by recent, rather militant, attempts by the state to regulate tradition. By following the story of his daughter’s wedding, I analyse how Farkhod tries to reconcile his roles of a caring father, a respectful community member, and a law-abiding citizen. I argue that the tanzim exacerbates the mismatch between the government’s attempts to impose a rigid notion of tradition and promote the idea of a certain kind of modern citizen, and people’s own understandings of being a modern and moral person having a good wedding.
With or Without You: Qing, Li, Fa, and Legal Pluralism in China
Authors: Liu Qian
Published: April 2021

The concept of legal pluralism was introduced to China in the mid-1990s to address the conflict between state law and local norms and customs. More than two decades after its introduction, the scope of legal pluralism in China has shifted to the coexistence and interaction between state law and nonstate orders. In this article, I review theoretical discussions and empirical studies on legal pluralism in China. The existing studies on legal pluralism focus mostly on rural villages, which marginalizes the lived experience of urban residents who are also caught in China’s rapid legal transplantation in recent decades. At the same time, law and society scholars who study labor dispute resolution in urban China tend to frame the questions as legal mobilization, rather than legal pluralism. The term qingli 情理[commonsense feelings of justice] is a common theme underlying the scholarship of legal pluralism and legal mobilization in China, and thus it has the potential to bring them together and bridge the findings of the two bodies of scholarship. This article contributes to the literature on Chinese law and society by demonstrating the role that qingli plays in bridging different areas of sociolegal studies.
New species and records of Sericini from India (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae)
Authors: CHANDRA KAILASH , AHRENS DIRK , BHUNIA DEBIKA , SREEDEVI KOLLA , GUPTA DEVANSHU
Published: April 2021

Five new sericine species (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae) are described, diagnosed and illustrated from India: Lepidoserica barapaniensis Chandra, Ahrens, Bhunia, Sreedevi & Gupta, new species, Maladera kaimurensis Chandra, Ahrens, Bhunia, Sreedevi & Gupta, new species, M. silviafabriziae Chandra, Ahrens, Bhunia, Sreedevi & Gupta, new species, M. kottagudiensis Chandra, Ahrens, Bhunia, Sreedevi & Gupta, new species, and M. tripuraensis Chandra, Ahrens, Bhunia, Sreedevi & Gupta, new species. This paper also presents new locality records, including first state records for 74 species (including two subspecies) of Sericini from the Indian subcontinent.
Buccopharyngeal morphology of the tadpoles of Scinax v-signatus, with comments on larval characters of the S. perpusillus species group (Amphibia: Anura: Hylidae)
Authors: DIAS PEDRO HENRIQUE DOS SANTOS , PIE MARCIO R.
Published: April 2021

The Neotropical genus Scinax Wagler currently comprises 127 species of small treefrogs distributed from southern Mexico to Argentina and Uruguay, including some islands such as Trinidad and Tobago, and St. Lucia (Frost 2020). Two major clades are recognized within Scinax, the S. catharinae and the S. ruber clades. The former is composed of two species groups, the S. catharinae and the S. perpusillus groups (Faivovich 2002; Faivovich et al. 2005). The S. perpusillus species group currently comprises 13 species: S. alcatraz (Lutz); S. arduous Peixoto; S. atratus (Peixoto); S. belloni Faivovich, Gasparini & Haddad; S. cosenzai Lacerda, Peixoto & Feio; S. faivovichi Brasileiro, Oyamaguchi & Haddad; S. insperatus Silva & Alves-Silva; S. littoreus (Peixoto); S. melloi (Peixoto), S. peixotoi Brasileiro, Haddad, Sawaya & Martins; S. perpusillus (Lutz & Lutz); S. tupinamba Silva & Alves-Silva; and S. v-signatus (Lutz). These species are endemic of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest and are recognized by their intimate association with bromeliads (Fig. 1), in which adults breed and lay their eggs, and tadpoles develop (Peixoto 1987, 1995; Alves-Silva & Silva 2009).
Macrobrachium Spence Bate, 1868 (Decapoda: Palaemonidae): New records, range extension and geographic distribution in the Northeastern Caatinga & Coastal Drainages, and São Francisco hydrographic ecoregions, Northeast of Brazil
Authors: MORAES ALEX BARBOSA DE , MORAES DANIELE COSME SOARES DE , ALENCAR CARLOS EDUARDO ROCHA DUARTE , PINHEIRO ALLYSSON PONTES , LIMA SERGIO MAIA QUEIROZ , FREIRE FÚLVIO AURÉLIO DE MORAIS
Published: April 2021

This study constitutes the most comprehensive effort ever done to assess the faunal diversity of the Macrobrachium genus within two ecoregions that encompass part of the northeastern Brazil: the Northeastern Caatinga & Coastal Drainages, and the São Francisco (Lower-middle and Lower portions). Through sampling in several of their hydrographic basins, bibliographic research, and consulting scientific collections, our results reveal the occurrence of five species along these ecoregions: Macrobrachium acanthurus, M. amazonicum, M. carcinus, M. jelskii and M. olfersii. We also provide the first record of these species for several river basins in both ecoregions. Additionally, we confirm the occurrence of M. carcinus from Rio Grande do Norte State and provide updated distribution maps for each species in the studied area. This carcinofauna survey may form the basis for future evaluations of eventual anthropic impacts on biological diversity resulting from projects being implemented in these regions, which involve the São Francisco interbasin water transfer.
‘Save the children!’: Governing left-behind children through family in China’s Great Migration
Authors: Gu Xiaorong
Published: April 2021

Existing scholarship on the lives and wellbeing of China’s left-behind children often frames the issues as a function of their parents’ migration, which leaves a significant gap in discussing the role of the state in shaping the institutional framework that these families operate within, cope or struggle with. Through critically interrogating public discourses based on articles from a mainstream newspaper and policy documents since the early 2000s, this article situates a sociological inquiry into the discursive and institutional framework addressing ‘the left-behind children problem’ in China within the problematic of the relationship between children, family, and the state. The analysis reveals seemingly ‘disingenuous’ articulations of left-behind children’s value in the mainstream media and official policies. On the one hand, there seems to be a prevailing concern over the welfare of left-behind children which has grave implications for the country’s future development. On the other hand, the dominant discourse attributes left-behind children’s ‘miserable’ plight to their ‘pathological’ family life, which translates into policy efforts to discipline rural migrant families according to a family ideology rooted in urban middle-class experiences. I argue that such inconsistencies should be contextualized in the state’s neoliberal-authoritarian governance of the migrant population in the post-reform era, which perpetuates a stereotype of ‘the pathological family’ to account for left-behind children’s disadvantages while evading, hence up until recent years avoiding to redress, the political-economic factors underlying their plight. I conclude the article by ruminating on the theoretical, social and policy implications of this study.
Evaluation of Second- and Third-Level Variance Proportions in Multilevel Designs With Completely Observed Populations: A Note on a Latent Variable Modeling Procedure
Authors: Raykov Tenko , Menold Natalja , Leer Jane
Published: April 2021

Two- and three-level designs in educational and psychological research can involve entire populations of Level-3 and possibly Level-2 units, such as schools and educational districts nested within a given state, or neighborhoods and counties in a state. Such a design is of increasing relevance in empirical research owing to the growing popularity of large-scale studies in these and cognate disciplines. The present note discusses a readily applicable procedure for point-and-interval estimation of the proportions of second- and third-level variances in such multilevel settings, which may also be employed in model choice considerations regarding ensuing analyses for response variables of interest. The method is developed within the framework of the latent variable modeling methodology, is readily utilized with widely used software, and is illustrated with an example.
Cracking the box or stretching its walls? Exploiting institutional plasticity in Iranian creative advertising
Authors: Ghaffari Mahsa , Svystunova Liudmyla , Jarvis Lee
Published: April 2021

Through a nine-month ethnography in an advertising agency in Iran, a deeply conservative society, we explore the microprocesses through which actors search for and exploit areas of institutional plasticity toward incremental change. Given the infeasibility of more significant change in a highly institutionalized arrangement, actors in these settings are likely to seek out institutions characterized by the highest degree of plasticity. Yet, extant institutional research has not yet addressed the question of how they may go about doing so, which is what we seek to do in this article. By studying how celebrity endorsement became more normative in the field of advertising despite initial resistance from Iranian government regulators, we make four contributions to institutional literature. First, we demonstrate how institutional plasticity can serve as an antecedent to incremental institutional change in highly institutionalized contexts. Second, we trace the source of institutional plasticity to a misalignment between institutional pillars. Third, we identify the tactics and strategies that challengers use in the process of sensing institutional plasticity and stretching institutional boundaries. Finally, we shed light on the use of material and discursive resources across different stages of negotiations over incremental movements in the boundaries of normativity within a highly institutionalized setting.
Dental Services and Health Outcomes in the New York State Medicaid Program
Authors: Lamster I.B. , Malloy K.P. , DiMura P.M. , Cheng B. , Wagner V.L. , Matson J. , Proj A. , Xi Y. , Abel S.N. , Alfano M.C.
Published: April 2021

Previous reports suggest that periodontal treatment is associated with improved health care outcomes and reduced costs. Using data from the New York State Medicaid program, rates of emergency department (ED) use and inpatient admissions (IPs), as well as costs for ED, IPs, pharmacy, and total health care, were studied to determine the association of preventive dental care to health care outcomes. Utilization of dental services in the first 2 y (July 2012–June 2014) was compared to health care outcomes in the final year (July 2014–June 2015). Costs and utilization for members who did not receive dental services (No Dental) were compared to those who received any dental care (Any Dental), any preventive dental care (PDC), PDC without an extraction and/or endodontic treatment (PDC without Ext/Endo), PDC with an Ext/Endo (PDC with Ext/Endo), or Ext/Endo without PDC (Ext/Endo without PDC). Propensity scores were used to adjust for potential confounders. After adjustment, ED rate ratios were significantly lower for PDC and PDC without Ext/Endo but higher for the Any Dental and Ext/Endo without PDC. IP ratios were lower for all treatment groups except Ext/Endo without PDC. ED costs differed little compared to the No Dental group except for Ext/Endo without PDC. For IPs, costs per member were significantly lower for all groups (−$262.91 [95% confidence interval (CI), −325.40 to −200.42] to −$379.82 [95% CI, −451.27 to −308.37]) except for Ext/Endo without PDC. For total health care costs, Ext/Endo without PDC had a significantly greater total health care cost ($530.50 [95% CI, 156.99–904.01]). Each additional PDC visit was associated with a 3% reduction in the relative risk for ED and 9% reduction for IPs. Costs also decreased for total health care (−$235.64 [95% CI, −299.95 to −171.33]) and IP (−$181.39 [95% CI, −208.73 to −154.05]). In conclusion, an association between PDC and improved health care outcomes was observed, with the opposite association for Ext/Endo without PDC.
Prevention and control measures of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in low-risk departments: The spine surgery department example
Authors: Zheng Yongshun , Zhang Xingfang , Fang Shiyuan , Qian Yeben , Zhang Fan
Published: April 2021

As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spreads globally, hospital departments will need take steps to manage their treatment procedures and wards. The preparations of high-risk departments (infection, respiratory, emergency, and intensive care unit) were relatively well within this pandemic, while low-risk departments may be unprepared. The spine surgery department in The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University in Hefei, China, was used as an example in this study. The spine surgery department took measures to manage the patients, medical staff and wards to avoid the cross-infection within hospital. During the outbreak, no patients or healthcare workers were infected, and no treatment was delayed due to these measures. The prevention and control measures effectively reduced the risk of nosocomial transmission between health workers and patients while providing optimum care. It was a feasible management approach that was applicable to most low-risk and even high-risk departments.
Management of colorectal cancer in the era of COVID-19: Challenges and suggestions
Authors: Alam Walid , Bouferraa Youssef , Haibe Yolla , Mukherji Deborah , Shamseddine Ali
Published: April 2021

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic had a huge impact on all sectors around the world. In particular, the healthcare system has been subject to an enormous pressure that has surpassed its ability in many instances. Additionally, the pandemic has called for a review of our daily medical practices, including our approach to colorectal cancer management where treatment puts patients at high risk of virus exposure. Given their higher median age, patients are at an increased risk for severe symptoms and complications in cases of infection, especially in the setting of immunosuppression. Therefore, a review of the routine colorectal cancer practices is needed to minimize risk of exposure. Oncologists should weigh risk of exposure versus the patient’s oncologic benefits when approaching management. In addition, treatment protocols should be modified to minimize hospital visits and admissions while maintaining the same treatment efficacy. In this review, we will focus on challenges that colorectal cancer patients face during the pandemic, while highlighting the priority in each case. We will also discuss the evidence for potential modifications to existing treatment plans that could reduce infectious exposure without compromising care. Finally, we will discuss the impact of the socio-economic difficulties faced by Lebanese patients due to a poor economy toppled by an unexpected pandemic.
‘We Have Equal Opportunities – in Theory’: Lay Perceptions of Privilege, Meritocracy and Inequality in Denmark
Authors: Andersen Ditte , Lue Kessing Malene , Østergaard Jeanette
Published: April 2021

This article reports on the findings from a qualitative, longitudinal study on lay perceptions of opportunity structures among young adults in Denmark. Previous research suggests that people often underestimate the extent of inequality and that rising inequality aggravates misperceptions. Our study deepens the understanding of the multi-layered processes that form meritocratic beliefs, and it identifies key factors at the macro-, meso- and micro-level. A macro-level factor that proved influential was a cultural script revolving around the Danish lay concept, social arv [social inheritance]. At the meso level, the factor of reference groups in socio-economic heterogeneous schools was instrumental for formations of inequality perceptions, but in dissimilar ways depending on micro-level subjective factors. Overall, the participants viewed the free educational system in Denmark as part of a welfare system that equalises opportunity structures in principle, while the majority simultaneously exhibited a nuanced awareness of social forces negating meritocracy in practice.
When Experiments Need Models
Authors: Khosrowi Donal
Published: April 2021

This paper argues that an important type of experiment-target inference, extrapolating causal effects, requires models to be successful. Focusing on extrapolation in Evidence-Based Policy, it is argued that extrapolation should be understood not as an inference from an experiment to a target directly, but as a hybrid inference that involves experiments and models. A general framework, METI, is proposed to capture this role of models, and several benefits are outlined: (1) METI highlights epistemically significant interactions between experiments and models, (2) reconciles some differences among existing accounts of experiment-target relationships, and (3) facilitates critical appraisal of inferential practices from experiments.
Prognostic Factors for the Outcome of Salivary Gland Holmium: YAG Laser Intraductal Lithotripsy
Authors: Wang Shuo-Jen , Chen Lung-Che , Lin Yi-Chih , Chen Yen-Chun , Dang Luong Huu , Chen Po-Yueh , Su Chin-Hui , Hung Shih-Han
Published: April 2021

Objectives:

Holmium: YAG laser has gained its popularity throughout the years and is used to treat sialolithiasis, which helps to overcome the limitations of traditional sialendoscopic lithotripsy for larger-sized salivary stones. However, little information is available regarding factors predicting the success rate of Holmium: YAG laser intraductal lithotripsy. The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors affecting the success rates of Holmium: YAG laser lithotripsy for salivary stones treatment in a tertiary care hospital.

Methods:

A retrospective study conducted in patients receiving sialolithiasis surgery under sialendoscopy from May 2013 to March 2015 at Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taiwan. Data on various factors, including patients’ age, gender, glands, size of largest stone, multiple stones (≥2 stones), location of the stone (distal duct, middle duct, proximal duct, and hilum), and operative time. The success of the surgery defined as patients without any complaints such as swelling or tenderness. Logistic regression and Fisher exact tests were employed to examine these factors on the success rate.

Results:

Fifty-four patients who received sialendoscopy surgery with a mean age of 35.74 years old recruited. Logistic regression identified the operation time exceeding 210 minutes showed 23.497 folds higher odd ratio of having a result of operation failure ( P < .05).

Conclusion:

The prolonged operation time is the sole independent factor affecting the successful outcome for salivary gland intraductal laser lithotripsy. We recommend operative time be no more than 210 minutes to increase the success rate in salivary gland Holmium: YAG laser intraductal lithotripsy.
Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way: Synthesizing Creativity, Contagious Motivation, and Unique Projects Into the Course Experience
Authors: Krishen Anjala S.
Published: April 2021

Creativity is not just a catch phrase for the new decade—it is a way of life. While technology-driven innovation can promote efforts to produce optimal solutions, individually driven creativity is necessary to launch and drive cutting-edge, trailblazing ideas. The goal of this study is to examine relationships between creative divergent thinking (CDT) and motivation situated within course projects as antecedents to the overall course experience. The synthesis of transformational leadership, context-dependent fixation hypothesis, strength of weak ties perspective, contagious motivation, and constructivist learning frameworks form the interdisciplinary foundation for the proposed contagious motivation and creative experience model (CMCEM). The proposed marketing classroom model is tested using a structural equation model of N = 540 marketing undergraduate students. Findings indicate that CDT is an important individual characteristic that affects classroom dynamics. Importantly, when students exhibit higher levels of CDT, they perceive higher project uniqueness, higher levels of motivation, higher other student motivation, and more positive course experiences. In addition to other findings, the CMCEM emphasizes the powerful combination of CDT, individual student motivation, the contagious nature of that motivation on other students through well-structured group projects, and the importance of instructors as transformational teachers.
A Content Analysis of Prison Websites: Exploring Approaches to Rehabilitation in Latin America
Authors: Fanarraga Irina , Barthelemy Samantha , Koetzle Deborah , Mellow Jeffrey
Published: April 2021

Across much of Latin America, prison systems are characterized as having significantly high incarceration and overcrowding rates. In recent years, some of these systems have sought to address such problems by implementing rehabilitation and early release programs. However, the extent to which rehabilitation has been embraced and the nature of said efforts is not known. Using content analysis methods, this exploratory study examines the existence of language supporting rehabilitative practices and goals on official prison system websites across the region. While our findings suggest that prison systems have largely embraced rehabilitative goals, there is limited evidence to indicate that evidence-based practices are emphasized when it comes to assessment and correctional programs. As countries embrace rehabilitative efforts, it is important that they use empirically supported practices, as a perceived failure of the rehabilitative approach could shift the pendulum away from treatment and toward punishment. Implications for future research are discussed.
Impacts of School Reopening on Variations in Local Bus Performance in Sydney
Authors: Yan Wenbo , Yao Hudson , Chen Linji , Rayaprolu Hema , Moylan Emily
Published: April 2021

During the COVID-19 pandemic, stay-at-home orders in conjunction with working from home, school closures, and event cancellations resulted in a decrease in travel demand. Under normal circumstances, these activities are components of trip chains and utilize a multimodal transport network. The overall performance of the network can be traced through delays in the bus system as buses capture both changes in ridership and fluctuations in mixed traffic conditions. This paper explores the hypothesis that resumption of a single component in trip chains (i.e., school reopening) is sufficient for a measurable change in transport system performance. This study used school reopening in Sydney, Australia as a case study to explore whether school-related trips affected bus system performance directly with higher student patronage or indirectly with heavier road congestion from parental car trips. Both stop dwell times and differences in delays between successive stops were used as bus service indicators. Dwell times reflect the travel demand for buses and delay differences capture local changes in service reliability. We found that increase in ridership had limited impacts on bus punctuality. However, the level of local bus performance worsened after schools reopened, and the effect was more pronounced in commercial areas in the afternoon when schools ended, suggesting secondary trip purposes such as leisure and shopping in addition to school pick-ups. This study revealed the interaction between different trip purposes during the postshutdown period and threw light on changes in travel behavior patterns as travel restrictions were relaxed in pandemic circumstances.
Determinants of Anthropometric Failure Among Tribal Children Younger than 5 Years of Age in Palghar, Maharashtra, India
Authors: Jeyakumar Angeline , Godbharle Swapnil , Giri Bibek Raj
Published: April 2021

Background:

Measuring undernutrition using composite index of anthropometric failure (CIAF) and identifying its determinants in tribal regions is essential to recognize the true burden of undernutrition in these settings.

Objective:

To determine anthropometric failure and its determinants among tribal children younger than 5 years in Palghar, Maharashtra, India.

Methods:

A cross-sectional survey employing CIAF was performed in children <5 years to estimate undernutrition in the tribal district of Palghar in Maharashtra, India. Anthropometric measurements, maternal and child characteristics were recorded from 577 mother–child pairs in 9 villages.

Results:

As per Z score, prevalence of stunting, wasting, and underweight were 48%, 13%, and 43%, respectively. According to CIAF, 66% of children had at least one manifestation of undernutrition and 40% had more than one manifestation of undernutrition. Odds of anthropometric failure were 1.5 times higher among children of mothers who were illiterate (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] =1.57, 95% CI: 1.0-2.3), children who had birth weight >2.5 kg had lesser odds (AOR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.4-0.9) of anthropometric failure, and children who had initiated early breastfeeding had 1.5 times higher odds of anthropometric failure (crude odds ratio: 1.5, 95% CI: 1.0-2.1). However, when adjusted for other independent variables, the results were not significant.

Conclusion:

The alarming proportion of anthropometric failure among tribal children calls for urgent short-term interventions to correct undernutrition and long-term interventions to improve maternal literacy and awareness to prevent and manage child undernutrition.
When Communities Pull Their Weight: The Economic Costs of an Integrated Agriculture and Nutrition Home-Grown Preschool Meal Intervention in Malawi
Authors: Margolies Amy , Gelli Aulo , Daryanani Roshan , Twalibu Aisha , Levin Carol
Published: April 2021

Background:

Community-based preschool meals can provide an effective platform for implementing integrated agriculture and nutrition programs. However, there is little evidence on the costs and cost-efficiency of implementing these types of multisectoral interventions.

Objectives:

Assess the economic costs and cost-efficiency of implementing an effective integrated nutrition-sensitive intervention through a preschool platform in Malawi, including community-level contributions.

Methods:

The Strengthening Economic Evaluation for Multisectoral Strategies for Nutrition (SEEMS-Nutrition) framework and methods were applied to assess financial and economic costs of the intervention. A mixed-methods approach was used to measure and allocate costs for program activities and inputs using financial expenditure data combined with micro-costing. All costs were allocated to input and expenditure categories using the SEEMS-Nutrition framework. To facilitate comparisons with existing school meals programs, activities were also mapped against a standardized school feeding supply chain framework.

Results:

The total annualized cost of the program was US$197 377, inclusive of both financial and economic costs. The annual economic cost of the program ranged from US$160 per preschool child to US$41 per beneficiary. The principal drivers of cost by program activity were training (46%), school meals provision (19%), monitoring and evaluation (12%), and establishing and running community groups (6.5%). Notably, community contributions accounted for 25% and were driven by food donations and volunteer labor.

Conclusions:

Cost per beneficiary estimates of implementing an integrated agriculture–nutrition intervention through an early childhood development platform compare favorably with similar interventions. Further research is needed that applies a standardized economic evaluation framework to such multisectoral interventions.
Evaluating Nursing Home Resident and Staff Experiences With a Life Story Program
Authors: Ejaz Farida K. , Rose Miriam , Polk Brian
Published: April 2021

Life story programs hold promise for improving person-centered care and relationships between nursing home residents and staff. A pilot life story intervention study in 16 nursing homes provided residents with complimentary biographical life story books and summaries, and staff with action plans to enhance care planning. Trained volunteers and program staff collected life stories, and researchers interviewed 170 residents at three points in time. Overall, residents had positive experiences with the program, but were less willing to share their books with others afterwards. They also experienced a decrease in depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-8 [PHQ-8]) over time. Surveys of 92 staff demonstrated increases over time in perceived importance of knowing residents’ life stories. Administrator/admissions staff found it conditionally feasible to incorporate the program into admission processes. Practice implications of life story work include opportunities to help staff learn more about residents they care for, improve person-centered care, and honor resident preferences in care planning.
Enrichment of hydrogen production from fruit waste biomass using ozonation assisted with citric acid
Authors: Sethupathy Anbazhagan , Pathak Pushkar Kumar , Sivashanmugam Palani , Arun Chelliah , banu Jayakumar Rajesh , Ashokkumar Muthupandian
Published: April 2021

In this study, the impact of ozonation abetted with the citric acid pretreatment (OZCAP) method on fruit waste was investigated for ameliorating hydrogen production. Initially, the ozonation pretreatment (OZP) method was performed by varying ozone (O3) dosage and disintegration time. At optimized conditions (O3 dosage (0.04 g/g suspended solid; SS) and disintegration time (40 minutes)), 17.6% of liquefied organics emancipate rate (LER) and 13.5% of SS reduction were perceived. Further augmenting LER of fruit waste, OZCAP method was proceeded by varying citric acid dosage and disintegration time at an optimized OZP dosage (0.04 g/g SS). A higher LER (24.4%) and SS reduction (19%) were described at an optimal citric acid dosage (0.03 g/g SS) and disintegration time (20 minutes). Then, the hydrogen production potential of OZCAP, OZP and raw fruit waste were evaluated in which OZCAP method exhibited a higher cumulative hydrogen production (30 mL/g volatile solids). Energy valuation reveals that OZCAP method exhibited a net energy of 3.7 kWh/kg of fruit waste.
Youth Experiences in Authoring Action: The Impact of an Arts-Based Youth Program on Youth Development
Authors: Ballard Parissa J. , Anderson Grace , Moore Danielle Parker , Daniel Stephanie S.
Published: April 2021

Authoring Action (A2) is a youth-focused, arts-based, afterschool and summer program. A2’s mission is “to transform the lives of youth and the world through the power of creative writing, spoken word, visual and media arts, film-making and leadership education that promotes positive systemic change.” Using in-depth interviews, this study aimed to understand how this arts-based program affects youth development. Participants in this study (N=36) were alums of Authoring Action (A2), interviewed when they were between the ages of 17-32. Over half identified as female (N=21). Most A2 participants were youth of color and participated in A2 between ages 13-17. Interview data were coded following several steps: generating initial codes, searching for themes, reviewing themes, defining and naming themes, and generating a report. Four themes describe the impacts of A2 for program participants: communication, cathartic and transformative experiences, connection, and critical consciousness. Programmatic features—getting paid to participate, shared group identity, and open access to program leaders and peers – were meaningful to youth participants. The mission and programmatic features of A2 support youth development; we discuss practices that may benefit other arts-based youth programs and the implications of such practices for youth development.
Employment of ultrasonic assisted turning in the fabrication of microtextures to improve the surface adhesion of the titanium implant
Authors: Zamani Mehdi , Farahnakian Masoud , Elhami Sadegh
Published: April 2021

Since the presentation of the cell adhesion concept, properties of the contact surface between osteoblasts and titanium implant and possible methods to enhance related characteristics have attracted much attention in orthopedic investigations. The creation of microtextures on the titanium implant is an important method to improve cell adhesion. This research includes the employment of Ultrasonic Assisted Turning (UAT) to create special microtextures on the titanium implant. Also, the developed interfacial ratio (Sdr) are analyzed to understand the effect of main surface characteristics on the adhesion behavior and parameters. Moreover, the effects of ultrasonic vibrations on Sdr are presented by theoretical relation and graphical modeling. Results showed micro dimples (textures) depth and width were a function of ultrasonic characteristics (amplitude and direction) and cutting speed of turning. Developed interfacial ratio (Sdr) was another surface parameter that improved by UAT (about 20% in geometrical simulations) while surface roughness did not change significantly by the application of UAT. SEM images show larger integrin and extended fibronectin of osteoblast which adhered to the textured surfaces. This result demonstrated the abilities of UAT to fabricate titanium implants with enhanced adhesion properties for osteoblast cells.
Speed regulation control of tractors’ new dual-flow transmission system based on slip rate resistance classification
Authors: Xia Guang , Xia Yan , Tang Xiwen , Zhao Linfeng , Sun Baoqun
Published: April 2021

Fluctuations in operation resistance during the operating process lead to reduced efficiency in tractor production. To address this problem, the project team independently developed and designed a new type of hydraulic mechanical continuously variable transmission (HMCVT). Based on introducing the mechanical structure and transmission principle of the HMCVT system, the priority of slip rate control and vehicle speed control is determined by classifying the slip rate. In the process of vehicle speed control, the driving mode of HMCVT system suitable for the current resistance state is determined by classifying the operation resistance. The speed change rule under HMT and HST modes is formulated with the goal of the highest production efficiency, and the displacement ratio adjustment surfaces under HMT and HST modes are determined. A sliding mode control algorithm based on feedforward compensation is proposed to address the problem that the oil pressure fluctuation has influences on the adjustment accuracy of hydraulic pump displacement. The simulation results of Simulink show that this algorithm can not only accurately follow the expected signal changes, but has better tracking stability than traditional PID control algorithm. The HMCVT system and speed control strategy models were built, and simulation results show that the speed control strategy can restrict the slip rate of driving wheels within the allowable range when load or road conditions change. When the tractor speed is lower than the lower limit of the high-efficiency speed range, the speed change law formulated in this paper can improve the tractor speed faster than the traditional rule, and effectively ensure the production efficiency. The research results are of great significance for improving tractor’s adaptability to complex and changeable working environment and promoting agricultural production efficiency.
Rolling resistance and its relation to operating conditions: A literature review
Authors: Ydrefors Lisa , Hjort Mattias , Kharrazi Sogol , Jerrelind Jenny , Stensson Trigell Annika
Published: April 2021

For at least 50 years, the interest in understanding and reducing the rolling resistance of pneumatic tyres has been growing. This interest is driven by the need to reduce vehicle fuel consumption and CO2-emissions, for environmental and economic reasons. The amount of rolling resistance generated depends on the vehicle type, tyre properties and operating conditions. The main objective of this literature review is to provide an overview of the most influential operating conditions with respect to rolling resistance, their effects and their connection to different measurement techniques. The examined operating conditions are the inflation pressure, the temperature, the curvature of the test surface, the load, road surface, speed, torque, slip angle and camber angle. In addition, the definition of rolling resistance is investigated, which shows lack of harmony in the literature. There are important areas where little research can be found and where further research would be valuable. Examples of such areas are effects of the torque, slip angle and camber angle on rolling resistance, thorough comparison between flat-surface and drum measurements, effects of temperature difference between laboratory measurements and actual driving on rolling resistance and evaluation of Unrau’s formula for temperature correction of rolling resistance measurements.
Trust and Social Capital in the Old City of Hyderabad: A Study of Self-Help Groups of Women, India
Authors: Nasir Rosina
Published: April 2021

Why do people trust each other? Do people form groups through mutual trust or self-interest? How does the theory of rational choice and accompanying individualism affect the concept of social capital? Are social cohesiveness in groups and financial success related? Such questions generate interest in conditions promoting association and group emergence, such as trust, reliability, reciprocity, and shared values, which are inherent factors for cohesion. Self-help groups (SHGs) in an urban context are used to comprehend the aforementioned questions. The proposed study is based on the following hypothesis: the formation of groups is not based on trust but on material- and non-material- need-based individual rational choices that force them to cooperate with each other. It is found that a sense of insecurity among migrant women, an emotional need, led the formation of the imagined communities and has paved the way to construct trust. Thus, trust is found to be secondary in construction and sustainability of social capital. Castes, regions, and religions are strong factors; however, they are found to be less effective for the migrants than native SHG members. Therefore, among migrants, trust channelized itself vertically around a sense of fear.