bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vision-based human activity recognition for reducing building energy demand
Authors: Tien Paige Wenbin , Wei Shuangyu , Calautit John Kaiser , Darkwa Jo , Wood Christopher
Published: June 2021

Occupancy behaviour in buildings can impact the energy performance and the operation of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems. To ensure building operations become optimised, it is vital to develop solutions that can monitor the utilisation of indoor spaces and provide occupants’ actual thermal comfort requirements. This study presents the analysis of the application of a vision-based deep learning approach for human activity detection and recognition in buildings. A convolutional neural network was employed to enable the detection and classification of occupancy activities. The model was deployed to a camera that enabled real-time detections, giving an average detection accuracy of 98.65%. Data on the number of occupants performing each of the selected activities were collected, and deep learning–influenced profile was generated. Building energy simulation and various scenario-based cases were used to assess the impact of such an approach on the building energy demand and provide insights into how the proposed detection method can enable heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems to respond to occupancy’s dynamic changes. Results indicated that the deep learning approach could reduce the over- or under-estimation of occupancy heat gains. It is envisioned that the approach can be coupled with heating, ventilation and air-conditioning controls to adjust the setpoint based on the building space’s actual requirements, which could provide more comfortable environments and minimise unnecessary building energy loads.

Practical application

Occupancy behaviour has been identified as an important issue impacting the energy demand of building and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems. This study proposes a vision-based deep learning approach to capture, detect and recognise in real-time the occupancy patterns and activities within an office space environment. Initial building energy simulation analysis of the application of such an approach within buildings was performed. The proposed approach is envisioned to enable heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems to adapt and make a timely response based on occupancy’s dynamic changes. The results presented here show the practicality of such an approach that could be integrated with heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems for various building spaces and environments.
Efficacy of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) for Tinnitus: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Yang Haidi , Cheng Gui , Liang Zhengrong , Deng Wenting , Huang Xiayin , Gao Minqian , Zheng Yiqing
Published: June 2021

Objective:

Current studies still find insufficient evidence to support the routine use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in tinnitus. This study aimed to assess response of tinnitus to treatment with rTMS and identify factors influencing the overall response.

Methods:

Between January 2016 and May 2017, 199 tinnitus patients were identified from a retrospective review of the electronic patient record at the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital. All patients received rTMS treatment. Their clinicodemographic profile and outcomes, including the tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) and visual analog scale (VAS) scores, were extracted for analysis.

Results:

Regarding the THI results, 62.3% of all patients responded to rTMS. The analysis of the VAS score revealed an overall response rate of 66.3%. Both percentages were close to the patient’s subjective assessment result, of 63.8%. Patients with tinnitus of less than 1-week duration had the highest response rate to rTMS in terms of either THI/VAS scores or the patient’s subjective assessment of symptoms. Tinnitus duration was recognized as a factor influencing the overall response to the treatment.

Conclusions:

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment is effective for patients with tinnitus, but its efficacy is affected by tinnitus duration. Tinnitus patients are advised to attend for rTMS as soon as possible since therapy was more effective in those with a shorter duration of disease of less than 1 week.
An approach for document retrieval using cluster-based inverted indexing
Authors: Chandwani Gunjan , Ahlawat Anil , Dubey Gaurav
Published: June 2021

Document retrieval plays an important role in knowledge management as it facilitates us to discover the relevant information from the existing data. This article proposes a cluster-based inverted indexing algorithm for document retrieval. First, the pre-processing is done to remove the unnecessary and redundant words from the documents. Then, the indexing of documents is done by the cluster-based inverted indexing algorithm, which is developed by integrating the piecewise fuzzy C-means (piFCM) clustering algorithm and inverted indexing. After providing the index to the documents, the query matching is performed for the user queries using the Bhattacharyya distance. Finally, the query optimisation is done by the Pearson correlation coefficient, and the relevant documents are retrieved. The performance of the proposed algorithm is analysed by the WebKB data set and Twenty Newsgroups data set. The analysis exposes that the proposed algorithm offers high performance with a precision of 1, recall of 0.70 and F-measure of 0.8235. The proposed document retrieval system retrieves the most relevant documents and speeds up the storing and retrieval of information.
Effects of β-glucan and inulin consumption on postprandial appetite, energy intake and food consumption in healthy females: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Alptekin İsmail Mücahit , Çakiroğlu Funda Pınar , Örmeci Necati
Published: June 2021

Background:

To date, several researchers have investigated the association between dietary fibre consumption and satiety. However, there is no study that includes both inulin and β-glucan to compare energy intake (EI) and satiety ratings.

Aim:

The current study investigated the effects of two dietary fibres, β-glucan and inulin, on satiety and food intake.

Methods:

The study was carried out among 24 woman over 18 years of age. The dietary fibres β-glucan (6 g/day) or inulin (6 g/day) were consumed by participants for five weeks. On the first and fifth week visits, the participants consumed a standard breakfast followed by an ad libitum test meal. Appetite was assessed using visual analogue scales (VAS) before and after breakfast. EI was measured at the test meal using plate waste.

Results:

Both dietary fibres significantly reduced the VAS scores of hunger, prospective food consumption and desire to eat, and increased satiety compared with the control group. However, the area under curve data for the VAS scores did not exhibit a significant difference. Significant reductions in EI and anthropometric values between the first and fifth week measures were observed in both dietary fibre groups. Statistically significant changes occurred in the body weight [-1.25 (1.27) kg], body mass index [-0.41 (0.42) kg/m2], waist circumference [-1.25 (1.04) cm] and waist/hip ratio [-0.01(0.01)] in the β-glucan group, whereas a statistically significant change occurred in body fat percentage in the inulin group [-2.16% (7.49)].

Conclusions:

Overall, these findings demonstrate that the participants consuming β-glucan over the course of the five weeks had less EI, felt less hunger and had more satiety.
Nonresponse bias when estimating victimization rates: A nonresponse analysis using latent class analysis
Authors: Leitgöb-Guzy Nathalie
Published: June 2021

The study expands empirical knowledge on nonresponse bias when estimating victimization rates by using latent class analysis (LCA). Based on information about proxy-nonrespondents (hard-to-reach respondents and soft refusals), the study identifies subgroup(s) of persons who are systematically underrepresented by refusal and unreachability and determines whether an over- or underestimation of different offense-specific crime rates (prevalence and incidence rates) is to be expected. Therefore, a broad review of the current state of research is carried out, followed by a nonresponse analysis of a large-scale victimization survey conducted in Germany (n = 35,503). The paper illustrates that a variety of factors must be considered when analyzing nonresponse in victimization surveys and that the current state of research does not allow definitive conclusions about the amount and direction of nonresponse bias. The following analysis shows that LCA constitutes an excellent approach to determine nonresponse bias in surveys. In each sample, one class of person was identified that is systematically underrepresented, both by refusal and unreachability. Here, victimization rates of violent crime tend to be significantly higher, indicating an underestimation of crime rates.
Internet Addiction Status and Related Factors among Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study in Western Iran
Authors: Khazaie Habibolah , Lebni Javad Yoosefi , Abbas Jaffar , Mahaki Behzad , Chaboksavar Fakhreddin , Kianipour Neda , Toghroli Razie , Ziapour Arash
Published: June 2021

Background

In recent years, Internet and social media technology use have emerged as an integral tool of human society, and the evolution of technological integration, cyberspace, and web-technology has become a common practice in educational institutions. Internet usage among students has played an indispensable role in learning behavior; however, the excessive usage of the internet and social media leads to internet addiction. This original study has performed a focalized scrutiny on revealing relationships between internet addiction and associated factors among the students of medicine, dentistry, and pharmaceutical departments.

Methods

This descriptive and analytical study recruited medical students from the Self-governing Education Incubator of Kermanshah. This survey distributed questionnaires among the respondents’ three departments, and this statistical data reported on 420 valid responses of the respondents. They represent first and second-semester medical students of the academic year 2017–2018. The study selected medical students by applying Cochran's Sample Size Formula through Stratified Random Sampling and cross-sectional research design. The survey has utilized a demographic questionnaire of Young's Internet Addiction Test (IAT) for the data collection. The study analyzed received data by using SPSS version 23 and performed the descriptive statistics, and analytical statistics (t-test and ANOVA).

Results

The results of the present study established that the majority of subjects were female students (53.3%), and the average age was 23.84 ± 2.14, including the students of all departments. Besides, findings specified that the overall mean and standard deviation scores were 3.34 and ±0.88. Internet addiction revealed mean and the standard deviation score measured for all students 3.29 ± 0.73, 3.17 ± 0.92, and 3.57 ± 0.64 correspondingly. The survey results illustrated that medical students’ internet addiction substantially correlated with demographic variables, such as age, marital status, the field of study, academic term, significant time of consuming the internet, the key reason of utilizing the internet, and daily usage of the internet ( p < .05).

Conclusion

The results of the study specified that 25% of medical students showed internet addiction. The students are increasingly using the internet, and it has penetrated among students. The design and implementation of adequate educational programs and the application of internet-based efficiency interventions are essential for both knowledge acquisition and medical students’ healthy behavior.
Fibroblast-associated protein-α expression and BPV nucleic acid distribution in equine sarcoids
Authors: Tura Giorgia , Savini Federica , Gallina Laura , La Ragione Roberto M. , Durham Andy E. , Mazzeschi Martina , Lauriola Mattia , Avallone Giancarlo , Sarli Giuseppe , Brunetti Barbara , Muscatello Luisa V. , Girone Cinzia , Bacci Barbara
Published: June 2021

Sarcoids are the most common cutaneous tumor of equids and are caused by bovine papillomavirus (BPV). Different clinical subtypes of sarcoids are well characterized clinically but not histologically, and it is not known whether viral activity influences the clinical or histological appearance of the tumors. The aim of this study was to verify whether the development of different clinical types of sarcoids or the presence of certain histological features were associated with BPV distribution within the tumor. The presence of BPV was assessed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and visualized in histological sections by chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH) in 74 equine sarcoids. Furthermore, to better characterize the molecular features of neoplastic cells, immunohistochemistry for S100, smooth muscle actin-α (αSMA), and fibroblast-associated protein-α (FAPα) was performed. The presence of BPV was confirmed in all tissues examined by either or both PCR and CISH (72/74, 97% each). Of 70/74 CISH-positive cases, signal distribution appeared as either diffuse (61/70, 87%) or subepithelial (9/70, 13%); the latter was more frequently observed in the verrucous subtype. However, no statistically significant association was found between clinical subtypes and specific histological features or hybridization pattern. Moreover, CISH signal for BPV was not detected in the epidermis overlying sarcoids nor in the tissue surrounding the neoplasms. By immunohistochemistry, αSMA confirmed the myofibroblastic differentiation of neoplastic cells in 28/74 (38%) sarcoids. Using tissue microarrays, FAPα labelling was observed in neoplastic fibroblasts of all sarcoids, suggesting this marker as a potential candidate for the immunohistochemical diagnosis of sarcoids.
The Societal Response to Psychopathy in the Community
Authors: Jurjako Marko , Malatesti Luca , Brazil Inti A.
Published: June 2021

The harm usually associated with psychopathy requires therapeutically, legally, and ethically satisfactory solutions. Scholars from different fields have, thus, examined whether empirical evidence shows that individuals with psychopathic traits satisfy concepts, such as responsibility, mental disorder, or disability, that have specific legal or ethical implications. The present paper considers the less discussed issue of whether psychopathy is a disability. As it has been shown for the cases of the responsibility and mental disorder status of psychopathic individuals, we argue that it is undecided whether psychopathy is a disability. Nonetheless, based on insights from disability studies and legislations, we propose that interventions to directly modify the propensities of individuals with psychopathic tendencies should be balanced with modifications of the social and physical environments to accommodate their peculiarities. We also suggest how this social approach in some practical contexts that involve non-offender populations might be effective in addressing some of the negative effects of psychopathy.
Reproduction in the Archipelago of the Aegean 1920–2016: Long-Term Trends and Recent Upturns
Authors: Gavalas Vasilis , Baltas Pavlos
Published: June 2021

Little is known about the reproductive behavior of the population in insular Greece because of the lack of reliable and unintermittent time series of vital statistics. By applying methods used in historical demography and by indirectly estimating demographic indexes from census returns we try to overcome data scarcity. Substantial differences were found between the islands and mainland Greece. Differences were also found between different groups of islands, with the North Aegean being more conservative as far as the procreative ethics are concerned. Out of wedlock childbearing is less common in North Aegean islands than in Dodecanese or in the Cyclades.
Invariance of the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale Across Different Groups of Adolescents and Young Adults
Authors: Masa Rainier , Sharma Anjalee
Published: June 2021

Background:

Cross-group comparisons of household food insecurity and its associations using multiple-item scales assume that scale scores can be interpreted as identical across groups. However, scores should not be interpreted as identical across groups without evidence of measurement invariance. Noninvariant measures indicate that the underlying construct may be different across groups.

Objective:

To determine whether the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) is invariant across different groups of Ghanaian and South African youth aged 15 to 24.

Methods:

We analyzed cross-sectional quantitative data from 1437 and 4165 young South Africans and Ghanaians, respectively. Multi-group confirmatory factor analysis was used to examine whether the HFIAS was invariant across different groups of youth, including sex (male or female), age group (middle adolescence, late adolescence, or emerging adulthood), and receipt of child support grant (yes or no). We assessed 3 levels of invariance: configural, metric, and scalar. The model fit between nested models was compared using χ2 difference testing.

Results:

Invariance tests indicated that the HFIAS had configural, metric, and scalar invariance across different groups of Ghanaian and South African youth. Model fit statistics across all invariance levels indicated good fit of our hypothesized model with the observed data. χ2 difference testing results were not statistically significant across all nested models.

Conclusions:

Food insecurity, as measured by the HFIAS, meant the same thing for different groups of Ghanaian and South African youth. Evidence of invariance means that the HFIAS scores could be interpreted as identical across youth groups in our study.
Heuristic optimization of impeller sidewall gaps-based on the bees algorithm for a centrifugal blood pump by CFD
Authors: Onder Ahmet , Incebay Omer , Sen Muhammed Arif , Yapici Rafet , Kalyoncu Mete
Published: June 2021

Optimization studies on blood pumps that require complex designs are gradually increasing in number. The essential design criteria of centrifugal blood pump are minimum shear stress with maximal efficiency. The geometry design of impeller sidewall gaps (blade tip clearance, axial gap, radial gap) is highly effective with regard to these two criteria. Therefore, unlike methods such as trial and error, the optimal dimensions of these gaps should be adjusted via a heuristic method, giving more effective results. In this study, the optimal gaps that can ensure these two design criteria with The Bees Algorithm (BA), which is a population-based heuristic method, are investigated. Firstly, a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis of sample pump models, which are selected according to the orthogonal array and pre-designed with different gaps, are performed. The dimensions of the gaps are optimized through this mathematical model. The simulation results for the improved pump model are nearly identical to those predicted by the BA. The improved pump model, as designed with the optimal gap dimensions so obtained, is able to meet the design criteria better than all existing sample pumps. Thanks to the optimal gap dimensions, it has been observed that compared to average values, it has provided a 42% reduction in aWSS and a 20% increase in efficiency. Moreover, original an approach to the design of impeller sidewall gaps was developed. The results show that computational costs have been significantly reduced by using the BA in blood pump geometry design.
Electrically conductive epoxy/polyaniline composite fabrication and characterization for electronic applications
Authors: Rashid Iqra A , Tariq Asra , Shakir HM Fayzan , Afzal Ayesha , Ali Fahad , Abuzar Muhammad , Haider Toseeq
Published: June 2021

This study reports on the electrical conductivity, dielectric, and electromagnetic interferenc (EMI) shielding properties of conductive epoxy/PAni blend containing various concentrations. Polyaniline (PAni) was synthesized using oxidative chemical polymerization technique and then dispersed into epoxy resin using a sonication bath. Infrared spectra confirm the curing of composites. Increasing the aspect ratio of PAni in epoxy increased the electrical conductivity and improves the microwave absorption properties of composites in the microwave range (0.1 GHz–20 GHz). Electrical conductivity was measured by using the four-probe method, and the maximum conductivity of the composite was achieved 3.51 × 10−13 Scm−1 with 30 wt% of PAni. The maximum porosity of the composite with 30 wt% of PAni was 15.5%. EMI shielding was measured by a vector network analyzer (VNA) in the microwave region (0.1 GHz–20 GHz), which gives the maximum value of 63 dB. IR shielding was measured by IR spectroscopy and less than 0.5% transmission was observed in NIR (700 nm–2500 nm) region. The average particle size of PAni is found to be 113 nm. These composites were used as a potential candidate for conductive coatings, EMI shielding purposes, and electronic applications.
The PALliative MUlticenter Study in Intensive Care (PalMuSIC). Results From a Multicenter Study Addressing Frailty and Palliative Care Interventions in Intensive Care Units in Portugal
Authors: Correia Iuri , Simas Ângela , Chaves Susana , Paixão Ana Isabel , Catarino Ana , Gonçalves-Pereira João
Published: June 2021

Objective: Frailty is a clinically recognizable state of increased vulnerability common in critical medicine. When underrecognized, it may lead to invasive treatments that do not serve the patients’ best interest. Our aim was to evaluate the use of both palliative care consultation and invasive interventions in frail patients admitted to Intensive Care Units in Portugal. Methods: This was a prospective, observational study. All consecutive adult patients admitted for more than 24 h, over a 15-day period were enrolled. Twenty-three Portuguese Intensive Care Units were included. Informed consent was obtained from all patients or their surrogate. The doctor and nurse in charge calculated the Clinical Frailty Score as well as the reference family member Results: A total of 335 patients were included in the study (66% male). Mean age was 63.2 ± 16.8 and SAPS II score was 41.8 ± 17.4. Mean Clinical Frailty Score value was 3.5 ± 1.7. Frailty prevalence (mean score ≥ 5) was 20.9%. Frail patients were offered organ support therapy (64,3% invasive mechanical ventilation; 24,3% renal replacement therapy; 67,1% vasopressors) more often than non-frail patients. Nevertheless, limitation of therapeutic effort or a do not resuscitate order (p < 0.001) were more common in frail patients. Mortality rate by 6 months was higher among frail patients (50% vs. 32.3%, p < 0.001). Palliative Care was offered to only 15% of frail patients (3.9% overall). Conclusions: The authors suggest that palliative care should be universally consulted once frailty is identified in critical patients.
Protect the nurse, protect the practice: Effective communication is the foundation for keeping nurses safe
Authors: Collins Rhonda
Published: June 2021

Every year around Nurses Week, Dr. Rhonda Collins, DNP, RN, FAAN, Chief Nursing Officer for Vocera Communications, publishes a report examining important issues that impact the nursing profession worldwide. Her 2021 CNO report examines how the COVID-19 pandemic put a spotlight on the realities of the nursing profession and how the lack of resources, infrastructure, and policies impact nurses’ work and lives. Dr. Collins addresses the toll of mental, emotional, and physical fatigue and outlines steps to help leaders create environments that protect the well-being of nurses and their patients. Dr. Collins closes the report by asking nurses to participate in a study to measure the mental, emotional, and physical burden nurses experience during communication. The study will use the NASA Task Load Index, a tool that has been used to measure the task load of workers in high-intensity jobs, such as pilots and air traffic controllers. The objective is to gain insight and a body of knowledge toward reducing nurses’ cognitive burden going forward.
Antimicrobial materials produced by incorporating copper acetate into ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer for its use in personal care and cosmetic packaging
Authors: Paillot Pierrick , Farhat Wissam , Becquart Frédéric , Jegat Corinne , Taha Mohamed
Published: June 2021

Currently, there is a great demand for functional materials with effective pathogen-killing properties. In this research, we describe the use of green technology “reactive extrusion” for the synthesis of potent antimicrobial materials based on Ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH). Herein, the antimicrobial agent, copper (II) acetate was used without pretreatment and introduced into the EVOH matrices at high temperatures. The thermal reaction of copper (II) acetate within the EVOH matrices and their effect on the thermal and thermomechanical properties of the polymer were investigated in regards to their concentration. The physicochemical, thermal, and rheological features, as well as, metal salt release kinetics were reported. The antimicrobial agent had significant effects on the properties of the matrix. Results showed a reduction in the glass transition temperatures and storage modulus of the materials in response to the incorporation of copper (II) acetate. Finally, the antimicrobial activity of the products was studied and demonstrated a possibility to create antimicrobial materials in a one-step, solvent-free extrusion process.
Hospital Pharmacy Response to Covid-19 Pandemic in Italy: What We Learned From the First Outbreak Wave
Authors: Damuzzo Vera , Bertin Riccardo , Mengato Daniele , Chiumente Marco , Rivano Melania , Palozzo Angelo Claudio
Published: June 2021

Background:

When COVID-19 pandemic started, Italian hospital pharmacists faced multiple challenges and change their work practices.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to describe the impact of COVID-19 emergency on pharmaceutical care provided by pharmacists during the first wave of the pandemic. Issues related to pharmacist’s involvement in the pandemic management were: changes in activities, support received by authorities and pharmacists’ own perceived role in the Health System.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study based on a web survey was conducted between May and June 2020 collecting information from pharmacists, members of Italian Society of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics. 113 (11.4%) completed the questionnaire. The cohort was divided in 2 arms: pharmacists who worked in severely COVID-19 affected areas (High Spread Regions) and those employed in less affected areas (Low Spread Regions).

Results:

The changes in pharmacy work settings reflected the increase of logistics area and non-sterile clinical galenic, and reduction of clinical tasks. The most demanding challenge was referred to shortages of medical devices and drugs, 61/113 pharmacists reported difficulty in obtaining products compliant to quality standards. National Institutions and Regional Governments provided a greater perceived support. More than 50% of participants felt that their role did not change if compared to other health professionals.

Conclusions:

Despite some limitations related to their clinical activity, pharmacists played a crucial role in supplying personal protective equipment, medical devices and medications to improve health outcomes during this emergency. The results may guide pharmacists in future actions to improve the management of the pandemic.
Working Hard for the Ones You Love and Care for Under Covid-19 Physical Distancing
Authors: Vermeerbergen Lander , Pulignano Valeria , Domecka Markieta , Jansens Marieke
Published: June 2021

In 2020, Covid-19 was spreading quickly in nursing homes, leading to numerous challenges for care workers. We tell the story of Marieke, a devoted female care assistant working in a Belgian nursing home that is customer-centred in their organisational model. Her narrative provides poignant insights into the ‘work and life’ struggles and conflicts of a female care assistant facing the challenges of this model during the Covid-19 pandemic, which has left the largely female care workforce widely exposed to the risk of work intensification and over-involvement with residents, especially in a context of liberalisation and privatisation of care. In the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic, this model led to Marieke facing the unprecedented fear of endangering her own life and the lives of those she loves. In this article, she reflects on her work and family life under the strain of ensuring physical distancing in a nursing home.
Effect of crack on free vibration of a pre-stressed curved plate
Authors: Gonenli Can , Ozturk Hasan , Das Oguzhan
Published: June 2021

In this study, the effect of crack on free vibration of a large deflected cantilever plate, which forms the case of a pre-stressed curved plate, is investigated. A distributed load is applied at the free edge of a thin cantilever plate. Then, the loading edge of the deflected plate is fixed to obtain a pre-stressed curved plate. The large deflection equation provides the non - linear deflection curve of the large deflected flexible plate. The thin curved plate is modeled by using the finite element method with a four-node quadrilateral element. Three different aspect ratios are used to examine the effect of crack. The effect of crack and its location on the natural frequency parameter is given in tables and graphs. Also, the natural frequency parameters of the present model are compared with the finite element software results to verify the reliability and validity of the present model. This study shows that the different mode shapes are occurred due to the change of load parameter, and these different mode shapes cause a change in the effect of crack.
Reflections on an application of realism in psychology
Authors: Chirkov Valery
Published: June 2021

This comment on “Scientific Realism and the Issue of Variability in Behavior” (Arocha, 2021) succinctly summarizes the features of the positivist background that are found in the standard model of research implemented in psychology; moreover, this comment emphasizes that this model is unable to move the psychological sciences toward discoveries. Arocha (2021) put the realist paradigm forward as an alternative for psychology researchers. This paradigm changes the ontological, epistemological, and methodological assumptions of psychological sciences. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of the sociocultural and mental mechanisms of psychological functioning. The comment concludes with an outline of some objectives of realist psychological research.
Being realist(ic) about behavioral variability
Authors: Oude Maatman Freek , Olthof Merlijn , Hasselman Fred
Published: June 2021

Though we concur with the conclusions of the target article by Arocha (2021), in this commentary, we argue that his critiques of psychology’s standard research practices are not grounded in his scientific realism but in a (tacit) realistic theory about human behavioral variability. Then, we argue that both this tacit theory and his recommendations are already encompassed by the complex systems approach to psychology. We conclude that, taken together, these arguments strengthen Arocha’s conclusion and recommendations.
On Simpson’s paradox: To remain or not to remain a population-based science
Authors: Oppong Seth
Published: June 2021

In this article, I critically reflect on J. F. Arocha’s (2021) contention that psychologists need to use methods and tools that are suitable for data analysis at the individual level. First, I discuss the beleaguered nature of the philosophical underpinnings of the standard practices in psychological research. Of the five assumptions he presented, the aggregate assumption results in Simpson’s paradox, a form of ecological fallacy. While the other assumptions need urgent attention, the proposals Arocha makes for addressing the aggregate assumption are still unsettled in many ways. I show that while perceptual control theory informed by the Aristotelian concept of final cause or telos allows for embracing variability as a psychological fact of human behaviour, one cannot say the same for his recommendation for the use of observation-oriented modelling (OOM) to address the aggregate assumption or to circumvent Simpson’s paradox.
Problematic research practices in psychology: Misconceptions about data collection entail serious fallacies in data analysis
Authors: Uher Jana
Published: June 2021

Given persistent problems (e.g., replicability), psychological research is increasingly scrutinised. Arocha (2021) critically analyses epistemological problems of positivism and the common population-level statistics, which follow Galtonian instead of Wundtian nomothetic methodologies and therefore cannot explore individual-level structures and processes. Like most critics, however, he focuses on only data analyses. But the challenges of psychological data generation are still hardly explored—especially the necessity to distinguish the study phenomena from the means to explore them (e.g., concepts, terms, methods). Widespread fallacies and insufficient consideration of the epistemological, theoretical, and methodological foundations of data generation—institutionalised in psychological jargon and the popular rating scale methods—entail serious problems in data analysis that are still largely overlooked, even in most proposals for improvements.
The trees and the forest: Investigating variability surrounding an aggregate result
Authors: De Boeck Paul , DeKay Michael L. , Gore L. Robert , Jeon Minjeong
Published: June 2021

We agree with Arocha that the common and exclusive focus on aggregate results of psychological studies creates problems. While a paradigm shift toward idiographic approaches or control theory might help, we argue that traditional approaches can accomplish more if measures of variability are taken seriously. We discuss three kinds of studies: within-person treatment studies, questionnaire-based studies, and replication studies. For each of these, we suggest ways to improve psychological meaningfulness by investigating variability surrounding aggregate results, without ending up in an either–or choice between aggregate results and separate, individual results.
Children’s Reputation Management: Learning to Identify What Is Socially Valued and Acting Upon It
Authors: Heyman Gail D. , Compton Alison M. , Amemiya Jamie , Ahn Sohee , Shao Shuai
Published: June 2021

Much of what people do is motivated by a concern with social evaluation. We argue that the process of figuring out what others value and making effective use of this information presents significant cognitive challenges. These challenges include reasoning about the relevance of different forms of information and making inferences about the mental lives of others. They also include modifying one’s behavior in light of whatever personal qualities appear to be valued in an effort to appeal to different audiences. We argue that the foundations of many of the important skills needed to meet these challenges are already in place early during childhood, but that the challenges themselves persist well into adulthood.
Tokenizing and Articulating Protection of Women in Migration Law: Strategies of Exclusion in Contemporary Europe and the Nineteenth-Century USA
Authors: Stybnarova Nicole
Published: June 2021

This article investigates continuities in migration law-making that claims to aim at protecting women but in effect is a tokenist strategy excluding non-Western female migrants. It shows that despite developments in the legal recognition of women’s equality, present restrictions on family reunification in Western Europe, illustrated through the EU and Danish migration laws, echo law-making in the late 19th-century US, exemplified in the process of adopting the Page Act, which also introduced stricter rules for female migrants under the stated objective of protecting women. Using the social theory of articulation, the article demonstrates how legislators continuously articulate and rearticulate the wellbeing of migrant women to legitimize discriminatory migration rules regardless of how highly women’s rights are respected in law and society. The article contributes to previous feminist scholarship in migration law by showing the continuity and intentionality of the articulative practices in law-making directed at migrant women.
Expecting the exceptional in the everyday: Policing global transportation hubs
Authors: Nøkleberg Martin
Published: June 2021

There has been considerable scholarly interest regarding the notion of exceptionality, i.e. how and under what conditions extraordinary powers and measures are justified in the name of security. Exceptional threats are now omnipresent in the security discourse of the aviation and maritime industries, and this influences the everyday working environment. Taking Norwegian airport and port security as its point of departure, this article analyzes how security and policing agencies perceive, experience, and respond to the exceptional as part of their everyday practice. Drawing on extensive interview material with security agencies, it reveals how agencies construct strategies to cope with the consequences of exceptionality that arise from heightened (in)security and vulnerability. This article demonstrates that instrumental logic in risk management is one crucial strategy, but evidence also reveals the importance of the human dimension in security practices, as the emotional aspect of security consciousness is a part of the everyday life of security agencies. Closely associated with this is the emergence of mechanisms of active resistance that provide excitement and alleviate boredom.
Tobacco Use and Alcohol Consumption Among College Students: A Behavioural Study in Belagavi City, Karnataka
Authors: Shriprasad H. , Kallihal K.G.
Published: June 2021

Tobacco and alcohol consumption is a major social problem and public health issue worldwide. A review of literature on the studies of tobacco and alcohol consumption among the students across the country reveals that there is considerable prevalence among boys and girls. In this context, a cross-sectional study was conducted on tobacco use and alcohol consumption among college-going students in Belagavi corporation area in Karnataka. The study found that, as a whole, 70%–80% of all students know the harmful health effect of different forms of abuses. Among the three abuses, alcohol ever users are the highest, followed by people smoking tobacco and smokeless tobacco. The ever users of smoking tobacco are almost four times higher among males than females. The age group comprising 16–20 years is a very sensitive age group for initiating smoking and alcohol consumption. Interestingly though students had their first experience for the first time with their friends; their own curiosity was the prime cause to set off any habit. The current users of alcohol (7.2%) were higher than the current users of smoking tobacco (4.7%) and smokeless tobacco (0.37%). The daily users of smoking tobacco and alcohol were 0.87% and 1.8%, respectively. Further, occasional users of smoking tobacco were three times higher than daily users, and occasional users of alcohol were almost four times higher than daily users. None of the students were daily users of smokeless tobacco. The 19–22-year age group and those staying outside home were more vulnerable towards getting into this habit. Therefore, policy intervention is required to this age group. Friends’ assistance is the single largest source to seek advice to quit from any abuse, while least assistance is taken by the professionals. This finding of the study has some critical implication for policy priority at the institutional level. This really calls for the more roles of professional counsellors to address the problem. As a whole, any single solution is not enough, however. Both exogenous and endogenous approaches are required for behavioural changes of youth.
Challenges Encountered by Healthcare Providers in COVID-19 Times: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Sengupta Mitali , Roy Arijit , Ganguly Arnab , Baishya Kuldeep , Chakrabarti Satyajit , Mukhopadhyay Indraneel
Published: June 2021

Healthcare establishments are unique and complex. The Indian healthcare system comprises of public and private healthcare establishments. Different challenges are encountered by the healthcare professionals in their daily operations. The sudden emergence of COVID-19 posed a new threat to the already burdened healthcare system. The pandemic changed the healthcare paradox with newer workplace and societal challenges faced by the healthcare personnel. The purpose of this study is to identify the antecedents of workplace and societal challenges faced by the healthcare personnel.

Our study conducted in Kolkata and other adjoining areas of West Bengal included respondents who volunteered for individual in-depth interviews. The sample size was kept at n = 20 after due technical considerations. Freelisting and pile sorting was done to generate clusters.

The qualitative study identified five constructs with 18 items under workplace challenges and three constructs with five items under societal/community challenges. Workplace challenges included resource availability, adequacy and allocation, financial issues, perceived managerial ineffectiveness, inconsistent guidelines and perceived occupational stress, while societal/community challenges included dread disease, social adaptiveness and challenges related to essential services. A salience threshold was established and the multidimensional scaling provided four major clusters: financial support and sustainability, adaptive resilience, infection risk mitigation and healthcare facility preparedness.

Suggestive actions for the identified challenges were summed as enhanced production of diagnostic kits through public–private partnership models and industrial production reforms. Enhanced testing facility for COVID-19 will help to identify new cases. Financial stresses need long-term sustainable alternative that will avoid pay cuts and unemployment. Treatment regimen, diagnostic protocols, waste disposal guidelines should be worked upon and leading national agencies be consulted for technical support, research and development.
Clinical depression: the fault not in our stars?
Authors: Parker Gordon
Published: June 2021

Objective:

To consider how a mental health professional might respond to a newly diagnosed depressed patient who inquires into its potential genetic origins and whether they might pass depression on to their children.

Methods:

Data are provided on risk and pursuit of genetic pathways.

Results:

As most studies have focussed on DSM-defined major depression – and which is not an entity – no definitive data are available, while there are some few studies indicating a greater genetic risk in those with melancholic than those with non-melancholic depression.

Conclusion:

We will not know the genetic contribution to clinical depression unless its key sub-types are evaluated as separate conditions. Findings may assist a clinician’s response to an inquiring patient.
Morphometric Variations and Growth Analysis of the Side Face Profiles of Chinese Children
Authors: Li Haijun , Chen Huimin , Liu Liming , Zhao Yujie
Published: June 2021

Objective:

We aim to use geometric morphometric methods to analyze the contours of the side face profile and its variations in 116 children in Hunan province, China, in order to reveal common morphological features and growth of the side face profiles of Chinese children.

Design:

We photographed the side faces with consistent standardized procedures. Thirty-seven landmarks were recorded, which comprehensively reflected the facial sagittal plane. The collection of coordinate data regarding landmarks was conducted by tpsDig software. Other analyses, such as average shape analysis, principal component analysis, variations analysis, and allometric analysis, were conducted using tpsRelw and tpsRegr.

Result:

Based on the 37 landmarks, principal component analysis was used on the profiles of boys and girls. The result shows that PC1 and PC2 account for 35.46% and 27.44% of the side face contour variations, respectively. There is no significant difference in the side profiles of boys and girls. Overlapping distributions between the boys and girls occurred. A significant difference occurs when principal component analysis was used on the side profiles of children and adults.

Conclusions:

There is a significant difference in the side face profiles between adult males and females. Adult males have a higher brow (the 8th landmark) than females, and adult females have a more curved forehead. However, the side face profiles of boys and girls around 10 years of age are generally similar, which suggests that the significant difference in side face profiles between adult males and females may be formed after the age of 10. This study is of great significance for both orthodontists and pediatricians to use different norms for kids and adults and different norms for males and females for each of those age groups.
Humble Leader Behavior and Its Effects on Performance at the Team and Individual Level: A Multi-Perspective Study
Authors: Liu Shengming , Lucy Liu Xin , Wang Hui , Wang Ying
Published: June 2021

Drawing upon social information processing theory, this study builds a multilevel model to explore the effects of humble leader behavior on performance in teams. Time-lagged and multi-source data were gathered from 298 employees across 70 work teams. Results indicated that at the individual level, humble leader behavior was positively related to individual performance via organization-based self-esteem, while at the team level, humble leader behavior was positively related to team performance via team potency. Moreover, team cognitive diversity moderated the indirect effects of humble leader behavior on individual and team performances, such that the positive indirect effects were stronger for teams with high cognitive diversity than for those with low cognitive diversity. Implications and limitations are also discussed.
Gender Disparities in Concerns of Cancer Research Participation During COVID-19 Climate
Authors: Magni Francesco , Jhala Meenakshi , Harky Amer
Published: June 2021

The unprecedented threat of COVID-19 has taken its toll on the field of cancer research, with trial accrual rates seeing a sharp decline since the beginning of the pandemic. Recent evidence has suggested that decreased participation appears to be more pronounced in women than men, which raises concerns about an exacerbation of gender bias in research. The following manuscript is a commentary article to the recent study by Fox et al, who aimed at investigating the concerns of patients with regard to participating to cancer research, as well as examining potential gender disparities within their sample population. We provide a brief critique of their work, especially focusing on important limitations concerning sample size and under-representation of ethnic minority groups, before discussing their findings in light of current literature on gender differences in anxiety and risk perception, how this might be interpreted in the context of the current pandemic, and its impact on participation in cancer research. We present multiple lines of evidence which support the idea that women might experience greater anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic which could have a significant impact on cancer research participation and consequently the external validity of studies in the field. The first attempts to tackle these challenges have shown promise, but further research is required to perfect this process and target those groups who are at greatest need of intervention.