bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deterministic Rapid Intensity Forecast Guidance for the Joint Typhoon Warning Center’s Area of Responsibility
Authors: Sampson C. R. , Knaff J. A. , Slocum C. J. , Onderlinde M. J. , Brammer A. , Frost M. , Strahl B.
Published: September 2023

Intensity consensus forecasts can provide skillful overall guidance for intensity forecasting at the Joint Typhoon Warning Center as they provide among the lowest mean absolute errors; however, these forecasts are far less useful for periods of rapid intensification (RI) as guidance provided is generally low biased. One way to address this issue is to construct a consensus that also includes deterministic RI forecast guidance in order to increase intensification rates during RI. While this approach increases skill and eliminates some bias, consensus forecasts from this approach generally remain low biased during RI events. Another approach is to construct a consensus forecast using an equally weighted average of deterministic RI forecasts. This yields a forecast that is generally among the top performing RI guidance, but suffers from false alarms and a high bias due to those false alarms. Neither approach described here is a prescription for forecast success, but both have qualities that merit consideration for operational centers tasked with the difficult task of RI prediction.

Significance Statement

Forecasters at the Joint Typhoon Warning Center are required to make intensity forecasts every watch. Skillful guidance is available to make these forecasts, yielding lower mean absolute errors and biases; however, errors are higher for tropical cyclones either undergoing rapid intensification or with the potential to do so. This effort is an attempt to mitigate higher errors associated with rapid intensification forecasts using existing guidance and consensus techniques. Resultant rapid intensification guidance can be used to reduce operational forecast intensity forecast errors and provide advanced warning to customers for these difficult cases.
Application of Optical Photothermal Infrared (O-PTIR) Spectroscopy for Assessment of Bone Composition at the Submicron Scale
Authors: Reiner Emily , Weston Frank , Pleshko Nancy , Querido William
Published: September 2023

The molecular basis of bone structure and strength is mineralized collagen fibrils at the submicron scale (∼500 nm). Recent advances in optical photothermal infrared (O-PTIR) spectroscopy allow the investigation of bone composition with unprecedented submicron spatial resolution, which may provide new insights into factors contributing to underlying bone function. Here, we investigated (i) whether O-PTIR-derived spectral parameters correlated to standard attenuated total reflection (ATR) Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectral data and (ii) whether O-PTIR-derived spectral parameters, including heterogeneity of tissue, contribute to the prediction of proximal femoral bone stiffness. Analysis of serially demineralized bone powders showed a significant correlation ( r = 0.96) between mineral content quantified using ATR and O-PTIR spectroscopy, indicating the validity of this technique in assessing bone mineralization. Using femoral neck sections, the principal component analysis showed that differences between O-PTIR and ATR spectra were primarily attributable to the phosphate ion (PO4) absorbance band, which was typically shifter toward higher wavenumbers in O-PTIR spectra. Additionally, significant correlations were found between hydrogen phosphate (HPO4) content ( r = 0.75) and carbonate (CO3) content ( r = 0.66) quantified using ATR and O-PTIR spectroscopy, strengthening the validity of this method to assess bone mineral composition. O-PTIR imaging of individual trabeculae at 500 nm pixel resolution illustrated differences in submicron composition in the femoral neck from bones with different stiffness. O-PTIR analysis showed a significant negative correlation ( r = –0.71) between bone stiffness and mineral maturity, reflective of newly formed bone being an important contributor to bone function. Finally, partial least squares regression analysis showed that combining multiple O-PTIR parameters (HPO4 content and heterogeneity, collagen integrity, and CO3 content) could significantly predict proximal femoral stiffness ( R2 = 0.74, error = 9.7%) more accurately than using ATR parameters. Additionally, we describe new findings in the effects of bone tissue orientation in the O-PTIR spectra. Overall, this study highlights a new application of O-PTIR spectroscopy that may provide new insights into molecular-level factors underlying bone mechanical competence.
Predicting Chinese Adolescents’ Depressive Symptoms from Their Cultural Orientations and Perceived Parental Psychological Control
Authors: Klettner Annelise M. , Luo Shanhong , White Tyler D. , Elkin Talia B. , Hersey Grace C. , Wu Hao
Published: September 2023

Research on adolescents across cultures has suggested a positive link between parental psychological control and adolescent depression. While a few studies have examined psychological outcomes of adolescents in collectivist groups compared to individualist groups, much less is known about the role of cultural orientations in the parental control-depression link at the individual level. The current study examined: (1) both mother and father psychological control as predictors of depressive symptoms in Chinese adolescents, (2) adolescents’ cultural orientations of individualism and collectivism as predictors of their depressive symptoms, and (3) the moderating effects of adolescents’ cultural orientations on the association between parental control and depressive symptoms. The sample included 3255 adolescents located in southern China. Adolescents reported on their orientations of individualism and collectivism, perceived mothers’ and fathers’ psychological control, and their depressive symptoms. Analyses revealed that both mother and father psychological control as well as adolescents’ individualism were positive predictors of adolescent depressive symptoms, whereas collectivism was a negative predictor of depressive symptoms. Furthermore, the results indicated that cultural orientations had weak moderating effects on the link between parental control and adolescent depressive symptoms. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
After the pain: A sermon on John 20:19–20
Authors: Agard Latonya Latrice
Published: September 2023

In the Gospel of John, readers encounter a community of believers who gather behind locked doors even after they have heard Jesus is alive. What can one make of their actions? Why are they not rejoicing, spreading the good news? Something is amiss. Jesus is alive, but the disciples are terrified and appear uncertain about what to do next. Using a trauma-informed hermeneutic, I interpret the actions, words, and apparent mood of the disciples in John 20: 19–20 as symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Jesus’s visible scars testify to his pain and prove that the person in the room is the same person who hung on the cross. In a similar vein, the scars, visible and invisible, of trauma survivors tell stories of unimaginable horror. Many people who survive traumatic events manage to integrate their experiences without prolonged injury to their mental health. For others, however, this is not the case. Fragmentation, not integration, characterizes their post-trauma narratives. Is there any escape for those who live in this prison? For John, the answer, the healing, is in the Risen One. Ultimately, Jesus’s scars speak life and bring hope to a community haunted by loss.
Integration of Gamified Elements and Learning Style Data in Online Learning System
Authors: Shrestha Sushil , Joshi Manish , Bashyal Aakash , Timilsina Arun , Subedi Sushant
Published: September 2023

The increase in usage of Online Learning systems has provided a challenge to deliver e-contents based on user needs. This study uses learning style data to determine the learning profile and provide the content based on the user's needs, whereas gamified elements are used to increase user engagement. The combination of these two approaches would eventually increase the overall user motivation and interest in the platform. The model developed is used to predict the Learning Style (LS) preference by analyzing the activity data obtained from the student interaction in the course. Further, clustering is done to determine the LS preference of the user in the system. Content is designed based on user's learning styles and preferences and uploaded to the platform. Data were collected through surveys after the end of the course to measure students’ perception of the three variables: motivation, learning satisfaction, and learning outcomes. The findings from the study suggest that the students showed high motivation, positive learning outcomes, and satisfaction with the developed contents.
An Overview of Nonclinical and Clinical Liver Toxicity Associated With AAV Gene Therapy
Authors: Whiteley Laurence O.
Published: September 2023

This article reviews the presentation given at the 2023 annual meeting of the Society of Toxicologic Pathology (STP) on liver toxicity observed with adeno-associated viral vector (AAV) gene therapy. After decades as a therapeutic modality largely confined to the academic research environment, gene therapy has emerged in recent years as a rapidly expanding therapeutic approach in the biopharmaceutical industry with AAV as the most commonly used viral vector for gene delivery. This interest in the field of gene therapy by industry has been enhanced by the recent success of approved therapies for curing genetic diseases such as ZOLGENSMA for spinal muscular atrophy and LUXTURNA for Leber congenital amaurosis. However, recently reported clinical and nonclinical toxicities highlight the challenges in safely developing AAV gene therapies that require high dose systemic administration. The presentation reviewed general attributes of AAV as a gene therapy vector, clinical and nonclinical liver toxicity associated with AAV gene therapy and the potential for a multimodal immune suppression strategy that may mitigate toxicities.
Promotional Effects of Recorded Music and Superstars on Concert Financial Outcomes
Authors: Hogue Eric
Published: September 2023

Using a comprehensive data set of hand-collected observations of top touring performing artists, I examine the complementary relationship between recorded music and concert financial outcomes. I find that music streaming derives substantive financial benefit to the top 100 touring artists as a means to promote their live performances. Using empirical estimates from a panel model with artist fixed effects, an artist can derive an incremental $46K to $49K per show when achieving a 20% increase in music streaming. Additionally, using a 2SLS model with artist fixed effects to account for potential endogenous promotional effects, I identify top performers (or ‘superstars’) who derive significant additional concert revenue because of their back catalogue of hit songs. These top performers earn an incremental $15K per show for every week they have a song from their catalogue in the Billboard Top 20. These findings indicate that artists can use their legacy to build lifelong earnings from their music and performances.

JEL Classifications: D12, D22, L82, Z10
Improved thermal and mechanical properties of water-blown rigid polyurethane foams synthesized with renewable castor oil and toluene diisocyanate-based trifunctional polyols
Authors: Srinivasan Vennila , Vasam Sumalatha , Govindarajan Sankar
Published: September 2023

In this work, glycerol was chemically modified into novel toluene diisocyanate (TDI) based trifunctional polyol (NTP) by a two step process, involving the reaction of TDI with glycerol to form an isocyanate-terminated pre-polymer, followed by the reaction with glycol. A thermal and mechanical property of water-blown rigid polyurethane foam (WB-PUF) was enhanced by the partial substitution (30 & 50 wt%) of castor oil with glycerol or synthesized NTP. The effects of glycerol content and NTP on the WB-PUF properties were investigated using various characterization techniques including ATR-FTIR, TGA, SEM, compression test, and Shore-A hardness test. Notably, the introduction of NTP substitution into the formulation of WB-PUF foams had beneficial impact on the structure of materials enhancing foam density from 77 kg/m3 to 117 kg/m3 and also exhibited superior thermal and mechanical properties compared to those with glycerol and unmodified foams. Shore A hardness and compression strength of those foams ranged from 50 to 69.5 °Sh A and 1.88-3.28 MPa, respectively. These findings suggest potential applications of the modified WB-PUF in areas such as rigid tissue engineering.
Lived experiences of students with blindness learning and using Braille at Haramaya University in Ethiopia
Authors: Kana Fituma Yadasa , Golga Dawit Negassa
Published: September 2023

This study focuses on the lived experiences of students with blindness in learning and using Braille for academic purposes at Haramaya University, Ethiopia. A descriptive phenomenology design was employed, and eight students with blindness were purposefully selected to be the sample for this study. Data were collected using substantive interviews. A digital audio recorder was used to capture the voices of respondents. The data were translated into English using Google Docs and Google Translate (supported by VB audio virtual cable). Then, the data were coded, themed, and analyzed using QDA Miner Lite software. Thematic analysis was used to analyze collected data. There are three main themes and seven subthemes among students with blindness based on their actual experiences learning and using Braille for academic purposes. These are characteristics of blind students who have learned Braille and are using it for learning; contributing factors for knowing Braille and using it; benefits of using Braille; impacts of knowing but not using Braille for academic purposes; reasons for knowing but not using it for learning; factors influencing not learning using Braille; and characteristics of blind students who did not know Braille. The practical intersections of students with blindness knowledge of Braille and their use of it for academic purposes influence their lived experiences. The study encourages and advises administrators of academic programs, curriculum and software developers, and policymakers, including practitioners, to consider Braille interpretation service issues to increase participation and meet the needs of students with blindness during teaching–learning programs in the study area.
Similarity between structural and proxy estimates of brain connectivity
Authors: Lizarraga Aldana , Ripp Isabelle , Sala Arianna , Shi Kuangyu , Düring Marco , Koch Kathrin , Yakushev Igor
Published: September 2023

Functional magnetic resonance and diffusion weighted imaging have so far made a major contribution to delineation of the brain connectome at the macroscale. While functional connectivity (FC) was shown to be related to structural connectivity (SC) to a certain degree, their spatial overlap is unknown. Even less clear are relations of SC with estimates of connectivity from inter-subject covariance of regional F18-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake (FDGcov) and grey matter volume (GMVcov). Here, we asked to what extent SC underlies three proxy estimates of brain connectivity: FC, FDGcov and GMVcov. Simultaneous PET/MR acquisitions were performed in 56 healthy middle-aged individuals. Similarity between four networks was assessed using Spearman correlation and convergence ratio (CR), a measure of spatial overlap. Spearman correlation coefficient was 0.27 for SC-FC, 0.40 for SC-FDGcov, and 0.15 for SC-GMVcov. Mean CRs were 51% for SC-FC, 48% for SC-FDGcov, and 37% for SC-GMVcov. These results proved to be reproducible and robust against image processing steps. In sum, we found a relevant similarity of SC with FC and FDGcov, while GMVcov consistently showed the weakest similarity. These findings indicate that white matter tracts underlie FDGcov to a similar degree as FC, supporting FDGcov as estimate of functional brain connectivity.
Positive Liberty, Negative Liberty, and Marketing Regulations: A Holistic Analysis
Authors: Yan Tony , Hyman Michael R.
Published: September 2023

Marketing regulations are warranted when unfettered marketing practices compromise many people's positive and negative liberties. We elucidate these liberties’ multifaceted but interdependent connotations for societally justified marketing regulations from a novel framework integrating the social sciences, philosophy, history, and marketing. The limitations of unbalanced or less represented market or government regulation notwithstanding, overcoming marketing imbalances and enhancing personal and societal liberties via pluralistic, well-designed, enforceable, and multilateral regulations can advance a pluralistic democracy's diverse market-related interests. By informing companies and consumers about societally responsible liberties, well-regulated marketing can spur common goods creation.
Kernel-GPA: A globally optimal solution to deformable SLAM in closed-form
Authors: Bai Fang , Wu Kanzhi , Bartoli Adrien
Published: September 2023

We study the generalized Procrustes analysis (GPA), as a minimal formulation to the simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) problem. We propose Kernel-GPA, a novel global registration technique to solve SLAM in the deformable environment. We propose the concept of deformable transformation which encodes the entangled pose and deformation. We define deformable transformations using a kernel method and show that both the deformable transformations and the environment map can be solved globally in closed-form, up to global scale ambiguities. We solve the scale ambiguities by an optimization formulation that maximizes rigidity. We demonstrate Kernel-GPA using the Gaussian kernel and validate the superiority of Kernel-GPA with various datasets. Code and data are available at https://bitbucket.org/FangBai/deformableprocrustes .
Relapse of lupus nephritis induced by nivolumab in an 84-year-old patient with oral cancer: a case report
Authors: Zhou Zhou , Zhang Qiankun , Wang Xinbin
Published: September 2023

Various immunity-related adverse events have been reported to be associated with the inhibition of programmed cell death receptor 1. We report a rare case of a relapse of lupus nephritis (LN), involving rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, which was induced by nivolumab treatment in a patient with oral cancer. The patient had a history of systemic lupus erythematosus and underwent treatment with steroids, rituximab, and plasmapheresis. However, her renal function did not improve, and she died of multiple organ failure. To our knowledge, this is the first description of severe LN induced by nivolumab.
The role of product quality cues in firm performance: Evidence from the U.S. auto industry
Authors: Kim Soo Jung , Yeo Yun Dong
Published: September 2023

The current study highlights the importance of cues for quality at the product level on firm performance. Utilizing data from the U.S. auto industry, our results demonstrate that product cues with the highest positive evaluations have a greater impact on improving firm performance due to their ability to showcase the firm’s utmost capability. We also find that the consistency of the highest-rated product cue over time corroborates the credibility of the signal. Furthermore, our research reveals that the effect of consistency of the highest product cue over time, which enhances firm performance, becomes more pronounced when the auto firm is suffering from a poor reputation. These findings suggest that determining how quality evaluations are distributed across the product line is of paramount importance. This determination may enable firms suffering from a poor reputation to allocate their resources asymmetrically, focusing on products with the highest ratings to enhance their overall performance.
Effect of Critical Factors Influencing Longitudinal Track Resistance Leveraging Field Experimentation
Authors: Dersch Marcus S. , Potvin Max , de O. Lima Arthur , Edwards J. Riley
Published: September 2023

As extreme temperatures increase, there is an increased need to ensure that continuous welded rail (CWR) stresses are more accurately set and better maintained. Therefore, to improve the management of CWR rail stresses and to increase safety through the reduction of buckled track derailments this paper documents the results from a field experimentation program of controlled single rail breaks (SRBs). SRBs were conducted at multiple field site locations to quantify the longitudinal resistance on both timber and concrete sleeper track. Accurate longitudinal resistance values are critical, because if the wrong value is selected, the rail neutral temperature could easily be set to a low value, increasing the probability of a track buckle or rail pull-apart, further compounding the impact of extreme temperatures. The results presented quantify the effect of sleeper and fastener type as well as ballast consolidation, and compare them with relevant results from the literature. From this, it was found that well-maintained concrete sleeper track exhibited a longitudinal resistance greater than the currently recommended value. Further, well-maintained timber sleeper track with anchors on every other sleeper exhibited a longitudinal resistance 44% lower than concrete sleeper track and 30% lower than timber track with anchors installed on every sleeper. Additionally, disturbing the ballast reduced the longitudinal resistance by 15%. Finally, the results indicated that slip was primarily occurring at the rail–sleeper interface for unanchored timber sleepers and at the sleeper–ballast interface for anchored timber sleepers and concrete sleepers.
Effect of admission serum glucose on the clinical prognosis of patients with acute ischemic stroke receiving alteplase intravenous thrombolysis
Authors: Huang Pan , Yi Xingyang
Published: September 2023

Objective: To investigate the effect of admission serum glucose on the clinical prognosis of patients with acute ischemic stroke receiving intravenous alteplase thrombolysis. Methods: Patients with acute ischemic stroke who received intravenous alteplase thrombolysis between January 2016 and December 2017 were enrolled. The clinical prognosis was assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRs) at 90 days after onset. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to investigate whether admission serum glucose was an independent factor in the 90-day prognosis. The predictive value of admission serum glucose for a 90-day poor prognosis was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. All patients were divided into two groups based on admission serum glucose levels: high admission serum glucose (above the cut-off value) and low admission serum glucose (below the cut-off value). The 90-day prognosis of patients with different admission serum glucose was analyzed. Results: A total of 138 patients were enrolled, including 79 males (57.24%), with a mean age of (68 ± 12) years and a median baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of 9 (6 to 13.75). There were 74 cases (53.62%) in the good prognosis group and 64 cases (46.37%) in the poor prognosis group. The results of the univariate analysis indicated that admission serum glucose in the good prognosis group was significantly lower than that in the poor prognosis group [(7.45 ± 2.31) versus (8.80 ± 3.65), p < .05]. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the admission serum glucose level was an independent risk factor for clinical prognosis at 90 days after onset (OR = 1.24, 95% CI:1.01–1.52). ROC curve analysis showed that the cutoff value of admission serum glucose for predicting poor prognosis 90 days after intravenous thrombolytic therapy with alteplase was 6.77 mmol/l AUC (area under curve) 0.623, 95%CI: 0.53–0.72, sensitivity 68.80%, specificity 52.70%. When compared with the admission serum glucose ≥6.77 mmol/l group (83 cases), the 90-day mRS scores in the admission serum glucose <6.77 mmol/l group (55 cases) were lower [3 (1 to 5) scores versus 1 (0 to 3) scores, Z = 2.89, p < .05]. Conclusions: In patients with acute ischemic stroke receiving intravenous alteplase thrombolytic therapy, a higher admission serum glucose level is an independent predictor of adverse neurological outcomes at 90 days postoperatively.
Development and Validation of the Sources of Research Self-Efficacy Scale
Authors: Jones Eli A. , Piontek Justine , Walden Luke C. , Harrell-Williams Leigh M.
Published: September 2023

Research self-efficacy is a key component of college students’ career development. This study’s purpose was to develop and begin to construct a validity argument for scores from the Sources of Research Self-Efficacy (SRSE) scale in college students. We explored validity evidence for SRSE scores from 719 undergraduate and graduate students based on test content, response processes, internal structure, relations to related variables, and consequences of testing. We present evidence from our development process for test content and response processes. Our statistical analyses suggest that a 20-item four-factor model is appropriate, with subscales representing Mastery Experiences, Vicarious Experiences, Social Persuasion, and Negative Emotional States. Subscale scores showed good internal consistency and correlated with both global research self-efficacy and research outcome expectancy scores. The SRSE shows promise as a measure of the various learning experiences that lead to students’ research self-efficacy in university settings.
Effects of fly ash and intumescent flame retardant on thermal, burning, and mechanical properties of polyethylene composites
Authors: Demiryuğuran Fatih , Usta Nazım
Published: September 2023

In this study, fly ash (FA) which mainly consists of SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, MgO, and CaO, was used as a synergistic additive (1–5 wt %) to improve the effectiveness of an intumescent flame retardant (IFR) system (25 wt %) in high density polyethylene (HDPE). IFR system composed of ammonium polyphosphate and pentaerythritol (3/1 ratio), and different amounts of FA were incorporated homogeneously into HDPE. Thermogravimetric analyses and thermal conductivity measurements were performed to determine the thermal properties. Meanwhile, limiting oxygen index, UL 94 vertical burning, and cone calorimetry tests were performed to investigate the fire resistance. Furthermore, the effects of IFR/FA additions on the mechanical properties were determined. The experimental results showed that IFR and IFR/FA additions resulted in early degradation with lower rates, and the residual mass values increased due to the char layers and the FA content. Also, IFR addition increased the thermal conductivity coefficient from 0.451 W/mK to 0.462 W/mK and IFR/FA additions further increased the coefficient up to 0.506 W/mK. Although the sample included only 25 wt % IFR could meet the requirements of UL 94 V-2 with a LOI value of 25.0%, 2, 3 and 4 wt % FA additions satisfied the criteria of UL 94 V-0 with a LOI value of 26.6%. In addition, the cone calorimeter results revealed that the peak heat release rates and total heat released values decreased with IFR (25 wt %) and FA (2, 3, and 4 wt %) additions. Furthermore, CO, CO2, and soot emissions of the composites significantly reduced with respect to HDPE. The NO increased with IFR additions due to the nitrogen content of APP. 25% IFR addition caused decreases in the tensile strength, tensile modulus, and Izod impact strength. However, FA additions slightly enhanced the mechanical properties of HDPE/IFR composite.
The Evolution of Coaching as a Policy Instrument: How a District Engages in Organizational Learning
Authors: Woulfin Sarah L. , Spitzer Natalie
Published: September 2023

Many U.S. school districts now rely on instructional coaching to promote reform. Yet facets of coaching policy remain vague, and there is considerable variation in the structures and practices of coaching. We use longitudinal, qualitative data to analyze changes in instructional coaching, as a capacity building policy instrument, in one mid-sized urban-emergent school district from 2014 to 2019. Applying concepts of organizational learning theory, this paper documents how district leaders designed and implemented three distinct forms of coaching. We argue coaching shifted from a tool for teacher support, to a resource for school improvement, and lastly to a lever for boosting coherence. Further, we demonstrate how particular problems and leaders triggered different degrees of organizational learning on–and changes to–coaching. In sum, the paper explains how a district alters the definitions and structures of instructional coaching. By illuminating how educational leaders tinker with capacity building instruments, this paper contributes to the instructional reform literature and advances the field’s understanding of the evolution of capacity-building instruments.
MDS Plastics: Crafting a Survival Strategy Amidst a Conflict Between Partners
Authors: Bhardwaj Shikha , Sharma Shalini
Published: September 2023

MDS Plastics was a small manufacturing business in partnership, located in Noida and established in 2012. Specializing in the business-to-business space of the fan industry, the company produced plastic components used in fans. The managing director-cum-partner, Bhardwaj, harboured ambitious plans to boost sales and increase profit margins within the next three years. Despite having significant growth aspirations, the company faced an unexpected and unprecedented challenge with the recent global pandemic. The sudden and severe impact of the pandemic shook the internal dynamics among the partners. As tough times hit, conflicts of interest arose among them, resulting in differences of opinion, parallel governance, delayed decision-making and inadequate responses to the evolving business environment. The case sheds light on a conflict of interest among the partners regarding the company’s future business strategy. This conflict surfaced when one of the partners proposed adding a new business head during the crisis and threatened to leave the company if his suggestion was not accepted. This put forth a dilemma—Should the company consider a proposal that could potentially divert its focus and create catastrophic effects amidst a crisis? This case delves into the challenges faced by a growth-stage small business, encompassing existing conflicts of interest among partners, generational differences, survival strategies and crisis management.
Business Presentation Skills: The Twenty-first-century Conundrum
Authors: Trehan Devika , Soni Swati
Published: September 2023

Priyanka’s decision to never take the stage again after receiving harsh feedback on her debut presentation became a hot topic among the first-year students at Excellence School of Management. Professor Mahajan, the course instructor, recognized that this batch was similar to previous ones she had taught. During class presentations, she observed that most students could be divided into two distinct groups. The first group consisted of overly confident students, while the second group comprised individuals who lacked confidence in creating and delivering effective presentations. Professor Mahajan was now faced with two significant challenges. Firstly, she needed to help students understand that an effective presentation was not solely about creating flashy, jargon-filled slides and delivering them flawlessly in English. Secondly, she realized that the students’ misconceptions about presentation skills, which they considered to be undeniable truths, could hinder their progress in learning and practising these skills. Determined to find a swift resolution, Professor Mahajan knew that addressing these issues was crucial for the student’s growth. She understood the importance of building a solid foundation and wanted to dispel the myths surrounding presentation skills without disheartening anyone. Her ultimate goal was to inspire all students to embark on their journey of mastering effective presentation techniques.
ASIO telecommunications interception and data access powers
Authors: Blight Jake
Published: September 2023

Modern mobile phones bear no resemblance to rotary-dial phones of the 1960s. The volume and nature of data extracted from intercepting a ‘telecommunications service’ in today’s online world is fundamentally different to ‘wire-tapping’ a phone conversation. Yet the statutory threshold for ASIO to intercept a telecommunications service has not changed since 1960. There is no statutory requirement to consider privacy or proportionality when issuing ASIO a warrant. The situation is similar for access to telecommunications data (metadata), once just a list of numbers dialled but now a rich source of personal information. This article argues that it is time for the law to change.
Closing the equity gap as we move to the elimination of seclusion: Early results from a national quality improvement project
Authors: Bensemann Clive , Maxwell Deirdre , O’Keeffe Karen , Tresize Lee , Wairama Karl , Keelan Wikepa
Published: September 2023

Objective

Use of seclusion within mental health inpatient facilities is harmful for consumers and staff, but it is still used in many Aotearoa New Zealand and Australian facilities, at higher, inequitable rates for the indigenous populations of both countries. We report early results from a national programme to eliminate seclusion in mental health services in Aotearoa New Zealand, using a bicultural approach to reduce inequity for Māori.

Method

The ‘Zero Seclusion: Safety and dignity for all’ programme, with programme teams nationwide, developed a co-designed bicultural change package combining Māori cultural and Western clinical interventions, incorporating quality improvement methodologies. Outcome measures included seclusion rates, duration, and average number of episodes per person admitted, by ethnicity, with a focus on equity.

Results

Nationally, rates of seclusion for Māori reduced from the 12-month (to August 2019) baseline mean monthly rate of 7.5% to 6.8%, sustained from late 2020 to September 2022. The duration of seclusion for Māori reduced by 33% (4.5 h at baseline to 3.0).

Conclusion

A focus on inequity for Māori in use of seclusion, and a bicultural approach with cultural and clinical interventions, has been associated with a national reduction in rates and duration of seclusion for Māori.
Understanding Adult Hospices Caring for Children in California, 2018-2021
Authors: Davis Heather A. , Weaver Meaghann S. , Torkildson Christy , Lindley Lisa C.
Published: September 2023

In areas where there are absences of pediatric hospice care, adult hospices are often asked to provide hospice care for children. Little is known about these adult hospices. The purpose of our study was to describe the characteristics of adult hospices in California that provided care to children from 2018 to 2021. Using public data from the California Home Health Agencies and Hospice Annual Utilization Report, we conducted a longitudinal, retrospective descriptive study to examine the effects of hospice characteristics on adult hospices which provide care to children. Market, mission, operational, and financial characteristics were measured via the California utilization data using descriptive statistics. Service area was measured via latitude and longitude public data. Hospice location maps were generated for year 2018 and year 2021. The 148 hospices in the study had distinct organizational profiles, mainly small, with broad service coverage areas, in rural and urban communities with predominantly nurses visiting children. There was a significant decline (32%) in availability of adult hospices caring for children between 2018 and 2021, particularly in northern California. Hospice economics, lack of familiarity with Medicaid, and staff comfortability with caring for children in hospice, were not driving this decline. Our study provides critical insight into the characteristics of adult hospices in California providing care for children and has important policy implications.
Circular formations of non-communicating robot groups via local strategies
Authors: Kerestecioğlu Feza , Şen Ümit , Işıkver Çağrı , Göktekin Ahmet
Published: September 2023

Local strategies, which are based on cost minimization, to achieve circular formations of autonomous robot groups are presented. It is assumed that the group members have no communication capabilities or any means of interchanging information among themselves, and that they can only rely on their sensors, which provide relative positions of their nearby group members. It is verified on simulations that via appropriately defined cost functions arc, arc-triangle and circle formations are obtained, which can be maintained during navigation.
Using Process Tracing to Investigate Elite Experience Accrual: Explaining Margaret Thatcher’s Support for US Air Strikes Against Libya
Authors: Morgan Samuel T.
Published: September 2023

The United States’ invasion of Grenada in 1983 represented the lowest point in Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan’s relationship, with Thatcher incensed at what she perceived to be her ally’s misuse of military force. However, in April 1986, Thatcher gave permission for the United States to use British-based aircraft for air strikes against the Gaddafi regime in Libya, a mission as tenuously grounded in international law as Grenada. How do we explain Thatcher’s apparent change in approach to foreign policy, now placing strategic interests above her previous deference to international law, and what does this tell us about the role experience plays in a leader’s foreign policy decisions? Drawing on insights from the ongoing behavioural revolution in International Relations, this paper argues that the experience Thatcher gained during the Grenada episode led to her support for US strikes against Libya. A process tracing approach using documents from the UK National Archives, as well as biographies and memoirs, tests this individual-level hypothesis against a rival structuralist explanation. This research shows how experience gained in office can influence a leader’s future foreign policy decision-making and demonstrates the utility of process tracing methods for investigations into the role of experience in international politics.
Populism and Protest Intensity: A Cross-National Analysis
Authors: Sawyer Patrick S.
Published: September 2023

Populist studies are increasingly interested in the effects that populism has on the politics of contemporary democratic systems. This article analyzes the relationship between populist parties and politicians and the intensity of political protest. Arguing that populists generate feelings of anger and outrage at establishment politicians, develop close relationships with social movements, and instigate further polarization and resistance from the opposition, the existence of populist actors in a political system is believed to generate more political protests. Using a unique dataset of populist parties in European, Latin American, and North American countries, cross-national testing demonstrates strong positive correlations between the presence of populists in power and anti-government demonstrations, testifying to the effect that populists have on protest activity. Tests for the existence of populist parties in the opposition, however, reveal no empirical support for increased levels of political protest, implying that the strongest effect only comes once populists come to power. These results provide necessary nuance to our understanding of the destabilizing effects of populism and its consequences for contemporary liberal democracies.
Mothers of Invention: How the Experiences of Women Working From Home During COVID-19 Could Reshape the Domestic Environment
Authors: Crozier Joanne
Published: September 2023

Despite the desire of the postindustrial workforce, particularly women, for flexible work arrangements, only 4% of Canadian employees performed their job duties remotely before the pandemic. However, this segment grew dramatically in March 2020 when the COVID-19 lockdowns forced office employees to work from home (WFH). Because the merging of employment with the dwelling has affected the genders unevenly, we focused on the WFH experiences of women, living in the metropolitan area of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with occupations that could be performed remotely during the pandemic. We further explored how women used their agency to overcome material and behavioral challenges encountered in the home workspace by implementing innovative modifications. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 96 women with an online questionnaire, followed by 15 semi-structured interviews. The results showed that each participant created a functional workspace (if one did not already exist), and successfully performed their paid employment at home. Despite the difficulties—some resulting from the pandemic—that complicated WFH, almost every woman wanted to continue working remotely in some capacity. The findings suggest that remote work is a viable labor model for women who want to combine paid and unpaid labor in a WFH nexus within the dwelling. Examples of home-workspace innovations are provided, revealing new design considerations that could influence residential design—especially in smaller homes—as the post-pandemic labor force evolves to include a larger segment of remote employees.
The Collaborative Role of Universities and Secondary Schools in the Development of Adolescent Gifted Learners
Authors: VanTassel-Baska Joyce
Published: September 2023

This article explores higher education’s role in supporting gifted students and how these institutions might collaborate with high schools. Multidimensional roles that universities can play include helping gifted students transition from high school through individual support from faculty such as mentorships to offering specialized opportunities and courses within the traditional structures. Collaborations encompass providing advanced opportunities for advanced learners and placements in different types of programs such as dual enrollment, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and individual courses linked to a university program. Research findings suggest that students who had access to a variety of advanced opportunities had greater success in their chosen fields.
Students’ Perceptions of a Cyber Enrichment Program
Authors: Desmet Ophélie A. , Crimmins Danielle M. , Flewellen Gerniya , Seigfried-Spellar Kathryn C.
Published: September 2023

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate a cybersecurity and digital forensics enrichment program for gifted and talented students to determine students' perceptions of this enrichment course. We evaluated data from 25 secondary education students and one educator to examine their perceptions of the program. Responses from students and the teacher indicated that the cyber enrichment program was well-received by students. Findings demonstrated that authentic and hands-on experiences with cybersecurity and digital forensics were associated with students' perceiving the program as appealing and meaningful and perceiving themselves as highly efficacious when it comes to cybersecurity and digital forensics. Future research directions are discussed.
Adverse Childhood Experiences, Intimate Partner Violence, and Mental Well-Being Among Mothers of Toddlers in Tirana, Albania: A Cross-Sectional Mediation Analysis
Authors: Ramaj Klea , Eisner Manuel
Published: September 2023

This article examines the relationship between maternal exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), intimate partner violence (IPV), and two aspects of maternal mental well-being—stress and depressive symptoms in the context of Tirana, Albania. Data were obtained from a representative sample of 328 mothers of 2–3-year-old children, who were registered in Tirana's public nurseries. Findings show that maternal ACEs are positively associated with stress levels ( β = .210, z = 4.03, p < .001) and depressive symptoms ( β = .129, z = 2.62, p < .01). In addition, IPV partially mediates the effect of ACEs on maternal stress ( β = .081, z = 3.75, p < .001) and fully mediates the effect of ACEs on depressive symptoms ( β = .054, z = 2.87, p < .01). These results suggest that among mothers of toddlers in Tirana, ACEs influence stress levels both directly and via IPV, while they influence depressive symptoms only via IPV. The findings demonstrate long-term effects of maternal exposure to interpersonal violence on mental well-being.
The Effect of Fiscal Stress Labels on Local Governments’ Financial Management: Evidence from New York State Fiscal Stress Monitoring System
Authors: Kang Hyewon , Chen Gang
Published: September 2023

State government's role in monitoring local governments’ fiscal distress gained importance after several local financial crises. Although many states have implemented state monitoring systems, the effectiveness of these systems has not been well understood. Using the case of the New York State, we conducted a regression discontinuity analysis to examine the effect of fiscal stress labeling on local governments. We find some evidence to support that fiscal stress labels lead local governments to improve their fund balance and cash positions. Specifically, school districts at the early stage of fiscal stress are more responsive to the labels than districts under more severe fiscal stress.
EDTA and Salts
Authors: Cherian Priya , Bergfeld Wilma F. , Belsito Donald V. , Klaassen Curtis D. , Liebler Daniel C. , Marks James G. , Shank Ronald C. , Slaga Thomas J. , Snyder Paul W. , Fiume Monice , Heldreth Bart
Published: September 2023

The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety reviewed newly available studies since their original assessment in 1998, along with updated information regarding product types and concentrations of use and confirmed that EDTA and certain salts are safe as cosmetic ingredients in the practices of use and concentration as described in this report.
Dynamics of Trade Specialization and Performance of SAFTA: A Case Study of Afghanistan
Authors: Wani Nassir Ul Haq , Rasa Mohammad Mirwais
Published: September 2023

The idea that regional integration is the podium of economic growth dates back a long time. Even now, a plethora of literature confirms a strong and positive link between regional integration and economic growth. However, most of these studies are focused on developed countries. Indeed, literature from developing countries is scant, and that from underdeveloped and landlocked countries like Afghanistan is almost non-existent. In the context of South Asian Free Trade Agreement, this article endeavours to innovatively scrutinize the trends in exports, imports and trade at different industry levels in the trade specialization of Afghanistan. At the harmonized standard 6-digit level of product classification, the study has employed the Lafay Index approach. The study finds that Afghanistan has a greater affinity for resource-intensive manufacturing products and non-fuel primary commodities. The study suggests that Afghanistan should confront issues such as its trade deficit, its dependency on agricultural products for export and the underutilization of its natural resources. The results show that Afghanistan still has a competitive disadvantage over South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) members at different industry levels. The study recommends dealing with problems including technology diffusion, product diversity and quality sophistication at various industrial levels, which restrict a higher degree of trade specialization.

JEL Codes: F1, F10, F14