bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The New Right and Aboriginal Rights in the High Court of Australia
Authors: Hobbs Harry
Published: February 2023

In resolving disputes, the High Court of Australia sometimes has cause to expound upon the relationship between the Australian State and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This article examines overblown and disingenuous New Right criticism directed towards the High Court in the aftermath of judgments deemed favourable to Indigenous Australians. It finds two themes recur in these attacks: that the High Court’s decision is undemocratic, or that the High Court has acted illegitimately. This article demonstrates that such claims are legally baseless. Drawing on quotes from major players in this debate, the article argues further that beneath this criticism lies a deeper angst over the sovereign foundations of Australia; an anxiety that reappears in arguments against contemporary calls for constitutional reform. As Australia nonetheless inches closer towards constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the ferocity of New Right censure suggests that the movement may fear the Australian people do not share their same suspicions.
Participation, Engagement, and Organizational Citizenship Behavior Among Public Employees
Authors: Kim Byeong Jo
Published: February 2023

Despite considerable research on the importance of a management practice emphasizing the relational aspect such as participative management, little is known regarding the mechanism through which this relation-oriented management practice motivates public employees to cultivate pro-organizational work behavior such as organizational citizenship behavior. Using data from public employees in South Korea, this study examines the association between participative management and organizational citizenship behavior. We also explore how participative management sparks public employees to be engaged in their job, which in turn leads to higher organizational citizenship behavior. By identifying employee engagement as a mediating mechanism that links participative management and organizational citizenship behavior, this study offers insights into the role of relational management practices in public settings.
An Examination of Attachment to God, Individualism, Collectivism, and Differentiation of Self in Second-Generation Christian Korean Americans
Authors: Lee Elijah , Sells Jim , Newmeyer Mark , Arveson Kathleen
Published: February 2023

Constructs regarding attachment to God and differentiation of self (DoS) have a robust foundation in the literature; however, studies regarding other cultures, specifically, second-generation Christian Korean Americans (SGCKAs), are limited. This study examined attachment to God, individualism, collectivism, and DoS in SGCKAs. Secure attachment with God statistically significantly predicted DoS scores in SGCKAs, R2 = .087, F(1,143) = 13.704, p < .001. Statistically significant differences on horizontal/individualism scores when compared based on attachment to God categories also existed. Furthermore, statistically significant differences existed on DoS scores when compared based on secure/insecure attachment to God categories. Implications for the church, mental health professionals, counselor educators, and the Korean American community are discussed.
Robust observer-based controller design for nonlinear parameter-varying systems with uncertainty and external disturbances
Authors: Zhu Pingfang , Yang Delong
Published: February 2023

This article investigates the robust observer-based controller design problem for nonlinear parameter-varying systems subject to uncertainty and external disturbances. First, a novel augment vector is constructed, and an corresponding model of the resulting closed-loop system is obtained. Second, by applying the Lyapunov stability theory, a class of state-and-parameter-dependent robust asymptotic stability criteria is established, and the state-and-parameter-dependent sufficient conditions for the design of the robust observer-based controller are then acquired to guarantee the stability of the resulting closed-loop system, which can be effectively solved by sum-of-squares techniques. Different from the previous researches, the proposed control algorithm enables the state-and-parameter-dependent observer and the state-and-parameter-dependent controller design of the nonlinear parameter-varying systems to enjoy the advantage of separate design. The advantage can effectively reduce the computational complexity. Finally, simulation results demonstrate that the proposed robust observer-based controller shows improved performance in presence of uncertainty and external disturbances.
Dynamic event-triggered adaptive control for zero-sum games of nonlinear stochastic systems
Authors: Liu Pengda , Liu Zongmin , Ao Wengang , Ming Zhongyang , Shi Peng
Published: February 2023

This paper considers solving the zero-sum games (ZSGs) of nonlinear stochastic systems under the architecture of dynamic event-triggered mechanism (DETM). The adaptive dynamic programming (ADP) approach with great approximate computing power is proposed to seek the saddle-point equilibrium solution of ZSGs. First, the Hamilton–Jacobi–Isaacs equation of stochastic version is constructed which is the key to solving the two-player ZSGs. Then, the ADP method is employed to search the approximated solution under the dynamic triggering mechanism. On the foundation of static event-triggered mechanism (SETM), the DETM is derived through introducing an internal dynamic invariable to further lower the update frequency for the strategies. Additionally, the stability of the closed system is demonstrated in detail via the Lyapunov theory. Finally, two representative examples are provided to present the availability and reliability of this approach from different perspectives.
Effects of Message-Sidedness on Perceived Source Bias: When Presenting Two Sides Does Versus Does Not Alleviate Concerns About Bias
Authors: Wallace Laura E. , Hinsenkamp Lucas , Wegener Duane T. , Braun Zachary
Published: February 2023

Communicators commonly present two-sided messages to avoid being perceived as biased. This approach equates bias with one-sidedness rather than divergence from the position supported by available data. Messages often concern topics with mixed qualities: a product is exceptional but expensive; a politician is inexperienced but ethical. For these topics, providing a two-sided message should reduce perceived bias according to both views of bias as one-sidedness and divergence from available data. However, if perceived bias follows divergence from available data, for topics viewed as one-sided (univalent), a two-sided message should not reduce perceived bias. Across five studies, acknowledging two sides reduced perceived bias for novel topics. In two of the studies, two-sidedness no longer reduced perceived bias for topics viewed as univalent. This work clarifies that people conceptualize bias as a divergence from available data, not simply one-sidedness. It also clarifies when and how to leverage message-sidedness to reduce perceived bias.
Changing The World: How Comics and Graphic Novels Can Shift Teaching
Authors: Strong Myron T. , Cook Tanya , Belet Lilika A. , Calarco Paul
Published: February 2023

Comic books and graphic novels offer an excellent way to democratize the classroom and improve student learning by giving them the ability to understand social issues and social institutions in a relatable way. This article is a conversation exploring the validity of comics as tools to teach sociology. Specifically, the article does this through examining the effectiveness of comics as a way to analyze gender, the looking glass self, and the sociological imagination and exploring the use of graphic novels to replace traditional texts in the introductory sociology classroom. If one of our disciplinary goals is to change society for the better by boosting the development of sociological imaginations, looking at comics may give us the best format to do so.
Framing the Israel-Palestine conflict 2021: Investigation of CNN’s coverage from a peace journalism perspective
Authors: Bhowmik Sima , Fisher Jolene
Published: February 2023

This study uses textual analysis to examine CNN’s World News coverage of the 12-day conflict between Israel and Palestine in May 2021. We bring into conversation the influential factors that shape U.S. media coverage of other countries, as presented by Dorman and Farhang, and Galtung’s concept of war journalism in our analysis. Our findings show that CNN primarily took a war journalism approach to frame the conflict. However, calls for consideration of Palestinian human-rights from members of U.S. Congress led to coverage that aligned with a peace journalism framework. This finding illuminates the role of counter-discourse by elite social members in influencing the framing of conflict coverage in mainstream media. The study adds to our understanding of U.S. media coverage of ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine and the implications of war journalism versus peace journalism frames with regards to public discourse and understanding.
Heterodox approaches to save the day: A framework for analysing data-related innovation in legacy media businesses
Authors: Jemmer Hanna , Ibrus Indrek
Published: February 2023

That legacy media organisations are struggling in this era of global platformisation and datafication is well established. Yet, the power of platforms as well as critiques of them could be seen as being framed and facilitated by the prevailing forms of neoclassical economics. This paper addresses how analysis and planning of data-driven innovation in legacy media organisations could benefit from the perspectives deriving from heterodox economics. Using approaches within heterodox economics as a foundation, we build on two novel conceptual frameworks – innovation commons and cross-innovation systems, where decentralisation of media markets and collaboration between agents on different levels are central. Further, three tools – open data, blockchains and agent-based modelling (ABM) – offer ways to operationalise these frameworks. Central to these tools are further democratisation and growing complexity, openness and dynamism that enable media organisations to identify paths towards data-driven innovation that could improve the competitiveness of the legacy media industry in the platform economy.
Protests, Internet shutdowns, and disinformation in a transitioning state
Authors: Bhatia Kiran Vinod , Elhussein Mariam , Kreimer Ben , Snapp Trevor
Published: February 2023

Internet shutdowns authorized by the state are becoming a recurring case in countries under military or authoritarian rule, such as Sudan. This article examines how the military in Sudan shut down the Internet to cover up the June 3 massacre. The shutdown made it difficult for the protestors and civilians to share and document the human rights violations committed by the state from June 3 to July 9, 2019. We also demonstrate how the Internet shutdowns were instrumental in circulating state-sponsored disinformation campaigns delegitimizing the protests. The article expands on existing literature to explain how information vacuums are conducive to the spread of disinformation and the weakening of on-ground protest movements. Despite the crippling effects of the Internet shutdown in Khartoum, our analysis illustrates how protestors challenged designed technical and physical workarounds to circumvent the shutdown.
Prognostic of red blood cell transfusion during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy on mortality: A meta-analysis
Authors: Li Yuan , Wang Jing , Li Chaoyang , Wang Lin , Chen Yuguo
Published: February 2023

Background

This meta-analysis aimed to explore the impact of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion on mortality during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Previous studies investigated the prognostic impact of RBC transfusion during ECMO on the risk of mortality, but no meta-analysis has been published before.

Methods

The PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane library were systematically searched for papers published up to 13 December 2021, using the MeSH terms “ECMO”, “‘Erythrocytes”, and “Mortality” to identify meta-analyses. Total or daily RBC transfusion during ECMO and mortality were examined.

Results

The random-effect model was used. Eight studies (794 patients, including 354 dead) were included. The total volume of RBC was associated with higher mortality standardized weighted difference (SWD = −0.62, 95% CI: −1.06,−0.18, p = .006; I2 = 79.7%, Pheterogeneity = 0.001). The daily volume of RBC was associated with higher mortality (SWD = −0.77, 95% CI: −1.11,−0.42, p < .001; I2 = 65.7%, Pheterogeneity = 0.020). The total volume of RBC was associated with mortality for venovenous (VV) (SWD = −0.72, 95% CI: −1.23, −0.20, p = .006) but not venoarterial ECMO ( p = .126) or when reported together ( p = .089). The daily volume of RBC was associated with mortality for VV (SWD = −0.72, 95% CI: −1.18, −0.26, p = 0.002; I2 = 0.0%, Pheterogeneity = 0.642) and venoarterial (SWD = −0.95, 95% CI: −1.32, −0.57, p < .001) ECMO, but not when reported together ( p = .067). The sensitivity analysis suggested the robustness of the results.

Conclusion

When considering the total and daily volumes of RBC transfusion during ECMO, the patients who survived received smaller total and daily volumes of RBC transfusion. This meta-analysis suggests that RBC transfusion might be associated with a higher risk of mortality during ECMO.
Perceptions of prognosis and end-of-life care outcomes in patients with advanced lung and gastrointestinal cancer
Authors: Gray Tamryn F , Plotke Rachel , Heuer Lauren , Topping Carlisle EW , Nipp Ryan D , Wang Annie C , Gasca Banda Juan , Greer Joseph A , Temel Jennifer S , El-Jawahri Areej
Published: February 2023

Background:

Many patients with advanced cancer have misperceptions of their prognosis, which may impact end-of-life decision-making. Data regarding associations between prognostic perceptions over time and end-of-life care outcomes are lacking.

Aim:

To describe patients’ perceptions of their prognosis with advanced cancer and examine associations between these perceptions and end-of-life care outcomes.

Design:

Secondary analysis of longitudinal data from a randomized controlled trial of a palliative care intervention for patients with newly diagnosed incurable cancer.

Setting/Participants:

Conducted at an outpatient cancer center in the northeastern United States and patients were within 8 weeks of a diagnosis with incurable lung or non-colorectal gastrointestinal cancer.

Results:

We enrolled 350 patients in the parent trial, of which 80.5% (281/350) died during the study period. Overall, 59.4% (164/276) of patients reported they were terminally ill, and 66.1% (154/233) reported that their cancer was likely curable at the assessment closest to death. Patient acknowledgment of terminal illness was only associated with lower risk of hospitalizations in the last 30 days of life (OR = 0.52, p = 0.025). Patients who reported their cancer as likely curable were less likely to utilize hospice (OR = 0.25, p = 0.002) or die at home (OR = 0.56, p = 0.043), and they were more likely to be hospitalized in the last 30 days of life (OR = 2.28, p = 0.011).

Conclusions:

Patients’ perceptions of their prognosis are associated with important end-of-life care outcomes. Interventions are needed to enhance patients’ perceptions of their prognosis and optimize their end-of-life care.
MUM-1 in canine lymphoma: A pilot study
Authors: Riccardi Elena , Klopfleish Robert , Bell Frazer , Calvez Sophie Le , Dawson Louise J.
Published: February 2023

Expression of interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4)/multiple myeloma oncogene-1 (MUM1) in peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) in people is associated with a poorer survival outcome compared to cases of PTCL lacking MUM1 expression. The aim of this study was to determine whether MUM1 is expressed in canine peripheral T-cell lymphoma not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS). For comparison, the presence of MUM1 antigen was also investigated in canine diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Nine cases of PTCL-NOS and 9 cases of DLBCL diagnosed by a commercial veterinary diagnostic laboratory were selected. Positive immunohistochemical labeling for MUM1 was observed in PTCL-NOS (2 out of 9 cases) and DLBCL (3 out of 9 cases). These findings suggest that a subset of neoplastic T and B lymphocytes can express MUM1. The role of MUM1 in the biological behavior and outcome of canine lymphoma (CL) requires further investigation on a larger number of cases.
Characterization of experimental Shuni virus infection in the mouse
Authors: Breithaupt Angele , Sick Franziska , Golender Natalia , Beer Martin , Wernike Kerstin
Published: February 2023

Shuni virus (SHUV), an orthobunyavirus of the Simbu serogroup, was initially isolated in Nigeria in the 1960s, further detected in other African countries and in the Middle East, and is now endemic in Israel. Transmitted by blood-sucking insects, SHUV infection is associated with neurological disease in cattle and horses, and with abortion, stillbirth, or the birth of malformed offspring in ruminants. Surveillance studies also indicated a zoonotic potential. This study aimed to test the susceptibility of the well-characterized interferon (IFN)-α/β receptor knock-out mouse model ( Ifnar−/−), to identify target cells, and to describe the neuropathological features. Ifnar−/−mice were subcutaneously infected with two different SHUV strains, including a strain isolated from the brain of a heifer showing neurological signs. The second strain represented a natural deletion mutant exhibiting a loss of function of the S-segment–encoded nonstructural protein NSs, which counteracts the host’s IFN response. Here it is shown that Ifnar−/−mice are susceptible to both SHUV strains and can develop fatal disease. Histological examination confirmed meningoencephalomyelitis in mice as described in cattle with natural and experimental infections. RNA in situ hybridization was applied using RNA Scope™ for SHUV detection. Target cells identified included neurons and astrocytes, as well as macrophages in the spleen and gut-associated lymphoid tissue. Thus, this mouse model is particularly beneficial for the evaluation of virulence determinants in the pathogenesis of SHUV infection in animals.
Modeling and control of islanded DC microgrid fed by intermittent generating resources
Authors: Kumar Anupam , Rathore Arun , Singh Shubhendra Pratap , Bhat Abdul Hamid
Published: February 2023

In this paper an islanded microgrid fed through the wind and solar energy resources is presented. The power flow within the microgrid is controlled using a Neutral Point Clamped Dual Active Bridge (NPC-DAB) converter. In the proposed dc microgrid, the solar energy source is associated at the low voltage (LV) bus and the wind energy source is connected at the high voltage (HV) bus. A permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) machine is used in wind energy conversion system. The real time solar radiation and wind speed data of Rupangarh, Rajasthan, India is used as an input for renewable energy resource. The NPC-DAB will work as a power electronics juncture for expediting the energy exchange in the islanded DC Microgrid. The proposed closed loop controller based on the capacitor voltage and load voltage will expedite a complete automatic operation of the islanded DC-microgrid considering various load changes. The system is studied without storage element as the automatic control of energy generation and load feeding is carried out by the NPC-DAB, also this makes the scheme cost effective. The optimum duty ratios for NPC-DAB operation are obtained and thus the increased load demand is met. The modeling of PMSG, NPC-DAB and wind energy system is discussed in details in this work. The proposed system is studied in MATLAB/Simulink environment and results are obtained for different load variations. All the wind control parameters, NPC-DAB waveforms, load waveforms are also plotted using MATLAB.
Assessment of Several Interpretation Criteria for Tensile Axial Load Tests on Deep Foundations
Authors: Kodsy Antonio , Öztürk Baturalp , Bazi Youssef , Iskander Magued G.
Published: February 2023

Axial tensile load tests on deep foundations are increasingly significant because of the expansion in their usage for a myriad of projects requiring support of tensile loads as well as for being a less costly alternative to compression load tests. A variety of interpretation criteria for compression load tests is available, which are often also used for tensile tests, but a few have been proposed specifically for tension load tests. In this study, the performance of seven of the available widely used interpretation criteria was evaluated using a data set of 80 tensile load tests. These criteria are (i) original Davisson, (ii) AASHTO, (iii) New York City building code, (iv) French building code, (v) 5% diameter, (vi) 10% diameter, and (vii) New York University (NYU) compression criteria. Their performance was evaluated for applicability, accuracy, precision, and the diameter and length effects. The AASHTO criterion exhibited the best accuracy and a moderate precision, which is promising. The study also presents efforts to identify a better performing criterion, which yields the introduction of the NYU tension criterion where capacity is defined as that corresponding to the smallest displacement of (i) half the elastic elongation of the pile plus 0.25 in.; (ii) pile head displacement corresponding to the first incidence of pull-out or strain-softening resulting in loss of more than 5% of capacity; and (iii) pile head displacement of 0.5 in., unless modified by the structural engineer of record. The NYU tension criterion achieved a similar accuracy to the AASHTO criterion and a better precision, which is optimal.
Developing Sustainable Pavement Concrete Mix Using Portland Limestone Cement and Blended Aggregates Techniques
Authors: Chung Hung-Wen , DeFord Harvey , Tia Mang , Ni Frank Mi-Way
Published: February 2023

With the increasing price and carbon dioxide emission of cement comes the challenge of rigid pavement. One of the solutions to address this issue is minimizing the cementitious paste volume (CPV) of the concrete mix with the blended aggregates (BA) technique. This paper presents the effects of minimizing the CPV in Portland limestone cement (PLC) concrete with CPV reduction and BA application for Florida rigid pavement concrete. The findings indicated that reducing the CPV in the pavement concrete mix to some extent would not adversely affect the properties of the pavement concrete; the minimum CPV of PLC pavement concrete mixes can be reduced to 22.5% with no loss in the properties of fresh and hardened concrete. The other benefits of CPV reduction include low permeability and shrinkage strain. In summary, minimizing the CPV and utilizing the BA technique can be considered to design sustainable pavement concrete mixes with better pavement performance, lower materials costs, and lower global warming potential.
Deterioration Models for Texas Bridges and Culverts
Authors: Weissmann Jose , Weissmann Angela Jannini , Montoya Arturo
Published: February 2023

This paper discusses 38 bridge- and eight culvert deterioration models of three bridge and one culvert condition rating stored in the National Bridge Inventory (NBI) as Items 58, 59, 60 and 62. The models were developed by age groups and by families of relevant variables such as span type, deck material, and bridges over water or land. Each model is a 2-year Markov matrix for every age group or family, containing the probabilities that each rating will remain the same, or transition to all possible lower ratings. These probabilities were calculated by counting all actual transitions in a database containing 19 years of bridge inspection data in Texas, unlike previous models which assumed that ratings cannot drop by more than 1 point in one inspection cycle. Models were validated and standard errors calculated. Updatable results were implemented in Excel workbooks and included 18-year forecasts of condition rating and network deterioration tables and curves, and comparisons between the current network condition and 10-year forecasts. The culvert models also included updatable cost forecasts to maintain the culvert network above Condition Rating 4. The main technical contribution of this project is the probabilities of bridge and culvert ratings decreasing by more than 1 in a 2-year inspection cycle being greater than zero for all condition ratings modeled (range: 8% to 61%). The models developed using the Texas data were strictly applicable to maintenance, environmental, and traffic conditions comparable to those prevalent in Texas. However, the modeling methodology is applicable to any state or location.
Investigation of In Situ Strength of Various Construction and Widening Methods Utilized on Local Roads
Authors: Sargand Shad , Green Roger L. , Russ Andrew
Published: February 2023

The project goal was to develop and verify a low-cost, repeatable, nondestructive methodology to characterize the load-carrying capacity of materials used in road widening and construction when established values are not available, and to establish a range of structural coefficients and moduli for these materials. Ninety-nine test sites were selected from 68 projects in eight counties across Ohio, grouped into five clusters. These sites included 19 different widening treatments. Each site was visited, tests conducted, and specimens gathered using the following techniques: falling weight deflectometer (FWD), portable seismic property analyzer, light weight deflectometer, dynamic cone penetrometer, and coring. The data and specimens collected were used to measure layer thicknesses, moduli, effective structural numbers, and layer coefficients applicable to each treatment. At least seven analysis methods were used to obtain the numbers from the data collected. The results were plotted in box plot and cumulative frequency formats for each material and analysis method. For each material, there was a wide variability of values both within and between sections. There were many sources of variability, however a range of numbers for moduli and layer coefficients were identified for most treatments, which could be utilized by local engineering personnel to design future projects. The procedure based on Section 2.3.5 of the 1993 AASHTO pavement design guide using FWD data provided the best estimate of published layer coefficients. However, using these values in other areas cannot guarantee accuracy; truly accurate layer coefficients result from careful monitoring of test sections under controlled loads.
Development of a Tool for Determining Optimal Material Blends for Unpaved Road Wearing Courses
Authors: Louw Stephanus Johannes Hofmeyr , Jones David
Published: February 2023

Experience over more than 100 years has shown that the appropriate choice of materials used on unpaved road wearing courses is critical for ensuring good and safe performance. Despite the availability of internationally developed performance-based specifications for unpaved road wearing course materials that will meet most requirements, many road agencies continue to use empirical specifications comprising grading envelopes and plasticity index ranges that do not provide an indication of expected performance. This complicates choosing the optimal blends of more than one material to obtain a better performing unpaved road wearing course, or determining the quantities of supplemental materials and the recycling depth when converting distressed, low-volume, paved roads to an engineered unpaved road standard. This paper introduces a performance-based approach to selecting unpaved road wearing course materials and a tool for optimizing blends of materials to meet specifications. The tool can be used in manual calculations, but rapid results can be obtained by using a web-based tool. The tool can be used for new unpaved road construction, regraveling existing unpaved roads, or for converting distressed paved roads to an engineered unpaved road standard. The tool is a companion to another tool that can be used for selecting chemical treatments for unpaved roads. It should be noted that the results from the tool are dependent on accurate input values for materials and road layer thickness, and consequently project investigations and materials testing are encouraged. Estimated values are likely to give misleading outputs.
New insights about prognosis of Spermatic Cord Torsion
Authors: Michail Anastasakis , Ioanna Gkalonaki , Euaggelia Sxoina , Ioannis Trevlias , Christina Panteli , Ioannis Patoulias
Published: February 2023

Spermatic Cord Torsion (SCT) is a serious surgical emergency. Prospective studies regarding the prognosis of the torsed testis lack in the global literature. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial to increase the risk of saving the torsed testis. Testicular salvage can be predicted by the duration of symptoms, along with the degree of twisting and the ultrasound findings, regarding the homogeneity of the testicular parenchyma. The “golden window” to salvage the testicular function is suggested to be at 4–8 h, after the symptoms’ onset. As the time passes, the ischemia is settled and the risk of necrosis is increased. It is generally accepted, that the possibilities of conducting orchiectomy are increased when not promptly intervening after the symptoms’ onset. A few studies, tried to describe the impact of SCT on long- term fertility. The aim of this study is to collect them and elucidate with some general perceptions on this topic.
Seasonal variability of the quantity and morphological composition of generated waste and selectively collected waste
Authors: Jędrczak Andrzej , Połomka Jacek , Dronia Wojciech
Published: February 2023

Waste delivered to the Marszów Plant was tested in order to research the effect of seasonal fluctuations on the quantity and composition of generated municipal waste and on the quantity and composition of selectively collected waste. Waste samples were collected once a month from November 2019 to October 2020. The results of the analysis showed that the quantity and composition of municipal waste generated during a week are different in terms of the subsequent months of the year. The quantity of generated municipal waste per capita per week ranges from 5.75 to 7.41 kg (cap·wk)−1, on average 6.68 kg (cap·wk)−1. The maximum values of the weekly indicators for generating the main material components of waste per capita were higher than the minimum by several up to more than 10 times (textiles). The total quantity of selectively collected paper, glass and plastics increased significantly during the conducted research at a rate of approx. 5% per month. The level of recovery concerning this waste over the period between November 2019 and February 2020 averaged at 29.1%, and between April and October 2020 it was nearly 10% higher (39.0%). The material composition of selectively collected waste in subsequent measurement series often differed. It is difficult to link the observed changes concerning the quantity and composition of the analysed waste streams with the seasons of the year, although weather conditions undoubtedly impact the consumption and functioning models of people, thus impacting the size of waste streams.
A Comparison of Value-Weight-Elicitation Methods for Accurate and Accessible Participatory Planning
Authors: Nesbitt Lorien , Meitner Michael J. , Chamberlain Brent , Gonzalez Julian , Trousdale William
Published: February 2023

This research analyzed six value-weight-elicitation techniques that are commonly used in participatory planning. It compared the techniques via measures of (1) accuracy (within-subjects user-derived assessments and quantitative weight comparisons) and (2) accessibility (time to complete, difficulty, and “boringness”). Visual sliders performed best across assessments. Pairwise comparison, visual sliders, and swing weighting were the most accurate, while visual sliders and vertical visual scale were the most accessible. Point allocation and the popular Likert-type method performed poorly across assessments. All methods produced similar weights, highlighting the importance of accessibility when choosing scales. This research can inform participatory planning and survey design techniques.
“The Fight is Two Times as Hard”: A Qualitative Examination of a Violence Syndemic Among Young Black Sexual Minority Men
Authors: Quinn Katherine G. , Edwards Travonne , Johnson Anthony , Spector Antoinette , Takahashi Lois , Dakin Andrea , Bouacha Nora , Valadez-Tapia Silvia , Voisin Dexter
Published: February 2023

Young Black men who have sex with men (YBMSM) are disproportionately impacted by violence, including violence rooted in anti-Black racism, sexual identity bullying, and neighborhood violence rooted in structural racism and inequities. These multiple forms of violence are frequently co-occurring and interactive creating syndemic conditions that can negatively impact HIV care. This qualitative study is based on in-depth interviews with 31 YBMSM, aged 16–30 years, living with HIV in Chicago, IL, to examine how violence has impacted their lives. Using thematic analysis, we identified five themes that reflect how YBMSM experience violence at the intersection of racism, homonegativity, socioeconomic status, and HIV status: (a) the experience of intersectional violence; (b) long histories of violence contributed to hypervigilance, lack of safety, and lack of trust; (c) making meaning of violence and the importance of strength; (d) normalizing violence for survival; and (e) the cyclical nature of violence. Our study highlights how multiple forms of violence can accumulate across an individual’s life and contribute to social and contextual situations that further contribute to violence and negatively impact mental health and HIV care.
Rape Myth Acceptance in a Community Sample of Adult Women in the Post #MeToo Era
Authors: PettyJohn Morgan E. , Cary Kyla M. , McCauley Heather L.
Published: February 2023

Rape myth acceptance (RMA) is commonly targeted in anti-rape activism (e.g., the #MeToo Movement) and prevention work due to its association with perpetration, risk of victimization, survivor outcomes, and injustices in the criminal legal system. The 22-item updated Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance (uIRMA) scale is a widely used, reliable measure for assessing this construct; however, it has primarily been validated within samples of U.S. college students. To assess the factor structure and reliability of this measure for community samples of adult women, we analyzed uIRMA data from 356 U.S. women (age 25–35) collected via CloudResearch’s MTurk toolkit. Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated high internal reliability for the overall scale (α = .92) and supported a five-factor structure (subscales: She Asked For It, He Didn’t Mean To, He Didn’t Mean To [Intoxication], It Wasn’t Really Rape, She Lied) with good model fit. The rape myth ‘‘He Didn’t Mean To’’ was most highly endorsed in the overall sample, while ‘‘It Wasn’t Really Rape’’ was endorsed the least. Analyses of RMA and participant characteristics demonstrated that women identifying as politically conservative, religious (predominantly Christian), or heterosexual endorsed rape myth constructs at significantly higher rates. Education level, social media use, and victimization history yielded mixed findings across RMA subscales, while age, race/ethnicity, income level, and regional location showed no associations with RMA. Findings suggest the uIRMA is an appropriate measure of RMA in community samples of adult women; however, the field would benefit from more consistent administration of the scale (i.e., 19-item vs. 22-item version; directionality of Likert-type scale) to allow for comparability across time and samples. Rape prevention work should target ideological adherence to patriarchal and other oppressive belief systems which may represent a common underlying factor across groups of women showing higher endorsement of RMA.
Online Credit Recovery as an Intervention for High School Students Who Fail Courses
Authors: Viano Samantha , Henry Gary T.
Published: February 2023

Online credit recovery (OCR) refers to online courses that high school students take after previously failing the course. Many have suggested that OCR courses are helping students to graduate from high school without corresponding increases in academic skills. This study analyzes administrative data from the state of North Carolina to evaluate the efficacy of OCR using full data from public and private OCR providers. Findings indicate that students who fail courses and enroll in OCR are 20 percentage points more likely to earn course credit, have lower test scores of up to two tenths of a standard deviation, and are about eight percentage points more likely to graduate high school within 4 years than students who repeat courses traditionally. Test score differences are particularly large for Biology compared to Math I and English II. Hispanic and economically disadvantaged OCR students are more likely to graduate high school than their peers.
High School Students’ Expectations and College Aspirations: Causes and Consequences
Authors: Gong Hee Jung , Toutkoushian Robert K.
Published: February 2023

This study focuses on the disparities between the educational aspirations and expectations of high school students in the U.S., and explores why students do not expect to earn a bachelor’s degree despite their aspirations. Using a national dataset and logistic/multinomial logistic regression analyses, the study identified the factors associated with this diminished expectation, such as family background, school experiences, and college preparedness activities. Additionally, students with low expectations of reaching their college aspirations are less likely to search for, apply to, and/or enroll in 4-year colleges. This study provides new insights into the college access process.
State Education Agency Governance, Virtual Learning, and Student Privacy: Lessons From the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Willse Cadence
Published: February 2023

The rapid transition to emergency remote teaching in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic altered public education as schools closed across the United States. Eighty percent of teachers reported interacting with students online, often utilizing free technology like Zoom and Google Workspace for Education. This article provides a comprehensive overview of state education agencies’ recommendations for emergency remote teaching during the COVID-19 school closures in early 2020. Reviewing 337 publicly available documents from 50 state education agencies reveals a fragmented response: state education agencies relied on nongovernmental organizations to do the work of governance.
Testing the Reciprocal Relationship Between Social Networks and Purpose in Life Among Older Adults: Application of a Random Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Model
Authors: Lee Gina , Martin Peter
Published: February 2023

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to examine if there are longitudinal reciprocal effects between social network size and purpose in life among older adults. Methods: Using data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study, the sample included 1485 male and 2058 female adults 65 years and older. We first computed t-tests to assess gender differences in social network size and purpose in life. In order to examine the reciprocal effects between social network size and purpose in life over four time points (2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020), a RI-CLPM (Model 1) was computed. In addition to the main model, two multiple group RI-CLPM analyses (Model 2 and 3) were computed to test the moderated gender effect on the relationship with models estimating unconstrained and constrained cross-lagged parameters. Results: The results of the t-tests denoted significant gender differences in social network size and purpose in life. The results indicated that Model 1 fit the data well. The carry-over effects of social networks and purpose in life and spill-over effect from wave 3 purpose in life on wave 4 social networks were significant. There were no significant differences between the constrained and unconstrained models testing for moderated gender effects. Discussion: The findings of the study highlight the significant carry-over effect of purpose in life and social network size over four years and the positive spill-over effect from purpose in life on social network size at the subsequent wave, which only appeared at the last time point.
Exploiting multimodal CNN architecture for automated teeth segmentation on dental panoramic X-ray images
Authors: Arora Saurabh , Tripathy Santosh Kumar , Gupta Ruchir , Srivastava Rajeev
Published: February 2023

Panoramic X-ray images are the major source used in field of dental image segmentation. However, such images suffers from the disturbances like low contrast, presence of jaw bones, nose bones, spinal bone, and artifacts. Thus, to observe these images manually is a tedious task, requires expertise of dentist and is time consuming. Hence, there is need to develop an automated tool for teeth segmentation. Recently, few deep models have been developed for dental image segmentation. But, such models possess large number of training parameters, thus making the segmentation a very complex task. Also, these models are based only on conventional CNN and lacks in exploiting multimodal CNN features for dental image segmentation. Thus, to address these issues, a novel encoder-decoder model based on multimodal-feature extraction for automatic segmentation of teeth area is proposed. The encoder has three different CNN based architectures: conventional CNN, atrous-CNN, and separable CNN to encode rich contextual information. Whereas decoder contains a single stream of deconvolutional layers for segmentation. The proposed model is tested on 1500 panoramic X-ray images and uses very less parameters when compared to state-of-the-art methods. Besides this, the precision and recall are 95.01% and 94.06%, which out performs the state-of-the art methods.
Optimized orientation of jointing system in free-form lattice space structures
Authors: Esmailnejad Hadi , Chenaghlou Mohammad Reza , Abedi Karim
Published: February 2023

The recent decades have witnessed the development of a new generation of space structures called free-form space structures. In this new family of space structures, due to the geometric nature of the structure, the orientation of the members varies substantially within the joints, meaning that the members need to be connected to the joints at different angles. The wide distribution of these angles throughout the structure will significantly affect the cost of fabrication. Therefore, accurate and automatic calculation of connection angles and their optimizations have always been of interest to researchers and manufacturers. This article has the following two main objectives. The first objective is to provide geometric calculations and obtain the connection angles of single-layer lattice space structures. The second, and more important objective is to review the existing methods and to develop a geometrical method for their optimization, referred to as the “node orientation optimization” method throughout this article. Using the mentioned method, a series of optimizations are carried out in a number of free-form lattice space structures and the results are studied.
Late-Holocene fynbos-forest dynamics in Orange Kloof, Table Mountain National Park, South Africa
Authors: Prader Sabine , Gillson Lindsey , Chase Brian M , Hoffman M Timm
Published: February 2023

Fynbos and afrotemperate forest exist as alternate stable states in the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa. In parts of Table Mountain National Park, afrotemperate forest has expanded in recent decades. The aim of this project was to explore the drivers of this change and distinguish whether this expansion represents a recovery of forest after previous clearance during the 18th century or is a novel expansion of forest range that resulted from policies of fire suppression in the 20th century. To determine the relationships between forest and fynbos and its key drivers, pollen, non-pollen palynomorphs, charcoal, stable isotope ratios (δ13C) and major and trace elements were analysed from late-Holocene sediments extracted from Orange Kloof. Pollen data show that forest cover has fluctuated over the past 3690 years. At the start of the record, under drier conditions from 1670 BCE to ~170 CE, forests contracted, and dry, asteraceous fynbos dominated the landscape. Around ~170 CE there was a shift to ericaceous fynbos as water availability increased. Weak signals of Khoekhoen pastoralists may be visible in the record around 50 CE, indicated by increased spores and charcoal. A regime shift towards increased dominance of the forest occurred ~250 CE, associated with wetter climate. Clear anthropogenic signals are associated with European settlement from 1650 CE. Reinforced by human clearance of forest, fynbos expanded during the cool conditions of the late phase of Little Ice Age (~1750–1850 CE). Forest expansion in the 20th century likely reflects fire suppression and recovery from past forest clearance. Fire needs to be managed accordingly if further expansion of forest into fynbos is to be curbed.
Multiscale model construction and modulus prediction of needle-punched carbon/carbon composites
Authors: Liu Yang , Zhao Haitao , Dong Shun , Zhao Xiaoguang , Peng Yahui , Chen Ji’an
Published: February 2023

In this paper, the modulus prediction of NP-C/C is completed by establishing a multiscale finite element model, and the influence weight analysis of the modulus is carried out by using the analytical homogenization method. Firstly, three Micro-RVE, including unidirectional composites, short fiber reinforced composites and porous matrix, are established to characterize the layers of NP-C/C. Then, the finite element model is used for homogenization and passed upward into Meso-RVE, and the modulus prediction is completed. Finally, the analytical homogenization method is used combined with the MATLAB® script to analyze the influence weight of the modulus by adjusting the parameters. The results show that the average errors of stiffness coefficient prediction values obtained based on the analytical homogenization method are only 6.0% relative to the experimental values, which are lower than 25.3% of the finite element model. The modulus prediction method given in this study does not need to establish a micromechanical model with complex structure, and can be directly completed by computer script when the prediction accuracy is met, which is simple and feasible.
Improving Current Functioning and Preventing Future Abuse: Exploring Outcomes of the Nurturing Parenting Program With Adolescents
Authors: Beck Aguilera Natalie , Thompson Phyllis , Patterson David , Lucio Robert , Springer David , Ochocki Stephanie
Published: February 2023

This study investigates the outcomes of the Nurturing Parenting Program intervention with adolescents ages 13 to 19 from a variety of backgrounds according to self-reported demographic data and scores from the Adult Adolescent Parenting Inventory 2 (AAPI-2). AAPI-2 scores were collected between 2006 and 2017 from a population of adolescents ( n = 846) prior to and immediately after receiving the Nurturing Parenting Program intervention. The program intervention significantly increased AAPI-2 scores overall and produced significant increases in specific positive attitudes. There were no significant changes from pre- to post-assessment-related to demographic factors. The Nurturing Parenting Program appears to be an effective prevention and intervention program for a broad array of adolescent populations to change attitudes related to abuse and neglect.