bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Principals’ Distributed Leadership Behaviors on Teachers’ Attitudes Toward Multiculturalism: Social Justice Leadership as Mediator
Authors: Sonmez Elif Dasci , Gokmenoglu Tuba
Published: March 2022

With the increasing cross-country immigration and human mobility, different cultures are reflected more in the schools. The behavioral patterns of educational leaders in multicultural settings and the affecting factors have been subject to many discussions and researches. This study examines the relationship between school principals’ distributed leadership behaviors and teachers’ social justice leadership and attitudes toward multiculturalism. A structural model has been created and tested through the mentioned variables integrative approach. The results partially confirm that teachers’ social justice leadership behaviors mediate the relationships between the principals’ distributed leadership behaviors and their attitudes toward multiculturalism. In a structure where leadership roles are shared at school, teachers can exhibit more social justice leadership behavior; their attitudes toward multiculturalism become more positive. Distributed leadership increases teachers’ support, critical consciousness, and inclusive behavior. Implications for practice, theory, and policy are also discussed in the paper.
Evaluation of Polytomous Item Locations in Multicomponent Measuring Instruments: A Note on a Latent Variable Modeling Procedure
Authors: Raykov Tenko , Pusic Martin
Published: March 2022

This note is concerned with evaluation of location parameters for polytomous items in multiple-component measuring instruments. A point and interval estimation procedure for these parameters is outlined that is developed within the framework of latent variable modeling. The method permits educational, behavioral, biomedical, and marketing researchers to quantify important aspects of the functioning of items with ordered multiple response options, which follow the popular graded response model. The procedure is routinely and readily applicable in empirical studies using widely circulated software and is illustrated with empirical data.
Hydrolysis susceptibility and carbamate formation for a low moisture-absorbing, siloxane-modified cyanate ester resin matrix (TC410) material used for composite space applications
Authors: Zaldivar Rafael J , Ferrelli Geena L , Kim Hyun I
Published: March 2022

Siloxane-modified cyanate ester resins are ideal matrix materials for next-generation, high-precision composites used for radomes and satellite structures. They provide extremely low moisture uptake, excellent microcracking resistance, and protection from atomic radiation. However, cyanate ester resins have been shown to be susceptible to hydrolysis during cure, which may significantly impact both mechanical and thermal performance. In this investigation, we evaluate the cure kinetics and hydrolysis susceptibility of a siloxane-modified prepreg system (TC410/M55J). DSC tests verified that the Ea of polymerization for the TC410 system is 65 KJ/mol. Samples were also exposed to moisture during cure at several temperatures, and FTIR was used to follow changes in the carbonyl peak absorption intensity to compare the rate kinetics and activation energy for hydrolysis leading to carbamate formation (52 KJ/mol). DMA tests of composites exhibited significantly reduced Tg’s with increasing moisture levels during cure. TGA of these cured samples exhibited both a significant decrease in the onset of the thermal decomposition temperature as well as an increase in the relative degree of volatiles generated at low temperature. Flatwise tension strength tests showed a linear reduction in strength with decreasing Tg, at an equivalent trend to previous work on an M55J/RS3C system indicating a similar mechanism. However, the added margin provided from the higher initial FWT strength in the TC410 system allows for larger decreases in Tg before significant degradation occurs. Laminates manufactured on composite mandrels resulted in parts with larger decreases in the tool-side Tg of the part when compared to the bag-side Tg, with the differential depending on the initial moisture content of the tool. AFM was shown to selectively identify these carbamate-affected regions by showing that the recession behavior of these less cross-linked areas was greater than in areas where the resin was properly cured. Composites with increased carbamate formation resulted in increasing warpage of the part with elevated temperature exposure due to variations in stress relaxation. This effect should be considered when manufacturing precision, high-dimensional stability composite hardware.
‘The Talk’: Risk, Racism and Family Relationships
Authors: Baderin Alice
Published: March 2022

Parents employ a wide range of anticipatory strategies to prepare their children for, and protect them against, risks of racism. This article argues that, while black children need to be equipped with the skills and understanding to navigate racist societies, these practices are also the site of a significant injustice for minority families. Specifically, the imperative to take strategic steps to protect children against threats of racism creates unfair barriers to the enjoyment of some valuable relationship-based goods. In advancing this argument, the article brings recent philosophical work on the family into dialogue with a rapidly developing body of empirical research on racial and ethnic socialization. I show that Brighouse and Swift’s ‘familial relationship goods’ framework generates a valuable new perspective on some contested empirical terrain. But I also highlight, and seek to begin to redress, a problematic silence on race within contemporary philosophy of the family.
Hepatitis C Epidemiology in a Large Urban Jail: A Changing Demographic
Authors: Hoff Emily , Warden Andrea , Taylor Ruby , Nijhawan Ank E.
Published: March 2022

Objectives:

Nearly 1 in 3 people with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection pass through the criminal justice system annually; the system is a crucial location for HCV screening, education, and linkage to care. We aimed to (1) determine the prevalence and incidence of HCV antibody positivity and (2) evaluate the demographic characteristics of people with HCV in a large urban jail.

Methods:

We offered universal opt-out HCV testing to any person undergoing a routine blood test at the Dallas County Jail from June 2015 through December 2019 (N = 14 490). We extracted data on demographic characteristics from the electronic medical record and collected data on risk factors from people with HCV antibody positivity. We performed univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results:

The prevalence of HCV antibody positivity was 16.7%; the incidence was 13.5 cases per 1000 person-years. HCV antibody positivity was significantly associated with older age ( P < .001), female sex ( P = .004), non-Hispanic White race versus non-Hispanic Black race ( P < .001), and being released to prison versus not ( P < .001). Among people born after 1965, those who were HCV antibody–positive were more frequently non-Hispanic White and Hispanic women, whereas among those born in 1965 or before, those who were HCV antibody–positive were more frequently non-Hispanic Black men.

Conclusions:

The high prevalence and incidence of HCV antibody positivity in a large county jail argue for routine, universal HCV testing and prevention counseling in criminal justice settings. Changing demographic characteristics mirror those of the national injection drug use epidemic and shed insight into designing interventions for risk reduction, education, linkage to care, and treatment.
Predictors of COVID-19 Vaccination Likelihood Among Reproductive-Aged Women in the United States
Authors: Gutierrez Sirena , Logan Rachel , Marshall Cassondra , Kerns Jennifer , Diamond-Smith Nadia
Published: March 2022

Objectives:

Vaccination for COVID-19 is an effective method of preventing complications; however, studies suggest that public attitudes toward the vaccine are heterogeneous. The objective of our study was to identify predictors for low likelihood of COVID-19 vaccination among women in the United States and determine whether reasons for low intention were modified by race, ethnicity, or other characteristics to better understand the factors that shape attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccine and help inform multilevel interventions.

Methods:

In January 2021, we used social media to recruit a cross-section of reproductive-aged women in the United States (N = 5269). Our primary outcome was self-reported low vaccination likelihood (responses of unlikely or very unlikely on a 5-item scale). Our secondary outcome was concerns influencing vaccination decision that participants selected from a list of 19 items. We estimated multivariable logistic regression models and controlled for respondents’ sociodemographic characteristics.

Results:

Overall, race and ethnicity, educational attainment, health insurance type, annual household income, partnership status, and US region were associated with low vaccine likelihood. The adjusted odds of reporting low likelihood were 1.83 (95% CI, 1.45-2.32) times greater among non-Hispanic Black than among non-Hispanic White participants. Among pregnant or postpartum participants, breastfeeding status was the strongest predictor (adjusted odds ratio = 2.77; 95% CI, 2.02-3.79).

Conclusions:

Vaccine hesitancy and concerns may exacerbate existing COVID-19 health disparities in racial and ethnic groups and highlight the need to target messaging to specific populations, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, because these populations are at high risk for COVID-19 complications.
Multicentric analysis of the perceptions and knowledge of digital health amongst undergraduate medical students
Authors: Nazeer Mohamed Nauzan Mohamed , Baig Hassan , Subeh Ahmed , Khan Qaisar Imran , Majeed Saad Atif , Ashraf Mohammad Adil
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Digital health (DH) is continuously evolving by use of information and communications technology to improve healthcare provision, thereby reshaping systems and clinical practices. Recent studies identified an overwhelming lack of awareness of DH within the profession. This study aimed to analyse student perceptions and knowledge of DH to assess confidence in its use to develop greater DH awareness and literacy.

Methods

Students enrolled in undergraduate medical degrees were invited to take part in an online survey assessing aspects of DH including demography, familiarity, attitudes, level of knowledge and confidence. Anonymised data was collated and subsequently analysed to review DH awareness.

Results

A total of 143 students participated from nine British universities with 28.7% of respondents admitting low levels of familiarity of DH concepts. Students anticipated negative repercussions of DH including reduced data security (42.7%) and deterioration in doctor-patient relationship (30%); while improvements in healthcare access and health-outcomes are expected by 89.5% and 68.5%, respectively. 71.4% of participants believed they had minimal experience of exposure to DH and 76% believed they did not possess the necessary skills to utilise DH. Only 3.5% of students had some exposure to DH teaching during their course.

Conclusion

There is an important requirement to address the lack of knowledge and exposure of students to DH, particularly as the world targets the COVID-19 pandemic. DH is forming the basis of the ‘new normal’ in healthcare, however the full potential of DH cannot be achieved unless there is an increase in its teaching incorporated into medical school curricula.
The influence of gender and class on the transition to retirement: A longitudinal qualitative study on Italian older workers’ experiences
Authors: Di Matteo Claudia , Socci Marco , Santini Sara , D’Amen Barbara
Published: March 2022

The aim of this study is the reconstruction of the multifaceted points of view related to the transition from work to retirement using a gender perspective. This article includes 40 interviews of ageing Italian workers, 24 women and 16 men, carried out in the cusp of retirement (wave 1) and two years after retirement (wave 3). The experiences related to the ‘decision to retire’ and ‘life after retirement’ were analysed using a complex theoretical framework based on the work of Bourdieu combined with the concept of gendered habitus developed by feminists’ theorizations. The findings identified the elements characterizing women’s narratives in such a way that it was possible to describe the ambivalent women’s positions embedded in the Italian socio-economic context. The voices of the participants were taken as case examples to draw attention to the critical nature of personal gendered identities, which are mostly influenced by structural conditions related to a particular welfare regime (e.g. work and retirement policies) aiming to fix normative behaviours in later life. Nevertheless, the gendered habitus, as an expression of inner discourses, illustrates at the same time the nature of both constraints and freedom possessed by the respondents. We conclude by pointing out the importance of reflexive social approaches applied to the study of gender inequalities in later life.
Reconceptualising Judith Butler’s theory of ‘grievability’ in relation to the UK’s ‘war on obesity’: Personal responsibility, biopolitics and disposability
Authors: Spratt Tanisha Jemma Rose
Published: March 2022

How does Judith Butler’s theory of ‘grievability’ relate to the neoliberal imperative to assume personal responsibility for one’s actions? And how can this be conceptualised in relation to a broader biopolitics of disposability that renders some lives dispensable and others worthy of protection? Focusing on the particular case of obesity and the UK government’s drive to reduce obesity rates in response to COVID-19, this article shows how conditions that are seen to arise from poor lifestyle ‘choices’ complicate Butler’s articulation of grievability by revealing how state and public investment can coincide with a general consensus of apathy that renders those lives both grievable and ungrievable. By simultaneously straddling the two subject positions, I argue that people living with obesity are often rendered failures within a neoliberal context that equates grievable life with productive life, thus giving way to a new ontology that renders life valuable only when it is not directly harming, or is in the service of, others.
Pluriversal intersectionality, critique and utopia
Authors: Masquelier Charles
Published: March 2022

Since intersectionality theory constitutes a critical assessment of the way the social world operates and strives for social justice, it entails an image of how the world is and how things could become. In this article a version of intersectionality with particularly strong counter-cultural tendencies is considered. Drawing on Ruth Levitas’s approach to utopia as ‘method’, it makes explicit pluriversal intersectionality’s utopian content. It is shown that the defining features of this intersectionality theory share an elective affinity with the principle of self-management lying at the core of the libertarian strand of socialist thought. But the utopia whose contours are drawn here is not expected to act as a blueprint. Instead, the article aspires to serve as an invitation to dialogue about the kind of future that could lie beyond intersectional oppression and, consequently, help consolidate pluriversal intersectionality’s transformative potential.
Energy, climate and structural change
Authors: Desai Nitin
Published: March 2022

The study of human history suggests that the sources of the energy used to sustain production and consumption are the defining determinants of the productive structure, and by implication of the social structure. This article assesses the economic and sociopolitical changes that one can expect because of the major changes in energy sources required to tackle the threat of global warming. It spells out what we know at present about the risks of climate change arising from global warming, how they are being addressed at present and how the measures that are contemplated at present to cope with the threat of climate change will transform the global energy economy and why this makes possible a substantially more decentralised economy. But it also qualifies this vision and deals with the hurdles that will be faced in the structural transition.
Book review: Hannah Knox. 2020. Thinking Like a Climate: Governing a City in Times of Environmental Change
Authors: Bhojvaid Vasundhara
Published: March 2022

Hannah Knox. 2020. Thinking Like a Climate: Governing a City in Times of Environmental Change. Durham: Duke University Press. xv + 314 pp. Notes, figures, references, index. $27.95 (eBook)
Book review: Max Liboiron. 2021. Pollution is Colonialism
Authors: Chhotray Vasudha
Published: March 2022

Max Liboiron. 2021. Pollution is Colonialism. Durham: Duke University Press. xiv + 197 pp. Figures, bibliography, index. $24.95 (eBook)
Climate change in the courts: An environmental lawyer’s viewpoint
Authors: Dutta Ritwick
Published: March 2022

Climate change today is a reality facing every part of the world and India is no exception. Judicial institutions—courts and tribunals—have a crucial role in adjudicating on climate concerns as the society tries on the one hand to reduce emissions, build resilience against a rapidly warming world and erratic weather patterns, and adapt to the changing climate. Impacts of climate change include melting glaciers, rising sea levels, species decline and extinctions, as well as, at the individual level and social planes—increasing conflicts, violent behaviour and migration among other issues. Unfortunately, climate change is yet to figure prominently in judicial decisions. India’s environmental jurisprudence is still structured around principles such as ‘polluter pays’, ‘sustainable development’ and the ‘public trust doctrine’ which double up as ‘fictions’ and ‘myths’ and have limited applicability so far as climate change–related issues are concerned. Analysis of judicial decisions where there is discussion on climate change shows that there is lack of appreciation about the seriousness, enormity and the urgency to deal with the climate crisis by both members of the judiciary as well as lawyers. The failure to address climate change–related issues in a comprehensive manner represents a serious shortcoming in India’s judiciary which needs urgent attention.
A Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Wilderness Therapy on Delinquent Behaviors Among Youth
Authors: Beck Natalie , Wong Jennifer S.
Published: March 2022

The purpose of the present meta-analysis was to determine the effectiveness of wilderness therapy in addressing youth delinquency. A systematic review of the literature was conducted using 27 electronic databases and numerous gray literature sources, surveying literature published from 1990 to 2020. The search identified 189 potential studies for inclusion, resulting in a final study pool of 11 studies contributing 14 effect sizes from a total sample of 1,874 treatment youths. Both self-reported delinquency and caregiver-reported delinquency were examined using separate random-effects models. Pooled analyses yielded large, positive, and significant effects of 0.832 and 1.054 respectively, indicating that wilderness therapy is potentially an effective tool for addressing delinquent behaviors among youth. Limitations of the study include a lack of moderator analyses due to the small sample sizes. Wilderness therapy is a promising form of diversion programming and further investigation into this treatment modality is warranted.
Three-dimensional piecewise guidance strategy for multi-UAVs guaranteeing simultaneous arrival and field-of-view constraint
Authors: Jun Zhou , Zequn Liu , Jianguo Guo , Zongyi Guo
Published: March 2022

This paper presents a three-dimensional (3D) piecewise guidance scheme for multiple UAVs) guaranteeing simultaneous arrival even under the field-of-view (FOV) constraint. The guidance law does not require to consider the estimation of the time-to-go and can be divided into two stages: cooperative stage and proportional navigation guidance (PNG) stage. In the cooperative stage, a decentralized consensus control approach is proposed for multi-UAV systems and does not rely on global information about the communication topography. Moreover, the neighbors’ new auxiliary states are introduced to ensure the states achieving consensus under FOV constrain. The guidance strategy transfers to the PNG stage while the UAV formation is close enough to the target and the simultaneous arrival to hit the target is guaranteed for UAVs via the PNG guidance law. Numerical simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed cooperative guidance law.
Population Migration Damages the Natural Environment: A Multilevel Investigation of the Relationship Between Residential Mobility and Pro-Environmental Behaviors
Authors: Zuo Shijiang , Cai Pan , Huang Niwen , Wang Fang , Wang Pujue
Published: March 2022

Residential mobility is increasing worldwide, and it objectively boosts economic strength. However, frequent moves create a specific habitat in which environmental degradation is aggravated. This research explored the relationship between residential mobility and pro-environmental behavior (PEB) from the perspective of environmental adaptation. We conducted five studies to test the hypothesis that high residential mobility decreased private-sphere PEBs at both personal and regional levels. The results showed that high personal residential mobility (Study 1) and high regional residential mobility (Study 2) were negatively correlated with self-reported private-sphere PEBs. Study 3 suggested that individuals primed with a high (vs. low) residential mobility mindset showed less actual private-sphere PEBs. Studies 4 and 5 further demonstrated that the preference for collective benefits played a mediating role in this relationship. These findings extend the adverse impacts of residential mobility to natural environments and highlight the role of social habitat changes in understanding environmental degradation.
Improvement of vitamin D status through consumption of either fortified food products or supplement pills increased hemoglobin concentration in adult subjects: Analysis of pooled data from two randomized clinical trials
Authors: Nikooyeh Bahareh , Zahedirad Maliheh , Kalayi Ali , Shariatzadeh Nastaran , Hollis Bruce W. , Neyestani Tirang R.
Published: March 2022

Background: It is documented that vitamin D may have a role in erythropoiesis as its deficiency is accompanied by an increased risk of anemia. Aim: This study aimed to examine whether improvement of vitamin D status through daily consumption of either fortified foods or supplements could impinge on certain hematologic parameters in adults. Methods: We pooled data from our two separate clinical trials and made five experimental groups. As part of their usual diet, one group consumed 500 mL/day of yogurt drink fortified with 1000 IU of vitamin D (D-yogurt, n = 27) whereas one group consumed 500 mL/day of the plain yogurt drink (P-yogurt, n = 27). In addition three other groups consumed either 50 g/day bread fortified with 1000 IU of vitamin D (D-bread) or supplement containing 1000 IU vitamin D (D-supplement, n = 27) or placebo (placebo, n = 27). Biochemical measurements were performed before and after the intervention. Results: In all three vitamin D-supplemented groups, serum 25(OH)D concentration increased after the intervention period, which was interestingly accompanied by a significant increment of hemoglobin (D-yogurt, p < 0.001, D-bread, p = 0.003, D-supplement, p < 0.001). Analyses indicated that among participants in vitamin D-intervention groups, being in D-yogurt group was more favourable predictor of improvement in hemoglobin concentrations compared with the placebo ( p < 0.001), D-bread ( p = 0.045) and P-yogurt ( p = 0.001). Conclusion: Improvement of vitamin D status via regular intake of either vitamin D-fortified food products or supplements can result in a significant increment of hemoglobin in adult subjects. This finding has very important clinical as well as public health implications.
Temporality of contemporary media usage practices: Types of pauses
Authors: Harro-Loit Halliki , Kõuts-Klemm Ragne
Published: March 2022

Time-shifting technologies have considerable implications for the media's role as a rhythm-maker. Mobile devices enable people to fulfil, as well as take, pauses – the numerous moments or periods each day they use to look for news, chat, validate the data and post their own messages or images. The aim of the present study is to conceptualize pauses for media usage via empirical qualitative analysis of media-usage diaries of Estonian family members reported by diarists. We propose four types of media usage pauses: as a benchmark, as a respite, waiting for pause and cut-off from action. The concept of pause in media usage reveals the resources the media economy is struggling to attract: the audience's attention and time. Although these resources do have limits, the approach by pauses of media usage exposes the opportunities within lifestyles and job specifications to enable taking pauses that actually extend both the time and attention that people devote to media. Clever usage of pauses opens new slots of operating for media companies in the conditions of the attention economy.
Crumbled autonomy: Czech journalists leaving the Prime Minister's newspapers
Authors: Waschková Císařová Lenka , Kotišová Johana
Published: March 2022

In 2013, the Czech-Slovak businessman Andrej Babiš decided to widen the scope of his activities by buying the Czech media house, Mafra. He was also pursuing a political career and in 2017 became Prime Minister of the Czech Republic. Both the purchase and the political ascent of the new owner have contributed to the departure of many journalists from the two national newspapers in the Mafra Group. The journalists left in waves that corresponded to the stages of Babiš's takeover and the gradual tightening of his grip on the newsrooms, and their departure has done fatal damage to the reputation of Mafra newspapers. Through 10 in-depth interviews with some of the journalists who left, this case study charts the disintegration of the newsrooms to assess the decline of journalistic autonomy within the oligarchized media systems of central and eastern Europe. We aim to identify the point at which the erosion of workplace autonomy becomes unacceptable for media professionals and when the situation becomes inconsistent with their professional identities. The findings suggest that the gradual erosion of journalistic autonomy, caused mainly by changes in the organization's culture, led journalists first to accommodate to the changes and later to leave.
ColoRadar: The direct 3D millimeter wave radar dataset
Authors: Kramer Andrew , Harlow Kyle , Williams Christopher , Heckman Christoffer
Published: March 2022

This work presents two different forms of dense, high-resolution radar data from two frequency modulated continuous wave radar sensors, along sparse radar pointclouds produced by one of the radar sensors. In addition, all datasets include 3D lidar and inertial measurements, and a lidar-based simultaneous localization and mapping pose estimation. Over 2 h of 6D pose data was generated across 52 datasets collected in highly diverse 3D environments including lab spaces, outside and inside large buildings, urban walkways, and a mine. One dataset, from the ASPEN Lab, also includes precision groundtruth generated from a motion capture system. Intrinsic radar calibration and measured extrinsic sensor position calibrations are also provided along with python based development tools to interact with the various datasets. This data is designed to assist with generating radar based localization algorithms and calibrations between radar and other sensors.
Modeling the Effects of Asphalt Overlay Design on Pavement Distress Initiation with Random Parameters Hazard-Based Duration Models
Authors: Xin Chunfu , Lu Qing , Zhang Hong
Published: March 2022

Pavement deterioration model is a key input to a pavement management system that optimizes pavement maintenance and rehabilitation (M&R) planning. As a typical pavement M&R technique, asphalt overlay is commonly implemented to restore pavement performance. However, the impact of its design factors on pavement deterioration is not well documented in existing publications. This study aimed to investigate the effects of asphalt overlay design on the initiation of various types of cracking and severe rutting with consideration of endogenous bias and unobserved heterogeneity. A series of random parameters Weibull duration models were developed based on 317 asphalt overlay projects, which were collected from the Long-Term Pavement Performance program. Endogenous overlay design, overlay thickness, milling indicator, and overlaid pavement deflection were identified to represent their heterogeneity caused by unobserved factors over highway sections. Based on analysis results, the endogenous overlay design was shown to underestimate the service life of overlaid pavement. The occurrence probability of overlaid pavement distress would significantly decrease with an increase of asphalt overlay thickness. The application of 30% reclaimed asphalt pavement materials would retard the occurrence of severe rutting, but accelerate the occurrence of all types of cracking. Relative to asphalt overlay, milling and overlay can significantly reduce the hazard rate of severe rutting and all types of cracking. In addition, existing pavement condition, overlaid pavement deflection, traffic volume, and climate factors were identified to have significant effects on the distress initiation in overlaid pavements.
A meta-analysis of the platelet-lymphocyte ratio: A notable prognostic factor in renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Zhou Xiao , Luo Guangcheng
Published: March 2022

The platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) has been assessed in some studies on renal cell carcinoma (RCC), but the results have been inconsistent. This meta-analysis aims to review and report the latest data regarding the prognostic role of the PLR in RCC patients. Articles were searched in the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library electronic databases. Studies were filtered according to a selection strategy, and data corresponding to the index of interest were extracted. A fixed-effects model or random-effects model was selected based on heterogeneity. The sensitivity analysis was carried out by eliminating the studies one by one. Finally, funnel plots and Egger's test were used to assess publication bias, and the trim and fill method was used to assess the impact of bias on the results. In total, 15,193 patients with RCC from 44 studies were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled analysis indicated that the higher the PLR was, the poorer the prognosis for RCC patients in terms of overall survival (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.01 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00, 1.02), P = 0.010), cancer-special survival (CSS) (HR = 1.21 (95% CI 1.00, 1.46), P = 0.05), progression-free survival (HR = 1.44 (95% CI 1.28, 1.62), P < 0.00001), recurrence-free survival (HR = 1.73 (95% CI 1.11, 2.71), P = 0.02), disease-free survival (HR = 1.63 (95% CI 0.91, 2.94), P = 0.01) and metastasis-free survival (HR = 1.223 (95% CI 0.712, 2.099), P = 0.466). In the subgroup analysis of high PLR, targeted treatment, TKI use, nivolumab use, surgical treatment, clear cell RCC, metastasis, Asian race, and high PLR were related to poor prognosis. This study showed that a high PLR was associated with the poor prognosis of RCC patients, but more studies are needed to confirm the value of the PLR.
Perceived Community Age-friendliness is Associated With Quality of Life Among Older Adults
Authors: Mullen Nadia , Stinchcombe Arne , Seguin Charles , Marshall Shawn , Naglie Gary , Rapoport Mark J. , Tuokko Holly , Bédard Michel
Published: March 2022

We examined the positive association between perceived community age-friendliness and self-reported quality of life for older adults. A total of 171 participants, aged 77–96 years, completed a mail-in questionnaire package that included measures of health (SF-36 Physical), social participation (Social Participation Scale), community age-friendliness (Age-Friendly Survey [AFS]), and quality of life (WHO Quality of Life). Hierarchical regression models including age, gender, driving status, finances, health, social participation, and AFS scores explained 8 to 21 per cent of the variance in quality of life scores. Community age-friendliness was a statistically significant variable in all models, accounting for three to six and a half per cent of additional variance in quality of life scores. Although the proportion of variance explained by age-friendliness was small, our findings suggest that it is worthwhile to further investigate whether focused, age-friendly policies, interventions, and communities could play a role towards successful and healthy aging.
Further Characterization of SMC1A Loss of Function Epilepsy Distinct From Cornelia de Lange Syndrome
Authors: Barañano Kristin W. , Kimball Amy , Fong Susan L. , Egense Alena S. , Hudon Catherine , Kline Antonie D.
Published: March 2022

Cornelia de Lange syndrome is a rare developmental malformation syndrome characterized by small stature, limb anomalies, distinctive facial features, developmental delays, and behavioral issues. The diagnosis of Cornelia de Lange syndrome is made clinically or on the basis of an identified variant in one of the genes associated with Cornelia de Lange syndrome. SMC1A variants are the cause of 5% of the cases of Cornelia de Lange syndrome. SMC1A is located on the X-chromosome and is thought to escape X-inactivation in some females. Patients with SMC1A variants are being increasingly identified through panel testing or exome sequencing without prior clinical suspicion of Cornelia de Lange syndrome. In general, intractable epilepsy is not considered a prominent feature of Cornelia de Lange syndrome, yet this is found in these patients with SMC1A variants. Here we report on a series of patients with SMC1A variants and intractable epilepsy. In contrast to patients with typical SMC1A-associated Cornelia de Lange syndrome, all of the identified patients were female, and when available, X-inactivation studies were highly skewed with truncating variants. We describe the medical involvement and physical appearance of the participants, compared to the diagnostic criteria used for classical Cornelia de Lange syndrome. We also report on the clinical characteristics of the epilepsy, including age of onset, types of seizures, electroencephalographic (EEG) findings, and response to various antiepileptic medications. These findings allow us to draw conclusions about how this population of patients with SMC1A variants fit into the spectrum of Cornelia de Lange syndrome and the broader spectrum of cohesinopathies and allow generalizations that may impact clinical care and, in particular, epilepsy management.
Dexamethasone for Pediatric Critical Asthma: A Multicenter Descriptive Study
Authors: Sellers Austin R. , Roddy Meghan R. , Darville Kristina K. , Sanchez-Teppa Beatriz , McKinley Scott D. , Sochet Anthony A.
Published: March 2022

Background

Systemic corticosteroids are vital to critical asthma management. While intravenous methylprednisolone is routinely used in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) setting, recent data supports dexamethasone as an alternative. Using the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) registry, we assessed trends and variation in corticosteroid prescribing among children hospitalized for critical asthma.

Methods

We performed a multicenter retrospective cohort study using PHIS data among children 3-17 years of age admitted for critical asthma from 2011 through 2019. Primary outcomes were corticosteroid prescribing rates by year and participating sites. Exploratory outcomes were corticosteroid-related adverse effects, rates of adjunctive pharmaceutical and respiratory interventions, mortality and length of stay.

Results

Of the 49 children's hospitals assessed, 26 907 encounters were included for study. Mean dexamethasone exposure rates were 18.1 ± 2.4% where 2.4 ± 1.2% represented dexamethasone-alone prescribing. Dexamethasone alone prescribing exhibited a linear trend (annual increase of 0.5 ± 0.1% annually R2 = 0.845) without correlation to cumulative site critical asthma admission rates. Compared to encounters prescribed solely methylprednisolone or a combination of dexamethasone and methylprednisolone, subjects provided dexamethasone alone had reduced asthma severity indices, length of stay, and exposure rates to adjunctive asthma interventions. Adverse events were rare and the dexamethasone-alone group less frequently experienced gastritis and hyperglycemia.

Conclusions

In this multicenter retrospective study from 49 children's hospitals, dexamethasone prescribing rates appear increasing for pediatric critical asthma. Observed variability in corticosteroid prescribing implies a continued need for controlled prospective comparative analyses to define ideal corticosteroid regimens for pediatric critical asthma.
Political Imaginations of Community Kitchens in Sweden
Authors: Lundström Markus
Published: March 2022

Whereas the sociology of food has drawn attention to differences between corporate and alternative foodways, the political imaginations underpinning the latter are often overlooked. This article distinguishes between different political imaginations of the community kitchen, a set of practices characterised by collective preparation and redistribution of food. The analysis builds on ethnographic and archive material in Sweden to outline how the folkkök (people’s kitchen) was once an institutional practice to address urban food insecurity, soon outsourced as altruistic soup kitchens, and then regenerated a century later by the anarchist movement. By distinguishing between altruistic and anarchistic imaginations in this analysis, the article adds another layer to the critical sociological study of alternative foodways.
Study of the damage behavior of T800 carbon fiber/epoxy resin composites after low-velocity impact under thermo-oxidative aging
Authors: Jia Yaoxiong , Xu Liang , Ao Qingyang , Zhang Wenzheng , Han Xiong
Published: March 2022

Here, the effect of thermo-oxidative aging on domestic T800 carbon fiber/epoxy resin composites was studied using mass loss rate curves, interface morphology, infrared spectroscopy, and dynamic mechanical property analysis. The composites were subjected to thermo-oxidative aging tests after low-velocity impact. Then, the effect of environmental factors on the damage area of the composites and the compression performance after impact were investigated. The results showed that the composites underwent physical and chemical aging at 185°C. Due to the short aging time, the mass loss rate slowly increased. After aging, thermo-oxidative aging caused the matrix to crack, and the sample cracks that formed after impact expanded, and the damage area also slightly increased. The residual compressive strength of the material fluctuated due to the competing reinforcing and destructive effects of the composite during thermo-oxidative aging; however, aging had little effect on the impact damage morphology and compression failure mode. Upon extending the aging time, thermo-oxidative aging caused the tanδ peak to gradually shift to a higher temperature, and the glass transition temperature ( Tg) increased.
Consideration of manufacturing induced adhesive damage in automotive simulations
Authors: Günther N. , Griese M. , Stammen E. , Dilger K. , Ince E. , Kassem-Manthey K.
Published: March 2022

This work contributes to the understanding of damage of adhesive layers generated during the manufacturing process and its effect on the subsequent load carrying capacity of the joint. A temperature dependent cohesive zone model is used to predict damage during the manufacturing process. Therefore, parameters for a temperature-dependent as well as a strain rate-dependent model were determined on various specimens. It is shown, that it is possible to predict the manufacturing induced damage within the adhesive layer with sufficient accuracy using a cohesive zone model. Furthermore, a continuous process chain for numerical simulations is developed, which allows to determine the adhesive layer damage by means of a process simulation and to consider the changed mechanical properties in a subsequent crash simulation. To simplify the procedure, a software tool is presented that automatically performs the described steps. The developed method is applied to a car body simulation to investigate the effects caused by the manufacturing process.
Sexually transmitted infections among participants in an HIV PrEP adherence trial
Authors: Bristow Claire C , Hassan Adiba , Moore David J , Dubé Michael P , Corado Katya , Chow Karen , Ellorin Eric , Blumenthal Jill , Morris Sheldon R ,   The CCTG Team
Published: March 2022

Background

HIV PrEP effectiveness is highly dependent on adherence. High STI incidence has been reported among PrEP users. We assessed the relationship between STI incidence (CT, NG, and syphilis) and PrEP adherence.

Methods

We performed a subanalysis of a controlled, open-label, two-arm, randomized clinical demonstration project of a text-message based adherence intervention. Participants had 48 weeks of follow-up and had STI testing every 12 or 24 weeks. PrEP adherence was measured at week 48 using intracellular tenofovir-diphosphate drug concentrations. We calculated incidence rate ratios for STIs among those adherent as compared with those not adherent to PrEP.

Results

Of the 381 assessed for CT, NG and syphilis at one or more follow-up visits, there were 16 cases of syphilis or 5.0 per 100 person years (95% CI: 2.6, 7.5); 63 cases of NG or 26.3 per 100 person years (95% CI: 19.8, 32.8); and 81 cases of CT or 36.3 per 100 person years (95% CI: 28.4, 44.2). We found no association between adequate PrEP adherence and STI incidence (aIRR: 0.97 95% CI: 0.67, 1.40).

Conclusions

We found that the incidence of STIs was not significantly different between those adherent to PrEP and those non-adherent. Further research is needed to assess how PrEP use may impact STIs over time.
Discrete sliding mode control with optimal generalized sliding function for non-minimum phase system
Authors: Ben Mansour Houda , Mokhtar Laila , Said Nouri Ahmed
Published: March 2022

Discrete sliding mode control with classical sliding function for the input–output representation is not applicable in non-minimum phase systems, due to the presence of unstable zero. In fact, the presence of the unstable zero risks deteriorating or saturating the control law. In order to surmount this problem, a new discrete generalized sliding mode controller for non-minimum phase systems is proposed with a new sliding function called discrete generalized sliding function. Here, the determination of optimal coefficients of the discrete generalized sliding function is proposed in terms of linear matrix inequalities. Using the proposed method, a discrete generalized sliding mode control for non-minimum phase systems with input–output model is presented and compared with the discrete generalized sliding mode controller using the pole placement method. An illustrative example verifies the effectiveness of the proposed technique.
The role of feelings in personal information management behavior: Deleting and organizing information
Authors: Alon Lilach , Nachmias Rafi
Published: March 2022

An increasingly intense experience of personal information management (PIM) manifests in how people manage personal information archives and how they feel about it. To this point, however, the relations between feelings and PIM behavior have attracted limited study. We examined how feelings shape people’s organizing and deleting practices, focusing on four affective aspects: anxiety, self-efficacy, belonging, and loss of control. We hypothesized that these affective aspects would predict the extent to which people utilize organizing and deleting practices. Data were collected via two self-reported questionnaires distributed to 465 respondents. Findings partially supported the hypotheses and showed self-efficacy was the strongest predictor of deleting and organizing. This suggests the process of PIM is more efficient and productive when people enjoy interacting with personal information and do not perceive it as a burden. We discuss the results and suggest several implications for research, PIM literacy development, and platform design.
Acknowledgement behaviour of Information Science students of Nigeria’s premier university
Authors: Adekannbi Janet O.
Published: March 2022

This study is an exploratory analysis of master’s dissertation acknowledgements (DAs) of Information Science students of Nigeria’s premier university – University of Ibadan. A total of 932 DAs from 1992 to 2019 were examined. Fifteen recent graduates of the Africa Regional Centre for Information Science were also interviewed. Descriptive and Inferential statistics as well as qualitative content analysis were carried out on the DAs while transcribed interview data were analysed thematically. Findings revealed that while addressees thanked in the DAs included supervisors, other academics, administrative staff, organisations, family and friends, most of the DAs however, acknowledged God first. More friends were acknowledged in the DAs than academics and family members, suggesting the extent to which the students value their social cycle. Interview data and excerpts from DAs revealed cases of students copying acknowledgements in past dissertations and acknowledgements of fellow colleagues. Results also showed that academic and moral supports were acknowledged more than technical, spiritual, financial and access. Overall, results from this study have shown the influence of socio-cultural and religious beliefs on the acknowledgement genre among Information Science students of Nigeria’s premier university.
Effect of Communication Strategies for Implementation of IT-based Educational Innovation During COVID-19 Pandemic on Students’ Motivation, Attitude, and Intent
Authors: Alvi Irum
Published: March 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic made the world come to a halt, but the number and pace of innovation responses became faster than ever. However, there is a paucity of studies concentrating on the management/implementation of innovation in educational institutes. Moreover, no in-depth study has been conducted on the effect of communication strategies adopted for educational innovation implementation on the students’ motivation, attitude, and intent to use, particularly in India, to the best of the writer’s information. Accordingly, the present study aims to address the research gaps by measuring the effect of select communication strategies used for implementing IT-based educational innovations. Grounded on prior research, the study scrutinizes the effect of rational persuasive strategy (utilizing legitimate contentions), assertive strategy (utilizing intimidation), and consulting strategy (engaging in the act of giving expert advice), and inspirational (evoking feelings of appreciation) strategy. To address the hypotheses framed, the data for the cross-sectional quantitative study was collected from engineering students using an e-questionnaire from Rajasthan, India. The sample comprised 305 (84.3% male and 15.7% female) students, with a mean age of 18.16 years. The findings of PLS-SEM using SmartPLS 3.2.9 confirmed that all strategies except assertive strategy had a positive and significant effect on motivation, attitude, and intent, thereby confirming the role of communication strategies. The study adds to the extant studies on communication strategies, innovation implementation, and adoption of Information Technology for education. The managerial implications include assisting institutes, faculty, and administration in providing insight into appropriate tactics to encourage the implementation of educational innovations among students. The study will also be useful for the administrators/policymakers, for better comprehension of issues and finding solutions for innovation implementation.