bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‘Though an enclosed nun you have not an enclosed mind’: Dame Laurentia McLachlan of Stanbrook Abbey
Authors: Truran Margaret
Published: February 2022

George Bernard Shaw’s insight pays tribute to the remarkable human and spiritual development of Dame Laurentia McLachlan. An enclosed nun since the age of 18, she acquired a breadth of mind and heart that enabled her to touch the lives of many. This article examines afresh her influence as a Benedictine nun and abbess, her pioneering work on Gregorian chant for the liturgy, and the friendship she offered to all she encountered. In the context, light is shed on the history of Stanbrook Abbey, including the ill-founded rumour in the 1880s that Stanbrook intended to leave the English Benedictine Congregation. Belief in prayer and miracles is a recurring theme in Shaw’s correspondence with Dame Laurentia; new material about his friendship with the boxing champion, Gene Tunney, and the miraculous response to prayer that saved the life of Tunney’s wife, brings further light to bear on this.
Critical Perspectives on UK Prisons
Authors: Quinlan Christina
Published: February 2022

This special issue of The Prison Journal features the scholarship of faculty based at, or associated with. the Institute for Research in Criminology, Community, Education and Social Justice at De Montfort University (DMU), Leicester, UK. Three articles offer critical perspectives on women's prisons, the role of coercive control in the lives of women offenders who are victimized by domestic abuse, and the issue of ethical research practice with imprisoned women. The remaining three contributions include an assessment of prison education in UK prisons, an overview of a hope-inspired UK prison arts program, and the results of a public attitudes survey regarding access to and use of digital technologiesby incarcerated individuals in the UK.
The training needs of critical care nurses: A psychometric analysis
Authors: Santana-Padilla Yeray Gabriel , Bernat-Adell María Desamparados , Santana-Cabrera Luciano
Published: February 2022

Background/Objective:

Nurses develop the care methods they learn through specific training and this enables them to provide care in a safe, effective and efficient manner. Intensive Care Units (ICU), as complex areas in terms of care, require nurses with specific training. Due to this fact, we set ourselves the objective to validate a questionnaire that detects the training needs of intensive care nurses in Spain.

Methods:

A cross-sectional descriptive study, using an electronic questionnaire, adapted and validated through the Delphi technique, in 85 ICUs in Spain, for which a psychometric analysis is conducted. To explore the dimensions and determine the factorial structure, an Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were carried out. Internal consistency was determined through ordinal alpha. The statistical treatment was carried out using the statistical programmes Factor Analysis 10.9.02 and IBM AMOS version 24.

Results:

A total of 568 Spanish intensive care nurses, randomly divided into two samples, participated in the study. The EFA presented a factorial solution with suitable values for both the Kaiser-Meyer-Olsen Index and Bartlett's Sphericity. In the CFA, the model fit achieved close to ideal values with a Comparative Fit Index (CFI) and Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI) close to values of 0.9. The values of individual reliability, internal consistency and average variance extracted were appropriate for this type of analysis.

Conclusion:

The dimensions detected are close to the construct that encompasses the training needs of ICU nurses. The analyses carried out indicate that there are reasonable realities for incorporating these dimensions into the field of nursing training. This study opens the possibility of incorporating new items to adjust the model to improve the explanatory variables. Our findings help us to understand the dimensions that the training programmes should incorporate.
Evaluation of lung cancer biomarkers profile for the decision of targeted therapy in EBUS-TBNA cytological samples
Authors: Gürün Kaya Aslıhan , Çiledağ Aydın , Erol Serhat , Öz Miraç , Doğan Mülazımoğlu Deniz , Işık Özlem , Özakıncı Hilal , Çiftçi Fatma , Şen Elif , Ceyhan Koray , Kaya Akın , Karnak Demet , Çelik Gökhan , İsmail Savaş
Published: February 2022

Background

Guidelines recommend performing biomarker tests for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), BRAF and ROS proto-oncogene-1(ROS1) genes and protein expression of programmed death ligand-1(PD-L1) in patients with non-small lung cell carcinoma (NSCLC). Studies reported that endobronchial ultrasound-transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) can provide sufficient material for cancer biomarker analyses, but there are still concerns about the subject.

Aim

The purpose of the study was to assess the adequacy of EBUS-TBNA for testing lung cancer biomarkers.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed patients with NSCLC whose EBUS-TBNA was analysed for EGFR, ALK, ROS-1, BRAF and PD-L1 expression between December 2011 and December 2020.

Results

A total of 394 patients were enrolled in the study. EGFR mutation and ALK fusion were the most common studied biomarkers. EBUS-TBNA adequacy rate for biomarker tests was found 99.0% for EGFR, 99.1 for ALK, 97.2% for ROS1, 100% for BRAF and 99.3% for PD-L1 testing. Multivariate analysis revealed the histological type, history of treatment for NSCL, size, or 18-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake of sampled lesion did not show any association with TBNA adequacy for biomarker testing.

Conclusion

EBUS-TBNA can provide adequate material for biomarker testing for EGFR, ALK, ROS-1, BRAF and PD-L1 expression.
Positioning resilience science more centrally in affirming LGBTIQA+ persons and communities
Authors: Wilks Mirah , Papakyriakou Beba (XM) , Nel Juan A
Published: February 2022

Historically, in psychology, there was a tendency towards focusing on the individual and intrapsychic pathologisation of LGBTIQA+ persons. Despite a recent shift to affirmative, systemic, interpersonal, and contextual stances, too much emphasis in South African LGBTIQA+ scholarly work remains on adversity. Adversity derived from historical tensions may have accelerated adaptive problem-solving capabilities and solution-focused behaviours in some LGBTIQA+ populations. Certain solutions have generated creative resilience responses inexorably situated in race, ethnicity, culture, religion, gender, history, political oppression, and social class. Resilience science that has similarly evolved from the individual trait conceptualisation may have an important complementary contribution to make in affirming LGBTIQA+ persons and communities and enhancing the understanding of their resilience. Exploring resilience for wellbeing and survival addresses the infinite streams of human experiences of vulnerability and sustainable adaptive solutions. The multisystemic resilience perspective in this article endeavours to summarise current thinking in resilience science and position its applicability to future South African LGBTIQA+ scholarly work, building on existing systematic and critical reviews relating to the resilience of LGBTIQA+ persons. The aim of this position piece, suggesting the expansion of a ‘resilience’ frame, is to offer an important intervention in the overarching ways in which South African scholars and psychology professionals theorise and conduct research; to inform therapeutic and other psychological services to LGBTIQA+ persons and provide an important counterweight to the more general focus in South African LGBTIQA+ scholarship and psychological practice on adversity.
Multivariate inverse artificial neural network to analyze and improve the mass transfer of ammonia in a Plate Heat Exchanger-Type Absorber with NH3/H2O for solar cooling applications
Authors: May Tzuc Oscar , Chan-González Jorge J. , Castañeda-Robles Iván E. , Lezama-Zárraga Francisco , Moheno-Barrueta Moises , Jiménez Torres Mario , Best Roberto
Published: February 2022

This work presents a numerical approach to compute optimal operating conditions that maximize the absorption flux into a heat exchanger designed for absorption refrigeration systems. Experimental data were obtained from a test circuit that operates in bubble absorption mode with an inner vapor distributor into a Plate Heat Exchanger-type (PHE-type) and interacts with ammonia vapor, NH3-H2O refrigerant, and cooling water. An artificial neural network (ANN) was trained to correlate the thermal properties of the solution and absorption flux in function of easily measurable parameters (concentrations, mass flows, and pressures of saturated and diluted solutions, flow and temperature of the ammonium vapor, environment temperature, and solution temperature). According to results, ANN is adequate to correlate the operational parameters and the transport phenomena inside the heat exchanger with a precision > 99%. ANN also quantitatively identified the ammonium vapor flow (43.1%), dilute solution flow (18.1%), and dilute solution concentration (13.1%) as the variables most importantly in influencing absorption flux optimization. Subsequently, a multivariable inverse artificial neural network was applied to improve the mass transfer into the PHE-type.It was identified that simultaneous optimization of the ammonia and dilute concentration flow rates improves the absorption flow performance by up to 96.3% under a worst-case scenario (ammonia flow rate<1.4 kg/min) and even 7.04% when even when operating near the amino vapor flow limit (ammonia flow rate>2.0 kg/min). Finally, it was confirmed that incorporating the diluted solution concentration into the optimization contributes to improving the performance of the absorption process 1%. Results obtained are relevant in the search to produce more competitive absorption cooling systems, demonstrating the feasibility of improving the performance of heat exchangers without structural modifications. The proposed methodology represents an interesting option to be implemented to improve performance in solar cooling systems.
Association between perceived discrimination and food insecurity among sexual minority men
Authors: Tran Alvin , Birk Nick , Skalaban Timothy , Chom Selena
Published: February 2022

Background: Despite numerous studies focusing on the burden of food insecurity, few have assessed its impact among sexual minority (LGB) populations. Sexual minority individuals are subject to chronic levels of stress, including stigma, prejudice, and discrimination as a result of their sexual orientation identity. While few studies have documented food insecurity among sexual minorities, the relationship between food insecurity and discrimination among this stigmatized population remains unclear. Aim: This study aimed to assess the toll of food insecurity among a sample of sexual minority men (i.e. bisexual and gay men) in the U.S. Guided by the Minority Stress Theory, the study also assessed the relationship between food insecurity and perceived discrimination. Methods: Researchers disseminated an online survey and recruited gay and bisexual men in the U.S. The survey collected participants’ demographic information, perceived discrimination, and food insecurity. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between perceived discrimination and food insecurity. Results: A total of 504 sexual minority men (49.2% bisexual and 50.8% gay) completed the survey. Results from logistic regression models suggest perceived discrimination was significantly associated with food insecurity (OR = 1.14, CI: 1.11–1.18). Those living with a partner demonstrated lower odds of food insecurity (OR = 0.38, CI: 0.18–0.71). Conclusion: The present study found a significant association between perceived discrimination and food insecurity among sexual minority men. The findings need to be replicated and further explored through additional research, including qualitative methods, to better elucidate how discrimination is related to experiences with food insecurity among gay and bisexual men.
Identifying current driver rehabilitation practices for clients with physical impairments
Authors: Langereis Brittany , Semeniuk Sarah , Kristalovich Lisa , Mortenson W.Ben
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Driving is an important occupation that influences a person’s ability to access community resources and participate in meaningful activities. Occupational therapists and other clinicians who are trained as driver rehabilitation specialists provide interventions to improve function and independence in driving. The objective of this study was to examine consistency of adaptive driving equipment prescription and driver retraining recommendations for clients with physical impairment and identify factors that influence driver rehabilitation recommendations.

Methods

Clinicians practicing in Canada and the United States were surveyed electronically. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and content analysis.

Results

Out of 36 respondents, the majority (97.2%) were occupational therapists. Completion of in-clinic (97.0%) and on-road (84.4%) evaluations were consistent among the majority of respondents, yet components comprising evaluations varied. Fewer respondents were in agreement in equipment recommendations for secondary controls. Respondents emphasized the importance of clinical reasoning skills when making equipment and intervention recommendations.

Conclusion

Further development of clinical guidelines and advanced training in driver rehabilitation may be beneficial to facilitate clinical reasoning and improve consistency of practice.
Return to Sports and Patients’ Rehabilitation Continuum After Deepening Trochleoplasty and Concomitant Patellar-Stabilizing Procedures: A Case Series of 111 Patients at 2 to 4 Years of Follow-up
Authors: Mengis Natalie , Zimmermann Felix , Schemel Larissa , Rippke Jules N. , Milinkovic Danko D. , Balcarek Peter
Published: February 2022

Background:

There are few reports on the return to sports after complex patellar-stabilizing surgery.

Purposes:

To evaluate patients’ ability to return to sports and to investigate the extent to which the preoperative level of sports participation influences sports activity after deepening trochleoplasty (TP) and concomitant patellar-stabilizing procedures.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

Between April 2015 and April 2019, 144 patellar-stabilizing procedures, including deepening TP and medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction or medial reefing with and without concomitant realignment procedures, were carried out in 142 patients. The Banff Patellofemoral Instability Instrument 2.0 (BPII 2.0) and the Tegner activity score were used to assess patients’ quality of life and sports activity level. In addition, a numerical analog scale was used to evaluate patellofemoral pain intensity during rest and activity and subjective knee joint function.

Results:

Outcomes were available for 111 patients (112 knees) (male/female, 77/34; mean age, 23.4 ± 7.8 years), yielding a 77.7% follow-up rate at a mean of 39.2 ± 9.9 months (range, 24-48 months). Two-thirds of the patients returned to their preoperative level of activity or higher, but their Tegner scores did not change significantly (4.5 ± 2.4 vs 4.7 ± 1.6; P = .365). Low-level athletes (preoperative Tegner score 0-4) participated at a higher level of sports activity (2.7 ± 1.4 to 4.1 ± 1.2; P < .0001), whereas higher-level athletes (preoperative Tegner score 5-10) participated at a lower level (6.8 ± 1.3 to 5.5 ± 1.7; P < .0001). The likelihood of returning to the preoperative activity level (Tegner score) was significantly higher in the low-level activity group than in the high-level activity group ( P = .0001; 95% CI, 4.055-27.05; odds ratio, 10.47). All of the patient-reported outcome measures improved postoperatively, independent of the patients’ age, sex, and body mass index.

Conclusion:

Patients undergoing deepening TP and medial soft tissue stabilization with or without concomitant realignment surgery for complex patellar instability can expect good clinical results and a high rate of return to sports participation, with two-thirds of patients returning to their preoperative Tegner-level of activity or higher. However, higher-level athletes should be informed that their likelihood of returning to sports at the preoperative level or full participation at a competitive level is reduced.
Gender Differences in Financial Decision-Making and Behaviors in Single and Joint Households
Authors: Wagner Jamie , Walstad William B.
Published: February 2022

This study investigates gender differences in household financial behavior using data from the 2018 National Financial Capability Study, a large and nationally representative survey about adults’ financial behavior, knowledge, and attitudes. The behaviors include paying your credit card in full each month, having a 3-month emergency fund, having non-retirement investments, and having a non-employer retirement account. Results showed that single females were significantly less likely to engage in any of the financial behaviors compared to men. Additionally, females in joint households were also significantly less likely to engage in the behaviors compared to males. These results are robust when splitting the single and joint household samples by age, level of financial literacy, and using a sample from a prior year. Therefore, females may not be well-prepared for financial decision-making in single or joint households, which can have adverse consequences for managing current personal finances and building wealth for the future.

JEL codes: D12, D14, I21
Assessing Computational Thinking: Development and Validation of the Algorithmic Thinking Test for Adults
Authors: Lafuente Martínez Marc , Lévêque Olivier , Benítez Isabel , Hardebolle Cécile , Zufferey Jessica Dehler
Published: February 2022

This study describes the development and validation process of a computational thinking (CT) test for adults. The team designed a set of items and explored a subset of those through two qualitative pilots. Then, in order to provide validity evidence based on the test content, a team of 11 subject-matter experts coded the initial pool of items using two different systems of categories based on CT components and contents. Next, the items were piloted on a sample of 289 participants, 137 experts in CT, and 152 novices. After a series of confirmatory factor analyses, a unidimensional model that represents algorithmic thinking was adopted. Further analyzing the psychometric quality of the 27 items, 20 of them with excellent reliability indices were selected for the test. Thus, this study provides a tool to evaluate adults’ CT: the Algorithmic Thinking Test for Adults (ATTA), which was developed according to psychometric standards. This article also reflects on the nature of CT as a construct.
English trade with the East at a time of change: Captain Richard Etherington's voyages and networking in the maritime world in the late seventeenth century
Authors: Andrew Smith F. , Paul Sue
Published: February 2022

At the end of the seventeenth century, the trade monopoly of the English East India Company was increasingly under threat, both in England and overseas. This article describes voyages to India and the East Indies between 1688 and 1699 by ships commanded by Richard Etherington. Firstly, he commanded a ship chartered by the East India Company for a voyage to India, the outcome of which was shipwreck. After events in England that significantly affected the East India Company's future, he commanded a ship chartered by private merchants, voyaging to Borneo and then, rather unusually, on to Timor. English and Dutch archival sources have been put together to illustrate Etherington's voyages in relation to the various issues that influenced English trade, and also the small world of maritime and mercantile activities in the region at the time.
All aboard the King George and Happy Captive: European shipnaming practices in the trans-Atlantic slave trade, 1750–1755
Authors: Pasierowska Rachael
Published: February 2022

This study examines the names and symbolism of slave ship vessels between 1750 and 1755. Undertaking trans-oceanic travel in the eighteenth century was a perilous venture. Sea storms threatened vessels and their crew members, who were near defenceless in the face of such violent natural elements. First, merchants sought to name their vessels for traits that bespoke speed. A vessel that remained for long stretches of time in any port lost capital by the day. Consequently, ships stayed for short periods of time in Atlantic harbours whenever possible. Second, force was also central to merchants’ naming patterns. Through christening their vessels after absolute monarchs, saints, classical deities and heroes, merchants sought appellations that represented a symbolic, or in many instances, real protection against the elements at sea.
“They are Assuming That We are Going to Accuse Them of Rape, and We are Assuming That They are Going to Rape us”: A Developmental Perspective on Emerging Adults’ Consent Conversations Post #MeToo
Authors: Cary Kyla M. , Reid Taylor A. , PettyJohn Morgan E. , Maas Megan K. , McCauley Heather L.
Published: February 2022

Prevalence of sexual assault remains high on American college campuses, and sexual consent education is lacking within school-based sexual health education programming. Much empirical research has aimed to reduce sexual violence through a deeper understanding of college students’ perceptions of sexual consent. However, researchers have not yet examined the impact of broader social discourse, such as that initiated by the #MeToo movement, on emerging adults’ conceptualizations of sexual consent. Gendered focus groups were conducted with 34 college students at a large midwestern university in spring of 2019. Qualitative analyses using a phenomenological framework revealed a developmental process of consent education shaped by socialized sexual scripts and public discourse of the #MeToo movement. Four distinct themes emerged: (1) Introductions to Consent in Childhood, (2) Lack of Sexual Consent Education in Adolescence, (3) The Nuanced College Context, and (4) Consent in the Era of #MeToo. Findings reveal that consent is introduced in childhood, outside the context of sexuality, but is generally not revisited within the context of sexual consent by parents or educators during adolescence, leaving media messaging and socialized sexual scripts to serve as guides for sexual consent. This lack of sexual consent education in adolescence then leaves emerging adults unprepared for nuanced sexual experiences in the college context and unable to critically engage with public discourse surrounding consent such as the #MeToo movement, which has caused both fearful and positive outcomes. Findings support the need for earlier and more comprehensive education about sexual consent in childhood and adolescence and the need for college sexual assault prevention programs to include further instruction on navigating ambiguous sexual consent experiences.
Tribological and thermal characteristics of an epoxy-based composite containing polyaryletherketone
Authors: Hu Haixia , Shu Rui , Meng Limin , Yu Tiansheng , Wang Chengjun , Chen Dingming , Shen Yuzhe
Published: February 2022

Current research work focuses on the tribological and thermal properties of epoxy resin matrix composites, which were modified by polyaryletherketone (PAEK-C). The results of the infrared spectra and morphologies of fracture surfaces experiments corroborate the successful synthesis of the materials. From the tribological experiments, it can be known that when the mass fraction of PAEK-C was 10 phr., the corresponding composite exhibited the outstanding wear performances, which could be ascribed to the higher H/E ratio. Based on the results of tribological experiments, it could be obtained that the main wear mechanism is governed by combination of the plastic deformation, creation of vertical cracks in the sliding track, separation of debris, and material waves due to adhesions. In addition, the glass transition temperatures ( Tg) and heat-resistance index ( THRI) of the PAEK-C/epoxy resin higher than those of pure epoxy resin matrix, respectively. Furthermore, when the mass fraction of PAEK-C increased, the heat resistance index ( THRI) of the corresponding composite is 196.3°C, which is higher than that of neat epoxy resin (180.9°C). Also, according to the results of thermogravimetric analysis experiments, it could conclude that the activation energy of the curing process is situated in the range of 150–160 kJ mol−1 depending on the mass fraction of epoxy resins.
Dynamic reliability analysis for configuration transformation of a controllable metamorphic palletizing robot
Authors: Chen Huiqing , Wang Rugui , Dong Yichen , He Simin
Published: February 2022

The dynamic reliability of configuration transformation is the key to ensure the normal operation of metamorphic mechanisms with multiple configurations in engineering applications. In this work, a controllable metamorphic palletizing robot for handling the workpieces was investigated. The failure function was established using the dynamic reliability model of its configuration transformation, where the uncertain variables were considered as probabilistic random and non-probabilistic interval variables. Next, a reliability analysis method used to determine and solve this function was proposed. The upper and lower failure function bounds were considered as probabilistic random variables enabling the calculation of the corresponding reliability. Regarding the case study, the reliability results of various configuration transformation types calculated via the presented method are close to those gained by the neural network-based Monte-Carlo method. Furthermore, in the experimental study, the measured data were obtained by the orthogonal design and fitted using a neural network. The reliability results show that the relative errors between the experimental results and those obtained through the proposed method are small, which suggests that the proposed method is effective. Therefore, this study provides an appropriate safety evaluation reference for the configuration transformation of metamorphic mechanisms.
Analysis and optimization of vehicle handling stability with considering front and rear suspension hard point coordinates
Authors: Gao Jin , Han Peifeng
Published: February 2022

For the front double wishbone suspension, starting from the space analytic geometry, a method of describing the movement law of the its is proposed and kinematic analysis is performed, and then the expressions of front wheel alignment parameters are derived by the vector method. Based on the theory of space coordinate transformation, a method of analyzing the kinematics of the five-link suspension is proposed, and the toe angle and camber angle of the rear wheels are derived. The virtual kingpin of the rear suspension is approximated by the instant screw axis method to obtain the expressions of the kingpin alignment parameters. The sensitivity analysis of the impact of the hard point coordinates on the suspension performance indicators is obtained, and the hard point coordinates that are most sensitive to the front and rear suspension performance indicators are obtained. And this is used as the analysis object to explore the influence of the hard point coordinate changes on the wheel alignment parameters. The frequency response index of the vehicle is derived from the vehicle dynamics model, and the change law of the frequency response index of the vehicle in the low and high frequencies is obtained based on swept-sine input simulation. Finally, the sensitivity analysis of the vehicle handling stability is carried out on the hard point coordinates, and the more sensitive hard point coordinates are selected as the optimization variables. The vehicle frequency characteristic index is used as the optimization target, and the NSGA-II algorithm is used for multi-objective optimization. After optimization, the result shows that the handing stability of the vehicle in the low frequency range has been improved.
Design of a transfer system for the automotive industry
Authors: Nunes DM , Campilho RDSG , Silva FJG
Published: February 2022

Continuous optimization of processes and products in automotive companies is necessary. The costumers’ demand is growing, making it necessary to increase the number of orders and reduce deadlines. All these changes showed that the processes used in the past are outdated and innovation is needed. Nonetheless, it is not viable to increase manpower or number of production lines without improving and optimizing the existing processes. This work aims to analyse and improve the efficiency of a stamping process of an automotive components’ manufacturer, arising due to the low overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) of transfer dies. Under this scenario, the transfer system should be modified to decrease the setup time and production stoppage, by producing a design that reduces the setup time at the time of changing components/specifications of the fabricated parts or changing the stamping tool. Several management tools were applied, such as failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA analysis) in the pre-design phase. A new concept was devised for the transfer system to increase its stability. The new design accomplished a significant reduction of setup times and production stops, and also a major weight reduction, leading to higher reliability.
Online self-sampling kits for human immunodeficiency virus and other sexually transmitted infections: Feasibility, positivity rates, and factors associated with infections in France
Authors: Rahib Delphine , Bercot Béatrice , Delagreverie Héloïse , Gabassi Audrey , Delaugerre Constance , Salord Hélène , Icard Vinca , Le Thi Than-Thuy , Leveau Benjamin , Khiri Hacène , Digne Julien , Didelot Marie-Noëlle , Pisoni Amandine , Tuaillon Edouard , Lydié Nathalie , Vandentorren Stéphanie
Published: February 2022

Background

Men who have sex with men are increasingly diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections (STI) in France. To address this situation, quarterly screening for HIV combined with hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV), as well as annual screening for C.trachomatis (CT) and N.gonorrhoeae (NG) are recommended. The MemoDepistages program offered an at-home screening solution for these infections. This study describes the feasibility of this screening process, the rate of positive test results, and the factors associated with positivity.

Methods

Participants were recruited online. Laboratories verified the quantity and quality of the samples. Logistic regression was used to determine the associated factors for infection.

Results

Overall, 1556 out of 1908 (81.6%) blood samples were tested for at least HIV. A total of eight participants (0.5%) were newly diagnosed with HIV and four with HCV (0.3%). No new infection was confirmed for HBV. Overall positivity was 9.3% for CT and 9.6% for NG. The highest positivity was reported in rectal swabs for CT (7.3%) and in pharyngeal swabs for NG (7.2%). Factors associated with extragenital CT/NG were age under 30 years (for pharyngeal and rectal infections) and having at least 10 partners in the past 6 months ( p<0.001) (for pharyngeal infections only).

Conclusions

The self-sampling kit for multiple STIs can perform comprehensive tests and identify new infections in young people, especially in extragenital sites.
(De)legitimization of single mothers’ welfare rights: United States, Britain and Israel
Authors: Herbst-Debby Anat
Published: February 2022

This article contributes to the theoretical discussion of the historical legitimacy of single mothers by examining the construction of relationships between single motherhood and welfare policy. Specifically, the study analyses the changing discourse regarding single mothers, and the social policy designed for them, in the US, UK and Israel from the 1970s to the 2000s. These three countries are similar in terms of the embeddedness, extension and institutionalization of neoliberal ideology in their welfare policies and public discourse, together with welfare legislation affecting single mothers, yet they differ in terms of policy implementation and the history of policy development. The study examines institutional intersectionality along with cultural perceptions of single mothers in each country. Looking at both the development and the withdrawal of social rights over time, we deepen understanding of how the image of the single mother is created in the neoliberal welfare regime.
A General Amalgamate Technique to Evaluate Human Health Risk Under Uncertain Circumstances
Authors: Dutta Palash , Akhtari Sayesta
Published: February 2022

Evaluation of humans’ health risk is an essential and most demanding aid in relevance to the process of decision-making. Accumulation of quality knowledge on the attributes of each and every available data, information and model parameters, involved in risk assessment, plays a crucial role in the process of evaluation. It is important to note that, most frequently, model parameters are imprecise due to the availability of limited data and knowledge. Under such circumstances, probability theory (PT) and the theory of fuzzy sets can be brought forth to deal with the emerging uncertainties. There is also a need to devise an amalgamate technique to perform health risk assessment under uncertainty. Although some different approaches are available in this regard, all approaches are situation or problem dependent and fail to address some specific issues. Therefore, this article presents a general amalgamate technique to address all the concerned issues, and, finally, health risk is carried out using this approach.
The impact of COVID-19 on benzodiazepine usage in psychiatric inpatient units
Authors: Zaki Nancy , Brakoulias Vlasios
Published: February 2022

Objective

This study aims to investigate whether COVID-19 has led to increased usage of benzodiazepines in acute psychiatric settings.

Method

We evaluated the rates of benzodiazepine usage in two acute psychiatric inpatient units over a period of two years, 2019 and 2020 (the year of the pandemic). Rates of oral atorvastatin usage over the same period were used as a comparator.

Results

We saw a significant increase in the usage of benzodiazepines in the period between April and December 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 despite a decline in the total number of admissions in 2020. Usage peaked further at the time of eased pandemic restrictions which coincided with higher rates of emergency department mental health (MH) presentations and acute MH hospital admissions. We also noticed higher rates of substance use disorder recorded on admission. Hospital leave restrictions due to COVID-19 also led to further restrictions on smoking.

Conclusion

Benzodiazepine usage increased in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study encourages more research to better understand the impact of the pandemic on acute psychiatric settings.
Trends in Incidence and Prognostic Factors of Two Subtypes of Primary Liver Cancers: A Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Based Population Study
Authors: Yao Jiping , Liang Xue , Liu Yanning , Li Shuangshuang , Zheng Min
Published: February 2022

Objectives

The objective of our study was to investigate and compare the epidemiologic characteristics, prognostic factors, and survival between hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) patients.

Methods

Age-adjusted incidence rates were evaluated from 1975 to 2016 using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Overall survival (OS) was investigated using the Kaplan–Meier method and log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to identify the independent prognostic factors for OS.

Results

In the last 10 years, the incidence rate of ICC increased rapidly by 109% (annual percentage change (APC) = 8.24, 95% CI = 6.64 to 9.86; P < .001), compared with a much more modest 12% increase in the incidence of HCC (APC = 1.59, 95% CI = .56 to 2.62; P < .001). This trend persisted throughout the study across different age groups, sexes, and races. Males older than 70 years and of other races (non-African American and non-Caucasian) showed the highest incidence rates of HCC and ICC. Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that other race, married status, later year of diagnosis, more examined lymph nodes, and surgery were significant protective factors of OS in HCC patients. In contrast, the race and year of diagnosis were not independent prognostic factors, but radiation and chemotherapy were protective factors of OS in ICC patients. The median OS was 18 months and 12 months in HCC and ICC patients, respectively.

Conclusion

In the last 10 years, the incidence of HCC had a slow growth in the United States, whereas ICC showed a remarkable increase. The 5-year OS of the former has improved in recent years while that of the latter showed no significant improvement. Therefore, surgery could contribute to superior survival outcomes as compared to other treatments.
Robust active vibration suppression of single-walled carbon nanotube using adaptive sliding-mode control and electrostatic actuators
Authors: Wang Yang , Wang Zhen , Zhang Xiaojuan
Published: February 2022

In this paper, the electrostatic actuator-based active vibration control of a single-wall carbon nanotube conveying fluid is studied. A double electrostatic actuator scheme is developed and its decoupling method also is proposed. Then, a novel adaptive sliding-mode control (SMC) scheme is developed. The newly proposed scheme future improves existing results from two aspects: (1) the newly proposed adaptive SMC can work well under high uncertain case in which all parameters are uncertain and the uncertainties cannot be separated from control force and (2) a double electrostatic actuators scheme which can suppress the vibration of carbon nanotube in multiple directions is designed, and a novel decoupling scheme for the two actuators is developed. The stability of the closed-loop system is analyzed by using Lyapunov stability theory. Finally, the simulation results illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
Amended Safety Assessment of Butyl Polyoxyalkylene Ethers as Used in Cosmetics
Authors: Fiume Monice M. , Bergfeld Wilma F. , Belsito Donald V. , Hill Ronald A. , Klaassen Curtis D. , Liebler Daniel C. , Marks James G. , Shank Ronald C. , Slaga Thomas J. , Snyder Paul W. , Gill Lillian J. , Heldreth Bart
Published: February 2022

The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety (Panel) assessed the safety of 46 butyl polyoxyalkylene ethers that share a common structural motif, namely a butyl chain (4 carbon alkyl chain) bound to a polyoxyalkylene (PPG, PEG, or both); 23 of these ethers were previously reviewed by the Panel, and 23 are reviewed herein for the first time. Most of the butyl polyoxyalkylene ethers have several functions in cosmetics, but the most common reported functions include hair conditioning agent and skin conditioning agent, and many reportedly function as solvents. Upon review of new data, including frequency and concentration of use, and data from previous Panel reports and on read-across analogs, the Panel concluded that these ingredients are safe in the present practices of use and concentration in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating.
A Classroom Assignment for Sparking Discussion on the Role of Gender in Employee Compensation Decisions
Authors: Waters Gerald , Waymer Damion
Published: February 2022

The following teaching brief outlines ways for advertising and public relations educators to discuss gender pay equity in the classroom. We know that educators are asked to teach about matters of diversity; yet many faculty members do not have adequate resources to do so. Faculty can rely on data and reports, but there are few hands-on activities that allow students to directly wrestle with gender pay disparity. The following activity centers on a hypothetical scenario in which we ask students to allocate pay bonuses to employees based on performance, time on the job, and other work-related factors. Over multiple semesters, we found that students consistently award smaller percentages of the bonus pool to employees with names commonly associated with females. Thus, this exercise provides a helpful way to enlighten students about implicit bias and gender pay equity in the professions of advertising and public relations.
Critical literature reviews: A critique and actionable advice
Authors: Wright Alex , Michailova Snejina
Published: February 2022

This article treats critical literature reviews as a distinct review type, and presents a critique of author-labeled critical literature reviews in Organization and Management Studies. We identify and problematize 275 review articles that claim to critically review a body of literature and find that most to not deliver on this claim. Many critical literature reviews do not adequately explain what is meant by “critical” and are highly uncritical in their execution. We reveal the following two significant problems: lack of construct clarity and a prevailing “group, re-present, and summarize” approach. We also identify 19 exemplary critical literature reviews—those that exhibit judgment about the literature they cover. These are drawn from across the onto-epistemological spectrum, so include works from within both the positivist and interpretivist traditions. We propose a “Call for Action” aimed at authors, reviewers, and editors to increase critical literature reviews’ quality and impact. We enhance the long tradition within Management Learning for improving scholarship and focus on a skill all academics are required to learn, exercise, and demonstrate—to conduct high-quality literature reviews.
Beyond the scorecard diplomacy: From soft power rankings to critical inductive geography
Authors: Grincheva Natalia
Published: February 2022

The article interrogates if data visualization, despite its inherited subjectivity, can be used not only as a tool for data representation but also as a research platform to facilitate an iterative exploratory process to identify new themes, raise new questions, and generate new knowledge. It addresses this task by pursuing a twofold research goal. On the one hand, it confirms previous findings that have documented the political power of data visualization specifically in the field of scorecard diplomacy. It critically discusses Portland Soft Power 30 Index that measures soft power of selected countries on the annual basis to reveal how the scorecard diplomacy works through the ranking dashboard. On the other hand, the article reflects on the experience of designing a geo-visualization system that, by contrast, intended to overcome shortcomings of data visualization’s politics to build a platform for an inductive academic research. It discusses a new deep mapping framework of soft power visualization that intended to address several critical problems of Portland’s measurements and shares research insights from the project “Deep Mapping: Creating a Dynamic Web Application Museum Soft Power Map.”
Educational travellers and destination appeal: Deconstructing intrinsic motivations
Authors: King Brian , Lejealle Catherine , Chapuis Jean Michel
Published: February 2022

Using self-determination theory, the authors explore whether destination appeal enhances intrinsic motivations to study abroad. Primary data gathered from inbound and outbound educational travellers in Paris, France were analysed using Structural Equation Modelling. It was confirmed that the mediating effect of destination appeal enhances intrinsic motivations for studying abroad. A discussion follows about how destinations can enhance educational travellers’ autonomous decision-making through two self-contextual influences – information and external control. Destination authorities can potentially address a society-wide issue – the lesser performance of extrinsically motivated students. The authors discuss implications for stakeholders, including institutions and DMOs.
Role-based interaction analysis for FLL: A sociocognitive UBL perspective
Authors: Xiao Hao-Zhang
Published: February 2022

This article discusses, from a sociocognitive perspective, the integration of usage-based linguistics (UBL) models in favor of conversation analysis (CA) for second language acquisition (SLA). On this basis, it presents a pedagogical approach, viz. role-based interaction analysis (RBIA) for foreign language learning (FLL), by scaffolding, tracking and measuring learners’ behaviors of learning spoken grammatical and pragmatic features in intertextual affordances. Two groups were designated randomly as the experimental group ( n = 30) and the comparison group ( n = 32) to examine their uptake of the targeted features via explicit and implicit RBIA (i.e. two different ways of learning/processing in role-based interaction) respectively. Results showed: (1) there were significant differences between the two groups in the learning of grammatical features; (2) intergroup differences were significant in the development of pragmatic features; (3) the explicit RBIA learners outperformed the implicit RBIA learners in the appropriacy of expressing pragmatic meanings of social roles. These findings provide evidence for the integrated UBL model and the plausibility of the RBIA-for-FLL approach in instructed FLL contexts.
Explaining inequalities in vulnerable children’s digital skills: The effect of individual and social discrimination
Authors: Mascheroni Giovanna , Cino Davide , Mikuška Jakub , Smahel David
Published: February 2022

While the Internet is part of everyday life for many children, inequalities exist in their digital skills, with little known about the influence of perceived discrimination on these inequalities. Building on survey data collected from nationally representative samples of 10,820 children aged 12–16 in 14 European countries, we seek to understand whether and how disadvantaged children may fall behind their more advantaged peers across Europe with respect to digital skills, as well as the role played by perceived individual and social discrimination in acquiring these skills. The findings show that perceived individual and social discrimination affect the relationships of socio-cultural resources (age, gender, preference for online social interaction) and personal resources (self-efficacy) with digital skills. Therefore, even in countries where Internet use is an integral part of children’s lives, interventions should be made to prevent perceived offline discrimination translating into digital inequalities.
Becoming-elemental – a thermal imaginary in the Anthropocene
Authors: McHugh Kevin
Published: February 2022

The Anthropocene problematic calls for imaginative aesthetic experiments fostering more-than-human thought and sensibilities. In this thought experiment, I draw on a sensing device in conjuring a thermal imaginary that decenters the human, espying a glimpse of a strange and uncanny world-without-us. The imaginary is a speculative performance in elemental attunement – becoming-molecular, becoming-imperceptible in the generative potentia of planetary heat – opening a pathway in rethinking bodies and worlds as emergent in, and through, forces elemental and cosmic in scope. The thermal imaginary accentuates the elemental as exorbitant, anonymous, and nonpossessable, an earthly plenum beyond any final capture, possession, mastery and control. Elemental alterity, the very strangeness of the earth, rises in the thermal imaginary as a summons, a calling from the “outside,” gesturing toward an immanent ethics of radical openness working in, and through, earthly bodies always already exposed and vulnerable in the force of the elemental. We must be open to the elemental summons, expanding capacities for what a body can do, moving beyond spinning reductive and redemptive Anthropocene narratives for saving this world. There can be no new bodies and worlds to come in the absence of an elemental ethics worthy of the earth itself.