bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing Analogical Acceleration in Public Discourse: The Case of the Buthelezi–Savimbi Comparison and South Africa’s Transition
Authors: Williams Christopher
Published: February 2024

Politicians often deploy analogies to shape public discourse. If picked up by the media, these references to the past can powerfully shape how political events are perceived. This article examines why some analogies became popular through an exploration of the creation and development of the analogy comparing Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the leader of the Inkatha Freedom Party in South Africa, to Jonas Savimbi, the leader of the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola, during South Africa’s transition. Tracing the evolution of the Buthelezi–Savimbi comparison through an analysis of media reports indicates that analogies that possess predictive power are likely to gain traction in public discourse and become effective tools for policy advocacy.
Introduction: Re-presenting COVID-19: Biopolitics, digitalisation, citizenship
Authors: Williams James S. , Pajević Marko
Published: February 2024

This introduction briefly traces the development of historical and philosophical responses to COVID-19 in its longue durée and considers the pandemic’s lasting biopolitical effects in contemporary digital culture and its implications for democratic mechanisms and citizenship in Europe. It is argued that the present juncture constitutes a crucial and propitious moment in European thought and culture to take general stock of COVID-19 and to re-present it within the evolution of both European society and the European imaginary. Furthermore, the collective experience of COVID-19 has engendered important new confluences between humanities and the social sciences. Cinema is offered as a case study of biopolitical practice, or ‘bioart’, produced during the pandemic, revealing how ideas of community and citizenship are being re-thought and re-conceptualised ethically and politically in terms of relationality that surpasses standard disciplinary and ideological borders. Finally, the introduction outlines the six chapters comprising the volume.
A new MPPT controller based on a modified multiswarm PSO algorithm using an adaptive factor selection strategy for partially shaded PV systems
Authors: Ben Regaya Chiheb , Farhani Fethi , Hamdi Hichem , Zaafouri Abderrahmen , Chaari Abdelkader
Published: February 2024

Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller is the main element in photovoltaic (PV) systems, which is used to ensure maximum power extraction under different meteorological conditions. A MPPT controller can guarantee good performance criteria even in the presence of climatic changes. To achieve this goal, several techniques have been proposed in the literature to improve robustness of the PV system control, such as artificial intelligence and multiswarm particle swarm optimization (MSPSO) algorithm. Previous research on classical MSPSO has shown that the algorithm search behavior cannot find the optimal solution for certain problems. In this context, we investigate the design of a new MPPT controller based on a modified version of heterogeneous multiswarm particle swarm optimization algorithm using an adaptive factor selection strategy (FMSPSO) for PV systems. The proposed FMSPSO can improve the tracking capability with high accuracy, less oscillations, and high robustness. To validate the proposed solution, a simulation and experimental benchmarking of a PV system are presented and analyzed. The obtained results show the effectiveness of the proposed solution compared with the classical MSPSO, fuzzy logic, and perturb and observe (P&O) control presented in other recent works.
Induced seismic activity and source parameter characteristics in the Datong coal mine, China
Authors: Li Li , Liu Jian , Xi Zhenzhu , Zhang Ling
Published: February 2024

To clarify the activity patterns and source characteristics of coal mining–induced microseismicity, this study analyzed the spatial distribution characteristics of microseismic events in the Datong coal mining area based on records from the regional digital seismic network. We conducted a detailed characterization of the depth distribution characteristics of microseismic events using the double-difference localization method. Additionally, the source parameters, including corner frequency ( fc), source rupture radius ( r), seismic moment ( M0), source radiated energy ( Es), and stress drop (Δσ), were calculated for 136 mine-induced earthquakes with magnitudes ranging from ML1.3 to ML3.2. The results show that ML ≥ 2.0 mining-induced seismic events occur mainly within numerous microfractures in the Datong mining area. The depth of the seismic sources in the mining area is concentrated at 200∼500 m, with significant north–south differences and a close correlation with the mining depth. The displacement spectra of microseismic sources show agreement with the Brune source model [Formula: see text] attenuation pattern. As M0 gradually increases, r, Δσ, and Es show an increasing trend, while fc gradually decreases, exhibiting characteristics similar to those of tectonic earthquakes. Compared to tectonic earthquakes, coal mining-induced earthquakes have lower corner frequencies and stress drop levels mainly because mining activities alter the originally stable geological structure and stress state, leading to weakened rock strength, decreased elastic modulus, and shallower source depths. These factors contribute to the reduction in corner frequencies. As mining operations continue, microfracturing occurs in the coal and surrounding rock mass, intensifying the dynamic instability of the rock mass that was already under high stress conditions. This situation triggers larger-magnitude, mining-induced seismic events under lower stress conditions.
Intraoperative Handheld Digital X-ray for Assessment of Intracochlear Positioning of Electrode Arrays in Recipients of Cochlear Implants
Authors: Shin Bong-Jin , Kim Hong Chan , Kim Do Hyung , Cho Hyong-Ho
Published: February 2024

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the practicality of handheld digital X-ray in determining the position of the electrode array following Cochlear implantation (CI). Methods: A retrospective study was conducted involving 11 patients (12 ears) who underwent intraoperative imaging via handheld X-ray (MINE ALNU®, OTOM, Gwangju, South Korea) post-CI between December 2021 and January 2023. Immediate confirmation of the correct electrode array placement in the cochlea was achieved, with subsequent comparisons made to C-arm image and postoperative transorbital view X-ray. Results: Rapid intraoperative imaging was achieved in all instances. The electrode types used included 9 Nucleus slim modiolar electrodes, 1 Nucleus contour electrode, and 2 Medel flex26 electrodes. A malpositioned electrode array was detected in one patient. The handheld digital X-ray also adeptly visualized the electrodes implanted in pediatric patients. Conclusions: The use of intraoperative handheld digital X-ray using MINE ALNU® proves to be a safe, efficient, straightforward, and reliable method for immediate identification of an inserted electrode array. It has potential to replace the traditional C-arm X-ray for verifying electrode positioning in the operating room.
Do Deaf Women Feel Safe on Campus? A Qualitative Case Study of One UK University
Authors: Napier Jemina
Published: February 2024

With increasing attention to sexual misconduct on university campuses, universities have focused attention on campus safety, but safety systems are based on assumptions that people who live and work on campuses are able-minded and able-bodied. Any contemplation of campus safety needs to consider the intersectional experiences of students and staff. Considering the experiences of people from minoritised groups can provide insights into socially constructed notions of safety on campus. One such minoritised group is deaf women. Using the broader concept of safety to mean ‘the state of being ‘safe’ and the condition of being protected from any harm or other danger’, this paper reports on interviews conducted with five deaf women who work or study at one UK university to examine whether they feel safe on the campus. Four key themes were identified: (i) safety as a woman, (ii) safety as a deaf person; (iii) intersectional experiences of safety as a deaf woman; and (iv) accessible safeguarding. These five deaf women reported having more concerns because they are deaf rather than because they are women, but noted that the intersectional experience of being deaf and a woman create deeper safety concerns. Recommendations are made for university campuses to ensure that their safeguarding practices are accessible.
Sharing the Voices of Scholars
Authors: Randi Judi
Published: February 2024

This paper highlights the role of editors and reviewers as mentors to future generations of scholars. The author shares personal recollections and experiences that document TCR’s long-standing commitment to promoting publication as a learning experience. Looking forward, the paper forecasts the impact of Teachers College Record initiatives in blending tradition and innovation to share the voices of scholars worldwide.
Expanding Critical Perspectives on Disability and Education
Authors: Ferri Beth A. , Connor David J.
Published: February 2024

TCR has played a vital role in the development of DSE, helping establish it as a formalized field of study that continues to grow and develop. In this brief commentary, we attempt to capture the scope and broad thematics of DSE scholarship published in TCR from foundational articles to more recent work, as DSE continues to grow and expand, particularly in terms of interdisciplinary and intersectional commitments.
The Entanglement Between Tangible and Intangible Factors in Shaping Hadiya Migration Aspirations to South Africa
Authors: Feyissa Dori Dereje , Hagen-Zanker Jessica , Mazzilli Caterina
Published: February 2024

This article expands scholarly knowledge on migration decision-making drawing on the case of Hadiya (Southern Ethiopia) migration to South Africa. We propose a conceptual framework where intangible factors (religious beliefs, imaginations, norms, and emotions, and feelings) are placed at the core of decision-making, alongside more tangible factors, such as livelihood opportunities. Even though we differentiate between intangible and tangible, we reject any opposition between the two, arguing that they inform and reinforce each other. The Hadiya—South Africa migration corridor emerged from a foundational evangelical Christian prophecy in 2001, which coincided with other events in the Hadiya zone, such as increasing pressure on farmlands, the politicization of internal migration, and more liberal migration policies. Drawing on extensive qualitative data, we focus on the relevance of intangible factors in Hadiya migration to South Africa, bringing to the fore an understudied aspect of decision-making. Showing the centrality of such aspects in Hadiya respondent's life stories, we argue that only by looking at the interplay of intangible and tangible factors we can reach a better understanding of the complex dynamic of migration decision-making.
Declaration as Embodied Practice: Integrating Perception, Confession and Action in Following Jesus Christ
Authors: Singh David Emmanuel
Published: February 2024

The underlying argument here is informed by a closer reading of events leading up to Peter's declaration of Jesus as ‘the Son of the Living God’ in Matthew 16, juxtaposed with the notion of ‘Embodied Witness’ in Ivan Satyavarta's paper on ‘Critical Issues’. Jesus did not see the reality of being the Son for demonstrating his divine power but, for servanthood; for achieving the purpose of God through action in the world. Likewise, for the disciples, the declaration of Jesus exceeds mere perception of divinity or his oral confession but for Christ-like action or embodied practice in the world.
The importance of network coopetition for the robustness of micro-enterprises in times of crisis
Authors: Sabel Kristin , Dalborg Cecilia , von Friedrichs Yvonne , Kallmuenzer Andreas
Published: February 2024

Prior research has highlighted coopetition as a successful strategy for enterprise performance during a crisis; this has largely focused upon large firms therefore, limiting our knowledge of network coopetition in micro-enterprises. This article explores the impact of network coopetition on the robustness of micro-enterprises during COVID-19. A survey and interviews with craft food producers in Sweden were conducted; a measurement for firm robustness was created, indicating that 46% of respondents had successfully weathered the pandemic and were thus, considered robust. The findings show that micro-enterprises employing network coopetition as a strategy during the pandemic exhibited robustness. This article stresses the importance of micro-enterprises that broadly embrace network coopetition to withstand the negative effects of crises.
Model of collaborative information retrieval behavior using information systems among academic researchers of medical sciences
Authors: Gholami Shahrzad , Abadi Saeed Rezaei Sharif , Karbala Aghaee Kamran Masoumeh
Published: February 2024

Aim

The purpose of this study was to analyze the collaborative information retrieval (CIR) behavior among faculty members of research centers based in the University of Medical Sciences to present a structural model.

Methodology

The type of this experimental study was based on a pretest-posttest with the control group. Data were collected using a questionnaire, and the participants were selected by stratified random sampling. Out of a total of 73 participants, there were 42 people in the intervention group and 31 participants in the control group.

Findings

The variables of awareness, information sharing, division of labor, and team communication had a significant positive relationship with the team collaboration (p < 0.05), collaboration had effect on the evaluation of retrieved information with a significant positive relationship (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Based on the findings, CIR is the set of activities that can include factors such as the ability to share the obtained knowledge, analyze the retrieved information, communicate, and collaborative awareness. The structural model confirmed our findings that developing the interactive and synergies capabilities of research team members to increase collaboration through a network-based structure reduces the loss of stored collective knowledge and also accelerates the process of access to information resources, and required content.

Originality

This research has carried on as the one of the first studies on collaborative information retrieval behavior with an experimental method in Iran and many others countries. A considerable point in the present study was assessing the nature of CIR behavior from the perspective of human behaviors, which was mentioned as a very important approach in information science. Accordingly, a human behavioral approach to information retrieval was considered and strengthened, regardless of technical aspects. Another strength of this study was the model extracted from our findings which have emphasized specifically CIR as specific and dynamic activities.
Hypobaric type oxygenators – physics and physiology
Authors: Chotimol Phatiwat , Lansdowne William , Machin David , Binas Kressle , Angelini Gianni D , Gibbison Ben
Published: February 2024

Brain injury is still a serious complication after cardiac surgery. Gaseous microemboli (GME) are known to contribute to both short and longer-term brain injury after cardiac surgery. Hypobaric and novel dual-chamber oxygenators use the physical behaviors and properties of gases to reduce GME. The aim of this review was to present the basic physics of the gases, the mechanism in which the hypobaric and dual-chamber oxygenators reduce GME, their technical performance, the preclinical studies, and future directions. The gas laws are reviewed as an aid to understanding the mechanisms of action of oxygenators. Hypobaric-type oxygenators employ a high oxygen, no nitrogen environment creating a steep concentration gradient of nitrogen out of the blood and into the oxygenator, reducing the risk of GMEs forming. Adequately powered clinical studies have never been carried out with a hypobaric or dual-chamber oxygenator. These are required before such technology can be recommended for widespread clinical use.
Effects of kinesiotaping during early post-operative rehabilitation in individuals who underwent a total knee arthroplasty: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials
Authors: Ickert Edmund C , Griswold David , Ross Omar , Dudash Shannon , Duchon Colleen , Learman Ken
Published: February 2024

Objective

To report the treatment effects of early use kinesiotaping on pain, range of motion, mobility, and edema outcomes following total knee arthroplasty.

Data Sources

Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMED, SPORTDiscus, Biosis Citation Index, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature were searched for potential randomized control trials from inception to 8 January 2024.

Review Methods

Randomized control trials evaluating the effect of kinesiotaping published in English were included. Reference lists for relevant reviews were searched. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool. Certainty of evidence was determined using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach.

Results

Seven articles totaling 534 participants were included for meta-analysis. Kinesiotaping with standard rehabilitation when compared to standard rehabilitation alone had very low certainty of evidence in pain and knee flexion range of motion. Kinesiotaping was favored at post-operative days two to four for pain ( P = 0.03, standard mean difference = −0.77 [−1.45, −0.09]) and range of motion ( P = 0.002, standard mean difference = −0.24 [−0.44, −0.03]). Kinesiotaping was favored at post-operative days six to eight for pain ( P = 0.02, standard mean difference = −0.76 [−1.41, −0.12]) and range of motion ( P = 0.04, standard mean difference = −0.63 [−1.22, −0.04]). Edema and mobility could not be meta-analyzed.

Conclusion

The use of kinesiotaping early in post-operative rehabilitation could be a useful modality for reducing pain and increasing the range of knee flexion, however, the certainty of evidence is very low.
The Relationship Between Cognitive Reappraisal and Psychological Well-Being During Early Adolescence: A Scoping Review
Authors: Shum Christopher , Dockray Samantha , McMahon Jennifer
Published: February 2024

During early adolescence, individuals can refine their use of cognitive reappraisal as an emotion regulation strategy while experiencing instability of psychological well-being through changes to positive affect, negative affect and life satisfaction. This scoping review aimed to identify and summarise the key findings from studies that have examined early adolescent cognitive reappraisal and psychological well-being. Using Arksey and O’Malley’s scoping review methodology, this review yielded 63 studies; 58 studies found a positive relationship between cognitive reappraisal and psychological well-being. Most studies that examined age found no association between the frequency of reappraisal use and age. Findings connected to sex differences and contrasts between discrete emotions were inconsistent. The positive association between cognitive reappraisal and well-being indicates that cognitive reappraisal should be actively promoted in youth contexts. Future research should specify the direction of this relationship, how it develops and how effective the relationship is across sexes and discrete emotions.
Preferences for Genetic Testing to Predict the Risk of Developing Hereditary Cancer: A Systematic Review of Discrete Choice Experiments
Authors: Morrish N. , Snowsill T. , Dodman S. , Medina-Lara A.
Published: February 2024

Background

Understanding service user preferences is key to effective health care decision making and efficient resource allocation. It is of particular importance in the management of high-risk patients in whom predictive genetic testing can alter health outcomes.

Purpose

This review aims to identify the relative importance and willingness to pay for attributes of genetic testing in hereditary cancer syndromes.

Data Sources

Searches were conducted in Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, HMIC, Web of Science, and EconLit using discrete choice experiment (DCE) terms combined with terms related to hereditary cancer syndromes, malignancy synonyms, and genetic testing.

Study Selection

Following independent screening by 3 reviewers, 7 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria, being a DCE investigating patient or public preferences related to predictive genetic testing for hereditary cancer syndromes.

Data Extraction

Extracted data included study and respondent characteristics, DCE attributes and levels, methods of data analysis and interpretation, and key study findings.

Data Synthesis

Studies covered colorectal, breast, and ovarian cancer syndromes. Results were summarized in a narrative synthesis and the quality assessed using the Lancsar and Louviere framework.

Limitations

This review focuses only on DCE design and testing for hereditary cancer syndromes rather than other complex diseases. Challenges also arose from heterogeneity in attributes and levels.

Conclusions

Test effectiveness and detection rates were consistently important to respondents and thus should be prioritized by policy makers. Accuracy, cost, and wait time, while also important, showed variation between studies, although overall reduction in cost may improve uptake. Patients and the public would be willing to pay for improved detection and clinician over insurance provider involvement. Future studies should seek to contextualize findings by considering the impact of sociodemographic characteristics, health system coverage, and insurance policies on preferences.

Highlights

Test effectiveness and detection rates are consistently important to respondents in genetic testing for hereditary cancer syndromes. Reducing the cost of genetic testing for hereditary cancer syndromes may improve uptake. Individuals are most willing to pay for a test that improves detection rates, identifies multiple cancers, and for which results are shared with a doctor rather than with an insurance provider.
Clinical significance of KRT7 in bladder cancer prognosis
Authors: Song Jun , Wu Ye , Chen Zhongming , Zhai Dong , Zhang Chunpei , Chen Shizhan
Published: February 2024

Background

Typically, the overexpressed keratin 7 (KRT7) is considered a validated therapeutic target and prognosis marker in bladder cancer. However, the crucial roles of KRT7 in the clinical prognosis and immune microenvironment in bladder cancer remain unclear.

Methods

Initially, the expression levels of KRT7 in public databases were analyzed that is,Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) 2.0 and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA). Further, the clinical tissue samples from patients (n = 10 pairs) were collected to confirm the expression trends of KRT7 and detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis. Meanwhile, the relationship between KRT7 and the prognosis of bladder cancer patients was analyzed by Kaplan–Meier plotter estimation and Cox regression analysis. Finally, TIMER 2.0 and IHC staining analyses were performed to calculate the infiltration abundances of three kinds of immune cells in eligible bladder tumor samples.

Results

The TIMER 2.0 and GEPIA datasets suggested the differences in the expression levels of KRT7 in tumors, in which KRT7 was significantly upregulated in bladder cancer. The KRT7 expression was closely associated with patients’ gender, tumor histologic subtypes, T status, and American Joint Committee on Cancer stages. Notably, the increased KRT7 indicated poor overall survival and disease-free survival rates. Moreover, KRT7 expression could be responsible for immune infiltration in the cancer microenvironment of the bladder. Finally, the high expression level of KRT7 increased the presence of regulatory T cells (Tregs) but reduced the infiltration of CD8+ T and natural killer cells.

Conclusion

KRT7 as a biomarker potentiated the prediction of bladder cancer prognosis and the immune microenvironment.
Training Senior Companion Volunteers to Identify and Report Adult Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
Authors: Bibbo Jessica , Reynolds Courtney , Ejaz Farida Kassim
Published: February 2024

Elder abuse is a national public health challenge that can have dire consequences for the older adults who experience it in any form. The Senior Companion Program presents a unique opportunity to address this public health challenge. An in-person training for Senior Companion volunteers across Ohio on how to recognize and report elder abuse was developed, implemented, and evaluated prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Evaluation consisted of surveys distributed prior to and at the conclusion of the training. A total of 302 volunteers were trained with a survey response rate of 76%. While there was significant knowledge improvement in one of the five knowledge items ( p < .000, all other ps ≥ .065), volunteers’ subjective rating of their knowledge on abuse significantly improved ( p = .029). Training older adult volunteers working with other community-dwelling adults is likely a valuable strategy to educate and protect against elder abuse.
Cybervictimization in Relation to Self and Other Protection and Response Behaviors: A Cross-Sectional Look at an Age-Diverse National Sample
Authors: Langhinrichsen-Rohling Jennifer , Montanaro Erika , Mennicke Annelise , Ybarra Michele L.
Published: February 2024

This study considered whether experiencing cybervictimization is associated with increased recognition of cybervictimization intervention opportunities (i.e., witnessing others’ cybervictimization), as well as greater engagement in self-protective (e.g., changing usernames and privacy settings) and other-protective cybervictimization bystander response behaviors. We collected cross-sectional self-report data from an age-diverse ( M = 46.29 years, SD = 19.14, range = 15–93) national sample ( n = 3002). We hypothesized that: (1) personal experiences with cybervictimization would be associated with increased reports of witnessing opportunities to intervene when others are cybervictimized, greater self-reported use of active bystander behaviors in witnessed situations, and greater use of self-protective strategies; (2) We also expected that engagement in self-protective behaviors would be positively associated with engagement in other-protective bystander behaviors in response to witnessed cybervictimization. To test our hypotheses, we estimated a structural equation model wherein four latent variables were constructed: cybervictimization experienced, witnessed opportunities to intervene, engagement in self-protective behaviors, and engagement in other-protective cybervictimization bystander behaviors. As hypothesized, cybervictimization was associated with witnessing more opportunities to intervene in other’s cybervictimization, greater self-reported use of active cyber bystander behaviors, and greater engagement in self-protective strategies. However, the strength of two associations was moderated by age, with stronger relationships between cybervictimization and witnessing opportunities to intervene as well as engaging in bystander behavior for older as compared to younger participants. Contrary to hypothesis, there were no significant associations between use of self and other protective behaviors. Furthermore, greater witnessing of cybervictimization was associated with less engagement in bystander behavior in the final model. The implications for existing bystander intervention programs are described. Longitudinal studies of these associations in multiple age groups and among different cultural groups remain necessary.
Nonfinancial Outcomes in Family Business Research: A Review and Future Research Agenda
Authors: Martin John A. , Evert Robert E. , Payne G. Tyge
Published: February 2024

Nonfinancial outcomes (NFOs) are goals, objectives, performance indicators, or other results, effects, and consequences not operationalized in terms of direct monetary value. The most salient NFOs for family businesses represent socioemotional considerations that are unique to the family’s decisions and behaviors; yet there are hundreds of different outcomes that can be classified as nonfinancial, with numerous implications for family and nonfamily businesses. With the objective of advancing knowledge of NFOs, we review 267 articles containing 322 NFOs, synthesize our findings by classifying the NFOs into quadrants, discuss how they are utilized in the extant literature, and suggest future research opportunities.
The augmented synthetic control method in public health and biomedical research
Authors: Krajewski Taylor , Hudgens Michael
Published: February 2024

Estimating treatment (or policy or intervention) effects on a single individual or unit has become increasingly important in health and biomedical sciences. One method to estimate these effects is the synthetic control method, which constructs a synthetic control, a weighted average of control units that best matches the treated unit’s pre-treatment outcomes and other relevant covariates. The intervention’s impact is then estimated by comparing the post-intervention outcomes of the treated unit and its synthetic control, which serves as a proxy for the counterfactual outcome had the treated unit not experienced the intervention. The augmented synthetic control method, a recent adaptation of the synthetic control method, relaxes some of the synthetic control method’s assumptions for broader applicability. While synthetic controls have been used in a variety of fields, their use in public health and biomedical research is more recent, and newer methods such as the augmented synthetic control method are underutilized. This paper briefly describes the synthetic control method and its application, explains the augmented synthetic control method and its differences from the synthetic control method, and estimates the effects of an antimalarial initiative in Mozambique using both the synthetic control method and the augmented synthetic control method to highlight the advantages of using the augmented synthetic control method to analyze the impact of interventions implemented in a single region.
Review of sample size determination methods for the intraclass correlation coefficient in the one-way analysis of variance model
Authors: Mondal Dipro , Vanbelle Sophie , Cassese Alberto , Candel Math JJM
Published: February 2024

Reliability of measurement instruments providing quantitative outcomes is usually assessed by an intraclass correlation coefficient. When participants are repeatedly measured by a single rater or device, or, are each rated by a different group of raters, the intraclass correlation coefficient is based on a one-way analysis of variance model. When planning a reliability study, it is essential to determine the number of participants and measurements per participant (i.e. number of raters or number of repeated measurements). Three different sample size determination approaches under the one-way analysis of variance model were identified in the literature, all based on a confidence interval for the intraclass correlation coefficient. Although eight different confidence interval methods can be identified, Wald confidence interval with Fisher’s large sample variance approximation remains most commonly used despite its well-known poor statistical properties. Therefore, a first objective of this work is comparing the statistical properties of all identified confidence interval methods—including those overlooked in previous studies. A second objective is developing a general procedure to determine the sample size using all approaches since a closed-form formula is not always available. This procedure is implemented in an R Shiny app. Finally, we provide advice for choosing an appropriate sample size determination method when planning a reliability study.
The dangers of masculine technological optimism: Why feminist, antiracist values are essential for social justice, economic justice, and climate justice
Authors: Stephens Jennie C.
Published: February 2024

Responding to the climate crisis requires social and economic innovation—because climate change is a symptom of patriarchal capitalist systems that are concentrating—rather than distributing—wealth and power. Despite the need for social and economic innovation, technological innovation continues to be prioritized in climate policy and climate investments. This paper reviews the dangers of technological optimism in climate policy by exploring its links to patriarchal systems and masculinity. The disproportionate focus on science and technology emerges from and reinforces “climate isolationism,” a term that I use to refer to the common framing of climate change as an isolated discrete, scientific problem in need of technological solutions. This framing stems from assumptions of patriarchal white-male conceptions of privilege and power that evolve from a colonizing and controlling mindset. Masculine technological optimism is dangerous because it is exclusive, it minimizes the need for social change and social innovation, and it is ineffective in catalyzing inclusive societal transformation. This paper argues that embracing feminist, antiracist values is necessary for transformative climate policies, economic justice, and climate justice.
World-making technology entangled with coloniality, race and gender: Ecomodernist and degrowth perspectives
Authors: Paulson Susan
Published: February 2024

Impelled by the intertwined expansion of capitalist institutions and fossil-fueled industry, human activity has made devastating impacts on ecosystems and earth systems. The colonial, class, racial, and gender systems that coevolved with these historical processes have long been critiqued for engineering exploitation and inequality. Yet the technologies with which these systems interact are widely portrayed as neutral and nonpartisan. This paper interrogates the purported independence of technology on two fronts. First, it uses a political ecology lens to illuminate some ways in which the generation and application of technology have been historically entangled with colonial, racial, and gender systems. Second, it considers how those entanglements have been variously obscured, acknowledged, depoliticized, and/or politicized in two realms of thought and practice: ecomodernism and degrowth. Conclusions call for bringing creative innovation of ecomodernism together with degrowth commitment to just social–ecological transformation.
The city of god revisited: Digitalism as a new technological religion
Authors: Alonso Andoni , Arzoz Iñaki
Published: February 2024

A Religion of Progress has taken shape over the last 21 centuries, from the Enlightenment to present times. It is quite simple to follow a thread from Hermeticism to today, however, several facts have altered its content, therefore, reformulating some of its promises and vision of the world. This paper attempts to evaluate how that Religion of Progress has become a sort of Techno-Hermeticism 2.0. Digital technologies have redefined old hermetic myths into a high-tech religion with dire environmental consequencies. Some of those myths are the resurrection of the bodies, the construction of the City of God, the Adamic universal language and so forth. Now religion must confront the upcoming collapse, however, it is unable to provide satisfactory answers. This goes for all the different churches, from accelerationists (Nick Land) to extinctionists and believers of digital solutionism. That leaves possible imaginative responses to that sociecological crisis without any relevant proposals.
Migrant Reception Centres and Coercive Social Control: Rule by Legal Uncertainty?
Authors: Leroy Isabella
Published: February 2024

Large-scale accommodation for refugees and migrants is often approached from a humanitarian angle, examining the reception conditions on the ground. However, scholars have long shown how such care-providing spaces are also sites of social control. A close examination of the legal framework of an accommodation centre for migrants in Spain, the CETI of Melilla, finds that beyond the content of the law, it is also necessary to examine the nature of the laws framing refugee camps to understand how social control is exerted. While hard law provides a vague legal basis, the reception centre is primarily governed by a patch-work of rapidly evolving soft law emanating primarily from the executive branch. Social control in the form of coercion is facilitated by the law, but not in the form of a strong punitive legal framework, as may be expected. Instead, an effective restriction of the rights of residents is enabled through legal uncertainty.
The relationship between nurses’ moral courage and whistleblowing approaches
Authors: Yılmaz Şerife , Özbek Güven Gamze
Published: February 2024

Background

Whistleblowing is an action that particularly requires moral courage. Understanding the relationship between nurses’ levels of moral courage and their whistleblowing approaches is important for reducing adverse situations in healthcare services.

Objectives

This study aims to understand and analyze the relationship between nurses’ levels of moral courage and their whistleblowing approaches.

Research design

This is a descriptive and correlational study.

Methods

The study sample consists of 582 nurses actively working in a province in northwest Türkiye. Research data were collected using an Information Form, the Nurses’ Moral Courage Scale, and the Whistleblowing Scale.

Ethical considerations

Ethical approval from the ethics committee, institutional permission, and informed consent from the participants were obtained for data collection.

Findings

Nurses were found to perceive their moral courage as high, and their whistleblowing levels were at a moderate level. There was a significant and moderate relationship between participants’ levels of moral courage and whistleblowing levels ( p < .05).

Conclusions

The findings emphasize the importance of promoting moral courage and creating an appropriate environment for exposing ethical violations. This study can contribute to the development of strategies to enhance nurses’ moral courage and foster a more ethical working environment in healthcare services.
Impacts of Online Learning Class During the COVID-19 Pandemic on Student Performance and Their Mental Health Status
Authors: Neamhom Thanakrit , Chumprasittichok Thanathorn
Published: February 2024

As a consequence of the current COVID-19 pandemic, online learning is provided to most undergraduate students. This study aimed to determine the impacts of online learning and factors affecting academic performance and mental health among undergraduate students. This study employed a cross-sectional research survey. An online self-administered questionnaire was distributed to collect data from 219 undergraduate students in June 2020. Twelve items assessed student performance and mental health status and determined any association to online learning elements. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. Moreover, associations between elements of online learning and the 12 items were explored using Chi-square and Kendall’s tau-c tests. The results showed: (a) all students’ academic performances were rated positively as the majority reported their perception level as sometime to always; (b) prevalence of stress, tiredness, anxiety and burnout syndrome were reported at 97.3%, 92.7%, 92.2% and 63.9%, respectively; (c) daily study time played a major factor affecting all mental health statuses and exhibiting a positive relationship; and (d) teaching methods, formative assessment, workload and support equipment significantly influenced relation to student performance. This study provides useful data for university administrators’ decisions concerning implementing online learning courses. Relevant elements of online instruction could be reorganised to reduce risks regarding student achievements and mental health status.
Video Asset Library and Its Management for Higher Education Department: An Evaluation Study
Authors: Panda Sambit Kumar , Das Ramakrushna , Das Malay Kumar , Dash Siba Prasad
Published: February 2024

The Virtual Tutorial Project (VTP) is an e-learning portal, under the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan. Its purpose is to create an online tutorial using a digital platform based on a syllabus and problem-solving content for undergraduate students in bilingual mode (Odia and English). VTP facilitates the availability of digital content to underprivileged rural students, thereby bridging the digital divide amongst Odisha students across disciplines and universities. In this article, the SERVQUAL model along with Feedback Analysis and Google Analytics is used for the participation of the users of the VTP e-learning platform and to evaluate the users’ satisfaction with the quality of service provided by the platform. That will help in providing suggestions on improvements for better service quality. The user suggested improvements in the quality of the services to enhance user satisfaction with the digital content of the e-learning portal.
Study on the Fingerprints of Acanthopanax trifoliatus Fractions with Varying Polarities and the Relationship Between Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Activity Using Multivariate Analysis
Authors: Liang Zijiu , Huang Xiaohong , Jiang Lin , Lin Qinghua , Zhang Renyi , Lin Changyuan , Lai Xinghong , Xie Mengjiao , Chen Haiyan , Chen Qing , Li Fangchan
Published: February 2024

Objectives

To evaluate the Spectrum-Effect relationships between the High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) Fingerprints of fractions with different polarities and the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of A. trifoliatus and to identify its pharmacodynamic material basis.

Materials and Methods

Chemical Fingerprints of A. trifoliatus fractions with different polarities (all fractions and ethyl acetate, n-butanol and water fractions) were obtained by HPLC, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was performed. The foot swelling and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) content in mice induced by carrageenan were used as anti-inflammatory markers, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2’-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) methods were used as antioxidant indicators. Moreover, the Spectrum-Effect relationship between common peaks and efficacy value was conducted by Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) and Partial Least Squares analysis (PLS).

Results

PCA identified three principal components, and all fractions of A. trifoliatus had good anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Based on GRA and PLS analysis, peaks 1 and 2 (neochlorogenic acid), 4 and 5 (chlorogenic acid), 8, 9, 10, 11 (isochlorogenic acid B), and 12 were involved in anti-inflammatory efficacy, and peaks 1 and 2 (neochlorogenic acid), 3, 4, and 5 (chlorogenic acid), and 6, 7, 9, 10, and 13 (isochlorogenic acid A) were involved in antioxidant efficacy.

Conclusion

This study on the Spectrum-Effect relationship of different polar fractions of A. trifoliatus provides data to support the discovery of the pharmacodynamic material basis of the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of A. trifoliatus.
Can an E-commerce Platform and its Third-Party Sellers Benefit From Each Other’s Market Entry?
Authors: Tang Christopher S. , Deng Yiting , Wang Wei , Yoo Onesun Steve
Published: February 2024

E-commerce platforms have an informational advantage over their third-party sellers, leading to the common belief that a platform's market entry would harm sellers with similar products. However, unlike traditional retail competition, the platform and its sellers have aligned incentives: the platform's commission depends on the seller's revenue, and sellers rely on the platform to strengthen their online presence.  Hence, the platform has no incentive to enter the market to harm the seller's revenue severely.  This paper introduces a duopoly model where the seller is the "incumbent" and the platform is the "potential entrant".  Our model captures two salient features: (a) the "reputation effect" that enables the platform to obtain a higher consumer valuation than the seller, and (b) the "spillover effect" that expands the market size when an additional entity (e.g., the platform) enters the market.  Our equilibrium analysis debunks the prevailing belief about platform's entry, showing that platform's entry can enable both the platform and the seller to obtain a higher profit when the unit cost is sufficiently low and the spillover effect is sufficiently high. For robustness checks, we consider three different extensions: an alternative duopoly model with reversed roles where the platform is the incumbent and the seller is the potential entrant, a scenario with an endogenously determined spillover effect, and a simultaneous market entry/exit decision-making process. We find a consistent result across all three extensions that both seller and platform entries can mutually benefit under similar market conditions, fostering a symbiotic relationship.
Sizzle or Fizzle? Supply and Consumption Dynamics of Home-Cooked Food on Sharing Platform
Authors: Li Shaobo (Kevin) , Wang Le , Huang Jianxiong , Gopal Ram , Lin Zhijie
Published: February 2024

To address the growing obesity crisis, governments are promoting home cooking to improve dietary habits. Home-cooked food-sharing platforms, a manifestation of the sharing economy, offer consumers healthy food options. While the economic benefits of the sharing economy have been extensively studied, little is known about its impact on non-economic factors, such as consumers’ health. To address this gap, we conduct an empirical study using data from a mobile kitchen-sharing platform and four controlled experiments to investigate whether the sharing economy helps consumers develop healthy eating habits. We use manual coding and machine learning methods to evaluate the healthiness of over 180,000 unique dishes and examine food provision and consumption on the platform. Our findings indicate that as consumers use the platform more frequently, they tend to consume more unhealthy food. Additionally, sellers who receive more orders and earn more revenue tend to offer less healthy food over time. Two controlled experiments prove consumers are more likely to order unhealthy food online. Furthermore, these experiments provide causal evidence that consumer food consumption patterns drive seller food provision rather than vice versa. Our results suggest that the sharing economy may have negative consequences due to misaligned interests between sellers and consumers. Fortunately, we identify conditions that may mitigate these effects in empirical analyses and two experiments. Specifically, consumers who choose dine-in options (as opposed to takeaway) and those who order for groups (as opposed to individual orders) tend to make healthier food choices on the platform due to impression management motivation.