bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
2. Experimentation as a Learning Method
Authors: Pizzol Fausto Lessa F.
Published: May 2024

Organologically classified as a melodic instrument, the electric bass has tonal and ergonomic characteristics that enhance its use beyond this designation. In this perspective, an increasing number of bassists seek to use the electric bass as a harmonic instrument. However, the lack of research on this approach hinders its development beyond individual initiatives. Based on an alternative tonal concept to consolidated practice, called LCCTO (Russell, 2001) and guided by a research design structured according to the concept of Affordances (Gibson, 1979) and the Perceptual Learning theory (Gibson & Pick, 2000), this artistic research adopts experimentation as a learning method for performing vertical harmonies on the electric bass. The development of this path involves, (i) the construction of a harmonic vocabulary for the instrument and (ii) the creation of musical works from this vocabulary. The result of this work intends to contribute to the construction of a new paradigm for the performance of the instrument, for the academic discussion about it, and, consequently, bring pedagogical implications concerning the academic program for bassists and the teaching methodology for this harmonic content. Regarding the latter, the proposed research design, as well as the harmonic vocabulary, structured as a book, may point to an initial path for further debate.

The results achieved so far point positively to the potential of using experimentation for the development of a, here called, Harmonic Approach to the Electric Bass. The experiments already concluded provided a considerable number of chords playable on the instrument, which has been organized as a dictionary, as well as extensive material resulting from articulations (simultaneous execution) between these chords and the different scales proposed in the LCCTO. Also included in this material resulting from the experiments, are the Creative Applications, organized as musical studies, which reflect, through composition, the use of the contents already obtained.
6. Working Together Well
Authors: Thompson-Bell Jacob
Published: May 2024

This chapter interrogates some of the foundational assumptions of student-centred learning environments (SCLEs), with a view to expanding conventional pedagogical models to account for the “distributive” agency of groups of learners assembled in a classroom. In the first part, the author proposes that learner groups be treated as distributive agential networks, braiding together intrinsic, extrinsic and intratrinsic (i.e. motivation distributed between multiple learners) forms of motivation, thereby to sustain both individual and collective forms of agency. It is argued that greater awareness of how motivation emerges across such multi-dimensional agential networks within the learning environment can enable student-teacher and student-student relationships to be established on a more flexible and equitable basis, so that inventive ways of working can be collectively imagined. In the next part, these distributive agential networks are illustrated with reference to the author’s own teaching practice, working with multidisciplinary groups of music students across conservatoire and university settings in the United Kingdom. This section takes the form of an impressionistic vignette outlining a peer-to-peer feedback session using the Critical Response Process (CRP), a group feedback framework for creative work in any media, originally developed by choreographers Liz Lerman and John Borstel. This classroom situation is then analysed as a classroom “assemblage”, to illustrate how pedagogical models such as CRP draw together the bodies and accumulated beliefs of learner groups into a distributive agential network. The chapter concludes with a reflection on how these approaches can lead to a reappraisal of such fundamental academic principles as freedom of expression and equity between learners. Ultimately, it is proposed that the pursuit of creative and expressive freedoms requires that careful attention is paid to the ways in which individual students and teachers can be assembled to form a learner collective.
8. Intercultural Musicking
Authors: Fay Richard , Mawson Daniel J. , Palacios Nahielly
Published: May 2024

The term klezmer, from the Hebrew klei zemer (vessel of song), originally referred to a musician rather than to a music culture. Such musicians (plural form, klezmorim) were essential in the largely dance-based music culture of Yiddish-speaking Ashkenazi Jewish communities in Eastern Europe. We have taught klezmer ensemble performance over the last decade in a UK university music department. The klezmer ensemble (founded in 2011) is linked to an assessed module in ensemble performance taken by music undergraduates in a department which has ‘Western’ music theory and practice at its core despite becoming more diverse in recent years. The ensemble provides opportunities for performance both within the university and the local community. It functions as a space for intercultural ‘musicking’, enabling students to not only become familiar with a Musical Other but also develop a sense of situated performance. The aspiration is for the teaching and learning to be critically underpinned, alert to the need for appropriacy and the avoidance of appropriation. Accordingly, the students learn to perform klezmer in a culturally-, historically-. and functionally-informed way with a keen eye also on the situatedness of their contemporary performances. As informed by the work of Schön (himself a musician who illustrated his reflective processes with reference to musicians), as extended by Farrell, the chapter explores the processes and roles of various types of, and moments for, reflection in students' experience of klezmer performance, and it considers how such reflective practices contribute to the students' developing performative confidence and purposefulness vis-a-vis situated performance.
Enhancing Farmers Maize Productivity and Profitability in Central Ethiopia: Insights from Participatory Demonstration and Evaluation of Maize Varieties
Authors: Fikre Tesfahun , Hailu Dirshaye
Published: May 2024

Despite its significance for food security and income, maize production in the Guraghe zone faces challenges like low yield and susceptibility to pests and disease. Cognizant of this fact, this study aims to determine the maize variety with optimal productivity and economic feasibility through active participation of farmer’s in Abeshge district of Gurage zone and Kebena special districts. A participatory action research design was followed to demonstrate and evaluate maize technologies for two consecutive years in the study areas. A total of 124 purposively selected farmers were participated in the on-farm evaluation of the varieties. While a total of 24 demonstration has been made in both districts over the course of two years’ time 2021/22-2022/23 main cropping seasons. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected viz focus group discussion, key informant interview and formal data sheet. The analysis of collected data involved the application of descriptive statistics, including mean, median, and percentage, alongside inferential statistics like the Mann-Whitney U-test. Evaluation of demonstrated maize varieties utilized techniques such as pair-wise ranking matrix, technological gap index, and extension gap. Additionally, the economic feasibility of these varieties was assessed through partial budget analysis. BH-549 consistently outperforms BH-546 in grain yield and technological performance, with a mean grain yield advantage ranging from 4.49% to 14.6%. In addition, the Mann Whitney U-test result also reveals that BH-549 has a statistically significant (P=0.019) higher grain yield than BH-546 in 2021/22 and (P=0.026) in 2022/23. Farmers’ preferences also align with BH-549, ranking it higher across various traits. Economically, BH-549 demonstrates superior profitability, highlighted by a higher Marginal Rate of Return (MRR) and MRR percentage (770), emphasizing its economic viability for smallholder farmers. As BH-549 exhibits a consistent superiority in yield, farmers preference and economic viability, the study recommends for further dissemination of BH-549 (Ilu) maize variety than BH-546 concerned bodies such as zonal and district level agriculture offices, NGO’s and seed enterprises in the study areas.
New Approaches on the Theory of Planetary Sciences: Applications of Non-Classical Equations of Mathematical Physics for Plasma Models of Jupiter’s Magnetosphere
Authors: Nurmammadov Mahammad
Published: May 2024

In this paper, considered non-classical equations of mathematical physics are applied in the fields of astronomy and astrophysics in the case of plasma models of Jupiter’s magnetosphere. It is known that non-classical equations of mathematical physics have applications in gas dynamics, aerodynamics, hydrodynamics, and magneto-hydrodynamics. According to comparisons and observation results of Pioner-10, 11, and Voyager 1-2, considered mathematical models of Jupiter’s magnetosphere, which is cold plasma, as searches of Jupiter’s Io. At first, the mathematical justification of the physical process of Io concerning plasma was described by a non-classical equation of the Keldysh type. For this reason, using MHD equations for the derivation of the model equations of cold plasma and hot plasma on Jupiter’s magnetosphere. In the region tail of Jupiter given analyses of basic model equations of the Jupiter magnetosphere for the equilibrium between magnetic force, pressure gradient, and centrifugal force in the presence of plasma rotations. Additionally, based on the basic theoretical and observational results, the role of the Alfven Mach number with a constant Euler potential parameter in the region tail of Jupiter’s magnetosphere proves the justification of the steady magneto-hydrodynamic equilibrium. As agreed previously in the results of observation Voyager 1,2. Therefore, in the magnetosphere, Jupiter’s hot and cold plasma describe the same class equation of Keldysh-Tricomi types. In this case, the exact solution is obtained by integrals, which are first expressed as analytical formulas. Theoretical aspects of the model hot and cold plasma on the tail magnetosphere contain concepts of reconnection, which connects lost mass from Jupiter’s Io. Such an effect reconnection coronal problem as Parker’s also occurs by lost temperature and energy dissipation. Lorentz force, supported by means of solar wind, changes cold plasma to hot plasma in cases where a magnetic disk acts as a balancing mechanical equilibrium to retain cold-hot plasma. For motivation, both mathematical and physical, we used some figures, a table, and an appendix. Note that considered approaches to the theory of planetary sciences at first time applicable for Jupiter.
An Overview of Emerging Trends in Gene Therapy for Cancer Treatment
Authors: Amin Muhammad
Published: May 2024

Clinical trials have long recognized cancer treatment as a top priority. Different approaches have been devised for dealing with tumors of different types and at different stages. When it came to curing cancer, gene therapy was vital. The advancement of genome engineering technologies over the past thirty years has pushed forward gene therapy for the treatment and management of chronic diseases. It is the hope of researchers that one day they will be able to treat individuals with single gene disorders and complicated acquired diseases in a way that is both safe and successful. Gene delivery is a promising new method for detecting, diagnosing, and maybe treating cancer, made possible by recent developments in genetic engineering. Naked nucleic acid-based treatment, targeting microRNAs, oncolytic viral therapy, suicide gene-based therapy, targeting telomerase, cell-mediated gene therapeutics, and CRISPR/Cas9-based therapies are just few of the cancer medicines that have been created and tested in vitro and in vivo. This article provides a critical overview of the present and diverse cancer gene therapy methodologies, as well as a summary of the available viral and non-viral gene delivery mechanisms for gene therapy. In the future, biosafe carriers for gene products will play a crucial role in the prevention of cancer.
A Comparative Study of the Physicochemical Properties of Oils Extracted from Common Species of the Niger Delta Raphia Palm Fruits and Elaeis guineensis
Authors: Azuokwu Augustine , Igbafe Anselm , Yerima Yakubu , Akpobi Elohor , Ngubi Fredericks , Azike Rowland , Onoji Samuel
Published: May 2024

Elaeis guineensis oils (palm oil and palm kernel oil) are versatile ingredients widely used in food applications as well as in the industrial production of biofuels and other oleochemicals. Global demand for Elaeis guineensis oils is increasing and has surpassed other vegetable oils. In many nations such as Nigeria, the demand outweighs the supply. Consequently, the prices of the oils have been relatively high and there is high demand for land for the cultivation of the palms. However, Elaeis guineensis cultivation has been noted for several environmental, climatic and social challenges. Based on these reasons, concerted efforts are being made to search for a promising feedstock that can either be used in conjunction with or as an alternative to Elaeis guineensis oils. In this study, oils were extracted from the mesocarp of common species of the Niger Delta Raphia palm fruits (Raphia farinifera, Raphia hookeri and Raphia vinifera) as wells as the mesocarp and kernel of Elaeis guineensis fruits. The potentials of using each of the Raphia palm oils as an alternative to Elaeis guineensis oils were evaluated based on standard physiochemical properties obtained using standard analytical techniques. The study showed that oils extracted from common species of the Niger Delta Raphia palm fruits and are very similar to Elaeis guineensis oils in many aspects. However, most of the physiochemical properties results showed that oils extracted from common species of the Niger Delta Raphia palm fruits are more suited as replacement to Elaeis guineensis oils in the production of biofuels and other oleochemicals than for food or edibility purposes.
Outcome of RT-PCR in the Diagnosis of Patients with COVID-19 Symptoms: A Study in a COVID-19 Referral Hospital
Authors: Rahman Mohammad , Akanda Abdur , Rahman Mohammad , Abedin Mohammad , Sumon Sohel , Sikder Mohammad , Ahamed Marzuk
Published: May 2024

Introduction: Corona virus (SARS-CoV-2) (COVID-19) outbreak was first reported in China rapidly spread around the world within short period causing global public health emergency. COVID 19 is a highly infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The initial symptoms were fever, cough, dyspnea, myalgia or fatigue, headache, hemoptysis, diarrhea and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Hence in diagnosis of COVID-19 RT-PCR of viral nucleic acid is regarded as the reference standard to detect the COVID-19 positive cases. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the outcome of RT-PCR of the patients with COVID-19 symptoms. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional prospective study carried out in the department of Radiology and imaging in collaboration with the department of Virology and COVID unit in IbnSina Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh during January, 2022 to June, 2022. A total of 239 OPD patients with COVID-19 symptoms aged above 18 years were enrolled in this study. The collected data were cleaned, edited and entered into computer for analysis. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software, version 23.0. The ethical clearance of this study was obtained from the Ethics Committee of School of Public Health & Life Science, University of South Asia, and Dhaka, Bangladesh. Results: In this study a total of (n=239) patients with COVID-19 symptoms were enrolled. According to age distribution, the majority., 142 (59.42%) patients belonged to the age group >52 years, which was the highest and followed by 44 (18.42%) age group (43-52) years, 36 (15.06%) (33-42) years, 14 (5.85%) (22-32) years and 3 (1.25%) <22 years. According to sex distribution, the majority, 167 (69.85%) were male and 72 (30.12%) were female. Distribution by symptoms, all the patients239 (100%) had general weakness and followed by sneezing 221 (92.46%), fever 236 (98.74%), headache 228 (95.39%), cough 232 (97.07%), respiratory distress, 225 (94.14%), cough and SOB, 237 (99.16%), loss of smell, 212 (88.74%), lac of apatite, 224 (73.72%), asthma 218 (91.21%) and pneumonia, 118 (49.37%). In RT_PCR lab test results, the majority 195 (81.58%) were observed COVID-19 Negative (-) and 44 (18.41%) were observed COVID-19 Positive (+). Among the positive cases, the majority 26 (60%) were male and 18 (40%) were female. Conclusion: This study prevailed around 20 % of the patients with COVID-19 symptoms got COVID-19 Positive in RT-PCR lab test results. Therefore, the patients with COVID-19 symptoms must conduct RT-PCR lab test for their being sure of their COVID-19 affection. At the same time, the male are more vulnerable to COVID-19 than their counter part female.
Exploration of the Effects of Agarwood Extract on the Inflammtory Microbiota in the Oral-Gut Axis
Authors: Li Lin-Yi , Zhou Jie , Mao Cun-Hao , Sunchuri Diwas , Yang Zhuo-Da , Tian Xu-Dong , Zhan Zi-Nan , Guo Zhu-Ling
Published: May 2024

Agarwood, as a precious medicinal material with distinctive characteristics from Hainan, has been shown in recent studies to possess significant anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. With the rapid growth in public recognition of health concepts, oral health has garnered increased attention. The main focus of this study is the impact of agarwood extracts on the oral-gut axis microbiota. The relationship between the oral and gut microbiota is closely intertwined, where oral microbiota can directly colonize the intestine via saliva and other means, altering the original microbial composition of the gut and leading to dysbiosis. For instance, Porphyromonas gingivalis significantly increases in patients with gingivitis and periodontitis, as it can tolerate the acidic environment of the stomach and colonize the intestines through the gastric barrier. Therefore, oral health can affect intestinal health. Additionally, oral lesions are evident in patients with intestinal inflammation; such patients, like those with IBD, exhibit a significant accumulation of oral bacteria in the intestines. Although IBD primarily affects the intestines, its extraintestinal symptoms, often prominently displayed, include oral manifestations. Hence, intestinal health can also influence oral health. Agarwood extracts inhibit pathogenic oral microbiota, impedes their colonization in the intestine, and consequently reduces the likelihood of inflammatory bowel disease.. This article, by introducing the microbiota of periodontitis and the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease, along with extraintestinal symptoms, the preventive and inhibitory mechanisms of agarwood extract on the associated microbiota are analyzed, providing new insights for the treatment of such patients. It underscores the importance of maintaining oral hygiene and preventing oral diseases as well.
Long-Term Climate Impacts of Large Stratospheric Water Vapor Perturbations
Authors: Jucker Martin , Lucas Chris , Dutta Deepashree
Published: May 2024

The amount of water vapor injected into the stratosphere after the eruption of Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha’apai (HTHH) was unprecedented, and it is therefore unclear what it might mean for surface climate. We use chemistry–climate model simulations to assess the long-term surface impacts of stratospheric water vapor (SWV) anomalies similar to those caused by HTHH but neglect the relatively minor aerosol loading from the eruption. The simulations show that the SWV anomalies lead to strong and persistent warming of Northern Hemisphere landmasses in boreal winter, and austral winter cooling over Australia, years after eruption, demonstrating that large SWV forcing can have surface impacts on a decadal time scale. We also emphasize that the surface response to SWV anomalies is more complex than simple warming due to greenhouse forcing and is influenced by factors such as regional circulation patterns and cloud feedbacks. Further research is needed to fully understand the multiyear effects of SWV anomalies and their relationship with climate phenomena like El Niño–Southern Oscillation.

Significance Statement

Volcanic eruptions typically cool Earth’s surface by releasing sulfur dioxide, which then converts into aerosols, which reflect sunlight. However, a recent eruption released a significant amount of water vapor—a strong greenhouse gas—into the stratosphere with unknown consequences. This study neglects the aerosol effect and examines the consequences of large stratospheric water vapor anomalies and reveals that surface temperatures across large regions of the world increase by over 1.5°C for several years, although some areas experience cooling close to 1°C. Additionally, the research suggests a potential connection between the eruption and sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific, which warrants further investigation.
AUV Observations of Langmuir Turbulence in a Stratified Shelf Sea
Authors: Fisher Alexander W. , Nidzieko Nicholas J.
Published: May 2024

Measurements collected by a Remote Environmental Monitoring Units (REMUS) 600 autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) off the coast of southern California demonstrate large-scale coherent wave-driven vortices, consistent with Langmuir turbulence (LT), and played a dominant role in structuring turbulent dissipation within the oceanic surface boundary layer. During a 10-h period with sustained wind speeds of 10 m s−1, Langmuir circulations were limited to the upper third of the surface mixed layer by persistent stratification within the water column. The ensemble-averaged circulation, calculated using conditional averaging of acoustic Doppler dual current profile (AD2CP) velocity profiles using elevated backscattering intensity associated with subsurface bubble clouds, indicates that LT vortex pairs were characterized by an energetic downwelling zone flanked by broader, weaker upwelling regions with vertical velocity magnitudes similar to previous numerical studies of LT. Horizontally distributed microstructure estimates of turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rates were lognormally distributed near the surface in the wave mixing layer with the majority of values falling between wall layer scaling and wave transport layer scaling. Partitioning dissipation rates between downwelling centers and ambient conditions suggests that LT may play a dominant role in elevating dissipation rates in the ocean surface boundary layer (OSBL) by redistributing wave-breaking turbulence.
Toward the Development of an Impact-Based Decision Support Tool for Surface-Transportation Hazards. Part II: An Hourly Winter Storm Severity Index
Authors: Tobin Dana M. , Kastman Joshua S. , Nelson James A. , Reeves Heather D.
Published: May 2024

In line with the continued focus of the National Weather Service (NWS) to provide impact-based decision support services (IDSS) and effectively communicate potential impacts, a new IDSS forecasting tool for surface-transportation hazards is in development at the Weather Prediction Center: the hourly winter storm severity index (WSSI-H). This second part of the series outlines the current algorithms and thresholds for the components of the WSSI-H, which has been developed in line with the approach and considerations discussed in Part I of this series. These components—snow amount, ice accumulation, snow rate, liquid rate, and blowing and drifting snow—each address a specific hazard for motorists. The inclusion of metrics related to driving conditions for untreated road surfaces and time-of-day factoring for active precipitation types helps directly tie forecasted weather conditions to transportation impacts. Impact severity level thresholds are approximately in line with thresholds used by transportation agencies when considering various mitigation strategies (e.g., imposing speed restrictions or closing roadways). Whereas the product is not meant to forecast specific impacts (e.g., road closure or pileup), impact severity levels are designed to scale with increasingly poor travel conditions, which can prompt various mitigation efforts from motorists or transportation agencies to maintain safety. WSSI-H outputs for three winter events are discussed in depth to highlight the potential utility of the product. Overall, the WSSI-H is intended to provide high-resolution situational awareness of potential surface-transportation-related impacts and aid in enhanced collaborations between NWS forecasters and stakeholders like transportation agencies to improve motorist safety.

Significance Statement

A new impact-based forecast product designed to aid in situational awareness of potential impacts from surface-transportation-related hazards is in development. In this second part of the series, we outline the algorithms and thresholds for the various components of the product, where each component addresses a unique hazard. Product outputs for three winter events are presented to highlight the potential utility of the product in an operational forecast setting. Ultimately, enhanced collaboration between forecasters and transportation agencies alongside guidance from this product will bolster consistent messaging to motorists and improve safety and mobility on roads.
The Trend of Judicial Activism in Indian Context: Emerging Issue Areas
Authors: Singh Mayengbam Nandakishwor
Published: May 2024

Since the dawn of Independence from the British rule, Indian democracy has been on an experimenting trajectory route. Despite all the pragmatic loopholes in its claim to be one of the largest democracies in the world, it is by far a reasonably successful electoral democracy. The fundamental pillars of the government are functioning in tandem with a reasonable democratic ethos. Being a large country with a market in countless divisional and segmented diversities, the government at times tends to look shaky and irresolute. During such situations, the judiciary becomes proactive in reminding the government about its constitutional obligations. This article seeks to address the historical evolution of judicial activism in India along with the reasons that catapult the trend of activism in the Indian judiciary. It also explores the recurrent impasses between the executive and the judiciary.
A Sociocultural Exploration of the Impact Body Image Has on Black College-Aged Women’s Mental Health
Authors: Greene Anthony D. , Wooden Kira
Published: May 2024

This study aimed to explore the relationship between Black cultural identity body image and mental well-being among Black Americans and Black immigrant women who attend predominately white universities (PWIs). As part of the Multi-Site University Study of Identity and Culture (MUSIC) survey, participants completed the Brief Inventory of Body Image, which included questions such as “I’m proud of my body,” “I often feel ugly,” ‘I have a good figure,” “I’m ashamed of my body,” and “I am anxious about the way I look.” The results showed that there were several similarities between the subgroups in the correlations between body image and mental health indices, such as social anxiety, depression, psychological well-being, and self-esteem. Both Black American and Black immigrant college-aged women had a positive association between body image and indicators of Black women’s sense of self, like self-esteem and psychological well-being. They also had a negative association between body image and mental health, such as social anxiety and depression. However, there was one key difference in that Black American women had a stronger association between their sense of self and self-esteem and psychological well-being compared to Black immigrant women. These findings support other studies that suggest Black women tend to have a stronger positive body satisfaction relative to their overall mental well-being. The study has important implications for the understanding of Black women, ethnic identity, body image, and mental health, which are discussed in the paper.
When Weber Meets Habermas: The Effect of Weberian Bureaucracy on Habermasian Deliberative Quality in International Deliberations
Authors: Aboudounya Seebal
Published: May 2024

Weber and Habermas have inspired many academic studies. However, the ideas of those two thinkers have not previously been brought together in an international deliberative context. This article allows the ideas of Weber to meet and interact with those of Habermas while studying deliberative quality at an international level. The study is applied to the International Maritime Organisation’s deliberations. Through the content analysis of 1175 speeches, the article arrives at significant results demonstrating the importance of bureaucratic quality for the deliberative performance of the International Maritime Organisation’s member states. The speeches are coded using an amended version of the discourse quality index coding scheme. An amended version of the discourse quality index is developed to make it more useful for an international institutional context. Following the coding process, the quantitative analysis and interview findings demonstrate that meritocratic recruitment and permanent representation both matter for the deliberative performance of the International Maritime Organisation’s member states.
Behavioral and Psychosocial Mediators of the Effects of Increased Self-Regulation on Short- and Long-Term Weight Loss in Women Within Community-Based Obesity Treatments
Authors: Annesi James J. , Stewart Francine A.
Published: May 2024

The aim of this study was to evaluate behavioral mediators of relationships between increased self-regulation of eating and weight loss so that findings on psychosocial correlates of treatment-associated weight change could be extended. Participants were women enrolled in 6-month community-based obesity treatments using primarily self-regulatory (SR-treatment, n = 52) or education-focused (Didactic training, n = 54) methods. Changes from baseline in self-regulation of eating, self-efficacy for controlled eating, emotional eating propensity, exercise, and the diet were first calculated. There were significant overall improvements in each psychosocial and behavioral measure, and weight. Except for emotional eating change from baseline–Month 12, improvements were each significantly greater in the SR-treatment group. Mediation of the relationships of change in self-regulation with 6-, 12-, and 24-month weight changes, by changes in self-efficacy and emotional eating, were significant, R2s = .19–.26, ps < .001. Only changes in emotional eating over 6 and 12 months were significant mediators. Mediations of the same self-regulation-weight change relationships by changes in exercise and the diet were also significant, R2s = .19–.28, ps < .001, and only changes in exercise over 12 and 24 months were significant mediators. Although group membership did not moderate effects on weight, substitution of sweets for the (composite) diet demonstrated it to be a significant mediator over 6 and 12 months. In women with obesity, self-regulation improvement was associated with short- and longer-term weight loss through changes in emotional eating, exercise, and sweets consumption. Thus, behavioral treatments will benefit from targeting those variables.
Impact of In-Home Handwashing Stations on Hand Hygiene During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Unpiped Rural Alaska Native Homes
Authors: Harmon Olivia A. , Howe Tricia S. , Schaeffer Jacqualine D. , Adeboyejo Ramot , Eichelberger Laura P.
Published: May 2024

Objectives:

More than 3300 rural Alaska Native homes lack piped water, impeding hand hygiene. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention partnered with 10 Tribal communities and regional Tribal health organizations to install a low-cost, intermediate-technology water and sanitation system, the Miniature Portable Alternative Sanitation System (Mini-PASS). We assessed the impact of the Mini-PASS handwashing station on handwashing, other water-related uses, and problems encountered over time.

Methods:

In this pre–postintervention study, we conducted semi-structured interviews by telephone seasonally with representatives of 71 households with the Mini-PASS from February 2021 through November 2022 to assess the impact of the units on water use and health.

Results:

Before Mini-PASS installation, all participating households primarily used washbasins for handwashing. Postintervention, more than 70% of households reported using the Mini-PASS as their primary handwashing method in all 3 follow-up intervals (3, 6-9, and 12 months postintervention). The proportion of households using the handwashing station for other household tasks increased during 12 months, from 51.4% (19 of 37) at 3 months postintervention to 77.8% (21 of 27) at 12 months postintervention. Although approximately 20% to 40% of households reported problems with their handwashing station during the 12 months postintervention, a large proportion of interviewees (47% to 60%) said they were able to conduct repairs themselves.

Conclusions:

Households in rural Alaska quickly adopted the Mini-PASS for hand hygiene and other needs and were largely able to troubleshoot problems themselves. Further research evaluating the impact of improved handwashing behaviors facilitated by the Mini-PASS should be conducted.
Continuing virtual observations: A situational review of student perspectives
Authors: Mynott John Paul , Hendry Faye , Edwards Kaitlyn , Hossick Rebecca
Published: May 2024

During the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual observations were utilised in teacher education programmes internationally (Murtagh, 2022; Mynott et al., 2022; Ó Grádaigh et al., 2021). In Scotland, virtual observations have been continued as part of teacher education programmes and this article explores student perspectives on their continued use. A situative analysis (Clarke et al., 2018) was used to explore questionnaire and interview data from student teachers. The analytical process examined the data and utilised memoing to consider emergent themes against the situation of virtual observations in teacher education. There is a duality to the findings. On the one hand, students express preference for in-person observation when they consider the process to be assessment-focused. Conversely, when not considering virtual observations as assessment, the ability to reflect more deeply on their practice, increase their control and agency over the observation and reduce the stress surrounding observations are all themes that emerged from the data. Therefore, the data suggests that further innovation moving from summative to formative observations might increase the benefits of virtual observations. Limited research exists on virtual observations. The literature that is available often focuses on university staff. This article considers virtual observations from the student perspective and provides clear feedback on how a pandemic response has been developed for post-pandemic purposes. The findings of this article can be further explored and built upon, and this will enhance the use of virtual observations within teacher education.
How the U.S. Bishops Differ over Time and by Theological Orientation in What They Perceive to be the Greatest Hopes and Challenges in the U.S. Church
Authors: Gaunt Thomas P. , Mitchell Emma C.
Published: May 2024

Two national surveys six years apart asked U.S. bishops to write in open-ended responses identifying what in the U.S. Church gives them most hope, what they see as the U.S. Church’s greatest challenges, and what steps need to be taken to improve priests’ trust in their bishops. This paper examines how the perceptions of bishops have changed over the past six years and how the bishops’ self-identification of their theological orientation (between the very traditional/moderately traditional U.S. Catholic bishops and the moderate/moderately progressive bishops) is related to their responses to those three questions.
Structures of Consumption and Professional Identity: An Analysis of the French Household Budget Survey
Authors: Pavlisa Karina
Published: May 2024

As conventional class categories hide too much pertinent information, there is a growing body of work on lifestyles and consumption patterns of more detailed occupational groups that seeks to distinguish the underlying social structures. While research in Bourdieusian class analysis focuses on class practices, limited attention is paid to agents’ strategic interests. Using French household expenditure data, this article explores the structures of consumption, instrumental for professional advancement, within the ‘service class’. The article provides conclusive evidence of maintained distinctions between the identities of business, technical and educational professionals through the expenditure-based structures of consumption. The study illustrates the capacity of Bourdieu’s capital composition principle to reveal the social structures. The article argues that the instrumental, capital-signalling role of strategic investments in the markers of distinction resonates with the principles of Bourdieu’s logic, delineating not only the symbolic but also the social space, with implications for understanding inequality.
The making of a global neighbourhood in China
Authors: Cheng Fanling , Liang Zai , Xu Tao
Published: May 2024

Global neighbourhood, as a new immigrant settlement pattern, has been confirmed to benefit residential diversity and civic engagement in the United States. Based on fieldwork in Yiwu City, the world’s largest small-commodity distribution centre, we examine the formation of a global neighbourhood in China as a new immigrant destination country. Through field observations and in-depth interviews with immigrant residents, social workers and restaurant owners, we identify several factors contributing to the neighbourhood evolution, including immigrants’ market-driven rational choice, the local government’s multi-faceted service and the bridging role of Chinese ethnic minorities. This Yiwu model suggests a new way to think about immigrant settlement patterns that deserves more attention from urban scholars. Moreover, the patterns we discovered reveal new immigrant settlement mechanisms outside the US context, which enriches the current literature on global neighbourhoods and new immigrant destinations.
Mapping religion, space and economic outcomes in Indian cities
Authors: Motiram Sripad , Vakulabharanam Vamsi
Published: May 2024

We deploy a socio-spatial approach and use a spatially representative survey that we conducted in the Indian cities of Hyderabad and Mumbai to analyse the relation between city space and religion. There are similarities and differences across these two cities in terms of how religion intersects with city space. While Muslims are much more marginalised in both cities relative to other communities like Hindus or Jains, and live in ghettos/enclaves, their position is relatively better in Mumbai. This is partly reflected in their higher integration with other religious communities in Mumbai and perhaps caused as well by this higher integration. A key finding on the relation between city space and religion is that compared to segregated neighbourhoods, mixed (‘greyer’) neighbourhoods produce better outcomes such as lower poverty and better education. This finding has significance for cities across the world as a way of assessing segregation and its harmful effects on economic development outcomes. We also argue that while Indian cities have become less integrated along religious lines over the last three to four decades, this process is both universal (i.e. relevant beyond the Indian context) and far from complete, and needs to be reversed.
Particle Placement in Hong Kong English: Independence from Great Britain as a Trigger of Structural Change?
Authors: Bernaisch Tobias , Funke Nina
Published: May 2024

In the framework of postcolonial Englishes and their evolutions, Hong Kong English represents an extraordinary case in that the political independence of Hong Kong from the British in 1997 did not result—as in most other cases—in a self-governing political body, but a formal re-integration of Hong Kong into China. As the handover of Hong Kong also marks a drastic linguistic re-orientation, this short-term diachronic paper studies newspaper data from before and after the 1997 handover. With a view to the structural object of investigation, particle placement, the exploration of relevant predictors and their effects in Hong Kong English sheds light on whether and, if so, how the end of British colonial rule has left linguistic traces in particle-placement choices. Using a sample of 322 particle verbs extracted from the South China Morning Post Corpus (SCMPC) and employing random forests, the study reports that pre- and post-handover constructional choices of particle placement are largely compatible with one another. Said choices are mainly guided by principles related to cognition and eurhythmy that—at least in the period observed—appear unlikely to be affected fundamentally by language-external political change.
Advancing Diversity in Aging and Alzheimer's Disease Research and Clinical Care: Lessons Learned from Educational and Career Trajectories of Recent Mentorship Program Graduates
Authors: Thompson Sheri , Trinidad Dennis , Woo Emily , Edland Steven , Marquez Becky
Published: May 2024

Underrepresented minorities (URMs) are disproportionately affected with aging-related conditions and have inadequate representation in gerontology and geriatrics professions. The Mentorship for Advancing Undergraduate Research on Aging (MADURA) Program aims to increase inclusion of URMs by improving undergraduate retention and success, increasing rates of graduate/medical school applications, and increasing entry into aging research/clinical employment. MADURA provides cohorts with faculty and peer mentorship, research skills training, paid research lab experiences and professional development opportunities. About 87% of the 2023 MADURA cohort intends to take 1+ year after receiving a Bachelor's degree, to prepare for graduate education. Planned activities include gaining work experience, preparing for standardized tests, and obtaining formal training to strengthen graduate/medical school applications. In addition to immediate graduate program acceptances, other student outcomes should be assessed. Longitudinal research on the effectiveness of various post-graduation pathways could assist Mentorship programs in supporting their graduates’ longer term educational and career goal attainment.
Design of event-based sliding mode controller for high-order systems via a reduced-order method
Authors: Chen Yunjun , Li Xiunan , Li Xiehuan
Published: May 2024

This paper investigates the event-triggered sliding mode control (SMC) problem using the reduced-order method for high-order systems subject to perturbation. To reduce the complexity of control design, a reduced-order approach is introduced by retaining the dominant mode of the system state. In addition, by injecting a power term, a new controller is constructed that aims to decrease the partial system control chattering. An event-triggered mechanism is designed by utilizing a time-varying trigger threshold; it is obvious that the proposed event-triggered strategy has fewer triggering times, larger triggering intervals between two neighboring events, and conserves system communication resources. Then, the existence of a positive lower bound on inter-event time is ensured to avoid the Zeno phenomenon. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is verified by magnetic control systems.
Long-Term Follow-Up of a Case of Probable Aspergillus Skull Base Osteomyelitis With Galactomannan Test and Literature Review
Authors: Cao Xihong , Wang Yating , Zhang Qingyu , Chen Lijuan , Zhu Zhengwen , Yu Zhenkun , Jie Huang
Published: May 2024

We report a probable case of Aspergillus basicranial infection diagnosed by pathogenic serological examination presenting atypical initial manifestations, and highlight the importance of serological examination to avoid treatment delay and disease management. An 84-year-old diabetic patient presented with right peripheral nerve palsy, intolerable otalgia, hearing loss, dysphagia, hoarseness, and bucking. The patient was diagnosed a probable Aspergillus skull base osteomyelitis with cranial neuritis and meningitis of central nervous system. Galactomannan test was used in combination with 1-3-β-D-glucan and magnetic resonance imaging to follow-up during the continuous treatment of voriconazole. To date, the patient has remained in clinical remission for over 39 months but the drug cannot be stopped safely.
Saved by the Moon: Imaginaries of Earthly Afterlife in Space
Authors: Kroløkke Charlotte , Larsen Jonas Holm
Published: May 2024

Today, emergent space technology engages in visions of future off-world colonizing, while conservation technology is employed in ensuring the continuation of life on earth. In this article, we combine social science of outer space literature with biodiversity conservation work to analyze how utopian visions of off-world futures and dystopian visions of earth entangle in technoscientific future-making practices. Our case is the Lunar Ark, which is a proposed technoscientific project for a conservation base to be assembled inside the moon’s lava tubes comprising samples of the earth’s ecosystems. We investigate two interwoven imaginaries involving an imaginary of the Lunar Ark as a “reseeding of earth” and secondly, an imaginary in which the Lunar Ark becomes a platform for “escaping earth.” Based on scientific papers, web material, news articles, an interview with the head of the research group, and ethnographic observations, we conclude that the Lunar Ark engages with a speculative bioeconomy, wherein earth is imagined as an unstable and unfit protector of life. In contrast, the Lunar Ark emerges as a pan-humanitarian and maternal-like technoscientific environment.
Self-concept at different stages of life: How do early and late adolescents and young, middle-aged, and older adults describe themselves?
Authors: Tamm Anni , Tõugu Pirko , Tulviste Tiia
Published: May 2024

The study aimed to find out which differences and similarities emerge in the self-concepts of early and late adolescents and young, middle-aged, and older adults. A total of 822 participants, including 530 adolescents aged 9–19 (over 50% were girls) and 292 adults aged 20–71 (over 80% were women), from Estonia provided their spontaneous self-descriptions. Early adolescents described their preferences, appearance, family, peers, and peripheral attributes more frequently and traits, identity, and global attributes less frequently than other age groups. Late adolescents’ self-descriptions included significantly more traits and fewer social roles, identity, and family mentions than those of adults. The three adult groups were similar in the use of different attributes to describe themselves. Overall, the study suggests that early adolescents describe themselves mainly through concrete, objective attributes, late adolescents through abstract psychological attributes, and adults through social–psychological attributes.