bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Socio-Economic Impact of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) on Livestock Farming in Sierra Leone, an Empirical Evidence from Six (6) Districts
Authors: Kargbo Maurice Baimba , Bangura Sheka Ramadan
Published: March 2024

As a highly infectious disease, Foot and Mouth disease (FMD) has been eradicated by many wealthy nations but remains endemic in most of the world especially countries in Sub-Saharan Africa1. When FMD outbreaks occur in disease free countries and zones that produce livestock for export, the economic impact is clear to see; however, the impact of the disease in endemic countries is more controversial, particularly when compared to diseases that cause greater mortality. Taking into account the limited resources of veterinary services for the implementation of animal disease surveillance anywhere and anytime in Sierra Leone, a socio-economic impact assessment study was conducted to quantify the impacts, spread and occurrence of the disease, in order to target and put in place precautionary control measures including targeted surveillance. The main socio-economic impact question of the study was “What is the social and economic impact of FMD in the districts under review. The study was conducted in 6 districts in the North and East of Sierra Leone. A total of 240 respondents using purposive sampling were interviewed to elicit information on the main socio-economic variables that informed the study. The study established (80%) of the sampled farmers are livestock farmers, while 32 people (13.3%) are crop farmers who mainly practice subsistence farming. The study proved that the yearly income from the sales of livestock both especially large ruminants increase to 154 (64.2%). This percentage plummeted when FMD struck in 2018-2019. The study showed that (55.8% of the household indicated that their cattle suffered from Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) during the outbreak of July-August 2018-2019, while goats and sheep suffered Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) with households reporting (70.8%) and 162 (68%) of Infection rates before the commencement of this study. The study recommended that the veterinary division of maintain and improve on active surveillance of FMD, update surveillance plan targeting priority districts and hotspots of FMD outbreak such as livestock markets to maintain the current status of Low risk to prevent social and economic impacts’
Safety Evaluation of Recombinant Bovine Lactoferrin as a Novel Biomaterial
Authors: Sun Jiamiao , Zhang Sumin , Wang Yong , Wei Jinchi , Teng Yonghui , Quan Binghua , Pang Xiaoming , Deng Honghong , Wei Chiming
Published: March 2024

This study introduces the physical principles and safety evaluation of recombinant bovine lactoferrin (fusion factor) as an innovative biomaterial. Fusion factor is a recombinant lactoferrin expressed by fusing lactoferrin, which has natural biological defense function, with other peptide segments through sequence optimization. It is named fusion factor. Its molecular weight is about 36kDa, which is much greater than the 1kDa molecular weight limit of macromolecular transdermal absorption, so it is not absorbed when used externally on the epithelial mucosa. The lactoferrin based biological defense functional peptide segment in the fusion factor can neutralize the virus by binding to viral protein nucleic acid through the physical action of charge adsorption, and can also compete with cell receptors to inhibit virus infection in cells. The molar ratio of the transmembrane peptide (Pep-1) fragment to the carrier protein is 1:1, so only the transport protein is anchored to the cell surface, forming a physical isolation protein protective wall against viruses and bacteria, without penetrating the cell or damaging the cell membrane. The fusion factor and its derived vaginal bacteria blocking gel have no significant toxicity, sensitization, anaphylaxis or delayed hypersensitivity in vitro cell experiments, in vivo animal experiments and clinical observation tests, and have no side effects with highly safety.
Towards Climate Resilience: A Comprehensive Study on Eco-Friendly Alternatives for Single-Use Plastic Sheets in Somalia
Authors: Farah Abdikadir Issa
Published: March 2024

This research critically examines the recent policy intervention by the Somali government, focusing on the prohibition of single-use plastic sheets. The primary aim is to safeguard the environment and enhance public safety, aligning with global efforts to address plastic pollution and promote sustainable practices. The government's proactive approach urges manufacturers to explore alternative materials that prioritize community well-being and minimize environmental impact. This research, in response to the government's call for action, seeks to contribute comprehensive strategies that complement existing efforts. One key facet of the proposed initiatives involves research and development to identify and promote eco-friendly substitutes for single-use plastic sheets. This includes investigating materials with minimal environmental impact throughout their lifecycle. By encouraging innovation in materials science, the study aims to support the government's commitment to sustainable practices and reduce dependence on harmful substances. In addition to material innovation, the research emphasizes the importance of awareness campaigns to educate the public about the environmental and social implications of plastic usage. Community awareness is crucial for fostering a collective understanding of the need for change and garnering support for the government's policies. This aspect of the study aims to develop targeted communication strategies to engage diverse segments of the population and promote a culture of responsible consumption. Furthermore, the research advocates for the implementation of recycling programs to manage existing plastic waste effectively. Developing robust waste management infrastructure is essential for ensuring that discarded plastic materials are recycled efficiently, reducing their impact on the environment. Recognizing the economic aspects of the transition, the research proposes incentives for businesses that adopt sustainable materials. These incentives can include financial support, tax breaks, or preferential treatment in government procurement processes. By aligning economic interests with ecological responsibility, the study aims to facilitate a smooth transition and encourage widespread adoption of sustainable practices. Through a comprehensive analysis of various initiatives, the research aims to provide actionable insights for policymakers. Recommendations will be formulated to guide the government in implementing effective measures that align with its commitment to environmental sustainability and the overall safety of the Somali population. In conclusion, this research aspires to contribute practical strategies for Somalia, balancing economic interests with ecological responsibility. By fostering a harmonious coexistence between human activities and the environment, the study aims to support the government's vision of a resilient and sustainable future.
Shielding Africa, Protecting the World: Unleashing the Power of Preventative Use of Ebola Vaccines
Authors: Tegegne Merawi Aragaw , Gitahi Githinji , Kimathi George , Kiarie Jackline
Published: March 2024

Africa CDC recently conducted a comprehensive risk ranking assessment of epidemic-prone diseases across the continent, identifying Ebola as one of the top 19 infectious diseases with the highest scores in disease severity risk and epidemic potential. The Ebolaviruses first described in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in 1976 have left a harrowing trail across sub-Saharan Africa, triggering no less than 34 Ebola outbreaks in 11 sub-Saharan Africa countries, a statistic further compounded by the recent outbreak in Uganda in 2022. At present, the World Health Organization (WHO) has approved two Ebola vaccines, including Ervebo and two-component Zabdeno and Mvabea boost vaccines, for use by individuals above the age of 1 year, including pregnant women as per the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) recommendations. The use of these vaccines has demonstrated noteworthy efficacy in safeguarding against Ebola in most African communities and frontline health workers in Ebola-endemic countries such as Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Liberia, among others. Unfortunately, the uptake of these vaccines in Ebola-endemic countries remains dishearteningly constrained despite their availability due to, among other things, the unpredictable timing of outbreaks, sub-optimal surveillance, vaccine demand volatility, palpable vaccine hesitancy, and fragile health infrastructure. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach that includes a synergy of partnerships between governments, communities, development partners, and private sector partners, such as pharmaceuticals. Recognizing that outbreaks originate and seize at the community level, the imperative of confronting hesitancy through sustained proactive community engagement and utilizing promising vaccination strategies such as ring vaccination must be encouraged. Governments must increase investments to strengthen the regulatory environment for timely access to vaccine stockpiles, robust and cost-effective Ebola vaccination programs for at-risk populations, and preventative use for the health workforce. The International Coordinating Group (ICG) on Vaccine Provision also recommends that national and international health authorities initiate vaccine access by submitting a request to the ICG. This opportunity is at no cost for GAVI-eligible countries and on a reimbursement basis for non-eligible countries. In parallel, Africa CDC is also working closely with Member States on the continent to increase availability and access to medical countermeasures, which include therapeutics, vaccines, and diagnostics, making it critical that Africa CDC is included in the ICG. This will promote timely issue profiling and resolution for increased demand for vaccine stockpiles across the continent where they are needed most as the continent moves towards enhanced health security.
Role of Microfinance Institutions in Ethiopian Economy: A Review
Authors: Zeleke Gizaw Fetene , Tolesa Shibeshi Fekadu
Published: March 2024

This work reviews the role of microfinance institutions in the Ethiopian economy, which was done by using a balanced scorecard (BSC) performance review approach that integrates both financial and nonfinancial metrics. The BSC framework of the review was developed using a total of performance indicators that were equally categorized under BSC perspectives (financial, customer, internal business processes, and learning and growth). The developed framework was applied to MFIs operating in Ethiopia, which have head offices in all regional capitals of the country and report to the Association of Ethiopian Microfinance Institutions (AEMFI) starting in 2010–2012 consecutively. The work of the review shows that based on their financial role, on average, the institutions reviewed are sustainable with high relative productivity and low profitability. The average non-financial performance is also high, indicating that the reviewed institutions are highly performing in both non-financial and financial measures. Beside the role performance, the work of this review confirmed the relationship assumption of BSC perspectives and it shows a positive correlation among them. The review concludes that comprehensive performance is observed when it is measured in a collective way. So, Ethiopian MFIs suggested paying attention to the use of BSC as a performance measurement tool and as a hub for specified role indicators that need enhancement.
Mathematical Prediction of Electrical Solar Energy Based on Solar Data for Two Main Cities of Chad: Mongo in the Centre and Pala in the South of Chad
Authors: Ali Ali Ramadan , Nediguina Mahamat Kher , Kriga Adoum , Gouajio Marinette Jeutho , Adile Adoum Danao , Kenmogne Fabien , Tahir Abakar Mahamat
Published: March 2024

The comparative study of the solar powers between two main cities of Chad is performed in the present work, the city of Mongo in the Centre and that of Pala in the South, with an aim of knowing which one of the two cities is more adequate for an installation of the solar power station, taking into account the regional climatic and environmental conditions of both cities. To do this, the graphical statistical analysis of long-term solar irradiance data and temperature is performed. The data used is that of the decade (2010-2020), based on solar radiation data handed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Photovoltaic Geographical Information System (PGIS) for Mongo in the centre and Pala in the south of Chad. The shape of the mean monthly irradiation has been plotted and has been approximated using the sinusoidal function through the mean square analysis. The temperature data has been also obtained by the same process and plotted versus irradiance in order to find the adequate mathematical relationship between them. For the statistical analysis, the maximum entropy principle has been used. As results, it is found that the maximum irradiance is obtained in March, which are 226.26kWh/m2 for Pala and 219.355kWh/m2 for Mongo, while the minimum irradiances are obtained in August, which are 151.67kWh/m2 for Pala and 158.9kWh/m2 for Mongo. The temperature data is also obtained and the mean monthly data plotted, showing that apart for the months of March and April, the the shapes of irradiation and temperatures are similar for both sites. Then it is found that the frequency and probability density distributions reach their maximum at the same dates.
Effects of the Specialized Preoperative Waiting Room on Preoperative Anxiety in Pediatric Patients
Authors: Tang Yanqiu , Lai Ping , Liang Zhengbo
Published: March 2024

Preoperative anxiety is a common event-related psychological disorder, which increases the perioperative risk, especially among children. The aim of this study is to establish a specialized waiting room for pediatric patients and investigate the efficiency on preoperative anxiety. This is a single center, open label, randomized controlled trial. Eligible children were randomly allocated into the routine waiting group (control group) and the specialized waiting group (study group). The Children's Emotional Manifestation Scale (CEMS), crying times, separation emotion, the degree of coordination, satisfaction score of parents, and quality of postoperative recovery were collected and analyzed. A total of 150 children were included and analyzed. Patients in the study group had lower CEMS score, less crying times, better separation emotion and coordination degree, and better recovery quality on the 1st postoperative day than those in the control group (p<0.05). However, the recovery quality on the 3rd or 7th postoperative day was comparable between the groups (p>0.05). Besides, the guardians in the study group gave higher scores to the preoperative waiting procedure (p<0.05). Our specialized waiting room for pediatric patients is an effective non-pharmacological method to alleviating preoperative anxiety, increasing parents’ satisfaction score, and enhancing recovery quality of the 1st postoperative day.
A Study on the Endogenous Dynamics of Rural Tourism Green Development in Yunnan Under the Background of Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality
Authors: Dongqi Shi , Ying Zou , Luoyi Jin
Published: March 2024

Yunnan Province has abundant rural tourism resources, however, the vigorous development of rural tourism in Yunnan is accompanied by ecological safety risks. Severe tourism pollution restricts the sustainable development of rural tourism in Yunnan. 'Greening' has become the main way for the sustainable development of rural tourism in Yunnan under the background of 'dual carbon'. Based on the 'dual carbon' background and combining the perspectives of 'driving factors for green development' and 'green behavior', this paper deeply analyzes the current situation of 'greening' in rural tourism communities in Yunnan during the process of rural tourism development. Combined with the social network relationships of rural tourism green development communities in Yunnan, the original model is modified. On the basis of social exchange theory and group dynamics, a relationship model between social network environment and participation behavior mechanism is formed. Through this model, the endogenous driving force of rural tourism community residents to participate in green development is explored, and methods and paths to motivate the driving force for green development are sought. Ultimately, it achieves that residents can participate, are willing to participate, and have the ability to participate in all aspects of the green development of rural tourism in Yunnan, promoting the sustainable development of rural tourism and communities in Yunnan.
A Data-Driven Probabilistic Network Approach to Assess Model Similarity in CMIP Ensembles
Authors: Graafland Catharina Elisabeth , Brands Swen , Gutiérrez José Manuel
Published: March 2024

The different phases of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP) provide ensembles of past, present, and future climate simulations crucial for climate change impact and adaptation activities. These ensembles are produced using multiple global climate models (GCMs) from different modeling centers with some shared building blocks and interdependencies. Applications typically follow the “model democracy” approach which might have significant implications in the resulting products (e.g., large bias and low spread). Thus, quantifying model similarity within ensembles is crucial for interpreting model agreement and multimodel uncertainty in climate change studies. The classical methods used for assessing GCM similarity can be classified into two groups. The a priori approach relies on expert knowledge about the components of these models, while the a posteriori approach seeks similarity in the GCMs’ output variables and is thus data-driven. In this study, we apply probabilistic network models (PNMs), a well-established machine learning technique, as a new a posteriori method to measure intermodel similarities. The proposed methodology is applied to surface temperature fields of the historical experiments from the CMIP5 multimodel ensemble and different reanalysis gridded datasets. PNMs are able to learn the complex spatial dependency structures present in climate data, including teleconnections operating on multiple spatial scales, characteristic of the underlying GCM. A distance metric building on the resulting PNMs is applied to characterize GCM model dependencies. The results of this approach are in line with those obtained with more traditional methods but have further explanatory potential building on probabilistic model querying.

Significance Statement

The present study proposes the use of probabilistic network models (PNMs) to quantify model similarity within ensembles of global climate models (GCMs). This is crucial for interpreting model agreement and multimodel uncertainty in climate change studies. When applied to climate data (gridded global surface temperature in this study), PNMs encode the relevant spatial dependencies (local and remote connections). Similarities among the PNMs resulting from different GCMs can be quantified and are shown to capture similar GCM formulations reported in previous studies. Differently to other machine learning methods previously applied to this problem, PNMs are fully explainable (allowing probabilistic querying) and are applicable to high-dimensional gridded raw data.
Marriage and Memories of the Slave Trade Among the Ejaghams of Cameroon's Cross River Region
Authors: Nyok Maurine Ekun
Published: March 2024

Using interview data collected from communities in Cameroon's Cross River region, this study examines the experiences of “slave descendants” in their marriages/attempted marriages with “freemen.” Using theories from Mary Douglas and Erving Goffman to analyse their stories, I demonstrate that while “slave descendants” are legally permitted to marry members of “freeman” origin, in practice, some cultural privileges are stripped from those who choose to intermarry, especially impacting those of “freeman” origins. Among “freeman” individuals, beliefs exist that marrying a “slave descendant” can limit their social and cultural potential. For example, they believe such marriages will contaminate the purity of their bloodline. Correspondingly, I discovered that many “slave descendants” aspire to unions with “freemen,” despite discrimination and rejection, to give their children a “half-pure” blood identity. They believe that giving their children this “half-pure” blood identity helps improve their future prospects.
The Economics of an Aging Superstar’s Popularity: The Case of Tiger Woods
Authors: Potter Joel , Wethington William
Published: March 2024

This paper explores how a sports superstar’s popularity aged by utilizing 28 years of Nielsen television viewer data for the Professional Golf Association’s major events (i.e., the Masters, U.S. Open, PGA Championship, and the British Open; 1995–2022). Tiger Woods’ major career has spanned this precise time frame, as his first major event was the 1995 Masters and his last major in which he made the cut was the 2022 Masters (at the time of this writing). Thus, we are able to specifically examine how this singular superstar has aged in terms of popularity over an extended time frame. Given that golf is an individual sport in which there are no externality effects from teammates that might confound the analysis, our current setting provides an ideal natural experiment where we can simultaneously account for superstar effects relating to participation, performance, and longevity. Our results suggest that Woods was most popular at the beginning of his career, and that, after controlling for productivity and other relevant factors, his popularity has subsequently waned. Even though Tiger Woods remains the most popular golfer in the world, his impact on viewership has continued to lessen as his career has progressed.
Elevated Plasma Lipoprotein(a) Level and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risks: A Large Clinical Retrospective Study
Authors: Wang Kexin , Wang Wenjie , Niu Jialong , Liu Xiaoli , Han Hongya , Shen Hua , Sun Yan , Gao Wen , Ge Hailong
Published: March 2024

Patients with well-controlled low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels still suffer from the progress of the atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and can develop adverse outcomes. We conducted this study to analyze the relationship between elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels and ASCVD risk. We enrolled 8070 patients in the ASCVD group and 440 participants in the non-ASCVD group [median age of 60 years; 6376 (74.9%) were male]. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify the relationships between the lipids and ASCVD. These models showed that the Lp(a) level was a significant independent risk factor for ASCVD [odds ratio (OR) = 1.025, confidence interval (CI) = 1.020–1.029, P < .001]. The different categories analysis showed the OR of the high Lp(a)/low LDL-C group was 9.612 [CI = 6.206–14.887], P < .001. Our study demonstrated that elevated Lp(a) levels were associated with the increased ASCVD risk. Also, the patients with low LDL-C but high Lp(a) levels still had a higher risk of developing ASCVD than the low Lp(a)/high LDL-C group. In addition, elevated Lp(a) levels were associated with a higher ASCVD risk in males, hypertensive, and diabetic patients.
Cefoperazone-Sulbactam-Induced Coagulopathy in Critically Ill Egyptian Patients: Role of Vitamin K Prophylactic Doses
Authors: Ebid AbdelHameed Ibrahim , Abdeen Hebatallah Ali , Muhammed Maher Rabab , Mohamed-Abdel-Motaleb Sara Mohamed
Published: March 2024

Aim: Evaluating the impact of vitamin K prophylaxis on cefoperazone-sulbactam-induced coagulopathy in critically ill patients. Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial on critically ill adult patients treated with cefoperazone-sulbactam. Patients received systemic cefoperazone-sulbactam antibiotics of 1.5 to 2 g every 12 hours. Patients were randomized into 2 groups: the intervention group (Gp-I), who received a 10 mg intravenous dose of vitamin K every week until cefoperazone-sulbactam therapy ended, and the control group (Gp-C), who received only cefoperazone-sulbactam. Results: Our main finding was the significantly higher survival probability from coagulopathy in Gp-I than in Gp-C using the Kaplan-Myers curve (χ2 = 25.5, P < .001). The adjusted hazard ratios for coagulopathy obtained from the Cox regression analysis revealed that the intervention was significantly associated with a 99% reduction in the hazard of coagulopathy relative to Gp-C (HR = 0.01, P = .001). The Kaplan-Myers curve indicated a significantly higher survival probability from bleeding in Gp-I than in Gp-C (χ2 = 9, degree of freedom = 1, P = .005). Conclusion: In critically ill patients, intravenous prophylactic doses of vitamin K of 10 mg per week prevent cefoperazone-sulbactam-induced coagulopathy. Therefore, we recommend adding vitamin K supplementation to ICU protocols in Egypt for cefoperazone-sulbactam safety.
The effect of imperfect bonding on stress distribution in fibrous composites
Authors: Kheirkhah Barzoki Parvaneh , Hua Tianyi , Fu Ouli , Gowayed Yasser
Published: March 2024

An attempt was made to map the distribution of stress in fibrous composites with imperfect bonding. Two analytical micro-mechanics models were developed. In the first model, the composite was subjected to axial tensile loading, parallel to the fiber direction, and the assumption of iso-strain was employed to derive the control equations. In the second model, the composite was loaded in the direction transverse to the fiber. An iso-stress condition was employed, and Airy stress function was utilized to articulate the stress and displacement equations. An assumption of how the stress is transferred between the matrix and the fiber was introduced in both models. To investigate and validate the models, specimens were fabricated using a carbon plain weave fabric and a geopolymer matrix. Single fiber pullout and three-point bending tests were carried out. The maximum average tensile stress obtained from the three-point bending tests, as well as the mechanical properties of the fiber and geopolymer, served as input for the models. Results indicate that the effect of the level of bonding is very high in the transverse direction while almost negligible in the axial direction. The difference in the maximum value of the axial tensile stress at the fiber-matrix interface was used to calculate the numerical value of the interfacial shear strength, and the numerical result matched the data obtained from the single fiber pullout test.
Do No Harm? Unintended Consequences of Pharmaceutical Price Regulation in India
Authors: Jaikumar Saravana , Chintagunta Pradeep K. , Sahay Arvind
Published: March 2024

The Drugs (Prices Control) Order of 2013 in India regulated the prices of certain essential and life-saving drugs to ensure their affordability and availability, expecting an increase in sales of those drugs. The authors study the effects of the regulation on sales volumes of each regulated drug using a synthetic control approach with sales data from a comparable country that did not experience a regulatory change. They assess the robustness of the results via multiple empirical approaches to triangulate the findings. Contrary to the order's objectives, they find that sales volumes declined for regulated drugs. Since the order placed restrictions on production levels and on drugs exiting the market, the lowered margins of regulated drugs could have pushed pharmaceutical firms to reduce their marketing expenditures on them. The authors provide evidence of such a reduction using detailing data from a large pharmaceutical firm. The findings illustrate that this shift in detailing adversely affected prescriptions from physicians without formal medical degrees who treat poor and disadvantaged people in India—patients that the order was intended to help the most. A survey the authors conducted shows that these physicians rely on detailing more than medically trained doctors. Taken together, the results provide insights into the strategic actions of firms when faced with regulations, and highlight their unintended consequences. The generalizable nature of the study's findings across a broad set of medications has implications for governmental agencies in terms of the need to account for the entire ecosystem when implementing such regulations.
Linear regression analysis of properties related to moisture management using cotton–polyester knitted fabrics
Authors: Asfand Norina , Petraitienė Stasė , Daukantienė Virginija
Published: March 2024

The complex evaluation of thermo-physiological comfort for a particular garment is still challenging, as it depends on the different structural parameters and individual properties of textiles. Measurement of relevant fabric characteristics requires very specific laboratory equipment, such as an M 290 moisture management tester (SDL ATLAS) or similar. For this reason, it is obvious that there is a great demand to predict the overall moisture management capability ( OMMC) based on the individual properties that are responsible for clothing comfort and testing according to different standards rather than OMMC-specific calculation using the M 290 tester. Therefore, in this research, linear regression analysis was performed using MATLAB software to predict the OMMC for cotton–polyester fabrics knitted in two patterns, namely 1 × 1 rib and half-Milano rib, using four percentages of fibers. Water vapor permeability, water vapor resistance, water absorption capacity, water absorption time, and air permeability were used as input variables for linear regression analysis to predict the OMMC of fabrics. The performed analysis has shown that the OMMC is directly dependent on the relative water vapor permeability and air permeability, and the linear regression equation suggested in this research can predict the suitability of a textile for a particular garment concerning its moisture management behavior.
Why is inculturation in Catholic theology difficult to operationalize?
Authors: Ballano Vivencio O.
Published: March 2024

This article attempts to explain sociologically why the Catholic Church’s popular theological concept of inculturation is difficult to operationalize or provide empirical indicators in order to make it more observable and measurable for social scientists, missionaries, and inculturation practitioners. Using some secondary data and peer-reviewed literature, it explores how the following major hurdles inhibit the clear conceptualization and operationalization of inculturation projects, namely: the (1) lack of unified definition in the Church for culture, (2) plurality of the meaning of inculturation, (3) ambiguity of the extent of the cultural change in inculturation that results in unsettled levels and units of analysis in measuring it, as well as (4) lack of social science training and expertise of Catholic theologians, clerics, and missiologists, leading to the neglect of empirical studies that operationalize inculturation in the mainstream research. This study recommends intensified social science training for missionaries and clerics in the Catholic Church and active dialogue between inculturationists and social scientists to enhance the empirical dimension of inculturation in research and literature.
When signature pedagogies clash: Making way for the oral majority with connected learning
Authors: Thigpen L. Lynn
Published: March 2024

In McCloskey’s classic Make Way for Ducklings, two mallards attempt to raise their brood in busy Boston. The ducklings struggle with city life, and the family needs help navigating that environment to travel to a safer island home. Throughout the story, kind advocates stop traffic and make way for these vulnerable residents. Likewise, a large group of vulnerable adults finds the literate world less than inviting. Adults with limited formal education (ALFE, al-phee) or oral learners often need others to make way for them as well. Whether due to war, catastrophe, cultural beliefs, learning disabilities, or family circumstances, oral learners may lack educational opportunities and prefer non-textual ways of learning. Ranging from refugees to the average day laborer, billions participate in this shared identity and vastly outnumber highly literate adults. The ways ALFE learn differ significantly from that of cross-cultural workers who seek to share God’s Word with them. Global servants tend to learn by lecture and discussion, critical analysis, or tackling exegesis and preaching, signature pedagogies of western theological education. However, these familiar pedagogies are foreign to oral learners. What happens when two sets of signature pedagogies meet and clash? Do literates make way for oral learners, or are these adults forced into a reading mode? This article explores the foundational learning culture of ALFE and the signature pedagogies they prefer. Research-backed advice equips advocates to make way for ALFE and serves to inform the training of global workers to utilize connected learning pedagogies.
Sentiment Analysis of Russian-Language Social Media Posts Discussing the 2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine
Authors: Dean Matthew C. , Porter Ben
Published: March 2024

The current study sought to identify the sentiment of Russian-language social media posts about the war in Ukraine and to contrast sentiment between two popular social media platforms in Russia: VK and Telegram. Overall, 1,393,245 posts were gathered from social media platforms from February 2022 to September 2022 using keywords associated with the conflict. Using the sentiment analysis program Valence Aware Dictionary for sEntiment Reasoning (VADER), we completed an analysis of 15,000 randomly selected, translated Russian-language posts related to the war. Overall, findings show that sentiment was initially positive in the early stages of the invasion before becoming more neutral by the end of the study period. On VK, sentiment followed a similar positive-to-negative trend over the study period. Alternatively, on Telegram, sentiment was neutral throughout the study period. Findings show an initial difference in sentiment toward the war that existed among Russian-language speakers on the two sites before lessening over time.
School Participatory Budgeting: An Emerging Governance Tool and Its Managerial Considerations
Authors: Shybalkina Iuliia , Nabatchi Tina
Published: March 2024

Participatory budgeting (PB) fosters community engagement in the allocation of public funds. Although its popularity has diminished in general-purpose governments, it is gaining traction in school districts. Yet research on PB’s managerial implications remains scarce. This study analyzes a PB process in a New York school district, examining key stages, participants, and engagement dynamics using quantitative and qualitative data. Our findings underscore important implementation challenges that necessitate careful consideration before advocating the widespread adoption of school PB.
Investigation of the impact of heating and liquid nitrogen (LN2) cooling on the mechanical and acoustic emission (AE) properties of coal
Authors: Sun Lin , Wu Caifang , Teng Teng , Cao Zhengzheng , Liu Fei , Cai Yuhe , Xue Yi , Zhu Yanzhao
Published: March 2024

Liquid nitrogen has emerged as a promising fracturing medium for unconventional natural gas extraction, particularly in the context of coalbed methane extraction, generating significant interest in recent times. In this paper, we analyze the acoustic emission (AE) characteristics of coal samples treated with liquid nitrogen under three-point bending load conditions using indoor experiments and field investigations. We investigate the impact of liquid nitrogen on coal samples by analyzing AE data. The mechanical properties of coal samples with varying initial temperatures were tested under three-point bending load conditions after treatment with liquid nitrogen. The load-displacement curve was analyzed to study the mechanical properties of the coal samples after treatment with liquid nitrogen. Through indoor three-point bending experiments, data analysis, and knowledge of mechanics, we systematically investigated the changes in mechanical properties caused by liquid nitrogen treatment under different conditions. The results demonstrate that the application of liquid nitrogen has significant impacts on the mechanical and AE characteristics of coal samples. The load-displacement curve indicated that the mechanical properties of the coal samples changed after treatment with liquid nitrogen. The AE experiment revealed regular changes in vibration and energy parameters of coal samples after liquid nitrogen treatment under different conditions. We further investigated the changes in mechanical properties and deformation characteristics of coal samples after undergoing liquid nitrogen freezing and thawing in differing environments. Graphs such as load-displacement curves, load-time curves, cumulative vibration count-energy count graphs, and RA-AF density distribution diagrams visually demonstrated the changes in mechanical properties and deformation characteristics. Through an integrated approach of indoor experiments, data analysis, and knowledge of mechanics, our study provides a better understanding of the behavior of coal samples under different conditions. This understanding can contribute to the development of safer and more efficient methods for extracting coalbed methane.
Allocative Efficiency, Plant Dynamics and Regional Productivity: Evidence from Germany
Authors: Bruhn Simon , Grebel Thomas
Published: March 2024

The productivity gap between East and West Germany is a long ongoing discussion among the public and policy makers. Regional disparities still appear to be substantial. In this paper, we shed light on the role of allocative efficiency as a region’s driver of productivity disparities. We show that over 50 percent of the East-West productivity gap is associated with a less efficient labor allocation in former East Germany. Controlling for the heterogeneity among German federal states, we perform spatial regression on official firm-level data (AFiD), revealing that the regional differences in allocative efficiency are significantly associated with trade openness, competitive intensity, economies of scale and labor mobility.
Europe is not like you see on TV! Ramadan drama as a platform of education on Harga in Tunisia
Authors: Sayfo Omar
Published: March 2024

The increase in clandestine migrants to Italy following the 2010 Tunisian uprising has been an issue of popular and political concern in both countries. This article investigates Harga (2021, 2022), a top-rated and critically acclaimed drama series. Produced and aired by Tunisian national television as a vehicle of entertainment-education, Harga strove to make a geopolitical intervention in the process of irregular migration. Combining textual analysis with interviews conducted with the production’s producers and participants, the article explores how local and transnational actors came together to create a counternarrative to the popular success stories of clandestine migrants. This approach contributes to a better understanding of the relationship between media and socio-cultural and political dynamics as well as of their effect on formulating mediated narratives on clandestine migration. Due to Harga’s documentarist depiction of the social and political driving forces behind irregular migration and its open criticism of Tunisian authorities, the show is investigated within the framework of post-uprising Tunisia’s mediascape, and domestic and international political environment. In this regard, it offers a good case study for examining how local politics, transnationalism, and postcolonialism are intertwined in formulating discourses on irregular migration.
The Grammar of Persuasion: A Meta-Analytic Review Disconfirming the Role of Nouns as Linguistic Cues of Subsequent Behavior
Authors: Witkowska Marta , Dołżycka Joanna , Suitner Caterina , Formanowicz Magdalena
Published: March 2024

Recent discoveries suggest that nouns, as a word class, exhibit a greater capacity to model real-life behavior. In some previous studies participants prompted with a noun label rather than a semantically corresponding verb ( be a voter vs. vote) were more likely to vote. However, many attempts to replicate the original results have shown unsuccessful. To shed light on the effectiveness of subtle linguistic manipulations, we conducted a meta-analysis of 28 effect sizes ( N = 13,376), being an exact or conceptual replications of original studies. Although the average effect was significant ( g = 0.12), the concurrent diagnostics indicated a low trust in the replicability or stability of the effect. Based on that, we cannot conclude that the greater effectiveness of nouns as cues has been reliably demonstrated. We discuss theoretical prospects involving the verb-action link as well as the self-verification motives.
High-speed deformation behaviour of 45° extruded magnesium alloy under quasi-in-situ conditions
Authors: Zhou Le , Yan Ruihua , Li Yutian , Wang Zhi , Wang Feng , Wei Ziqi , Mao Pingli , Liu Zheng
Published: March 2024

In this study, quasi-in-situ electron backscatter diffraction was employed to investigate the microstructural evolution and deformation behaviour of ZK60 magnesium alloy with an initial 45° extruded state orientation under two high-speed impacts. The experimental results demonstrated that the deformation of the alloy mainly depended on slip and [Formula: see text] tension twinning. With the increase of deformation, the [Formula: see text] tension twins nucleated continuously, and there were stretching twin variants that were 60° away from the original stretching twins. In addition, compared with the conventional orientation (extrusion direction), 45° samples were easier to activate various slips under high-strain rate deformation conditions, especially ⟨c + a⟩ slips.
Development of a palliative paramedicine framework to standardise best practice: A Delphi study
Authors: Juhrmann Madeleine L , Butow Phyllis N , Simpson Paul , Boughey Mark , Makeham Meredith , Clayton Josephine M
Published: March 2024

Background:

Growing global demand for palliative care services has prompted generalist clinicians to provide adjunct support to specialist teams. Paramedics are uniquely placed to respond to these patients in the community. However, embedding palliative care principles into their core business will require multifactorial interventions at structural, healthcare service and individual clinician and consumer levels.

Aim:

To develop a palliative paramedicine framework suitable for national implementation, to standardise best practice in Australia.

Design:

Delphi study utilising questionnaire completion; each round informed the need for, and content of, the next round. Free text comments were also sought in Round 1. Two rounds of Delphi were undertaken.

Setting/participants:

Sixty-eight participants took part in Round 1, representing six countries, and 66 in Round 2. Participants included paramedics, palliative care doctors and nurses, general practitioners, researchers and carers with lived experience and expertise in palliative paramedicine.

Results:

Seventeen of the original 24 components gained consensus; 6 components were modified; and 9 new components arose from Round 1. All modified and new components gained consensus in Round 2. Only one original component did not gain consensus across both rounds and was excluded from the final 32-component framework.

Conclusion:

This study has developed a comprehensive national framework addressing the macro-, meso- and micro-level interventions required to standardise palliative paramedicine across Australia. Future research ought to engage a multidisciplinary team to create an implementation strategy, addressing any perceived barriers, facilitators and challenges for applying the framework into policy and practice.
Very low association between multidimensional musical environment exposure and musical perception skills among children: Evidence from a large multilevel cross-sectional study
Authors: Cogo-Moreira Hugo , Nordahl-Hansen Anders
Published: March 2024

This study aimed to explore whether music perception is correlated with the load of exposure to musical activities in daily life, such as attending musical events, playing an instrument, attending music classes (at school or for a social project), and the time children spend listening to music using a non-experimental design. We are reusing data from the studies by Barros et al. and Cogo-Moreira & Lamont, from a random school-based sample (multilevel design) including 1,006 children from first to fifth grade in 14 schools in São Paulo, Brazil. Data were collected using the “M-factor”, a new paradigm to assess music perception, and a questionnaire to track children’s self-reported musical activities related to their individual daily lives in different environments (home and school). At the within-participants level, self-reported exposure to music activity accounted for only 5.3% of the variance in music perception after adjusting for age and sex. Hence, the magnitude of the association between music exposure and music perception skills was small when both music exposure and music perception skills were evaluated under continuous scores and using a heterogeneous population.
Investigation of circular aluminium tube expansion by rigid die as energy absorbers using digital image correlation technology
Authors: Gupta Pramod Kumar , Kumar Shivam , Singh Shashank
Published: March 2024

This paper investigates the expansion of circular aluminium tubes using a rigid die under quasi-static loading conditions through experiments and finite element simulations. This study primarily focuses on the expansion of thin-walled tubes with a thickness ranging from 3.95 to 5 mm, and the finite element model is in good agreement with the experimental results. Additionally, the study emphasizes the impact of the coefficient of friction, energy dissipation properties and the diameter-to-thickness ratio on the energy expenditure associated with the expansion process of aluminium tubes using a rigid die. This study use Digital Image Correlation (DIC) technology to evaluate pictures obtained during experimental procedures, enabling accurate quantification of displacements, stresses, and rotations of major planes. The findings indicate that the energy absorption resulting from friction plays a significant role, with the coefficient of friction serving as a important parameter throughout the expansion process. The energy absorbed by the friction between tube-die contact surfaces was significantly higher than that absorbed by the plastic bending of the aluminium tube. For specimen AT-5.0-1, the energy absorbed by friction and bending is 3352 and 570 J, respectively. Result shows that a notable increase in the ultimate load, rising from 46.03 to 61.54 kN, is required for expanding the aluminium tube with a thickness of 3.95 to 5.0 mm. The local strain patterns seen on the surface of the tube offer useful insights, therefore enhancing researchers’ ability to examine particular points on the specimen’s surface without the need for fixed reference points prior to conducting experiments.