bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Types of the New World Stigmoderini (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) deposited in Natural History Museum, London Buprestidae: Buprestinae: Stigmoderini
Authors: PINEDA CRISTIAN , MATSUMOTO KEITA
Published: April 2021

The type specimens of the New World Stigmoderini deposited in the Natural History Museum in London are catalogued and illustrated. Twenty-eight lectotypes are designated, one of which is a new lectotype, since the previous one is considered invalid under the article 74.2. (ICZN 1999). Holotype and in some cases, paratypes, are recognized for the following taxa: Conognatha nanula Hoscheck, 1934, Conognatha blairi Hoscheck, 1934, Hiperantha decorata var. insignata Hoscheck, 1928 and Hiperantha saundersi Théry, 1928. In addition, Lasionota oberthuri (Kerremans, 1897) rev. stat. is reinstated as a valid species, having been considered to be a junior synonym of Lasionota tetrazonus (Chevrolat, 1838) since 1997. The comparison of the reinstated species, with the recently described species Lasionota inca Moore & Diéguez, 2019 showed that both are conspecific and hence L. inca syn. nov. is proposed as a junior synonym of L. oberthuri.
Morphological and genetic variation in populations of Sitana marudhamneydhal and the validity of Sitana attenboroughii
Authors: BALAN A. , JUDE D. , NARAYANAN SURYA , VARMA SANDEEP , DEEPAK V.
Published: April 2021

Dewlap morphology and body ratios are two of the main morphological characters used in delimiting Sitana spp. It becomes a statistical limitation when small samples are used in species descriptions, as outliers can be picked to be described as a distinct species. Genetic data has been used to support the distinctness of a species in Sitana. However, species with shallow genetic divergence becomes a problem if not thoroughly examined. We examine and report our findings on morphological and genetic differences in two populations of Sitana marudhamneydhal and one population of S. attenboroughii. The shallow genetic divergence and overlapping morphology shows that Sitana attenboroughii is a junior synonym of Sitana marudhamneydhal
A further study on the wolf spider subfamily Artoriinae from China (Araneae: Lycosidae)
Authors: WANG LU-YU , FRAMENAU VOLKER W. , ZHANG ZHI-SHENG
Published: April 2021

The further collection and study of Chinese wolf spiders, family Lycosidae Sundevall, 1833, expand the known distribution of the subfamily Artoriinae Framenau, 2007 from Yunnan to Guangxi, Guizhou, and Sichuan Provinces of South China. Sinartoria gen. nov. is described to include two new species, S. damingshanensis sp. nov. (type species) and S. zhuangius sp. nov. In addition, a new Artoria species, A. hamata sp. nov. is described and new distribution records for A. ligulacea (Qu, Peng & Yin, 2009) and A. parvula Thorell, 1877 are provided. Within the Artoriinae, Sinartoria gen. nov. appears to be most similar to the South American Lobizon Piacentini & Grismado, 2009, but their relationship will remain contentious without a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of artoriine genera.
The regulation of driving with non-epileptic seizures must be made clearer
Authors: Kanaan Richard A , Kozlowska Kasia , Lehn Alex
Published: April 2021

Patients with epilepsy have their authorisation to drive restricted under detailed guidelines, but the rules for those with non-epileptic seizures are far less clear. We surveyed specialist clinicians in Australia and found little agreement as to whether such guidelines existed for non-epileptic seizures or what they might be. A number of possible interpretations of the Australian fitness to drive guidelines are explored, and these are often vague in themselves, as well as uncertain in their scope. This means clinicians making momentous driving decisions for their patients with non-epileptic seizures are doubly challenged, first in interpreting what guidelines exist, and second in what they mean. The International League Against Epilepsy proposed specific guidelines for driving with non-epileptic seizures, which reflect the range of presentations of non-epileptic seizures in a decision-making algorithm. We believe a specific algorithm such as this is essential in removing one level of uncertainty and responsibility for clinicians, and restoring equity for patients with non-epileptic seizures.
Myanmar’s Manufacturing Exports After the Lifting of Economic Sanctions
Authors: Taguchi Hiroyuki , Soe Thet Mon
Published: April 2021

This article aims to evaluate Myanmar’s exports of manufacturing products by using a gravity trade model for emerging ASEAN economies. The main focus of this study is to assess whether Myanmar’s manufacturing exports have recovered in terms of the gravity trade standard of the other emerging ASEAN countries for the post-sanction period of 2013–2018. Unlike the previous studies, this article contributes to the literature by targeting the post-sanction period and by applying both in-sample and out-of-sample estimation methods to ensure the consistency and robustness of their results. The main findings from the gravity trade model estimation are summarised as follows: first, Myanmar’s manufacturing exports for the post-sanction period are still significantly below the level of the gravity trade standard. Second, the downward deviation from the standard could be explained by the two Myanmar-specific factors, that is, the low institutional quality and the Dutch Disease effect in Myanmar’s exports to Western countries, but not fully in those to Asian countries. The additional factor for the deviation against Asian countries might come from Myanmar’s sluggish participation in the international production networks.

JEL Codes: F14, O53
Temporal Sensitivity and Latency During Teleoperation: Using Track Clearance to Understand Errors in Future Projection
Authors: Scholcover Federico , Gillan Douglas J.
Published: April 2021

Objective

This study investigates the role of individual differences in time perception on task performance during teleoperation with latency.

Background

Long distance teleoperation induces latency, causing performance issues for the operator. Previous research demonstrated that individual differences in time perception predicted performance on a similar task, having participants navigate a radio controlled (RC) car around a track. This work extends the relationship into routes of varying course width to test whether differences in time perception predict movement over-/underestimation.

Method

Participants completed a time estimation task and a route navigation task while experiencing latency. In the time estimation task, participants estimated the duration of multiple visual stimuli (2 s or less). In the route navigation task, participants moved a virtual cube across a route. Each trial varied in the amount of latency and the amount of horizontal clearance in the track (4–10 m for a 1.2-m-long/wide cube).

Results

The results showed fairly consistent latency by time estimation and latency by clearance interaction effects on a wide set of trial-level variables, such as completion time, and action-level performance variables, such as time spent moving per move event. However, the results were not consistently in the predicted direction.

Conclusion

Results suggest that clearance and timing affect performance across latency, at both the overall level (i.e., trial completion time) and at the action level (time spent moving). An open question remains as to how these contextual factors affect movement strategy selection.
Construction of modular teaching system of human resource management specialty
Authors: Li Chunyang
Published: April 2021

With the development of economy, society and science and technology, the disadvantages of the traditional “subject based” curriculum system construction mode are increasingly apparent. Graduates go to the society, what they learn is not what they use. There is a phenomenon that education and employment deviate from each other. Even if they have a job, they have to learn again, which requires a longer adaptation period. According to the skills and abilities that human resource management (HRM) students may enter into after graduation, a targeted modular teaching system is constructed. The modular teaching system can carry out customized learning in advance according to the students’ work goals, and grasp the required employability in advance. At the same time, the reform of the system also enriches the teaching methods of teachers. Through the questionnaire and experimental test, this paper finds that: modular teaching breaks the traditional curriculum design method under the framework of the discipline theoretical system, aims to cultivate students’ professional ability, improve their adaptability to the job, and further enhance their practical employability. Experimental results: the relationship between the quality characteristics and academic performance of HRM students was verified, and the relationship between them and the influence model of causality were clarified. The results of the two classes are similar in the pre-test; and from the back results, we can see that the scores of the experimental class after the use of modular teaching are significantly improved, while the comparison class is not significantly improved compared with before the experiment, which fully shows that the implementation of modular teaching can help students improve their comprehensive performance. The path coefficient of growth driven to academic performance is 0.428, the path coefficient of learning development to academic performance is 0.122, and interpersonal skills affect academic performance indirectly. It fully verifies the relationship between the quality characteristic model and academic performance, and shows that the quality characteristic model constructed is relatively perfect and can be used as a reference for students’ evaluation.
Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy Practices and Human Caring Science: Toward a Care-Informed Model of Treatment
Authors: Penn Andrew D. , Phelps Janis , Rosa William E. , Watson Jean
Published: April 2021

Psychedelic therapies intentionally combine a caring/healing environment, psychotherapy, and psychedelic medicine as a powerful means of treating intractable conditions of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder. This article utilizes the nursing theory of human caring science, as articulated by Jean Watson, to describe the essential and fundamental human caring qualities in psychedelic therapy. By mapping these qualities onto the traits of a psychedelic therapist, articulated by Janis Phelps and illustrating them with qualitative, exemplar data from a psilocybin assisted therapy study, we have created a nursing-informed philosophical theoretical framework with which to begin to examine questions related to trust enhancement between patient and therapist, therapeutic communication of openness to patient experiences, mutual learning between therapist and patient, the influence spiritual or psychedelic practices of the therapist on outcomes, optimizing therapeutic healing environments, and care of the physical body during psychedelic therapy sessions. This article is intended to identify themes and generate hypotheses for future nursing-informed psychedelic psychotherapy research.
Book review: Sanjay Palshikar and Satish Pandey (Eds.), Sectarian Violence in India: Hindu–Muslim Conflict, 1966–2015
Authors: Sagarika Sipra
Published: April 2021

Sanjay Palshikar and Satish Pandey (Eds.), Sectarian Violence in India: Hindu–Muslim Conflict, 1966–2015. Hyderabad: Orient BlackSwan, 2019, 457 pp. + xxv, ₹795 (paperback). ISBN 978-93-5287585-6.
Partnership between Primary Health and Social Care Services in the Long-Term Care of Older People with Dementia: A Vignette Study
Authors: Kontrimiene Ausrine , Blazeviciene Aurelija , Liseckiene Ida , Raila Gediminas , Valius Leonas , Jaruseviciene Lina
Published: April 2021

Dementia is considered to be a significant cause of disability and dependency for older people worldwide and it raises difficulties in providing adequate formal and informal assistance. Research on the experience of long-term care (LTC)services for older people with dementia is scarce in Eastern European countries. This study aimed to understand the system of care for older people with dementia from the perspective of health and social care workers providing LTC services in Lithuania. A total of 72 primary health care and social care professionals from public and private institutions in Kaunas city participated in this study. One-to-one interviews were conducted with family physicians, community nurses, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, and social workers. A vignette situation of 2 fictitious patients with dementia and their informal caregiver was discussed during the interviews. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis by induction approach. The data revealed 2 main themes: LTC provision trajectory, and three-dimensional relationship perception in realization of LTC activities. LTC provision trajectory reflected activities performed as a response to the described situation embracing formal procedures for the endorsement of LTC needs as well as the range of LTC services. The three-dimensional perception of relationships in LTC services’ implementation reflected the participants’ personal approach toward LTC, relationship with different specialists, and the informal caregiver. Our study revealed the potential of complex measures that could be instrumental for the refinement of the caregiving process. First, a change in the additional care requirements endorsement logic is needed, shifting focus from medical diagnosis to functional abilities assessment. Second, to establish clear procedures for formal cooperation between the health and social care sectors in the trajectory of LTC service provision. Finally, to find an adequate balance between LTC and institutional care by creating a more comprehensive range of LTC services. A more consistent and coordinated delivery of services by both health and social care sectors seems to be an untapped resource for the improvement of the LTC potential.
On the Occurrence of Dangerous Problem Behavior during Functional Analysis: An Evaluation of 30 Applications
Authors: Jessel Joshua , Rosenthal Debra , Hanley Gregory P. , Rymill Lauren , Boucher Megan B. , Howard Monica , Perrin Jesse , Lemos Felipe M.
Published: April 2021

Functional analyses are often conducted by behavior analysts to understand the environmental variables contributing to an individual’s problem behavior to better inform treatment implementation. While functional analyses are integral for designing function-based interventions, they often arrange contingencies to evoke and reinforce dangerous problem behavior. In Study 1 we reviewed 22 functional analyses with open-contingency classes including non-dangerous topographies of problem behavior and we found that participants were more likely to exhibit the non-dangerous behavior in 82% of the applications. We then conducted a single-subject comparison of closed and open-contingency classes with four additional participants in Study 2. Our results suggest that the functional analyses with the open-contingency class reduced the likelihood of observing dangerous problem behavior.
Internalization of Behavior Management Skills among Teachers in a Specialized School Serving Students with Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Authors: Ramsey Kathleen L. , Smith Stephanie D. , Hansen Laura K. , Mohn Richard S. , Walbridge Fayth C. , Barajas Kimberly G. , Ellis Brandi M. , Dufrene Brad A.
Published: April 2021

Prior studies suggest that the fidelity of teachers’ implementation of behavior management practices in the classroom diminish over time. Establishing how long it takes teachers to fully learn and sustain their independent use of these skills may aid in addressing implementation drift. The primary goals of this pilot study were twofold: (1) determine how long it takes teachers employed at a school serving students with Neurodevelopmental Disorders to internalize evidence-based behavior management practices (i.e., positive reinforcement, direct commands), and (2) establish whether some skills take longer than others for teachers to internalize. We also had the opportunity to evaluate whether a pre-determined threshold of skill internalization (e.g., 50% increase in skill use for three consecutive weeks) as defined in the extant literature translates into sustained skill implementation. Our results suggest that the length of standard teacher trainings may not be adequate given upwards of 2 months is required for the internalization of one skill and the time needed to reach internalization is dependent upon the skill taught and may deviate by at least 2 weeks across skills. However, given the variability observed in teachers’ implementation of skills following internalization, this pre-determined threshold of skill internalization may be insufficient and requires further examination in future studies.
Omitted Variable Bias: Examining Management Research With the Impact Threshold of a Confounding Variable (ITCV)
Authors: Busenbark John R. , Yoon Hyunjung (Elle) , Gamache Daniel L. , Withers Michael C.
Published: April 2021

Management research increasingly recognizes omitted variables as a primary source of endogeneity that can induce bias in empirical estimation. Methodological scholarship on the topic overwhelmingly advocates for empirical researchers to employ two-stage instrumental variable modeling, a recommendation we approach with trepidation given the challenges associated with this analytic procedure. Over the course of two studies, we leverage a statistical technique called the impact threshold of a confounding variable (ITCV) to better conceptualize what types of omitted variables might actually bias causal inference and whether they have appeared to do so in published management research. In Study 1, we apply the ITCV to published studies and find that a majority of the causal inference is unlikely biased from omitted variables. In Study 2, we respecify an influential simulation on endogeneity and determine that only the most pervasive omitted variables appear to substantively impact causal inference. Our simulation also reveals that only the strongest instruments (perhaps unrealistically strong) attenuate bias in meaningful ways. Taken together, we offer guidelines for how scholars can conceptualize omitted variables in their research, provide a practical approach that balances the tradeoffs associated with instrumental variable models, and comprehensively describe how to implement the ITCV technique.
Death Rituals and Change Among Hindu Nadars in a South Indian Village
Authors: Prakash L.T. Om , Kennedy John Joseph
Published: April 2021

This article examines changes in the death rituals performed among Hindu Nadars in a South Indian village. It emphasises the importance of understanding ritual changes within their specific micro-level local contextual framework, including changing social structures at household and village level. This empirical evidence showcases how changing rituals connected to death reflect various adaptations through imitation, substitution and alteration of specific ritual elements and performants. It also identifies emerging class distinctions among Nadars and their connection with changes in rituals associated with death. This analysis of the changes depicts how Nadars use ritual actions in pragmatic ways, symbolically expressing and realising their aspirations for status enhancement through such ritual performances.
Race talk: How racial worldview impacts discussions in interracial relationships
Authors: Brooks James E. , Ly Linda M. , Brady Shabnam E.
Published: April 2021

Using a mixed-method approach, this study investigates how individuals believe race impacts their interracial relationship. Two-hundred and three individuals representing diverse racial-gender compositions of relationships responded to a series of measures to assess their Racial Worldview—a collective of notions about racial/ethnic identity, intergroup relations, and recognition of racist hegemony—before indicating the ways in which race or racial issues affect their romantic partnership. Results revealed four distinct types of Racial Worldview through K-means cluster and four broad themes of influences on relationship communication and functioning. Cross-tabs analyses indicated that Racial Worldview and participants perceptions of the impact of race were related with statistically significant differences between those who acknowledge racism and valued group differences reaching different conclusions than those who do not. The results add to existing research by drawing attention to the heterogeneity of thought and understanding within interracial relationships. The promise of using Racial Worldview in future research is discussed.
A modular, multi-arm concentric tube robot system with application to transnasal surgery for orbital tumors
Authors: Bruns Trevor L. , Remirez Andria A. , Emerson Maxwell A. , Lathrop Ray A. , Mahoney Arthur W. , Gilbert Hunter B. , Liu Cindy L. , Russell Paul T. , Labadie Robert F. , Weaver Kyle D. , Webster Robert J.
Published: April 2021

In the development of telemanipulated surgical robots, a class of continuum robots known as concentric tube robots has drawn particular interest for clinical applications in which space is a major limitation. One such application is transnasal surgery, which is used to access surgical sites in the sinuses and at the skull base. Current techniques for performing these procedures require surgeons to maneuver multiple rigid tools through the narrow confines of the nasal passages, leaving them with limited dexterity at the surgical site. In this article, we present a complete robotic system for transnasal surgery featuring concentric tube manipulators. It illustrates a bagging concept for sterility, and intraoperatively interchangeable instruments that work in conjunction with it, which were developed with operating room workflow compatibility in mind. The system also includes a new modular, portable surgeon console, a variable view-angle endoscope to facilitate surgical field visualization, and custom motor control electronics. Furthermore, we demonstrate elastic instability avoidance for the first time on a physical prototype in a geometrically accurate surgical scenario, which facilitates use of higher curvature tubes than could otherwise be used safely in this application. From a surgical application perspective, this article presents the first robotic approach to removing tumors growing behind the eyes in the orbital apex region, which has not been attempted previously with a surgical robot.
Hot–Cold Confusion: Inverse Thermal Sensation When Hot and Cold Stimuli Coexist in a Thermal Localization Task
Authors: Arai Keisuke , Matsumuro Miki , Hashiguchi Satoshi , Shibata Fumihisa , Kimura Asako
Published: April 2021

We focused on the inverse thermal sensation caused by the presence of both hot and cold stimuli, which we named hot–cold confusion. Some researchers have shown that when participants touch a thermal stimulus simultaneously with two opposite thermal stimuli on both sides, the outer temperatures dominate the center temperature; for example, a hot stimulus between two cold stimuli is perceived as cold. However, there has not been sufficient research on the effect of the center stimulus on the outer stimuli. In the current study, we placed a participant’s forearm on an alignment where hot and cold stimuli were alternately placed in three locations and found that the participants sometimes selected the inverse thermal sensation of the presented surface not only at the center but also at the outer locations. Namely, opposite thermal stimuli applied at multiple locations affected each other, and the participants sometimes perceived the hot stimulus at the outer location as cold even when the two of three stimuli were hot, and vice versa. In addition, using various alignments of thermal stimuli, we revealed a directional bias of the effect from the cold stimulus and a difference in strength according to its location on the forearm.
Infrastructure, ontology and meaning: The endogenous development of economic ideas
Authors: Pinzur David
Published: April 2021

In contrast to work showing exogenous social influences on the production of economic ideas, this article asks how a market’s own infrastructure can endogenously shape practitioners’ economic perspectives. It investigates this question by comparing the evolution of opposed views on speculation across two 19th-century American futures markets. The analysis locates the origins of this divergence in features of the grading, receipting and contracting processes that linked these new derivative markets to underlying agricultural markets. This connective infrastructure both made possible new speculative practices and established market ontologies from which traders theorized the economic significance of those practices. These ontologies served as distinct cores around which incompatible constellations of ideas – including beliefs about price relations between spot and futures markets, the character of the global market and the motives and capabilities of speculators – were elaborated.
‘Cambiando el chip’: The gendered constellation of subjectivities of the financialisation of remittances in Mexico
Authors: Kunz Rahel , Ramírez Brenda
Published: April 2021

In the wake of the global financial crisis and a context of stagnating development aid, the international community now promotes linking remittances to finance as a development strategy, in what has been termed the ‘financialisation of remittances’ (FOR). This article analyses the ways in which the financialisation of remittance manifests in Mexico in gendered ways, and what this tells us about financialisation and financial subjectivation processes beyond the global North. We find that the financialisation of remittance represents a shift from earlier remittance-based development models whereby remittances become linked to financial inclusion and social welfare agendas and the focus is broadened beyond migrant income to diaspora wealth. Focusing on the governing arrangements of the financialisation of remittance, we propose the concept of ‘constellation of subjectivities’ in order to analyse the interrelated and interacting programmatic subjectivities through which the financialisation of remittance manifests in Mexico. Combining this conceptualisation with interdisciplinary feminist insights on financialisation, we analyse the various intersecting social dynamics that weave through such constellations. The analysis – based on document, interview and observation material – finds that the financialisation of remittance in Mexico creates and governs a gendered constellation of financial subjectivities with three dimensions: migrant men, remittance-receiving women and the constitutive outside of the non-transnational family. While most studies tend to focus on transnational families, we demonstrate that non-transnational families are an integral part of the financialisation of remittance. Our analysis destabilises the notion of the universal financial subject and highlights the importance of broadening our analysis of financialisation to constitutive outsides that often fall off the radar.
CARJ 2021: Year in Review
Authors: Ward Caitlin J. , van der Pol Christian B. , Patlas Michael N.
Published: April 2021

The past year has been one of unprecedented challenge for the modern world and especially the medical profession. This review explores some of the most impactful topics published in the CARJ during the COVID-19 pandemic including physician wellbeing and burnout, patient safety, and technological innovations including dual energy CT, quantitative imaging and ultra-high frequency ultrasound. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on trainee education is discussed and evidence-based tips for providing value-added care are reviewed. Patient privacy considerations relevant to the development of artificial intelligence applications for medical imaging are explored. These publications in the CARJ demonstrate that although this year has brought adversity, it has also been a harbinger for new and exciting areas of focus in our field.
Point-of-care testing for HIV and sexually transmitted infections reveals risky behavior among men at gambling centers in Uganda”
Authors: Kiragga Agnes N , Bwanika John M , Kyenkya Joshua , Banturaki Grace , Kigozi Joanita , Musinguzi Davis , Namimbi Florence , Chander Geetanjali , Reynolds Steven J , Manabe Yukari C
Published: April 2021

In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), men are generally difficult to engage in healthcare programs. However, sports gambling centers in SSA can be used as avenues for male engagement in health programs. We offered point-of-care HIV and syphilis testing for men located at five gambling centers in Uganda and assessed HIV risky sexual behavior. Among 507 men, 0.8% were HIV-positive and 3.8% had syphilis. Risky sexual behavior included condomless sex with partner(s) of unknown HIV status (64.9%), having multiple sexual partners (47.8%), engaging in transactional sex (15.5%), and using illicit drugs (9.3%). The majority at 64.5% were nonalcohol consumers, 22.9% were moderate users, and 12.6% had hazardous consumption patterns. In 12 months of follow-up, the incidence rate of syphilis was 0.95 (95% CI: 0.82-1.06) among 178 men. Thus, men in SSA have a high prevalence of syphilis and risky sexual behavior which should be more effectively addressed to reduce the risk of HIV acquisition.
Syphilis among men who have sex with men attending a large HIV clinic in Trinidad
Authors: Edwards Robert Jeffrey , John Isshad , Todd Selena , Lavia Leon-Omari , Musa David , Edwards Jonathan , Boyce Gregory
Published: April 2021

A chart review study was conducted to determine the prevalence of syphilis and explore the associated risk factors among men who have sex with men (MSM) who attended a large HIV clinic in Trinidad during the period January–December 2019. Patients were routinely screened for syphilis annually, and demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were extracted from the medical records. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed, and factors significantly associated with a syphilis diagnosis were assessed using multivariate logistic regression. During the period, 218 MSM were seen, age range 19–67 years, and median age 34.0 years. The prevalence of syphilis was 41.3% (90/218), and 71.1% (64//90) of these infections were asymptomatic. Multivariate analysis using logistic regression showed that MSM living with HIV in the 30–34 years old-age group (OR, 4.32; 95% CI, 1.04–18.02), and those with a previous history of treated syphilis (OR, 10.18; 95% CI, 4.60–22.53) were more likely to be diagnosed with syphilis. The prevalence of syphilis is high among MSM attending the HIV clinic in Trinidad, and most of these infections were asymptomatic; hence, targeted and sustained interventions to reduce syphilis transmission are urgently required. Repeat episodes of syphilis may play a role in the transmission dynamics of syphilis in MSM.
ARID5B rs10821936 and rs10994982 gene polymorphism and susceptibility to juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis
Authors: Mosaad Youssef M , Hammad Ayman , AlHarrass Mohamed F , Sallam Rehab , Shouma Amany , Hammad Enas , Ahmed Engy Osman , Abdel-Azeem Heba A , Sherif Doaa , Fawzy Iman , Elbahnasawy Amany , Abdel Twab Hosam
Published: April 2021

Background

The prevalence of SLE and the spectrum of clinical manifestations vary widely in different races and geographical populations.

Objective

To investigate the possible role of ARID5B rs10821936 and rs10994982 polymorphism as a risk factor for the development of SLE in children (jSLE) and to evaluate their role in relation to clinical manifestations especially lupus nephritis (LN).

Methods

DNA extraction and Real-time PCR genotyping of ARID5B rs10821936 and rs10994982 were done for 104 jSLE and 282 healthy controls.

Results

The C allele and C containing genotypes (CC, CT and CC+CT) of ARID5B rs10821936 were higher in children with SLE (p = 0.009, OR = 1.56, 0.037, OR = 2.35, 0.016, OR = 1.81 and 0.008 OR = 1.88 respectively). ARID5B rs10994982 alleles, genotypes and haplotypes are not associated with jSLE (p > 0.05). The ARID5B rs10821936 and rs10994982 genotypes showed non-significant associations with LN, proliferative versus non proliferative and biopsy grades (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

ARID5B rs10821936 SNP may be a susceptibility risk factor for juvenile SLE in the studied cohort of Egyptian children.
Collective Dissent as Legal Consciousness in Contemporary British Theatre
Authors: De Girolamo Debbie
Published: April 2021

This article explores legal consciousness in contemporary British theatre. It is concerned with the messages conveyed about law in society as experienced through participant-observation and textual analysis. The interpretation of meaning will take place within the legal consciousness framework of collective dissent developed by Halliday and Morgan. Using this framework, this article will show that dissent is a reoccurring theme in these performances, with the legitimacy of state law under challenge. Alternative visions of law are pluralistic in nature. By applying a collective dissent narrative to this study, the article tests and further develops collective dissent as an analytical tool for examining legal consciousness for cultural legal studies. Through this framework, it also advances the study of theatrical performance for cultural legal studies in terms of what dramaturgic images, observational and textual, say about the relationship between law and society; specifically, to determine what theatrical performance of British contemporary theatre says about the law in this snapshot of time and place.
Suspect AI: Vibraimage, Emotion Recognition Technology and Algorithmic Opacity
Authors: Wright James
Published: April 2021

Vibraimage is a digital system that quantifies a subject’s mental and emotional state by analysing video footage of the movements of their head. Vibraimage is used by police, nuclear power station operators, airport security and psychiatrists in Russia, China, Japan and South Korea, and has been deployed at two Olympic Games, a FIFA World Cup and a G7 Summit. Yet there is no reliable empirical evidence for its efficacy; indeed, many claims made about its effects seem unprovable. What exactly does vibraimage measure and how has it acquired the power to penetrate the highest profile and most sensitive security infrastructure across Russia and Asia?

I first trace the development of the emotion recognition industry, before examining attempts by vibraimage’s developers and affiliates scientifically to legitimate the technology, concluding that the disciplining power and corporate value of vibraimage are generated through its very opacity, in contrast to increasing demands across the social sciences for transparency. I propose the term ‘suspect artificial intelligence (AI)’ to describe the growing number of systems like vibraimage that algorithmically classify suspects/non-suspects, yet are themselves deeply suspect. Popularising this term may help resist such technologies’ reductivist approaches to ‘reading’—and exerting authority over—emotion, intentionality and agency.
Forecasting COVID-19 Confirmed Cases in Major Indian Cities and Their Connectedness with Mobility and Weather-related Parameters
Authors: Krishna Aditya
Published: April 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak that was declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 11 March 2020 has already had severe consequences in all aspects of people’s lives worldwide. The pandemic has affected over 200 countries and has become a major concern. India also faced a stiff challenge in terms of controlling the virus outbreak and through some strict measures such as nationwide lockdown was able to control the further spread of COVID-19 towards the latter part of 2020. Therefore, it is imperative to predict the spread of this virus along with causality analysis of parameters that play a significant role in its spread. The present study employs a series of univariate and multivariate time series forecasting techniques namely MSARIMA, ARMAX and extended VAR models to predict COVID-19 cases in New Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. Besides, providing a robust forecasting performance for COVID-19 cases, the study also deals with finding the causal relationship of the spread of COVID-19 with various mobility and weather parameters. Outcomes of our study establish that the spread of COVID-19 can be associated with mobility and weather parameters apart from the various precautions that are taken by the people to reduce community transmission. However, the type of mobility (residential, retail and workplace) and type of weather conditions (air quality, temperature and humidity) associated with the causality differ with cities. For New Delhi, air quality, residential, retail are the parameters affecting the spread of the COVID-19 cases, whereas masks, temperature, residential and workplace were the significant mobility and weather parameters for Mumbai. In addition, for Bengaluru, the statistically significant causal variables were air quality, masks and residential. Outcomes of this study would help the concerned authorities to predict and contain future COVID-19 spreads in Indian cities efficiently.
Value-added Activities of Venture Capitals in Entrepreneurial Finance: Evidence from the Growth of Flipkart
Authors: Moirangthem Nirmalkumar Singh , Nag Barnali
Published: April 2021

Entrepreneurial finance varies as per the startup stage, such as bootstrapping, crowdfunding, angel investors, venture capital (VC), banks and initial public offer (IPO). Many times, entrepreneurial finance comes with knowledge, experience, innovation, value, etc., in addition to the fund brought in. Venture capitals are the most common such contributors. This study illustrates some significant value-added activities by venture capital firms operating in India. It explores some evidence from venture capitals such as Tiger Global, Accel Partners and DST Global who fund Flipkart, an Indian e-commerce firm.
The Effect of Brand Anthropomorphism on Customers’ Behaviour Towards the Indian Hypermarket Brands
Authors: Singh Deependra , Bajpai Naval , Kulshreshtha Kushagra
Published: April 2021

This article aims to examine the effect of brand anthropomorphism determinants on the chance of increasing customers’ loving behaviour for the hypermarket brand. For this purpose, the five determinants (brand design, product attributes, brand personification, brand self-congruity [BSC] and brand advertisements) of brand anthropomorphism are explored. Further, the proposed framework is validated with the help of confirmatory factor analysis- structural equation modelling on the sample size of 626 respondents. After that, a logit model is developed for examining the effect of brand anthropomorphism on the probability of customers’ loving/indifferent behaviour for the hypermarket brands using logistic regression analysis. This study is a reasonable effort for investigating the underlying factors of brand anthropomorphism and its influence on customers’ loving behaviour towards the hypermarket brands, which adds a significant contribution to the literature of brand anthropomorphism, customer–brand love and customer–brand relationship.
Investigation of the occurrence of Angiostrongylus vasorum in coyotes in southern Ontario, Canada
Authors: Kotwa Jonathon D. , Schnyder Manuela , Jardine Claire M. , Deplazes Peter , Pearl David L. , Berke Olaf , Mercer Nicola , Peregrine Andrew S.
Published: April 2021

In North America, the only endemic focus for Angiostrongylus vasorum (French heartworm) was historically thought to occur in the southeastern part of the island of Newfoundland. However, reports of A. vasorum infection in wild canids in West Virginia, USA, and Nova Scotia, Canada, suggest the introduction of the parasite to mainland North America. We screened for A. vasorum in coyotes from across southern Ontario. Additionally, we evaluated the performance of ELISAs for detection of circulating A. vasorum antigen (Ag-ELISA) and antibodies against A. vasorum (Ab-ELISA) designed for use in sera or blood of foxes for use with coyotes in this region. Autopsies were performed on 397 coyotes, and lung tissue extract prepared from each carcass was tested via both ELISAs. The sensitivity and specificity for both tests were estimated in the absence of a gold standard using a 2-test single population Bayesian model; sensitivity and specificity priors were based on the performance of the assays in foxes in Switzerland. Eight coyotes tested positive for A. vasorum antigen; no animal was antibody positive. The estimated sensitivity and specificity of the Ag-ELISA were 90.8% (95% credible interval [CrI]: 83.8–95.6%) and 95.5% (95% CrI: 93.4–97.2%), respectively. For the Ab-ELISA, the estimated sensitivity and specificity were 41.9% (95% CrI: 32.1–51.9%) and 98.0% (95% CrI: 96.3–99.0%), respectively. Based on these findings and negative postmortem data for the same animals, there is insufficient evidence to suggest the presence of A. vasorum in southern Ontario coyotes.
Let’s Focus on Solutions to Entrepreneurial Ill-Being! Recovery Interventions to Enhance Entrepreneurial Well-Being
Authors: Williamson Amanda Jasmine , Gish J. Jeffrey , Stephan Ute
Published: April 2021

Entrepreneurship is uniquely stressful. Entrepreneurs often cannot avoid entrepreneurial stressors (e.g., uncertainty, workload, resource constraints) and these stressors can deter natural recovery activities (e.g., detachment and sleep). Yet, entrepreneurs may be able to lessen the negative impact of stress on their well-being, health, and productivity by engaging in recovery. In this editorial, we outline how scholars can employ recovery interventions to ameliorate some of entrepreneurship’s ill effects and support entrepreneurs’ health, well-being, and productivity. We aim to move the focus of scholarly inquiry from documenting the health and well-being challenges of entrepreneurs, toward identifying and implementing solutions to support entrepreneurs.
Developmental Trajectories of Delinquent Peer Association Among Korean Adolescents: A Latent Class Growth Analysis Approach to Assessing Peer Selection and Socialization Effects on Online and Offline Crimes
Authors: Cho Sujung , Lacey Brett , Kim Youngsik
Published: April 2021

The relationship between peers and delinquency has been taken as evidence for selection and socialization effects in the etiology of adolescents. Accumulating evidence suggests that both effects are involved. This study examines whether adolescents’ aggressive propensities and behaviors predict their peers (selection) and whether peers’ propensities and behaviors predict adolescents’ behaviors (socialization). The latent class growth analysis approach revealed three distinct subgroups: an early-onset group (0.9%); a late-peak group (3.37%); and a normative group (95.73%). Both selection and socialization effects were supported using a longitudinal Korean adolescent self-report. The results showed that adolescents with less self-control who are online more frequently and exhibit higher levels of traditional bullying and delinquency were more likely to be members of both the early-onset and late-peak groups compared with the normative group. Also, the aggressive behaviors fully mediated the link between aggressive propensities and delinquent peer associations. Furthermore, adolescents in the late-peak group (but not those in the early-onset group) were associated with a greater likelihood of online and offline delinquency, but cyberbullying and traditional bullying in late adolescence levels were high in both groups’ members.
The Relationship Between Maxillary Growth and Speech in Children With a Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate at 5 Years of Age
Authors: Fell Matthew , Medina Jibby , Fitzsimons Kate , Seifert Miriam , Roberts Anne , Russell Craig , Deacon Scott
Published: April 2021

Objective:

This study sought to investigate the association between maxillary growth and speech outcomes for children with a repaired unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) at 5 years of age.

Participants:

In all, 521 children (180 females and 341 males) with a nonsyndromic complete UCLP, born between 2007 and 2012 in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland were included in this study.

Outcome Measures:

Maxillary growth was analyzed using dental models scored by the 5-Year-Olds’ index, and perceptual speech analyses were scored by the Cleft Audit Protocol for Speech – Augmented rating.

Results:

Forty-one percent of the children achieved good maxillary growth (scores 1 and 2 on 5-Year-Old’ index). Fifty percent of the children achieved normal speech (achieving UK speech standard 1). Maxillary growth was not found to have an impact on speech outcome when described by the 3 UK National Cleft Lip and Palate Speech Audit Outcome Standards. Analysis according to individual speech parameters showed dentalizations to be less prevalent in children with good maxillary growth compared to fair and poor growth ( P = .001). The remaining speech parameters within resonance, nasal airflow, and articulation categories were not significantly associated with maxillary growth.

Conclusion:

The findings from this study suggest that children with a history of complete UCLP, who have poor maxillary growth, are not at a higher risk of having major speech errors compared to children with good or fair maxillary growth at 5 years of age.
Via Humilitatis Agendo: St. Augustine’s Sacramental Theology of Preaching
Authors: Kim Charles Gordon
Published: April 2021

Given that most scholars focus on St. Augustine’s larger treatises, this article explores how the African Bishop preached to an audience of fishermen and farmers in rural North Africa. This article emphasizes how St. Augustine demonstrated the Via Humilitatis found in Christ for his audience. It thus shows why St. Augustine’s preaching looked so different from that of the modern day in addition to uncovering his theology of a sacramental encounter with the Humble Word in preaching.
Thomas Aquinas on Sexual Difference: The Metaphysical Biology and Moral Significance of Human Sexuality
Authors: Gondreau Paul
Published: April 2021

Thomas Aquinas offers for his time a novel take on human sexual difference, in that he grounds human sexuality in what we might term a metaphysical biology and accords it a privileged role in the moral life. Though his biology is drawn from Aristotle, which leads Aquinas to make problematic statements on sexual difference, he nonetheless offers a perspective that remains deeply relevant and significant for today. His method or approach of tethering sexual difference first and foremost to our animal-like biological design remains perennial, particularly at a time when many seek to dismiss biology as irrelevant to sexual identity and gender difference. The latest findings of the emerging field of neurobiology, which have uncovered structural differences between the male and female brains, offer key support to Aquinas’s approach. Even more important, he holds, in an unprecedented move, that sexual design and inclination provide a veritable source of moral excellence. He goes so far as to locate the mean of virtue in our sexual design and appetites.