bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Creation of a Prototype Cochlear Training Model
Authors: Gautam Ishwor , Shaw Avi , Brickman Dhiren , Mahajan Ajay , Jeyakumar Anita
Published: March 2024

Objective:

Creation of a novel 3D-printed physical cochlear model that demonstrated the feasibility of creating the model, and impact of a Graphical User Interface (GUI) system on training insertion metrics.

Study Design:

Feasibility study with a pilot prospective data collection.

Setting:

Tertiary academic center.

Methods:

The study was IRB exempt. Five resident trainees (PGY1-PGY5) practiced electrode insertions in cadaveric temporal bones before using the simulator. Nine students were educated on how to hold the electrodes and position them, and then allowed to use the simulator. All trainees were instructed that slower insertions were favorable. One cochlear implant (CI) surgeon used the simulator. The GUI captured the real video feed, but also provided distance, trajectory, and velocity measurements. The program is designed to plot the real-time depth of insertion and speed of insertion of the electrode; the user is also provided real-time occurrence of any kinks and back-outs.

Results:

A total of 14 trainees and 1 CI surgeon inserted the electrode at least 5 times without the use of the GUI (before) and then at least 5 times with the use of the GUI (after). Average Speed before and after (100.84 and 53.23 mm/s); Average minimum speed before and after (59.34 and 9.65 mm/s); and Average maximum speed before and after (416 and 285.81 mm/s). Statistically significant improvements were noted in all the measured speeds of insertion ( P < .001). The other variables improved but not to a statistical significance.

Conclusions:

Real-time training using the 3D-printed model and GUI for cochlear implantation can help improve surgical resident training and comfort levels with electrode insertion for surgical trainees. The advantage of this model is that surgeons/trainees can use it as many times as they like, as the whole set-up is easy, economical, and reusable. The real time graphical user interface enhances training and retention of the practiced skills.
Patterns of educational performance among Indigenous students in Australia, 2010–2019: Within-cohort, peer matching analysis for data-led decision-making
Authors: Anderson Peter , Forbes Owen , Mengersen Kerrie , Diamond Zane M.
Published: March 2024

Data reporting in the Australian education system produces deficit-based comparisons of academic achievement between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students. Since 2009, data from the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) have been used by the Australian government to allow it to report on ‘Closing the Gap’ policy. These data are used to justify government-funded initiatives designed to improve educational outcomes for Indigenous students. While the logic of this approach has political cachet, the ‘gaps’ have persisted. Instead, we propose using ‘within-cohort, peer matching’ quantitative methods to achieve such aspirational goals. Using publicly available NAPLAN data, we examined patterns of relative performance within the cohort of Indigenous students. We assessed trends in Indigenous students’ performance in NAPLAN relative to their Indigenous peers across grades (3, 5, 7, and 9), states and territories, remoteness categories, and calendar years from 2010 to 2019 inclusive. Key insights available through this approach include detailed patterns of higher and lower relative performance for Indigenous students within matched remoteness categories, across states and territories, and over time, laying the groundwork for further analyses of the local, systemic, and school-level factors associated with these differing outcomes. Our methods provide novel findings that justify changing the deficit assumption, supporting the use of within-cohort peer matching instead.
Shift from Traditional to Contemporary Political Patterns: Knowing the Youth Perspectives on Political Participation
Authors: Saud Muhammad , Ashfaq Asia
Published: March 2024

Youth participation in politics can be an effective way to relieve traditional patterns of political practices in a country like Pakistan. The significant participation of youth has changed the traditional political patterns and has given a new direction in the country. This study examined the youth’s political participation in the democratic practices between two provinces such as Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa within the time frame of the 2013 and 2018 General National elections of Pakistan. The study used the leading theory of the Public Sphere, which indicates that the public sphere is an integral part of democracy. It is a social space in which citizens can engage in political activities pertinent to their public interests. Additionally, the theoretical perspective states that democratic citizens are expected to participate in political affairs under some interests. The research method of this study is qualitative in nature, and the data have been gathered through interviews to support the exploration. This method allows the researcher to gain an in-depth understanding of the issue. The research has introduced a new concept of political participation, which is “Youth Inn.” It indicates that the youth are involved in improving the political discourse to participate in activities and it has changed the traditional ways of politics. It is important to mention here that, in the traditional ways of politics, youth is supposed to follow the directions from elders to decide whom to vote for and support in politics; a selection choice is based on candidate language, culture, ethnicity, sect and caste as the main factors. By resisting the traditional pattern of politics, this change has enhanced the youth’s dynamic role in contributing to the political, social, and various aspects of daily life in the society. They have a unique character, which is relevant to support and contribute to the country’s political structure. Furthermore, the inclusion of youth can serve as an insight for political parties to consider them as the central theme in the party policy of Pakistan.
‘Hai, Man! . . . We Don’t Have Democracy’! The Transport Crisis and Working-Class De-Citizenship in South Africa: Khayelitsha, Cape Town
Authors: Ruiters Greg , Jacobs Kevin
Published: March 2024

Affordable and safe public transport underpins effective citizenship and freedom as well as work. Citizens expect the democratic state to be caring and reciprocal. Using in-depth interviews with residents and community leaders in Khayelitsha, we look at how worsening public and private transport – mainly mini-bus taxis – not only significantly extends the working day but also destroys political hopes – a process called de-citizenship. We show how mobilities are fundamentally rooted in radically bifurcated spaces of classed citizenship – a new class apartheid – in turn reflecting the structural contradictions of Cape Town and its class struggles.
Exploring the Prevalence of Gender Inequality in the Nigerian Civil Service
Authors: Othman Zarina , Oboh Jerry Sankay , Kam Jia Yi Andrew , Jusoh Sufian
Published: March 2024

The study explores how gender inequality exists in the Nigerian civil service. It adopts a convenience sampling technique where semi-structured interviews were administered to 27 civil servants in the Federal Territory of Abuja. Based on content- and consistency-based analysis, the researchers classified three emerging categories as exogenous, endogenous, and exo-endogenous factors. These factors further unravelled the emerging subcategories of each of the factors that included (1) the deficit in Education, (2) religion, (3) the civil service administration, (4) sex appeal as a criterion, (5) marriage and childbearing and (6) culture. With a consistency rate of 87.88%, the participants suggested that female education deficits constitute one factor that influences women’s employment. About 80.95% and 63.89% suggested that religion and civil service have negatively impacted female labour participation in the civil service. We concluded that women were not specifically employed in the civil service on the principle of gender equality or because the government intended to explore and benefit from their potential. The study recommended that there should be an enactment law that warrants fair practice in the civil service by removing any exclusions undermining women’s ability in decision-making and having equal access to various employment opportunities.
Examining the bending test properties of bio-composites strengthened with fibers through a combination of experimental and modeling approaches
Authors: Saada Khalissa , Farsi Chouki , Amroune Salah , Fnides Mohamed , Zaoui Moussa , Heraiz Hocine
Published: March 2024

This study explores the relationship between natural fiber filling density (10%, 15%, 25%) and its impact on the bending properties of polymer compounds reinforced with Diss, Sisal and Luffa fibers. Using advanced techniques like fiber analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), the research reveals that a 25% filling density results in the highest stress values (25.61 MPa, 22.21 MPa and 20.88 MPa) for Diss, Sisal and Luffa compounds, respectively, fostering robust bonds in Diss-reinforced polymers. The Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model demonstrates superior predictive capability with correlation coefficients exceeding 0.99 for stress and displacement, outperforming Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) underscores the impact of sample section parameters and fiber rate on stress, establishing the significance of type parameters and fiber rate on displacement. This integration of ANN and RSM represents a paradigm shift in predicting bending mechanical properties, advancing our understanding of composite materials for innovative applications.
“Like Being in Purgatory”: Cultural Identity Mapping Centers Hmong American Experiences of Biculturalism
Authors: McKenzie Jessica , Virani Shazana , Thao Meng , Lopez Cindy Thai , Ford Shelby , Dionicio Nancy
Published: March 2024

This study examines what it means to be bicultural to Hmong American emerging adults living in central California. Twenty-four participants ( Mage = 21.92 years) constructed a cultural identity map that portrayed what it means to them to be “Hmong American,” described both their cultural identity map content and their process of constructing it, and completed the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure (MEIM). Grounded theory analysis of cultural identity maps and accompanying conversations reveals the pervasiveness of bifurcated biculturalism, or the experience of having split selves. For participants in this study, perceived cultural incompatibility between Hmong and American cultures rendered it necessary to possess two (and sometimes more) distinct cultural identities, and required—for some, almost constant—frame-switching to manage these identities. This article offers an in-depth portrait of three illustrative cases, which represent diversity in terms of gender, social class, and MEIM score. Altogether, findings contribute to scientific understanding of the complex and contradictory nature of biculturalism for Hmong American emerging adults, and speak to the link between ethnic stereotypes and bicultural identity development. Methodologically, this study highlights the utility of identity mapping to examine psychological experiences of biculturalism and other aspects of identity about which people may have hidden, complex, and potentially contradictory stances.
AZGP1 Aggravates Macrophage M1 Polarization and Pyroptosis in Periodontitis
Authors: Yang S. , Yin Y. , Sun Y. , Ai D. , Xia X. , Xu X. , Song J.
Published: March 2024

Periodontal tissue destruction in periodontitis is a consequence of the host inflammatory response to periodontal pathogens, which could be aggravated in the presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Accumulating evidence highlights the intricate involvement of macrophage-mediated inflammation in the pathogenesis of periodontitis under both normal and T2DM conditions. However, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Alpha-2-glycoprotein 1 (AZGP1), a glycoprotein featuring an MHC-I domain, has been implicated in both inflammation and metabolic disorders. In this study, we found that AZGP1 was primarily colocalized with macrophages in periodontitis tissues. AZGP1 was increased in periodontitis compared with controls, which was further elevated when accompanied by T2DM. Adeno-associated virus-mediated overexpression of Azgp1 in the periodontium significantly enhanced periodontal inflammation and alveolar bone loss, accompanied by elevated M1 macrophages and pyroptosis in murine models of periodontitis and T2DM-associated periodontitis, while Azgp1-/- mice exhibited opposite effects. In primary bone marrow–derived macrophages stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or LPS and palmitic acid (PA), overexpression or knockout of Azgp1 markedly upregulated or suppressed, respectively, the expression of macrophage M1 markers and key components of the NLR Family Pyrin Domain Containing 3 (NLRP3)/caspase-1 signaling. Moreover, conditioned medium from Azgp1-overexpressed macrophages under LPS or LPS+PA stimulation induced higher inflammatory activation and lower osteogenic differentiation in human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs). Furthermore, elevated M1 polarization and pyroptosis in macrophages and associated detrimental effects on hPDLSCs induced by Azgp1 overexpression could be rescued by NLRP3 or caspase-1 inhibition. Collectively, our study elucidated that AZGP1 could aggravate periodontitis by promoting macrophage M1 polarization and pyroptosis through the NLRP3/casapse-1 pathway, which was accentuated in T2DM-associated periodontitis. This finding deepens the understanding of AZGP1 in the pathogenesis of periodontitis and suggests AZGP1 as a crucial link mediating the adverse effects of diabetes on periodontal inflammation.
Advancing Preservice Science Teachers’ Skills to Assess Student Thinking On-the-Fly Through Practice-Based Learning
Authors: Hoppe Tobias , Seidel Tina , Renkl Alexander , Rieß Werner
Published: March 2024

Teachers’ assessment of student thinking is both difficult to attain and essential for responsive teaching in ongoing interaction during science lessons. Principles of practice-based learning provide a basis for the design of learning environments which may equip prospective teachers for this challenging task. In an experimental study ( N = 104), we examined the extent that the use of different media types as representations of practice (video and written cases), the number of rehearsals, and the complexity of student thinking contribute to preservice teachers’ acquisition of assessment skills. Our findings indicated that participants benefited equally well from video and written cases. The number of necessary rehearsals depended on the complexity of student thinking to be assessed. This finding implies that specifics of the content to be assessed need to be taken into consideration when designing learning environments for practicing assessment skills.
Constructing and deconstructing the sacred geography of Hebron: Movement and pilgrimage in and around the Tomb of the Patriarchs
Authors: ELAZAR Gideon , BILLIG Miriam
Published: March 2024

The Tomb of the Patriarchs in the divided city of Hebron is a major site of pilgrimage for all three monotheistic religions, a space of contention, and an epicenter of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. This article examines the mobility of pilgrims and tourists of various religious traditions within and around the site and their efforts to construct and deconstruct overlapping and often conflicting narratives of sacred space. Thus, Moslem foreign pilgrims from the Middle East and South Asia are motivated by their wish to pray within the site, viewing the political reality of division as an uncomfortable barrier to the experience of sacredness. In contrast, Christians, mostly Protestant tourists, occupy a liminal position expressed and sometimes overcome through the bodily practice of performance of several varieties. Finally, Palestinian solidarity groups attempt to deconstruct Hebron’s sacred geography, by focusing solely on the city’s violent and contested present as a site of immobility and emptiness.
Racial Capitalism and Entrepreneurship: An Intersectional Feminist Labour Market Perspective on UK Self-Employment
Authors: Martinez Dy Angela , Jayawarna Dilani , Marlow Susan
Published: March 2024

This article explains entrepreneurial activity patterns in the United Kingdom labour market using theories of racial capitalism and intersectional feminism. Using UK Office for National Statistics Labour Force Survey data 2018–2019 and employing probit modelling techniques on employment modes, self-employment types and work arrangements among differing groups, we investigate inequality in self-employment within and between socio-structural groupings of race, class and gender. We find that those belonging to non-dominant gender, race and socio-economic class groupings experience an intersecting set of entrepreneurial penalties, enhancing understanding of the ways multiple social hierarchies interact in self-employment patterns. This robust quantitative evidence challenges contemporary debates, policy and practice regarding the potential for entrepreneurship to offer viable income generation opportunities by those on the socio-economic margins.
Home Versus Hospital Rehabilitation of Older Adults Following Hip Fracture Yields Similar Patient-Reported Outcome Measures
Authors: Schroeder Hanna S. , Israeli Avi , Liebergall Meir (Iri) , Or Omer , Abu Ahmed Wiessam , Paltiel Ora , Justo Dan , Zimlichman Eyal
Published: March 2024

The increase in hip fractures (HF) due to aging of the population and the rise in attractiveness of services provided at home following the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasize the need to compare outcomes of home versus hospital HF rehabilitation. To date, studies comparing the 2 services have focused primarily on clinical outcomes rather than patient-reported outcomes (PROs). This longitudinal observational study evaluated PROs of older adults with HF in the 2 settings. The SF36 questionnaire was used to measure PROs 3 times after surgery. The first PRO was retrospective and reflected pre-fracture health status. Descriptive statistics and mixed-effect logistic regression were used. Of 86 patients participating in the study, 41 had home rehabilitation and 45 had hospital rehabilitation. In both groups, the mental and physical scores plummeted 2 weeks after the HF, compared to pre-fracture status. The difference in improvement from pre-fracture status to recovery in both groups, were not significantly ( P < .05) different, except for the pain domain. PROs of home versus hospital rehabilitation were similar, suggesting that rehabilitation at home can be as effective as hospital rehabilitation for suitable patients. This knowledge can improve quality of care in an aging global population.
Professional Development Leadership: Scale Development and Validation
Authors: Lund Clara Siboni
Published: March 2024

Professional development leadership (PDL) aims to facilitate a shared understanding of professional quality and to influence employees to realize this understanding in practice. PDL can be important in overcoming clashes between managerial and professional logics and influencing professional work to support organizational goal attainment. This article develops and validates two PDL measurement scales on different subsamples of surveys of public managers ( n = 385) and their employees ( n = 3,865): a 9-item dimensional scale and a 4-item global scale. The paper thus serves as a stepping stone for future research on PDL.
Improved Stanley guidance law–based adaptive path-following control of underactuated ship with state-constrained and time-varying drift angle
Authors: Qin Xiao , Shen Zhipeng , Bi Hongbo , Yu Haomiao
Published: March 2024

To improve the following performance in large curve path and time-varying drift angle, a reduced-order extended state observer is added to the Improved Stanley Guidance Law (EISGL). Combining with the dynamic surface control (DSC), an adaptive auxiliary system is simultaneously built to compensate for the effect of the state constraints on the system. A barrier Lyapunov function combined with a prescribed performance function is designed to constrain the heading angle error of path following. Adaptive laws are also designed to approximate errors, estimating perturbation in poor sea condition. Lyapunov stability analysis shows that all signals are semi-global coherent and eventually bounded. In conclusion, the numerical comparison simulation experiments verify that the scheme has a strong anti-jamming capability and achieves good path following in large curve path.
Adaptive event-triggered control for neural network–approximated switched systems under injection attacks
Authors: Qi Yiwen , Ji Ming , Tang Yiwen , Geng Honglin , Qu Ziyu , Guo Shitong
Published: March 2024

This paper studies the event-triggered control for uncertain switched systems under injection attacks. An adaptive event-triggered control method for neural network–approximated switched systems (NNA-SSs) is proposed. The main works are as follows: First, a neural network is introduced to approximate the uncertain nonlinear item of the systems. Second, the observer-based adaptive event-triggering (OB-AET) strategy is designed to efficiently utilize communication and computing resources. Furthermore, the closed-loop switched systems considering injection attacks are established. By utilizing the Lyapunov function method and average dwell time technique, sufficient conditions for the exponential stability of the closed-loop switched systems are given. Accordingly, the gains of the state feedback controllers and observers are solved. Finally, simulation examples are given to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Safety of Continuing Aspirin Use in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease Who Undergo Thyroid Surgery During the Perioperative Period
Authors: Rao Yuansheng , Wang Jianhong , Yang Fan , Ni Xin
Published: March 2024

Objective: To investigate the safety of continuing aspirin use in patients with coronary heart disease undergoing thyroid surgery during the perioperative period. Methods: Forty-four patients with coronary heart disease who underwent thyroid surgery in our department from July 2019 to June 2023 were selected as the observation group, and the observation group continued to use aspirin during the perioperative period. Forty-four patients who underwent the same surgery during the same period without coronary heart disease and without anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy were selected as control group 1. Another 44 patients with coronary heart disease who underwent the same surgery from August 2015 to June 2019 and used low molecular weight heparin bridging during the perioperative period were selected as control group 2. Clinical data from the 3 groups of patients were collected for retrospective analysis. Results: The age and proportion of male patients in the observation group and control group 2 were higher than those in control group 1, and the total hospital stay in control group 2 was longer than in the observation group and control group 1, with statistically significant differences (all P < .05). There were no statistically significant differences in surgical time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, duration of drainage tube retention, postoperative hospital stay, and perioperative hemoglobin, platelet, and international normalized ratio between the 3 groups of patients (all P > .05). All patients in the 3 groups successfully completed surgery without serious complications or death during the perioperative period. Conclusion: Continuing to use aspirin in patients with coronary heart disease who undergo thyroid surgery during the perioperative period can safely complete surgery without increasing the risk of intraoperative and postoperative bleeding.
Prototypes of Victims of Workplace Harassment
Authors: Ziano Ignazio , Polman Evan
Published: March 2024

What do people think of when they think of workplace harassment? In 13 pre-registered studies with French, British, and U.S. American adult participants ( N = 3,892), we conducted a multi-method investigation into people’s social prototypes of victims of workplace harassment. We found people imagined such victims in physically, socially, psychologically, and economically different ways compared with non-victims: for example, as less attractive, more introverted, and paid less. In addition, we found ambiguous harassment leveled against a prototypical (vs. non-prototypical) victim was more likely to be classified as harassment, and perceived to cause the victim more psychological pain. As such, both lay-people and professionals wanted to punish harassers of victims who “fit the prototype” more. Notably, providing people with instructions to ignore a victim’s personal description and instead assess the harassment behavior did not reduce the prototype effect.
Business Models and Lean Startup
Authors: Zott Christoph , Amit Raphael
Published: March 2024

We explore the intersection between the lean startup methodology and research on business models. We note that both perspectives are anchored on a systematic approach to needs discovery and highlight the importance of value creation (vs. value appropriation). However, while the lean startup is centered on creating value for customers through discovery of product-market fit, research on business models concerns value creation for all stakeholders through establishing product-market-business model fit. We also discuss how the lean startup method informs research on business models and vice versa. We observe that the promise of applying lean startup to business models lies in probing the viability of new business models with an efficient and effective process. We find that business model research, in turn, can contribute to the lean startup methodology by (a) suggesting extensions to the method that derive from the holistic, system-level nature of the business model construct and (b) highlighting a range of specific experimental subprocesses, refinements, and tools that could be applied to refine the customer needs discovery process.
Gifted and Talented LGBTQ+ Students With Disabilities: A Queer Crip Analysis
Authors: Friedrichs Terence Paul
Published: March 2024

Two types of critical theories have increasingly been used to understand LGBTQ+ individuals and persons with disabilities: Queer and Crip theories. Queer Crip theory can be used to analyze elements (e.g., traits, behaviors, contexts, and skills) of the lives of gifted and talented LGBTQ+ youth who also have disabilities, as those elements have recently appeared in the professional literature, the popular press, and the LGBTQ+ press. This piece reviews the definitions of Queer and Crip theories as well as the prevalence and challenges of persons who are gifted and LGBTQ+ with disabilities. The article critically examines eight different groups of frequently seen gifted LGBTQ+ students with disabilities. Gifted LGBTQ+ youth with learning, emotional/behavioral, hearing, vision, orthopedic, health, speech/language, and autism spectrum challenges are examined for these groups’ distinctive definitions, constituent groups, famous individuals, educational masks and solutions, and social-emotional solutions emanating from students’ queer identities. In the spirit of Queer Crip theory, conclusions encourage gifted LGBTQ+ youth with disabilities and their educators to consider carefully the future challenges—and joys—that may be involved in implementing the suggested educational and queer identity approaches.
Effect of blood conservation protocol on the utilisation of blood and outcome of patients undergoing open heart surgery
Authors: Bagaria Vivek , Badragiri Lahari , Hiremath C S
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Cardiac surgery is fraught with increased consumption of blood and blood products. Various strategies for blood conservation have been described. Our aim was to study the impact of a structured blood conservation protocol (BCP) on the utilization of blood and patient outcome.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data comparing adult patients undergoing open heart surgery with BCP with those undergoing surgery without BCP. The primary objective was to compare the amount of blood utilized and the hematocrit at discharge. The secondary objective was to compare the parameters of patient outcomes. The level of significance was set at 0.05.

Results

The proportion of patients requiring transfusion (19.1% [9/47] vs 58.9% [33/56]; p < 0.001) and the quantity of blood transfused (12 units vs 45 units; p 0.003) in the BCP group was significantly lower. Interestingly, the hematocrit level at discharge was comparable between the groups (30.9 (4.8) versus 31.8 (2.4), p-0.671). The average cost incurred for transfusing blood in the BCP group was ₹ 370.2 as compared to ₹1165.1 in the other ( p < 0.001). BCP reduced the odds of overall blood transfusion by 79.8% (OR 0.202 (0.084-0.485); p < 0.001) and intraoperative blood transfusion by 95.3% (OR 0.047 (0.010-0.213); p < 0.001). The morbidity and mortality were comparable between the groups.

Conclusion

Implementing a structured blood conservation protocol in patients undergoing open heart surgery significantly reduces the need for blood transfusion. It also has a promising impact on patient recovery after surgery and significant positive cost implications.
‘Nobody believes you if you’re a bloke’: Barriers to disclosure and help-seeking for male forced-to-penetrate victims/survivors
Authors: Weare Siobhan , Hulley Joanne , Craig Duncan
Published: March 2024

Research on barriers that exist for male victims/survivors of sexual abuse in relation to disclosing their experiences is limited. This article shares qualitative data in relation to disclosure and help-seeking barriers encountered by male victims/survivors of female-perpetrated sexual abuse. Findings from semi-structured interviews conducted with 30 male victims/survivors in the United Kingdom about their forced-to-penetrate (FTP) experiences are discussed. FTP cases involve a man being FTP, with his penis and without his consent, the vagina, anus, or mouth of a woman. During their interviews, male victims/survivors shared multiple barriers which resulted in delayed, selective, limited, or no disclosure. These included; masculinity, feelings of shame and self-blame, struggling to understand and label experiences, concerns about the consequences of disclosure, and a lack of (knowledge about) support. These barriers are critically discussed and positioned within their broader contexts and consideration is given to how they can be overcome by those most likely to engage with male FTP victims/survivors.
Nonresponse Bias of Japanese Wage Statistics
Authors: Kawaguchi Daiji , Toriyabe Takahiro
Published: March 2024

This article analyzes unit nonresponse bias of establishment surveys, drawing on two major government wage surveys in Japan. We find that unit nonresponse is prevalent among establishments with fewer employees, in urban prefectures, and operating in the service industry. Further, while low-wage establishments are less likely to respond, the resulting bias is quantitatively negligible. Regarding establishment sampling of employees, we find that the sampled establishments randomly choose workers in an appropriate manner. Overall, with proper weighting, nonresponse bias is negligible in Japanese wage statistics to the extent that the mean estimate is concerned. In addition to nonresponse bias, we also assess potential bias due to limited coverage of the sampling population and find substantial bias at the tails of the wage distribution. In particular, excluding corporate executives and establishments with few employees results in an underestimation of wage inequality.
Structural Break in the Norwegian Labor Force Survey Due to a Redesign During a Pandemic
Authors: Hungnes Håvard , Skjerpen Terje , Hamre Jørn Ivar , Jansen Xiaoming Chen , Pham Dinh Quang , Sandvik Ole
Published: March 2024

The labor force surveys (LFS) of all EU countries underwent a substantial redesign in January 2021. To ensure coherent labor market time series for the main indicators in the Norwegian LFS, we model the impact of the redesign. We use a state-space model that takes explicit account of the rotating pattern of the LFS. We also include auxiliary variables related to employment and unemployment that are highly correlated with the LFS variables we consider. The results of a parallel run are also included in the model. The purpose of the article is to quantify the structural breaks due to the redesign. This article makes two contributions to the literature on the effects of redesign in surveys with a rotating panel, such as the LFS. First, we suggest a symmetric specification of the process of the wave-specific effects. Second, we account for substantial fluctuations in the labor force estimates due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the time around the LFS redesign by applying time-varying hyperparameters for both the LFS variables and the auxiliary variables. The specification with time-varying hyperparameters shows a better fit compared to the specification with time-invariant hyperparameters.
Uneven Development, Choice of Technique, and Generalized Worldwide Law of Value
Authors: Knez Klemen
Published: March 2024

We address the issue of persistent uneven development from a Marxist perspective. First, we show the conceptual problems in applying the unmodified law of value to the international setting. Second, we propose a generalization of the global law of value by introducing an additional level of abstraction into the global valorization process—national abstract labor. Third, we examine broad cases of internationalization caused by deviations in productivity differences across industries from the average productivity differences across countries. We discover an endogenous national and international dynamic push toward specialization that perpetuates uneven development. The benefits of such specialization are skewed in favor of more developed countries, and the potential for technological improvement created by the global division of labor blocks technological progress in less developed countries.

JEL Classification: B14, F00, F63, O14
Reliability of the 2021 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey Questionnaire
Authors: Jones Sherry Everett , Brener Nancy D. , Queen Barbara , Hershey-Arista Molly , Harris William A. , Mpofu Jonetta J. , Underwood J. Michael
Published: March 2024

Purpose

The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) monitors behaviors, experiences, and conditions affecting the health of high school students nationwide. This study examined the test-retest reliability of the 2021 national YRBS questionnaire.

Design

Respondents completed a Time 1 and Time 2 paper-and-pencil questionnaire approximately 2 weeks apart during February to May 2022. Data were linked in such a way as to preserve anonymity.

Setting

Convenience sample of high schools.

Subjects

High school students (N = 588).

Measures

Health risk behaviors and experiences assessed on the 2021 national YRBS questionnaire.

Analysis

Time 1 and Time 2 responses were compared for each questionnaire item using the McNemar’s test. Then, Cohen’s kappa coefficients tested the agreement between Time 1 and Time 2 responses overall, and by sex, grade, and Black, White, and Hispanic race and ethnicity.

Results

Among the 74 items analyzed, 96% had at least moderate reliability, and 73% had substantial or almost perfect reliability. The mean Cohen’s kappa was .68. McNemar’s test findings showed Time 1 and Time 2 data significantly differed ( P < .01) for 9 items (12%).

Conclusion

Reliable health behavior measures are important in the development of youth-focused public health programs and policies. Findings suggest the national YRBS questionnaire is a reliable instrument. Such findings lend support to relying on adolescent self-reported data when monitoring health behaviors using the YRBS.
More Thoughts About the Evolution of the Metaparadigm of Nursing: Addition of Culture as Another Metaparadigm Concept and Definitions of All the Concepts
Authors: Fawcett Jacqueline
Published: March 2024

This essay is an extension of my previous essay about my recent thoughts about the evolution of the metaparadigm of nursing. In this essay, I introduce the concept of culture as an additional metaparadigm concept and provide definitions for all of the metaparadigm concepts.
A Journey of Joy: Dr. Barbara M. Dossey’s Evolution in Nursing
Authors: Morrow Mary R. , Dossey Barbara M.
Published: March 2024

Dr. Barbara M. Dossey is an internationally recognized pioneer in the holistic nursing and nurse coaching movements. She is a Florence Nightingale scholar, nurse theorist, and national and international speaker and teacher on the role of holistic, integral, and integrative nursing and nurse coaching in the integrative healthcare paradigm. Her theory of integral nursing presents the science and art of nursing. Her coauthored theory of integrative nurse coaching, a middle-range theory, is a framework to guide integrative nurse coaches in nurse coaching practice, education, research, and healthcare policy. In this column, Dr. Dossey shares her scholarly journey of joy.
A Study of the Use of Medicinal Plants by Persons With Type 2 Diabetes in Iran
Authors: Fattahi Ardakani Mojtaba , Salahshouri Arash , Sotoudeh Ahmad , Fard Mohammad Rafati , Dashti Saeed , Ahmadi Chenari Hadi , Baumann Steven L.
Published: March 2024

Medicinal plants are used by many people with Type 2 diabetes in Iran. The aim of this study was to explore why this is so, from their perspective. Sixteen persons with Type 2 diabetes in Yazd City, Iran, were interviewed in April and May 2020 for this study. A thematic analysis of the transcripts of those interviews was done using MAXQDA 10 software. Six themes were identified: beliefs about medicinal plants, psychological factors, accessibility and economic barriers, patients' knowledge and awareness, social pressure, and the role of family culture. The recommendation of the study is that health counselors and specialists should provide needed information and skills for the proper use of medicinal plants, and the pharmaceutical infrastructures need to be expanded to provide enough drugs to facilitate better access to needed medication and reduce reliance on medicinal plants for persons with Type 2 diabetes.
Improving UV aging resistance by loading PDA on the surface of PBO fibers via Fe (III) coordination
Authors: Zhong Weihua , Bai Jinwang , Luo Yunjun , Zhang Dianbo , Liang Chen , Chen Xiangdong
Published: March 2024

Poly(p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole) (PBO) fiber is currently one of the best-performing organic fibers; however, its low UV aging resistance limits its use. To improve the UV aging performance of PBO fibers, a novel PBO-Fe-PDA fiber was created by depositing a biomimetic structure of polydopamine (PDA) on the surface of PBO fibers with the transition metal ion Fe3+ as the active center. The surface morphology and elemental composition of PBO-Fe-PDA fibers were investigated. It was revealed that Fe3+ formed a coordination bond structure with the oxazole ring, and PDA was successfully loaded onto the surface of PBO-Fe fibers. After UV aging, the crystallinity and crystallographic orientation of PBO fibers significantly decrease, microcrystals inside the fibers slip, and the size of microvoids in the fibers rises. As a result, the strength of PBO fibers was significantly decreased after UV aging. The anti-UV aging capacity of PBO-Fe-PDA fibers, on the other hand, has been enhanced, as evidenced by a slight drop in crystallinity and crystallographic orientation and a significant decrease in the size growth of internal microvoids in the fibers after UV aging. The tensile strength retention of PBO-Fe-PDA fibers after UV aging increased by 93.13% when compared to PBO fibers without altering the fibers’ initial strength. The testing results show that this surface modification method is simple to employ and extends the service life of PBO fibers significantly.
Structural modeling and investigation of cantilever load-bearing mechanism in telescopic wing
Authors: Li Chunfeng , Xiao Hong , Guo Hongwei , Yang Guang , Tao Jianguo , Liu Rongqiang , Deng Zongquan
Published: March 2024

Telescopic wing requires changing the wingspan under aerodynamic load. Structural deformation caused by forces and moments will result in increased driving forces or even stagnation. Deformation and distributed contact force of linear motion pair of the load-bearing mechanism which considers the geometric nonlinearity of guide rail is necessary to predict the driving force, the mechanical efficiency, or the stiffness matching in the optimal design process. Aiming at the cantilever load-bearing mechanism, the structural model was established in terms of the flexibility of the components, contact stiffness and other parameters on the friction of moving pairs are studied based on the modified chained-beam constraint model (CBCM). The model prediction accuracy is verified through simulation and experiment. The result shows that the friction force is related to the stiffness of guide rail, slider connector, ball bearing contact as well as the geometric parameters. Improper parameter selection will increase the friction force to more than twice the optimal solution.
Understanding the impact of women’s correct risk perception on human immunodeficiency virus diagnosis: Insights from South Africa
Authors: Wand Handan , Moodley Jayajothi , Reddy Tarylee , Naidoo Sarita
Published: March 2024

Background

South African women have the highest burden of HIV infections globally. We investigated the temporal trends and the impact of key factors associated with HIV diagnosis among a nationally representative cohort of South African women.

Methods

Total of 24,657 women who participated in the National HIV, Behaviour and Health Surveys conducted from 2002-to-2017.

Results

Despite decades-long prevention efforts, we observed a significant increase in HIV prevalence over time (22% in 2002 to 21% in 2005-2008 and 29% in 2012-2017). Overall, 46% of the women living with HIV were not aware of their risk of HIV with age-specific disparities. Our findings revealed compelling evidence between HIV seropositivity and high HIV risk-perception (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR):1.47 to 3.29) which increased overtime and exceeded the other factors. At a population-level, 45% of the HIV diagnoses were exclusively associated with women who believed they were at risk of HIV in 2012-2017. Women who reported using condoms at last sexual act were also at increased risk of HIV infection, with a population attributable risk of 18% (2002) to 21% (2012-2017).

Conclusion

There is an urgent need for culturally, socially, and linguistically appropriate prevention and awareness campaigns with realistic, non-confrontational messages.
Historical trend of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a sediment core from Osaka Bay during the Meghalayan
Authors: Nitzsche Kai Nils , Ishikawa Naoto F , Yoshimura Toshihiro , Kajita Hiroto , Kawahata Hodaka , Ogawa Nanako O , Suga Hisami , Ohkouchi Naohiko
Published: March 2024

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are produced by incomplete combustion of biomass and fossil fuel, yet PAHs have been rarely analyzed in coastal sediment cores as a tracer for human activities before industrialization. The aim of this study was to assess if the historical trend of PAHs can be related to past human activities. To this end, we have determined the concentrations of PAHs in a 9 m-long sediment core from Osaka Bay, which records history of the last 2400 years. The concentration of PAHs before the beginning of the 17th century CE, the beginning of the peaceful Edo period, was consistently low (<100 ng g−1) and mainly comprised of smoke-derived PAHs reflecting the natural background. A relative higher abundance of 4−6 ring PAHs from the early 17th century CE and a higher PAH concentration from the early 18th century CE until approximately 1800 CE agreed with a population increase, Cu smelting activities and increasing combustion of charcoal. The constant PAH concentration until the late 19th century CE overlapped with a decline in the population in the Osaka area. An increasing PAH concentration from the late 19th century CE marked the beginning of industrialization in the Modern age. The peak in PAH concentration in 1945 CE was likely caused by burning of wooden structures due to air raids on Osaka City. A second peak around 1980 CE indicated the introduction of cleaner energies. We conclude that PAHs in coastal sediment cores can be used to reconstruct past human activities.
Carious lesions as evidence for different adaptation strategies during the middle-late Holocene in the Gansu region, northwest China
Authors: He Letian , Chen Guoke , Yang Yishi , He Jianing , Berger Elizabeth
Published: March 2024

The natural environment of the Gansu-Qinghai region in northwest China exhibits spatial variation, resulting in distinct adaptive strategies among populations in different geographical areas. In this study, we analyzed the diachronic trend and regional variations in caries prevalence among 10 different middle and late-Holocene groups by examining dental caries data to explore the correlation between different adaptation strategies and caries frequency. Frequency data was used to compare dental caries between populations, and the Chi-square test was employed to detect statistical differences. A multidisciplinary approach was employed to investigate the relationship between these changes and the adaptive strategies adopted by the populations in this region. The result shows that there was a gradual increase in caries prevalence over time in eastern Gansu, which corresponded with development of millet farming and social hierarchy. In the Hexi Corridor, caries prevalence exhibited fluctuations attributable to climate variability, human migration, and regime change. The research proposes that changes in adaptive strategies due to various social and environmental factors are reflected in human teeth, while also presenting a novel endeavor of aggregating a large, multisite bioarchaeological dataset in order to investigate the interactions between Holocene populations and palaeoenvironments in northwest China.