bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
5. Legal Documents
Authors: Khan Geoffrey
Published: May 2024

Documents 44–52 are legal documents of various types. These include a lease of land (44), a lease of a boat (45), a document of testimony relating to the sale of property (46r), a document of sale (46v), an acknowledgement of a debt (47), marriage contracts (48, 51), a document concerning the division of property after divorce (49r), a court record relating to divorce (49v), an acknowledgement relating to divorce (50) and a court record relating to marriage (52). Document 53 is a letter written by a judge relating to a marital dispute. The content and structure of the documents are described.
6. Coinage
Authors: Khan Geoffrey
Published: May 2024

This chapter describes the various coins and units of money that are mentioned in the documents. The standard unit of currency is the gold dīnār and various fractions of it. The documents also allude to silver dirhams. When interpreting references to monetary amounts in the documents, one must be aware that in some cases the terms used may have been referring to money of account rather than physical coins, i.e., a notional standard rather than medium of exchange. There is evidence from the corpus of a debasement of the silver content of dirhams in the late Fatimid period.
11. The Socio-Economic Situation Reflected by the Documents
Authors: Khan Geoffrey
Published: May 2024

This chapter brings together various strands in the foregoing descriptions of the contents of the documents with the purpose of summarising what the corpus reflects with regard to the society and economy of Lower Nubia.
13. Language
Authors: Khan Geoffrey
Published: May 2024

The Arabic language of the documents occasionally exhibits deviations from Classical Arabic usage, often due to interference from the spoken vernacular language.
14. Maps
Authors: Khan Geoffrey
Published: May 2024

The maps include a general map of the region of Nubia during the Fatimid period and a detailed map of Upper Nubia in the region of Qaṣr Ibrīm showing the places that are mentioned in the documents.
Austin Farrer, Anglican Theologian Preacher
Authors: Goldingay John
Published: May 2024

Austin Farrer was a notable preacher and theologian in Oxford in the mid-twentieth century. In his preaching he embodied the reality of a relationship with God, and as a thinker he took seriously and interacted with but worked in contrast with the theology of the 1960s. As a preacher he expounded the Scriptures in a distinctive lively fashion, which often drew people in, one way or another, by the distinctiveness of its introductions, though his preaching did not seem to reflect the principles of homiletics that were widely taught in his day. The fact that he died rather young (he was 64) adds significance to the prominence of death as well as life in his preaching.
The Safety of Pediatric Bedside Tracheostomy
Authors: Madgar Ory , Kassif Lerner Reut , Devons-Sberro Stav , Nini-Perlstein Namma , Baltzan Amiad Levi , Rozendorn Noa , Paret Gideon , Pessach Itai M. , Alon Eran E. , Carmel Eldar
Published: May 2024

Objective:

Traditionally, pediatric tracheostomy has been viewed as a technically demanding procedure with a high complication rate, requiring the routine use of a formal operating room. Pediatric bedside tracheostomy in an intensive care unit (ICU) setting has not been widely reported, in contrast to the widespread adult bedside ICU tracheostomy. Transport of these critically ill, multiple life support systems dependent patients can be technically difficult, labor intensive, and potentially risky for these patients. Our study aimed to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of bedside tracheostomy in the pediatric ICU.

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective analysis of all pediatric patients undergoing tracheostomy at a tertiary care center, between 1st of January 2013 and 31st of December 2019.

Results:

During the study period, 117 pediatric patients underwent tracheostomy, 57 (48.7%) were performed bedside while 60 (51.3%) were performed in the operating room. Patients’ ages ranged from 2 weeks to 17 years of age, with a median age of 16 months. No case of bedside tracheostomy necessitated a shift to the operating room. There was no difference in 30-day morbidity and mortality between the 2 groups.

Conclusions:

Our results suggest that pediatric open bedside tracheostomy in an ICU setting is a safe procedure, with similar complications and outcomes compared to tracheostomy performed in the operating room.
Administrative reforms in Portugal and Spain: From bureaucracy to digital transition
Authors: Secchi Leonardo , Caeiro Joaquim Croca , Ramos Pinto Ricardo , Arenilla Sáez Manuel
Published: May 2024

This article analyzes the administrative reforms that took place in the national governments of Portugal and Spain in the last 100 years. The shifts of administrative paradigms are the bureaucratic transition, the managerialist transition and the digital transition. The dimensions of analysis are the doctrines of the reforms; their justifications and underlying values; policy leadership, implementation styles and instruments; and resistance to change. We conducted a systematic literature review consulting 33 peer-reviewed articles on public management paradigms and 46 on administrative reforms in Portugal and Spain, and analyzed 32 official documents on the theme. The results show that the digital transition, compared with the two previous reforms, has relied on networked policy entrepreneurship, various instruments for policy change (beyond regulation), integration of values and a shift in the pattern of resistance to change. The article concludes that incremental changes occur between administrative reforms (punctuations), and the introduction of instruments inspired by one public management paradigm does not halt or replace the introduction of other instruments derived from other paradigms.

Points for practitioners:

Portugal and in Spain are vivid examples where public administration reforms have become more frequent and integrative of normative values. Over time, policy change leadership has moved down the organizational hierarchy and even been outsourced to external agents. Also, diversity of policy instruments has expanded, and the patterns of resistance to reforms shifted from a political/ideological type of resistance to a human/organizational type. The discursiveness of “new public governance” has ceded to the digital transformation of public administration.
Exploring the Theory of Employee Planned Behavior: Job Satisfaction as a Key to Organizational Performance
Authors: Hemsworth David , Muterera Jonathan , Khorakian Alireza , Garcia-Rivera Blanca Rosa
Published: May 2024

This article introduces a significant advancement with the “Theory of Employee Planned Behavior” (TEPB), a novel extension of the well-established Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). The TEPB uniquely positions job satisfaction as a central determinant in driving organizational performance. Using data from county-level government institutions in the United States, this research offers a nuanced exploration into how employee satisfaction influences organizational commitment and citizenship behaviors, which, in turn, substantially impact organizational performance. Our approach utilizes a significant dataset involving 372 dyads across hierarchical levels in government institutions. Through the application of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), we rigorously validate the TEPB model. The results highlight a significant relationship where enhanced job satisfaction leads to stronger organizational commitment. This heightened commitment further fosters organizational citizenship behaviors, crucial in achieving superior organizational performance. This work notably extends the TPB model by integrating organizational performance as a consequential outcome. It also provides empirical evidence of the direct relationship between job satisfaction and organizational performance, specifically in the context of government institutions. Such findings are invaluable for organizational executives and policymakers in recognizing the paramount importance of employee satisfaction for organizational success. Overall, the TEPB model presented in this study offers a holistic and practical framework for organizations seeking to understand and effectively manage employee behavior. By focusing on job satisfaction, organizations can foster a more committed and proactive workforce, significantly improving performance and efficiency.
“Yes, I Am More Confident with My Avatars”: Integrating EFL Students’ Speaking Practice into Metaverse
Authors: Hwang Yohan , Lee Jang Ho
Published: May 2024

This article presents an innovative practice that demonstrates the use of the metaverse to enhance English speaking skills in an undergraduate English drama course in South Korea. The innovation stemmed from the common situation that English-language learners feel self-conscious when speaking in front of their peers. To overcome this problem, the metaverse was used to provide a virtual space for students to practice dialogues and speeches using avatars. The two-phase implementation involved practicing dialogues from the American sitcom Friends and celebrity speeches in the metaverse space. Surveys and reflections showed that this approach significantly improved students’ confidence, motivation and English speaking skills by reducing the anxiety associated with physical presence. Nevertheless, some technical limitations, such as connectivity issues and constraints on virtual expression, were observed. Based on the findings, this study suggests the metaverse as a powerful tool for overcoming affective barriers in language learning, providing a safe and engaging platform for students to practice speaking skills. Furthermore, the study underscores the importance of selecting appropriate metaverse platforms and considering technical factors such as device compatibility and internet stability.
Active disturbance rejection heading control of USV based on parameter tuning via an improved pigeon-inspired optimization
Authors: Liu Yuhang , Wei Chen , Duan Haibin , Yuan Wanmai
Published: May 2024

An improved active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) algorithm is proposed in this paper to enhance the heading control capabilities of unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) under wind and wave disturbances. The algorithm introduces two enhancements: parameter tuning and fitting, alongside the optimization of the nonlinear function in the ADRC algorithm. First, the parameter tuning employs an improved pigeon-inspired optimization (PIO) algorithm, which encompasses two strategies: the adaptive strategy and the wandering strategy. Parameter fitting ensures discretely optimized value transition into a continuous state, allowing dynamic parameter adjustments. Second, the optimization of the nonlinear function uses the D-value fitting method. Overall, the improved ADRC algorithm significantly enhances response speed to heading control commands for USVs, fortifying their resistance against wind and wave disturbances. Our proposed algorithm provides a new approach to achieve precise USV heading control.
Emergency control of firefighting vehicles based on distributed integer programming
Authors: Wu Wendi , Wang Zhikang , Jiang Baoping , Zhang Xin , Wu Zhengtian
Published: May 2024

Fire-related emergency vehicle scheduling has always been an important part of autonomous vehicle emergency management. To maintain the fire safety of buildings and reduce the transportation loss of emergency resources, this paper constructs a multi-objective integer planning model for fire emergency resource scheduling, which minimizes the time spent in the transportation of fire materials and considers the transportation needs of potential fire vehicles. The fixed-point iterative algorithm is realized and optimized, and distributed computing is adopted to improve the solving speed. In this paper, the comparison and simulation experiments with Branch and Bound, improved particle swarm optimization and other algorithms are carried out. The results show that the model and the algorithm can effectively deal with the fire emergency vehicle scheduling problem under different simulated fires and multiple fires occurring at the same time, and have certain advantages in numerical stability and convergence speed.
“Psychic Poisons” or Emerging Medicines: A Thematic Analysis of Cannabis Representations in Australian Nineteenth-Century Periodicals
Authors: Adler Hannah , Burnett Clare J
Published: May 2024

This interdisciplinary study investigates representations of cannabis in 386 Australian newspaper reports from the latter-part of the nineteenth century. During this time, periodicals were the primary means of information circulation, and the Australian press shared much of its reporting with other jurisdictions. Using a reflexive thematic analysis, this research reveals that in this period, in which cannabis was being introduced into colonial pharmacopeias but had not yet been regulated in Australia, periodicals were at the heart of communicating cannabis to Australian audiences. These newspapers represented cannabis as both a dangerous recreational drug and a legitimate medicine, with these very distinct representations largely siloed from one another. These discourses, facilitated and perpetuated by mass media, were representative of a patchwork of influences, including international anxieties of drug use. Therefore, such reporting both legitimized and de-legitimized cannabis, influencing popular understandings of cannabis in nineteenth-century Australia at a pivotal time in the drug's history.
Measuring the Mediated Imagined Interaction Hypothesis: Scale Development
Authors: Waggoner Erin B.
Published: May 2024

Expanding the Mediated Imagined Interaction Hypothesis, this article contributes the development of a scale to test the theoretical construct. Interweaving imagined interactions and media, the mediated imagined interaction hypothesis examines how media impacts how people imagine their real life conversations and interactions with others. The multiphase scale development and testing process for the Mediated Imagined Interaction Scale are presented in this article. Further explorations for application of this scale are discussed.
Flicker and reading speed: Effects on individuals with visual sensitivity
Authors: Laycox Caitlin A , Thompson Rory , Haggerty Jasmine A , Wilkins Arnold J , Haigh Sarah M
Published: May 2024

Flicker and patterns of stripes in the modern environment can evoke visual illusions, discomfort migraine, and seizures. We measured reading speed while striped and less striped texts were illuminated with LED lights. In Experiment 1, the lights flickered at 60 Hz and 120 Hz compared to 60 kHz (perceived as steady light). In Experiment 2, the lights flickered at 60 Hz or 600 Hz (at which frequency the phantom array is most visible), and were compared to continuous light. Two types of text were used: one containing words with high horizontal autocorrelation (striped) and another containing words with low autocorrelation (less striped). We measured the number of illusions participants saw in the Pattern Glare (PG) Test. Overall, reading speed was slowest during the 60 Hz and 600 Hz flicker and was slower when reading the high autocorrelation text. Interestingly, the low PG group showed greater effects of flicker on reading speed than the high PG group, which tended to be slower overall. In addition, reading speed in the high PG group was reduced when the autocorrelation of the text was high. These findings suggest that uncomfortable visual environments reduce reading efficiency, the more so in individuals who are visually sensitive.
Companies should care about the health troubles of their employees. The results of a French survey on medically assisted reproduction (MAR)
Authors: Courbiere Blandine , Dalmas Michel , Lacan Arnaud
Published: May 2024

Several factors can deeply affect employees’ quality of life at work. Work-life balance, subjective well-being and job satisfaction are three of these factors and it is in the best interest of companies to handle these topics carefully. This is a sine qua non condition of the strength and the quality of relationships with employees. It is also a source of confidence for employees, especially where this is being mediated through Human Resource (HR) processes. Our article studies the quality of life at work in the particular context of an MAR healthcare pathway that exacerbates the consequences for employees. Our work with hundreds of people enduring an MAR process shows that depending on whether firms take this situation into account or not, employees will feel either well-being or ill-being and will have different burnout or job satisfaction levels. All these variables influence their commitment and job performance. These links between a healthcare pathway and quality of life at work on the one hand, and between the quality of work and performance on the other hand, should lead employers to support employees in a personal vulnerable situation. The strength and the quality of the support provided by the HR function and the management is therefore a key point in the level of confidence that exists between firms and their employees.
Dynamism in a Stagnating Sector: The Birth of Ireland's Beef Industry 1950–60
Authors: Declan O’Brien
Published: May 2024

Between 1949 and 1960 Irish carcass beef exports increased eight-fold, expanding from 6,400 tons to over 50,000 tons. This unprecedented growth marked a fundamental shift in the structure of the Irish livestock industry, as the country moved from an almost exclusive dependence on the live cattle exports in 1949 to a situation where forty per cent of animals were shipped as beef eleven years later. This article examines why Ireland embraced beef processing, who were the main actors in the emerging industry, and where were the primary markets. Moreover, the article details how beef processors restructured their operations and reorientated their exports to Britain and the US following a major downturn in demand between 1954 and 1956. It also assesses the implications of the industry's success for the farm sector and for the historiography of Irish agriculture in the 1950s.
Failure Sensitivity in Perfectionism and Procrastination: Fear of Failure and Overgeneralization of Failure as Mediators of Traits and Cognitions
Authors: Yosopov Lital , Saklofske Donald H. , Smith Martin M. , Flett Gordon L. , Hewitt Paul L.
Published: May 2024

The current study investigated perfectionism and procrastination from the trait and cognitive perspectives and addressed how they relate to components of a personal orientation toward failure. A sample of 327 undergraduate students completed three perfectionism measures (i.e., Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale, Hewitt–Flett Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale, and Perfectionism Cognitions Inventory), two procrastination measures (i.e., Lay Procrastination Scale and Procrastinatory Cognitions Inventory), and measures of fear of failure and overgeneralizing failure. Correlational analyses showed that the composite trait dimension of perfectionistic concerns and the cognitive dimension of perfectionistic automatic thoughts had modest links with trait procrastination but much stronger links with the cognitive measure of procrastinatory automatic thoughts. All perfectionism and procrastination measures were significantly correlated with fear of failure and overgeneralization of failure. More extensive analyses showed that fear of failure mediated trait and cognitive pathways between perfectionism and procrastination, and the overgeneralization of failure mediated most pathways. Other evidence supported a sequential mediation between perfectionism and procrastination (i.e., fear of failure followed by the overgeneralization of failure). Overall, the results suggest that procrastinating perfectionists have a cognitive hypersensitivity to failure and a potentially debilitating form of perfectionistic reactivity characterized by overgeneralizing failures to the self. The theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
What Do Students Gain from Collaborative, In-Person, International Education? Ten Years of the Trans-Atlantic Seminar in Urban & Regional Planning
Authors: Accordino John , Mangels Kirsten , Grotheer Swantje , Surin Anila (Smriti) , Kraushaar Lennart
Published: May 2024

Planning education organizations express support for collaborative international planning education, but international planning education methods and results have not appeared in the literature. We review education literature and describe the operation and student learning outcomes of a Trans-Atlantic Seminar that an American and a German university have jointly offered for ten years. We describe what students learn, based on the results of interviews with thirty-nine previous seminar participants. We found first-hand experience of a place, its culture and settlement structure, combined with preparatory readings, on-site discussions with practitioners, and collaborative peer-to-peer work, creates deep understanding and lasting learning.
Mechanical, rheological, thermal and morphological properties of pistachio shell powder reinforced / linear low-density polyethylene/polyolefin elastomer biocomposites
Authors: Singh Manjeet , Thite Amol , Ray Chowdhury Subhendu , Pant Harish Jagat
Published: May 2024

In the present study, 20 wt% ENGAGE (a polyolefin elastomer) is melt blended with 80 wt% linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) followed by composite preparation with pistachio shell powder (PSP) in various compositions (40 wt% to 70 wt%). The effect of variation of PSP content on mechanical properties is studied. The processability of composites is improved because of the unique processability of ENGAGE. Consequently, filler-containing capability of the LLDPE/ENGAGE (LE82) blend is also enhanced considerably due to extra space generated by amorphous ENGAGE. Again, blending of 20 wt% ENGAGE with 80 wt% LLDPE is helpful for maintaining mechanical properties of LLDPE/ENGAGE/PSP composite in useful range. The rheological study confirms that complex viscosity (η), storage modulus (G’) and loss modulus (G”) remain almost unchanged with the incorporation of a high quantity of PSP into the LE82 blend system for all the composites in the entire frequency range. From the rheological study, it is seen that the thermoplastic nature of the composites is maintained. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) show the structural integrity of LE82 blend-based composites revealing the thermal stability of the organic filler and consequently the composites. SEM also shows uniform dispersion of PSP into the LLDPE/ENGAGE blend matrix. Such biocomposite with 70 wt% biodegradable component and reliable mechanical properties is attractive for wide spread applications.
Human or Not?: An Experiment With Chatbot Manipulations to Test Machine Heuristics and Political Self-Concepts
Authors: Huang-Isherwood Ke M. , Cho Jaeho , Hong Joo-Wha , Lee Eugene
Published: May 2024

Chatbots have a growing role to play in political discourse, including in political campaigns, voter mobilization ventures, and dissemination of political news, though chatbots in the political domain are relatively understudied. While testing the machine heuristics and political self-concepts frameworks, we carried out a 2 × 2 experiment where both perceived conversational partner (i.e., bot, human) and topic (i.e., political, casual) were manipulated ( N = 126). During the experiment, participants exchanged chat messages with trained research confederates for 30 min. In support of the machine heuristics and political self-concepts frameworks, participants assigned to human partners reported more positive relationships and higher political interest. Through moderation analysis, liking the partner was found to differ between the perceived partner conditions, with perceived political knowledge varying more in the human conditions. Thus, the experimental findings add nuance to interpersonal (i.e., impression management and social identity theory) and human-computer interaction theories (i.e., machine heuristics and Computers Are Social Actors), and have broader implications for online political interactions and for decisionmakers of online political discourse spaces.
Interpersonal Fundraising Methods Are Associated With Lower Donation Value Over Time
Authors: Chapman Cassandra M. , Casey James , Thottam Aakash K. , France Cassandra
Published: May 2024

Charities have invited public scorn through their use of chugging (or “charity mugging”) methods of fundraising, which involve interpersonal interaction between fundraisers and potential donors. It is not known how such mass market interpersonal fundraising methods are associated with donors giving over time. We analyzed transactional data from a natural experiment involving 213,404 donors to 45 charities to examine the relationship between interpersonal interaction at the time of donor recruitment and the long-term value of donations made by those donors. Multilevel analyses show that different fundraising methods are associated with different donation values. Specifically, mass market fundraising methods that involve interpersonal interaction are linked to lower donation values over time (β = −.12; equating to 59% fewer dollars donated on average in the second year), driven by much higher rates of cancelation (odds ratio [OR] = 3.14). We theorize several possible mechanisms through which interpersonal fundraising comes to generate these poorer outcomes.
How do we reverse the decline in accounting majors?
Authors: Gioiosa Marie Elaine
Published: May 2024

The accounting profession is an integral part of the business world. With an undergraduate degree in accounting, students have various career paths. In recent years, there has been a decline in the number of students selecting accounting as a major, creating concern and a demand for such students. This study surveyed students enrolled in three different introductory business classes. They were asked to identify what is important to them when selecting a major and whether they can achieve that with an accounting major. Additionally, the students were asked if there are initiatives that can occur in introductory business classes that would make students interested in becoming an accounting major. Findings intimate that a collaborative effort is required between higher education (instructors and institutions) and the profession to improve accounting major enrollment.
Discussion on the application of sequential turbocharging technology on trawlers
Authors: Li Yafei , Shi Fan
Published: May 2024

To improve the performance needs of trawlers under the varying load and speed conditions of free-running and trawling operations, this article employs sequential turbocharging technology. By fitting the experimental curves of basic turbocharging and conventional turbocharging (two turbochargers), we obtained the universal characteristic curve of sequential turbocharging. Further, the propeller characteristic curves and load characteristic curves of trawlers under free-running and trawling operations were integrated. The analysis results show that the sequential turbocharging system increases the torque of trawlers by about 20% in the low-speed range; switching to two turbochargers in free-running mode reduces fuel consumption by ∼17.5 g/Wh; switching to basic turbocharging during trawling operations decreases fuel consumption by about 13.9 g/Wh. This study is not only beneficial for the economy of ships but also provides guidance for further improvements in engine mechanics, potentially attracting the interest of readers in the main engine manufacturing field.
Divergent and Convergent Creativity Are Different Kinds of Foraging
Authors: Malaie Soran , Spivey Michael J. , Marghetis Tyler
Published: May 2024

According to accounts of neural reuse and embodied cognition, higher-level cognitive abilities recycle evolutionarily ancient mechanisms for perception and action. Here, building on these accounts, we investigate whether creativity builds on our capacity to forage in space (“creativity as strategic foraging”). We report systematic connections between specific forms of creative thinking—divergent and convergent—and corresponding strategies for searching in space. U.S. American adults completed two tasks designed to measure creativity. Before each creativity trial, participants completed an unrelated search of a city map. Between subjects, we manipulated the search pattern, with some participants seeking multiple, dispersed spatial locations and others repeatedly converging on the same location. Participants who searched divergently in space were better at divergent thinking but worse at convergent thinking; this pattern reversed for participants who had converged repeatedly on a single location. These results demonstrate a targeted link between foraging and creativity, thus advancing our understanding of the origins and mechanisms of high-level cognition.
A clinical audit of patient outcomes in real-world acupuncture practice
Authors: Lowe Nick , Permyakova Natalia , Dutton Rodney
Published: May 2024

Introduction:

Clinical auditing represents a valuable and cost-effective method for the collection of patient outcomes and is increasingly being used to inform clinical guidelines. The aim of this clinical audit was to assess patient outcomes across a small subset of acupuncture practitioners and private practices in the United Kingdom.

Methods:

The Measure Yourself Medical Outcomes Profile (MYMOP) questionnaire and the Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) scale were used as outcome measures. Additional questions assessed adverse events and patient experience with care. Clinical data were collected utilising an electronic patient-reported outcome measures (ePROMs) system.

Results:

Baseline data were collected for a total of 233 health complaints (from 232 patients), of which 45.9% were musculoskeletal and 26.2% were psychological. Follow-up outcomes data were available for 144 health complaints (61.8% completion rate). For PGIC responses, >90% of health complaints were reported as at least ‘minimally improved’. This was reduced to >51% when controlling for missing data. There was a gradual improvement in both mean MYMOP scores (24.5%–43.0%) and PGIC responses of ‘very much improved’ (12.3%–56.3%) over a 6-month period. A clinically significant improvement (>1 point change, p ⩽ 0.001) was seen in mean MYMOP scores compared to baseline from 4 to 8 weeks and symptom 1 MYMOP scores from 1 to 4 weeks. A moderately strong, negative correlation was seen between outcome measures (r = −0.507, p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

The majority of patients reported clinically meaningful improvements for their main health complaints/symptoms, which appeared to be sustained in the medium to long-term.
Press START to Teach – Can Simulation Games Close the Theory-Practice Gap?
Authors: Kienitz Anna , Eitel Alexander , Krebs Marie-Christin
Published: May 2024

Background

Student teachers commonly struggle to apply theoretical knowledge to their teaching. This theory-practice gap is a serious problem in teacher education. Over the past decade, simulations and serious games have been shown as an effective way to practice the transfer of theoretical knowledge in authentic settings of skill-use. Approximating theory-based teaching practice via repeated use of simulation games, thus, may be able to close the theory-practice gap in teacher education.

Aim

We aimed to assess whether repeatedly engaging with simulated teaching and theory-based feedback would improve student teachers’ teaching self-efficacy, transfer of theories into teaching situations and their perceived usefulness of theories.

Method

N = 86 student teachers learned twice with either a digital simulation game depicting decision-making in the classroom (simulation condition) or with screenshots of the game (control condition). After each phase, student teachers received theory-based feedback about (their) teaching.

Results

Against our hypothesis, there were no changes in both conditions regarding student teachers’ teaching self-efficacy, perceived usefulness of theories for practice, or integration of theory-based arguments into practical reasoning. Nonetheless, we found positive effects for learning time and motivation favoring the simulation condition.

Conclusion

Our results point towards the motivating potential of simulation games that was, however, not sufficient to close the theory-practice gap. It seems that the theory-practice integration within the simulation game needs to be even stronger to reveal the desired effects, which needs to be subject to further research.
I Did Something Wrong: How and When Leaders Ruminate and Recover from Their Abusive Supervision
Authors: Zhang Zhe , Chen Xinyi , Jia Xingze
Published: May 2024

Although prior studies have begun to focus on how employees recover from abusive supervision experiences, how leaders ruminate on and recover from their abusive supervision remains unclear. On the basis of cognitive theories of rumination, we propose that abusive supervision is linked to two forms of rumination after work (i.e., affect-focused rumination and problem-solving pondering), which subsequently influence leaders’ next-day work engagement. Specifically, we suggest that affect-focused rumination and problem-solving pondering will hinder and facilitate leaders’ next-day work engagement, respectively. We also identify the past focus and future focus of leaders as moderators in the relationship between abusive supervision and the two forms of rumination. Using an experience sampling methodology for 10 workdays with data from 59 leaders, we find that leaders’ abusive supervision hinders their next-day work engagement through affect-focused rumination, which is aggravated by past focus and mitigated by future focus. However, the problem-solving pondering path is not supported. We conclude by discussing the theoretical and practical implications of our findings and proposing future research directions.
European Family Patriarchy in the Past and Contemporary Developmental Inequalities
Authors: Szołtysek Mikołaj , Poniat Radosław
Published: May 2024

This paper aims to show that contemporary developmental outcomes in Europe vary with historical patterns of age and gender inequality. It builds on the authors' earlier work constructing the Patriarchy Index (PI), which measures age and gender inequality within households based on historical census data. The claimed relationships are tested in a regression framework in which the outcome variables are a set of development indicators (GDP per capita and the HDI), as well as contemporary gender equality indices such as the GII and the SIGI and survey responses from the WVS. The study shows that high scores on the PI consistently predict worse development outcomes (lower development, more gender inequality) and more collectivist values scores. To assess the channels through which this correlation works, we also examine whether the PI itself is persistent, and find that the historical PI is also generally associated with important facets of patriarchal behaviour in the present. Overall, while our study cannot infer causal relationships, our results provide evidence that familial patriarchal patterns at the grassroots of society may be one of the variables associated with contemporary cultural and developmental divergences in Europe.
Association of Timing of Hindfoot Arthrodesis and Early Reoperation Rates for Total Ankle Arthroplasty
Authors: Ramamurti Pradip , Schwartz Joshua M. , Novicoff Wendy M. , Park Joseph S. , Cooper Minton T.
Published: May 2024

Background:

Prior literature has demonstrated that ipsilateral hindfoot arthrodesis may increase the risk for reoperation after total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) and that simultaneous hindfoot arthrodesis with TAA could result in short-term clinical and radiologic improvements. The purpose of this study is to compare the reoperation rates after TAA with prior hindfoot arthrodesis vs simultaneous arthrodesis and TAA.

Methods:

Patients who underwent primary TAA were identified in the PearlDiver database. Patients were sorted into 2 study cohorts: hindfoot arthrodesis prior to TAA and simultaneous arthrodesis and TAA. Propensity matched control cohorts were identified for each study group. Multivariate analysis was conducted to account for any confounding variables and covariates when identifying differences in complications between cohorts.

Results:

297 patients underwent TAA with prior hindfoot arthrodesis and 174 underwent TAA and hindfoot arthrodesis concurrently. The incidence of reoperation (13.8% vs 5.2%, P  < .001) and infection (12.6% vs 5.9%, P  = .011) for the simultaneous cohort was higher when compared to the matched control cohort. In contrast, there was no statistically significant difference when comparing the prior arthrodesis cohort to the matched control cohort in reoperation rates (5.1% vs 4.7%, P  = .787) or infection rates (4.4% vs 4.8%, P  = .734). Those undergoing simultaneous procedures had increased incidences of reoperation, wound complications, infection, and emergency department visits ( P  < .0167) when compared to the TAA with prior arthrodesis cohort.

Conclusion:

Patients undergoing TAA and hindfoot arthrodesis concurrently were found to have higher rates of reoperation and infection when compared to the matched control cohort . In contrast, there was no difference in these rates in patients undergoing TAA with prior hindfoot arthrodesis compared with their matched control cohort. Patients undergoing simultaneous procedures had increased rates of reoperations, wound complications, infection, and emergency department visits compared to the TAA with prior arthrodesis cohort.
Development of a Prandtl-Ishlinskii hysteresis model for a large capacity magnetorheological fluid damper
Authors: Vatandoost Hossein , Abdalaziz Moustafa , Sedaghati Ramin , Rakheja Subhash
Published: May 2024

Magnetorheological (MR) fluid (MRF) dampers, serving as fail-safe semi-active devices, exhibit nonlinear hysteresis characteristics, emphasizing the necessity for accurate modeling to formulate effective control strategies in smart systems. This paper introduces a novel stop operator-based Prandtl-Ishlinskii (PI) model, featuring a reduced parameter set (seven), designed to estimate the nonlinear hysteresis properties of a large-scale bypass MRF damper with variable stiffness capabilities under varying applied current. With only seven parameters, the model realizes current, displacement, and rate dependencies. The force-displacement and force-velocity responses of the designed MRF damper were experimentally characterized under broad ranges of applied current (0–2 A), excitation frequency (0.5–4 Hz), and displacement amplitude (1–2.5 mm). A training dataset was subsequently used to develop a novel field-dependent modified PI model, incorporating multiple hysteresis operators with and without a friction element. The proposed model accurately predicted the MRF damper behavior within the training dataset, and its validity was assessed against data from diverse experimental conditions. The PI model with friction element generally outperformed the model without friction when frequency exceeds 0.5 Hz, demonstrating its ability to characterize nonlinear hysteresis force-displacement and force-velocity properties of the MRF damper under the ranges of applied current and excitations considered with reasonable accuracy. Experimental data were also estimated by the Bouc–Wen model, and compared with those obtained via the formulated PI model, affirming the overall superiority of the proposed PI models considering the computational cost, and total number of parameters. Leveraging the simplicity, minimal parameter requirements, and analytic invertibility of PI models, the proposed PI model is considered a superior choice for modeling and subsequently controlling smart structures employing MRF dampers.
Home Health Nurses’ Perceptions of Caring for Persons With Severe and Persistent Mental Illnesses
Authors: Riley Kiernan , Hupcey Judith E.
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND:

Severe and persistent mental illnesses (SPMIs) affect a significant portion of the adult population in the United States. Despite their increased medical disease burden, individuals with SPMIs often lack access to appropriate medical care. Home health services offer cost-effective options for caring for this population in the comfort of their homes. However, little is known about the perceptions of home health nurses providing care to persons with SPMIs, and how they are adjusting care to persons with SPMIs

AIMS:

This study aimed to explore home health nurses’ perspectives on caring for persons with SPMIs.

METHODS:

Using a grounded theory approach, individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with home health and home hospice nurses. The research questions focused on the nurses’ experiences, barriers and facilitators to care, and the impact of the home environment on caring for persons with SPMIs. Data analysis followed coding procedures outlined in grounded theory, resulting in the development of an axial coding model.

RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS:

The findings provide valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by home health nurses when providing care for individuals with SPMIs. The outcomes of this study are intended to contribute to the understanding of current care practices and can guide the allocation of resources to improve care for this vulnerable population, such as incorporating training specific to persons with severe psychiatric illnesses.
Unlocking the Predictive Value of Excess and Deficit Customer Patronization Intentions
Authors: Bhattacharya Abhi , Neil Morgan  , Rego Lopo , Hewett Kelly
Published: May 2024

This study assesses the value of excess and deficit patronization intentions toward a service provider in predicting future customer behavior and its financial consequences for the provider in a continuous service context. The excess and deficit patronization measures employ widely available customer feedback data and can be used by managers to identify at-risk customers and those unlikely to defect. We argue that a customer’s satisfaction provides a baseline level of patronization intentions and that excess patronization intentions—intentions greater than those that can be explained by a customer’s satisfaction with a firm’s offerings (i.e., the residuals in a model that regresses patronization intentions on satisfaction)—are generated in part by the presence of customer-level switching costs. Conversely, any deficit patronization intentions are generated in part by a customer’s variety seeking. Using data from the financial services industry, we find that these residuals serve as indicators of the presence and extent of customer-level switching cost and variety seeking. In addition to providing measures of interesting and under-researched phenomena, this suggests that the measures may serve as proxies to test existing theories concerning switching costs and variety seeking in situations where measurement and data availability have previously limited such research.
Epidemiology and Genetic Relationship of Toxigenic Fungi in Maize Grains From North Central Nigerian States
Authors: Olugbenga Orole Olukayode , Chongs Mantu Eno
Published: May 2024

Contamination of maize adversely affects maize quality, yield, and export creating a gap in the attainment of food security, which is a millenium development goal in Nigeria. The study determined fungal abundance, genetic variability, and prevalence of toxigenic fungi in maize grains consumed in North Central, Nigeria. Sixty composite stored maize samples were collected and fungi were isolated and identified after which a multiplex polymerase chain reaction was used to confirm the presence of mycotoxin regulatory genes in suspected toxigenic fungi. The genetic relationship among the toxigenic fungi was determined and the genetic correlation between Aspergillus isolates was established through Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. About 389 (64.83%) of the total maize samples collected had fungal species belonging to the genera Aspergillus, Mucor, Penicillium, Fusarium, Trichophyton, and Talaromyces associated with them. Among the regions surveyed, Kogi State exhibited the highest maize contamination rate at 89 samples, accounting for 22.9% of the total samples collected. In Benue and Kogi, the genus Aspergillus exhibited the highest relative abundance, with percentages of 76.6% and 76.3%, respectively. Among its species, Aspergillus flavus and A. niger were the most predominant. Kwara State had the highest fungal diversity with a value of 1.711 ( P < .05). Benue State had 11 isolates (4.6%) with genes encoding for mycotoxin production, the highest recorded. Conversely, Nasarawa and Niger States each had the lowest count, with 4 isolates possessing such genes. Out of the 238 fungi suspected to be mycotoxigenic that were isolated, 39 have genes that encode for mycotoxin synthesis. Low divergence existed between toxigenic fungal species using the alpha diversity index. This study confirmed that the grains were contaminated with closely related fungal strains, and concluded that maize grains consumed in North Central Nigeria showed high association with fungal microbiota, including species capable of contaminating the grains with mycotoxins
Does world heritage site initiation promote tourism? A difference-in-difference approach
Authors: Wang Yueqi , Chen Shouming , Rabeeu Ahmed
Published: May 2024

Extant studies have found that the inscription of World Heritage sites (WHS) has no or negative effect on tourism in China, which does not explain why Chinese local governments are eager to apply for WHS. This study employs the difference-in-difference approach and city-level data from China to assess the effect of WHS over a more extended period, starting from initiation instead of inscription. The results indicate that WHS initiation can promote tourism, while WHS inscription reduces tourism revenue. Furthermore, heterogeneity analysis reveals that WHS initiation has a more positive effect on domestic tourism revenue in the eastern region of China. In contrast, WHS inscription has a more negative effect on tourism revenue in the western region.
Does income matter for the policy effect of public long-term care insurance on informal care use in China? A quasi-experimental study
Authors: Ning Jing , Chen He , Li Man
Published: May 2024

Objective

Since 2016, the Chinese government has been piloting a public long-term care insurance (LTCI) scheme. This study examined whether the LTCI scheme reduced the use of informal care and how this has varied across income groups.

Method

We used data from the 2011, 2014, and 2018 waves of Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey, focusing on community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years and older. We used staggered difference-in-differences analyses with propensity score matching to examine the effects of the policy.

Results

The LTCI scheme reduced the probability and intensity of informal care use by 5.7% ( p < .05) and 17.4% ( p < .05), respectively. The policy impact was limited to older people in the middle-income group, reducing the probability and intensity of informal care use by 15.6% ( p < .001) and 43.1% ( p < .05), respectively. We did not find a statistically significant policy effect for older adults with high or low incomes.

Conclusions

The LTCI scheme had different effects on reducing the informal care burden for family caregivers by income level. We suggest that the scheme should entitle people with low incomes to a preferential co-payment rate, thereby enhancing their access to formal care.