bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nuclear balance and the initiation of nuclear crises: Does superiority matter?
Authors: Suh Kyungwon
Published: May 2022

The nuclear competition school, an emerging theoretical perspective on the political effect of nuclear weapons, argues that a favorable nuclear balance can significantly reduce one’s expected costs of nuclear war and therefore affect the interaction between nuclear-armed states, such as deterrence and crisis outcomes. This new perspective also presents a wide array of empirical evidence demonstrating the significant effect of the nuclear balance of power on political outcomes, thereby challenging the theory of the nuclear revolution, which argues that the nuclear balance of power produces no meaningful effects on political outcomes because no state can escape costly nuclear destruction. Little attention, however, has been paid to systematically exploring the effect of the nuclear balance on the initiation of nuclear crises. This is surprising, given that observable factors, such as the nuclear balance, should have a powerful effect at the crisis initiation stage because countries can observe military balance and assess the costs and benefits of entering a crisis. This article tests a core argument of the nuclear competition school regarding the effect of the nuclear balance on the initiation of nuclear crises. With original data on strategic nuclear balance, my statistical analysis shows that having a superior nuclear arsenal than another nuclear-armed opponent does not lead to a reduced likelihood of nuclear crisis initiated by the opponent. These core findings hold after conducting a series of robustness tests with various measures of the balance of nuclear forces. They encourage us to reconsider the persuasiveness of the nuclear competition school and offer implications for US nuclear policy and force size.
Effects of COVID-19 Outbreak on Persons with Chronic Health Conditions in Anglophone West Africa: A Qualitative Study Involving Key Stakeholders
Authors: Ahoto Ahotovi T. , Wang WenXin
Published: May 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the suffering of persons with chronic health conditions due to the increased demand for healthcare services in the pandemic. Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic has become a key determinant of how health systems function, with most existing health conditions being given less attention. This study focused on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on persons with chronic diseases in four Anglophone West African countries (Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone) using in-depth interviews of a qualitative method to collect data from key stakeholders in chronic disease issues. The finding shows that COVID-19 caused fear, anxiety, and affected planned health delivery and resource location to interventions designed for chronic disease patients. The study also suggested training, improved technology in health delivery, increased resource location, and factoring persons with chronic health conditions into emergency health decision-making to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 and other future pandemics on persons with chronic health conditions.
A Bird in Hand: An Examination of the Influence of Nursing School Proximal Density on Hospital Quality of Care Outcomes in U.S. Hospitals
Authors: Haun Courtney N. , Silvera Geoffrey A.
Published: May 2022

While nurse staffing shortage is generally true, it is not universal, and it remains unclear the degree to which variation in local staffing markets might influence the relationship between nurse staffing and care quality. This study seeks to determine the effect of nurse staffing markets on the quality of hospital care delivered in U.S. hospitals by examining the relationship between the proximal density of nurse staffing resources to hospitals and patient-reported care quality outcomes. This examination analyzes hospital performance on (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) HCAHPS based on the proximal density of nursing schools. The analysis combines data from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Hospital Compare (N1 = 2959) and U.S. nursing school locations from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (N2 = 811) via a series of binary logistic regressions to determine whether local nurse staffing availability is related to hospital’s attainment of either low or high star quality ratings. A sensitivity analysis is also offered to determine the association with 1, 3, and 5-star ratings. The findings suggest that the odds of receiving both a low-star rating and a high-star rating of HCAHPS performance increase as proximal density increases while the odds of receiving a 3-star rating decrease. Hospitals are able to achieve the highest levels of performance as high performing hospitals in high-density markets seem to be taking advantage of resource availability to establish close, strong ties with nurse staffing resources as opposed to viewing nurses as an easily replaceable resource.
“Ask Google Assistant Where to Travel” Tourists’ Interactive Experiences With Smart Speakers: An Assemblage Theory Approach
Authors: Jiménez-Barreto Jano , Rubio Natalia , Mura Paolo , Sthapit Erose , Campo Sara
Published: May 2022

The emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT) has the potential to reframe interactions among tourists, destinations, and service providers in multiple ways. Yet, there is scant empirical evidence on how individuals develop their relationships with IoT devices and how this technology can serve tourists in planning and deciding on particular destinations or services. Drawing on the assemblage theory, we investigated tourists’ interactive experiences when planning trips with and without smart speakers. Methodologically, we employed an interactionist/performative approach that included three qualitative studies to examine tourists’ information production, expressive roles, and information processing styles during interactions with smart speakers in the pre-visit stage. The analysis was driven by grounded theory and utilized computerized psycholinguistic techniques to enrich our research implications for theory, methodology, and tourism management.
Patterns in Local Economic Development in Light of COVID-19
Authors: Johnson Brad A. M. , Wilson Darrin , Stokan Eric , Overton Michael
Published: May 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic pressured local governments to employ creative and untested economic development strategies to stabilize private businesses. To explore how the uncertainty of the pandemic impacted the priorities and strategies of economic development officials, we surveyed officials about their initial economic development response to the pandemic coupled with subsequent in-depth interviews in the Cincinnati metropolitan region. Our analysis suggests that local officials did not drastically alter their use of supply-side tools during the pandemic. However, they did start coupling supply-side with demand-side policies in unique ways compared to past economic crises. This study also finds that the pandemic affected collaboration processes, leading officials to deepen and forge relationships with other local governments. We find that these shifts have proven durable over the past year as municipalities continue to grapple with changing economic conditions due to COVID-19. As additional waves are likely, we suggest that administrators must consider the skills required to manage evolving economic conditions as well as both the supply and demand sides of local economic development.
Teacher Political Candidacy and the Gender Composition of State Legislatures
Authors: Marianno Bradley D. , Jacobsen Rebecca , Lyon Melissa Arnold , Hemphill Annie A.
Published: May 2022

In this article, we examine the extent to which women teachers ran for state legislative office in 2018, where they won, and the degree to which they contributed to the surge of women representatives elected in state legislatures around the country. We engaged in a comprehensive effort to collect information on all of the teacher candidates who ran for seats in state legislatures during the 2018 midterm elections. We found that 430 teacher candidates ran for a state legislative office. These candidates were fairly evenly split between men (51%) and women (49%), and tended to reflect the racial demographics of the teaching profession. Most teacher candidates ran as Democrats (69%) and 33% came from the six states that experienced teacher walkouts during spring 2018. We found that men and women teacher candidates were similarly likely to win the general election, but due to the higher proportion of women teacher candidates running relative to the men-dominated composition of state legislatures, the teacher candidates contributed to the increase in the descriptive representation of women in state legislatures after the 2018 midterm elections. Women teacher candidates won 61 seats in the 2018 midterm elections, which represents about 3% of the 1839 seats won by women in state legislatures in 2018. Although our work focuses on only a single election cycle, if teacher candidacy is a growing trend, then political engagement from the women-dominated profession of teaching may create new growth in the number of women lawmakers in the United States.
RETRACTED: Information skills and literacy in investigative journalism in the social media era
Authors: Zhang He , Wang Haichao
Published: May 2022

The study aims to determine the preferred information skills and evaluate information literacy and skills in the social media era on the example of investigative journalism to surmount the majority of challenges it faces. The challenge-based survey conducted among 281 reporting journalists from various countries revealed that their information skills and literacy are average. The survey results show that half of the respondents (52%) recognise the importance of these characteristics, while 38% are sure that information literacy and skills are not necessary and 10% chose the variant ‘I am not sure’. As the indicators show, the main aim for investigative journalists’ writing is to influence the society’s mind about some facts presented in the reports (40%). Only 25% of respondents write with the purpose to present reliable information that indicates the level of their information literacy. The latest strategies in the professional development of investigative journalists in modern social media era allow overcoming the major challenges, including those related to the influence and interests of third parties. The practical significance and prospects of further research are explained by the possibility of using the obtained statistical data to increase the level of information literacy and skills not only of investigative journalists, but also other specialists who work with information.
Akbar and His Search for Spiritual Truth
Authors: Habib Irfan
Published: May 2022

Akbar is celebrated for his policy of religious toleration, studies of which have also necessarily involved an examination of his own religious views. These led to the proposition, once dominant in scholarly discourse, that he wished to establish a religion of his own, namely Dīn-i Ilāhī or ‘Divine Faith’. This view is now widely discounted, but there still seems to be room for assembling material from various contemporary sources in order to trace the step-by-step evolution of his religious views, taking note of the influences he encountered, and then seeking to establish the final beliefs that he came to hold and promote. The present article draws on various contemporary sources, notably including Akbar’s authoritative spokesman Abū’l Faẓl and the critic but also a close observer Badāūnī, to reconstruct the story of the evolution of Akbar’s beliefs and set them out in a roughly chronological order. Accuracy is sought; definitiveness is not claimed for the result.
Effectiveness of home-based exercise for improving physical activity, quality of life and function in older adults after hospitalisation: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Lin Ingrid , Glinsky Joanne , Dean Catherine , Graham Petra , Scrivener Katharine
Published: May 2022

Objective

To determine if home-based exercise programmes for older adults after hospitalisation are effective at improving physical activity, quality of life, activities of daily living (ADL) and mobility compared to no intervention, standard care or centre-based exercise.

Methods

Databases were searched from inception to March 2022. Randomised controlled trials which included home-based exercise in older adults recently discharged from hospital were included. The primary outcome was physical activity. Secondary outcomes were quality of life, ADL performance, mobility, adverse events and hospital readmissions. Two reviewers independently selected relevant studies and extracted data. Quantitative synthesis with meta-analyses using a random-effects model and qualitative synthesis were performed.

Results

Ten trials (PEDro score 6-8) were included. Three trials reported on physical activity but meta-analysis was not possible due to heterogeneity. Home-based exercise was more effective than no intervention at improving ADL performance (SMD 0.60, 95% CI 0.03 to 1.17); and standard care at improving quality of life (SMD 0.30, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.49) and mobility (SMD 0.23, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.45). Few and minor adverse events were associated with home-based exercise.

Conclusion

Based on individual trials, home-based exercise has the potential to improve physical activity compared to no intervention or standard care. Meta-analyses indicate that home-based exercise is more effective than no intervention at improving activities of daily living performance, and standard care at improving mobility and quality of life. It is unclear if home-based exercise is more effective than centre-based exercise at improving these outcomes.
Approaches to Selecting “Time Zero” in External Control Arms with Multiple Potential Entry Points: A Simulation Study of 8 Approaches
Authors: Hatswell Anthony J. , Deighton Kevin , Snider Julia Thornton , Brookhart M. Alan , Faghmous Imi , Patel Anik R.
Published: May 2022

Background

When including data from an external control arm to estimate comparative effectiveness, there is a methodological choice of when to set “time zero,” the point at which a patient would be eligible/enrolled in a contemporary study. Where patients receive multiple lines of eligible therapy and thus alternative points could be selected, this issue is complex.

Methods

A simulation study was conducted in which patients received multiple prior lines of therapy before entering either cohort. The results from the control and intervention data sets are compared using 8 methods for selecting time zero. The base-case comparison was set up to be biased against the intervention (which is generally received later), with methods compared in their ability to estimate the true intervention effectiveness. We further investigate the impact of key study attributes (such as sample size) and degree of overlap in time-varying covariates (such as prior lines of therapy) on study results.

Results

Of the 8 methods, 5 (all lines, random line, systematically selecting groups based on mean absolute error, root mean square error, or propensity scores) showed good performance in accounting for differences between the line at which patients were included. The first eligible line can be statistically inefficient in some situations. All lines (with censoring) cannot be used for survival outcomes. The last eligible line cannot be recommended.

Conclusions

Multiple methods are available for selecting the most appropriate time zero from an external control arm. Based on the simulation, we demonstrate that some methods frequently perform poorly, with several viable methods remaining. In selecting between the viable methods, analysts should consider the context of their analysis and justify the approach selected.

Highlights

There are multiple methods available from which an analyst may select “time zero” in an external control cohort. This simulation study demonstrates that some methods perform poorly but most are viable options, depending on context and the degree of overlap in time zero across cohorts. Careful thought and clear justification should be used when selecting the strategy for a study.
Agency Heads’ Public Profiles and Bureaucratic Performance
Authors: Lee Don S.
Published: May 2022

Do agency heads’ public profiles enhance the performance of bureaucratic agencies? Existing studies of public administration emphasize the role of public information in managing government performance. However, whether public attention to agency heads affects the performance of their agencies is largely understudied. Using a unique dataset of agency heads’ public profiles in South Korea, we predict that such profiles have a positive impact on their agencies’ performance. Although agency heads are not held accountable directly to citizens, close public attention to agency heads’ activities may function as an indirect mechanism of accountability and of improving their organizations’ performance. Our analysis supports our prediction and further suggests that an agency head’s high public profile is a benefit, particularly in more salient policy areas where “going public” is more effective for their policy reforms. Our findings have clear implications: the importance of agency heads’ unconventional roles for effective agency management, responding to rapidly changing external environments.
Guidelines of the International Headache Society for Clinic-Based Headache Registries, 1st edition
Authors: Schwedt Todd J , Tassorelli Cristina , Silberstein Stephen D , Szperka Christina L , Kurth Tobias , Pozo-Rosich Patricia , Amin Faisal Mohammad , Lipton Richard B , Dodick David W , Ashina Messoud , Diener Hans-Christoph , Terwindt Gisela M
Published: May 2022

Clinic-based headache registries collect data for a wide variety of purposes including delineating disease characteristics, longitudinal natural disease courses, headache management approaches, quality of care, treatment safety and effectiveness, factors that predict treatment response, health care resource utilization, clinician adherence to guidelines, and cost-effectiveness. Registry data are valuable for numerous stakeholders, including individuals with headache disorders and their caregivers, healthcare providers, scientists, healthcare systems, regulatory authorities, pharmaceutical companies, employers, and policymakers. This International Headache Society document may serve as guidance for developing clinic-based headache registries. Use of registry data requires a formal research protocol that includes: 1) research aims; 2) methods for data collection, harmonization, analysis, privacy, and protection; 3) methods for human subject protection; and 4) publication and dissemination plans. Depending upon their objectives, headache registries should include validated headache-specific questionnaires, patient reported outcome measures, data elements that are used consistently across studies (i.e., “common data elements”), and medical record data. Amongst other data types, registries may be linked to healthcare and pharmacy claims data, biospecimens, and neuroimaging data. Headache diagnoses should be made according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders diagnostic criteria. The data from well-designed headache registries can provide wide-ranging and novel insights into the characteristics, burden, and treatment of headache disorders and ultimately lead to improvements in the management of patients with headache.
A certain gamble: Institutional change, leader turnover, and their effect on rivalry termination
Authors: Saunders Richard J
Published: May 2022

Previous research shows that leader turnover and change in a leader's winning coalition are associated with rivalry termination. However, this research often conflates change in leadership or winning coalition with more fundamental reform of the institutions governing the state. This article argues that only changes in a rival's governing institutions should lead to rivalry termination. Changes in leader preferences may lead to conciliatory policies, but provide no certainty regarding the sincerity or longevity of these policies. Fundamental changes to the institutions of a state alter the menu of policy options available to the leadership and are difficult to undo. Institutional reform in Rival A makes the leadership of Rival B more willing to undertake potentially risky cooperative action, leading to rivalry termination. I test this argument in a dataset of rivalry terminations spanning 1919–2010, finding that institutional reform in one rival leads to an increase in the likelihood of rivalry termination regardless of the issues of contention. Irregular leader turnover and change in a state's winning coalition have no effect. Further, in a break with previous research, I find that any institutional reform—toward autocracy, toward democracy or laterally—is associated with an increased likelihood of rivalry termination.
Initiation of drug and alcohol use and personality development during adolescence
Authors: Wright Amanda J. , Jackson Joshua J.
Published: May 2022

Personality traits predict both the initiation and continued usage of alcohol and drugs. Less established is if substance use is associated with subsequent changes in personality, especially during the sensitive period of adolescence. We used three approaches to disentangle selection and socialization effects to address whether substance use is associated with personality development (impulsivity, sensation-seeking, depression, self-esteem). First, we used a multi-wave longitudinal sample of adolescents ( N = 8,303) from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth - Child and Young Adult dataset to study the first use of several substances. Second, we used propensity score weighting to equate users and abstainers on a range of background variables. Third, we investigated changes before, during, and after initiation of substances. Overall, there was unique variability and effects in personality across time for average levels, trajectories, and magnitudes of change both between users and abstainers as well as within users of specific substances. Results suggest that initiation of substance use is associated with changes in personality; the specifics of which are largely contingent upon the substance being used. Impulsivity and sensation-seeking were the traits associated with the most change while cocaine and cigarettes were the substances associated with the greatest changes.
Political Disaffection in the Digital Age: The Use of Social Media and the Gap in Internal and External Efficacy
Authors: Fierro Pedro , Aroca Patricio , Navia Patricio
Published: May 2022

This work analyzes the relationship between social media use and the development of internal and external political efficacy, using five 1,650-person polls conducted in 2017–2021 in the 10 most populated municipalities of in the Valparaiso Region in Chile, a country characterized by high levels of political discontent and social protests, especially in 2019. With Structural Equation Models, we report positive impacts of different magnitudes of the civic use of social media on internal and external efficacy and no effect of the non-civic use of social media on either type of efficacy. As lower internal and external political efficacy feeds political disaffection, the differentiated use of social media can deepen the gap between engaged and disaffected citizens.
Possible Delay in Symptomatology of a Methadone Overdose in a Patient Ingesting an Energy Drink and Dextroamphetamine/Amphetamine
Authors: Weant Kyle A. , Hall Gregory A.
Published: May 2022

Introduction: Methadone is a mu-opioid agonist with a delayed time to peak concentration that requires an extended period of monitoring following an overdose. Available data suggests that the combination of psychostimulants with methadone may augment antinociception and tolerance to opioids. Case Report: A 26-year-old male (83.9 kg) presented to the ED approximately 1 hour after unintentionally ingesting 200-250 mg of liquid methadone and an energy drink, along with 20 mg of dextroamphetamine/amphetamine prior to the event. Vital signs were: blood pressure (BP), 143/91 mmHg; heart rate (HR), 74; respirations (RR), 16; oxygen saturation 95% on room air. His urine drug screen was positive for amphetamines and methadone. Patient was monitored for 4 hours with no change in status and was discharged home. Approximately 26 hours later patient was found cyanotic and apneic. Patient was given 2 mg of naloxone and awoke with normal mental status. On presentation the patient’s vital signs were: BP, 114/70 mmHg; HR, 114; RR 16; oxygen saturation 94% on 3 liters nasal cannula. During his ED stay, he required 2 doses of naloxone secondary to oxygen desaturation and was admitted to the hospital. His repeat urine drug screen was positive for amphetamines and methadone. The patient was discharged the following day. Discussion: This case illustrates an unintentional methadone overdose combined with the intentional ingestion of an energy drink and dextroamphetamine/amphetamine that possibly masked the toxicity for over 24 hrs. Monitoring parameters for methadone overdoses may need re-evaluation in the setting of the co-ingestion of a stimulant.
Assessing the perceived research competencies of academic librarians in Pakistan: Implications for work performance
Authors: Malik Amara , Sheikh Arslan , Mahmood Khalid
Published: May 2022

This study aims to investigate the research experience, perceived research capabilities, and role of LIS education in reading and doing research. It further explores their preferred educational activities to learn research skills and the impact of research competencies on their work performance. An online survey was conducted through a questionnaire and the data were collected from the librarians working in academic libraries in Pakistan. The findings revealed that a majority of the academic librarians wrote either journal article/s or presented their research in conferences. With regard to research competencies, academic librarians indicated their high confidence in performing discrete steps involved in a research project. However, the participants noted their lack of confidence in knowing which statistical test(s) to run and how to code qualitative data to identify themes and sub-themes. The study also revealed that Library Information Science (LIS) qualification more adequately trained academic librarians to read about rather than conduct research. Academic librarians considered continuing education programs (i.e. workshops, seminars, sessions, and attending conferences) as an effective delivery mode for learning research methods. The research competencies of the participants also came out as a positive predictor of work performance. The study suggests that academic libraries, LIS schools, and other organizations, should be keenly aware of librarians’ research learning needs and facilitate them by creating a supportive environment for learning and applying research knowledge.
Exploring COVID-19 research papers published on journals in the field of LIS
Authors: Shin Eun-Ja , Lee Guiohk
Published: May 2022

As the COVID-19 pandemic prevails, research related to COVID-19 has spread beyond medicine, health science, and biology to almost all academic fields. Library and information science is one of the most active fields that publish COVID-19-related research papers. This study examined 696 research papers related to COVID-19 whose journal being categorized as “information science & library science” by Web of Science. The result of bibliometric analysis showed that the publications were active and on the rise. Most papers were published in English and produced in the United States. According to the keyword clustering map produced by semantic network analysis, two fields, bibliometrics and health communication, were publishing research papers related to COVID-19 most actively. Moreover, the most productive journal was a library and information science journal focusing on health informatics. Additionally, a tendency was found that researchers preferred to publish on journals with high impact factors. Compared with non-COVID-19-related research papers, there was a significant decrease of “time for acceptance” of COVID-19-related papers, and the proportion of open access was relatively high. Confronting the global crisis of COVID-19, the library and information science field also made efforts and challenges to resolve the slow peer-review, delayed publishing, and high paywalls, which have been recognized as a “chronic diseases” of the academic publishing ecosystem. It is expected that these endeavors can serve as a turning point to reconsider and innovate the traditional research-publishing lifecycle.
Enhanced mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties of polymer nanocomposites containing carbon nanotubes decorated with barium titanate
Authors: Uyor Uwa Orji , Popoola Patricia Abimbola , Popoola Olawale M
Published: May 2022

This study presents functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) decorated with functionalized barium titanate (BT) (denoted as BT@CNTs) via hydrothermal and self-assembly methods to improve dispersion in polypropylene (PP) matrix with enhanced thermal, mechanical, and thermomechanical properties. The CNTs, BT, and BT@CNTs with the addition of polypropylene maleic anhydride (PPMA) compatibilizer were used in the fabrication of the PP based nanocomposites for this study via solution mixing and melt compounding. FTIR, TEM, and SEM analyses, respectively revealed that the nanoparticles were successfully functionalized, CNTs decorated with BT, and well dispersion in the PP matrix. PP/BT@CNTs-based nanocomposite showed optimal tensile strength, modulus, heat deflection, and thermal stability of about 16.8%, 26.5%, 20.1%, and 30oC higher than that obtained for the pure PP. These properties were also respectively 10.6%, 17.6%, 19.0%, and 5.0oC higher than PP/3CNTs nanocomposite when compared to PP/3BT@CNTs. The PP/BT@CNTs based nanocomposites also revealed enhanced dynamic mechanical properties. The better performance in the measured properties of PP/BT@CNTs compared to pure PP and PP/CNTs were attributed to their uniform microstructures, effective interlocking of the PP matrix due to the presence of BT on CNTs surfaces.
More Talent, More Leeway: Do Violence Against Women Arrests Really Hurt NFL Player Careers?
Authors: Sailofsky Daniel
Published: May 2022

This article examines whether arrests for an act of violence against women have a negative impact on National Football League (NFL) player careers and whether this impact has become more negative over time. Framed by criminological deterrence and conflict theories, I conduct a Bayesian multi-level negative binomial regression on a matched pairs sample of all 117 NFL players arrested for an act of violence against women between 2000 and 2019 ( n = 234). Results show that the effect of an arrest on player careers is negligible, though it has become slightly more detrimental over time. Player value and performance are stronger predictors of post-arrest career trajectories, and average or better performance negates any detrimental impact of an arrest.
Indigenous Australians and engaged anthropologists: how can they struggle together for social justice and a safe climate?
Authors: Baer Hans A
Published: May 2022

This article is written from the position of eco-socialist scholarship. Given that anthropogenic climate change that is driven by the expropriation of the atmospheric commons constitutes a growing crisis for First Nation peoples around the world, it is imperative that engaged anthropologists, form linkages with anti-systemic movements, including Indigenous and ethnic rights movements, for social justice and environmental sustainability. In the Australian case, this article argues that there is a need to revisit and rejuvenate earlier black-red-green alliances with a push for First Peoples to receive public funds to own and control their own green energy projects, a process which has the potential to contribute to the decolonization of the Australian political economy. In some sectors, these alliances are already occurring with organizations such Original Power and the First Nations Clean Energy Network, as First Nation communities take matters into their own hands.
Perception of the barriers to women’s professional development in the cultural sector: A gender perspective study
Authors: Villarroya Anna , Barrios Maite
Published: May 2022

This study explores women’s and men’s perceptions of the specific barriers that prevent women from participating fully in the cultural labour market. To this end, an online questionnaire was administered to 375 cultural professionals in Catalonia (Spain) regarding their perceptions of the barriers faced by women in a range of areas. The results show similar views between genders regarding the difficulties associated with the work–life balance as the most important obstacle preventing women from entering specific cultural fields and from rising to decision-making positions. However, perceptions of the barriers impacting the recognition of women’s career achievements differed greatly between men and women. While men place more emphasis on issues of work–life balance, women more frequently mention the existence of a glass ceiling and their exclusion from networks of influence. Regarding the visibility of women’s artistic creations, although intersectionality is mentioned by both genders as the main limiting factor, there are marked differences between women’s and men’s perception of the other barriers. Men thus more frequently refer to the barriers of work–life balance and the association of creativity with maleness as the main factors limiting the visibility of women’s artistic creations. In short, this study provides evidence to stakeholders of the different perceptions that men and women have in relation to the main barriers that prevent women from climbing the career ladder; gaining recognition and visibility for their work; and, in some creative sectors, even from entering the labour market.
Tourism research and tackling vandalism: Shifting the approach
Authors: Bhati Abhishek
Published: May 2022

This paper examines both positivist and constructivist approaches to vandalism prevention in tourism. It proposes a framework, consistent with the constructivist paradigm, for reducing tourism-linked vandalism. The Prevention-Restoration-Education-Participation framework suggests designing and applying interventions that can be enabled through coordinated and integrated multi-stakeholder efforts. The paper helps uncover and expand knowledge about the participation of the local community and other stakeholders in vandalism management. In addition, exploring tourism-linked vandalism control through these constructivist approaches suggests that the community and visitors can drive the damage control process. The synergistic effects of coordinated intervention are crucial to address the complex problems inherent in vandalism.
Investigation of combustion, performance, and emissions of biodiesel blends using graphene nanoparticle as an additive
Authors: Bidir Michael G , Narayanan Kalamegam Millerjothi , Adaramola Muyiwa S , Hagos Ftwi Y , Chandra Singh Ramesh
Published: May 2022

Effective utilization of biofuels is believed as one of the vital potential sustainable energy resources in current years. Over the last two decades, it has lured the attention of many researchers in the automotive sector to find the solution to problems of global warming, depletion of fossil and fluctuation of fuel prices, and growing reliance on imported energy sources. This experimental investigation aims to assess the impact of graphene nanoparticles (GNP) on the performance and emissions of a compression ignition engine fuel with Jatropha (J20), and Karanja (K20) blends contrasted with that of neat diesel. This research work used a single-cylinder, four-stroke, water-cooled, naturally-aspirated direct injection diesel engine. It was coupled to an eddy current dynamometer with a rated output of 3.5 kW at a speed of 1500 rpm. Samples of GNP in mass fractions of 50 and 100 mg/L were prepared, and their physicochemical properties were evaluated. Measurements were collected to examine the performance and exhaust releases. In addition, the combustion indicators, including in-cylinder pressure, heat release rate, and mean gas temperature, have been studied and analyzed. The experimental result has shown that by adding 50 mg/L GNPs in K20 and J20, the brake thermal efficiency improved by about 4.77%–7.17%, respectively, compared to their base blends. The maximum smoke level was detected to be about 43% at full-load for both biodiesels at 50 mg/L GNP proportion. NOx concentration has also considerably decreased to about 8%–14% for GNP added blends compared to J20 and K20 biodiesel operations. However, a higher proportion of GNP added blends affects the combustion rate and substantial drop in the engine’s performance at maximum load.
Fragmentation analysis of O-specific polysaccharide from bacteria Vibrio cholerae O139 by MALDI-TOF and LC/ESI-MS/MS
Authors: Pančík Filip , Pakanová Zuzana , Mečárová Jana , Čížová Alžbeta , Bystrický Slavomír , Kozmon Stanislav , Baráth Peter
Published: May 2022

Cholera is a life-threatening diarrhoeal disease caused by ingestion of Vibrio cholerae. There are at least 200 serogroups of V. cholerae but only two of them are causing epidemics – O1 and O139 serogroups. Fragmentation analysis of O-antigen, also known as O-specific polysaccharide (OSP), from lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is important to obtain new information about its structure, such as fragmentation patterns and fragment structures. In the present study, OSP and core (OSPc) structure from V. cholerae O139 was studied using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI)-time of flight (TOF) and direct injection electrospray ionization (ESI)-MS methods. MALDI-TOF analysis was performed in positive-ion reflectron mode, while ESI-MS was performed in negative ionization mode. ESI-MS analysis was followed by ESI-MS/MS analysis. Using this analytical approach, we managed to obtain two possible fragmentation pathways of OSP from V. cholerae O139. Mutual sign of these two pathways is shortening the length of the oligosaccharide by neutral loss of monosaccharide residues. Additionally, liquid chromatography-MS analysis was performed to separate depicted molecular forms of OSPc.
From structural time use to situational rule-breaking: Analysing adolescents’ time use and the person-setting interaction
Authors: Chrysoulakis Alberto P. , Ivert Anna-Karin , Levander Marie Torstensson
Published: May 2022

While unsupervised and unstructured socialising with peers is associated with delinquency, less is known about to what extent it fits within adolescents’ daily routine activities; that is, their general, structural time use. Furthermore, research informed by the situational action theory shows that unstructured socialising increases the probability of rule-breaking acts more for individuals with higher crime propensity. Hence, structural time use might explain patterns of unstructured socialising, and crime propensity might explain why some are at an increased risk of committing rule-breaking acts during such situations. The present study aims to connect these three aspects and examine: (i) how adolescents tend to structure their time use, (ii) if their structural time use differentially places them in unstructured socialising, and (iii) whether some adolescents during unstructured socialising run an elevated risk of committing rule-breaking acts due to their morality (as part of their crime propensity) while also taking their structural time use into account. Using a sample of 512 adolescents (age 16) in Sweden, time use and morality are analysed using latent class analysis based on space-time budget data and a self-report questionnaire. Multilevel linear probability models are utilised to examine how rule-breaking acts result from an interaction between an individual’s morality and unstructured socialising, also taking structural time use into account. Results show that the likelihood of unstructured socialising in private but not in public is different across identified latent classes. Adolescents, in general, run an elevated risk of rule-breaking acts during unstructured socialising, irrespective of structural time use. In this study, these acts consist mainly of alcohol consumption. However, the risk is higher for adolescents with lower morality. Adolescents’ time use may account for a general pattern of delinquency, but accounting for rule-breaking acts requires knowledge of the interaction between person and setting.
Resilience After Trauma in Kosovo and Southeastern Europe: A Scoping Review
Authors: Kelmendi Kaltrina , Hamby Sherry
Published: May 2022

Most people who experience trauma want to thrive and often find paths to well-being and healthy functioning. This scoping review explores the existing evidence on adversity and resilience in southeastern European countries, focusing on Kosovo. There is a lack of research on trauma and resilience in cultures outside the US and Western Europe. The paper provides a brief cultural and historical overview of this region and the collectivist cultures found there. We draw from a range of interdisciplinary literatures to identify key strengths that have the potential to improve health outcomes for trauma victims in this region. Overall, 42 papers from PsycInfo and PubMed were identified, using keywords such as “resilience” or “health” and “Kosovo,” “Balkans,” and “Southeastern Europe.” Findings from this scoping review show that different cultural values, norms, and societal ecologies impact resilience within these societies. Some strengths, such as social support and sense of purpose, echoed similar research in the US and Western Europe. There was also evidence that factors such as dignity, family solidarity, social activism, and nationwide meaning-making are strengths associated with resilience for these collectivist societies of southeastern Europe. We also consider the implications of the results for other post-conflict societies. Finally, findings from this review call for culturally sensitive strength-based perspectives in promoting health and well-being after the high dosages of trauma common in this region.
Promoting Health Literacy Among Adult ELLs Virtually During COVID-19
Authors: Shashikiran Sannidhi , Mendoza Janessa M. , Facklam Amy , Riley Joan B.
Published: May 2022

The adult English language learner (ELL) population is often overlooked in health literacy discussions, which can result in perpetuating low health literacy and unfamiliarity with and low access to community resources. Health literacy interventions can reduce the impacts of social determinants of health. We examine the experience of a virtual health literacy educational course, Health in the English Language, for ELLs at Alaska Literacy Program (ALP), an Anchorage nonprofit. Our class was designed to help students navigate interactions with health care services, including medical care, pharmacy, health insurance, and nutrition resources. After 2 years of in-person teaching by university undergraduates, COVID-19 required a pivot to virtual instruction in Zoom in the summer of 2020. Instructors describe lessons learned and adjusting to student needs, community-building and personal connections, and the complexities of the topic of health literacy. ALP collaboration with university students continues to be a successful partnership to build health literacy capacity. Adoption of virtual instruction during COVID demonstrated the role that partnerships between nonprofits and university students can play to benefit all partners in the collaboration.
The Effects of Automatic Segmentations on Preoperative Lymph Node Status Prediction Models With Ultrasound Radiomics for Patients With Early Stage Cervical Cancer
Authors: Teng Yinyan , Ai Yao , Liang Tao , Yu Bing , Jin Juebin , Xie Congying , Jin Xiance
Published: May 2022

Introduction: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of automatic segmentation algorithms on the performance of ultrasound (US) radiomics models in predicting the status of lymph node metastasis (LNM) for patients with early stage cervical cancer preoperatively. Methods: US images of 148 cervical cancer patients were collected and manually contoured by two senior radiologists. The four deep learning-based automatic segmentation models, namely U-net, context encoder network (CE-net), Resnet, and attention U-net were constructed to segment the tumor volumes automatically. Radiomics features were extracted and selected from manual and automatically segmented regions of interest (ROIs) to predict the LNM of these cervical cancer patients preoperatively. The reliability and reproducibility of radiomics features and the performances of prediction models were evaluated. Results: A total of 449 radiomics features were extracted from manual and automatic segmented ROIs with Pyradiomics. Features with an intraclass coefficient (ICC) > 0.9 were all 257 (57.2%) from manual and automatic segmented contours. The area under the curve (AUCs) of validation models with radiomics features extracted from manual, attention U-net, CE-net, Resnet, and U-net were 0.692, 0.755, 0.696, 0.689, and 0.710, respectively. Attention U-net showed best performance in the LNM prediction model with a lowest discrepancy between training and validation. The AUCs of models with automatic segmentation features from attention U-net, CE-net, Resnet, and U-net were 9.11%, 0.58%, –0.44%, and 2.61% higher than AUC of model with manual contoured features, respectively. Conclusion: The reliability and reproducibility of radiomics features, as well as the performance of radiomics models, were affected by manual segmentation and automatic segmentations.
Perceived health and wellbeing among community-dwelling older Australians with intellectual disability: A comparison with age peers
Authors: Wark Stuart , Hussain Rafat , Janicki Matthew P. , Knox Marie , Parmenter Trevor
Published: May 2022

Data specifically comparing outcomes for people with and without intellectual disability is limited. This paper reports perceived health and wellbeing of older Australians resident in metropolitan and rural locations in New South Wales and Queensland. Respondents were community-residing individuals with intellectual disability and mainstream age peers [age ≥ 60]. Measures included SF12; Cummings well-being scales; DSSI; Adverse Life Events; and financial hardship status. The sample was composed of 391 adults with intellectual disability and 920 age peers. Adults with intellectual disability were significantly more likely to note adverse life events, worse mental health, and lower levels of social support, but reported higher mean wellbeing scores and had higher scores for physical health. Results indicated higher likelihood of adults with intellectual disability reporting comparative disadvantage across multiple key areas when compared to age peers.