bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lectotypification of four names in the genus Capparis (Capparaceae)

Authors: MAURYA SATISH , DATAR MANDAR N. , CHOUDHARY RITESH KUMAR
Published: May 2021

The genus Capparis Linnaeus (1753: 503) belongs to the family Capparaceae and is distributed in tropics and subtropics of the Old World, comprising 141 species (POWO 2021). Jacobs (1965) studied the genus from Indus to pacific land and classified it under four formal sections viz. Capparis, Sodada, Monostichocalyx, and Busbeckea. Thereafter, several new species were described under the genus from various parts of the Old World (Srisanga & Chayamarit 2004, Fici 2012, Huang et al. 2013, Thuong et al. 2013, 2015, 2017a,b, 2018, 2020, Fici et al. 2020, Murugan et al. 2020).
A review of the mud-dauber wasps of genus Sceliphron Klug (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae) from India
Authors: ANAGHA S. , KUMAR P. GIRISH , BINOY C. , MAZUMDAR P. C. , SURESHAN P. M.
Published: May 2021

The mud-dauber wasp genus Sceliphron Klug (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae) is reviewed, with six species and six subspecies reported from various parts of India. The Palaerctic species, S. destillatorium (Illiger), is recorded for the first time from the Indian subcontinent. The subspecies S. madraspatanum formosanum van der Vecht is also recorded for first time from the Indian subcontinent. The distribution records of species and subspecies within various states of India are augmented. A modified key to the species of Sceliphron occurring in India is provided. Intraspecific variation within nominal species is discussed.
A new species of Loneura Navás and taxonomic update of L. boliviana Williner and L. meridionalis García Aldrete (Psocodea: Psocomorpha: Ptiloneuridae)
Authors: CUTRIM MARCELO , DA SILVA NETO ALBERTO MOREIRA , ALDRETE ALFONSO N. GARCÍA , RAFAEL JOSÉ ALBERTINO
Published: May 2021

A new species of Loneura named as Loneura willineri n. sp. is described from Bolivia, and and variation in the venation of the fore and hindwings discussed. Both sexes of Loneura meridionalis García Aldrete are described, inclulding variation in the fore and hindwing venation, and this species is withdrawn from synonymy with Loneura boliviana, a species now considered a nomen dubium.
A catalog of the Brachystomatidae of Chile (Diptera: Empidoidea)
Authors: GONZÁLEZ CHRISTIAN R. , ELGUETA MARIO , RAFAEL JOSÉ ALBERTINO
Published: May 2021

A catalog of the Brachystomatidae of Chile is provided. We present all valid names and synonyms for the 36 species and five genera distributed in the country, including information about name, author, year of publication, page number, type species, type depository, type locality and references. Heterophlebus Philippi is the richest genus in Chile, with 16 species, followed by Apalocnemis Philippi with 11 species, Ceratomerus Philippi with seven and Gondwanamyia Sinclair, Cumming, Brooks, Plant & Saigusa and Hyperperacera Collin with one species each. The geographical distribution of the different species was compiled from bibliographic data and revised collections.
Potential low bias in high-wind drag coefficient inferred from dropsonde data in hurricanes
Authors: Richter David H. , Wainwright Charlotte , Stern Daniel P. , Bryan George H. , Chavas Daniel
Published: May 2021

Understanding momentum exchange at the air-sea interface is important for accurate hurricane predictions and understanding fundamental storm dynamics. One method for estimating air-sea momentum transfer in high winds is the flux-profile method, which infers surface momentum fluxes and the corresponding drag coefficient from mean velocity profiles obtained from either dropsondes or meteorological towers, under the assumption that the boundary-layer wind profile at low altitudes exhibits a logarithmic profile with height. In this study, we use dropsonde data from reconnaissance aircraft, as well as “virtual sondes” from a turbulence-resolving simulation of an intense tropical cyclone, to critically analyze the diagnosis of drag coefficient CD at hurricane-force wind speeds. In particular, the “roll-off” of the drag coefficient, where CD decreases at 10-m wind speeds ¿ 35 m s−1, is called into question based on uncertainty due to relatively low sample size and a lack of robustness of the flux-profile at high winds. In addition, multiple factors appear to favor an underestimate of CD at hurricane-force winds relative to their true values, including uncertainty in the height of recorded dropsonde data, violation of Monin-Obukhov similarity theory near the eyewall, and the short vertical extent of the logarithmic layer. Due to these and other related sources of uncertainty, it is likely that a quantitative limit has been reached in inferring the specific values of u* and CD using the flux-profile method, while at the same time the potential for underestimation may cast doubt on the CD–U10 relationship inferred from this method at high winds.
An Environmental Study on Tornado Pathlength, Longevity, and Width
Authors: Garner Jonathan M. , Iwasko William C. , Jewel Tyler D. , Thompson Richard L. , Smith Bryan T.
Published: May 2021

A dataset maintained by the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) of 6300 tornado events from 2009 to 2015, consisting of radar-identified convective modes and near-storm environmental information obtained from Rapid Update Cycle and Rapid Refresh model analysis grids, has been augmented with additional radar information related to the low-level mesocyclones associated with tornado longevity, pathlength, and width. All EF2–EF5 tornadoes [as measured on the enhanced Fujita (EF) scale], in addition to randomly selected EF0–EF1 tornadoes, were extracted from the SPC dataset, which yielded 1268 events for inclusion in the current study. Analysis of those data revealed similar values of the effective-layer significant tornado parameter for the longest-lived (60+ min) tornadic circulations, longest-tracked (≥68 km) tornadoes, and widest tornadoes (≥1.2 km). However, the widest tornadoes occurring west of −94° longitude were associated with larger mean-layer convective available potential energy, storm-top divergence, and low-level rotational velocity. Furthermore, wide tornadoes occurred when low-level winds were out of the southeast, resulting in large low-level hodograph curvature and near-surface horizontal vorticity that was more purely streamwise when compared with long-lived and long-tracked events. On the other hand, tornado pathlength and longevity were maximized with eastward-migrating synoptic-scale cyclones associated with strong southwesterly wind profiles through much of the troposphere, fast storm motions, large values of bulk wind difference and storm-relative helicity, and lower buoyancy.
Treatments of Differential Item Functioning: A Comparison of Four Methods
Authors: Liu Xiaowen , Jane Rogers H.
Published: May 2021

Test fairness is critical to the validity of group comparisons involving gender, ethnicities, culture, or treatment conditions. Detection of differential item functioning (DIF) is one component of efforts to ensure test fairness. The current study compared four treatments for items that have been identified as showing DIF: deleting, ignoring, multiple-group modeling, and modeling DIF as a secondary dimension. Results of this study provide indications about which approach could be applied for items showing DIF for a wide range of testing environments requiring reliable treatment.
The Economic Imperative: Cities Need Migrants
Authors: Agarwalla Astha , D’Souza Errol
Published: May 2021

The policy responses to Covid-19 have triggered large-scale reverse migration from cities to rural areas in developing countries, exposing the vulnerability of migrants living precarious lives in cities, giving rise to debates asserting to migration as undesirable and favouring policy options to discourage the process. However, the very basis of spatial concentration and formation of cities is presence of agglomeration economies, benefits accruing to economic agents operating in cities. Presence of these agglomeration benefits in local labour markets manifests themselves in the form of an upward sloping wage curve in urban areas. We estimate the upward sloping wage curve for various size classes of cities in Indian economy and establish the presence of positive returns to occupation and industry concentration at urban locations. Controlling for worker-specific characteristics influencing wages, we establish that higher the share of an industry or an occupation in local employment as compared to national economy, the desirability of firms to pay higher wages increases. For casual labourers, occupational concentration results in higher wages. However, impact of industry concentration varies across sectors. Results supporting presence of upward sloping urban wage curve, therefore, endorse policies to correct the market failure in cities and promote migration as a desirable process.

JEL Classification Codes: J2, R2
Knowledge, stigma, and beliefs toward mental illnesses among schoolteachers in Damascus
Authors: Latifeh Youssef , Jaredh MHD Wael , Nasri Lulia , Shriedy Duaa , Al-Mahdi Ayat , Murtada MHD Wasim
Published: May 2021

Background:

Teachers have an important role in promoting the mental wellbeing of their students, hence their knowledge and attitudes toward mental health disorders should be assessed. A very few studies regarding this topic were conducted in Syria, but due to the recent events which have had occurred the country, it is essential to deal with students who suffer from mental illnesses professionally especially that such disorders may be stigmatized by the society.

Aims:

This paper aims to investigate knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes toward mental disorders in a sample of Syrian schoolteachers.

Method:

A cross-sectional study using self-administered questionnaire was conducted in Damascus and Refdimashq, involving 400 teachers from 16 schools.

Results:

The results showed that the prevalence of stigmatizing positions toward psychiatric illnesses was low among teachers. The contributors did not state a correlation between spiritual beliefs and psychological disorders. It was also found that teachers were neutral in their knowledge about mental illnesses and psychiatric treatment or interventions along with their mental health resources. However, 42.5% of the participants use the internet for such purposes.

Conclusion:

In general, teachers of Damascus and its Refdimashq had a reasonable degree of awareness about mental disorders and treatments. Furthermore, neither stigma nor the relation between religious thoughts and mental disorders had been ascertained.
Maurolico, Rheticus, and the Birth of the Secant Function
Authors: Van Brummelen Glen , Byrne James Steven
Published: May 2021

In 1551, Georg Rheticus published a compact set of tables that effectively completed the set of all six trigonometric functions. However, his work was not widespread, and may not have been known to Francesco Maurolico when he published a secant table in 1558. Before the end of the century, several authors argued whether Maurolico had borrowed the notion of the secant, and his table, from Rheticus. We present Maurolico’s text on his table (named the tabula benefica in a nod to Regiomontanus’s tangent table, the tabula foecunda), as well as a translation and analysis. Finally, we demonstrate that Maurolico’s table is too accurate to have derived from Rheticus’s work, absolving him of the historical accusation.
The Tychonic Method for Calculating the Ratio between the Eccentricities of Mars
Authors: Carman Christián C.
Published: May 2021

In Chapter 16 of Astronomia nova, Kepler describes and applies a method for finding the parameters of what he will call the vicarious hypothesis: a model that still assumes circular orbits and an equant point, but does not assume the bisection of the eccentricity, that is, that the center of the orbit is halfway between the equant point and the Sun. The method allows Kepler to find independently both centers in a very elegant way, but its application is tedious. He confesses that he had to apply it seventy times over a period of 5 years to obtain trustable results. Years earlier, when Kepler arrived to work with Tycho, he found that Tycho and Longomontanus had rejected bisection and somehow had obtained a ratio between eccentricities that, as Kepler himself highlights, happened to be very close to the one Kepler would later find after so much effort. Kepler does not say how Tycho and Longomontanus obtained their parameters and, to the best of my knowledge, there is no single published work that attempts to answer this question. Still, it is a very interesting question to ask how they arrived at values so close to those that took so much pain for Kepler to obtain. Recently, I published a paper describing a method Tycho used for finding Saturn’s parameters. In this paper, I show that by applying this method to the data of Tychonic observations of oppositions, it is possible to arrive at parameters very close to those that we know Tycho found. In this way, I argue that this is the method Tycho applied for obtaining Mars’s parameters. The simplicity of the Tychonic method contrasts with the complexity of Kepler’s.
Risk factors associated with health-related quality of life in pediatric asthma
Authors: Shi Miaomiao , Liang Lei , Wang Yu , Yu Yangze
Published: May 2021

To evaluate the quality of life (QOL) of children with asthma and analyze the related factors. A total of 360 children diagnosed with asthma were enrolled. We conducted the pediatric asthma quality of life questionnaire (PAQLQ). The differences in clinical characteristics between the two groups were compared. Clinical characteristics were compared between high and low QOL. More female was observed in low QOL group ( p = 0.013). Patients with higher income ( p = 0.003) were shown with higher QOL. Female patients presented significantly lower values for activity limitation ( p = 0.016) and emotional function ( p = 0.016) as compared to male patients. For patients who have low income, the QOL scores for dimensions of activity limitation was significantly worse than those have higher income ( p = 0.001). Univariable results showed that gender ( p = 0.013) and income ( p = 0.001) were factors associated with QOL in asthma children. However, multivariate analysis suggested that only gender (OR = 0.558, p = 0.008) and income (OR = 1.762, p < 0.001) were the independent factors that affected the QOL levels. In this study, we found that the QOL dimensions of pediatric asthma differed between various subpopulations. For patients with risk factors of poor QOL, target intervention is advised in order to increase QOL.
Culture, politics and being more equal than others in COVID-19: some psychological anthropology perspectives
Authors: Pillay Indira
Published: May 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic changed how we view the world, human behaviour, and societal structures and institutions. The emerging subdiscipline of psychological anthropology is well placed to provide a perspective on the way individuals and communities are affected by and respond to the pandemic, as well as the fallout from government responses and prevention strategies. Moreover, this viewpoint enables insights into the workings of societal structures and agents of power in the context of a health crisis that is worsened by poverty, inequality, and structural violence. How communities respond and adapt to the ‘new normal’ are critical to holding governing structures accountable in situations where poor leadership, mismanagement, and unethical behaviour have been evident.
Effects of Short-Term Mission Trips on Recipients’ Self-Esteem and Readiness for Self-Directed Learning
Authors: Wong Charissa H. W. , Lee Li Neng , Pérez Pereiro Alberto
Published: May 2021

Short-term Christian overseas volunteer trips, also known as short-term mission trips (STMs), have become increasingly prevalent (Howell & Dorr, 2007). However, research on these programs has been limited. This quasi-experimental study adds to the literature by quantitatively measuring the effects of an STM from Singapore to Thailand. STM recipients’ ( n = 44) self-esteem and readiness for self-directed learning (RSDL) were compared across timepoints – pre-test, post-test, follow-up – and with a control group ( n = 50). It was hypothesized that recipients would experience an increase in self-esteem and RSDL such that their scores would be higher than the control group post-STM. Results provide partial support for the hypotheses; while improvements among recipients were either not significant (for self-esteem) or not long-lasting (for RSDL), recipients had higher scores than the control group post-STM. This suggests that STMs have some, albeit limited, positive effects. Recommendations for promoting greater and longer-lasting effects are offered.
Effect of injection parameters on the thermal, mechanical and thermomechanical properties of polycaprolactone (PCL)
Authors: Luna Carlos Bruno Barreto , Siqueira Danilo Diniz , Ferreira Eduardo da Silva Barbosa , Araújo Edcleide Maria , Wellen Renate Maria Ramos
Published: May 2021

In this work, an experimental design was applied in the injection molding process of polycaprolactone (PCL), aiming to evaluate the mechanical properties (impact strength, tensile strength and Shore D Hardness), thermal (differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)) and thermomechanical (heat deflection temperature (HDT)), in PCL injected specimens. A type 2n planning was applied, with n = 3 and central point, having the input factors: processing temperature profile, mold temperature and injection flow. The results showed that the DSC curves presented a complex mechanism during crystallization, suggesting that depending on the processing conditions a high degree of crystallinity can be obtained. When using a higher processing temperature and a higher injection flow, there is an increase in the mass of the PCL parts. The impact strength is more expressive when a higher injection flow and a lower processing temperature are applied, reaching values around 260 J/m. The mold temperature impairs the elongation at the break of the PCL, while the elastic modulus was governed by the degree of crystallinity. A deleterious effect on HDT was observed with increased injection flow, suggesting that this parameter negatively affects thermomechanical resistance. The use of experimental design in the processing of PCL is important, since it is possible to optimize properties with the ideal conditions of injection molding.
Got HIPs? Making student engagement enhancement a core part of program development with high impact practices
Authors: Diggs Schnequa N
Published: May 2021

Learning how to engage students in educationally purposeful activities has been a challenge for instructors in higher education. It is often hard to push through institutionalized pedagogical boundaries rooted in traditional “teach-at-you” approaches to learning. The demands of a more diverse student body and more effective measures of student learning outcomes have led to rethinking the delivery of course material to gain greater student engagement. Studies have shown that higher order engagement enhances student learning and helps to narrow achievement gaps across the curriculum. This article focuses on student engagement and the use of high-impact practices (active-learning approaches) in the Alameda County MPA Program at California State University, East Bay. The application of HIPS to this specific MPA program provides a good example of how multiple student engagement enhancement techniques can be incorporated into the core of graduate-level program development. The article concludes with suggestions for future research, one being, examining the impact distant, online education has on student learning and engagement, in light of the recent pandemic.
Being a ‘good woman’: Stigma, relationships and desistance
Authors: Rutter Natalie , Barr Una
Published: May 2021

This article critiques the focus on responsibilisation of criminalised women within desistance research, policy and practice, through the neglect of the structural conditions surrounding women’s criminalisation and victimisation. The concept of the ‘good woman’ within these areas is grounded in patriarchal and neoliberal discourse. Drawing upon women’s narratives, we show this results in feelings of shame and stigmatisation, negatively affecting relational networks and leading to a denial of victimhood. Research from two complementing studies drawn together here suggest that positive relationships which challenge feelings of shame and stigmatisation are essential to women’s desistance both from crime and harm, and are therefore fundamental considerations for practice.
Low-acuity emergency department use among patients in different primary care models in Hamilton and Ontario
Authors: Ly Olivia , Price David , Saskin Refik , Howard Michelle
Published: May 2021

Jurisdictions such as Hamilton, Ontario, where most primary care practices participate in patient enrolment models with enhanced after-hours access, may demonstrate overall improved health equity outcomes. Non-urgent Emergency Department (ED) use has been suggested as an indicator of primary care access; however, the impact of primary care access on ED use is uncertain and likely varies by patient and contextual factors. This population-based, retrospective study investigated whether or not different primary care models were associated with different rates of non-urgent ED visits in Hamilton, a city with relatively high neighbourhood marginalization, compared to the rest of Ontario from 2014/2015 to 2017/2018. In Ontario, enrolment capitation-based practices had more non-urgent ED visits than non-enrolment fee-for-service practices. In Hamilton, where most of the city’s family physicians are in enrolment capitation-based practices, differences between models were minimal. The influence of primary care reforms may differ depending on how they are distributed within regions.
Aligning competence-oriented qualifications in sport management higher education with industry requirements: An importance–performance analysis
Authors: Wohlfart Olivia , Adam Sandy , Hovemann Gregor
Published: May 2021

This article examines the fit (or lack thereof) between the competencies needed by the sport industry and the proficiency of sport management students. The authors apply importance–performance analysis as a strategic management tool to analyze the results of two competence-oriented datasets in a German context. They find that students’ self-identified proficiency is lower than the importance attributed to proficiency by industry experts. The authors critically discuss the absence of differences between the perceived performance of Bachelor’s and Master’s degree students and provide strategic recommendations for sport management higher education. The article highlights the development and communication of generic competencies as a unique selling proposition and reflect on the need to improve subject-specific competencies to further professionalize the field of sport management. Based on these results, a critical reflection of curriculum design in sport management higher education is needed.
Who should apologise: Expressing criticism of public figures on Chinese social media in times of COVID-19
Authors: Tao Yingnian
Published: May 2021

Previous studies on public opinion expression in communication, political science and discourse analysis are restricted to a censorship-/counter-censorship frame and focus their analysis on events with political agendas. This study explores netizens’ discursive practice by focusing the analysis on netizens’ language use in context per se, rather than from a censorship/counter-censorship viewpoint. It adopts a discursive pragmatic approach to examine a ‘mundane’ trending topic regarding a dispute between two public figures rather than ‘major’ events with acute social and political agendas. This study present evidence that Weibo users criticise public figures through indirect discursive strategies, including parody of name, constructed dialogues and rhetorical questions. It also highlights two prominent sentiments in Weibo public spheres during the COVID-19 pandemic – cyber nationalism and binary opposition between China and the rest of the world. The online backlash against Fang demonstrates how easily netizens can change their views towards a certain event.
Foreign- and domestic firm ownership and its impact on wages. Evidence from Poland
Authors: Broniatowska Paulina , Strawiński Paweł
Published: May 2021

This study concentrates on the effect of foreign ownership of companies on worker wage distribution. Using an innovative methodological approach that combines the Oaxaca–Blinder decomposition and the modified DiNardo et al. reweighting approach, we estimate the wage gap between domestic-owned and foreign-owned firms. The study confirms that firm ownership (domestic or foreign) influences the wage distribution of workers, as a worker employed in a foreign-owned firm earns, on average, 5 percent more than a matched worker in a domestic-owned firm with similar characteristics. We link that gap with an origin of foreign capital. This analysis demonstrates that the origin of capital has an impact on wage distribution in the firm and may affect wages in the whole section.
Women Healing the Globe, Preserving the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Poss Janice L.
Published: May 2021

The Tibetan Plateau’s Permafrost is melting at an alarming rate. Six of the world’s major rivers are sourced in the Tibetan Himalayas that are warming at a faster rate than the rest of the earth. If the temperature of the region continues to increase, the rivers will dry up and the earth will warm at an even faster rate. Buddha Yeshe Tsogyal (ye shes mTsho rgyal) (757–817 CE), long considered the Mother of Tibetan Tantric Buddhism, was the consort of Padmasambhava. She reached “complete liberation” or Nirvana in a single lifetime. Her stories are preserved in rman thar. Her life was an exemplary practice of compassion, responsible care, and non-violence toward all sentient beings and the world. Can we follow her proto-eco-feminist example? Can we build responsible care for our planet and humanity across disciplines and faith traditions? What does compassionate, non-violent Buddhist thought and Roman Catholic pastoral care bring to eco-feminism? Can an eco-feminist epistemology informed by Buddhist EcoDharma construct programs of sustainability into humanity’s excessive habits integrating science’s ability to quantify, with Buddha nature? Can Catholicism’s pastoral ability to show dependence on God, the peaceful, compassionate Creator of all allow us to see our dependence on God and our earth? Many women have already begun this work around the globe. In 2002, Rosemary Radford Ruether brought 16 women together from around the globe in Women Healing Earth: Third World Women on Ecology, Feminism, and Religion to tell us how they are doing it and succeeding. Each is highlighted here for their visions on how to heal the planet at the grassroots level. From their insights, this article explores their contributions as being still relevant today and adding new concerns about the dangers arising on the Tibetan Plateau. The article emphasizes their ideas, provides a warning and other ideas that collective activation might inspire to address climate change.
Ecofeminist Theologies in the Age of Climate Crisis
Authors: Eaton Heather
Published: May 2021

A few decades ago, ecofeminist historical efforts provided decisive revelations and analyses of the historical entanglements and parallel oppressions of women and nature: a women/nature nexus. Ecofeminism(s) are experiencing a resurgence, with fresh voices in new contexts, and addressing a wide range of concerns. It is encouraging that the relevance of the intersections of gender/nature and feminism and ecology is being reconsidered in new ways. This chapter addresses the topics of ecofeminism, climate change and related theological considerations. After an introduction to ecofeminisms and their debates, the discussion moves to ecofeminism and climate justice, ecological rights, planetary frameworks and the need for inspiring visions, especially in a (post)-COVID era.
Ethics of Care in Laudato Si’: A Postcolonial Ecofeminist Critique
Authors: Brazal Agnes M.
Published: May 2021

This article engages with the care ethics of Laudato Si’ through the lens of postcolonial ecofeminism. Laudato Si’ speaks of the family of creation where nature is both a nurturing mother and a vulnerable sister, reflecting patriarchal associations of women with nature, fragility, and the virtue of care. This indirectly undermines the need for men to engage in care/social reproduction work as well as the strengthening of women’s agency. While this kin-centric ecology acknowledges the interdependence of creatures, it maintains the hierarchy of humans over nature and underlines this family’s headship by an all-powerful Father. Laudato Si’s family ecology and God language inadvertently reifies women–nature–care connection and reinforces the logic of male domination. This study recommends exploring gender inclusive images of the Trinity and the family of creation in mutual relations to foster care that promotes both the agency of women and nature.
Hugh Owen Thomas, and his condemning of bonesetting—“The lady doth protest too much, methinks”: A reexamination
Authors: Bovine Gary
Published: May 2021

Hugh Owen Thomas (1834–1891) is considered to be the father of British orthopedics. Hugh Owen Thomas came from a bonesetting family in Anglesey, Wales. Although raised and taught in the methods of bonesetting, he, later on, came to harshly condemn bonesetting, both by unqualified bonesetters and qualified medical practitioners as well. Writers on Hugh Owen Thomas's life questioned his harsh condemning of bonesetting, as this method of treatment helped many patients, and wondered why he was so critical of it. This paper discusses Hugh Owen Thomas's views on bonesetting and gives some discussion on why he was so critical, critical to the point of being polemic and argumentative on the subject.
Implications of Physical Access Barriers for Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment in Women With Mobility Disability
Authors: Agaronnik Nicole D. , El-Jawahri Areej , Iezzoni Lisa I.
Published: May 2021

Although it has been more than 30 years since enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act, people with disabilities continue to face physical access barriers, notably inaccessible medical diagnostic equipment, in clinical settings. Access barriers affect breast cancer screening and treatment for women with disabilities. We used standard diagnosis codes and natural language processing to screen electronic health records (EHRs) in a digital data repository from a large health care delivery system for patients with a pre-existing mobility disability who had been diagnosed with breast cancer between 2005 and 2017. We reviewed EHRs of 20 patients, using conventional content analysis to examine breast cancer diagnosis and treatment experiences. Clinicians noted challenges positioning patients for routine procedures, including manual breast exam, screening mammography, and breast biopsies. Given challenges accommodating disability for adjuvant therapies, mastectomy was favored over breast-conserving options despite early stages of diagnosis. Notations contained little information about proactive problem-solving for arranging accommodations. Notations described physical access barriers for breast cancer detection and treatment, with limited planning for mitigating barriers. Despite 2017 promulgation of federal Standards for Accessible Medical Diagnostic Equipment, implementing these standards requires further rulemaking.
Upregulation of Inflammatory Cytokines in Pulmonary Embolism Using Biochip-Array Profiling
Authors: Bontekoe Emily , Brailovsky Yevgeniy , Hoppensteadt Debra , Bontekoe Jack , Siddiqui Fakiha , Newman Joshua , Iqbal Omer , Reed Trent , Fareed Jawed , Darki Amir
Published: May 2021

The complex pathophysiology of pulmonary embolism (PE) involves hemostatic activation, inflammatory processes, cellular dysfunction, and hemodynamic derangements. Due to the heterogeneity of this disease, risk stratification and diagnosis remains challenging. Biochip-array technology provides an integrated high throughput method for analyzing blood plasma samples for the simultaneous measurement of multiple biomarkers for potential risk stratification. Using biochip-array method, this study aimed to quantify the inflammatory biomarkers such as interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interferon gamma (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and epidermal growth factor (EGF) in 109 clinically confirmed PE patients in comparison to the control group comprised of plasma samples collected from 48 healthy subjects. Cytokines IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-1β, and MCP-1 demonstrated varying level of significant increase ( P < 0.05) in massive-risk PE patients compared to submassive- and low-risk PE patients. The upregulation of inflammatory cytokines in PE patients observed in this study suggest that inflammation plays an important role in the overall pathophysiology of this disease. The application of biochip-array technology may provide a useful approach to evaluate these biomarkers to understand the pathogenesis and risk stratification of PE patients.
Evaluating the Indonesia Free Pasung Movement: Understanding continuing use of restraint of the mentally ill in rural Java
Authors: Hunt Aliza J. , Guth Robert Ern-Yuan , Setiyawati Diana
Published: May 2021

Forcible restraint and confinement of persons suffering from mental illness occurs throughout the world, including in Indonesia. Since 2010, when Gerakan Bebas Pasung (GBP) or the Indonesian Freedom from Forcible Restraint ( Pasung) of Mentally Ill Persons movement was launched, national policy has been published to eradicate Pasung in Indonesia by improving the mental healthcare system. This article analyses this policy, specifically the National Mental Health Legislation (2014) and the Ministry of Health Regulation Tackling Forcible Restraint of People with Mental Illness (2017), and evaluates their current state of implementation through a local, in-depth case study. Using mental health institution mapping, two sets of semi-structured qualitative interviews with government officials and healthcare workers, and participant observation in a facility practicing Pasung, we identify the extent to which the 2017 regulation has been implemented in Winong village and discuss current efforts and persistent obstacles to eradicating Pasung. We suggest that despite reforms and the new treatment facility in our case study, the continuing use of Pasung is due to a combination of access to care issues and a widely held explanatory model of mental illness characterized by strong curative beliefs that, when disappointed, lead to a sense of threat and hopelessness.
Pedagogic rights, public education and democracy
Authors: Heimans Stephen , Singh Parlo , Kwok Henry
Published: May 2021

In this paper, the argument that we make is that public education emerges from when democracy is put into practice in education. For the purposes of this paper we use pedagogic rights as proposed by Basil Bernstein as a way to frame and support this ‘putting into practice’. Democracy, we argue, has to be practiced in two senses: 1) it does not ‘exist’ but has to be continually renewed and brought to life between people, as such it is precarious and fleeting; 2) one might become better at democracy by trying to ‘do it’ more often and that education is where this ‘trying’ might occur. We draw on Rancière’s work on democracy that focusses on democratic acts or moments; on the ‘fracturing’ of sense (what is sayable, seeable, thinkable) – when people whose only part (including in education) is none, take one. A process of ‘becoming public’, we suggest, is instituted in these events. To this end, our proposal for public education is adversarial to contemporary formations of education. Conceptualising public education in this way shows that it is rare, and becoming rarer.
Optimum wavelet selection for nonparametric analysis toward structural health monitoring for processing big data from sensor network: A comparative study
Authors: Silik Ahmed , Noori Mohammad , Altabey Wael A , Dang Ji , Ghiasi Ramin , Wu Zhishen
Published: May 2021

A critical problem encountered in structural health monitoring of civil engineering structures, and other structures such as mechanical or aircraft structures, is how to convincingly analyze the nonstationary data that is coming online, how to reduce the high-dimensional features, and how to extract informative features associated with damage to infer structural conditions. Wavelet transform among other techniques has proven to be an effective technique for processing and analyzing nonstationary data due to its unique characteristics. However, the biggest challenge frequently encountered in assuring the effectiveness of wavelet transform in analyzing massive nonstationary data from civil engineering structures, and in structural health diagnosis, is how to select the right wavelet. The question of which wavelet function is appropriate for processing and analyzing the nonstationary data in civil engineering structures has not been clearly addressed, and no clear guidelines or rules have been reported in the literature to show how the right wavelet is chosen. Therefore, this study aims to address an important question in this regard by proposing a new framework for choosing a proper wavelet that can be customized for massive nonstationary data analysis, disturbances separation, and extraction of informative features associated with damage. The proposed method takes into account data type, data and wavelet characteristics, similarity, sharing information, and data recovery accuracy. The novelty of this study lies in integrating multi-criteria which are associated directly with features that correlated well with change in structures due to damage, including common criteria such as energy, entropy, linear correlation index, and variance. Also, it introduces and considers new proposed measures, such as wavelet-based nonlinear correlation such as cosh spectral distance and mutual information, wavelet-based energy fluctuation, measures-based recovery accuracy, such as sensitive feature extraction, noise reduction, and others to evaluate various base wavelets’ function capabilities for appropriate decomposition and reconstruction of structural dynamic responses. The proposed method is verified by experimental and simulated data. The results revealed that the proposed method has a satisfactory performance for base wavelet selection and the small order of Daubechies and Symlet provide the best results, especially order 3. The idea behind our proposed framework can be applied to other structural applications.
Antecedents of Green Purchasing Behavior in the Arabic Gulf
Authors: Elsantil Yasmeen
Published: May 2021

Background:

Despite consumers appearing to assign great importance to green purchasing and expecting companies to produce their goods in an environmentally friendly way, they do not always exhibit this positive attitude while making purchases.

Focus:

This paper aims to discuss the extent to which green purchasing behavior in the Arabic Gulf is affected by individuals’ perceived environmental attitudes, concern, perceived seriousness of environmental problems, perceived environmental responsibility, perceived self-identity in environmental protection, perceived social context in environmental protection, as well as demographics.

Methods:

The study adopted a quantitative research approach using a survey questionnaire on a sample of 324 individuals residing in different Arab countries in the Gulf area. A 5-point Likert scale was used. Path analysis was conducted to test and evaluate the hypothesized relationships among constructs.

Results:

The study found importantly, by using multiple regression analyses, that consumers’ environmental concern, self-identity in environmental protection, and social context in environmental protection are significant predictors of green purchasing behavior and can predict 38.9% of green purchasing behavior. Among demographic factors, gender showed a significant effect on green purchasing behavior.

Importance to Social Marketing Field:

The present study enhances the social marketing literature through the understanding of green purchasing behaviors from a perspective of non-Western countries.

Recommendation for Research or Practice:

This paper has significant managerial implications. The findings could help marketers and government in formulating strategies that encourage green purchasing behavior in the Arabic Gulf.

Limitations:

Although the current study shed some light on green purchasing behaviors in the Arabic Gulf, it did not focus on a particular type of green product; rather, it looked at green purchasing behavior in general.
Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Messaging on TikTok: Social Media Content Analysis
Authors: Boatman Dannell D. , Eason Susan , Conn Mary Ellen , Kennedy-Rea Stephenie K.
Published: May 2021

Background

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is viewed as a critical tool to protect against six HPV-related cancers. Vaccination is recommended from early adolescence through age 26 years. As young people have become increasingly involved in personal health-related decisions, there is a need to tailor HPV vaccine messaging and reach this priority population on social media and digital outlets. TikTok is a growing social media platform with approximately 70% of its users between the ages of 13 and 24 years.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to understand HPV vaccine messaging and interactions on TikTok as a needed first step to identifying effective strategies to reach young people with important health messaging.

Methods

Content analysis was performed on 170 top TikToks focused on the HPV vaccine. TikToks were assessed for content, classification type, and number of interactions.

Results

Most TikToks were provaccine, while antivaccine TikToks had more user interactions. Cancer and prevention were the main content areas of the analyzed provaccine TikToks, while the side effects were the primary focus of antivaccine messages. Approximately 30% of all top TikToks analyzed were developed by health professionals. TikToks without an explicit vaccine opinion primarily described personal experiences and mentioned side effects most often.

Implications

TikTok is a growing social media platform that can be used to reach young people and encourage HPV vaccine uptake. Health professionals need to consider the interest that users have in personal experiences and address antivaccine narratives related to side effects.
Redesigning the Central Eight: Introducing the M-PACT Six
Authors: Mei Xiaohan , Hamilton Zachary , Kowalski Melissa , Kigerl Alex
Published: May 2021

Since their seminal work, Andrews and Bonta outlined the Central Eight assessment domains. As the landscape and utility of criminal justice assessments extended, tool developers expanded upon their initial development principles searching to further risk prediction gains. However, often overlooked in recent advancements is the foundation and usage of associated needs assessments. As a critical component of contemporary tools, particularly for youth, results of needs assessments identify and prioritize program placement. These additional tools comprise domain subscales that represent common predictors of need. Due to their latent nature, need assessment requires careful development and assessments of construct validity. While important, examinations of construct validity are seldom completed for contemporary tools, and their results rarely used for meaningful tool improvements. The current study describes the needs assessment development of the Modified Positive Achievement Change Tool (MPACT). Substantial psychometric evidence of construct validity is provided, describing the tool’s updated, six needs constructs.
Estimating the tactical impact of robot swarms using a semi-automated forces system and design of experiments methods
Authors: Foster Kevin L , Petty Mikel D
Published: May 2021

Militaries are developing autonomous robots to conduct missions such as reconnaissance and surveillance. Some of those robots are intended to operate in swarms. Because operational robot swarms are not yet available, doctrine developers will initially use constructive entity-level combat models to develop and test tactics for robot swarms. Design of experiments methods and retrodiction of the 1991 Battle of 73 Easting between US and Iraqi forces were used to calibrate a semi-automated forces system. The calibrated combat model was then used to estimate the tactical impact of a notional Iraqi robot swarm conducting reconnaissance and surveillance in that battle. The calibration ensured that the model’s parameters were accurate, enabling a reliable estimate of the swarm’s tactical impact. Additionally, the design of experiments methods produced estimates of the interaction of the robot swarm’s effect with the technologies of the combatants’ weapon systems. Simulation trials and statistical analysis showed that the tactical benefits of an Iraqi robot swarm were overshadowed by the advantage provided by the US forces’ thermal sights. However, additional trials indicated that if both sides had been equipped with optical sights only, the early warning provided to the Iraqi forces by a robot swarm could have had a significant effect on the battle’s outcome.
Optimization of Thymoquinone-Loaded Self-Nanoemulsion for Management of Indomethacin-Induced Ulcer
Authors: Radwan Mohamed F. , El-Moselhy Mohamed A. , Alarif Walied M. , Orif Mohamed , Alruwaili Nabil K. , Alhakamy Nabil A.
Published: May 2021

To improve the water solubility of thymoquinone (TQ), a major constituent of Nigella sativa seed oil, a TQ-loaded self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) was prepared. The SNEDDS formulation was optimized using almond oil (AO) (Oil; X1), tween 80 (surfactant; X2) and polyethylene glycol 200 (PEG 200) (cosurfactant; X3) compounds as independent variables. The results showed that the globule size ranged from 65 to 320 nm. In addition, a strong agreement was reached between the system estimation and the experimental values of globule size. To evaluate the gastroprotective effect of optimized TQ-loaded SNEDDS against indomethacin (Indo.)-induced gastric ulcers in comparison with non-emulsified TQ, the ulcer index and histopathological changes were estimated. Optimized TQ-loaded SNEDDS showed improved gastroprotective activity against Indo.-induced ulcers relative to the non-emulsified TQ. In addition, the gastroprotective index was improved by 2-fold in TQ-loaded SNEDDS as compared to non-emulsified TQ. This is attributed to the strong antioxidant and the cytoprotective activities of the TQ. These results demonstrate enhancement of the efficacy of TQ through the optimized SNEDDS.
The determinants of organizational change management success: Literature review and case study
Authors: Errida Abdelouahab , Lotfi Bouchra
Published: May 2021

The main purpose of this study is identifying the various factors affecting change management success, as well as examine their relevance in the case of a Moroccan construction company. A combination of a literature review and research action was employed to this end. Specifically, an in-depth review of 37 organizational change management models was conducted to identify the factors that affect change management success. Additionally, a research action approach validated the identified factors. Several factors that affect organizational change management success were identified and categorized into 12 categories relevant to the successful implementation of organizational change initiatives within the case company. While further research is needed to explore the relevance of the identified factors in other organizations and sectors, this study provides an integrated understanding of change management success based on the analysis of various organizational change models. Understanding success factors can help managers implement change initiatives in their organizations effectively.