bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Economics of the Soy Kit as an Appropriate Household Technology for Food Entrepreneurs
Authors: Kim Chungmann , Goldsmith Peter
Published: April 2021

Background:

The ability for women to operate as food entrepreneurs presents opportunities to leverage at-home production technologies that not only support family nutrition but also generate income. To these ends, the Feed the Future Malawi Agriculture Diversification Activity recently launched a development project involving a new technology, the Soy Kit. The Activity, a USAID (United States Agency for International Development) funded effort, sought to improve nutrition utilizing an underutilized local and highly nutritious feedstuff, soybean, through a woman’s entrepreneurship scheme.

Objective:

The USAID funded effort provides the overarching research question, whether the Soy Kit is a sustainable technology for delivering nutrition and income through a women’s entrepreneurship scheme. If true, then development practitioners will have a valuable tool, and the associated evidence, to address the important crosscutting themes, of nutrition, poverty, entrepreneurship, and women’s empowerment. To answer this research question, the research team first evaluates the underlying production economics of the kit to measure profitability, return on investment, and operational performance. Second, the team qualitatively and quantitatively assesses the kit’s overall appropriateness as a technology for the developing world.

Methods:

The team follows the schema of Bower and Brown and utilizes descriptive statistics, and financial techniques to conduct an assessment of the economics and technical appropriateness of the Soy Kit technology.

Results:

The results show a high level of appropriateness across a number of metrics. For example, the payback period from cash flow is under 6 months and the annual return on capital is 163% when entrepreneurs utilize a domestically sourced kit valued at US$80.

Conclusion:

The technology matches well with the rhythm of household economy, in particular women’s labor availability and resource base. Businesses earn significant returns on capital thus appear to be sustainable without donor subsidy. At the same time, available capital to finance kit entrepreneurs appears to be scarce. More research needs to take place to address the credit access question, in order to make small-scale kit entrepreneur truly self-reliant; the effects on poverty reduction at the household and village level; and nutrition improvement among the consumers.
Child Diet and Household Characteristics Relate Differently to Child Development at the Beginning and the End of the Second “1000 Days” in Rural Nepal
Authors: Miller Laurie C. , Neupane Sumanta , Joshi Neena , Lohani Mahendra , Thorne-Lyman Andrew
Published: April 2021

The “second 1000 days” is a period of rapid brain growth which consolidates developmental foundations and establishes school readiness. Understanding the relation between household characteristics, child diet, and child development remains incomplete, especially in resource-poor settings where >250 million children risk not achieving their full developmental potential. Child developmental performance was assessed (Ages & Stages Questionnaire [ASQ]) at ages 2 and 5 years in a cohort of Nepali children (n = 207) whose families participated in a nutrition/livestock management+community development intervention trial. Relationships between child developmental performance and mother’s education, family wealth, child diet (animal source food [ASF] consumption, dietary diversity score [DDS]), school attendance, and intervention group were examined by adjusted linear regressions. These relationships varied at the 2 ages. At age 2 years, ASQ scores related positively to “Full Package Intervention” and negatively to “Partial Package Intervention” membership. At age 5 years, intervention group did not relate to ASQ scores. Mother’s education did not relate to developmental findings for 2-year-olds. Mother’s education, wealth, and school attendance positively predicted ASQ scores for these same children as 5-year-olds. Animal source food consumption was related to child development more strongly at age 5 than at 2 years. DDS had a less pronounced relationship to development than ASF consumption at both ages. Over this time span bracketing the second 1000 days, household characteristics and child diet related differentially to developmental performance depending on child age. Better understanding of the timing and mechanisms of these relationships is needed to effectively design interventions targeting improved child development in resource-poor settings.
The Relational Public
Authors: Starr Paul
Published: April 2021

This article sets out three ways of conceiving publics: (1) an organic conception, the public as the body politic; (2) an individualized conception, the public as an aggregate of individuals, grouped by social categories; and (3) a relational conception, in which publics are defined as open-ended networks of actors linked through flows of communication, shared stories, and civic or other collective concerns. These conceptions have emerged not only through theoretical reflection but also as the result of historical and institutional developments. Building on work from Tarde and Habermas down to recent theorists, I seek to advance the relational conception, suggest its implications for research, and highlight its connection to contemporary developments in both theory and society.
Developing a COVID-19 Crisis Management Strategy Using News Media and Social Media in Big Data Analytics
Authors: Park Young-Eun
Published: April 2021

Due to the unpredictability of global events such as a COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to prepare for a crisis management strategy at the macro-level in each country to respond to crises that bring about social change. This study is designed to discover critical priorities and agendas in crisis management in Saudi Arabia by grasping the most recent social issues of the COVID-19 pandemic addressed in the most trusted media sources. The data were collected from news media (Saudi Press Agency and Al Arabiya) and social media (Twitter and YouTube) in big data from February to August 2020, then analyzed through semantic network analysis. This study provides the uncanny and marvelous power to help any individual, organization, even society, and country to be more innovative and proactive by acquiring trend, agenda-based approaches into uncertain future crises using advanced technology in big data. This research also shows how a country can use those big data to detect “key social issues” and then make a subsequent strategy or decision-making system to develop a public communication or new policy in future events. Accordingly, this study provides meaningful and insightful implications for managing a coming crisis and social change, ensuring stability and sustainability at the micro- and macro-level.
Ballerinas as analysts: Former ballet dancers’ transfer of 21st century skills to careers as data analysts
Authors: Warren Sarah Egan
Published: April 2021

This qualitative study examines 21st century skills used by former ballerinas in their current careers as data analysts. Using the Partnership for 21st Century Learning’s list of 21st century skills as the framework, four unstructured interviews were analyzed. The findings indicate that the former ballerinas (1) articulate a connection between the creativity needed for ballet and data analysis, (2) recognize that their ballet training helped them develop 21st century skills needed to be data analysts, and (3) suggest that being a dancer influences their identity. These findings can contribute to the discussion of developing transferable skills essential to workplace success.
Personality Traits Predict Long-Term Physical Health via Affect Reactivity to Daily Stressors
Authors: Leger Kate A. , Turiano Nicholas A. , Bowling William , Burris Jessica L. , Almeida David M.
Published: April 2021

Researchers hypothesize that how people react to daily stressful events partly explains the relationship between personality and health, yet no study has examined longitudinal associations between these factors. The current study focused on the role of negative affect reactivity to daily stressful events as a mediating pathway between personality and physical health outcomes using three waves of data spanning 20 years from a nationwide probability sample of 1,176 adults. Results indicated that negative affect reactivity partially mediated personality and physical health. Wave 1 neuroticism was associated with greater negative affect reactivity at Wave 2, which predicted the development of chronic conditions and functional limitations at Wave 3. Higher conscientiousness at Wave 1 was associated with less negative affect reactivity at Wave 2, which predicted better physical health at Wave 3. These findings highlight the usefulness of using a daily-stress framework for understanding how personality impacts health over time, which has important implications for stress management and disease prevention.
Project work strategies in fusion research
Authors: Virtová Tereza , Vostal Filip
Published: April 2021

In this article, we examine and discuss observations on projectification from organizational and management studies and contextualize them with recent insights from the discourse around social acceleration. Against the backdrop of these debates, we ethnographically inquire into project work strategies in fusion research. First, we briefly survey existing scholarship that interrogates acceleration and projectification of research. Second, we explain why we focus on projects in fusion research and introduce the site of our investigation. In the third section, we identify three project work strategies in fusion research: content adjusting, temporal stretching, and (de)consolidation. In the final part, we argue that the highlighted project work strategies emerge as a product of the dialectical interplay of projectification and stabilization contexts that yields new spaces and opportunities for crafting agency and negotiating time in research that go beyond the reductive fast/slow dichotomy that nowadays tends to characterize contemporary accounts of temporality in and of research.
Multilayered Human Skeletal Muscle Myoblast Sheets Promote the Healing Process After Colonic Anastomosis in Rats
Authors: Nakamura Takashi , Yokoyama Utako , Kanaya Tomomitsu , Ueno Takayoshi , Yoda Takanori , Ishibe Atsushi , Hidaka Yuko , Umemura Masanari , Takayama Toshio , Kaneko Makoto , Miyagawa Shigeru , Sawa Yoshiki , Endo Itaru , Ishikawa Yoshihiro
Published: April 2021

Colorectal anastomotic leakage is one of the most feared and fatal complications of colorectal surgery. To date, no external coating material that can prevent anastomotic leakage has been developed. As myoblasts possess anti-inflammatory capacity and improve wound healing, we developed a multilayered human skeletal muscle myoblast (HSMM) sheet by periodic exposure to supraphysiological hydrostatic pressure during repeated cell seeding. We assessed whether the application of an HSMM sheet can promote the healing process after colonic anastomosis. Partial colectomy and insufficient suturing were employed to create a high-risk colo-colonic anastomosis model in 60 nude rats. Rats were divided into a control group ( n = 30) and an HSMM sheet group ( n = 30). Macroscopic findings, anastomotic bursting pressure, and histology at the colonic anastomotic site were evaluated on postoperative day (POD) 3, 5, 7, 14, and 28. The application of an HSMM sheet significantly suppressed abscess formation at the anastomotic site compared to the control group on POD3 and 5. The anastomotic bursting pressure in the HSMM sheet group was higher than that in the control group on POD3 and 5. Inflammatory cell infiltration in the HSMM sheet group was significantly suppressed compared to that in the control group throughout the time course. Collagen deposition in the HSMM sheet group on POD3 was significantly abundant compared to that in the control group. Regeneration of the mucosa at the colonic anastomotic site was promoted in the HSMM sheet group compared to that in the control group on POD14 and 28. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that surviving cells in the HSMM sheet gradually decreased with postoperative time and none were detected on POD14. These results suggest that the application of a multilayered HSMM sheet may prevent postoperative colonic anastomotic leakage.
Transdermal Delivery of Adipocyte Phospholipase A2 siRNA using Microneedles to Treat Thyroid Associated Ophthalmopathy-Related Proptosis
Authors: Liu Guiqin , Deng Yan , Song Yi , Sui Yi , Cen Juan , Shao Ziyu , Li Hu , Tang Tao
Published: April 2021

Thyroid associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) is an organ-specific autoimmune disease occurring in patients with thyroid disease. Patients with TAO-related proptosis is largely due to excessive orbital adipose tissue Adipocyte phospholipase A2 (AdPLA) is one of the most important regulatory factors in adipocyte lipolysis, which may be associated with TAO-related proptosis. Thus, silencing AdPLA by RNA interference may be beneficial for the treatment of TAO. In this study, we sought to evaluate the efficiency of two types of microneedles to deliver siRNAs for silencing AdPLA. Our results showed that AdPLA mRNA was up-regulated in the orbit adipose tissues from TAO patients. Silence of AdPLA by siRNA can reduce lipid accumulation in both human and mouse adipocyte cell lines. Moreover, silence effects of silicon microneedle array patch-based and injectable microneedle device-based siRNA administration were examined at the belly site of the mice, and injectable microneedle device showed higher knockdown efficiency than silicon microneedle array patch. This study sets the stage not only for future treatment of TAO-related proptosis using AdPLA siRNA, but also provides the foundation for targeted siRNA delivery by using microneedles.
Ownership Characteristics,Corporate Social Responsibility, Resource Productivity And Firm Performance: An Empirical Study
Authors: Prince John Ben
Published: April 2021

Corporate governance continues to be at the forefront as evinced by some of the recent incidents at organisations such as Tata Sons, Yes Bank and ICICI bank. Traditionally, ownership characteristics have been considered as close substitutes representing corporate governance, considering that board processes and activity do not yield themselves to much scrutiny beyond a few media reports and analysis. The research article undertakes a study of ownership, corporate social responsibility(CSR) and resource productivity in the Indian context. Using a sample of 900 firms from the non-financial domain, the study uses multivariate regression to identify the effect on market based measure of firm performance. Results indicate that all the ownership variables have a positive and significant influence on market based metrics of organisations. However, the CSR orientation or intent does not indicate any impact on organisation’s market based metric. The resource productivity, on the hand is strongly positive, indicating that markets recognise, intuitively the impact of competencies and capabilities of people. For practitioners, the implications are the quest to identify further levers of strategic and competitive advantage since the governance indicators have merely explained a small part of firm performance.
Information and Policy Innovation in U.S. States
Authors: LaCombe Scott J. , Tolbert Caroline , Mossberger Karen
Published: April 2021

Information is a critically important, yet hard to measure, component on policy innovation across state governments. Widespread use of broadband has made it easier for governments to observe other actors, increasing the amount of policy information, while also diversifying the sources of information available to policymakers. This should translate into making governments more innovative over time and quicker to adapt to challenges. At the same time, the Internet may disrupt previous existing flows of information by decreasing the importance of geographic proximity and creating more nationalized or global information networks. We argue that the growth of broadband has made states more innovative over time, while also reducing the reliance on neighboring state adoptions for policy solutions as the information environment becomes both richer and more nationalized. We estimate a pooled event history analysis on hundreds of policies comparing the treatment period (2000–2016) with a control condition (last two decades of the 20th century) and find that states with higher broadband subscriptions are more innovative overall and less reliant on geographic contiguity for policy solutions. The growth of information flows due to digital communications has led to states becoming more innovative while also operating in a more nationalized network.
Design of a novel hybrid control for permanent magnet synchronous generator–based wind energy conversion system
Authors: Feng Wenfeng , Deng Yuwen , Li Huanhuan , Chen Diyi , Li Feng
Published: April 2021

With the ever-increasing permeation of wind energy into electrical grids, the low operating efficiency and poor stability seem to become major challenges for the power industry because of the stochastic characteristic of wind speeds. Aiming at these problems, this article designs a novel hybrid control method for a permanent magnet synchronous generator–based wind energy conversion system. A port-controlled Hamiltonian with dissipation model is proposed to apply in the models of the machine and grid-side converters of the permanent magnet synchronous generator–based wind energy conversion system. Then, this port-controlled Hamiltonian with dissipation model is used to the energy shaping method of interconnection and damping assignment. The hybrid control strategy, containing the outer-loop proportional–integral control and inner-loop passivity-based control, is finally designed in this article. To achieve the analysis, a Simulink model of the 1.5 MW permanent magnet synchronous generator–based wind energy conversion system is established under various types of wind speeds. A comparative analysis between the proposed hybrid control strategy and conventional proportional–integral vector control is conducted through the electrical behaviors and the harmonic distortion rates. The simulation results verify that the hybrid control strategy has better regulation performance than that of conventional proportional–integral control strategy in terms of maintaining at optimal state and improving system stability. It is also demonstrated that the proposed control strategy optimizes the quality of supplied power, which is of significance to reduce the harmonic pollution of wind energy.
‘Fuck Them Walla’: Girls’ Resistance Within Racialized Online Assemblages
Authors: Sylwander Kim R.
Published: April 2021

Inspired by Deleuze and Guattari, this article details how racial minority girls, and those around them, affectively respond to and resist racialization and different forms of racist aggression online. The material draws on a larger netnographic study of young teens on a public social media platform in Sweden and demonstrates how these girls, as well as their racialized peers, are ‘othered’ through direct, indirect and repeated aggression. I explore how instances of resistance work in various ways to reject, re-appropriate and renegotiate racist assemblages where differing racialized figures are affectively produced and enforced in direct and indirect ways in online interaction. Through this, the study contributes to knowledge on girls’ resistance to racialized aggression online, as well as how racism works affectively in youths’ everyday online interaction.
The ghost of capitalism: A guide to seeing, naming and exorcising the spectre haunting the business school
Authors: Kociatkiewicz Jerzy , Kostera Monika , Zueva Anna
Published: April 2021

The aim of this article is both a pronouncement of doom and an offer of hope for the Western business school. Both come from the recognition that business schools are haunted and that the haunting spectre is none other than the capitalist ideology. We ground our thinking in the established rich ‘ghostly’ academic literature where the metaphor of the ghost is used to reveal the powerful agency of the unspoken-of and the unseen. Using three fictional ghostly tales as interpretive lenses, we make three arguments. First, we argue that capitalism is a ghost in the walls of the business school. Second, we suggest that capitalism’s ghostly nature prevents the business school from offering a curriculum that serves more than the growth of financial capital. Third, we propose that naming of capitalism is integral to the exorcism of its ghost and the creation of curriculum that engages with the social and environmental challenges of our times.
Churning power loss of the intermediate gearbox in a helicopter under splash lubrication
Authors: Lu Fengxia , Wang Meng , Bao Heyun , Huang Wei , Zhu Rupeng
Published: April 2021

Based on computational fluid dynamics, a two-phase flow model was established to calculate the churning power loss of the spiral bevel gears under splash lubrication. The error between the simulation results and experiment results is only 7.04%. Taking a certain helicopter as an example, the churning power loss of the intermediate gearbox is ∼2.6051 kW, accounting for ∼1.93% of the input power. Besides, the motion mechanisms of free flow, ejection flow and splashing flow of the spiral bevel gear were investigated. The influences of the rotational speed and oil immersion depth on the churning power loss were analysed. The rotational speed and oil immersion depth of the intermediate gearbox should be in the range of 3000–5000 r/min and 17–26 mm, respectively, which can ensure sufficient lubrication and low churning power loss.
Reputation crisis management and the state: Theorising containment as diplomatic mode
Authors: Haugevik Kristin , Neumann Cecilie Basberg
Published: April 2021

This article theorises containment as a diplomatic response mode for states when faced with potentially harmful attacks on their international identity and reputation. Despite widespread agreement in International Relations (IR) scholarship that identities matter in the context of state security, studies of crisis management have paid little attention to ontological security crises. Scholarly literature on public diplomacy has concerned itself mainly with proactive nation branding and reputation building; work on stigma management has privileged the study of how ‘transgressive’ states respond to identity attacks by recognising, rejecting or countering criticism. Our contribution is two-fold. First, we make the case that states do not perform as uniform entities when faced with ontological security crises – government representatives, bureaucratic officials and diplomats have varying roles and action repertoires available to them. Second, we argue that containment is a key but undertheorised part of the diplomatic toolkit in crisis management. Unpacking containment as a crisis management response mode, we combine insights from IR scholarship on emotions and diplomacy with insights on therapeutic practices from social psychology. We substantiate our argument with a case study of how Norwegian government representatives, bureaucratic officials and diplomats responded to escalating international criticism against Norway’s Child Welfare Services following a wave of transnational protests in 2016. A key finding is that whereas the dominant response mode of government ministers and bureaucratic officials was to reject the criticism, diplomats mainly worked to contain the situation, trying to prevent it from escalating further and resulting in long-term damage to bilateral relations.
Subjective experiences of participating in an attachment-based early intervention parenting program
Authors: Tan Sophie Li-Shan , Stafford Lesley , Bryant Christina , Jensen Hannah , Komiti Angela , Newman Louise
Published: April 2021

This qualitative study evaluated an attachment-based group parenting program that utilises mentalisation-based approach. The Building Early Attachment and Resilience (BEAR) program was designed to promote parent-child attachment across the perinatal period and has pre- and post-natal arms. The post-natal component targets mothers and infants at risk for early disturbances of attachment to, and emotional interaction. This evaluation study aimed to explore mothers’ subjective experiences of the post-natal BEAR program in encouraging mothers’ reflection on their role as a parent. Thirteen mothers were interviewed. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis, with five themes emerging. Overall, mothers reported that the intervention promoted reflection about the parenting role, contributed to perceptions of improved mother-infant interactions and increased understanding of their infant’s internal experiences. The results suggest the BEAR program is acceptable and facilitates the development of secure parent-infant attachment.
The mechanisms between illness representations of COVID-19 and behavioral intention to visit hospitals for scheduled medical consultations in a Chinese general population
Authors: She Rui , Luo Sitong , Lau Mason MC , Lau Joseph Tak Fai
Published: April 2021

Testing the Common-Sense Model, this random telephone survey examined the associations between illness representations of COVID-19 and behavioral intention to visit hospitals for scheduled medical consultations (BI-VHSMC), and the mediations via coping and fear of nosocomial infection among 300 Chinese adults. The prevalence of BI-VHSMC was 62.3%. Mediation analysis found that maladaptive coping (rumination and catastrophizing) and fear of nosocomial infection mediated the associations between various dimensions of illness representations of COVID-19 (e.g. consequence and controllability) and BI-VHSMC, both indirectly and serially. Illness representations, coping, and fear should be considered when planning related health promotion during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conscientiousness and perceived physical symptoms: Mediating effect of life events stress and moderating role of resting respiratory sinus arrhythmia
Authors: Hu Yaqi , Wang Zhenhong , Lü Wei
Published: April 2021

This study investigated the possible psychophysiological links between conscientiousness and perceived physical symptoms by examining the mediating role of life events stress and the moderating role of resting respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA). Participants participated in the collection of questionnaire data and physiological data ( N = 396). Results showed life events stress mediated the association between conscientiousness and perceived physical symptoms, and the indirect effect was only significant among individuals with lower resting RSA. Findings indicate that low resting RSA as a risk-amplifying physiological marker may magnify the relationship that low conscientiousness affects physical symptoms by increasing life events stress.
Task complexity, L2 proficiency and EFL learners’ L1 use in task-based peer interaction
Authors: Xu Jinfen , Fan Yumei
Published: April 2021

This study is aimed to identify the effects of task complexity on first language (L1) use and the functions it may serve when two groups of learners of English as a foreign language (EFL) work on collaborative tasks. Twenty-four pairs of Chinese EFL learners from two universities were assigned to a lower-proficiency and a higher-proficiency group, each with twelve pairs. Each group completed two collaborative tasks of different cognitive complexity. The results showed that task complexity had an appreciable impact on the use of L1 and its functions. It is also found that the impact of task complexity was dependent on learners’ English proficiency. Specifically, the higher-proficiency group employed more L1 to perform complex tasks than they did in the simple versions of the tasks. These learners also devoted significantly more L1 turns to fulfill the functions of metacognitive and grammar talk to complete the complex tasks. These trends did not hold for the lower-proficiency group.
Prenatal exposure to paternal smoking and likelihood for autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Kim Bora , Ha Mina , Kim Young Shin , Koh Yun-Joo , Dong Shan , Kwon Ho-Jang , Kim Young-Suk , Lim Myung-Ho , Paik Ki-Chung , Yoo Seung-Jin , Kim Hosanna , Hong Patricia S , Sanders Stephan J , Leventhal Bennett L
Published: April 2021

Genetics, environment, and their interactions impact autism spectrum disorder etiology. Smoking is a suspected autism spectrum disorder risk factor due to biological plausibility and high prevalence. Using two large epidemiological samples, we examined whether autism spectrum disorder was associated with prenatal paternal smoking in a Discovery sample ( N = 10,245) and an independent Replication sample ( N = 29,773). Paternal smoking was retrospectively assessed with questionnaires. Likelihood of having autism spectrum disorder was estimated with the Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire at three levels: low (<10), intermediate (10–14), and high (⩾15). Ordinal regression was used to examine the relationship between prenatal paternal smoking and likelihood of having autism spectrum disorder, adjusting for confounders. A total of 36.5% of Discovery sample fathers and 63.3% of Replication sample fathers smoked during the pregnancy period; 7% of the Replication sample smoker fathers smoked during the pre-conception period but quit during pregnancy period. Discovery sample prenatal paternal smoking significantly increased the likelihood of having autism spectrum disorder in their offspring (adjusted odds ratio=1.27). This was confirmed in the Replication sample with adjusted odds ratio of 1.15 among smoking pre-conception period + pregnancy period fathers; 14.4% and 11.1% increased high likelihood of autism spectrum disorder was attributable to prenatal paternal smoking in Discovery sample and Replication sample, respectively. Smoking prevention, especially in pregnancy planning, may decrease autism spectrum disorder risk in offspring.

Lay abstract

What is Already Known about This Subject: Genetics, (including de novo mutations), environmental factors (including toxic exposures), and their interactions impact autism spectrum disorder etiology. Paternal smoking is a candidate risk for autism spectrum disorder due to biological plausibility, high prevalence, and potential intervention. What This Study Adds: This original study and its replication confirms that paternal factors can substantially contribute to autism spectrum disorder risk for their offspring. It specifically indicates that paternal smoking both before and during pregnancy contributes significantly to autism spectrum disorder risk. Implications for practice, research, or policy: Smoking prevention, especially in pregnancy planning, may decrease autism spectrum disorder risk in offspring.
Drama production and audiences as ‘affective superaddressee’ in an illiberal democracy
Authors: Fong Siao Yuong
Published: April 2021

There is a long history of television and film research that highlights the essential roles audiences play in everyday production decisions. Based largely on Western media industries, these studies’ investigations of producer–audience relationships have revolved predominantly around the market concerns of liberal media models. So how do producer–audience relationships work when it comes to illiberal contexts of media production? Using Singapore as a case study, this article argues that existing approaches to producer–audience relations largely based on liberal media industries like Hollywood are insufficient for thinking through audience power in everyday media production in illiberal contexts. Drawing on insights from affect theory, I examine the materials gathered during an immersive ethnography of the writing process of a Singaporean television drama and propose conceptualizing audiences as an ‘affective superaddressee’, as a productive way to think about the work that situational audiences do in everyday media production in illiberal contexts.
A pilot comparison of medical records sensitivity perspectives of patients with behavioral health conditions and healthcare providers
Authors: Soni Hiral , Ivanova Julia , Grando Adela , Murcko Anita , Chern Darwyn , Dye Christy , Whitfield Mary Jo
Published: April 2021

This pilot study compares medical record data sensitivity (e.g., depression is sensitive) and categorization perspective (e.g., depression categorized as mental health information) of patients with behavioral health conditions and healthcare providers using a mixed-methods approach employing patient’s own EHR. Perspectives of 25 English- and Spanish-speaking patients were compared with providers. Data categorization comparisons resulted in 66.3% agreements, 14.5% partial agreements, and 19.3% disagreements. Sensitivity comparisons obtained 54.5% agreement, 11.9% partial agreement, and 33.6% disagreements. Patients and providers disagreed in classification of genetic data, mental health, drug abuse, and physical health information. Factors influencing patients’ sensitivity determination were sensitive category comprehension, own experience, stigma towards category labels (e.g., drug abuse), and perception of information applicability (e.g., alcohol dependency). Knowledge of patients’ sensitivity perceptions and reconciliation with providers could expedite the development of granular and personalized consent technology.
Overall health information exposure, its barriers and impacts on attitude toward healthcare among cancer patients. The long-term aftermath of the 2011 triple disaster in Fukushima, Japan: A single institution cross-sectional study
Authors: Ozaki Akihiko , Murakami Michio , Nomura Shuhei , Sawano Toyoaki , Tsubokura Masaharu , Ono Kyoko , Takebayashi Yoshitake , Tsukada Manabu , Yamaoka Kazue , Nakata Yoshinori , Ohira Hiromichi
Published: April 2021

Disasters can hinder access to health information among cancer patients. However, little is known regarding overall health information exposure (HIE), its barriers and its impacts on attitudes toward healthcare among cancer patients in the long-term aftermath of disasters. The aims of this study were threefold: assess the extent of HIE; identify associations between family composition and a non-engagement with HIE; and examine the effects of HIE on attitudes toward healthcare among local cancer patients—5 years after the 2011 triple disaster (earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster) in Fukushima, Japan. We conducted self-administered surveys with all cancer and non-cancer surgery department outpatients at Minamisoma Municipal General Hospital (MMGH), Minamisoma City, from October 2016 to January 2017. In total, 404 patients (263 cancer patients and 141 non-cancer patients) voluntarily participated in the study. The results revealed that a regular level of HIE occurred among 90.5% of the cancer patients. In cancer patients, family composition was not significantly associated with HIE, and HIE was not associated with attitude toward healthcare. In conclusion, most cancer patients visiting the MMGH surgical department were regularly engaged in HIE.
Dynamic properties of piecewise linear systems with fractional time-delay feedback
Authors: Zhang Jianchao , Wang Jun , Niu Jiangchuan , Hu Yufei
Published: April 2021

The forced vibration of a single-degree-of-freedom piecewise linear system containing fractional time-delay feedback was investigated. The approximate analytical solution of the system was obtained by employing an averaging method. A frequency response equation containing time delay was obtained by studying a steady-state solution. The stability conditions of the steady-state solution, the amplitude–frequency results, and the numerical solutions of the system under different time-delay parameters were compared. Comparison results indicated a favorable goodness of fit between the two parameters and revealed the correctness of the analytical solution. The effects of the time-delay and fractional parameters, piecewise stiffness, and piecewise gap on the principal resonance and bifurcation of the system were emphasized. Results showed that fractional time delay occurring in the form of equivalent linear dampness and stiffness under periodic variations in the system and influenced the vibration characteristic of the system. Moreover, piecewise stiffness and gap induced the nonlinear characteristic of the system under certain parameters.
A new numerical approach to estimate stress intensity factors under very high cycle fatigue testing
Authors: Hasani Najafabadi SH , Lotfi Neyestanak AA , Daneshmand S
Published: April 2021

Ultrasonic very high cycle fatigue testing finds many advantages in fatigue studies especially in very low fatigue crack growth rate investigations. In this application, the determination of the stress intensity factor has a key role and presenting a general approach to calculate stress intensity factor in reasonable time and ultimate accuracy is necessary. The present research proposes a new numerical approach (hybrid method) based on reduce order modeling (dynamic substructuring), multi-harmonic balance method, and M-integral to evaluate stress intensity factors under very high cycle fatigue testing in the most accurate and fast way possible. The verification of the hybrid method was done through a benchmark and implicit solver implemented in ABAQUS commercial software as the reference solution. Investigations proved that the presented hybrid method here could determine stress intensity factor in ultrasonic regime with the ultimate accuracy and save computational time at least 50%.
Identifying a space for young Black Muslim women in contemporary Britain
Authors: Nurein Sheymaa Ali , Iqbal Humera
Published: April 2021

Young Black Muslim Women (BMW) have complex, intersectional identities and exist at the margins of various identity groupings. Given this, members of the community can face societal relegation across, not only race and gender lines, but across religious ones, too. This paper explores the lived experiences of intragroup discrimination, identity and belonging in 11 young Black Muslim Women in the United Kingdom. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants and thematically analysed through the lens of intersectionality. The use of an intersectional framework facilitated an understanding of the manner in which the sample was multiply marginalised. Two key themes emerged from the interviews: firstly, around experiences of intragroup and intersectional discrimination and, secondly, around the challenges of responding to and coping with the negative effects of such discrimination. Participants discussed the cross-cutting nature through which they faced discrimination: from within the Black community; from within the Muslim community; and as a result of their gender. The non-exclusivity of these three identities result in constant encounters of discrimination along different dimensions to their personal identity. They also developed diverse means of coping with this marginalisation including drawing from religious beliefs and mobile identifications, i.e. performing different aspects of their identities in different contexts. The present study contributes to existing knowledge in its focus on an under-researched group and emphasises the negative effects of intragroup discrimination. The paper importantly highlights the diversity within the Black community and considers the (in)visibility of Black Muslim Women within society.
Brokering reflective spaces: Experiential learning in a summer opera program
Authors: Bylica Kelly , Roland Sophie Louise , Benjamins Laura
Published: April 2021

Formal music performance studies within university settings strive to prepare the next generation of performers and pedagogues for musical engagement beyond university. Yet literature suggests that these spaces of study do not always lead to a sense of readiness for potential professional worlds, due in part to a lack of opportunities for guided, in-depth, critical reflection that helps students connect theory and practice. This article articulates findings from a study that sought to consider the impact of deliberate opportunities for reflection in The Accademia Europea dell’Opera (AEDO), a university-affiliated summer opera intensive experiential learning program. Utilizing a communities of musical practice framework, researchers worked collaboratively to help participants engage in guided critical reflection as they developed high-level musical skills through rehearsals and performances. This article specifically considers the ways in which a ‘broker’ helped participants develop practices of reflection and personal agency both within and beyond this context.
Single Center Experience of Sirolimus Therapy in Head and Neck Low-flow Vascular Malformations
Authors: Pang Calver , Evans Nicholas , Jethwa Poonam , Papadopoulou Anthie , Khalifa Mohamed , Tsui Janice , Hamilton George , Lim Chung Sim , Brookes Jocelyn
Published: April 2021

Objective:

Recently, studies have shown that sirolimus is clinically efficacious in the treatment of some low-flow vascular malformations (LFVM). This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of sirolimus in treating complex head and neck (H&N) LFVM that were challenging and/or refractory to standard treatment.

Methods:

Each patient had baseline and 6-months assessments consisting of clinical history and examination, quality of life (QoL) questionnaires, laboratory investigations, MRI and medical photography. Patients were followed up 1-week and then 1-monthly for 6-months. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare pre-and 6-months treatment in all 8 domains of RAND 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS), and visual analog score for pain (VAS-P). P < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results:

Seven patients (median age 43 years, range 23-65 years) were recruited. Six patients completed the six-months course of therapy with 1 patient withdrawing due to intolerable side effects. All six patients reported reduction of swelling with and without other symptom improvement related to the vascular malformations while on treatment. However, at 1-month review after discontinuation of sirolimus, 5 patients reported return of initial symptoms. Overall, patients demonstrated an improvement in QoL six-months treatment but there was no statistical significance (P > 0.05) in all 8 domains of SF-36, HADS and VAS-P. Five patients demonstrated a minimum 10% decrease in lesion size six-months treatment (median 21%, range 13-40%). A Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed that sirolimus treatment did elicit a statistically significant change in lesion size in either direction (Z = -1.992, P = 0.046). The most common side effects found were dyslipidaemia (n-4) and mouth ulcers (n = 2).

Conclusion:

In our preliminary experience, sirolimus is effective and safe in treating patients with complex H&N LFVM. This provides an alternative treatment where standard treatment is challenging and/or refractory.
Diversity and Inclusion in Integral Education: A Teaching Perspective of Integral Psychology
Authors: Fernandes-Osterhold Gisele
Published: April 2021

This article offers reflections and proposes practices that embody principles of diversity and inclusion while embracing spirituality in higher education. This approach to integral education is informed by the philosophy of Sri Aurobindo and Haridas Chaudhuri, founders of the California Institute of Integral Studies. It blends Eastern philosophy with Western thought, towards holistic education and experiential learning. This integral frame values both spirituality and diversity in experiential learning, emphasizing the role of the teacher in the educational process. In this pedagogy, the professor facilitates learning and transformation through deep personal inquiry of multicultural identity, group dynamics, productive dialogue, inclusion of diverse perspectives in classroom lectures, and practices of yoga and meditation. Relational and embodied, the instructor explores cultural, social, and political positionalities that lead students to further learn from their cultural backgrounds and relational patterns, opening up the possibility for a spiritual experience in an educational setting. These classroom explorations lead to the improvement of interpersonal capacities, multicultural awareness, self-knowledge and authenticity, expansion of consciousness, and ultimately better citizenship. The self-actualized instructor embedded in a transpersonal worldview within a spiritual epistemology of teaching further develops the efficacy of their role by acknowledging the multicultural fabric of students’ lives. This pedagogy may contribute to the evolution of consciousness.
Wargaming the use of intermediate force capabilities in the gray zone
Authors: Christensen Kyle D , Dobias Peter
Published: April 2021

This work reviews the development and tests of an intermediate force capability (IFC) concept development hybrid wargame aimed at examining a maritime task force’s ability to counter hybrid threats in the gray zone. IFCs offer a class of response between doing nothing and using lethal force in a situation that would be politically unpalatable. Thus, the aim of the wargame is to evaluate whether IFCs can make a difference to mission success against hybrid threats in the gray zone. This wargame series was particularly important because it used traditional game mechanics in a unique and innovative way to evaluate and assess IFCs. The results of the wargame demonstrated that IFCs have a high probability of filling the gap between doing nothing and using lethal force. The presence of IFCs provided engagement time and space for the maritime task force commander. It also identified that development of robust IFC capabilities, not only against personnel, but against systems (trucks, cars, UAVs, etc.), can also effectively counter undesirable adversarial behavior
Acellular Nerve Allografts in Major Peripheral Nerve Repairs: An Analysis of Cases Presenting With Limited Recovery
Authors: Peters Blair R. , Wood Matthew D. , Hunter Daniel A. , Mackinnon Susan E.
Published: April 2021

Background:

Acellular nerve allografts have been used successfully and with increasing frequency to reconstruct nerve injuries. As their use has been expanded to treat longer gap, larger diameter nerve injuries, some failed cases have been reported. We present the histomorphometry of 5 such cases illustrating these limitations and review the current literature of acellular nerve allografts.

Methods:

Between 2014 and 2019, 5 patients with iatrogenic nerve injuries to the median or ulnar nerve reconstructed with an AxoGen AVANCE nerve allograft at an outside hospital were treated in our center with allograft excision and alternative reconstruction. These patients had no clinical or electrophysiological evidence of recovery, and allograft specimens at the time of surgery were sent for histomorphological examination.

Results:

Three patients with a median and 2 with ulnar nerve injury were included. Histology demonstrated myelinated axons present in all proximal native nerve specimens. In 2 cases, axons failed to regenerate into the allograft and in 3 cases, axonal regeneration diminished or terminated within the allograft.

Conclusions:

The reported cases demonstrate the importance of evaluating the length and the function of nerves undergoing acellular nerve allograft repair. In long length, large-diameter nerves, the use of acellular nerve allografts should be carefully considered.