bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new species of Leptobrachella Smith 1925 (Anura: Megophryidae) from Southern Guangxi, China
Authors: CHEN WEICAI , PENG WANXIAO , PAN WEIHU , LIAO NANYAN , LIU YOUJUN , HUANG YONG
Published: August 2021

We described a new species of the genus Leptobrachella from Southern Guangxi, China, based on morphological characteristics, molecular analyses and bioacoustics. This new species, Leptobrachella shiwandashanensis sp. nov., occurs in sympatry with Leptobrachella shangsiensis. However, phylogenetic analyses based on the mitochondrial 16S gene fragment revealed that the new species was clustered in a monophyletic group and a considerable genetic divergence existed between the new species and L. shangsiensis (p-distance: 7.9%) as well as its congeners (minimum p-distance: 7.0%). The new species also differed from its congeners by a combination of the following characteristics: (1) small size (SVL 26.8–29.7 mm in males; 33.7–35.9 mm in females); (2) pale brown dorsal surfaces, with a brown inverse-triangle-shaped marking between the eyes; (3) creamy white ventral surface with brown spots on the lateral margin, with a near immaculate creamy white throat and chest; (4) without webbing and lateral fringes on toes; (5) flanks with irregular black spots; (6) tibia-tarsal articulation reaching the posterior of the eye in males but reaching the shoulder in females; (7) heels that do not meet when the thighs are appressed at right angles to the body; (8) bicolored iris, with the upper half brownish-red, fading to silver in the lower half; and (9) a call consisting of a single note and a dominant frequency of 5.3–5.7 kHz (recorded at 23°C).
The Three-Cornered Hat Method for Estimating Error Variances of Three or More Atmospheric Data Sets – Part II: Evaluating Radio Occultation and Radiosonde Observations, Global Model Forecasts, and Reanalyses
Authors: Rieckh Therese , Sjoberg Jeremiah P. , Anthes Richard A.
Published: August 2021

We apply the three-cornered hat (3CH) method to estimate refractivity, bending angle, and specific humidity error variances for a number of data sets widely used in research and/or operations: radiosondes, radio occultation (COSMIC, COSMIC-2), NCEP global forecasts, and nine reanalyses. We use a large number and combinations of data sets to obtain insights into the impact of the error correlations among different data sets that affect 3CH estimates. Error correlations may be caused by actual correlations of errors, representativeness differences, or imperfect co-location of the data sets. We show that the 3CH method discriminates among the data sets and how error statistics of observations compare to state-of-the-art reanalyses and forecasts, as well as reanalyses that do not assimilate satellite data. We explore results for October and November 2006 and 2019 over different latitudinal regions and show error growth of the NCEP forecasts with time. Because of the importance of tropospheric water vapor to weather and climate, we compare error estimates of refractivity for dry and moist atmospheric conditions.
Influence of the Saharan Air Layer on Hurricane Nadine (2012). Part I: Observations from the Hurricane and Severe Storm Sentinel (HS3) Investigation and Modeling Results
Authors: Shi Jainn J. , Braun Scott A. , Tao Zhining , Matsui Toshihisa
Published: August 2021

This study uses a model with aerosol–cloud–radiation coupling to examine the impact of Saharan dust and other aerosols on Hurricane Nadine (2012). To study aerosol direct (radiation) and indirect (cloud microphysics) effects from individual, as well as all aerosol species, eight different NU-WRF Model simulations were conducted. In several simulations, aerosols led to storm strengthening, followed by weakening relative to the control simulation. This variability of the aerosol impact may be related to whether aerosols are ingested into clouds within the outer rainbands or the eyewall. Upper-tropospheric aerosol concentrations indicate vertical transport of all aerosol types in the outer bands but only vertical transport of sea salt in the inner core. The results suggest that aerosols, particularly sea salt, may have contributed to a stronger initial intensification but that aerosol ingestion into the outer bands at later times may have weakened the storm in the longer term. In most aerosol experiments, aerosols led to a reduction in cloud and precipitation hydrometeors, the exception being the dust-only case that produced periods of enhanced hydrometeor growth. The Saharan air layer (SAL) also impacted Nadine by causing a region of strong easterlies impinging on the eastern side of the storm. At the leading edge of these easterlies, cool and dry air near the top of the SAL was being ingested into the outer-band convection. This midlevel low-equivalent-potential-temperature air gradually lowered toward the surface and eventually contributed to significant cold-pool activity in the eastern rainband and in the northeast quadrant of the storm. Such enhanced downdraft activity could have led to weakening of the storm, but it is not presently possible to quantify this impact.
The Impact of Ambient Temperature Control Across Various Care Settings on Outcomes in Burn Patients: A Review Article
Authors: Kinter Kevin , Alfaro Robert , Sutherland Mason , McKenney Mark , Elkbuli Adel
Published: August 2021

Ambient/room temperature settings in burn treatment areas vary greatly due to a lack of evidence-based guidelines to direct care. While it is generally understood that ambient/room temperature impacts patient body temperature and metabolism, the ideal settings for optimizing patient outcomes are unclear. The literature assessing this topic is scarce, with many of the articles having significant limitations. We aim to summarize the current evidence for ambient/room temperature control, to address gaps in current reviews addressing this topic, and to elucidate topics requiring further research. PubMed and Google Scholar databases were queried for studies which evaluated the effect of the ambient/room temperature on burn patient core body temperature, patient metabolism, and outcomes among those treated in trauma bays, burn ICUs, and operating rooms. Although existing literature lacks sufficient patient outcome data regarding specific ambient/room temperatures, we highlight physiological processes that are impacted by changes in room temperatures in an effort to describe strategies that can allow for improved patient core body temperature control and outcomes in burn care settings.
Esophagectomies for Malignancy Among General and Thoracic Surgeons: A Propensity Score Matched National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Analysis Stratified by Surgical Approach
Authors: Leonard-Murali Shravan , Ivanics Tommy , Nasser Hassan , Tang Amy , Hammoud Zane
Published: August 2021

Previous studies of esophagectomy outcomes by surgical specialty do not address malignancy or surgical approach. We sought to evaluate these cases using a national database. The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP)–targeted esophagectomy data set was queried for esophagectomies for malignancy and grouped by surgeon specialty: thoracic surgery (TS) or general surgery (GS). 1:1 propensity score matching was performed. Associations of surgical specialty with outcomes of interest (30-day mortality, anastomotic leak, Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ 3, and positive margin rate) were assessed overall and in surgical approach subsets. 1463 patients met inclusion criteria (512 GS and 951 TS). Propensity score matching yielded matched groups of 512, with similar demographics, preoperative stage, and neoadjuvant therapy rates. All outcomes of interest were similar between TS and GS groups, both overall and when stratified by surgical approach. Esophagectomy for malignancy has a similar perioperative safety profile and positive margin rate among general and thoracic surgeons, regardless of surgical approach.
The Globalization Backlash: Exploring New Perspectives
Authors: Mansfield Edward D. , Milner Helen V. , Rudra Nita
Published: August 2021

Rising popular discontent with globalization in Europe and the United States has occurred alongside increasing support for extreme right-wing parties, protectionism, and anti-immigrant views. This globalization backlash seems to be contributing to economic globalization’s abatement, especially with respect to trade but increasingly foreign investment, immigration, and participation in international institutions as well. What are the key forces driving these recent events and what are their broader political and institutional consequences? This special issue aims to provide an understanding of some central features of the anti-globalization furor. The studies in this special issue provide fresh insights into the economic factors contributing to the backlash while also addressing how they might interact with cultural forces. It concludes with a discussion of why the globalization backlash has not diffused widely to the developing world.
Political Budgetary Cycles in Autocratic Redistribution
Authors: Han Kangwook
Published: August 2021

While political budgetary cycles in democracies have been rigorously studied for the past several decades, surprisingly little is known about electorally motivated policy manipulation in authoritarian regimes. This study analyzes how dictators strategically change the priorities of autocratic policies to cultivate electoral dominance even when election results are predetermined. I argue that dictators spend more money on redistributive policies in election periods. Using budgetary spending data from 63 autocratic countries between 1972 and 2015, this paper presents cross-national evidence of the existence of an electoral cycle in autocratic redistribution. Analyzing Afrobarometer survey data from 18 African autocracies between 2008 and 2015, this study also finds that citizens’ evaluations of redistributive policy fluctuate according to the electoral calendar. These findings contribute to the literature on authoritarian politics by exploring macro- and micro-level mechanisms through which authoritarian rulers improvise policy manipulation to cultivate electoral dominance.
Tracking Greenfield FDI During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Analysis by Sectors
Authors: Doytch Nadia , Yonzan Nishant , Reddy Ketan , De Beule Filip
Published: August 2021

We study the trends and fluctuations in greenfield foreign direct investment (GFDI) during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis on a global scale. We analyse the data of a data set of GFDI provided by fDi Markets ( Financial Times) to understand the contraction of GFDI during the first three quarters of the year 2020, taking into account the sector of the investment and the host and home country. We analyse both the long-run trends and the quarter-over-quarter changes in GFDI to capture its fluctuations before and during the first wave of the COVID-19 crisis and the 2008 global financial crisis. Our findings cast light on which countries’ and industries’ GFDIs were most affected by the pandemic crisis and draw a comparison to the global financial crisis. To our surprise, many services industries have shown unexpected resilience of GFDI due to the flexibility for remote work. On the contrary, GFDI in the manufacturing industries, as well as the extractives and the utility industries, has shown a dramatic decline during the pandemic. These contractions raise questions of stability and resilience of the global supply chains these industries are a part of.

JEL Codes: F21
The Generative Change Model: Creating the Agile Organization While Dealing With a Complex Problem
Authors: Bushe Gervase R.
Published: August 2021

The generative change model identifies the underlying process that has produced success in a variety of Dialogic Organization Development (OD) and large group intervention cases. It works with widespread stakeholder engagement and self-organizing properties of human systems, to create rapid, transformational change. It appears better suited to managing complex, adaptive challenges than traditional planned change. The paper briefly describes the model and explains one aspect of it in more depth, the use of purpose, instead of vision, to guide the change process.
Border-Crossing: Immigration Law, Racism and Justified Resistance
Authors: Aitchison Guy
Published: August 2021

Aside from the case of refugees under international law, are non-citizen outsiders morally justified in unlawfully entering another state? Recent answers to this question, based on a purported right of necessity or civil disobedience, exclude many cases of justified border-crossing and fail to account for its distinctive political character. I argue that in certain non-humanitarian cases, unlawful border-crossing involves the exercise of a remedial moral right to resist the illegitimate exercise of coercive power. The case accepts, for the sake of argument, two conventional assumptions among defenders of immigration restrictions: that states have a ‘right to exclude’ and that migrants have a prima facie duty to respect borders. Nonetheless, where immigration law is racist or otherwise discriminatory, it violates the egalitarian standards at the core of any authority it can plausibly claim over outsiders. In such cases, it may be resisted even where the law is facially non-discriminatory.
Insider Status-Membership Involvement Offer Trade Off? The Case of Green Parties and Environmental Organisations
Authors: Stavenes Torill , Ivanovska Hadjievska Milka
Published: August 2021

This article theorises and empirically investigates the membership involvement offer in political parties and interest groups in contemporary democracies, to better understand the potential that these political organisations have in performing the role of transmission belts between citizens and the state. The expectation is that parties and interest groups that become insiders will curtail the participatory opportunities for members in decision-making processes, but that insider parties will offer broader avenues for membership involvement than insider interest groups. We explore these propositions by focusing on two Green parties and two environmental public interest groups in the contrasting institutional settings of Norway and the United Kingdom. Our analysis based on primary case study data indicates that insider green parties maintain more inclusive participatory structures than insider environmental groups. The receipt of state benefits leads to less membership involvement in political organisations, unless the state demands recipients of such benefits to be organised democratically.
Cities, commons, and the unilateral provision of public goods
Authors: Kelsey Nina
Published: August 2021

The rise of climate-active municipalities – cities and towns voluntarily creating carbon reduction policy substantially more stringent than their host countries or the international system as a whole – presents a puzzle. Countries, with greater resources and the capacity to create binding agreements to overcome public goods problems, appear to view carbon reduction as an unappealing burden. So why are municipalities, with fewer resources and no way to guarantee a coordinated global effort, so eager to take on the potential disadvantages of stringent carbon reduction? Based on examination of municipal-level carbon reduction activity in Sweden and Portugal, I argue that in fact local-level climate activity represents not a burden but a tool. Municipal climate policy forms the basis for ‘paradiplomacy’ that captures goods for cities, creates international linkages for municipalities, and allows direct participation in setting the terms of global carbon commons policy. The evidence suggests that the nature of the climate commons – incompletely structured from a legal and political perspective, and open to access and intervention by actors at multiple levels – provides unique opportunities for actors to act as makers rather than takers of global governance structure and diplomatic effort in a critical area of emerging international policymaking.
Citizen Tax Juries: Democratizing Tax Enforcement after the Panama Papers
Authors: Arlen Gordon
Published: August 2021

Four years after the Panama Papers scandal, tax avoidance remains an urgent moral-political problem. Moving beyond both the academic and policy mainstream, I advocate the “democratization of tax enforcement,” by which I mean systematic efforts to make tax avoiders accountable to the judgment of ordinary citizens. Both individual oligarchs and multinational corporations have access to sophisticated tax avoidance strategies that impose significant fiscal costs on democracies and exacerbate preexisting distributive and political inequalities. Yet much contemporary tax sheltering occurs within the letter of the law, rendering criminal sanctions ineffective. In response, I argue for the creation of Citizen Tax Juries, deliberative minipublics empowered to scrutinize tax avoiders, demand accountability, and facilitate concrete reforms. This proposal thus responds to the wider aspiration, within contemporary democratic theory, to secure more popular control over essential economic processes.
Preparation and characterization of novel potassium ion conducting nanocomposite polymer electrolytes based on PEMA
Authors: Jayanthi S , Kokila GP , Shenbagavalli S , Sundaresan B
Published: August 2021

Potassium ion conducting nanocomposite polymer electrolytes was prepared by employing the solvent casting technique. Poly ethyl methacrylate (PEMA), potassium thiocyanate (KSCN) and nano-strontium titanate (SrTiO3) (<100 nm) was used as a polymer host, an electrolyte and a filler, respectively. The complex formation between PEMA, KSCN and SrTiO3 was confirmed through Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, respectively. This system exhibited two ionic conductivity maxima, but the sample, PEMA/KSCN/4 wt% SrTiO3 delivered a maximum ionic conductivity of 3.07 × 10−5 Scm−1 at room temperature, which was 102 times greater than that of PEMA/KSCN system. Truckhan model was employed to determine the diffusion coefficient, mobility and mobile ion concentration of the system. The remarkable change in surface morphology of the sample was observed through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) micrograph.
Machine Learning to Support Visual Inspection of Data: A Clinical Application
Authors: Taylor Tessa , Lanovaz Marc J.
Published: August 2021

Practitioners in pediatric feeding programs often rely on single-case experimental designs and visual inspection to make treatment decisions (e.g., whether to change or keep a treatment in place). However, researchers have shown that this practice remains subjective, and there is no consensus yet on the best approach to support visual inspection results. To address this issue, we present the first application of a pediatric feeding treatment evaluation using machine learning to analyze treatment effects. A 5-year-old male with autism spectrum disorder participated in a 2-week home-based, behavior-analytic treatment program. We compared interrater agreement between machine learning and expert visual analysts on the effects of a pediatric feeding treatment within a modified reversal design. Both the visual analyst and the machine learning model generally agreed about the effectiveness of the treatment while overall agreement remained high. Overall, the results suggest that machine learning may provide additional support for the analysis of single-case experimental designs implemented in pediatric feeding treatment evaluations.
Gendered Housework Among Adolescents in India
Authors: Larsen Gibby Ashley
Published: August 2021

Although an in-depth body of literature has explored the gendered lives of children in India, little is known about adolescents. Utilizing 24-hour time diary data from South India, this study examined how girls’ ( n = 554) and boys’ ( n = 577) engagement in housework varied by parents’ gender ideology. Findings show that adolescent girls with egalitarian parents do significantly less housework than girls with less egalitarian parents. At first glance, these findings support socialization theory—that what parents think translates into what adolescents do. However, boys do very little housework, regardless of parents’ gender attitudes. These differing findings are consistent with the idea of a stalled gender revolution and illustrate that socialization theory is not gender neutral.
Referencing Race = Racist? Examining Perceptions of References to a Target’s Race as Offensive
Authors: O’Dea Conor J. , Smith Bayleigh N. , Saucier Donald A.
Published: August 2021

We examined majority group members’ perceptions of racial slurs, compared to what we have labeled as combination terms. These combination terms possess the same semantic and pragmatic linguistic functions as racial slurs, functioning to express negative emotion toward, and to describe, a target. Across three studies (total N = 943) racial slurs were not perceived as significantly different from combination terms. We then examined whether participants higher in social dominance beliefs reported greater perceived justification for using combination terms over racial slurs because of their lack of historical denigration of marginalized groups that racial slurs have. Participants, even those higher in socially dominant attitudes, did not perceive greater justification for the use of combination terms than racial slurs. Indeed, an important implication is that race-marking, an understudied area of social psychology, paired with general derogative terms produces terms which may function similarly to racial slurs, but, fortunately, are also similarly vilified in modern society.
Justify my love: Cognitive dissonance reduction among perpetrators of online and offline infidelity
Authors: Alexopoulos Cassandra
Published: August 2021

A longitudinal survey study was conducted to examine which strategies for reducing cognitive dissonance were used among men engaging in infidelity. Data were collected in two waves, 1 month apart ( ntime1 = 1514, ntime2 = 425), from a sample of male users of Ashley Madison, a “married dating” site targeting users who are seeking to engage in infidelity. Because perpetrators of infidelity may justify their behaviors differently depending on whether they cheated in an online environment, both online and offline infidelity behaviors were considered. Results indicated that attitude change and self-concept change were positively related to online infidelity, while only self-concept change was positively related to offline infidelity, suggesting their differential effectiveness for various communication media. Self-concept change, attitude change, and denial of responsibility were negatively related to psychological discomfort and perceived negative impact at time 2, indicating their relative success for reducing negative psychological outcomes compared to other strategies such as adding consonant cognitions.
Sexual destiny and growth beliefs, yuan beliefs, approach sexual motives, and sexual communication in Chinese heterosexual adults
Authors: Wu Ting , Zheng Yong
Published: August 2021

The current research examined the relationships between sexual implicit (destiny and growth) beliefs and yuan beliefs. This research also examined the association between sexual implicit beliefs and sexual communication satisfaction through the mediating role of sexual communal motives and motivation to express emotional value for a partner during sex. Results showed that sexual destiny and growth beliefs were positively related to yuan beliefs. Sexual destiny and growth beliefs were also associated with sexual communication satisfaction through the mediating effects of sexual communal motives and the motivation to express emotional value for a partner during sex. Specifically, high levels of sexual destiny and growth beliefs were associated with high levels of motivation to fulfill a partner’s sexual needs and high levels of inclination to emphasize/express emotional value for a partner during sex; these were also associated with high levels of sexual communication satisfaction. The findings suggest that sexual implicit beliefs may overlap with yuan beliefs, and sexual implicit beliefs and approach sexual motives are important for sexual communication in romantic relationships.
Comprehension benefits of visual-gestural iconicity and spatial referencing
Authors: Saunders Emily , Quinto-Pozos David
Published: August 2021

Studies have shown that iconicity can provide a benefit to non-signers during the learning of single signs, but other aspects of signed messages that might also be beneficial have received less attention. In particular, do other features of signed languages help support comprehension of a message during the process of language learning? The following exploratory study investigates the comprehension of sentences in two signed and two spoken languages by non-signers and by American Sign Language (ASL) learners. The design allows for the examination of message comprehension, with a comparison of unknown spoken and signed languages. Details of the stimulus sentences are provided in order to contextualize features of the signing that might be providing benefits for comprehension. Included in this analysis are aspects of the sentences that are iconic and spatially deictic – some of which resemble common gestural forms of communication. The results indicate that iconicity and referential points in signed language likely assist with comprehension of sentences, even for non-signers and for a signed language that the ASL signers have not studied.
Frequency modulation of body waves to improve performance of sidewinding robots
Authors: Chong Baxi , Wang Tianyu , Rieser Jennifer M. , Lin Bo , Kaba Abdul , Blekherman Grigoriy , Choset Howie , Goldman Daniel I.
Published: August 2021

Sidewinding is a form of locomotion executed by certain snakes and has been reconstructed in limbless robots; the gait is beneficial because it is effective in diverse terrestrial environments. Sidewinding gaits are generated by coordination of horizontal and vertical traveling waves of body undulation: the horizontal wave largely sets the direction of sidewinding with respect to the body frame while the vertical traveling wave largely determines the contact pattern between the body and the environment. When the locomotor’s center of mass leaves the supporting polygon formed by the contact pattern, undesirable locomotor behaviors (such as unwanted turning or unstable oscillation of the body) can occur. In this article, we develop an approach to generate desired translation and turning by modulating the vertical wave. These modulations alter the distribution of body–environment contact patches and can stabilize configurations that were previously statically unstable. The approach first identifies the spatial frequency of the vertical wave that statically stabilizes the locomotor for a given horizontal wave. Then, using geometric mechanics tools, we design the coordination between body waves that produces the desired translation or rotation. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our technique in numerical simulations and on experiments with a 16-joint limbless robot locomoting on flat hard ground. Our scheme broadens the range of movements and behaviors accessible to sidewinding locomotors at low speeds, which can lead to limbless systems capable of traversing diverse terrain stably and/or rapidly.
Investigation of changes in activity and function in acute unilateral open globe injury–associated brain regions based on percent amplitude of fluctuation method: a resting-state functional MRI study
Authors: Li Chu-Qi , Yao Fan , Yu Chen-Yu , Shu Hui-Ye , Zhang Li-Juan , Pan Yi-Cong , Shao Yi
Published: August 2021

Background

Open globe injury (OGI) is a serious condition that can lead to visual impairment and lifelong sequelae, brain activity of some brain regions would change in patients with OGI.

Purpose

To evaluate changes in brain activity associated with unilateral OGI by resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) and analysis of percentage amplitude of fluctuation (PerAF).

Material and Methods

A total of 22 patients with OGI (12 men, 10 women) and 22 healthy controls (HCs) matched for sex, age, and body weight were enrolled. All patients underwent rs-fMRI scans. Brain activity in the relevant brain regions was assessed with the PerAF method. The ability of PerAF to distinguish patients with OGI from HCs was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. We also examined the relationship between Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores and PerAF signals by Pearson’s correlation analysis.

Results

PerAF values in amygdala_R and Frontal_Inf_Orb_L/Frontal_Inf_Oper_L were increased whereas that in Cerebellum Anterior Lobe/Cerebelum_8_L was decreased in patients with OGI compared to HCs. The areas under the ROC curve showed that these brain regions could distinguish between patients with OGI and HCs. The PerAF value of amygdala_R was positively correlated with HADS scores.

Conclusion

Changes in PerAF in the amygdala_R, Frontal_inferior_Orb_L/Frontal_Inf_Oper_L, and Cerebellum Anterior Lobe/Cerebelum_8_L in patients with OGI may be related to an increased risk of developing psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression. PerAF can be used to investigate the neural basis of complications associated with OGI and monitor disease progression.
Contrast-induced nephropathy in a patient with type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease: a case report
Authors: Seferovic Jelena P. , Tesic Milorad , Lezaic Visnja , Seferovic Petar M. , Lalic Nebojsa M.
Published: August 2021

Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is the impairment of kidney function defined as a serum creatinine increase of 25% or 44 µmol/L compared with baseline, usually occurring 24 to 48 hours after the use of intravenous contrast. Important risk factors for CIN include female sex, advanced age (>65 years), type 2 diabetes (T2D), kidney disease, advanced heart failure, and intravascular volume depletion. We herein present a male patient with T2D, moderately reduced renal function, no albuminuria, and a positive echocardiography stress test. He underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and two drug-eluting stents (in the left anterior descending coronary artery) and three bare-metal stents (in the right coronary artery) were implanted. Despite adequate rehydration (0.9% intravenous NaCl with 8.4% sodium bicarbonate) before and after the procedures, he developed irreversible kidney injury after coronary angiography and PCI. This case report demonstrates the unpredictable clinical course of CIN. Patients with T2D are at high risk for the occurrence of CIN, so careful clinical assessment is recommended with global renal functional reserve evaluation.
The development of green enterprises: A literature review based on VOSviewer and Pajek
Authors: Wang Nengmin , Tang Guwen , Jiang Bin , He Zhengwen , He Qidong
Published: August 2021

Being a greener enterprise is the final goal of obtaining sustainable supply chain management, achieving environmental management (EM) and ensuring environmental performance. To provide scholars with knowledge of research trends of green enterprises, we carried out this research project, took 1142 articles as research objects and three methods to review the whole picture of green enterprises research. We found that this field is mainly concentrated in three areas. While small and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs) greening, EM and pollution emissions have been the enduring topics, green innovation has received the most attention from researchers. Furthermore, we found that scholars pay a great amount of attention to China-related research and Italian scholars have played a leading role in the future green enterprise research.

JEL classification: Q57
Post-Hurricane Vegetative Debris Assessment Using Spectral Indices Derived from Satellite Imagery
Authors: Karaer Alican , Ulak Mehmet Baran , Abichou Tarek , Arghandeh Reza , Ozguven Eren Erman
Published: August 2021

Transportation systems are vulnerable to hurricanes and yet their recovery plays a critical role in returning a community to its pre-hurricane state. Vegetative debris is among the most significant causes of disruptions on transportation infrastructure. Therefore, identifying the driving factors of hurricane-caused debris generation can help clear roadways faster and improve the recovery time of infrastructure systems. Previous studies on hurricane debris assessment are generally based on field data collection, which is expensive, time consuming, and dangerous. With the availability and convenience of remote sensing powered by the simple yet accurate estimations on the vigor of vegetation or density of manufactured features, spectral indices can change the way that emergency planners prepare for and perform vegetative debris removal operations. Thus, this study proposes a data fusion framework combining multispectral satellite imagery and various vector data to evaluate post-hurricane vegetative debris with an exploratory analysis in small geographical units. Actual debris removal data were obtained from the City of Tallahassee, Florida after Hurricane Michael (2018) and aggregated into U.S. Census Block Groups along with four groups of datasets representing vegetation, storm surge, land use, and socioeconomics. Findings suggest that vegetation and other land characteristics are more determinant factors on debris generation, and Modified Soil-Adjusted Vegetation Index (MSAVI2) outperforms other vegetation indices for hurricane debris assessment. The proposed framework can help better identify equipment stack locations and temporary debris collection centers while providing resilience enhancements with a focus on the transportation infrastructure.
Combining Webduino Programming With Situated Learning to Promote Computational Thinking, Motivation, and Satisfaction Among High School Students
Authors: Wu Ting-Ting , Chen Jian-Ming
Published: August 2021

Many countries have incorporated computational thinking (CT) and programming languages into their science and technology courses. Students can improve their CT ability by learning programming languages. Moreover, situated learning enables students to generate knowledge and master problem-solving skills through interaction with situations. This study incorporated Webduino learning and the situated learning strategy into a programming course and analyzed its impact on high school students’ CT ability, learning motivation, and course satisfaction. A quasi-experimental research method was adopted, wherein the experimental group was subjected to the situated learning strategy and the control group was subjected to a traditional teaching method. The study results revealed that integrating Webduino programming with situated learning could effectively improve five categories of CT skills; moreover, the activity models of situated learning enhanced the value and expectation dimensions of learning motivation. In addition, satisfaction with the course content and self-identity slightly improved. However, because teachers were required to elaborate on stories to promote learner engagement with life situations, the time available for programming was limited. Thus, no significant difference was observed in teaching satisfaction.
What’s Hot in Breast MRI
Authors: Scaranelo Anabel M.
Published: August 2021

Several articles in the literature have demonstrated a promising role for breast MRI techniques that are more economic in total exam time than others when used as supplement to mammography for detection and diagnosis of breast cancer. There are many technical factors that must be considered in the shortened breast MRI protocols to cut down time of standard ones, including using optimal fat suppression, gadolinium-chelates intravascular contrast administrations for dynamic imaging with post processing subtractions and maximum intensity projections (MIP) high spatial and temporal resolution among others. Multiparametric breast MRI that includes both gadolinium-dependent, i.e., dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE-MRI) and gadolinium-free techniques, i.e., diffusion-weighted/diffusion-tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DWI/DTI) are shown by several investigators that can provide extremely high sensitivity and specificity for detection of breast cancer. This article provides an overview of the proven indications for breast MRI including breast cancer screening for higher than average risk, determining chemotherapy induced tumor response, detecting residual tumor after incomplete surgical excision, detecting occult cancer in patients presenting with axillary node metastasis, detecting residual tumor after incomplete breast cancer surgical excision, detecting cancer when results of conventional imaging are equivocal, as well patients suspicious of having breast implant rupture. Despite having the highest sensitivity for breast cancer detection, there are pitfalls, however, secondary to false positive and false negative contrast enhancement and contrast-free MRI techniques. Awareness of the strengths and limitations of different approaches to obtain state of the art MR images of the breast will facilitate the work-up of patients with suspicious breast lesions.
An Arab Lecturer, Jewish Students, and Social Work in a Conflict Area
Authors: Alhuzail Nuzha Allassad
Published: August 2021

Being an Arab lecturer in a Jewish academic institution under fire has challenged me as a professional, a researcher, and a lecturer. Social workers often function in the context of conflicts, but the practice focuses on normative social problems such as domestic violence, poverty, and crime rather than the effects of the conflict on social workers and their clients. In my academic institution, which for years has been in a conflict area and under fire, students are not equipped with relevant knowledge and skills. This article analyzes my personal narrative documented during three of Israel’s wars with the Gaza Strip.
Parole Officer Decision-Making Before Parole Revocation: Why Context Is Key When Delivering Correctional Services
Authors: Ostermann Michael , Hyatt Jordan M.
Published: August 2021

Back-end sentencing is the discretionary, administrative process through which individuals on parole are returned to prison for violating the requirements of their supervised release. Parole officers play a crucial role in this process as they are the witnesses to the rule-breaking behaviors of people on parole supervision and ultimately must initiate the back-end sentencing process. This study explores predictors of parole officer decision-making when determining whether to consider a person for revocation or to gear programmatic community-based resources toward them in an attempt to decrease the likelihood of their eventual revocation. Our results indicate that if people released to parole are front-loaded programmatic resources as a part of their release conditions from prison, the odds that parole officers subsequently gear community-based programs toward them decreases by approximately 60%. Other factors such as demographics, actuarial risk levels, and criminal history were not significantly predictive of officer decision-making in this context.
Primary Progressive Aphasia Presenting With Neuropsychiatric Symptoms
Authors: Mulder-Heijstra Mirjam M. P. , Jokel Regina R. , Chertkow Howard H. , Conn David D. K. , Mah Linda L.
Published: August 2021

We describe a case of primary progressive aphasia (PPA) with an underlying neurodegenerative motor disorder (possible ALS or PSP), presenting with symptoms of irritability and frustration, that were misdiagnosed and treated as a primary psychiatric disorder, i.e. depression. PPA is a rare neurodegenerative disorder characterized by insidious onset and gradual progression of speech and language impairment. We emphasize that PPA can initially masquerade as or be accompanied by neuropsychiatric symptoms potentially leading to misdiagnosis. Most prevalent neuropsychiatric symptoms reported in the PPA literature are agitation, depression, anxiety, apathy, irritability, abnormal appetite and disinhibition. To ensure early diagnosis of PPA, if a patient presents with new psychiatric symptoms accompanied by new onset speech and/or language impairment, referral to a specialist (i.e., neurologist and/or speech-language pathologist) is recommended.
Learning analytics for academic management system enhancement: A participatory action research in an Indian context
Authors: Joy Justin , Nambirajan Thangasamy
Published: August 2021

A common thread noted in many academic management system implementations was the stagnation and deterioration of their usage after the initial hype. This action research study was aimed at addressing this decline in a higher education institute after undertaking a reflective analysis of the waning usage patterns and taking appropriate initiatives to enhance their usage. The authors have attempted this as participants driving the change. As change agents, the academic management system implementation was advanced to move closer to a stage where the committed use occurred and intended benefits were realised. Several initiatives were introduced to propel this change. The scope of this article was confined to gauging the impact of the trigger factors; memos, and training on the academic management system usage. Their effects were measured by applying learning analytics to various sources of usage and performance data. This further led to analysing the relationship between usage and performance of the stakeholders; students, and faculty.
A Preliminary Study of Short-Term Sexual Function and Satisfaction Among Men Post-Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Smith Asa B. , Barton Debra L. , Davis Matthew , Jackson Elizabeth A. , Smith Jacqui , Wittmann Daniela
Published: August 2021

Sexuality is an important component of holistic quality of life, and myocardial infarction (MI) negatively influences many aspects of sexuality, including sexual function. However, there is limited literature that examines sexuality beyond the most basic physical components. This pilot study aimed to describe the relationships between the physical, psychologic, and social domains of holistic sexuality at an early timepoint post-MI. Adult men post-MI were mailed self-report surveys at 2 weeks post discharge. Physical domains of sexuality were measured with the arousal, orgasm, erection, lubrication, and pain subscales of the Male Sexual Function Index (MSFI). The social domain utilized the sexual satisfaction subscale of the MSFI. The psychologic domain included the desire subscale of the MSFI and sexual fear (Multidimensional Sexuality Questionnaire). Spearman correlations were estimated to examine associations among the different measurement subscales. Twenty-four men post-MI were analyzed. Average scores on the MSFI were 9.2 ( SD 7.7). Desire and satisfaction were the highest scoring subscales among men when compared with other subscales (i.e. erection, lubrication). There was minimal evidence supporting a relationship between sexual fear and function. Additional research is also needed with larger samples, and among women post-MI.
Noachic traditions in the Book of Parables: Two parallels from the Dead Sea Scrolls
Authors: Feldman Ariel
Published: August 2021

This note draws attention to two passages from the so-called Noachic interpolations in the Book of Parables where Noah traditions embedded in Qumran scrolls may provide helpful parallels. First, it suggests that the dating of the vision in 1 En. 60:1 is illuminated by a comparison to the Flood chronology in 4Q252. Second, it points out a similar use of Isa 24:18–20 in 1 En. 65:1–5, 9 and 4Q370. In both instances, the suggested parallels highlight the Parables’ use of the Flood as a prototype of an eschatological judgment.
The martyrdom of Daniel and the Three Youths
Authors: Somov Alexey
Published: August 2021

This article investigates the legend about the persecution and martyrdom of Daniel and his three companions at the hand of a wicked Persian king. This story is found in Eastern Orthodox liturgical, hagiographical, and homiletical texts and is based on extracanonical traditions similar to those of the “rewritten Bible” in the Old Testament Pseudepigrapha. The article investigates how the canonical story about Daniel and the Three Youths developed into this account of their martyrdom for Christ. The origins, liturgical function, and textual history of this legend are discussed, as well as its structure and tradition-history. My analysis demonstrates that this legend combines a martyrological account (similar to other stories about Jewish martyrs, for example, Daniel 3, 6; 2 Macc 7) with a reinterpretation of stories about biblical heroes. The legend also includes a resurrection story based on an unexpected exegesis of Matt 27:52–53 and 1 Cor 15:6.
The seventy-two elders of the Letter of Aristeas: An ancient midrash on Numbers 11?
Authors: Hacham Noah
Published: August 2021

According to the Letter of Aristeas, the ancient treatise on the creation of the Greek translation of the Pentateuch, the high priest Eleazar chose seventy-two elders and dispatched them to Egypt where they translated the Torah into Greek. Scholars discerned the meaning of this number, indicating the affinity to the seventy elders who joined Moses and Aaron in the Sinai covenant (Exod. 24) and the fact that this number represents all the tribes of Israel equally, thus sanctifying the Greek translation in a similar way to the Torah. Particular attention was paid to Epiphanius, the fourth century church father, who explicitly states that the seventy-two elders provide equal representation to all the constituent tribes of Israel. Rabbinic literature, however, has been entirely absent from this discourse. In this article I point to Sifre on Numbers, a second century midrash, that notes that seventy-two elders experienced the Divine revelation (Numbers 11): seventy in the Tabernacle and Eldad and Medad in the camp. I suggest that based on a similar ancient interpretation of Numbers 11, the Letter of Aristeas chose the number seventy-two in order to bestow the aura, authority and sanctity of the seventy-two elders of Number 11 on the Greek translation. This example also highlights Rabbinic literature as an integral element of the cultural context of Jewish-Hellenistic literature.