bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“The Last Agricultural Frontier” – Piauí, Brazil: Agrarian Issues, Agribusiness, and the Gamela Indigenous Territory
Authors: Arantes Maria do Socorro da Silva , Medeiros Lucineide Barros
Published: April 2024

This research paper investigates the confrontation faced by the Gamela indigenous community, located in the Cerrado biome, in the southern region Piauí State in Norteastern Brazil, between agrarian issues and agribusiness. The territory in this area is considered to be the country’s last agricultural frontier. Self-recognition and self-organization of the Gamela people in their struggle for the demarcation of Indigenous territory, and gaining titles to the land, are key to overcoming the invisibility of Indigenous people in Piauí that has been imposed by historiography and official policies. The article highlights the existence of maneuvering done by agribusiness, with the participation of the state, to harm the rights of Indigenous peoples and nature.

Este trabalho de pesquisa examina o confronto enfrentado pela comunidade indígena Gamela, localizada no bioma do Cerrado, região sul do estado do Piauí, no Nordeste do Brasil, entre as questões agrárias e o agronegócio. O território desta área é considerado a última fronteira agrícola do país. O autorreconhecimento e a auto-organização do povo Gamela em sua luta pela demarcação do território indígena e pela conquista de títulos de terra são fundamentais para superar a invisibilidade dos povos indígenas no Piauí que tem sido imposta pela historiografia e pelas políticas oficiais. O artigo destaca a existência de manobras do agronegócio, com a participação do Estado, para prejudicar os direitos dos povos indígenas e da natureza.
Establishing guidelines for MLU measurement in an agglutinating language: An illustration of Georgian
Authors: Tchintcharauli Tinatin , Tsintsadze Nino , Damenia Teona , Kalkhitashvili Tamar , Doborjginidze Nino , Uziel-Karl Sigal
Published: April 2024

This article explores the applicability of mean length of utterance (MLU) as a language assessment measure for Georgian child language, as to-date, Georgian, a morphologically rich language with numerous inflectional categories, experiences an extensive lack of instruments for early language assessment. To this end, a set of guidelines for calculating Georgian MLU was developed based on the analysis of a longitudinal corpus of two Georgian-speaking children aged 12–35 months. This was supported by the findings of previous studies on Georgian acquisition. Furthermore, the guidelines were used to compare MLU in morphemes (MLU-m) with MLU in words (MLU-w) and MLU in syllables (MLU-s) to determine the most suitable method for assessing morphological development in Georgian. These results indicate that MLU-m closely aligns with the description of language development in Georgian children. MLU-s is useful for demonstrating early linguistic development, while MLU-w correlates with age but does not capture changes within words over time. Further testing on a larger corpus is needed to refine the guidelines for more accurate assessment of Georgian-speaking children.
Cable news advertising: Applying formal analysis to uncover current trends in self-promotional marketing
Authors: Dubois Derek
Published: April 2024

The emergence of 24/7 cable news channels within the US revolutionized news consumption, offering viewers accessibility beyond fixed broadcast schedules. While the phenomenon began with CNN, competitors quickly emerged, targeting different political ideologies and mirroring the heightened polarization that has altered American society. Cable news channels must market themselves effectively to their audiences through distinctive product differentiation strategies. Understanding these approaches provides insights into information dissemination, political communication, and audience engagement dynamics. This paper aims to conduct a formal media analysis of current self-promotional advertisements across the big three cable news networks within the US to derive insights into contemporary differentiation strategies crucial for monitoring the industry’s technological transition. As the rest of the world has begun to wrestle with increased polarization, this analysis will be relevant to anticipating how non-US news sources use ideology and values to position themselves within highly competitive markets.
A review of challenges, algorithms and evaluation methods in news recommendation
Authors: Bhattacharya Somnath , Prawesh Shankar
Published: April 2024

News reading is an important social activity and to help readers quickly find news articles of their interest, news content providers and aggregators use recommender systems. Such systems are designed to address a variety of challenges. Inspiration for algorithmic design is taken from various domains which has resulted in the creation of an enormous body of literature. Also, different methods are used for evaluation of the recommendation algorithms. In this study, we review these developments and present three major components in news recommendation research. First, we list and categorise the challenges faced while designing news recommender systems. We especially list the different algorithmic designs used for generating personalised and non-personalised recommendations. We discuss the major neural network architectures that are being increasingly used for both collaborative and content-based recommender systems. Next, we list the two major evaluation methods and also list some popular datasets used in evaluation. Finally, we identify the emerging trends in news recommender research. We find that the issues related to fake news, trust and use of personal data for news recommendation are gaining wider attention, and deep learning methods are being increasingly used to address these issues.
Research Guided by the Theory of Care-Seeking Behavior: A Scoping Review
Authors: Watts Theresa , Orshak Jennifer , Ondoma Cissy , Lauver Diane
Published: April 2024

Background:

A particular Theory of Care-Seeking Behavior was developed to explain care-seeking behavior with psychosocial concepts, external conditions, and clinical and demographic factors. Having a careful review of studies based on this theory could guide future research on care-seeking behaviors.

Objectives:

With a scoping review: describe characteristics of studies guided by a Theory of Care-Seeking Behavior, summarize support for the relationships of proposed, explanatory variables with care-seeking behaviors, and examine support for propositions in the theory.

Method:

Searching 5 electronic databases, we sought studies that were: full-text, peer-reviewed, in English, data-based, guided by the theory, and published from January 1, 1992, to January 1, 2022.

Results:

Across 18 identified articles, the behaviors studied included: symptomatic screening (n = 8), asymptomatic screening (n = 7), and care-seeking behaviors for either screening or symptoms (n = 3). A total of 3328 adults participated in the studies. In 16 studies, all participants were female. In 60% to 83% of studies, researchers had reported findings that supported the relationships of explanatory concepts with care-seeking behavior. Among the 7 studies that tested the 2 propositions of theory, all 7 tests failed to support the proposition that clinical and demographic factors influence care-seeking behavior indirectly through psychosocial variables. Six tests supported the proposition that psychosocial variables influence behavior conditionally, on external conditions.

Conclusions:

Relationships of these explanatory variables with care-seeking behaviors were supported, as was 1 of 2 propositions. The Theory of Care-Seeking Behavior can be applied to new clinical situations to continue to build knowledge of the theory and understanding of care-seeking behaviors.
Effectiveness of Blended Internet-based Self-help and Face-to-face Intervention for Depression: A Pilot Study from India
Authors: Sudarshan Sindhuja , Mehrotra Seema , Thirthalli Jagadisha
Published: April 2024

Background:

Depression is a common mental health disorder with a wide treatment gap despite the availability of a number of effective treatment options. Blended interventions adopt a novel approach in combining internet-based self-help with brief face-to-face sessions thereby combining the advantages of both approaches and offering scope to address the treatment gap. The present study examined the effectiveness of a blended intervention combining the use of guided internet-based self-help with four to six face-to-face sessions in the treatment of mild to moderate depression.

Method:

A single group, open-label design was adopted with baseline, postintervention, and three-month follow-up assessments. The sample comprised 60 individuals with a primary diagnosis of major depressive disorder, dysthymia, or recurrent depressive disorder of mild or moderate severity meeting eligibility criteria. Standardized measures (self-report and clinician-rated) were used to examine the effectiveness of the intervention in reducing depression, improving functioning, self-esteem, and psychological recovery. A total of 40 participants completed the intervention and follow-up assessments.

Results:

Significant improvements were noted from baseline to post-assessment for both completers’ and intent-to-treat samples, with medium to large effect size on most outcome measures and maintenance of gains at follow-up. Eighty-five percent of the completers showed clinically significant improvement. Subgroups of blended intervention participants with and without pharmacotherapy showed similar outcomes. Completers were higher on interest in learning self-help skills and on the Growth subscale of psychological recovery, compared to the dropouts at baseline.

Conclusion:

The blended intervention demonstrated effectiveness in reducing depression and improving self-esteem, and functional and psychological recovery.
Making Sense of Cyberbullying: Stories of Men and Women at Work
Authors: Adikaram Arosha S. , Ratnayake R. M. Dushmanthi K.
Published: April 2024

This article explores how women and men appraise and interpret their experiences of cyberbullying at work and how they respond to such behaviours within a gendered cultural space, using the theory of sensemaking. Within the interpretive research paradigm, data was collected through in-depth, in-person interviews from 10 male and 25 female employees who had experienced cyberbullying. The findings indicated the similar and different ways that sense was made by men and women employees about their cyberbullying experiences. While making sense of cyberbullying experiences has been a very social endeavour for women, it has been a relatively private and individual process for men. Further, women had been more assertive and had relentlessly attempted to clear their image and regain their fractured identities as respectable women, while men mainly had been passive in trying to protect their fractured identities as good performers. Further, gender role stereotypes and gender scripts appeared to have influenced the sensemaking process and the participants’ reactions. This article contributes to the limited literature on cyberbullying at work and develops existing understandings of how men and women understand and react to cyberbullying experiences in a gendered cultural context.
The effects of gratitude and affection journaling interventions on relationship quality and gratitude for Chinese adolescent – mother dyads
Authors: Chen-Bouck Li , Qiao Bixi , Patterson Meagan M.
Published: April 2024

This study examined the effects of journaling-based interventions on perceived relationship quality (i.e., mother-adolescent interactions and conflict) and gratitude among Chinese adolescents (ages 12–14 years) and their mothers ( N = 339 dyads). Mother-adolescent dyads were randomly assigned to one of three conditions (i.e., gratitude, affection, and control), and kept a daily journal on assigned topics for 21 days. Participants’ mother-adolescent relationship quality and level of gratitude were measured before and after the 21-day period. The findings showed that both the gratitude and affection interventions had positive impacts on mother-adolescent relationship quality (i.e., more positive mother-adolescent interactions and less conflict) with a small to medium effect size for adolescents but no impact for mothers. Gratitude did not change from pre-to post-intervention. The current study provides some preliminary support for implementing gratitude and affection interventions with Chinese adolescents to promote relationship quality, but suggests that the intervention works better for adolescents than mothers.
Comparative study on physicochemical properties of macroporous hydroxyapatite coatings on 316L stainless steel implants using sol-gel and inverse opal templating
Authors: Mehmandoost Maryam , Oveisi Hamid , Meshkini Azadeh
Published: April 2024

This study focuses on enhancing metallic implant biocompatibility by fabricating a three-dimensional ordered macroporous hydroxyapatite (HAP) architecture through inverse opal technology. Utilizing colloidal crystal templates on 316L stainless steel, specifically with polystyrene and polymethyl methacrylate, successful fabrication was achieved through H2O2 plus H2SO4 etching. The calcination process at different temperatures (350, 500 and 700°C) resulted in distinct HAP structures, and the sample was calcined at 500°C (HAP500), exhibiting superior physicochemical properties, including enhanced crystallinity, surface roughness and wettability. Biological experiments demonstrated that HAP500 significantly promoted mesenchymal stem cell adhesion and proliferation compared to HAP350 and bare 316LSS, suggesting its potential as a highly effective medical device for bone implantation.
Electron beam hardening of nanobainitic steel
Authors: Śliwiński Piotr , Węglowski Marek St , Wieczorek Andrzej N. , Skołek Emilia
Published: April 2024

Nanobainitic steels with high Si content are very promising materials due to the very favourable combination of mechanical and functional properties. However, sometimes in order to achieve the required results, it is necessary to further increase the surface's layer hardness. One of the feasible methods of surface hardening is electron beam hardening. In this work, 30 × 20 × 150 mm blocks made of nanobainitic steel were hardened using a defocused oscillating electron beam. Two methods of surface hardening were used – with movement of the sample relative to the heat source and hardening using only beam oscillation. The obtained samples were then subjected to light microscopic and scanning electron microscopic microstructure analysis as well as Vickers hardness testing. The average hardnesses of all hardened samples were in the range of 641–681 HV0.1 which means the surface hardening resulted in a hardness increase in the range of 239–279 HV0.1. The occurrence of similar hardening depths and hardness values in specimens hardened by both methods was an interesting phenomenon that was observed. The amount of energy input needed to achieve similar results was up to 35% less for the method without specimen movement.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) assisted huge mediastinal tumor resection combined with superior vena cava replacement: A case report and literature review
Authors: Yu Jia , Liu Bin , Zhou Ronghua
Published: April 2024

As to huge solid mediastinal tumor which direct compression or invasion of the superior/inferior vena cava (SVC/IVC), surgical resection remains the main lifesaving treatment. However, it would present formidable anesthetic challenges due to the extremely high risks of cardiorespiratory compromise, drastic hemodynamic fluctuations and death at all perioperative stages. Here, we report a case of huge anterior mediastinal tumor resection combined with SVC replacement under the assistance of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO), and stable hemodynamics were maintained as well as high internal jugular vein pressure being avoided during the operation procedure. He was weaned off ECMO successfully just after surgery and eventually discharged. No signs of postoperatively neurological complications occurred. Therefore, the use of ECMO assistance in huge mediastinal tumor resection combined with SVC replacement is feasible and safe, which may provide the possibility of surgical treatment for such patients and improve outcomes.
Symptom burden, service use and care dissatisfaction among older adults with cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, dementia and neurological disease during the last 3 months before death: A pooled analysis of mortality follow-back surveys
Authors: Miyashita Mitsunori , Evans Catherine J , Yi Deokee , Gomes Barbara , Gao Wei
Published: April 2024

Background:

Variation in the provision of care and outcomes in the last months of life by cancer and non-cancer conditions is poorly understood.

Aims:

(1) To describe patient conditions, symptom burden, practical problems, service use and dissatisfaction with end-of-life care for older adults based on the cause of death. (2) To explore factors related to these variables focussing on the causes of death.

Design:

Secondary analysis of pooled data using cross-sectional mortality follow-back surveys from three studies: QUALYCARE; OPTCare Elderly; and International Access, Right, and Empowerment 1.

Setting/participants:

Data reported by bereaved relatives of people aged ⩾75 years who died of cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, dementia or neurological disease.

Results:

The pooled dataset contained 885 responses. Overall, service use and circumstances surrounding death differed significantly across causes of death. Bereaved relatives reported symptom severity from moderate to overwhelming in over 30% of cases for all causes of death. Across all causes of death, 28%–38% of bereaved relatives reported some level of dissatisfaction with care. Patients with cardiovascular disease and dementia experienced lower symptom burden and dissatisfaction than those with cancer. The absence of a reliable key health professional was consistently associated with higher symptom burden ( p = 0.002), practical problems ( p = 0.001) and dissatisfaction with care ( p = 0.001).

Conclusions:

We showed different trajectories towards death depending on cause. Improving symptom burden and satisfaction in patients at the end-of-life is challenging, and the presence of a reliable key health professional may be helpful.
Psilocybin promotes neuroplasticity and induces rapid and sustained antidepressant-like effects in mice
Authors: Zhao Xiangting , Du Yingjie , Yao Yishan , Dai Wei , Yin Yongyu , Wang Guyan , Li Yunfeng , Zhang Liming
Published: April 2024

Background:

Psilocybin offers new hope for treating mood disorders due to its rapid and sustained antidepressant effects, as standard medications require weeks or months to exert their effects. However, the mechanisms underlying this action of psilocybin have not been identified.

Aims:

To investigate whether psilocybin has rapid and sustained antidepressant-like effects in mice and investigate whether its potential mechanisms of action are related to promoted neuroplasticity.

Methods:

We first examined the antidepressant-like effects of psilocybin in normal mice by the forced swimming test and in chronic corticosterone (CORT)-exposed mice by the sucrose preference test and novelty-suppressed feeding test. Furthermore, to explore the role of neuroplasticity in mediating the antidepressant-like effects of psilocybin, we measured structural neuroplasticity and neuroplasticity-associated protein levels in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus.

Results:

We observed that a single dose of psilocybin had rapid and sustained antidepressant-like effects in both healthy mice and chronic CORT-exposed mice. Moreover, psilocybin ameliorated chronic CORT exposure-induced inhibition of neuroplasticity in the PFC and hippocampus, including by increasing neuroplasticity (total number of dendritic branches and dendritic spine density), synaptic protein (p-GluA1, PSD95 and synapsin-1) levels, BDNF-mTOR signalling pathway activation (BDNF, TrkB and mTOR levels), and promoting neurogenesis (number of DCX-positive cells).

Conclusions:

Our results demonstrate that psilocybin elicits robust, rapid and sustained antidepressant-like effects which is accompanied by the promotion of neuroplasticity in the PFC and hippocampus.
Taking data science into the forest
Authors: Longdon Joycelyn , Gabrys Jennifer , Blackwell Alan F.
Published: April 2024

We contribute to the Science in the Forest, Science in the Past series by investigating the specific practices of “data science”, a set of contemporary methods associated with large-scale data processing infrastructure that shares many characteristics with artificial intelligence technologies. We offer a critical history of data science in relation to the engagement of Western publics with environmental policy through “citizen science”, and contrast those developments with the authors’ different experiences and perspectives of applying aspects of data science and citizen science in collaboration with local communities in South America and Africa.
Optimal techno-economic design of PV-wind hydrogen refueling stations (HRFS) for 20 selected Saudi sites
Authors: Oueslati Fakher , Fezai Salwa
Published: April 2024

The current study proposes a model of an autonomous HRFS installed on different sites in 20 Saudi cities powered by renewable clean energy sources. The station is fully powered by photovoltaic (PV) panels and wind turbines involving an electrolyzer and hydrogen tank for producing and storing hydrogen. Three scenarios are investigated to propose an optimized model, namely Scenario 1 containing (PV-Wind-Battery) system, Scenario 2 with (Wind-Battery) technologies, and Scenario 3 with (PV-Battery) components. The HRFS is expected to feed the load hydrogen demand of 25 hydrogen cars with a storage tank capacity of 5 kg. The simulation is carried out using the well-known HOMER software and the description of the technical parameters of the renewable plant together with a detailed economic feasibility for the investigated cities are also performed. Furthermore, the optimization process executed demonstrates a competitive levelized cost of energy (LCOE) and levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) especially for the third scenario with a LCOH varying within $12–15.9/kg and LCOE in range $ 0.332–0.414/kWh, for all 20 cities. For instance, encouraging lowest values of net present cost (NPC) and LCOE are obtained for the futuristic NEOM mega city relatively to the first and third scenarios with values (NPC = $1,576,000, LCOE = $ 0.627/kWh) and (NPC = $830,494, LCOE = $ 0.332/kWh), respectively. On another hand, thorough analysis of PV/Wind hydrogen technoeconomic operation is provided including improvements recommendations, scenarios comparison and environmental impact discussion.
The Profession of Engineering and Unemployment in Colonial Madras (1859–1935)
Authors: Chandra Gautam , Pranjali
Published: April 2024

The development of the engineering profession in colonial Madras did not originate from metropolitan models or indigenous precedents, but it was the result of the exigencies of running the empire. The Civil Engineering College, Guindy, was established in the year 1859 to supply the wants of the Public Works Department. Unlike the professions of law and medicine, the students of engineering completely relied on the state for their job, and the prospect of employment was not optimistic. By the 1930s, the problem of unemployment was apparent among engineering graduates, and a Madras Unemployment Committee was formed to examine the matter. However, the writings on the engineering profession have mainly dealt with the origin and growth of the institutes. The historiography is silent on the question of unemployment among emerging graduates. Viewed in this context, the article explores the progress of the profession of engineering and tries to locate the issue of unemployment among engineering students in colonial Madras.
Jute Trade in Colonial Goalpara of Assam
Authors: Wary Jaysagar
Published: April 2024

Jute is a significant fibre found in India, particularly grown in the provinces of Bengal and Assam. The increasing demand for jute fibre in international markets encouraged the peasants of Bengal to grow jute for commercial purposes. Therefore, Bengal became a centre for globally recognised jute production and supplied to European nations. The discussion of jute trade in India would be lacking without referring to the Goalpara district of Assam, which shares a close flank with Bengal, where a plethora of jute had been grown. The damp alluvial soil of the Goalpara district became favourable for growing extensive jute. The affordable and cheap price of high-quality jute attracted many traders from Bengal and Central India. Besides, the Goalpara district had access to waterways in every nook and cranny, and the district’s administrative centre had inland transportation connections to Bengal. The jute trade was extensively carried out in the Goalpara district, and all the jute fibre was transported to Bengal and then to European countries. The demand for jute in the international markets caused a huge number of peasants to migrate to Goalpara district from East Bengal to cultivate jute.
Investigating Alexithymia as a Moderator of Outcomes in a Randomized Controlled Trial of an Online Intervention for Co-Occurring Depression and Hazardous Alcohol Use: Enquête sur l'alexithymie en tant que modérateur des résultats dans un essai randomisé contrôlé d'une intervention en ligne pour la dépression concomitante et la consommation dangereuse d'alcool
Authors: Schell Christina , Quilty Lena C. , Cunningham John A.
Published: April 2024

Objective

Alexithymia is characterized by difficulty identifying and/or describing emotions, reduced imaginal processes, and externally oriented thinking. High levels of alexithymia may increase the challenge of supporting individuals with co-occurring depression and hazardous alcohol use. This secondary analysis sought to investigate whether or not alexithymia moderated the outcomes of an online intervention for depression and alcohol use.

Method

As part of a randomized controlled trial, 988 participants were randomly assigned to receive an intervention dually focused on depression and alcohol use, or an intervention only focused on depression. The pre-specified mediation hypothesis was that changes in drinking at 3 months follow-up would effect the association between the intervention and change in depression at 6 months. This secondary analysis extends the investigation by adding alexithymia as a moderator.

Results

The current analysis demonstrated that including alexithymia as a moderator resulted in a conditional direct effect. Specifically, there was an intervention effect where participants who received the combined depression and alcohol intervention had larger improvements in their depression scores at 6 months, but this was only when their alexithymia score at baseline was also high (60.5 or higher).

Conclusion

These results suggest that treatment planning and intervention effectiveness could be informed and optimized by taking alexithymia severity into consideration. This is especially merited as alexithymia can contribute to the weaker therapeutic alliance, more distress and dysphoria, shorter periods of abstinence, and more severe depression, compounding the complexity of supporting individuals with comorbid conditions. More research is needed to systematically investigate these possible modifying effects.

Plain Language Title

Does difficulty identifying/describing emotions or externally-oriented thinking influence the effectiveness of an intervention among people with both depression and hazardous alcohol use?
Professional in Practice: Stigma Management Strategies of Workers With Concealed Mental Health Conditions
Authors: Mukherjee Shibashis , VanHeuvelen Jane S. , Thomas Clayton D.
Published: April 2024

Mental health in the workplace is an area of growing global attention. In this study, we examine the stigma management strategies of professionals with concealed mental health conditions. We assess data from 26 interviews with professionals in India who have not disclosed their mental health condition at work. Findings reveal three stigma management strategies: compartmentalizing the “personal” to define the professional, securing the self, and selective relationship building with supportive individuals. These findings speak to conversations about inequality, stigma, and mental health in the workplace, and what it means to be an ideal worker in the Global South and beyond.
The Structure of Social Capital and Cultural Participation: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Cebula Michał
Published: April 2024

This article examines the relationship between cultural participation patterns and access to social resources, proxied by the position generator tool. In addition, it asks to what extent social networks are class-homogeneous (closed) depending on the configuration of cultural practices. The survey results show that participation in highbrow culture is a more relevant predictor of access to higher prestige contacts than participation in popular culture. Both styles are related with the general volume of contacts and the heterogeneity of social resources. Moreover, the analysis indicates that the structure of social capital (i.e., the proportion of contacts with upper-, middle-, and lower-class members) is connected with pursuing different cultural profiles. The effect of network homogeneity is stronger for highbrow style than for any other style. The results are interpreted in terms of social closure and the role that culture plays in monopolizing access to social resources and maintaining social boundaries.
The Prevalence of Sexual Harassment and Bullying Among Norwegian Afghanistan Veterans: Does Workplace Harassment Disproportionately Impact the Mental Health and Life Satisfaction of Female Soldiers?
Authors: Rønning Line , Shor Rachel , Anyan Frederick , Hjemdal Odin , Jakob Bøe Hans , Dempsey Catherine L. , Espetvedt Nordstrand Andreas
Published: April 2024

Experiencing sexual harassment and bullying during military service can lead to negative consequences for a soldier’s mental health and life satisfaction, including increased risk of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress. No studies have to date investigated the prevalence and correlates of sexual harassment and bullying among Norwegian Afghanistan veterans, despite the increased global focus on these topics. In 2020, 6,205 Norwegian Afghanistan veterans (8.3% women) completed an online post-deployment survey, including questions about experiences of sexual harassment, bullying, mental health, and life satisfaction. Compared to their male counterparts, female veterans experienced significantly more sexual harassment and bullying during Afghanistan deployment (3.2% vs. 0.04% for experiencing sexual harassment, and 4.0% vs. 1.0% for bullying) and during other military services (14.3% vs. 0.4% for sexual harassment, and 15.9% vs. 3.7% for bullying). Sexual harassment was associated with younger age and experiencing childhood sexual harassment for both women and men, with men also having longer deployments. Bullying was associated with longer deployments and childhood sexual harassment for women, while men who reported bullying more often had longer deployments, held an officer rank, were less inclined to have a spouse/intimate partner, and reported childhood sexual harassment and bullying. Both sexual harassment and bullying were associated with increased risk of mental health problems and reduced life satisfaction for women, but this was only true for bullying among men. Despite lower reported rates of workplace harassment compared to studies from other cultures, this study demonstrates that sexual harassment and bullying in the military can negatively impact soldiers’ mental health and life satisfaction. Notably, female veterans’ mental health and life satisfaction appear to be particularly affected by sexual harassment during military service, an association not seen in males. This underscores the need for gender-specific, cultural, and context-sensitive prevention and support for workplace harassment experiences.
Evaluation of Tacrolimus Concentrations and Clinical Outcomes Between Extended and Immediate Release Formulations in Kidney Transplant
Authors: Naguib Hannah , Katz-Greenberg Goni , Harris Matt , Gommer Jennifer , Yang Lexie Z. , Erkanli Alaattin , Byrns Jennifer
Published: April 2024

Objectives: Tacrolimus remains the mainstay of immunosuppression in kidney transplantation. Understanding the relationship between therapeutic tacrolimus levels and outcomes of acute rejection, patient/graft survival, and tolerability are important. The relationship between time to therapeutic tacrolimus levels and outcomes has not been well established, specifically with the use of extended release tacrolimus formulation (LCP-Tac). This study investigated time to therapeutic tacrolimus levels of 2 tacrolimus formulations, LCP-Tac and immediate release tacrolimus (IR-Tac), as a predictor of clinical outcomes. Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective, cohort study of kidney transplant recipients at Duke Hospital between 2013-2021. The primary objective evaluated the difference in time to therapeutic tacrolimus levels with LCP-Tac vs IR-Tac regimens. Secondary endpoints included time within therapeutic range during the first 3 months post-transplant, incidence of biopsy-proven rejection, development of de novo donor specific antibodies, and patient and allograft survival at 12 months post-transplant. Results: 128 patients were included (63 in LCP-Tac group and 65 in IR-Tac group). The time to therapeutic tacrolimus level was similar between formulations (7.2 days with LCP-Tac compared to 6.7 days with IR-Tac, P = .63). The time within therapeutic range during the first 3 months post-transplant, via modified Rosendaal, was similar with LCP-Tac and IR-Tac (56.1% vs 64.8%, respectively). Rates of biopsy-proven acute rejection at 12 months were similar (7/63 (11.1%) compared to 4/65 (6.2%)). There was no difference in patient/graft survival between groups. Conclusions: The time to therapeutic tacrolimus levels did not differ based on tacrolimus formulation and was not correlated with clinical outcomes.
‘Our Backs Are Against the Wall’: The Story of a Bangladeshi Woman Garment Worker in the COVID-19 ‘New Normal’
Authors: Siddika Aysha , Lund-Thomsen Peter , Hammer Anita , Vahl Marie , Rayat
Published: April 2024

This article introduces Rayat, a woman garment worker in Bangladesh. It traces how the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated precariousness in the garment value chain and deepened the fragility of Rayat and other garment workers on the frontline. In the article, Rayat explains how her work, household and livelihood changed in response to COVID-19. Her story highlights the importance of contextual influences, distinct industry dynamics and temporal factors, within both workplace and domestic spheres. In complex ways, these dynamics shaped how workers were positioned in the value chain, exploited in the labour process and constrained in their agency.
Medicalisation of Unemployment: An Analysis of Sick Leave for the Unemployed in Germany Using a Three-Level Model
Authors: Linden Philipp , Reibling Nadine
Published: April 2024

The study investigates whether sick leave for the unemployed is used to address problems of labour market integration – a process that can theoretically be conceptualised as the medicalisation of unemployment. Estimating a multilevel logistic regression model on a sample of N = 20,196 individuals from the German panel study Labour Market and Social Security (PASS) reveals that, on average, 18% of the unemployed are on sick leave due to poor health. However, given a comparable state of health, the probability increases for men, older individuals and those with lower educational levels. These findings are crucial as they reveal a dual role of sick leave in a context with limited access to disability pensions: as a protective measure for sick, unemployed individuals and as medicalisation of unemployment by excluding those who face non-medical barriers to labour market integration.
Marketisation and the Public Good: A Typology of Responses among Museum Professionals
Authors: Aroles Jeremy , Morrell Kevin
Published: April 2024

Across Western democracies, the public sector has undergone significant changes following successive waves of marketisation. Such changes find material expression in an organisation’s logic and associated vocabulary. While marketisation may be adopted, a growing body of research explains how it is often resisted as public sector professionals reject its logic and vocabulary. We contribute to this debate by detailing additional, theoretically important responses. Rather than simply rejecting or adopting both the logic and vocabulary of marketisation, this article shows how UK museum professionals decouple these. Our analysis shows how museum professionals either fashion generic market vocabulary (e.g. customer, value) to pursue local projects or sustain terms such as public and culture to cling to longer-standing ideals of publicness. Partly because of the nature of cultural goods, we propose the museum sector as a paradigm case to illustrate this phenomenon, but our argument has broader implications for the public sphere.
Extreme Lockdowns and the Gendered Informalization of Employment: Evidence from the Philippines
Authors: Ramos Vincent Jerald
Published: April 2024

The adverse effects of COVID-19 on labour market outcomes are amplified by and partly attributable to the imposition of extreme mobility restrictions. While gendered disparities in job losses and reduction in working hours are demonstrated in the literature, is an informalization of employment observed, and is this phenomenon likewise gendered? This article analyses the Philippines, a country that imposed one of the world’s longest and strictest lockdowns, and specifically how its imposition affected informal employment. A conceptual and empirical distinction between compositional and survivalist informalization is proffered – the former referring to informality induced by changes in the size and composition of overall employment, and the latter referring to informality induced by the need to work owing to absent sufficient welfare support and precautionary household savings. Examining the regional variation in lockdowns as a quasi-experiment, results demonstrate that extreme lockdowns increased the probability of informal employment among employed women but not among employed men.
Design and analysis of novel microelectromechanical system based microgripper for manipulating microbiological species and micro objects
Authors: Ali Muhammad Mustajab , Iqbal Sohail
Published: April 2024

Design and analysis of a pair of novel microelectromechanical system (MEMS) microgrippers having single and multiple sets of jaws respectively, incorporated with displacement amplification mechanism and electrostatic force sensor is presented in this research work. The novelty of the proposed microgrippers is their unique and efficient designs, having the versatility of gripping ranges. The size of the microgripper is 3.2 × 3.7 mm2 in both cases and has one and three sets of jaws with gripping ranges of 30–64 µm, 175–200 µm, and 350–380 µm respectively. The three jaw sets are application-specific to the multicellular small organism, eukaryotic cells, and microcells, respectively. The microgrippers are being actuated by an optimized V-shaped thermal chevron actuator whose input is amplified by using a pantograph displacement amplification mechanism with an amplification factor of 54. The force applied to the gripping object is sensed by a rotary comb electrostatic force sensor. Special attention has been paid to the structural design, and detailed stress analysis has been discussed. This research work includes static, electrostatic, parametric, and electrothermal analysis carried out using Finite Element Method (FEM) techniques and analytical modeling. The results show that the operating voltage range of the devices is from 4 to 9.25 V, having a maximum operational temperature of 380 °C with a factor of safety of 1.026. The maximum capacitance change with the full operational range of microgrippers is 0.63 µf, having a capacitive sensitivity of 19.6 nf/µm. The microgrippers can be used as an instrument to grip not only the microbiological species but also can be beneficial to carry out manipulations at the micro-level like micro-assembly. The proposed microgripper has a substantial structural stability, has a high amplification factor and accommodates manipulation of a wide range of microorganism.
Dynamic behaviour of bridges under critical conventional and regular trains: Review of some regulations included in EN 1991-2
Authors: Museros Pedro , Andersson Andreas , Pinazo Benjamín
Published: April 2024

In the field of structural analysis dedicated to the study of vibrations of high-speed railway bridges, one reference load model is the well-known HSLM-A, which limits of validity are stated in Eurocode EN 1991-2, Annex E. In a recent paper published in the Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit, the authors investigated the degree of coverage provided by HSLM-A to critical articulated trains. Now in the present article, the authors have extended those analyses to critical conventional and regular trains as well. This is an important aspect because HSLM-A as such is an articulated-type model, so it is of interest to understand how it deals with covering the various resonance phenomena generated by other train types. Therefore, the main goal of this work is to establish whether the conventional and regular trains that stem from the validity rules given in Annex E/EN 1991-2, produce vibratory effects that are duly covered by HSLM-A. Following the aforementioned validity rules, one first aspect analysed is the importance of near-to-integer wheelbase ratios in the coupled vibrations produced by conventional trains. Subsequently, seven realistic, conventional and regular high-speed train models have been synthesised; these models have been made publicly available in Mendeley Data, and comprise almost 3800 different sequences of axle loads. Finally, the response of simply-supported bridges has been analysed with a view to compare the seven synthesised models versus HSLM-A. The exceedance and required speed increase have been computed for both displacements and accelerations, in a comprehensive ensemble of spans and speeds. The results provide a diagnosis of the degree of coverage of HSLM-A with respect to those conventional and regular trains compliant with Annex E/EN 1991-2.
Adaptive fast trajectory tracking control for the airship based on prescribed performance
Authors: Meng Zhongjie , Ma Jianwei , Zhang Tong
Published: April 2024

A fast trajectory tracking controller is designed for the airship, involving dynamic uncertainties of parameters, capable of guaranteeing the prescribed performance of tracking errors, and fast response of the closed-loop system. To achieve the decoupling of velocity control and attitude control of the airship, a new guidance and control integration framework is proposed first. Then, based on the dynamics model established by the spinor method, the lumped disturbance, caused by unknown aerodynamic parameter uncertainties and exogenous disturbances, is estimated online using a high-order finite-time observer. The control performance, namely, overshoot and steady-state performance of tracking errors, is significantly improved by utilizing the prescribed output performance constraints, while the convergence rate is further enhanced by combining the finite-time convergence property of the fast terminal sliding mode control. Simulation results attest to the effectiveness of the strategy in this paper. Compared with the adaptive fast terminal sliding mode control, the strategy effectively utilizes the capability of the actuator within the allowed range and reduces the convergence time by more than half with similar control inputs.
Role of Emotional and Artificial Intelligence in Employee Performance: A Perspective from the Indian Service Industry
Authors: Sharma Shivani , Saxena Parul
Published: April 2024

Artificial intelligence (AI) and emotional intelligence (EI) are primary game changers in Industry 4.0. To ensure growth, organisations look to technological advances for support but should remain focused on developing people and resources that power organisations and drive it forward. This study attempts to combine these two concepts. This research investigates the impact of EI and AI on employee performance with focus on the Indian service industry. The data was collected from different service industry employees. Employee performance has been observed through internal and external services provided to customers and co-workers, respectively. Descriptive statistics and PROCESS macro were used to test the mediation (Model 4) and moderation model (Model 1). Both EI and AI significantly impact employee performance. All the bivariate correlations were significant at the 0.01 level. Correlations between the dimensions of EI and dimensions of employee performance were higher as compared to dimensions of AI and employee performance.

To conclude, EI has a major impact on employee performance, while AI moderates the relationship between EI and employee performance.
Interviewer Stress and Coping: Interpreting Admission Interview Experiences of Higher Education Faculty Members
Authors: Padhmanabhan V , Khanna Karman , Sengupta Sreerupa
Published: April 2024

In any higher education institution, the discussions on admission-related stress have always focused on the interviewee. There are limited studies examining stress experienced by the academician while conducting the admission process. This study addresses this gap in the literature by examining various aspects of stress and coping mechanisms adopted by faculty. An interpretive phenomenological analysis is chosen to understand the meaning ascribed by the faculty to their experience of stress. A total of 22 participants were interviewed for the study. In-depth interviews were conducted with the faculty using a semi-structured questionnaire; addressing the cause of stress, the consequence of stress, and coping mechanisms adopted by faculty to tackle stress. The study highlighted factors such as perceived competency, interpersonal dynamics, time management and brand management, which stressed academicians and caused physical and psychological discomfort. To deal with stress, faculty adopted measures ranging from seeking social support and creating mental boundaries. Findings from the study can be leveraged by higher education institutions to design measures to tackle the occupational stress of faculty arising out of non-academic activities.
Human Skills in the Era of Industry 4.0 in the Indian Automotive Industry
Authors: Sonal Gupta , Mohammad Israrul Haque , Ganesh Singh
Published: April 2024

The advent of Industry 4.0 in the automotive sector has transformed the work environment, emphasising a technology-driven and digitised landscape. This has led to uncertainties regarding the skills required for future jobs. A qualitative exploration was undertaken through in-depth interviews with 44 industry respondents, employing a case study design. Thematic analysis was utilised for data analysis. The research reveals an amplified demand for human skills, emphasising traits such as empathy, problem-solving, communication, collaboration, resilience, quick decision-making, critical thinking and adaptability. The study found that integrating technology has further elevated the demand for human skills, highlighting their importance in the Indian automotive industry.