bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Politics of School Reopening During COVID-19: A Multiple Case Study of Five Urban Districts in the 2020–21 School Year
Authors: Singer Jeremy , Marsh Julie A. , Menefee-Libey David , Alonso Jacob , Bradley Dwuana , Tracy Hanora
Published: April 2023

Purpose: Nearly all schools in the United States closed in spring 2020, at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. We analyze traditional public and charter school reopenings for the 2020–21 school year in five urban districts. We provide a rich and theoretically grounded description of how and why educational leaders made reopening decisions in each of our case districts. Research Methods: We used data from a multiple-case study from March 2020 to July 2021. The research team conducted 56 interviews with school, district, and system-level leaders; triangulated with publicly available data; and also drew on interview data from a subsample of parents and guardians in each of our sites. We analyzed these data through qualitative coding and memo writing and conducted detailed single- and cross-case analyses. Findings: School system leaders in our case sites generally consulted public health authorities, accounted for state-level health and educational guidance, and engaged with and were responsive to the interests of different stakeholders. Districts’ adherence to and strategic uses of public health guidance, as well as a combination of union-district relations and labor market dynamics, influenced reopening. Parents, city, and state lawmakers, and local institutional conditions also played a role, helping to explain differences across cases. Implications: In contrast to the “politics or science” framing that has dominated research and public discourse on school reopening, we show that local pandemic conditions and local political dynamics both mattered and in fact were interrelated. Our findings have some implications for how educational leaders might navigate future crises.
Tackling colourism through storytelling in an online course for public health professionals
Authors: Santoso Monique , Agrawal Reena , Tiwari Kritika , Manjanatha Deepa , Austin S Bryn , McAdams-Mahmoud Ayesha , Craddock Nadia , Raffoul Amanda
Published: April 2023

Objective:

Strategic storytelling can be used to reframe dominant cultural narratives and improve community health outcomes. This pilot study assessed the impact of an original, online 3-week e-course, delivered from November to December 2021, in increasing learners’ knowledge of and concern for the seriousness of skin-shade discrimination and the use of skin-lightening products in India, increasing learners’ understanding of storytelling-based communication techniques for public health promotion, and increasing learners’ intentions to use strategic storytelling for social change.

Design, Setting and Method:

The course used case-method pedagogy to address colourism and cosmetic skin lightening. Learners ( N = 25) completed a pre-course baseline survey on their knowledge and concerns regarding colourism and the use of skin-lightening products, as well as their expectations and interests in taking the course. Following course completion, learners completed a post-webinar survey. The Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test was used to assess differences from pre- to post-course surveys on quantitative items. Open-ended responses were also analysed using qualitative content analysis for recurring themes on learner interest and experience.

Results:

From pre- to post-course surveys, there were significant improvements in learners’ knowledge of skin shade discrimination and the use of skin-lightening products ( p < .05). Learners indicated being more concerned about the seriousness of skin shade discrimination post-course compared to pre-course. Learners also described a positive learning experience and indicated that the e-course enhanced their understanding of strategic storytelling.

Conclusion:

Findings highlight the importance of an original e-course that uses case-method pedagogy to build knowledge and skills that addresses the impacts of colourism on the health of Indian adolescents and provides new directions for future research on health education interventions that aim to tackle colourism.
Augmenting Organizational Change and Strategy Activities: Leveraging Generative Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Kanitz Rouven , Gonzalez Katerina , Briker Roman , Straatmann Tammo
Published: April 2023

In this scoping essay, we discuss the potential for generative artificial intelligence (GAI) to shape the work of organizational change, development, or strategy implementation professionals. Using a case example of a culture change initiative, we illustrate how practitioners can benefit from using GAI tools to augment relevant change activities in planning initiative content and roll-out, mobilizing stakeholders, and monitoring initiative progress. We conclude with a reflection on the limitations of GAI systems and outline directions for future research related to (1) stakeholder responses to GAI, (2) GAI impact on the nature of change work, and (3) GAI value creation for change work and unintended consequences of GAI use.
Microbial Indicators of Dental Health, Dysbiosis, and Early Childhood Caries
Authors: Kahharova D. , Pappalardo V.Y. , Buijs M.J. , de Menezes R.X. , Peters M. , Jackson R. , Hara A.T. , Eckert G. , Katz B. , Keels M.A. , Levy S.M. , Zaura E. , Brandt B.W. , Fontana M.
Published: April 2023

Dental caries lesions are a clinical manifestation of disease, preceded by microbial dysbiosis, which is poorly characterized and thought to be associated with saccharolytic taxa. Here, we assessed the associations between the oral microbiome of children and various caries risk factors such as demographics and behavioral and clinical data across early childhood and characterized over time the salivary and dental plaque microbiome of children before clinical diagnosis of caries lesions. Children ( N = 266) were examined clinically at ~1, 2.5, 4, and 6.5 y of age. The microbiome samples were collected at 1, 2.5, and 4 y. Caries groups consisted of children who remained caries free (International Caries Detection and Assessment System [ICDAS] = 0) at all time points (CFAT) ( n = 50); children diagnosed with caries (ICDAS ≥ 1) at 6.5 y (C6.5), 4 y (C4), or 2.5 y of age (C2.5); and children with early caries or advanced caries lesions at specific time points. Microbial community analyses were performed on zero-radius operational taxonomic units (zOTUs) obtained from V4 of 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicon sequences. The oral microbiome of the children was affected by various factors, including antibiotic use, demographics, and dietary habits of the children and their caregivers. At all time points, various risk factors explained more of the variation in the dental plaque microbiome than in saliva. At 1 y, composition of saliva of the C4 group differed from that of the CFAT group, while at 2.5 y, this difference was observed only in plaque. At 4 y, multiple salivary and plaque zOTUs of genera Prevotella and Leptotrichia were significantly higher in samples of the C6.5 group than those of the CFAT group. In conclusion, up to 3 y prior to clinical caries detection, the oral microbial communities were already in a state of dysbiosis that was dominated by proteolytic taxa. Plaque discriminated dysbiotic oral ecosystems from healthy ones better than saliva.
The Negative and Positive Consequences of Placing Nonpromoted Products Next to Promoted Products
Authors: Kan Christina , Liu Yan (Lucy) , Lichtenstein Donald R. , Janiszewski Chris
Published: April 2023

This research investigates how a price promotion on a fast-moving consumer good influences the sales of substitute products in a retail shelf or online display. An analysis of supermarket yogurt data finds that when nonpromoted products are strong substitutes for the promoted product, a 1% decrease in the price of the promoted product results in a .25% decrease in the sales of proximal products but no change in the sales of distal products—a negative promotion-proximity effect. However, when nonpromoted products are weak substitutes for the promoted product, a 1% decrease in the price of the promoted product results in a .10% increase in the sales of proximal products but no change in sales for distal products—a positive promotion-proximity effect. Subsequent studies show that these effects occur because a proximal strong substitute is more likely to enter a consideration set with the promoted product (negative promotion-proximity effect) and a proximal weak substitute is more likely to be seen and considered by a consumer who is not interested in the promoted product (positive promotion-proximity effect).
Justice as fairness or retribution? Citizen reactions to domestic trials of wartime violence
Authors: Kitagawa Risa
Published: April 2023

How do domestic trials addressing wartime violence affect public opinion of government? The legitimation functions of national courts are well studied in liberal democracies, but less is known about the effects of trials that address abuses committed during large-scale conflict. This article investigates how the extent to which such trials achieve procedural justice (fairness in process) and retributive justice (allocation of punishment) affects perceptions of political legitimacy. I provide survey-experimental evidence from post-conflict El Salvador that leverages the repeal of a longstanding amnesty law. Although a trial in general improves citizen evaluations of state competence, fairness and punishment serve crucial – and distinct – legitimation functions. Procedural fairness significantly increased citizens’ willingness to comply with state authorities, regardless of trial outcome. Yet, an unfair trial, when coupled with punishment, bolstered trust in politicians and the judiciary. This suggests a trade-off between public preferences for fairness and an ‘iron fist’ approach to violence. The findings reveal the limits of procedural justice in a post-conflict environment and furnish new insights on the multifaceted functions of human rights trials.
Circadian (re)colonisation dynamics of macroinvertebrates in an isolated karst spring
Authors: Bućan Denis , Miliša Marko
Published: April 2023

Freshwater ecosystems, especially springs, are highly sensitive to environmental changes. They are also excellent natural laboratories because of their stable conditions, reducing the number of variables to be considered in field studies. We examined the composition, dynamics and colonisation patterns of macroinvertebrates with respect to canopy coverage and time of day in which available areas are actively colonised. We used artificial substrates that mimicked the natural habitat structure at an isolated karst spring and recovered exposed substrates every 12 h. Physico-chemical parameters of water did not differ significantly regardless of canopy cover. The most numerous representatives and the pioneering champions were larvae of Baetidae (Ephemeroptera) and Chironomidae (Diptera). Simuliidae were also among the most successful pioneering species. Most observed groups more actively colonised substrates in the closed canopy area. Oligochaeta and Gammarus fossarum were more numerous on substrates in the open canopy area. Individuals of all analysed groups showed day-night migration patterns and were more active at night. Coleoptera ( Elmis sp.) were the poorest (re)colonisers among the analysed taxa.
Systematic review of selecting comfortable sportswear: Predicting wearing comfort based on physiological responses and materials properties
Authors: Wei He T , Chan Wing S , Chow Daniel HK
Published: April 2023

Purpose

There is insufficient research to confirm whether wearing comfort can be accurately predicted by physiological responses during exercise when wearing sportswear with functionality. This review investigated the possibility of predicting subjective comfort based on material properties when selecting sportswear. Design/methodology/approach: A systematic review was performed in accordance with PRISMA. Two independent reviewers searched six electronic databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, and EMBASE, for experimental studies published between 1 January 2000 and 31 January 2022. The included studies were analyzed for their study characteristics and evaluated for their risk of bias level.

Findings

Twenty-five studies were selected from 5906 papers resulting from the initial searches. The results of the analysis suggested that considering factors beyond moisture management function in sportswear selection, such as type of activity, environment, individual habits, and prior experience, can help wearers better predict their comfort during exercise. Research limitations/implications: All included studies have a small sample size; the participants’ fitness level has not been properly defined and standardized; the dependent variables measured in these studies vary, and there is a lack of standard approach to measure comfort. Originality: The understanding and the correlation between wearing comfort and fabric characteristics is necessary because such relationships can be very complex. This review provides information to further advance our knowledge in understanding the dynamic interactions of the factors that may affect perceived comfort in selecting sportswear. A three-step conceptual framework consisting of material properties, physiological response, and comfort sensation is suggested to determine sportswear comfort.
Optimizing Respondent-Driven Sampling Survey to Identify Factors Associated With HIV Risk Behaviors Among Student MSM Aged 15 to 19
Authors: Liu Hui , Li Jian , Han Mengjie , Zhang Lei , Yang Jie , Li Jingyan , Liu Yujing , Zhu Qiyu
Published: April 2023

Male homosexual behavior dominates the mode of HIV infection among students in China. This study aims to identify factors associated with HIV risk behaviors among male students who have sex with men (student MSM) aged 15 to 19 in China. The online sampling used the standard respondent-driven sampling (RDS) method, with recruitment support from community-based organizations (CBOs) in Tianjin and Guangzhou. Multivariate logistic regression models were performed to identify factors associated with multiple HIV risk behaviors. A total of 449 subjects were recruited in this study, including 206 in Tianjin and 243 in Guangzhou. The presence of multiple HIV risk behaviors among student MSM, in many cases, was found to positively correlate with parental or friends’ awareness of their same-sex sexual behavior or sexual orientation, with some geographical differences. The prevalence of HIV risk behaviors among student MSM aged 15 to 19 was high and associated with the disclosure of their sexual orientation or their sex with males to parents and friends. These findings highlight the importance of addressing social support in HIV prevention among student MSM when delivering HIV-related education or services.
Death Holds No Fear: Overdose Risk Perceptions Among People Who Inject Drugs
Authors: Hanoa Kristin , Buvik Kristin , Karlsson Bengt
Published: April 2023

Drug overdose is an important public health problem. Despite well-known risk factors and various preventive measures, the overdose mortality rate has increased substantially in several countries worldwide over the past decade. There is therefore a need to understand overdoses on the basis of how people who inject drugs (PWID) perceive and experience risk. Based on qualitative interviews with 80 PWID recruited from low-threshold settings in Norway, this study explores the complex lived experiences and perceptions of overdose. The qualitative approach is sensitive towards lived experiences and provides new understandings of overdoses. The analysis revealed three types of accounts concerning perceived overdose risk. First, interviewees described death as natural and not frightening, based on perceptions of death as universal, a part of their high-risk lifestyle and their previous overdose experiences. Second, they presented accounts of how they perceived others to be at greater risk of overdose than themselves, in respect of experience, skills and tolerance. Finally, interviewees described an indifference towards death, on a continuum between the wish to live and death as relief from various life challenges. This study illustrates how PWID inhabit drug-using environments which entail a high-risk lifestyle. Faced with these risks, the interviewees presented stories which may serve several functions, such as neutralizing feelings of risk and stigma and gaining a sense of agency and control. They also created symbolic boundaries in order to form positive perceptions of self, by distancing themselves from other stereotypical people who use drugs. The participants additionally expressed an indifference towards overdose death. This may entail that avoiding death, the main rationale of overdose interventions, is viewed with indifference by some PWID. This is important for understanding the complexity of overdose mortality and should be reflected in future harm-reduction initiatives.
Online estimations for electrical and mechanical parameters of the induction motor by extended Kalman filter
Authors: Yildiz Recep , Demir Ridvan , Barut Murat
Published: April 2023

In this study, a novel extended Kalman filter (EKF)-based observer is designed to increase the number of estimated states and parameters of the induction motor (IM). To perform the online estimations of stationary axis components of stator currents and rotor fluxes ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text]) as well as rotor mechanical speed ([Formula: see text]), which are required for direct vector control (DVC) systems along with the load torque ([Formula: see text]), rotor resistance ([Formula: see text]), magnetizing inductance ([Formula: see text]), and the reciprocal of the total inertia of the system ([Formula: see text]), the proposed EKF uses the measured phase currents and voltages together with the measured rotor speed. To estimate all of the five states ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text]) plus four parameters ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text]), the proposed EKF-based observer does not include a switching operation nor a hybrid structure, which is a common approach in the literature for online state and parameter estimations of IMs and results in design complexity and computational load increase. In simulation studies, the estimation performance of the proposed EKF is tested and verified under the variations of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] in DVC systems that perform the speed and position controls of IM. The obtained results confirm the satisfying tracking performances and thus better control achievements of the speed and position controlled IM drives in this paper. Moreover, the proposed EKF and the EKF without [Formula: see text]-estimation are compared in the position control system to demonstrate the importance of the [Formula: see text] estimation. In the comparison, nearly 10 times less mean square error (MSE) is obtained in the estimations of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and the magnitude of the rotor flux for the proposed EKF. Finally, the proposed EKF algorithm is tested and verified in real-time experiments with a challenging speed reversal scenario causing nonlinear variations in both [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text].
Compound control for electromagnetic linear load simulator
Authors: Meng Zhao , Liu Liang , Duan Xin , Zhu Le , Xu Zhaoping
Published: April 2023

Electromagnetic linear load simulator (ELLS) is a device that simulates the load force on the load bearing object. This paper proposes a new compound control method based on the combination of neural network algorithm and feedforward compensation principle to improve force loading performance of ELLS. First, the mathematical model of the force loading system and the problem formulation is introduced. Then, radial basis function (RBF) neural network algorithm, single neuron proportional–integral–derivative (PID) control algorithm, and feedforward compensation principle are presented. Based on these control theories, a compound controller is designed and the block diagram of the proposed method for force loading system is presented. In order to verify the superiority of compound control, different control methods are compared in simulation and experiment under different operating conditions. It is clearly demonstrated that the proposed compound control method has better dynamic and static characteristics, and meet the established control requirements.
Myths in Psychology and Education regarding the Gene-Environment Debate
Authors: Sternberg Robert J. , Grigorenko Elena L.
Published: April 2023

This article describes seven myths regarding the gene-environment debate that permeate the thinking of many educators and psychologists. These myths can lead to serious misinterpretations of the role of genes in behavior and to false conclusions regarding the modifiability of behavior. We examine each myth, dispel it, and state what we believe to be correct conclusions from different kinds of behavior-genetic and related data.
Safety and efficacy of physician-modified thoracic endovascular aortic repair using a low-profile device for aortic arch lesions
Authors: Hashizume Kenichi , Mori Mitsuharu , Yagami Toshiaki , Takaki Hidenobu , Matsuoka Tadashi , Nara Tsutomu , Nishida Mayu , Shimizu Hideyuki
Published: April 2023

Background

We investigated the safety and efficacy of physician-modified thoracic endovascular aortic repair using a low-profile device for aortic arch lesions.

Methods

A total of 42 consecutive patients (mean age 67.2 ± 12.7 years; 32 men) with aortic arch lesions were treated by physician-modified thoracic endovascular aortic repair using a low-profile device (Zenith Alpha Thoracic Endovascular Graft) with four scallops or 13 fenestrations for the common carotid artery and 38 fenestrations or 30 branches for the left subclavian artery. The aortic repair indications were acute type B aortic dissection (n = 17, 40.5%), degenerative aneurysm (n = 14, 33.3%), chronic dissection aneurysmal degeneration (n = 4, 9.5%), and ulcer-like projection (n = 2, 4.8%). The mean iliac artery diameter was 7.6 ± 1.1 mm.

Results

There were no branches covered unintentionally or patients who died and suffered from severe spinal cord ischemia perioperatively. One patient (2.4%) experienced a postoperative minor stroke with full neurological recovery. The mean follow-up time was 18 ± 11 months, with 28 patients (66.7%) having at least 12 months. One access-related complication (2.4%) occurred. Two residual Ia (4.8%) and three residual IIIa (7.1%) endoleaks were treated by reintervention. There were no open repair conversions, ruptures, or other aortic complications.

Conclusion

Physician-modified thoracic endovascular aortic repair using the low-profile device may be a safe, feasible, and time-saving method for preserving the cervical artery and has high reproducibility and anatomical reconstruction. However, its durability requires long-term follow-up.
Mindfulness may buffer the longitudinal influence of peer rejection on adolescents’ prosocial behavior: A cross-lagged study
Authors: Wang Tianjiao , Qi Wanxue
Published: April 2023

Interpersonal rejection has been found to impair people’s prosocial actions. However, this relation may change as a function of theoretically relevant personality traits. The present study examined the potential moderating roles of trait mindfulness in the longitudinal relations between peer rejection and prosocial behaviors. At two time points with an interval of eight months, 654 adolescents nominated children in their class who have been rejected by peers and children who have enacted prosocial behaviors toward classmates and then completed the mindfulness questionnaire. Cross-lagged model results indicated that peer rejection could negatively predict prosocial behaviors in both high and low mindfulness groups of children while the reverse predictive relation from prosociality to peer rejection was not significant. More prominent, trait mindfulness might buffer the negative contribution of peer rejection to prosocial behaviors. Within a more ecologically valid context with a longitudinal design, our study contributed to a better understanding of the conditions under which interpersonal rejection may undermine prosocial behaviors.
WEIRD is not Enough: Sustainability Insights from Non-WEIRD Countries
Authors: Wooliscroft Ben , Ko Eunju
Published: April 2023

Henrich, Heine, and Norezayan (2010) published ‘The weirdest people in the world?’ in Behavoral and Brain Sciences (as of March, 2023 it has been cited 11 800 plus times in scholar.google). The paper introduced the concept of Western, Educated, Industrialised, Rich and Developed (WEIRD) countries/cultures and research subjects. It makes a cogent case for research based on those samples being unrepresentative of, and not useful to inform policy/behavior change/etc. of non-WEIRD countries. With this paper Henrich, Heine, and Norezayan (2010) have asked psychology and all social sciences to reflect on whether our findings represent the world, or just one small part of it. Macromarketing's assumptions and beliefs about fundamental human behavior have been shaped by psychology.
Do Prestige and Animacy Matter to Art Experts? Exploring Social Learning, Signaling, Perceptual, and Cognitive Explanations
Authors: Verpooten Jan , Delcourt Sarah , Dewitte Siegfried
Published: April 2023

Art experts generally perceive, process, and appreciate artworks differently from non-experts. Here we explored whether animacy of the content and prestige of the context of artworks matter to experts. Results (n > 1,000) suggest that experts are indeed swayed by prestige cues when appreciating artworks. Furthermore, the higher their expertise, the less animacy matters, to the point even of a reversal among the highest echelons. There experts prefer inanimate (e.g., furniture) to animate stimuli. We consider several, mostly complementary explanations. One interpretation is that experts might have learned through prestige bias to reduce their preference for animacy, which would be consistent with a prestige bias runaway process. Other interpretations include processing perceptual (dis)fluency, cognitive mastering, and identity signaling. Irrespective of the precise roles of these compatible processes, the results might point to a more general expertise-dependent pattern. We close by discussing further research opportunities to further fine-tune possible explanations.
Analysis of factors associated with 6MWD among older patients with chronic heart failure
Authors: Zhu Jiao , Liu Ying , Jiang Heng , Liu Qianhui , Yao Zijun , He Yuli , Xia Lili , Wu Jun
Published: April 2023

Objectives

To study the factors that influence the 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) among older patients with chronic heart failure.

Methods

This was a single-center, retrospective, observational study. A total of 123 patients from the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University was selected. The factors associated with the 6MWD were analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis and multivariate linear regression.

Results

The 6MWD of older patients was negatively correlated with age, fall risk, nutritional score, frailty, and depression but was positively correlated with educational level, fall efficacy, self-care ability, and plasma albumin. The results of independent variable multiple linear regression analysis showed that age (β = −0.098), fall risk (β = −0.262), fall efficacy (β = 0.011), self-care ability (β = −0.021), nutrition (β = −0.405), frailty (β = −0.653), and plasma albumin (β = 0.127) influenced the 6MWD.

Conclusions

The 6MWD of older patients with chronic heart failure was related to age, self-care ability, fall risk, nutrition, frailty, and depression.
On the Attitudes Toward Automation in Determining the Intention to Use Automated Buses in Scotland
Authors: Rahim Anshamol Nanethan , Fonzone Achille , Fountas Grigorios , Downey Lucy
Published: April 2023

Vehicle automation technology is expected to bring significant benefits to transit systems. For public transportation to continue being a viable mobility alternative to private modes, automated technologies are anticipated to be actively utilized in the future. Investigating public perceptions and their determinants at an early stage is important to inform policies that will support the acceptance and future adoption of automated buses. The objective of this study was to investigate the factors that affect intention to use automated buses, using an extended version of the Technology Acceptance Model. To that end, survey data were collected from bus users in Scotland. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted to identify the latent attitudinal constructs potentially influencing intentions to use automated buses. Considering the ordinal nature of the dependent variable, ordered models were estimated using the SPSS software. Age, gender, and experience with automated vehicle technologies were found to be crucial factors in the absence of attitudinal constructs. Young males with experience of using or seeing automated vehicle technologies were more likely to use automated buses at the early stage. The fear in relation to their navigation on roads, the perceived usefulness, enjoyment of using the system, trust, perceived safety, and security influenced how early one might adopt automated buses. Unlike the expectations, perceived ease of use did not emerge as significant. The sociodemographic variables lost their predictive power when used along with attitudinal latent variables. The findings of this study highlight the importance for policy interventions to increase public awareness about automated buses.
Repeatability and Reproducibility Analysis for Functional Test Results from Asphalt Mixture Performance Tester Cyclic Fatigue Test
Authors: Ding Jing , Jeong Jaehoon , Lee Kangjin Caleb , Underwood B. Shane , Kim Youngsoo Richard , Castorena Cassie
Published: April 2023

The standards for asphalt mixture performance tester (AMPT) cyclic fatigue testing (AASHTO T 400-22 and AASHTO TP 133-21) enable pavement engineers to predict asphalt mixture performance over a wide range of loading and climate conditions. To enable widespread implementation of AMPT cyclic fatigue testing, precision statements that define the repeatability and reproducibility of the tests are needed. ASTM E691-20 and ASTM C670-15 provide guidance for conducting an interlaboratory study to determine the precision of a test method. However, the standards are written for test methods that yield a single numerical figure as the test result, whereas the cyclic fatigue test yields the damage characteristic curve—a functional relationship—as a primary test result. In this study, a vnorm index was established to quantify variation in the entire damage characteristic curve. Repeatability and reproducibility analysis was conducted using vnorm, six single-point measures of damage characteristic curve variation, and one single-point measure for the fatigue test failure criterion ( D R). The major findings are: (1) the outcomes of repeatability and reproducibility analysis using single-point measures of the damage characteristic curve vary with the chosen point of reference; (2) vnorm demonstrates clear increases in within- and between-laboratory variations with increasing mixture nominal maximum aggregate size (NMAS) values; (3) within-laboratory variation of D R results increases with increasing NMAS for a given specimen geometry while the reproducibility of D R does not depend on the NMAS. Correspondingly, precision limits for both vnorm and D R were recommended and evaluated using a broad set of test results.
Modelling the Long-Term Expected Impact of the Covid-19 Crisis on Commute and Telecommute
Authors: Kogus Ayelet , Gal-Tzur Ayelet , Shiftan Yoram
Published: April 2023

The Covid-19 pandemic crisis has forced many people to work from home rather than at their regular workplace. This paper explores the expected long-term changes caused by the pandemic crisis in Israel on work-related travel patterns, that is, the shifts in commuting and telecommuting post- versus pre-pandemic. Methodologically, the analysis is based on two consecutive surveys (of the same respondents) that were distributed during the pandemic (April and June 2020) to evaluate the trends in commuting and telecommuting from pre- to post-pandemic, addressing revealed preferences on work habits before and during the pandemic and stated intentions about work patterns after the pandemic. Four models were estimated based on these data: two multinomial logit models analyzing the trends in commuting and teleworking from before to after the pandemic, and two ordered logit models addressing the frequency of the intended teleworking and commuting trips in the post-pandemic era. The results showed that the Covid-19 crisis is expected to have some long-term implications, specifically, based on our sample, a 5%–6% expected reduction in commuting trips, alongside an expected increase in teleworking. While several socio-demographic, work-related, and personality traits were found to significantly influence commuting/telecommuting trends and frequency, it is interesting to note that working solely from home during the lockdown was found to have a prominent impact on increasing teleworking while decreasing commuting. Quantitative consistency evaluation of behavioral-shift statements across the consecutive surveys revealed moderate consistency, which is very reasonable given the instability associated with the Covid-19 crisis and the inherent changes in human perceptions.
Roadway Snow Detection Using Dual-Spectrum Camera Images and Computer Vision
Authors: He Xiangdong , Wu Yuning , Zhang Keping , Zhu Xuan , Yang Xianfeng
Published: April 2023

Unfavorable roadway conditions, such as slippery roads, can negatively affect the safety of highway transportation. We aimed to develop a convenient tool capable of evaluating multi-lane road slippery conditions in winter seasons. In this work, field data collection using a dual-spectrum camera was first performed at a field site in the state of Utah, U.S. We analyzed optical and infrared images covering a field of view over three lanes through two snowstorms. Image processing techniques, including image registration, morphological operation, and segmentation, were implemented on both types of images collected under different illumination and temperature conditions. Moreover, the ratio of snow-covered pixels was computed to quantify the snow coverage rate of individual lanes. Finally, we verified the system performance by comparing our estimation with the ground truth via a confusion matrix. The high accuracy, precision, true positive rate, and true negative rate suggest the developed approach can support satisfactory performance for roadway snow detection. Besides, the performance of the unsupervised k-means clustering algorithm and supervised support vector machine (SVM) were evaluated on a dataset of 22 optical images and 19 infrared images. Both the k-means clustering and SVM can support a reasonable image segmentation for roadway snow coverage estimation. Thus, the developed technique offers the potential to facilitate local agencies’ decision-making on snow-plowing resource planning and performance evaluation and support winter safety for connected vehicles.
New Method for Quality Assurance of Asphalt Pavements Using a Low-Activity Nuclear Density Gauge
Authors: Dep Linus , Troxler William F. , Sawyer James , Croom Chris
Published: April 2023

A method was developed for measuring the density of finished asphalt pavement layers using a low-activity nuclear density gauge (LNDG) that is exempt from licensing and other nuclear regulatory burdens in the United States. The gauge using this method, LNDG/TM, requires operating in transmission mode—inserting the gamma-ray source at 0.5 in. (12.5 mm) into the asphalt layer. This method is fast and less destructive than the industry-accepted core-extraction (CE) method—CE followed by laboratory density measurement. This paper presents the measurement principles, method, and properties of this gauge. For evaluating the method, several laboratory and field studies were conducted in North Carolina, USA. For surface course measurements, the repeatability standard deviation of the measurement was 0.3 lb/ft3 (5 kg/m3), and the reproducibility standard deviation was 0.5 lb/ft3 (8 kg/m3). The measurement sensitivity is similar to that of the CE method. The depth of measurement of the gauge is about 2 in. (50 mm). For layers with mean texture depth from 0.5 to 1 mm, the density error is less than 2 lb/ft3 (32 kg/m3). The LNDG/TM requires a density correlation method to provide accurate measurements. Following this method, LNDG/TM density measurements showed a good correlation (correlation coefficient = 0.9) and agreement (root mean square error = 1.3 lb/ft3 [21 kg/m3]) to that using the CE method. These findings indicate that LNDG/TM is a promising alternative to the CE method and has the advantage of testing more locations for acceptance testing.
“If I Unfollow Them, It's Not a Dig at Them”: A Narrative Analysis of Instagram Use in Eating Disorder Recovery
Authors: Nikolova Ilinka , LaMarre Andrea
Published: April 2023

Engaging with the encounters and interactions people have on social media opens the opportunity to think differently about eating disorder (ED) recoveries. We used narrative thematic analysis to explore the experiences of eight participants who regularly use Instagram and who are in recovery from EDs. Our analyses illustrate how participants engaged with Instagram in an active and agentic way, navigating discourses about EDs including who is impacted by EDs and who has access to ED recovery. Participants’ stories illustrate how engaging with Instagram in recovery sometimes meant disengaging from content that was not helpful in their lives and recoveries. They discussed the agency of algorithms and how unexpected content could derail them from using Instagram for connection and community. Participants’ stories also demonstrate how healthist discourses infuse social media content ostensibly about recovery in a way that requires the user to be active in moderating the content they engage with. Grounding our conclusions in work on healthism and biopedagogies, we encourage a systemic approach that focuses on what shifts might be made to reduce the need for people in recovery to be hypervigilant about the content they consume in recovery. Online slides for instructors who want to use this article for teaching are available on PWQ's website at http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/suppl/10.1177/03616843231166378 .
Digital Communications Technology Use and Feelings of Anxiety, Depression, and Loneliness Among Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Robbins Rebecca , DiClemente Ralph J. , Baig Noor , Johnson Autumn , Chou Allison , Van den Bulck Jan
Published: April 2023

Some have touted technology as a panacea for overcoming the isolation associated with COVID-19 mitigation policies; yet, these tools are not widely adopted by older adults. With data from the COVID-19 supplement to the National Health and Aging Trends Survey, we conduct adjusted Poisson regression modeling to examine digital communications use during COVID-19 and feelings of anxiety, depression, and loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic among older adults (65+ years of age). Adjusted Poisson regression revealed that those who reported frequent use of video calls with friends and family (aPR = 1.22, 95% CI:1.06–1.41) and with healthcare providers (aPR = 1.22, 95% CI:1.03–1.45) were more likely to report feelings of anxiety than those not using these platforms; yet, reports of in-person visits with friends and family (aPR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.66–0.93) and with healthcare providers (aPR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.77–1.01) were associated with fewer feelings of depression and loneliness, respectively. Future research is needed to tailor digital technology to support older adults.
Planning for Play? A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Hartt Maxwell , Lee Claire , Empey-Salisbury Madison
Published: April 2023

Play has well-established physical and mental benefits for people of all ages. Urban spaces, such as parks, provide important public arenas in which to play. But to what extent do planners or planning scholarship focus on facilitating play? Our systematic literature review of 3,800 articles in nineteen academic planning journals returned 126 articles related to play. We found that the planning for play literature is an emerging discourse overwhelmingly focused on children and the physical design of urban spaces in predominantly English-speaking nations. The study identifies gaps in the planning for play literature and outlines recommendations for future research.
Surface modification of anhydrous phosphogypsum and its application in isotactic polypropylene
Authors: Nie Chenchen , Zhong Jin , Liu Hao , Yang Xuejiao , Xie Guiming , Bi Jun , Yang Chunliang , Shi Yongyong , Yi Yun
Published: April 2023

Phosphogypsum (PG) is a by-product of the wet phosphoric acid process, and anhydrous phosphogypsum (APG) prepared by PG calcination and ball milling pretreatment can be useful to prepare polypropylene composites by melt blending to yield polymer materials with improved properties. In this work, the hydrophobic effect of stearic acid (SA) modified APG was investigated by various analytical techniques. To this end, the modified APG was used as a filler for isotactic polypropylene (PP) blending to yield PP/APG composites and study the influence of APG particle size and added amount on the mechanical properties of PP/APG composites. The results showed SA coated on APG surface by chemical adsorption to form a hydrophobic layer. The water contact angle increased from 8.49° to 112.49° before to after modification, respectively. The mechanical properties of PP/APG composites were affected by the particle size and content of APG. Smaller particle size of APG led to better mechanical properties of PP/APG composites. At particle size d50 of APG filler of 2.83 μm and content of 5 wt%, characteristics like the tensile strength, flexural strength, impact strength, and tensile modulus of PP/APG composites reached 37.28 MPa, 47.71 MPa, 6.18 KJ/m2, and 422.3 MPa, respectively. Compared to pure PP, these values increased by 4.66%, 5.4%, 27.68%, and 18.28%, respectively. Smaller particle size of APG was also found more conducive to the increase in APG content within PP/APG composites, as well as reduced production cost of composites. APG prepared from PG after treatment is useful as a filler for PP and other polymer materials, promising for PG resource utilization.
Outsourcing authoritarian governance: The privatization of mayors’ hotlines in China
Authors: Hou Rui
Published: April 2023

How does privatization impact authoritarian governance on the frontline? This article examines the impact of outsourcing on the labour process involved in the operation of mayors’ hotlines. The mayor’s hotline system is a channel set up by Chinese municipal governments to address residents’ suggestions, appeals, inquiries, and complaints. While the expansion of mayors’ hotlines falls under the government in China, the operation of call centres has been outsourced to professional tele-corporations; thus, it is for-profit companies and their employees that represent the state in communications with the public. By examining both the practical and relational components of call operators’ labour process, this article looks at how an institution of responsive authoritarianism has been contracted out in China. It argues that the outsourcing creates a dual-pressure structure that shapes the frontline governance of this institution. The engagement of privatization in authoritarian domination leads to a conflict between market rationality and the inherited tradition of state intervention.
“We will make the revolution as homosexuals!” transnational solidarity among social movements in the 1970s
Authors: Gaspar Víctor Mora
Published: April 2023

In the 1970s, in different European countries, collectives for homosexual emancipation began to organize. Either as homophile groups of reformist character or as revolutionary fronts of liberation, the social movements of this period were characterized by the production of contestational texts against the discourse of hegemony. These publications, in addition to the positions and proposals of the collectives, document the relations of solidarity among them, as well as the exchange of knowledge, information and ideas. This paper presents the texts that document the relationships that existed between the Italian and Spanish collectives, which, in turn, might have been created thanks to the solidarity support of other movements.
Experimental investigations into pressureless microwave sintering of iron–hydroxyapatite composite for biodegradable implants
Authors: Tripathi Gaurav , Pandey Pulak Mohan
Published: April 2023

This work focusses on fabrication of biodegradable iron-hydroxyapatite (Fe-HAp) composite using rapid tooling and pressureless microwave sintering. Carbonyl iron particles and hydroxyapatite powders were mixed in a planetary ball mill in varying proportions. Molds of phosphate-based investment material were filled (under ultrasonic action) with prepared powder mixer and then sintered in a microwave furnace. Fe-HAp composite samples were successfully fabricated using the developed methodology. Based on response surface methodology, planning of experimentation was done to evaluate the effect of process parameters namely sintering temperature, soaking time, HAp percentage and heating rate on shrinkage, sintered density, and compressive yield strength. It was revealed that out of all the factors, HAp percentage was the most influencing parameter. Scanning electron microscopy of prepared samples confirmed the proper bonding of particles without any application of pressure. It was also confirmed from X-ray diffraction analysis that no oxidation and contamination of samples from mold material took place. To find the optimum processing parameters, a multi-objective optimization based on genetic algorithm (GA) was done and results were verified using confirmatory experiments.
A comparative study of melting behaviour of PCM in a square enclosure having rectangular fin and T-shaped fin, placed in vertical and horizontal direction: A numerical approach
Authors: Bhattacharjee Pallab , Nath Sujit , Bhanja Dipankar , Tamuli Bhaskar Ranjan
Published: April 2023

Latent heat thermal energy storage applications are increasing in modern days for various purposes, such as solar thermal applications, air conditioning, textile industries, pharmaceutical industries, etc. In the present work melting of Laurie acid (PCM) in a square enclosure with rectangular as well as T-shaped fin in the vertical and horizontal direction is studied numerically. It is observed that among T-shaped fins and rectangular fins, a vertical T-shaped fin has the least melting time. A vertical T-shaped fin reduces the melting time by up to 70.3% in comparison with a no-fin case in the bottom wall. But up to 80% melting process, a horizontal rectangular fin placed at a lower height gives the highest melting rate. Vertical fins always perform better than horizontal fins, for having a symmetrical convection current on both sides of the fin. Further horizontal T-shaped fin placed in the middle of the vertical wall performs better than the horizontal rectangular fin placed in the same position. But, the rectangular fin placed below the centre of the vertical wall performs melting much faster than the horizontal T-shaped fin, because of intensified convection current. Rectangular fin placed below the centre of the vertical wall reduces the melting time by 57.2% in comparison with no fin casein the side wall.