bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decoding Pandemic Stress: Analysing Mental Health of Tea Workers in India
Authors: Pahari Subhajit
Published: October 2024

This research article aims to investigate the factors that affected the mental health of tea workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study provides essential insights into the psychological factors affecting tea workers during this critical time. Data were collected through semi-structured questionnaires from 532 tea workers in the north-eastern region of India. The collected data were analysed using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling approaches. The study found that all the factors investigated significantly impacted employee stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, safety perception and contagion risk were found to have the strongest influence on stress, followed by unknown and information overload, social exclusion and humiliation, monetary loss and job uncertainty, and quarantine and restraint. Additionally, the study confirms that stress at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic can lead to depression among tea workers, which is also related to insomnia and relationship troubles. Investigating the various dimensions of COVID-19 stressors among tea workers is crucial for the government and management to understand the root causes of the problem. By understanding the contributing factors to mental health issues, we can develop appropriate interventions to support the well-being of tea workers, providing a blueprint for mitigating the potential adverse effects of future pandemics.
A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of Foreign Language Anxiety Interventions Among Students
Authors: Xiong Yiying , Zhang Qiyang , Zhao Liwei , Liu Shuqi , Guan Hongjie , Sui Yuan , Feng Jiaqi , Lee Kyeong Min Rachel
Published: October 2024

Foreign language anxiety is an emotional reaction toward learning and using a foreign language, which may negatively influence individuals’ self-perceptions, beliefs, emotions, and behaviors. To explore how to mitigate the potential detrimental effect of foreign language anxiety, this meta-analysis and systematic review included 37 primary articles on interventions targeting relieving foreign language anxiety. The results revealed the overall efficacy of these interventions ( ES = −0.61, p = .03) in reducing anxiety . Age was the only significant moderator despite seven moderators being included. The qualitative section of the systematic review examined intervention types, publication patterns, and research designs in the 37 analyzed articles. A notable increase in publications on this topic was observed over time, with approximately equal numbers of studies utilizing direct versus indirect interventions. This review offers implications for both future researchers and practical applications in addressing foreign language anxiety.
Properties of micro-arc oxidation coating of selective laser melting AlSi10Mg alloy
Authors: Dong Guowen , Wang Wenli , Guo Lintong , Yang Haiou , Li Haoyang , Zhao Di
Published: October 2024

In this paper, micro-arc oxidation (MAO) coating is prepared on SLM AlSi10Mg alloy to improve its corrosion performance. The microstructure, composition, and electrochemical properties of the substrate and the coating at different oxidation times are analyzed. The results show that the MAO coating is mainly composed of Al, γ-Al2O3, α-Al2O3, and amorphous phases. At an oxidation time of 10 min, the coating achieves its maximum density. Additionally, the corrosion current density of the coating decreases by 5 orders of magnitude, the resistance value increases by 3 orders of magnitude, and the corrosion resistance is the best. Furthermore, the coating on the XY-plane exhibits better corrosion resistance compared to the coating on the XZ-plane.
THÖR-MAGNI: A large-scale indoor motion capture recording of human movement and robot interaction
Authors: Schreiter Tim , Rodrigues de Almeida Tiago , Zhu Yufei , Gutierrez Maestro Eduardo , Morillo-Mendez Lucas , Rudenko Andrey , Palmieri Luigi , Kucner Tomasz P , Magnusson Martin , Lilienthal Achim J
Published: October 2024

We present a new large dataset of indoor human and robot navigation and interaction, called THÖR-MAGNI, that is designed to facilitate research on social human navigation: for example, modeling and predicting human motion, analyzing goal-oriented interactions between humans and robots, and investigating visual attention in a social interaction context. THÖR-MAGNI was created to fill a gap in available datasets for human motion analysis and HRI. This gap is characterized by a lack of comprehensive inclusion of exogenous factors and essential target agent cues, which hinders the development of robust models capable of capturing the relationship between contextual cues and human behavior in different scenarios. Unlike existing datasets, THÖR-MAGNI includes a broader set of contextual features and offers multiple scenario variations to facilitate factor isolation. The dataset includes many social human–human and human–robot interaction scenarios, rich context annotations, and multi-modal data, such as walking trajectories, gaze-tracking data, and lidar and camera streams recorded from a mobile robot. We also provide a set of tools for visualization and processing of the recorded data. THÖR-MAGNI is, to the best of our knowledge, unique in the amount and diversity of sensor data collected in a contextualized and socially dynamic environment, capturing natural human–robot interactions.
A Study on Health-Promoting Effects of Assistive Technology
Authors: Jiang Hua , Zhou Minlu , Dong Liquan , Yan Mei
Published: October 2024

This study evaluated the health-promoting effects of assistive technology(AT) from a holistic health perspective with the data from the rapid Assistive Technology Assessment (rATA) survey conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in China in 2021. Through a generalized ordered logit regression, we found that AT mainly aids in the reduction of “severe impairment” in basic activities of daily living (BADL) and facilitates the attainment of “minimal impairment” in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), indicating that AT at the current stage not only serves as a tool to maintain basic survival, but also plays a crucial role in promoting overall health. Further research ascertained that the effects of assistive technology on BADL and IADL bear resemblances between two age groups but differ between urban and rural residents. Consequently, efforts must be made to enhance the supply system of AT, thereby improving social well-being for all.
Nursing Home Palliative Care Referral Process, Barriers, and Proposed Solutions: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Cole Connie S. , Jackson Amy , Bennett C. Robert , Fink Regina M. , Unroe Kathleen T. , Levy Cari R. , Carpenter Joan G.
Published: October 2024

Despite evidence that specialized care for seriously ill nursing home (NH) residents is needed, barriers to accessing palliative care (PC) remain. A significant issue is the complexity of the referral process that inhibits timely and equitable access to care. This qualitative descriptive study explored the PC referral process in NHs. Using rapid qualitative analysis with semi-structured interview data from NH staff, primary care, and specialty PC providers ( N = 17) in six states, this study outlines a multistep referral process along with barriers and proposed solutions. Key recommendations include comprehensive PC education program development, implementation of an evidence-based PC screening tool, and the holistic integration of PC services in NHs.
The human cost of war: An experimental study of Taiwanese attitudes towards war casualties
Authors: Tse-min Fu Ronan , Yin Weiwen , Han Enze
Published: October 2024

This paper investigates public attitudes toward types of war casualties. Through a survey experiment, we examine Taiwanese responses to hypothetical scenarios involving casualties among Taiwan's own military, the US military as allies, the Chinese military as enemy combatants, and mainland Chinese civilians. Our paper reveals three findings: first, there is a stronger aversion among Taiwanese citizens to their own military casualties compared with those of their allies. Second, Taiwanese attitudes toward their own military casualties are more adverse than those incurred by enemy military. Lastly, Taiwanese support for military action diminishes more significantly with Chinese civilian casualties than with Taiwanese military losses.
Stress and Quality of Life of Parents of Children With POLR3-Related Leukodystrophy: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study
Authors: Lentini Laura , Toutounchi Helia , Chapleau Alexandra , Le Adam , Fournier Simon , Emari Fatemeh , Flamini Robert , Rossi Andrea , Gentile Angela , Bertini Enrico , Nicita Francesco , Pohl Daniela , Venkateswaran Sunita , Keller Stephanie , Rossignol Elsa , Renaud Deborah , Assis Pereira Danilo De , Chen Xiaoru , Vanderver Adeline , Bernard Geneviève
Published: October 2024

Background: RNA polymerase III (POLR3)-related leukodystrophy is a rare, neurodegenerative disorder characterized by hypomyelination, hypodontia, and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Despite the challenges of caring for a child with POLR3-related leukodystrophy, few studies have examined parents’ disease burden. We sought to investigate quality of life and stress levels amongst parents of children with POLR3-related leukodystrophy. Methods: 43 parents of 32 children completed questionnaires on demographics, stress, quality of life, coping mechanisms, and experience of injustice. Detailed clinical data was collected from all patients. Results: Mothers ( t[27] = –8.66, P < .001) and fathers (t[16] = –4.47, P < .001) had lower quality of life scores compared to the normative population, yet 80% of parents’ stress scores fell within the normal stress range. Parents’ experience of injustice scores were high (>60). Correlations were found between and within parents’ scores. Years since disease onset and certain life circumstances correlated to mothers’ quality of life scores; however, no correlation was found between modifiable factors and fathers’ quality of life scores. Helpful coping mechanisms included those that allowed parents to be involved in their child's life. Conclusions: This is the first study to assess stress and quality of life in this population. These results shed light on the importance of implementing services and social support to improve the well-being of parents.
Angry and Afraid: Exploring the Impact of Mixed Emotional Reactions to Hate Crimes With LGBT+ and Muslim Communities
Authors: Paterson Jenny L. , Walters Mark A. , Brown Rupert , Carrasco Diego
Published: October 2024

Hate crimes send messages of intolerance that can cause significant emotional and behavioral harm to entire identity groups. Previous research, based on intergroup emotions theory, has helped explain the psychological mechanisms that underpin the indirect effects of anti-LGBT+ hate crime, showing that incidents give rise to perceptions of threat among community members, which in turn elicit certain emotional reactions that trigger specific behavioral outcomes. This article provides two significant contributions to this developing knowledgebase. First, it provides an important replication of the theoretical model with another frequently targeted community: Muslim people. In addition, it offers the first quantitative analysis of how combinations of different emotions trigger discrete behavioral responses in the aftermath of hate crime, thereby providing much-needed nuance to the intergroup emotions theory model. Across two studies (Study 1: N = 589 LGBT+ participants; Study 2: N = 347 Muslim participants), we show that, for both LGBT+ and Muslim participants, indirect experiences of hate crimes are associated with greater perceptions of threat, which are then positively associated with anger, anxiety, and shame, that link to behavioral intentions: avoidance, pro-action, security behaviors, and retaliation. Latent class analyses further revealed that participants’ emotional reactions tend to cluster into four distinct profiles in both communities: people scored mid-range on all emotions, or high anger with low shame, or high anger with high anxiety, or low shame. These combinations had direct implications for intended behaviors across both groups: experiencing high anger with high anxiety was a cogent motivator of action. Most significantly, we provide new insights into how and why different emotions interact to predict both similar and divergent behaviors in the aftermath of hate crime incidents. Our findings yield important new knowledge that holds the potential of shaping both public policies and practices aimed at addressing the impacts of hate crimes.
Sexual Victimization History and Emotion Regulation in Daily Life: A Role for Stress Sensitization
Authors: Bridges-Curry Zoe , Ellem Jessica R. , Newton Tamara L.
Published: October 2024

Relative to other types of traumatic experiences, a lifetime history of sexual violence (SV) has been linked with more persistent and severe mental health outcomes, but the reasons for this discrepancy have not been clearly established. Stress sensitization, or the amplification of responses to daily stressors as a function of trauma history, offers one possible explanation. Using ecological momentary assessment, the current study tested stress sensitization effects in daily life for individuals with a history of SV, focusing on emotion regulation as an outcome. Smartphone surveys were delivered four times per day over a 2-week period to assess relationships between prior SV exposure, daily stressors, and emotion regulation in an undergraduate sample ( N = 122). As expected, individuals with lifetime exposure to SV evidenced increased emotion dysregulation and maladaptive emotion regulation in response to daily stressors relative to nonexposed peers, even after accounting for cumulative trauma. However, the SV and non-SV groups did not differ significantly on state adaptive emotion regulation. Instead, experiencing daily stressors was associated with increased adaptive emotion regulation for individuals in both groups. Broadly, results suggest that SV is uniquely associated with increased sensitivity to daily stressors, manifested as emotion dysregulation and use of maladaptive emotion regulation strategies to regulate emotions. These findings are consistent with emerging research on the neurobiology of trauma and with an emphasis on emotion regulation skills in leading interventions for SV-exposed individuals. Stress sensitization warrants additional attention as a factor linking SV and mental health problems.
Development of additive printing equipment and process parameters optimization
Authors: Liu Yuegang , Zhao Xiuhua , Xu Liyun , Wang Jinhui , Zheng Changsheng
Published: October 2024

The additive printing of warp-knitted vamp is a manufacturing process forming the complex three-dimensional pattern with a thickness of 0.8 mm or more through dozens of overprinting and superimposition-printing on the warp-knitted spacer fabrics. It is conducted by hands in most enterprises, and it is difficult to meet the demand for high-end products. This paper aims at building up automatic printing equipment, promoting the shoemaking technology and automation level to. Four key mechanisms such as printing mechanism, alignment platform, locating mechanism, and transport mechanism are designed to assemble additive printing equipment. Subsequently, Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) method are used to analyze the reliability of additive printing equipment to obtain the failure mode and risk priority number, which provided a theoretical basis for equipment optimization and maintenance. Furthermore, this paper proposes to fuse orthogonal experiments, Support Vector Machine for Regression (SVR) and Genetic Algorithm (GA) to establish the optimizing model for predicting the optimal process parameters to solve problem of artificial experience dependence. The developed equipment and matched process parameters are used to produce warp-knitted vamp that fully meets the requirements of tensile strength, flexometer and hydrolysis testes.
Mixing enhancement with minimal thrust loss for the Mach 1.76 jet issuing from different beveled collar nozzles
Authors: Kumar Bholu , Verma Suresh Kant , Srivastava Shantanu
Published: October 2024

The main objective of the present investigation is to enhance the jet mixing by introducing a nozzle collar exit inclination having bevel angles of 30°, 45°, and 60°. In addition to this, the present study also addresses the problem of investigating the jet which attains maximum mixing from beveled collar nozzle with the imposition of a minimal overall thrust loss penalty. The nozzles of the present study have been designed to deliver a uniform Mach 1.76 jet at the nozzle collar exit. The results thus obtained through numerical computations have been compared with that of the reference nozzle which has zero exit inclination. The investigations have been performed under both design and off-design conditions of the jet by varying the nozzle pressure ratio (NPR) from 4.5 to 6.5 with unit step size. It is seen that the rate of jet mixing is augmented with the increase in the bevel angle. Thus, the 60° beveled collar nozzle demonstrated the highest jet mixing in comparison to the reference nozzle, 30° and 45° beveled collar nozzle at each nozzle pressure ratio. However, 60° beveled collar nozzle has been substantially penalized with the highest thrust loss of about 6.5% at nozzle pressure ratio 4.5 and about 3.5% at nozzle pressure ratio 5.5 with respect to the reference nozzle and other nozzles of the present study. The 45° and 30° beveled collar nozzles reported the thrust penalty below 2.3% and 1%, respectively. The overall performance, which includes mixing enhancement along with the minimal thrust loss, has been found in the 45° beveled collar nozzle, which clearly justifies its preference over the other investigated nozzle configurations.
Single-point incremental formability of Monel 400: Coupled grey relational and principal component analyses
Authors: Sathiyaseelan Selvaraj , Kalimuthu Ramanathan , Sathiya Narayanan Chinnaiyan , Rajesh Kannan Arasappan
Published: October 2024

This study reports the effects of single-point incremental forming (SPIF) process variables like vertical step down (0.2, 0.4, 0.6 mm), tool diameter (6, 8, 10 mm), feed rate (300, 600, 900 mm/min), spindle speed (300, 450, 600 rpm), lubricant (dry, oil, grease) and sheet thickness (0.6, 0.8, 1.0 mm) on the formability of Monel 400. Based on the varying wall angle tests conducted, it was found that the vertical step down was the parameter most influential in achieving maximum wall angle. The forming limit diagram constructed with the data obtained from straight groove tests revealed the parameter combination for low, moderate, and high formability while forming along different directions (0°, 45°, 90°). Also, it was observed that the formability has been positively influenced by increased tool diameter in the case of 0° orientation, spindle speed in the case of 45° orientation, and vertical step down in the case of 90° orientation. Based on the fractography study, it is concluded that more number of voids enhanced the forming limit. This may be due to the coalescence of voids and their slow aggregation. Based on the combined grey relational analysis and principal component analysis, it is obtained that the order of influencing parameters is vertical step down, tool diameter, sheet thickness, spindle speed, lubricant, and feed rate for obtaining the maximum sum of strains (0°, 45° 90°) and maximum wall angle.
In-vitro study of Ti6Al4V alloy fabricated by laser-based additive manufacturing for orthopedic implant applications
Authors: Goyal Vipin , Verma Girish , Dixit Uday Shanker
Published: October 2024

The Ti6Al4V alloy is widely used in orthopedic implants due to its excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility. However, traditional manufacturing techniques are unable to fabricate complex geometrical shapes with tailored properties. This leads to premature failure due to wear, corrosion, and poor osseointegration. Recent advancements in laser-based additive manufacturing, particularly in direct metal laser sintering (DMLS), offer new opportunities to produce Ti6Al4V implants with tailored microstructures, mechanical properties, and biocompatibility. However, wear, corrosion, and cell viability behavior, required for evaluating the biomedical applicability of Ti6Al4V alloy produced through the DMLS route have not been reported. The present study fulfills this gap in the literature. Micro structural study revealed that DMLS-produced Ti6Al4V has a porous and fine grain structure (with mostly α′ phase) without any crack formation due to the controlled parameters during DMLS. Corrosion tests were conducted in simulated body fluid as an electrolytic media, while fibroblast cell lines were used to evaluate the cell viability. Compared to the conventional cast product, DMLS-produced Ti6Al4V alloy exhibited significantly higher porosity (4.8 times), scratch resistance (23.25%), wear resistance (11.53%), corrosion resistance (16.56%), and cell growth. (4.37%), thus making it a more suitable alloy for implants.
Dynamic performance of ground supported circular water tank using shaking table
Authors: Vikram M B , Chandradhara G P
Published: October 2024

One of the most important lifelines for the human population is the water tank, which needs to be able to continue operating as usual both during and after earthquakes. Due to inadequate design techniques, structures are mainly intended to support static loads. The impact of dynamic loading is not taken into account. When resonance occurs, the effect is even more severe. The main objective of this work is to perform shaking table tests and study the dynamic performance of circular water tanks resting on the ground during shaking. For this investigation, three tanks with different height-to-diameter ratios have been taken into consideration. For various combinations of frequency, amplitude and water height in the tank, the hydrodynamic pressure at various places and the height of the sloshing wave during shaking have been measured experimentally. In comparison to the static water pressure on the container, it is discovered that dynamic pressure increases by 20%–50% during shaking. Resonant frequency drops with increasing tank diameter for a given water head at constant amplitudes.
Permanently marginalized? Securing living hours among part-time workers in hotels and restaurants in Northern Europe
Authors: Ilsøe Anna , Larsen Trine Pernille , Trygstad Sissel , Ryan Lorraine , Nergaard Kristine , McMahon Juliette
Published: October 2024

This paper offers a comparative perspective on the wage and working conditions of marginal part-time workers (less than 15 hours per week) in the Danish, Irish and Norwegian hotel and restaurant sector. Each of the three countries belongs to distinct industrial relations models with different sectoral traditions of multi-employer bargaining, political intervention and union strength. We focus on social partner initiatives, over time, covering trade unions, employers and national governments’ unilateral, bipartite or tripartite measures to secure ‘living hours’ for workers with contracts of few hours. Analytically, we seek inspiration from the work on industrial relations regimes by Visser (2009) and combine it with the concept of living hours. We find that social partners have introduced a series of initiatives to secure living hours, notably to protect and increase hourly wages and secure guaranteed weekly working hours. However, while securing minimum wages and income through either bipartite, tripartite or unilateral measures seem relatively successful in all three countries, the attempts to guarantee minimum weekly working hours and thus secure living hours prove more difficult and mainly has had an impact in Denmark.
Idris Bitlisi and the prevalence of historiography in the ottoman empire: A Look at his most important work Hasht Bihisht
Authors: Hashemimehr Mohammad , Memariani Zahra
Published: October 2024

Idris Bitlisi was an historian and statesman of Kurdish and Iranian descent in the Ottoman Empire. This article introduces the influence of Bitlisi work on the historiography in the territory of the Ottoman Empire. Bitlisi was commissioned to write the history of the Ottoman family from the reign of Osman (1310 AD) to Bayazid II (1502 AD) which was entitled Hasht Bihisht (Eight Heavens) and was written in Persian. This era is considered the Golden Period in Ottoman historiography. By creating this work, Bitlisi transferred the methods of Iranian writing of history to the Anatolian regions. In all his works, the Persian language and literature and the crystallization of Iranian culture and civilization can be seen. Bitlisi's writings, especially Hasht Bihisht, can be seen as a more explicit statement of the political and cultural situation of the Ottoman sultans and their interest in history.
The border in common: The Janus-faced place attachment of cross-border regions
Authors: Drevon Guillaume , Gerber Philippe , Kaufmann Vincent
Published: October 2024

For several decades, cross-border areas have been the setting for the successive deployment of various cross-border cooperation and integration mechanisms. These mechanisms aim primarily to facilitate mobility and interaction between actors through cross-border cooperation projects designed to create institutional cross-border areas. The current article takes an approach centred on attachment to places with the aim of determining whether cross-border areas make sense for their inhabitants. The analyses are based on a cross-sectional survey of 3,200 inhabitants of three institutional cross-border areas: Greater Geneva, the Basque Eurocity and the Eurometropolis of Lille Kortrijk Tournai. The methodology introduces into the field of border studies the technique of structural equation models for the measurement of place attachment using different explanatory variables. Several original results are found. First, place attachment is composed of both the sense of belonging to a country and the residential location of the members ego’s (the respondent) personal network. Second, two notable forms of attachment have an ambivalent relationship within the institutional cross-border areas: attachment to the border region of residence and attachment to the neighbouring border region. Specifically, the estimated attachment to the neighbouring border region favours the declared attachment to the institutional cross-border area. Subsequently, the estimated attachment to either border region also helps explain the choice of location for regular activities. Finally, the reported attachment to the institutional cross-border area is dependent on the individual’s social position. These results open up new perspectives on European integration policies that could rely more strongly on attachment to strengthen social cohesion in institutional cross-border areas.
Identifying Social-Cognitive Factors Influencing Aggression in Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Indian Study
Authors: Majumdar Ilika Guha , Srivastava Manini
Published: October 2024

Adolescence is a critical period during which the likelihood of experiencing self-regulation failures like aggressive outbursts is increased. Recent Indian studies on adolescents have reported an increasing incidence of aggressive acts during this time of transition, which is a threat to the adolescent, the victim and society in general. This study focuses on the social-cognitive perspective, implying that aggression is a social behaviour that is largely affected by one’s beliefs about the acceptability of aggression and the degree of cognitive and effortful control they have over their emotions. Such beliefs are likely to be influenced by emotion socialisation, wherein parents and peers act as key agents. With this perspective, the current study, through a mediational model, explains the social-cognitive factors predicting aggressive behaviour in adolescents. This is a cross-sectional, descriptive study carried out on a sample of 475 adolescent students from the Delhi-NCR region recruited through purposive sampling. The data were collected through self-report questionnaires from schools and colleges. The model was tested using SPSS AMOS and was found to be a good fit for the data. The findings of this study are crucial from a risk and intervention perspective. It emphasises the need to build socially and emotionally competent students who not only have the skills needed to succeed but also nurture healthy social relationships and maintain positive mental health through adaptive emotion regulation skills.
Effects of Altitude on Socio-economic Conditions and Environmental Sustainability of Farm Households in North Pakistan (A Case Study of Namli Maira, Hazara Division)
Authors: Ullah Ehsan Inam , Khan Shahzad , Baig Sadiq Ullah , Khan Sher , Hronec Martin , Waheed Fatima
Published: October 2024

This research study was based on the effect of altitude on farmers’ socio-economic conditions in northern Pakistan. Based on the high altitude, the air is thinner and has less ability to retain heat, which makes these mountainous areas more vulnerable to environmental sustainability and climate change as a result of increased natural hazards in the region. Thus, by employing a multinomial regression model, we analyzed the data by taking categorical observations for transect1, transect2 and transect3. The findings of the study show that for both commercial and subsistence purposes, agriculture was the most prominent source of income in all transects, particularly in transect1. It also contributed the largest level of income in transect1; however, in the other two transects, private employment was reported to contribute the largest levels of income, respectively. Furthermore, transect1, based on the education of the households, has a significant and negative effect. Income from off-farm and income from agricultural practices also have significant effects. Moreover, transect2 and transect3 have significant effects on land cultivated and income from agricultural practices. This study recommends that the government should subsidize the agricultural inputs for those remote households that have been engaged in agricultural productivity since the beginning of the country’s existence. It will make those households much more food secure and provide sufficient earnings from these farms.
Book review: Kees Biekart, Tiina Kontinen and Marianne Millstein (Eds.), Civil Society Responses to Changing Civic Spaces
Authors: Kumar Vikash
Published: October 2024

Kees Biekart, Tiina Kontinen and Marianne Millstein (Eds.), Civil Society Responses to Changing Civic Spaces (Palgrave Macmillan, 2023), 293 pp. €49.99, ISBN: 9783031233050 (eBook).
Buddy4Study: Technology-Driven CSR Initiative
Authors: Aggarwal Shalini , Mittal Saurabh , Garg Chandra Prakash
Published: October 2024

Buddy4Study, under the leadership of Burnwal, aimed to extend its reach to thirty million students across India, mainly targeting those in remote and underserved regions. Recognizing the challenges of reaching such a vast and diverse population, Burnwal enlisted the expertise of Mr Gitesh Sharma to develop a strategic plan. Sharma’s approach involved leveraging traditional and digital media to maximize visibility, including newspapers, television, radio and internet marketing. He also proposed innovative grassroots initiatives, such as engaging MBA students in internship programmes to lead village educational awareness campaigns. Additionally, Sharma recommended forming partnerships with NGOs to further amplify these efforts in rural areas, where access to educational resources is often limited. Digital marketing was identified as a key tool, focusing on platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn and on mobile-based ads to reach a broader student audience. Sharma also emphasized the importance of meticulously planned digital platforms—such as mobile apps and websites—that offer clear, detailed guidance for scholarship applicants. Burnwal considered whether these strategies would effectively help Buddy4Study reach its ambitious target and impact the educational landscape in India.
Exploring the Potential Antidiabetic Effects of Alkannin (A Naphthoquinone Compound): in vivo and in silico Studies
Authors: Saeed Mohd , Shoaib Ambreen , Azmi Lubna , Al-Shammary Asma , Alam Md Jahoor , Albulaihed Yazeed , Balaramnavar Vishal M , Bonde Chandrakant , Kausar Mohd Adnan , Abdelgadir Abdelmuhsin , Alqathani Saad Saeed , Ansari Irfan Ahmad
Published: October 2024

Background

It is estimated that the plant has been utilized in India’s traditional medical system for close to 2,500 years. Alkanin is a key active component in Boraginaceae medicinal plant roots. Many scientists are interested in this tiny molecule due to its biological potential.

Objectives

To examine the hypoglycemic effects of alkannin (a naphthoquinone pigment).

Materials and Methods

Initially, we determined the dosage of alkannin by conducting an acute oral toxicity study per Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development guidelines. Subsequently, streptozocin was used to induce diabetes in mice, and we chose several parameters such as body weight, food and water intake, blood glucose level, and biochemical estimation for the in vivo evaluation. The enhanced pharmacokinetic features of alkannin, such as its better cytochromes P450 metabolism profiles and higher intestinal absorption as compared to glimepiride, were validated by in silico investigations utilizing Swiss ADME (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion) and AutoDock Vina.

Results

In particular, blood glucose levels and body weight in the alkannin-treated group drastically decreased to 138 ± 1.45 mg/dL and 27.9±0.54 g, respectively, as compared with the diabetic-treated group. Moreover, alkaline phosphatase levels dropped to 57.26 ± 3.05 U/L in the alkannin group, suggesting enhanced liver and kidney functions. Creatinine levels also decreased from 1.44 ± 0.10 mg/dL to 0.92 ± 0.09 mg/dL, and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase/aspartate aminotransferase levels decreased from 64.16 ± 3.14 U/L to 47.85 ± 2.01 U/L. Additionally, diabetic controls maintained cholesterol levels between 102.1 ± 11.46 mg/dL and 93.53 ± 2.61 mg/dL. With a considerable binding score of –9.2 kcal/mol for alkannin, molecular docking demonstrated a high degree of binding efficiency and robust interaction with biological targets. The docking results revealed that alkannin exhibits drug-like properties. In addition, it satisfies the lead likeness requirement and has a lower synthetic accessibility score compared to glimepiride.

Conclusion

The results revealed the promising characteristics and positive outcomes of alkannin, underscoring its potential as a viable candidate for further investigation and prospective advancement as a treatment drug for diabetes.
Economic Uncertainty and Impact of Governments’ Spending on Economic Growth: An Empirical Study of Emerging Market Economies*
Authors: Prathap Manu , Suresh Anoop K. , Seth Bichitrananda , Behera Samir Ranjan
Published: October 2024

The COVID-19-led economic crisis has rekindled scholarly interest in the relationship between government spending and economic growth. Further, there is an emerging realm of empirical literature that focuses on the dynamics of this relationship during times of uncertainty. Against this backdrop, this study investigates the effect of government expenditure on economic growth during economic uncertainty and the role of economic confidence in the transmission mechanism of policy shocks utilizing a panel generalized method of moments (GMM) framework for 13 select emerging market economies (EMEs). The findings suggest that the beneficial impact of government spending during economic uncertainty is not significantly different from regular times; however, its effectiveness is enhanced during contractionary periods. Government spending, on the other hand, does not have a statistically significant effect during expansionary phases. Furthermore, unanticipated government spending boosts economic confidence, especially during contractionary phases. Governments in EMEs should implement countercyclical fiscal policies selectively to stimulate aggregate demand and facilitate economic recovery, prioritizing targeted spending in confidence-building initiatives and key sectors. Spending in high multiplier sectors during contractionary periods can boost economic activity and speed recovery, fostering stability and growth amidst uncertain economic conditions.

JEL Classification E32, H30, H32
Global Leader, Local Challenges: An Overview of Streaming in India
Authors: Biswas Indroneil Bir
Published: October 2024

The rise of digital technologies in the past three decades transformed how individuals and societies consume and interpret media. This digital penetration impacts almost every aspect of social life, including the form, content and affordances transnational media conglomerates offer. The post-2000 shifts from traditional broadcasting to digital streaming introduced new questions about contemporary media technologies. One such question is the significance of global media conglomerates’ localisation of technologies and texts in diverse markets such as India, where the streaming industry is expected to hit $15 billion by the decade’s end. This study, grounded in the theoretical frameworks of global media, political economy and cultural studies, attempted to enhance existing scholarship on hybridity or glocalisation, the fusion between global and local cultures, by analysing the effects of streaming in India’s rapidly digitising economy. Through textual and document analysis, the study examined the factors across content preferences, pricing policies and regulatory environment that contributed to Netflix’s struggles and the relative success of Disney+Hotstar and JioCinema in the Indian market. Investigating cultural and economic factors revealed that global media conglomerates and platforms must localise their messages, agendas and ideologies for adequate consumption, interpretation and adoption.
Sporting mega-events, physical activity, and Actor Network Theory: Mapping actants of movement at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup
Authors: Brice Julie , Thorpe Holly
Published: October 2024

This article explores the potential of Bruno Latour's Actor Network Theory (ANT) for rethinking the relationship between sporting mega-events and physical activity (PA). Engaging with ANT as theory and methodology, we explore how PA is a result of human–nonhuman interactions occurring during and around sporting events. More specifically, based upon a collaborative ethnography of the 2023 FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) Women's World Cup (FWWC23), we focus on humans and nonhumans (football, physical spaces, and seats) as actants (intermediaries and mediators) that enabled and/or constrained PA. In so doing, we provide an alternative to PA initiatives (such as the collaboration between FIFA and the World Health Organization with the BeActive #BringtheMoves campaign at the FWWC23) that focus on human intentionality and view the body as controllable. Instead, in this article we recognize PA as a complex phenomenon dis/re/assembling as objects, humans, and actants interact in (un)expected ways. Simultaneously, we discuss both the affordances and challenges offered by ANT in sporting mega-event literature and for research and policies that link sporting events and PA.
From denunciation to therapy: Representing coach-athlete abuse in occidental cinema
Authors: Lin Siyao
Published: October 2024

This article examines the evolving portrayal of abusive coaching relationships in contemporary occidental cinema, particularly through the lens of five biographical films: The Little Queen, The Tale, Slalom, Service vole and Floodlights. Released between 2014 and 2022, these films highlight the complex power dynamics and psychological impacts of coach-athlete relationships within the sports context. By utilizing a biopic format, they not only enhance public awareness of these abusive dynamics but also facilitate a transnational dialogue ignited by the #MeToo movement's exposure of sexual misconduct across various industries. This article contributes to a broader discourse on the intersection of sports, cinema, and social justice, highlighting how film can be a powerful tool for social change by amplifying voices that have historically been silenced and by promoting an informed and empathetic understanding of abuse and recovery in sports.
European Arrest Warrants, the rule of law and communication: What future for mutual recognition?
Authors: Hamenstädt Kathrin
Published: October 2024

This contribution addresses the insistence of the Court of Justice of the European Union on the two-step test in the context of European Arrest Warrants (EAWs) and focuses on the advantages this approach offers whilst acknowledging its downsides. Crucially, the Court's approach keeps the vertical and horizontal channels of communication open and is flanked by a subtle broadening of the criteria, which the requested judicial authority can take into consideration when assessing the second limb of the test. This shift provides national judicial authorities with tools to respond to rule of law violations by refusing the execution of an EAW. This move to judicial subsidiarity creates pitfalls, but the Court's focus on communication has the potential to transform the Court's initial top-down approach to mutual trust into a bottom-up approach, which could foster the emergence of, and strengthen, real trust between national judicial authorities.
Learning by Doing: The Potential for Experiential Education in Health Promotion
Authors: Thomas Jenifer J. , Das Bhibha M. , Smith Bailee , Erickson Nicholas , Soske Grace , Stout Caitlin , Wade McKinzie
Published: October 2024

Background: Rural populations face significant health disparities (e.g., high rates of chronic diseases) and unique accessibility barriers (e.g., limited healthcare facilities). Training higher education students to serve as facilitators for chronic disease prevention programs may address rural health promotion needs. Purpose: The purpose of this pilot, exploratory study was to create an experiential learning opportunity for students and examine their experiences. Methodology/Approach: Project leaders completed a Diabetes Prevention Program Lifestyle Coach training and, based on their experiences, created training program goals, content, and schedule. Undergraduate students in health-related programs or courses were recruited to participate. Four students completed a 4-week experiential training program and, at the end of the program, participated in an individual qualitative interview for researchers to understand their experiences. Findings/Conclusions: Data were analyzed through a qualitative-descriptive approach. The main theme, experiential learning, branched into two subthemes: (a) professional development and (b) program implementation and future program directions. Students’ experiential learning influenced their personal and programmatic views of prevention training. Implications: The benefits of experiential learning in prevention will enhance students’ education and future employment experiences. Future studies should improve upon training delivery and examine the acceptability of this method of delivery in the rural population.
Content Analysis of Brief Telephonic Conversation with Parents of Children with Cleft Lip and Palate During Sustained Anticipatory Guidance Sessions
Authors: Esther K. , Muthu M.S. , Sagarkar Anitha R. , Saikia Ankita
Published: October 2024

Objectives

Cleft lip and palate (CLP) represents complex congenital anomalies that necessitate a comprehensive approach to care, involving multiple healthcare disciplines. The primary aim of the study is to explore the content of periodic telephone support calls between parents/caregivers of children with CLP and pediatric dentist during sustained anticipatory guidance.

Design

The qualitative analysis was conducted with the available telephonic recordings that was obtained from the STOP database. 40 recordings of 8 children were used for this study. The recorded interviews were translated and transcribed verbatim and analysed using the thematic content analysis method.

Results

The four major themes that were addressed by the dentist were the general health of the baby, oral health and development, surgery-related concerns and emotional support. It was also observed that the parents demonstrated a positive shift in oral health related behaviour significantly improving their child's oral hygiene practices.

Conclusions

The telephonic support calls offer valuable insights into the concerns and topics the parents of children with CLP are eager to discuss. These calls not only address general concerns, receiving emotional support from the professionals, demonstrate the health related behavior shift that takes place during SAG and reassures parents of their support.
A damage-based analytical model to evaluate seepage pressure effect on rock macro mechanical behaviors from the perspective of micro-fracture
Authors: Yang Yuezong , Shao Zhushan , Zhao Nannan , Wu Kui
Published: October 2024

The deterioration of rock material properties induced by seepage pressure is a serious danger to the stability of geotechnical engineering. The formation and propagation of microcracks is the primary cause of rock macro failure. This work proposes an damage-based analytical model to assess the impact of seepage pressure on the macro mechanical behaviors of rocks from the standpoint of micro fracture. A wing crack model serves as the foundation for the analytical model. This model has taken into account the impact of seepage pressure on the initiation and growth of wing cracks. The constitutive relation is constructed based on the equivalency connection of damage defined by strain and wing crack length. A comparison between the analytical results and the reported experimental data confirms the reasonableness of the analytical model. Investigations are conducted on the relationship between the macro mechanical behavior of rocks and micro fracture under various seepage pressures, confining pressures, and microscopic parameters. The findings demonstrate that the cracks growth is initially steady before becoming unstable. The growing process of wing cracks stops when they connect with one another, and friction between the crack surfaces takes over. The initiation and growth of wing cracks may be aided by the seepage pressure. As the wing crack propagates, the seepage pressure effect initially increases, then decreases, and eventually has practically no impact. The influence of seepage pressure on rock macro mechanical behavior is that with seepage pressure increasing, the initiation stress and peak stress decrease, but the residual stress is basically a constant. The rock micro fracture process is significantly influenced by confining pressures and microscopic factors, which in turn affect the macro mechanical behavior. The study’s findings offer a micro fracture foundation for comprehending how seepage pressure affects the macro mechanical behaviors of rocks.