bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cognitive Biases, Attitudes, and Beliefs of Teenagers and Parents Toward Practice Driving, Vehicle Choice, and Safety Technology
Authors: Chirles Theresa J. , Hellinger Andrew , Ehsani Johnathon P. , Doucette Mitchell L. , Rodman Christopher P. , Brigham Leland , Shields Wendy
Published: August 2023

Teenagers in the United States are at the highest risk of crash during the first year of independent driving. Graduated driver licensing (GDL) policies, vehicle choice, and safety technologies all have an impact on teenager safety, yet more needs to be understood about parent and teenager attitudes and beliefs that affect the choices and decisions surrounding these issues. We conducted six focus groups with teenagers enrolled in a driver education program and their parents. A qualitative thematic analysis was undertaken of the responses of these individuals directly experiencing GDL policies and selecting vehicles for the teenagers to drive. We found parents believed there was a high likelihood teenage drivers would crash and were concerned about the associated financial costs. Parents preferred visual cues for determining vehicle safety and had concerns for the impact of safety technologies on teenager driving skills. Teenagers and parents felt that logging 60 h was a measure of the character of a driver rather than an opportunity for mastering driving skills. There was a debate balancing the intrusiveness with the convenience of recording driving through smartphone applications. Teenagers wanted to learn to drive for independence, but parents did not observe actions related to these desires. Attitudes and beliefs about which vehicles were safest were heavily influenced by personal experiences and perceptions, rather than quantitative evidence, with examples of availability-, substitution-, and outcome cognitive biases. By understanding the influence of cognitive biases on driving safety decisions, community-based educational outreach programs could more effectively improve teenager driver safety.
Multivariate Approach to Peak-Period Models for Crash Types and Severities in Variable Speed Systems on Freeways
Authors: Hasan Tarek , Abdel-Aty Mohamed , Mahmoud Nada
Published: August 2023

According to current research, safety performance functions (SPFs) based on traditional annual average daily traffic are less suitable for addressing crash risk in traffic-management strategies that typically operate for short time intervals (e.g., peak period). Variable speed limit (VSL)/variable advisory speed (VAS) is a traffic-management strategy which is deployed to achieve speed harmonization typically during the peak hours of weekdays. However, peak-period SPFs for VSL/VAS-implemented freeways considering different crash types and severity levels are still unexplored. Therefore, in this study the multivariate Poisson lognormal (MVPLN) method was applied to estimate the different crash-type and severity-level models. The results showed that by addressing correlations among different crash types and severity levels, MVPLN models outperformed individual univariate Poisson lognormal crash-type and -severity models. From the developed models, several traffic- and roadway-related attributes—such as volume, average speed, standard deviation of speed, segment type (merge, diverge, and weaving), higher number of lanes, and so forth—could be identified as the potential crash-risk factors. Also, the proposed models were successful in capturing the spatial effects of segments (differences between segments downstream and upstream of the location of interest) on crash frequency. Further, the implementation of VSL/VAS strategy was found to be effective in reducing rear-end crashes in the crash-type model as well as property-damage-only (PDO) and C (non-incapacitating) crash severity levels in the crash-severity model. Policymakers and practitioners could benefit from this study in incorporating safety aspects into developing VSL/VAS algorithms.
On the bending response of natural fibre composite tubes with various lengths and thicknesses
Authors: Firouzsalari Saeed Eyvazinejad , Dizhur Dmytro , Jayaraman Krishnan , Ingham Jason
Published: August 2023

Flax fibre-reinforced polymer was used to manufacture 27 tubes. A parametric study was conducted to investigate the effect of length and wall thickness on the tubes’ bending capacity, strain behaviour, and failure mechanism which was investigated by conducting four-point loading experiments. The results indicated that with increasing the tube length, the failure mode of the tubes changed from ring-type deformation mode for short tubes to shear mode for medium-length and then to the bending mode for long tubes. While for short tubes, the largest strains developed in the hoop direction of the cross-section at mid-height, bottom, or top; for medium-length and long tubes, the largest strains occurred in the axial direction of the top or bottom cross-section.
Employee Voice Opportunities Enhance Organizational Performance When Faced With Competing Demands
Authors: Kim Taeyeon , Cho Wonhyuk
Published: August 2023

Public personnel management should strive to balance the needs of employees, employers, and society, but there is insufficient empirical research to conclude whether such goals conflict or coincide. Using longitudinal data from multiple independent sources, this study analyzes the relationship between employee voice opportunity in personnel management (employee rights), organizational performance (employer interest), and competing demands from citizens (societal objectives). The results showed that public agencies encouraging employees to voice their rights outperformed their counterparts when faced with high or very high levels of competing demands from citizens after controlling for various factors. However, this appreciation for employee voice does not always yield positive-sum organizational outcomes when the competing demands on work are lower. These findings suggest that treating employees fairly and empowering them may lead to better long-term organizational performance in the face of high levels of competing demands from stakeholders, but the benefits of this approach may not always outweigh the costs, potentially due to the substantial expenses or risks associated with the promised payoffs.
Writing Quality Predictive Modeling: Integrating Register-Related Factors
Authors: Wang Heqiao , Troia Gary A.
Published: August 2023

The primary purpose of this study is to investigate the degree to which register knowledge, register-specific motivation, and diverse linguistic features are predictive of human judgment of writing quality in three registers—narrative, informative, and opinion. The secondary purpose is to compare the evaluation metrics of register-partitioned automated writing evaluation models in three conditions: (1) register-related factors alone, (2) linguistic features alone, and (3) the combination of these two. A total of 1006 essays ( n = 327, 342, and 337 for informative, narrative, and opinion, respectively) written by 92 fourth- and fifth-graders were examined. A series of hierarchical linear regression analyses controlling for the effects of demographics were conducted to select the most useful features to capture text quality, scored by humans, in the three registers. These features were in turn entered into automated writing evaluation predictive models with tuning of the parameters in a tenfold cross-validation procedure. The average validity coefficients (i.e., quadratic-weighed kappa, Pearson correlation r, standardized mean score difference, score deviation analysis) were computed. The results demonstrate that (1) diverse feature sets are utilized to predict quality in the three registers, and (2) the combination of register-related factors and linguistic features increases the accuracy and validity of all human and automated scoring models, especially for the registers of informative and opinion writing. The findings from this study suggest that students’ register knowledge and register-specific motivation add additional predictive information when evaluating writing quality across registers beyond that afforded by linguistic features of the paper itself, whether using human scoring or automated evaluation. These findings have practical implications for educational practitioners and scholars in that they can help strengthen consideration of register-specific writing skills and cognitive and motivational forces that are essential components of effective writing instruction and assessment.
Quand le soutien social permet d’accroitre l’auto-efficacité alimentaire: une application aux communautés en ligne de perte de poids
Authors: Gallin Steffie , Balbo Laurie , Lichtlé Marie-Christine
Published: August 2023

L’augmentation du nombre d’individus cherchant à perdre du poids a permis le développement de nombreuses communautés en ligne de soutien à la perte de poids (Weight Watchers, Dukan, etc.). Cette recherche a pour objectif d’étudier l’effet du soutien social reçu dans ces communautés sur l’auto-efficacité alimentaire, en vue d’améliorer le bien-être alimentaire des individus. Après une première étude qualitative menée auprès de 25 utilisateurs de communautés, des hypothèses ont été formulées et testées quantitativement auprès de 335 utilisateurs. Les résultats montrent que le soutien social contribue positivement à l’auto-efficacité alimentaire via deux médiateurs séquentiels : l’identification aux membres de la communauté et la motivation à se conformer aux normes du groupe. Les analyses montrent également que les connaissances alimentaires modèrent la relation entre la motivation à se conformer et l’auto-efficacité alimentaire. Les résultats de ces deux études enrichissent la littérature sur les communautés en ligne et permettent de proposer des recommandations managériales à destination des administrateurs de ces communautés et des professionnels de santé.
The Impact of Economic Degradation on the Uí Bhriain Civil War (1276–1318): An Agent-Based Modeling Approach
Authors: Marino Carvalho Vinicius
Published: August 2023

Between 1276 and 1318, English magnates unsuccessfully attempted to establish a lordship in the Irish kingdom of Thomond, southwestern Ireland, by exploiting a dynastic feud dividing the then-ruling lineage, the Uí Bhriain. The conflict coincided with a series of extreme events that beset western Europe in the late 13th and early 14th centuries, such as the beginning of the Little Ice Age and the Great European Famine of 1315–1322. The goal of this work was to evaluate to the extent to which economic degradation at the turn of the 14th century affected the outcome of the war. The hypothesis that such degradation affected the war’s outcome was tested using agent-based modeling, which involved the virtual reconstruction of Late Medieval Thomond to study past conditions by proxy. This article describes the historical research carried out to elaborate the conceptual model, the implementation of the model as a computer simulation, and the experiments carried out to virtually explore the Uí Bhriain Civil War. A quantitative analysis of the experimental results revealed some correlation between late 13th century economic degradation and the fortunes of belligerent factions in the wars of 1276–1318, although the effect was not sufficiently strong to have been a crucial factor in the outcome of the conflict.
Country Differences in Family Firm Reputation: An Exploration in Germany, India, and the United States
Authors: Jaufenthaler Philipp , Koll Oliver , Lude Maximilian , Prügl Reinhard
Published: August 2023

While most studies on family firm branding report positive reputational consequences, we lack empirical evidence to which degree these benefits vary across different geographical contexts. This study explores associations elicited by the term family business in Germany, India, and the United States and discusses reasons for the varying differentiation power of the family firm signal. Our large-scale association study ( n = 1,383) reveals that prototypical family firm perceptions are prevalent in the United States and Germany, but less in India. Through qualitative insights and an experimental study, we investigate why the power of the family firm signal to enhance reputation varies across countries.
Design and analysis of a passive exoskeleton with its hip joint energy–storage
Authors: Hu Shuhai , Chen Wenjie , Xiong Xiaoyu , Sun Xiantao , He Chundong
Published: August 2023

A novel passive hip exoskeleton has been designed and built with the aim of reducing metabolic consumption during walking by a passive way of storing the negative mechanical energy in the deceleration phase and releasing it in the acceleration phase. A ratchet spiral spring mechanism with a set of double stable switches is designed inside the exoskeleton for the above purpose. An analysis is conducted on the mechanism and the switching timing for the energy management to automatically store or release the energy according to the biomechanics of walking. In addition, a gravity–balance mechanism embedded inside the exoskeleton is designed as well to minimize the influence of the lower limb weight on muscle work. Human–exoskeleton interaction has been studied using the Opensim software, and simulation results demonstrated the effectiveness of the exoskeleton in reducing metabolic consumption during walking. An exoskeleton prototype has been built and tested with experiments measuring assistive torque and surface electromyography signal, confirming the effectiveness of the gravity–balance mechanism and energy–storage method, as well as the exoskeleton’s actual assistive effect.
Engaging the dismissive: An assessment of humor-based strategies to support global warming action
Authors: McKasy Meaghan , Cacciatore Michael A. , Yeo Sara K. , Zhang Jennifer Shiyue , Cook John , Olaleye Rhoda , Su Leona Yi-Fan
Published: August 2023

This study aims to understand the influence of mirth, anger, and hope, as elicited by messages with different humor types, on support for global warming action, and the potential moderating role of individual climate concern. Although mirth did not significantly vary across the different stimuli, the analysis found that climate concern moderated the influence of hope on support for global warming actions. The implications of these findings, especially for respondents who were least supportive of actions to combat global warming, are discussed.
Amazons: The Reality Behind Their Legend
Authors: Papamichali Olga
Published: August 2023

The controversial Amazons’ myth has always been a matter of debate as to whether it is real or nothing more than a simple tale. Therefore, many scholars have tried to analyze the myths and their iconographic depictions, in an attempt to discover the truth behind the legend. Amazons have been described in many primary and secondary sources. Famous philosophers and historians of Antiquity have spread their legend and acknowledged them as “equals to men” providing valuable information for their daily life. These untamed females were warriors without hesitation or fear. They battled with the civilized and male-dominated ancient world, which wanted women restrained within the household, doing “women’s work” and child-raising. They defied patriarchy, contributing to changing the notion of women’s rights through the years, managing out of a feministic perspective to become one of the earliest and brightest examples of early feminism worldwide.
To Whom Do We Confess Our Sins? A Feminist Liturgical Critique of the Scottish Episcopal Church’s 1982 Confession
Authors: Browell Naomi
Published: August 2023

Feminist theologians have been making arguments for moving away from strictly male-gendered terms for God for decades, yet many churches continue to refer to God as ‘Father’ and ‘Lord’ in their weekly liturgies. This article will explore the place of ‘Father’ in the Scottish Episcopal Church’s Confession as found in the 1982 Liturgy. The 2022 General Synod authorised revisions to the 1982 Liturgy, which include the removal of ‘Father’ from two of the post-Communion prayers offered. However, the Confession remains unchanged. Considering the historical foundations and the nature of language about God, this article will use feminist theological arguments to suggest changes that should be made to the Scottish Episcopal Church’s Confession. The article concludes with suggestions for alternate approaches to writing a contemporary version of the prayer for the Scottish Episcopal Church.
Review on applications of Pullulan in bone tissue engineering: Blends and composites with natural and synthetic polymers
Authors: Manivannan M , Nathan S Sathiya , Sasikumar P , Ramkumar L , Navaneethan D , Prabu P , Anjalin F Mary , Dharamarj N , Alqahtani Mohammed S , Abbas Mohamed
Published: August 2023

Pullulan (PUL) has a diverse range of applicationsdue to its many therapeutic benefits, including biodegradability, biocompatibility, nontoxicity, antimicrobial activity, and adsorption. They are combined with chitosan, polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), polycaprolactone (PCL), heparin, fluorescent polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NPs), and carboxyl Pullulan to develop properties such as thermal stability, mechanical properties, pH resistance, chemical stability, toughness. The effects of Pullulan content on the properties of the solution, as well as the morphology of the resultant nanofibers, were investigated >80%. The concept of a scaffold can be a useful notion to improve the mechanical behavior of hydrogel-based scaffolds. Compositional analysis by Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed that Pullulan might enhance the mechanical properties of the nanofibers. This review focuses on the combination and analysis of Pullulan blends and composites of natural and synthetic polymers, as well as their capability in biomedical fields and bone tissue engineering, for example in drug delivery, insulin delivery, food industry, medicinal and biomedical applications, antimicrobial wound dressings, cancer cell targeting, anticancer vaccine improvement, new biopolymer development, food product development and sensing. The electro spinning procedure and the materials employed in it will be covered in this review. The use of Pullulan electrospun nanofibers structures in tissue engineering will also be covered in this paper. The benefits, restrictions, and future opinions were studied. This is because of Pullulan-based polymers have a variety of properties.
Investigating the influence of sugarcane bagasse ash volume variation in glass fiber reinforced with epoxy resin matrix composite material
Authors: Wondmagegnehu Belay Taye
Published: August 2023

Composites were manufactured from glass fiber, bagasse fly ash, and epoxy matrix and examined their mechanical and physical properties. The percentages of bagasse fine ash, glass fiber, and matrix were designed at 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30% with 30% glass fiber and conducted density, flexural strength, hardness, absorption of water, and swelling properties of thickness. Composites were prepared by manual layering. ASTM standards were followed in preparing the samples. According to the results, the bagasse fine ash percentage variation was significant in the composite but had no linear effects on its hardness and flexural strength. A 20% bagasse fine ash composite had the highest flexural strength and hardness at 27.65 MPa and 52.86 HRA, respectively, which are significantly (>0.002) higher than composites of 30% bagasse fine ash, along with the highest density. This study measured water absorption and swelling of composite samples immersed in distilled water for 192 h. As the bagasse ash content increases, these values were linearly increased until saturation occurs.
Factors affecting the differential epithelial cell count in preputial cytology of healthy intact dogs
Authors: Vergou Meropi , Ververidis Haralabos N. , Meletis Eleftherios , Kostoulas Polychronis , Pardali Dimitra , Mylonakis Mathios E.
Published: August 2023

Information is limited on the factors that may affect the preputial differential epithelial cell count in healthy intact dogs. Our objectives were to establish RIs of the preputial differential epithelial cell count in dogs and investigate the potential impact of signalment, presence of gross preputial discharge or neutrophils, preputial cleaning, and normal estrogen variation on the differential cell count. We enrolled prospectively 50 client-owned, healthy dogs in our study. Preputial cytology smears were obtained, and we performed a 4-part (parabasal, intermediate, superficial, cornified) differential cell count, before and after gentle preputial cleaning. We found higher counts of fully cornified cells (median: 11–12%) compared to previous studies. The cleaning procedure significantly decreased the intermediate ( p = 0.002) and increased the superficial ( p = 0.006) cells. Age was positively associated with intermediate ( p = 0.007) and negatively with superficial ( p = 0.01) and cornified ( p = 0.02) cells. The concentration of estrogens was negatively associated with the percentage of parabasal cells ( p = 0.04). In healthy dogs, a variable impact may be expected in the preputial differential epithelial cell count, by the cleaning of the prepuce before sampling, the age of the dogs, and the normal variation of estrogen concentration.
Secondary Prophylaxis Among First Nations People With Acute Rheumatic Fever in Australia: An Integrative Review
Authors: Govender Kerissa , Müller Amanda
Published: August 2023

Introduction:

The prevalence of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) among Australia’s First Nations populations are some of the highest in the world, accounting for 95% of the 2,244 ARF notifications between 2015 and 2019 in Australia. A key issue in treating ARF is long-term secondary prophylaxis, yet only one in five patients received treatment in 2019. This review identifies barriers to secondary prophylaxis of ARF in Australia’s First Nations people.

Methods:

An integrative review was undertaken utilizing PubMed, CINAHL, ProQuest, and Wiley Online. Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools were used, followed by thematic analysis.

Results:

The key themes uncovered included: issues with database and recall systems, patient/family characteristics, service delivery location and site, pain of injection, education (including language barriers), and patient-clinician relationship.

Conclusions:

A national RHD register, change in operation model, improved pain management, improved education, and need for consistent personnel is suggested.
Simultaneous Effect of the Workplace Exchange Relationship on Employees’ Helping Behavior
Authors: Lin Cheng-Chen , Lu Szu-Chi , Chen Hsiao-Ling , Lai Fong-Yi
Published: August 2023

This study examines the simultaneous effect of leader-member exchange (LMX) and coworker exchange (CWX) on employees’ helping behavior. It proposes that the congruence and incongruence of LMX and CWX have both a linear and curvilinear relationship with helping behavior. Hypotheses were tested on a final sample of 881 participants at hospitals in Taiwan. After controlling for relevant variables, results of a polynomial regression and response surface methodology indicate a positive linear relationship between the simultaneous effect of the congruence of LMX and CWX and employees’ helping behavior, but do not confirm a curvilinear relationship, whereas the simultaneous effect of the incongruence of LMX and CWX has a curvilinear relationship with employees’ helping behavior but not a linear relationship. The theoretical and practical implications, strengths and limitations, and directions for future research are discussed.
Dynamic modeling and optimization for powertrain shake characteristics of electric powertrain system with hydraulic engine mounts
Authors: Guo Rong , Zhou Ziwei , Xu Shuheng , Zhou Xiaoming , Nie Xiaoyong , Lou Diming
Published: August 2023

Poor designed powertrain mounting system can lead to severe resonance when road excitation frequency is consistent with the natural frequency of the powertrain mounting system, which results in vertical vibration of the vehicle. In addition, double-layer vibration isolation and hydraulic engine mount (HEM) are widely used for vibration attenuation of electric powertrain. This paper focuses on the vertical vibration of electric vehicles under road excitation. An analytic model of powertrain shake characteristics considering the amplitude-frequency dependent nonlinearity of HEMs is established. Furthermore, the proposed nonlinear model is experimentally validated through rigid body modal test of the powertrain. Numerical simulation is carried out to investigate the influence of HEM parameters on powertrain shake characteristics. Simulation results demonstrate that the effective pumping area, upper chamber stiffness and inertia track effective cross-sectional area, and length of HEM have obvious impact on powertrain shake characteristics. Under the premise of ensuring vibration isolation performance under other conditions, optimization of the above HEM parameters can reduce peak value of car body vibration under road excitation and thus improve ride comfort.
Plasma endocannabinoids and cannabimimetic fatty acid derivatives are altered in cyclic vomiting syndrome: The effects of sham feeding
Authors: Bashashati Mohammad , Bradshaw Heather B , Johnson Clare T , Zuckerman Marc J , Sarosiek Jerzy , McCallum Richard W , Sarosiek Irene
Published: August 2023

Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) is an underdiagnosed disorder of the gut–brain interaction. Our understanding of the pathophysiology of CVS is evolving. Here, we tested the hypotheses that: (1) the levels of endocannabinoids and related lipids are altered in CVS, and (2) cephalic–vagal stimulation drive changes in endolipid levels. Ten adult patients with CVS and eight healthy controls were included. Indirect measurements of parasympathetic (RFa) functions were performed with spectral analysis of heart rate variability and respiratory activity. Plasma levels of endocannabinoids and related lipids were measured at baseline and during a sham feeding. Values are reported as mean ± standard error of the mean and compared using t-test or ANOVA. CVS patients had a lower parasympathetic tone and response to the Valsalva maneuver and deep breathing than the controls. The baseline 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) had a significantly higher concentration in CVS (5.9e-008 ± 3.7e-008 mol/L) than control (3.7e-008 ± 1.3e-008 mol/; p < 0.05). Sham feeding did not change the concentration of 2-AG. 2-oleoylglycerol (2-OG) was significantly higher in CVS than control and did not change with sham feeding. Levels of N-acylethanolamines, including anandamide (AEA), were not different in CVS vs control. After sham feeding, AEA showed a trend toward increasing (p = 0.08) in CVS, but not in control. With sham feeding, palmitoyl ethanolamine significantly increased in both CVS and control groups; oleoyl ethanolamine in CVS only, and stearoyl ethanolamine in the control group. Levels of endocannabinoids and related lipids are altered in CVS patients. Sham feeding affects endogenous signaling lipids in a disease and time-dependent manner.
Disseminated Aspergillosis in a Patient With Neurosarcoidosis: Persistent Contrast Enhancement in CNS Despite Prolonged Antifungal Treatment: A Case Report
Authors: Arcot Jayagopal Lakshman , Shirani Afsaneh , Cawcutt Kelly , Chen Jie , Yuil-Valdes Ana , Zabad Rana
Published: August 2023

A 56-year-old Caucasian man was diagnosed with definite neurosarcoidosis after he presented with progressive bilateral lower extremity weakness and dysesthesia. He was started on a combination immunosuppressant regimen of dexamethasone, methotrexate and infliximab. Two months into treatment with immunosuppressants, he developed devastating disseminated aspergillosis which clinically stabilized with aggressive antifungal treatment however had a protracted radiological course despite prolonged anti-fungal treatment for over two years. Interestingly, he remained in remission from neurosarcoidosis off immunosuppression during the same period.

This case emphasizes need for vigilance for fungal infections in patients treated with combination immunosuppressive therapy particularly TNF-α inhibitors such as infliximab.
Images of China in the Australian press: Time for new frames and new readings of old frames to broaden the horizons of framing analysis?
Authors: Zhu Runping , Hou Wei , Krever Richard
Published: August 2023

Central to the study of the persuasive powers of media messaging is framing theory, an explanation of how the press presents stories through specific frames to both present information and influence readers' views on the subject matter. Drawing on a case study of news reports in the Australian press of China's one-child policy, this article shows how two additions to traditional news frame analysis drawn from related disciplines may contribute to our understanding of the impact of journalism on Australians’ views of the world and themselves. The first is a consideration of the ‘self-reflective’ frames embedded in frames of other countries that deliberately imply the presumed superiority of Australian culture. The second is the addition of a new ‘social and cultural attributes’ issue frame used in news to ascribe factual news events in another country to supposed social or cultural attributes of the society in which the stories arise.
Do electoral candidates reflect or select campaign issues? The influence of electoral manifestos on online communication
Authors: Berger Valentin TZ , Jäger Felix
Published: August 2023

This article investigates the influence of electoral manifestos on the online communication of electoral candidates. Our study addresses electoral candidates’ conflict between party discipline and individual issue prioritisation. Building on the salience framework, we examine the thematic congruence between manifestos and online communication. Moreover, we test which issues are emphasised during the 2017 German federal election campaign. To this end, we created an original topic dictionary based on party manifestos. Applying the dictionary, we classify 143,969 tweets by 797 candidates. Our analyses demonstrate that manifestos shape the online communication of electoral candidates substantially. The findings show that electoral candidates of left–wing parties focus on core issues over time. Our results not only highlight the authority of party leadership, but also suggest that politicians do not tap the whole potential of online communication.
The structural relationships among L2 motivation, out-of-class informal learning, and oral proficiency: A multiple-group structural equation modeling study
Authors: Lin Jia
Published: August 2023

Second language (L2) motivation is the driving force behind L2 learning. It is of great pedagogical significance to explore how motivation factors, directly and indirectly, impact L2 oral proficiency. Based on data for all L2 learners as a composite group, Lin proposed and verified a conceptual model revealing the structural relations among L2 motivation factors (i.e. L2 interest, and perceived importance of speaking), behavioral variable (i.e. out-of-class L2 contact), and L2 oral proficiency. However, since gender differences and other learner subgroup differences in L2 motivation have been found by previous research, it is imperative to test whether this model is applicable across various learner subgroups. Based upon a dataset of 631 college students taking Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish language classes in the United States, this study used multiple-group structural equation modeling (MG-SEM) to test the applicability of the model for L2 learners of diverse backgrounds. Key findings suggest adequacy of the model across the following subgroups: females vs. males; learners with vs. without at least two years of high school target language learning experience; and learners of commonly taught languages (i.e. Spanish and French) vs. less commonly taught languages (i.e. Chinese and Russian). However, pronounced differences in the applicability of the model are evident in comparisons of heritage and non-heritage language learners. There are significant differences in the relationships between L2 interest, perceived importance of speaking, and L2 oral proficiency, which are stronger for non-heritage learners. More research efforts are needed to fully understand the uniqueness of heritage learners’ motivation constructs and motivation process.
Autistic adults’ inclination to lie in everyday situations
Authors: Bagnall Ralph , Russell Ailsa , Brosnan Mark , Maras Katie
Published: August 2023

Autistic children and adolescents often have greater difficulty engaging in deception than their non-autistic peers. However, deception in autistic adulthood has received little attention to date. This study examined whether autistic and non-autistic adults differed in their inclination to lie in everyday situations and the factors that underpin this. Forty-one autistic and 41 non-autistic participants completed self-report measures relating to their inclination to lie, ability to lie and moral attitudes about the acceptability of lying. Participants also undertook a reaction-time test of lie-telling, as well as theory of mind and working memory measures. Autistic and non-autistic adults did not significantly differ in their inclination to lie in everyday situations. The degree to which lying was viewed as morally acceptable positively predicted both groups’ inclination to lie. The remaining factors underpinning the inclination to lie differed between groups. Lower self-rated lying ability and slower lie speed predicted a reduced inclination to lie in autistic participants, whereas higher theory of mind and working memory capacity predicted a reduced inclination to lie in the non-autistic group. Implications for our understanding of deception in autistic and non-autistic adults are discussed.

Lay abstract

Differences in social communication and understanding others’ mental states may mean that autistic adults are less likely to deceive others than non-autistic individuals. We investigated whether autistic and non-autistic adults differ in their inclination to lie and which psychological factors are involved in the inclination to lie. We found that autistic and non-autistic groups reported a similar inclination to lie, and the extent to which participants viewed lying as acceptable helped to explain their inclination to deceive others. However, the other underlying psychological factors associated with deception inclination differed between autistic and non-autistic groups. Autistic adults’ belief about their ability to lie and also how quickly they could lie helped to explain whether they were more or less inclined to lie. For non-autistic adults, their memory and ability to understand others’ mental states helped to explain their lie inclination. We discuss these findings and recommend areas for future research.
Nurses’ knowledge and attitudes regarding children’s pain assessment and management in Nepal
Authors: Shrestha-Ranjit Jagamaya , Ranjitkar Uma Devi , Water Tineke , Shrestha Sulochana , Sharma Chandrakala , Mukhia Suzanna , Adhikari Jamuna , Adhikari Tulashi , Pandey Archana , Sharma Muna , Pandey Apsara , Joshi Nibaran , Tuck Natalie
Published: August 2023

Pain is frequently experienced by children in hospital, and international guidelines for appropriate pain assessment and management are available. Optimal management of paediatric pain has important long-term health, psychosocial, and economic benefits. However, evidence indicates that globally there are deficits in nurses’ understanding of paediatric pain assessment and management. This study explored knowledge and attitudes regarding paediatric pain assessment and management among nurses at a tertiary children’s hospital in Nepal. In this cross-sectional study all 140 nurses at a tertiary children’s hospital in Nepal, were invited to complete the validated Paediatric Nurses Knowledge and Attitudes Survey. Findings revealed substantial deficits in nurse’s knowledge and erroneous attitudes towards pain assessment and management in children. Test scores ranged from 14% to 56%, with mean scores of 38%, with no nurses achieving a recommended pass score of 80% regarding knowledge and attitudes in paediatric pain management. Consistent with previous research, nurses had insufficient knowledge and attitudes that did not reflect best practice regarding pain assessment and management in children. Education programmes targeting both trainees and registered nurses are essential to enable nurses to deliver evidence-based care and improve outcomes for children and their families.
When my group is under attack: The development of a Social Identity Threat Scale
Authors: Ma Rong , Fink Edward L. , Atwell Seate Anita
Published: August 2023

Drawing on Branscombe et al.’s conceptualization of social identity threat, we developed and validated a multidimensional measure of this concept: the Social Identity Threat Scale (SITS). We conducted three studies that examined social identity threat to U.S. Americans (Study 1, N = 468; Study 2, N = 457) and e-cigarette users (Study 3, N = 395) when they read negative messages directed at their social groups. Results provided evidence for the reliability, criterion-related validity, and construct validity of the SITS. Moreover, findings showed that social identity threat can be represented by five types of threat—categorization, distinctiveness, competence, morality, and generalized threats. The measure can be an essential tool for future research on social identity threat and for studies of intergroup relations more broadly.
Marketing analytics stages: Demystifying and deploying machine learning
Authors: Paas Leonard J
Published: August 2023

Organisations that develop analytical capabilities can leverage advanced data platforms and cloud-based solutions; they may also experiment with sophisticated machine learning algorithms. But when business analysts or data scientists fail to bridge the gaps among data, analytics, and decision-making, it might imply a premature implementation of complex data analytics. This article aims to derive clear guidelines from management literature to formulate a stepwise approach for deploying marketing analytics with increasing levels of complexity. Furthermore, we demystify the relevant jargon.
Lifelong learning intention of adults in business sector: A case study from Vietnam
Authors: Pham Lam Tra , Dau Thoa Thi Kim , Tran Thanh Thi Phuong , Tran Hoa Anh
Published: August 2023

In the context of Industry 4.0, research on lifelong learning intention (LLI) and adoption is valuable for developing a learning society. However, prior studies on LLI of adults have primarily focused on the impact of individual characteristics or environment sporadically. There is a lack of research approaching LLI of adults. In emerging markets like Vietnam, although lifelong learning is an essential competence, scholars have not focused on this issue. Therefore, this study has built a path model to explain factors affecting the LLI of Vietnamese adults in the business sector by integrating individual and social antecedents forming LLI. We empirically analyse the data obtained through a survey of 417 adults. The findings that are established using SmartPLS certify that attitude, social influence, perceived behavioural control, voluntariness and self-efficacy are significant determinants of both the perceived usefulness of lifelong learning (PUoLL) and LLI of adults. While jobs relevant in the business sector have impacted PUoLL, it is not directly the relation to LLI. The study establishes a strong positive influence of PUoLL on the LLI of adults in the business sector. The results provide important insights for policymakers, educators, scholars and learners to develop strategies for lifelong learning for adults.
Informal Power and Short-Term Consequences: Country Presidents and Political Parties in Romania
Authors: Gherghina Sergiu , Tap Paul , Farcas Raluca
Published: August 2023

Country presidents and their political parties have strong connections along partisan lines. However, it remains unclear how this relationship unfolds when country presidents have to be non-partisans and formal ties are not permitted. This article seeks to address this gap in the literature and analyzes how country presidents use informal powers to maintain an influence in the life of their (former) political parties. We use Romania as the most likely case where we would expect such powers to occur and matter, because the country’s constitution bans the country’s president from being a party member once they are elected to public office. We compare the behaviour of the two Romanian country presidents who have each served two complete consecutive terms in office in the post-communist period. Our analysis covers the 2004–2022 period and focuses on the following four dimensions: electing successors, prime ministerial appointments, inclusion in coalition agreements and parties’ electoral performance.
Modeling and parameter identification of asymmetric restoring force of reinforced concrete shear walls
Authors: Lina Zhou , Senlin Zhang
Published: August 2023

Under the action of the seismic waves, reinforced concrete shear walls (RC shear walls) often exhibit hysteresis characteristics such as strength and stiffness degradation, and pinching effects due to factors such as slippage, cumulative damage of concrete, and non-uniform corrosion of steel bars or reinforcements. The hysteresis curve is asymmetric. In this paper, a nonlinear restoring force mechanical model, based on the Bouc-Wen-Baber-Noori (BWBN) model, that can describe the hysteresis characteristics of the RC shear wall is obtained by introducing the asymmetry factor. Particular attention is the solution of equation that the hysteretic energy ε at different loading stages in this model is regarded as parameters to be identified. The ordinary differential equations for parameter identification are derived into four segments. The improved particle swarm organization (IPSO) algorithm is used for parameters identification, which superiority is verified by comparison to the genetic algorithm. The accuracy of this model is verified by using RC shear wall finite element simulation data.
Configuration design and kinematics analysis of foldable composite space capture mechanism
Authors: Qi Yang , Zhang Lu
Published: August 2023

To meet the requirements of high flexibility, high stiffness, and large working range of space debris cleaning technology, a foldable composite space capture mechanism is proposed based on the finite screw theory in this paper. The degree of freedom of the mechanism is analyzed by using the screw theory and its degree of freedom is obtained. The closed-loop vector method and DH method are used to analyze the kinematics of the mechanism, and the position solution of the mechanism is derived. The analytical expressions of velocity and acceleration solutions are obtained by differential calculation. According to the analysis of numerical example, the kinematic model of the mechanism is built in the simulation environment, and the simulation experiment is carried out for the motion trajectory of the mechanism. The correctness of theoretical analysis solution and method is proved by contrasting and analyzing motion trajectory, and it is verified that the space capture mechanism uses the foldable property to form large workspace to complete the capture of the target.
Stability of individual differences in implicitly guided attention
Authors: Chen Chen , Lee Vanessa G
Published: August 2023

Daily activities often occur in familiar environments, affording us an opportunity to learn. Laboratory studies have shown that people readily acquire an implicit spatial preference for locations that frequently contained a search target in the past. These studies, however, have focused on group characteristics, downplaying the significance of individual differences. In a pre-registered study, we examined the stability of individual differences in two variants of an implicit location probability learning (LPL) task. We tested the possibility that individual differences were stable in variants that shared the same search process, but not in variants involving different search processes. In Experiment 1, participants performed alternating blocks of T-among-Ls and 5-among-2s search tasks. Unbeknownst to them, the search target appeared disproportionately often in one region of space; the high-probability regions differed between the two tasks. LPL transferred between the two tasks. In addition, individuals who showed greater LPL in the T-task also did so in the 5-task and vice versa. In Experiment 2, participants searched for either a camouflaged-T against background noise or a well-segmented T among well-segmented Ls. These two tasks produced task-specific learning that did not transfer between tasks. Moreover, individual differences in learning did not correlate between tasks. Thus, LPL is associated with stable individual differences across variants, but only when the variants share common search processes.
State of the art review: The pathogenesis and management of Madelung deformity
Authors: Farr Sebastian , Zlotolow Dan A. , Bachy Manon , Peymani Abbas , Hülsemann Wiebke , Winge Mona I.
Published: August 2023

Madelung deformity remains a fascinating yet unresolved challenge. There is an increasing awareness for early diagnosis by healthcare providers with improvement in diagnostic modalities, however, the exact mechanisms for the development of the deformity have still to be clarified. While some corrective procedures have been described to effectively address an established deformity, the existing literature lacks clear and evidence-based treatment guidelines on how to proceed in daily practice. This review article aims to summarize the current best evidence on this topic, including particular areas of controversy and areas with need for future research.
Evaluating the effect of child home safety training upon three family support practitioner groups: a mixed-methods study
Authors: Taylor MJ , Patel T , Orton E , Watson MC , Hayes M , Clarke R , Stewart S , Timblin C , Kendrick D
Published: August 2023

Aims:

Unintentional injuries in the home contribute substantially to preschool child morbidity and mortality. Practitioners such as health visitors, family mentors and children’s centre staff are well-positioned to facilitate child injury prevention by providing home safety advice to families, and training may enhance their ability to do so. We aimed to assess the impact of child home safety training for these practitioners.

Methods:

An explanatory mixed-methods design was used. Practitioners completed questionnaires before, and up to 7 months after, receiving child home safety training and took part in interviews. Seventy-eight health visitors, 72 family mentors and 11 children’s centre staff members completed questionnaires. Items were used to calculate scores on home safety knowledge, confidence to provide home safety advice and belief that child home safety promotion is important. Thematic analysis of interviews with seven health visitors and nine family mentors, open-ended responses to the questionnaires and an additional evaluation form was conducted to explore attendees’ perceptions of the training and its impact. In addition, seven health visitors and six children’s centre staff who had received no training were interviewed.

Results:

Knowledge was greater post-training than pre-training across all participants ( p < .001). When practitioner groups were analysed separately, there were significant increases in family mentors’ knowledge ( p < .001) and belief ( p = .016), and health visitors’ confidence ( p = .0036). Qualitative findings indicated that most training session attendees valued the training, believed their practice relating to child home safety had improved as a result, and felt further similar training sessions would be beneficial. Those who had not attended the sessions described a need for more child home safety training.

Conclusions:

Delivering training to practitioners providing child home safety promotion to families with preschool children can enhance injury prevention knowledge, beliefs and confidence and positively impact on home safety promotion by practitioners.