bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Verification and Efficacy of Automated Queue Detection Systems on Interstate Intelligent Work Zones
Authors: Zhao Li , Rilett Laurence R.
Published: July 2022

Intelligent work zones have been widely adopted in the United States because they have been proven to improve traffic safety and operations. One specific intelligent work zone system, known as automatic queue detection (AQD), is designed to measure work zone-related queueing in real time, and inform drivers upstream so they may be prepared to slow down or stop. This paper describes an evaluation of the performance and efficacy of four AQD systems implemented at work zones on Interstate 80 in Nebraska. Specifically, (i) the system performance was verified by examining whether the messages displayed on the portable dynamic message signs (PDMS) were consistent with the underlying AQD logic, and (ii) the system efficacy was measured by determining whether the overall speeds of individual vehicles and the space mean speed (SMS) were reduced when warning messages were provided. It was found that the AQD systems were functioning well as evidenced by an error rate of 0.7 to 2.3%. It was concluded that the SMS was reduced in response to the PDMS warning display indicating that there was slow or stopped traffic ahead. The decrease in SMS was found to be statistically significant and in the range of 3.5 to 7 mph. This was approximately 47% greater than the reduction in SMS that occurred when the PDMS did not display any message. In summary, it was found that the AQD systems were operating correctly and, more importantly, they were effective in reducing the speeds of the traffic stream downstream of the PDMS.
Tabu-Search-Based Combinatorial Subset Selection Approach to Support Investigation of Built Environment and Traffic Safety Relationship
Authors: Alisan Onur , Tuydes-Yaman Hediye , Ozguven Eren Erman
Published: July 2022

Traffic crashes are a leading cause of death globally, with an increasing rate in urban areas. Thus, this study focuses on the relationship between built environment (BE) and traffic safety (TS), by constructing a relationship model using BE variables. The aim of this paper is to determine the best subset of BE variables through a generalizable methodology. The BE is operationalized through the D-classification (e.g., density, diversity, and design), and various datasets are collected from different agencies. TS is operationalized through motor vehicle involved (MOT) and vulnerable road user (VRU)-involved crash frequencies at the zonal level. A preliminary GIS-based process is conducted to associate the crash data at the census block group (BG) level, followed by examining the BE-TS relationships through a series of negative binomial models optimized for subset selection. The model generation is performed automatically by an embedded Tabu Search procedure. Two case studies are presented: a single-county case (Leon County, Florida, U.S.) and a tri-county case (Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties, Florida, U.S.). Results show that some BE variables such as total population, age of housing stock, number of bus stops, and traffic volume have consistently positive relationships with crash occurrences. In contrast, several factors show varying effects by crash type or location. For example, motorized mode percentage has a negative relation with crash occurrences in the single-county case whereas it is insignificant for the tri-county case where the non-motorized mode percentage has a positive effect on crash occurrences.
Allocation of Drivers’ Visual Attention During Preliminary Uses of Automated Driving: A Wizard-of-Oz Study
Authors: Barré Jessy , Sahai Aisha , Bueno Mercedes
Published: July 2022

In this experiment, we analyzed drivers’ visual attention during their first experiences with automated driving (AD). At the beginning of the study, participants ( n = 45) received one of three AD training modules: paper, video, or practice. They then drove two sessions on a public road with a Wizard-Of-Oz vehicle, each ending with a request to intervene (RTI). The first session (forward path) included 10 min of AD with a mandatory non-driving-related task (NDRT). The second session (return path) included 10 min of AD with a nonmandatory NDRT. Control checks (number and duration of gazes) toward the road and rear-view mirrors and three self-assessment questionnaires (trust, acceptability, and technophilia) were measured during both sessions. The results indicated a decrease in road and rear-view mirror gazes over time, mainly for the practice group. Drivers with a low level of trust glanced at the road and mirrors more often than participants with a high level of trust. In addition, participants with a high level of technophilia spent less time controlling the road traffic but only during the forward path. Visual attention on the road decreased rapidly during the first minutes of AD, mainly among drivers who followed the practice training and those who had a high level of trust and were tech-savvy. We observed that participants looked at the rear-view mirrors after 10 and 14 s on average after the RTI. These results raise questions about driver situation awareness in critical situations, including the capacity to intervene in an efficient and safe way during takeover requests.
GPS-Based Traffic Conditions Classification Using Machine Learning Approaches
Authors: Ahmed Usman , Tu Ran , Xu Junshi , Amirjamshidi Glareh , Hatzopoulou Marianne , Roorda Matthew J.
Published: July 2022

This paper addresses the problem of accurately estimating traffic conditions based on sparse GPS information. GPS data have limited spatial-temporal availability, particularly at a regional scale. Therefore, it lacks reliability to accurately estimate traffic conditions of a transportation network. This study proposes a novel methodology to address this problem. First, instead of estimating traffic conditions on a geographic road segment, traffic conditions are estimated for trip segments, which span multiple road segments. Second, machine learning methods are applied to classify traffic conditions. In this study, traffic conditions are defined as the combination of congestion level and road type. This study develops two machine learning models—a random forest (RF) model and a supervised clustering method—to classify traffic conditions, using trip characteristics such as average speed and acceleration. The two models are compared in relation to their accuracy and computational efficiency. Results show that speed-related trip characteristics, such as average instantaneous speed, are the most important variables for classifying traffic conditions in both methods. In addition, the proportion of idling in a trip is essential in distinguishing the Congested Highway and Uncongested Urban traffic conditions when applying the supervised clustering method. The comparison shows that the RF model has a higher estimation accuracy (81%) than the supervised clustering method (72%). Overall, this study shows that traffic conditions can be determined efficiently even in cases of limited GPS data.
Clinical Outcomes of Osteochondral Fragment Fixation Versus Microfracture Even for Small Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus
Authors: Nakasa Tomoyuki , Ikuta Yasunari , Sumii Junichi , Nekomoto Akinori , Kawabata Shingo , Adachi Nobuo
Published: July 2022

Background:

The bone marrow stimulation (BMS) technique is performed for osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs) with a lesion size of <100 mm2. The lesion defect is covered with fibrocartilage, and the clinical outcomes deteriorate over time. In contrast, the osteochondral fragment fixation can restore the native articular surface. The difference in clinical outcomes between these procedures is unclear.

Purpose:

To compare the clinical outcomes of BMS and osteochondral fragment fixation for OLTs and examine the characteristics of patients with poor clinical outcomes of BMS.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

In total, 62 ankles in 59 patients with OLTs were included. BMS was performed for 26 ankles, and fixation was performed for 36 ankles. Clinical outcomes, including the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle Hindfoot Scale and bone marrow edema (BME) as identified on magnetic resonance imaging, were compared between the 2 groups. On computed tomography scans, the lesion location was compared with or without BME in each group.

Results:

The AOFAS scores in the fixation group (97.3 ± 4.3 points) were significantly higher than those in the BMS group (91.3 ± 7.7 points), even when the lesion size was <100 mm2 ( P < .05). When comparing the ankles with or without BME in each group, the AOFAS scores at the final follow-up were significantly lower for the ankles with BME (88.6 ± 7.8 points) than for those without BME (95.0 ± 6.1 points) in the BMS group ( P < .05). Lesions with BME in the sagittal plane were located more centrally than those without BME in the BMS group. In the fixation group, there were no significant differences in AOFAS scores and location of the lesion in ankles with or without BME.

Conclusion:

The clinical outcomes of osteochondral fragment fixation are superior to those of BMS in OLTs, even for lesions sized <100 mm2. Fixation is recommended even for small lesions, especially for more centralized lesions in the medial and lateral sides of the talus.
Liberty and Responsibility
Authors: Bastid-Bruguière Marianne
Published: July 2022

Although China adopted in 1948 the Universal Declaration of Human Rights largely inspired by her delegate Zhang Pengchun (1892–1957), individual liberty remains a key issue in cultural dialogues between China and Europe. However, culture is an ongoing process with no territorial boundaries, affecting every human being differently. European freedom is becoming increasingly restricted the more it focuses on meeting social and environmental needs. More broadly, the concept of responsibility that expresses solidarity between humans, belongs to all cultures and could provide the common norm of a global ethic.
Emerging Disparities in the Placement of Law Enforcement-Based Treatment Referral and Recovery Programs
Authors: Donnelly Ellen A. , Brown Chenesia L. , McBride Allison , Beletsky Leo , Anderson Tammy L.
Published: July 2022

Rising rates of opioid use disorder, overdoses, and opioid-related criminal offenses have prompted U.S. law enforcement agencies to adopt alternatives to arrest and formal criminal processing. Police departments frequently implement treatment referral programs and claim an affiliation with the Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative (PAARI). Although expanding to hundreds of agencies, PAARI efforts may not be equally distributed across communities, raising concerns about access to non-arrest diversion and increasing disparities in the criminal processing of drug-related offenses. This study compares the characteristics and geographic placement of law enforcement agencies with and without PAARI programs in 29 states. Law enforcement agencies situated in communities with lower rates of poverty and smaller Black populations have lower odds of having a PAARI program. Agencies based in counties with more overdose deaths and greater unmet treatment needs have increased odds of deflection programing. This placement of PAARI programs reflects broader inequalities in criminal justice and health. More advantaged, predominantly white communities benefit from diversionary programs while fewer alternatives to formal criminal processing exist for lower-income areas and communities of color. Additional research should explore these growing disparities in the deployment of law enforcement-based treatment referral programs and their consequences on drug law enforcement.
Digital Documenting Practices: Collaborative Writing in Workplace Training
Authors: Nissi Riikka , Lehtinen Esa
Published: July 2022

The present article examines collaborative writing in organizational consulting and training, where writing takes place as part of a group discussion assignment and is carried out by using digital writing technologies. In the training, the groups use digital tablets as their writing device in order to document their answers in the shared digital platform. Using multimodal conversation analysis as a method, the article illustrates the way writing is interactionally accomplished in this setting where digital writing intertwines with face-to-face interaction as the groups jointly formulate a documentable written entry for specific institutional purposes. The results show how writing is managed in situated ways and organized by three specific aspects: access, publicity, and broader organizational practice. The article advances prior understanding of the embodied nature of writing and writing with technologies by demonstrating how the body and the material and social nature of writing technologies intertwine within situated social interaction.
Depression, Stress and the Mediating Role of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Among Israeli Women of Childbearing Age in the Shadow of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Halperin Ofra , Ali-Saleh Ola , Ore Liora , Jadaon Jimmy E.
Published: July 2022

Dealing with the outbreak of the new coronavirus has generated unprecedented challenges around the world, including in Israel. Women of childbearing age may be forced to live under particularly difficult circumstances during the pandemic. The current study among Israeli women of childbearing age has three main objectives related to the specific period of the COVID-19 pandemic: to study the prevalence and predictors of intimate partner violence (IPV); to investigate the prevalence and predictors of depression; to examine whether IPV mediates the association between general stress, fear of COVID-19 and depression as an outcome. In a cross-sectional study, 722 married women, Jewish and Arab residents of Israel, were recruited to answer an online self-completion questionnaire during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The questionnaire included an assessment of their degree of general stress and depression, fear of COVID-19, experiences of IPV and demographic variables. The results of the current study show that a high percentage of women reported IPV (with Muslim women reporting higher IPV than Jewish women), perceived stress (PSS), perceived COVID-19 stress and depression. The findings also show that IPV and its three dimensions mediate the relationship between COVID-19 stress and depression, such that higher stress was related to higher IPV, raising the odds for depression. Moreover, the total scores for IPV and emotional violence were found to mediate the relationship between stress and depression. That is, domestic violence explains part of the association between stress and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. Indeed, the current pandemic has resulted in an increase in IPV and depression, and especially in the specific stress associated with the disease itself. Based on the findings of the current study, preventing violence will reduce stress-related depression. The Muslim population, and especially those who are more religious, is in particular need of intervention.
Peri-Traumatic Dissociation and Tonic Immobility as Severity Predictors of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder After Rape
Authors: deMello Ricardo A. F. , Coimbra Bruno Messina , Pedro Bianca D. M. , Benvenutti Isabella M. , Yeh Mary S. L. , Mello Andrea F. , Mello Marcelo F. , Poyares Dalva R.
Published: July 2022

Some individuals show abnormal reactions to extreme fear and life-threatening situations, including tonic immobility (TI) and peri-traumatic dissociation (PTD). We aimed to investigate the association of TI and PTD with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in women who experienced sexual violence and the risk factors for PTD occurrence. We compared PTSD severity in 86 young adult women with PTSD after a sexual violence exposure grouped according to the presence of PTD and TI. In addition, we investigated whether PTD is associated with depression and anxiety symptoms and assessed potential risk factors for PTD reaction. We found a significant positive correlation between PTSD severity and PTD occurrence ( R2 = .132; p = .001). PTD was also positively correlated with all clusters of PTSD symptoms except the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale avoidance cluster ( p = .058). PTD was strongly correlated with anxiety ( R2 = .619; p < .001) and depressive symptoms ( R2 = .547; p < .001). Multiple logistic regression showed that history of physical abuse (odds ratio [ OR]: 1.386; p = .011) and sexual abuse ( OR: 1.947; p = .004) during childhood were associated with PTD occurrence. Other risk factors for PTD were having less years of study ( OR: 0.216; p = .016) and lower income ( OR: 7.403; p = .028). TI measures were available for a subsample of 29 women. We found no association between TI and PTSD severity. PTD, but not TI, is significantly associated with more severe PTSD, depressive, and anxiety symptoms. Less-educated women with a history of childhood abuse and a lower income are at risk of PTD occurrence during a sexual violence episode.
Effect of post-heat treatment on the microstructural, mechanical, and bioactivity behavior of the microwave-assisted alumina-reinforced hydroxyapatite cladding
Authors: Singh Pardeep , Vasudev Hitesh , Bansal Amit
Published: July 2022

The current research involves using microwave energy to modify the surface layer of UNS S31254 stainless steel in order to improve its bioactivity by cladding it with alumina-reinforced hydroxyapatite. For the microwave surface modification process, an industrial microwave oven supported by an infrared pyrometer and functioned at 1.1 kW and 2.45 GHz was utilized. In addition, the surface-modified samples were thermally heat-treated in a muffle furnace for 1 h at three different temperatures 400°C, 600°C, and 800°C. Scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometer, and simulated bodily fluid testing were used to investigate the metallographic, compositional, phase analysis, and bioactivity of microwave surface-modified samples. The presence of alumina in the microwave surface-modified samples was confirmed by X-ray diffractometer analysis. The microwave-assisted surface modification layer contains predominantly iron (Ni-Fe)-based austenite dendrites, as well as hydroxyapatite and certain reaction products, mostly in the interdendritic areas, according to the microstructural analysis. The results indicate that the heat-treated surface-modified samples exhibit lower porosity and higher hardness than the as-deposited surface-modified samples. Furthermore, the 800°C heat-treated samples exhibited the lowest porosity (about 56% less than that of the as-deposited sample) and maximum hardness (about 23.5% more than the as-deposited sample) among all the heat-treated samples. The bone binding ability of the surface-modified samples was decreased after heat treatment due to the reduction of pores and amorphous phase after the heat treatment process.
Adolescent perspectives on gendered ideologies in physical activity within schools: Reflections on a female-focused intervention
Authors: O’Reilly Michelle , Talbot Amelia , Harrington Deirdre
Published: July 2022

There has been growing concern about rising physical inactivity levels in female adolescents, with schools taking some responsibility to address this. Programmes designed for and by girls are increasingly being used by developing or delivering a programme of change and consultation to improve physical activity, physical education, and sport in school. However, to build an understanding of the nuances of such interventions, and better appreciate any gendered benefits and challenges, girls’ voices need to be heard. Based on data from 16 focus groups from 8 schools participating in a female-focused intervention trial (“Girls Active”), we explored adolescent girls’ views of this type of intervention. We used reflexive organic thematic analysis to understand key issues. Four themes were developed: stereotypes; choice; empowerment and voice; and equality. Our feminist approach centralised adolescent girls’ voices, thereby recognising that physical activity is rooted in patriarchal constructions that position girls as naturally uninterested in sport and activity. We suggest gender-focused interventions can actively address stereotypes by listening to girls.
Analysis of hospital readmissions with competing risks
Authors: Wu Wenbo , He Kevin , Shi Xu , Schaubel Douglas E , Kalbfleisch John D
Published: July 2022

The 30-day hospital readmission rate has been used in provider profiling for evaluating inter-provider care coordination, medical cost effectiveness, and patient quality of life. Current profiling analyzes use logistic regression to model 30-day readmission as a binary outcome, but one disadvantage of this approach is that this outcome is strongly affected by competing risks (e.g., death). Thus, one, perhaps unintended, consequence is that if two facilities have the same rates of readmission, the one with the higher rate of competing risks will have the lower 30-day readmission rate. We propose a discrete time competing risk model wherein the cause-specific readmission hazard is used to assess provider-level effects. This approach takes account of the timing of events and focuses on the readmission rates which are of primary interest. The quality measure, then is a standardized readmission ratio, akin to a standardized mortality ratio. This measure is not systematically affected by the rate of competing risks. To facilitate the estimation and inference of a large number of provider effects, we develop an efficient Blockwise Inversion Newton algorithm, and a stabilized robust score test that overcomes the conservative nature of the classical robust score test. An application to dialysis patients demonstrates improved profiling, model fitting, and outlier detection over existing methods.
Testing latent class of subjects with structural zeros in negative binomial models with applications to gut microbiome data
Authors: Ye Peng , Qiao Xinhui , Tang Wan , Wang Chunyi , He Hua
Published: July 2022

Human microbiome research has become a hot-spot in health and medical research in the past decade due to the rapid development of modern high-throughput. Typical data in a microbiome study consisting of the operational taxonomic unit counts may have over-dispersion and/or structural zero issues. In such cases, negative binomial models can be applied to address the over-dispersion issue, while zero-inflated negative binomial models can be applied to address both issues. In practice, it is essential to know if there is zero-inflation in the data before applying negative binomial or zero-inflated negative binomial models because zero-inflated negative binomial models may be unnecessarily complex and difficult to interpret, or may even suffer from convergence issues if there is no zero-inflation in the data. On the other hand, negative binomial models may yield invalid inferences if the data does exhibit excessive zeros. In this paper, we develop a new test for detecting zero-inflation resulting from a latent class of subjects with structural zeros in a negative binomial regression model by directly comparing the amount of observed zeros with what would be expected under the negative binomial regression model. A closed form of the test statistic as well as its asymptotic properties are derived based on estimating equations. Intensive simulation studies are conducted to investigate the performance of the new test and compare it with the classical Wald, likelihood ratio, and score tests. The tests are also applied to human gut microbiome data to test latent class in microbial genera.
South Koreans’ responses to evolution and creationism: A survey and its implications
Authors: Park Hyung Wook
Published: July 2022

I analyze the results of a survey on the public reception of evolution and creationism in South Korea. I reconfirm findings from previous studies, which demonstrated the significance of antievolutionism in the country. The proportion of Koreans who deny or are skeptical toward evolution constitutes 31.6% of the population. They tend to be Protestants, women, seniors, political conservatives, and from rural regions. I also report several seemingly anomalous findings. Notably, many respondents who professed no religion take creationist stances. Moreover, young-earth creationism seems unpopular even among creationists, although it is the mainstream theory of the Korea Association for Creation Research, the country’s flagship creationist organization that influenced many Protestants. In contrast, the majority of the respondents, including evolutionists, endorse the creationist argument that both evolution and creationism should be taught in class. I provide my analyses and hypotheses on these results within Korea’s historical, religious, and cultural contexts.
Role of Peer Influences on Young Consumers’ Green Apparel Perceptions
Authors: Pathak Kanishka , Sharma Vaibhav , Yadav Aditya
Published: July 2022

The study explores the young consumers’ past environmental behaviour and peer influences in shaping green apparel’s perceived benefits in India. Data was corralled using convenience sampling method and partial least square structural equation modelling for the statistical analysis. The results show that past environmental behaviour and green peer influences significantly and positively impact young consumers’ green apparel perceived benefits for pro-environmental behaviour. The specific indirect effect, that is, past environmental behaviour↓green peer influence↓green apparel perceived benefits has a low β-coefficient (0.197) but the cumulative effect was stellar ( β-coefficient = 0.744). Additionally, the prediction power of the proposed conceptual model was 59.2% (adjusted R2 = 0.592). The results were effusive of the fact that past environmental behaviour has the highest influence in shaping young consumers’ green apparel perceived benefits and the cumulative effect with green peer influences, enhances the relationship further. The moderation effect of gender was also explored and confirmed gender neutrality. The study has fructifying implications for green marketers and researchers which would help achieve motives for a sustainable green apparel industry.
Clean India Mission: Building Nation through Sustainable Waste Management Practices
Authors: Datta Soumyajyoti , Kapoor Rohit
Published: July 2022

The case study underscores an operational concern faced by Praveen Vishwakarma, the Senior Manager — Operations at Eco Pro Environmental Services in Indore, in January 2020, pertaining to the daily waste collection in the city. Working in close cooperation with the civic administration, the company focuses on daily waste management of Indore, a commercial hub in Central India. The city of Indore has been declared as the cleanest city in India for three consecutive years according to the cleanliness survey conducted by Government of India under the aegis of clean Indian mission. Clean India mission, launched in 2014, encompassing sustainable development forms the backdrop. The company has been facing huge transportation costs for operating waste collection vehicles and there has been severe violations in the timelines in serving two of the wards. The protagonist is at the crossroads of operational efficiency and service effectiveness. The case highlights the key decision making which involves redesigning of the collection routes through an optimization problem and uses a practical solution approach to resolve the multi-faceted dilemma. The case study is helpful for civic administrators and players involved in waste management by providing actionable guidelines.
Representation of Hijras in Bollywood Movie Laxmii: The Loss of Reality
Authors: Kumari Neha , Singh Rajni
Published: July 2022

Due to their long-standing marginalisation in mainstream social and cultural settings, the hijra community continuously strives for recognition. Bollywood film Laxmii 2020 has added to the prejudice and misconceptions surrounding hijras by perpetuating biases and stereotypes and using them as a source of comic relief and mockery. This article examines the portrayal of hijras in the Bollywood movie Laxmii ( Lawrence, 2020 ) based on two dimensions. The first is gender identity, as examined through the performative theory of gender rather than essentialist formulations. Second, Baudrillard’s (1983) formulation of postmodern hyperrealism is applied to analyse the exaggerations and mutilations of common concepts. Considering the positive and negative portrayals of hijra characters in Bollywood movies, we attempt a comparative study to comprehend the evolution of hijra representation diaphanously. However, in Laxmii, a substantial gap is recognised between reality and fiction, as the movie fails to demonstrate the real-life experiences of the hijras while paving the way to the narrative of the unreal ghost.
Desire To Be a Social Media Influencer: Desire for Fame, Materialism, Perceived Deprivation and Preference for Immediate Gratification as Potential Determinants
Authors: Shabahang Reza , Aruguete Mara S. , Shim Hyejin , Koushali Fatemeh Ghazaei , Zsila Ágnes
Published: July 2022

Many young people have aspired to become social media influencers (SMIs) in today’s social media proliferated world. However, there has been little scientific literature about this widespread aspiration. This study introduces a robust and straightforward self-report scale measuring desire to be an SMI. Item and factor analyses supported the unidimensionality of the desire to be an SMI questionnaire. Reliability analysis, including inter-item correlation, corrected item-total correlation and Cronbach’s α, revealed good internal consistency. Subsequently, we investigated the psychological determinants and consequences of the desire to become an SMI. Results revealed that desire for fame, materialism, perceived deprivation, preference for immediate gratification to delayed gratification and confidence in one’s success as an SMI predicted desire to be an SMI. In addition, an elevated desire to be an SMI was linked to a tendency to place less value on education but not on careers in education (e.g., teaching). Our findings suggest that the aspiration to be an SMI may inspire ‘hope labour’, which may lead young people to devalue education.
Regional Organizations and States in International Relations: A Study of India’s Approach Towards Regional Organizations
Authors: Kumar Suneel
Published: July 2022

Regional organizations (ROs), a key component of the global order, have become a significant tool for achieving foreign policy objectives of the member countries. Amidst the prevailing politico-strategic environment, a speckled range of national interests of the regional states and non-regional states has motivated or compelled the states to create, collaborate and participate in the functioning of ROs. India is associated with those ROs that possess objectives convenient in pursuit of its national interests and also identical to its foreign policy targets. In this context, this article argues that India’s policy towards ROs is shaped by the Cold War and post-Cold War developments along with the emerging strategic and security environment in the twenty-first century. These developments have created a divergence or convergence of India’s preferences and beliefs with other countries and have determined its participation in the ROs. It is participating actively in the functioning of ROs in pursuit of its national interests in diverse arenas. The ROs, especially South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and even European Union (EU) and Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) are the key instruments for India to achieve the objectives of respective Neighbourhood First Policy (NFP), Look East Policy (LEP), Act East Policy (AEP), Look North Policy (LNP), Connect Central Asia Policy (CCAP) and Indo-Pacific Vision (IPV) frameworks of its foreign policy towards South Asia, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Indo-Pacific and the globe. Apart from economic, strategic and security cooperation in the regional context, the ROs can help India in bolstering its image and status as a key power in global affairs.
Services and evidence of irremediable market failure in rich countries: Australian experience
Authors: Fforde Adam
Published: July 2022

A large and increasing share of economic activity in modern rich economies can be shown to lie outside what mainstream neoclassical economics itself says it can be applied to: according to neoclassical economics, such activities are unsuited to markets. Since World War II rich economies have de-industrialised, shifted to services. Since the 1970s neoclassical economics has come to dominate policy advice. This worldview justifies state interventions when there is remediable market failure, but it ignores irremediable market failure, where its theory says that markets cannot work efficiently (such as where there is joint production or own consumption). Servicisation, this article argues, has increased and is increasing the extent to which neoclassical economics is, in its own terms, ‘knowably ignorant’. This is because, where service provision is subject to irremediable market failure, neoclassical economics, in its own terms, is inapplicable. The GDP [Gross Domestic Product] share of sub-sectors serving diverse human needs, such as aged care and education, is large and rising. Such sub-sectors are dominated by joint production, manifest as diverse outputs (complex and inter-related changes in the welfare of their diverse clients). Setting aside questions of the wider ‘scientific’ validity of neoclassical theory, the article focuses on its assertion that markets cannot generate economically efficient outcomes in such activities. Arguing that the constrained optimisation of its conceptual world cannot happen in the case of joint production and own consumption of service outputs, neoclassical theory reports itself as unable to determine optimal resource allocation, and so by implication cannot fulfil its role as the foundational basis of state economic policy. Yet the literature shows that the coverage of this theoretical result is not publicised – it is ‘knowable’ but not widely known. The article concludes that, as neoclassical economics is foundational to contemporary state policy, both GDP data and neoclassical theory show that it, and markets, are knowably and increasingly inapplicable. Therefore, mainstream policy thinking continues to face an increasing ‘state of ignorance’, and the cognitive foundations of state policy are correspondingly weak.
Plea Bargaining and Trial Decisions in Context: An Examination of Disparities in Punishment
Authors: Okafor Porche’ A. W. , Warren Patricia Y. , Stewart Eric A.
Published: July 2022

Racial and ethnic disparities in the criminal justice system have been well documented in prior research. Despite this, few studies have explored the extent of disparities after accepting a plea bargain compared with proceeding to trial. The distinction between plea bargaining and going to trial is highlighted because judicial officials are more constrained by the law when making punitive decisions following a trial. Thus, there should be fewer disparities in punitive outcomes among defendants who went to trial. Using Florida Sentencing Guidelines data from 2010 to 2017 combined with county-level data from the 2010 United States Census, the current study contributes to prior research by investigating whether the size of the Black and Latino populations influences disparities in punitive outcomes among Black, White, and Latino defendants after accepting a plea bargain and going to trial. The results suggest that Blacks sentenced in counties with a growing Black population are less likely to receive a jail sentence but more likely to receive a prison sentence after accepting a plea bargain. However, they are less likely to receive a prison sentence after proceeding to trial when sentenced in areas with a larger share of Black residents. In contrast, Latino defendants who accept a plea bargain are more likely to receive a jail sentence but less likely to be sentenced to prison in areas with a growing ethnic presence. Furthermore, Black defendants sentenced in areas with a change in Black populations receive shorter sentences after accepting a plea bargain. Our analyses provide an intricate story about race/ethnicity, place, and threat in the state of Florida. Overall, the results show that the social context matters, but differently pertaining to punishment outcomes disposed of by plea bargains and trials.
Barrier Face Coverings for Workers
Authors: Brosseau Lisa M. , Stull Jeffrey
Published: July 2022

Face coverings have been recommended for the public and workers to prevent person-to-person transmission of COVID-19. Throughout 2020, guidelines for face coverings recommended multiple layers worn tightly against the face with straps or ear loops. This article briefly describes a new ASTM 3502 Standard Specification for Barrier Face Coverings (BFCs) and the development of performance criteria for workplace BFCs ahead of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS). We also describe a method for comparing the effect on the time to receipt of an infectious dose (ID) of BFCs with varying degrees of inward leakage (personal protection) and outward leakage (source control). The role of BFCs in workplace settings during the pandemic and for exposure to infectious respiratory organisms after the pandemic remains in question. It will be important for occupational health and safety professionals to recognize their limitations in contrast with respiratory protection.
Changes in Child Discipline Strategies in Iran During the Outbreak of COVID-19
Authors: Farahzadi Samin , Maarefvand Masoomeh , Poursaadati Maryam Zabihi
Published: July 2022

During the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, anxiety and depression were common among caregivers and parents more prone to adopt harsh disciplinary techniques when angry or stressed. The purpose of this study was to investigate if there are any differences in parents’ disciplinary strategies following social distancing efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. An online questionnaire was completed by a convenience sample of parents (N = 605) and mothers (n = 533; 88.1%) aged 37.80 years old (SD = 5.66; range = 20–59) who lived with children aged 6–12 years in Iran during the COVID-19 pandemic. Iran's Multiple Indicator Demographic and Health Survey questionnaire was used to gauge child discipline. There was an increase in shaking (1.8%), shouting and yelling (15.5%). The findings of this study serve as a reminder to researchers and government officials that child abuse and violence are more likely to occur during stressful times and provide the scientific foundation for the development of tailored psychological treatment.
Primary Osseous Leiomyosarcoma with Vertebral and Nodal Metastasis in a Young Woman: A Rare Case Report
Authors: Mitra Saikat , Bachchal Vikas , Sinha Anindita , Negi Deepak , Chatterjee Debajyoti
Published: July 2022

Introduction. Primary leiomyosarcoma of bone is rarely described in the literature. In young patients, the clinical and radiological features may mimic relatively common tumours like osteosarcoma. Vertebral and nodal metastasis from osseous leiomyosarcoma is extremely uncommon. Case presentation. A 25-year-old female presented with progressively increasing pain and swelling of the right knee. Clinical and radiological features were suggestive of osteosarcoma. Pre-operative biopsy showed a malignant spindle cell tumour. The surgical resection specimen showed features of leiomyosarcoma of the right proximal tibia. On further evaluation, the patient was found to have an L3-L4 vertebral lesion and histopathological evaluation showed a similar tumour. After 11 months of initial presentation, the patient had axillary lymph node metastasis. Conclusion. Primary osseous leiomyosarcoma should be considered as a differential diagnosis even in young patients presenting with meta-diaphyseal expansile malignant bony lesions. Histology and ancillary studies can confirm the diagnosis.
Behcet's Disease Mimicking Crohn's Disease: A Diagnostic Pitfall in GI Tract Biopsies
Authors: Ciscato Andreas , Sadeghi Saha , Speziale Alissa , Hosseini Mojgon , Hu Jingjing
Published: July 2022

Behcet's disease is a rare entity. It's a multi-systemic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology characterized by recurrent ulcers and vasculitis, mainly including the oral cavity, eyes, gastrointestinal tract and joints. Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder that may affect the same organs as Behcet's disease, however more frequently the gastrointestinal tract. Distinguishing Behcet's disease from Crohn's disease can be challenging due to the overlapping clinical presentation and similar morphology features on pathology biopsy specimens. This is a case report of a 32-year-old female who first presented at the emergency department with fatigue, weight loss, arthralgia, and erythema nodosum. The patient was admitted for oral ulcers, skin rash, genital ulcers, and melena one month later. Treatment with prednisone was started at the time and further workup for Behcet's disease versus inflammatory bowel disease was started. Her esophagus biopsy shows granulomatous-like vasculitis, and her colon biopsies show overlapping features with Crohn's disease. Herein, we present a rare and interesting case in which Behcet's disease mimics inflammatory bowel disease on the gastrointestinal tract biopsies but with some unique findings and diagnostic pitfalls for gastrointestinal tract vasculitis and ulceration.
Prevention Is the Best Intervention: Proactive Strategies for Supporting Students Who Engage in Escalated Behaviors
Authors: Robinson Jason , Duncan Kristin , London Dina , Gershwin Tracy , Trapp Laura , Shen Guofeng
Published: July 2022

Strategies for preventing the escalation of problematic student behavior in inclusive school settings are detailed. These strategies include utilizing proactive behavioral interventions, implementing function-based behavioral interventions that address root causes of escalated student behaviors, and teaching and reinforcing socially acceptable alternatives to escalated student behaviors. Each strategy is described in practical detail using case study vignettes about students who engage in escalated behaviors within inclusive school settings.
Thrombosis in Myeloproliferative Neoplasms: A Single Center Experience of Using Whole Blood Platelet Aggregation Studies for Risk Assessment and Thromboprophylaxis
Authors: Manoharan Arumugam , Gemmell Rosalie , Cavanaugh Lauren , Shadood Noor
Published: July 2022

Thromboembolic complications are the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN); and prevention of these complications remains a significant clinical challenge. Effective thromboprophylaxis in MPN patients generally requires use of anti-platelet therapy, commonly aspirin; however, there are no standardized or universally accepted guidelines regarding the dose of aspirin. This study evaluates the usefulness of whole blood platelet aggregation (WBPA) studies to identify patients at risk for thrombosis and to achieve safe and effective long term thromboprophylaxis. One hundred and thirty-two consecutive patients were enrolled into this study. WBPA studies were performed at diagnosis in 125 patients to identify those with platelet hyperactivity (deemed to be at risk for thrombosis) and repeated 4 weeks after commencement of anti-platelet therapy to ascertain the efficacy. In patients with incomplete drug effect, treatment was revised and the study repeated until optimum effect was achieved. Results of the WBPA studies and anti-platelet therapy requirements were correlated with the underlying driver mutations and various international prognostic score of thrombosis for essential thrombocythemia (IPSET- Thrombosis) sub-groups. WBPA studies showed varying degrees of platelet hyper-activity in 115 patients. Based on these results, the patients were commenced on anti-platelet therapy comprising aspirin (dose ranging from 100mg twice or thrice weekly to 400mg daily) and clopidogrel (75mg daily) alone or in combination with aspirin or odorless garlic. None of the patients developed thrombosis during the follow up period ranging from 1-23 years (median 8yrs), while on the prescribed, individualized anti-platelet therapy. No significant differences were noted in terms of aspirin dose requirements between the JAK-2 positive and CALR or MPL positive patients, and, among the four IPSET-Thrombosis sub-groups. Patients with normal (9) or hypo (1) – activity were not given any anti-platelet therapy at diagnosis.

Conclusion

Routine use of WBPA studies enables safe and effective risk-adapted thromboprophylaxis in MPN patients, irrespective of the underlying driver mutation and their risk predicted by the IPSET- thrombosis criteria.
Why Bad News Can Be Good News: The Signaling Feedback Effect of Negative Media Coverage of Corporate Irresponsibility
Authors: Fu Limin
Published: July 2022

Can bad news also be good news? In this study, I explicate why bad news about firms’ corporate social irresponsibility (CSiR) can be good news for firms. Specifically, I address the role of negative media coverage of CSiR in firms’ corporate social performance (CSP). Drawing on signaling theory, I propose that negative media coverage of CSiR is a form of costly yet effective external feedback to firms’ current social signaling. It, therefore, propels firms to undertake organizational changes to send positive response signals through improved CSP. Furthermore, I argue that this effect is augmented by organizational innovation search, which influences firms’ learning capacity required to improve firms’ CSP. Using a multicountry sample of 1,049 firms between 2007 and 2016, I find that negative media coverage of CSiR induces firms to enhance CSP, and this effect is moderated by organizational innovation search.
Analyzing the Factors Contributing to Bacterial Contamination of Domestic Water Sources in Estuarine Islands of Coastal Karnataka, India
Authors: Das Satyaprakash , Rama Devi Nandineni , Shetty Sanjana , Kapur Rituka , H N Udaya Shankar , Nair Suma
Published: July 2022

Contamination of domestic water sources is a major concern in estuarine islands of coastal Karnataka. Awareness about practices for waste management and protection of water sources on these islands is poor. Using water having bacterial presence for domestic purposes can lead to various health risks in humans. The research investigates various factors leading to bacterial contamination of domestic water sources at Mudukudru island of Swarna river, in the Udupi district of Karnataka. Samples were collected during the Pre-monsoon (December–May) and Monsoon (June–September) seasons from 43 wells of individual houses on the island. The total concentration of bacteria, in the water samples was determined from microbial analysis. The multiple tube, most probable number (MPN), fermentation technique was adopted to determine the total coliform in the samples. Factors like the presence or absence of well lining, well housing, wellhead above or below ground level, the distance of well from sewage pits, and the distance of livestock from the wells were correlated. The results indicated bacterial contamination in 32 wells during the monsoon as compared to pre-monsoon data, with the total coliform count exceeding the standard of 500 MPN/100 mL. A significant relation between total coliform count in the water samples and the absence of well lining with sanitary protection is observed with p-value  = .00 ( p ⩽ .05) and wells located near (<10.0 m) to sewage pit with p-value ⩽ .05, were recorded respectively during both the seasons of sampling. The study highlights the major factors leading to bacterial contamination of wells on the island. Awareness about the planning of domestic wells through community-driven programs and hygiene education can be beneficial for the sustainable future of these islands.