bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Índios, jesuítas e bandeirantes” nativismo, evolucionismo e mitos de progresso nos “Ensaios sul-americanos” de Júlio de Mesquita Filho, década de 1940
Authors: Macêdo Francisco Adriano Leal
Published: August 2023

O trabalho discute como um certo pensamento marcado pelo positivismo e evolucionismo deu contornos à obra do jornalista e intelectual Júlio de Mesquita Filho em suas análises sobre o Brasil, refletindo como o mesmo concorreu para cristalizar personagens-chave de uma proto-história do Brasil, legando aos Indígenas um papel de passividade, na medida que estabelece conexão com uma visão linear de História Universal. O texto parte das proposições expressas no livro “Ensaios Sul-Americanos”, escrito na primeira metade da década de 1940, durante o segundo dos dois exílios sofridos pelo sujeito em questão. Busco entrelaçar dimensões de sua trajetória como personagem-escritor, demonstrando como uma cosmovisão mítica sobre o Brasil surge a partir de diálogos com o pensamento eurocentrado e nativista, na busca de promover a naturalização de um tempo linear, homogêneo e vazio. O personagem Mesquita Filho se projeta como o operador de certa Filosofia da História que compreende o Ocidente como motor da Civilização, e nesse empreendimento de escrita o mesmo engendra diálogos indiretos com contemporâneos, como Gilberto Freyre, que por seu turno fundou a noção de “plasticidade” portuguesa. Autores que contribuem para situar o debate proposto: Eric J. Hobsbawm, Darcy Ribeiro, Marilena Chauí e Walter Benjamin, definindo conceitos historiográficos e teóricos. Para as conclusões, contribui o pensamento de Eduardo Viveiros de Castro e os seus postulados sobre o pensamento ameríndio, que reflete sobre o choque cosmológico com o naturalismo europeu, do qual Mesquita Filho faz parte.
Impact of Hemostasis on the Lymphatic System in Development and Disease
Authors: Tsukiji Nagaharu , Suzuki-Inoue Katsue
Published: August 2023

Lymphatic vessels form a systemic network that maintains interstitial fluid homeostasis and regulates immune responses and is strictly separated from the circulatory system. During embryonic development, lymphatic endothelial cells originate from blood vascular endothelial cells in the cardinal veins and form lymph sacs. Platelets are critical for separating lymph sacs from the cardinal veins through interactions between CLEC-2 (C-type lectin-like receptor-2) and PDPN (podoplanin) in lymphatic endothelial cells. Therefore, deficiencies of these genes cause blood-filled lymphatic vessels, leading to abnormal lymphatic vessel maturation. The junction between the thoracic duct and the subclavian vein has valves and forms physiological thrombi dependent on CLEC-2/PDPN signaling to prevent blood backflow into the thoracic duct. In addition, platelets regulate lymphangiogenesis and maintain blood/lymphatic separation in pathological conditions, such as wound healing and inflammatory diseases. More recently, it was reported that the entire hemostatic system is involved in lymphangiogenesis. Thus, the hemostatic system plays a crucial role in the establishment, maintenance, and rearrangement of lymphatic networks and contributes to body fluid homeostasis, which suggests that the hemostatic system is a potential target for treating lymphatic disorders. This review comprehensively summarizes the role of the hemostatic system in lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic vessel function and discusses challenges and future perspectives.
Peripheral and Cerebral Vasodilation in Black and White Women: Examining the Impact of Psychosocial Stress Exposure Versus Internalization and Coping
Authors: Martin Zachary T. , Al-daas Iman O. , Cardenas Natalia , Kolade John O. , Merlau Emily R. , Vu Joshua K. , Brown Kyrah K. , Brothers R. Matthew
Published: August 2023

Background:

Black women have among the highest rates of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease prevalence and mortality in part due to blunted vascular function. Psychosocial stress likely also contributes but its relationship to vascular function remains incompletely understood. Recent studies suggest that stress internalization and coping strategies are more important than stress exposures alone. We hypothesized that Black women would have blunted peripheral and cerebral vasodilation and that, among Black women, this would be inversely related with psychosocial stress internalization/coping but not stress exposures.

Methods:

Healthy Black (n=21; 20±2 years) and White (n=16; 25±7 years) women underwent testing for forearm reactive hyperemia, brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD), and cerebrovascular reactivity. Psychosocial stress exposures (adverse childhood experiences; past week discrimination) and internalization/coping techniques (John Henryism Active Coping Scale; Giscombe Superwoman Schema Questionnaire) were assessed.

Results:

Reactive hyperemia and cerebrovascular reactivity were not different between groups (
P
>0.05), whereas FMD was lower in Black women (
P
=0.007). Neither adverse childhood experiences nor past week discrimination were associated with FMD in either group (
P
>0.05 for all). John Henryism Active Coping Scale scores were negatively associated with FMD in Black women (
P
=0.014) but positively associated with FMD in White women (
P
=0.042). Superwoman Schema–Succeed was negatively associated (
P
=0.044) and Superwoman Schema–Vulnerable tended to be negatively associated (
P
=0.057) with FMD in Black women.

Conclusions:

These findings indicate that blunted FMD in Black women may be due more to stress internalization and maladaptive coping than stress exposures alone.
Pairing peers and pears
Authors: Sonnenhauser Barbara , Ismajli Blertë , Widmer Paul
Published: August 2023

Migration events splitting speaker communities and establishing novel contact situations are among the major drivers of language variation and change. While the precise processes that lead to change cannot usually be determined for past events with any certainty, the study of minority and heritage language usage in apparent time may provide insight into the contribution of the linguistic behavior underlying the dynamics. We capitalize on this and compare parts of speech usage in Pear Story renarrations across Gheg Albanian speakers of three generations in German-speaking environments, applying methods from information theory. The results suggest that the changing conventions in parts of speech usage across generations and places of residence can be attributed to changing linguistic behavior within the speaker community in the migration setting. These findings highlight the impact of changing sociocultural embedding and the roles of vertical and horizontal transmission in language change.
Motion-Binding Property Contributes to Accurate Temporal-Order Perception in Audiovisual Synchrony
Authors: Kwon Jinhwan , Miyake Yoshihiro
Published: August 2023

Temporal perception in multisensory processing is important for an accurate and efficient understanding of the physical world. In general, it is executed in a dynamic environment in our daily lives. In particular, the motion-binding property is important for correctly identifying moving objects in the external environment. However, how this property affects multisensory temporal perception remains unclear. We investigate whether the motion-binding property influences audiovisual temporal integration. The study subjects performed four types of temporal-order judgment (TOJ) task experiments using three types of perception. In Experiment 1, the subjects conducted audiovisual TOJ tasks in the motion-binding condition, between two flashes, and in the simultaneous condition, in which the two flashes are perceived as simultaneous stimuli without motion. In Experiment 2, subjects conducted audiovisual TOJ tasks in the motion-binding condition and the short and long successive interval condition, in which the two stimuli are perceived as successive with no motion. The results revealed that the point of subjective simultaneity (PSS) and the just-noticeable difference (JND) in the motion-binding condition differed significantly from those in the simultaneous and short and long successive interval conditions. Specifically, the PSS in the motion-binding condition was shifted toward a sound-lead stimulus in which the PSS became closer to zero (i.e., physical simultaneity) and the JND became narrower compared to other conditions. This suggests that the motion-binding property contributes to accurate temporal integration in multisensory processing by precisely encoding the temporal order of the physical stimuli.
Distribution, challenges, and conservation mechanism of endemic bird species in Ethiopia
Authors: Desalegn Tamenut
Published: August 2023

The primary purpose of this review was to search for recent information on the endemic bird species of Ethiopia, their distribution, conservation challenges, and conservation mechanism. Current data show that Ethiopia has 18 endemic bird species. Some of these species are distributed in different regions of Ethiopia (Yellow-fronted Parrot, Abyssinian Longclaw, Wattled Ibis, Blue-winged Goose, Abyssinian Catbird). In contrast, some species are restricted in a few areas (Red-billed Pytilia, Yellow-throated Serin, Salvadori’s Serin). The assemblages of endemic birds diminish over time due to different conservation challenges. The primary conservation challenges are habitat disturbances caused by overgrazing and agricultural expansion around bird habitats. Agricultural land expansion is the most dominant driver for habitat loss, which, combined with unsustainable forest management, contributes to the most significant cause of species aggregate in some less disturbed areas. Hunting for egg collection and for food, as their meat is prized for its flavor and supposed medicinal properties, pose significant challenges for conserving these species. Habitat restoration, establishing new conservation areas and protection plans, creating awareness, and developing a sense of ownership are the major conservation mechanisms for protecting endemic birds in Ethiopia.
Molecular phylogeny and taxonomy of the genus Nanocnide (Urticaceae) with particular attention to the Ryukyu Islands endemic N. lobata
Authors: AOKI SATOSHI , LI PAN , MATSUO AYUMI , SUYAMA YOSHIHISA , ITO MOTOMI
Published: August 2023

A plant named Nanocnide pilosa (Urticaceae) is assessed as a critically endangered species in Japan. However, this name has been placed in synonymy with N. lobata in the Flora of China, and this treatment is widely accepted outside of Japan. Although plants known as N. pilosa and N. lobata have been known to have morphological differences, their phylogenetic relationships have never been investigated using multiple samples per taxon. To elucidate the phylogeny and taxonomic status of N. pilosa and N. lobata, we conducted phylogenetic and population genetic analyses of the genus Nanocnide using internal transcribed spacer regions and MIG-seq together with morphological observations. Our results suggest that N. pilosa and N. lobata are sister taxa, and that each of them comprises a distinct clade in the MIG-seq tree. Based on these results, we propose treating N. pilosa and N. lobata as distinct species. Our study also revealed that N. pilosa has a widespread distribution in the subtropical regions of Mainland China and southern part of the Kyushu Island, Japan; whilst N. lobata is endemic to the Ryukyu Islands, Japan. In addition, we report new information on morphology of the remaining species of Nanocnide.
Studies in Hygrocybe s.l. (Hygrocyboideae, Hygrophoraceae) in Brazil: New species of Humidicutis and Neohygrocybe
Authors: SIMON CARDOSO JULI , MONCALVO JEAN-MARC , LODGE D. JEAN , MARGARITESCU SIMONA , NEVES MARIA ALICE , S. OLIVEIRA JADSON J.
Published: August 2023

Humidicutis and Neohygrocybe are genera of wax cap mushrooms closely related to Hygrocybe. This is the first study in Humidicutis and Neohygrocybe from Brazil. We describe two new species, H. pindorama and N. fumosa, based on morphology and ITS rDNA data, and propose a new combination, N. ovinoides. Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian analyses were conducted to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships of the new species and related taxa. The resulting trees suggest that the new species are unique and show significant similarities to existing taxa in their respective genera. We also provide a key to the species of Humidicutis and Neohygrocybe known in the world.
Sedum yangjifengensis (Crassulaceae), a new species from Jiangxi, China
Authors: ZHU ZONG-WEI , LE XIN-GUI , LI LU-FEI , CHEN SHI-PIN , CHEN BIN
Published: August 2023

Sedum yangjifengensis (Crassulaceae), a new species from Jiangxi Province, China, was described and compared after introductory cultivation and morphological studies. The morphological characters of this species were found to vary considerably between growth periods: during the vegetative growth period, it has short, slender, tufted stolons, small leaves and during the reproductive growth period, it has long internodes below the inflorescence and with much larger bract leaves. It is similar to S. makinoi but exhibits extremely varied in leaf sizes and the length of internodes, and to S. concarpum and S. lipingense, but has connate follicles only at 1mm and no rosette leaves present.
Paropsocolis, a new pentatomid genus with two new species from Brazil (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae, Ochlerini)
Authors: SAMPAIO VINÍCIUS GOMES , CAMPOS LUIZ ALEXANDRE
Published: August 2023

When examining specimens of the Janeirona Distant, 1911 clade of Ochlerini (Discocephalinae) we found males and females of two undescribed species. Though clearly similar to the genera in the Janeirona clade, these two species lack the diagnostic characteristics of any of them. We made a cladistic analysis to verify the placement of the two new species in Discocephalinae. A total of 38 taxa and 60 morphological characters were included in the analysis. Character polarization followed the outgroup comparison method, and the most parsimonious trees were calculated in TNT using an implied weighting approach. The analysis resulted in one most parsimonious tree where the two new species form a monophyletic group within the Ochlerini, sister to Janeirona. We propose Paropsocolis Sampaio & Campos, gen. nov. for the two new species Paropsocolis convergens Sampaio & Campos, sp. nov. and Paropsocolis divergens Sampaio & Campos, sp. nov.. The new genus is recognized by having an inconspicuous labial intercalary segment, metasternum anteriorly carinated, parameres with a basal dish-shaped process and a bifurcated apex, theca with one apical ventral process, endosoma with one dorsal and one ventral processes, laterotergites IX surpassing the mediotergite VIII, and thickening of vaginal intima circular. P. convergens Sampaio & Campos, sp. nov. and P. divergens Sampaio & Campos, sp. nov. are described to Brazil. A distributional map is provided.
Two new combinations of Medaurini (Phasmatodea: Phasmatidae: Clitumninae) from Yunnan Province, China
Authors: XIE CHONG-XIN , WEN JUN , WANG CHEN , WANG ZHAO-ZI , QIAN YU-HAN
Published: August 2023

Two new combinations are proposed for Chinese species previously described in the endemic Australian genus Pachymorpha Gray, 1835: Interphasma belocerca (Chen & He, 2008) comb. nov., of which the male and egg are described are illustrated for the first time and Neomedaura arguta (Chen & He, 2008) comb. nov., the first report of the genus Neomedaura Ho, 2020, in China.
Revisiting Renewable Energies: Liberating, Pacifying, and Democratizing
Authors: Schaltegger Stefan , Linnenluecke Martina K. , Dijkstra-Silva Samanthi , Christ Katherine L.
Published: August 2023

We all know that renewable energies are important for environmental reasons. However, recent developments should open our eyes to the fact that they are even more critical for sustainable development. In this commentary, we argue that societal benefits should be included in renewable energy decisions. Specifically, we discuss their contributions to freedom, peace, and democracy.
What Does It Mean to Be a Christian? The Implications of Badiou’s, Butler’s, and Whitehead’s Views for Understanding the Christian Subject
Authors: Kim Hyoseok
Published: August 2023

This article explores the implications of Whitehead’s, Butler’s, and Badiou’s views for understanding the Christian subject. Since postmodernists’ declaration of ‘the death of the subject’, the traditional view of the subject as a fixed and self-identical substance no longer suffices. These three thinkers present dynamic and original views of the subject. For Whitehead, the subject emerges out of the process of becoming and, by perishing, contributes to future processes of becoming. Butler claims that subjectivity is performative. For Badiou, the subject is the bearer of a fidelity to an event. With those views in mind, this article argues first, that the Christian subject is the bearer of fidelity to a truth-event of God; second, that Christian subjectivity is performative; and third, that a Christian is one who performs death and, by doing so, contributes to, and brings the novelty into, the world.
Canadian cannabis education resources to support youth health literacy: A scoping review and environmental scan
Authors: Howe Emily J. , Bishop Lisa D. , Torraville Bethany S. , Rowe Emily C. , Kinzel Eden , Donnan Jennifer R.
Published: August 2023

Background:

The 2018 legalisation of cannabis in Canada sparked concern and conversation about the potential negative impacts of youth cannabis use. It is clear that young people are already engaging in cannabis use for a variety of reasons; therefore, youth cannabis education is desirable to promote harm reduction and reduce the risk of adverse physical and mental health outcomes.

Objective:

To identify and categorise Canadian cannabis education resources using a social-ecological approach informed by the youth health literacy framework, considering multiple factors at the micro-, meso- and macro-levels that influence health literacy and impact behaviour.

Methods:

In line with scoping review methodology, database searches and an environmental scan of materials were completed. Specific inclusion criteria were identified to encompass all Canadian cannabis education resources directed towards young people aged 9–18 years and adults in contact with youth.

Results:

A total of 60 resources were identified and categorised using the youth health literacy framework in terms of their focus on (1) micro influences (resources for youth); (2) meso influences (resources for teachers, parents, mentors); and (3) macro influences (resources for indigenous communities and medical professionals).

Conclusions:

While many resources were identified, issues exist with the accessibility, quality and multicultural considerations of such resources, warranting the development of comprehensive, evidence-based and harm reduction–focused cannabis education for youth.
I TRENDS Security Politics and Artificial Intelligence: Key Trends and Debates
Authors: Bahcecik Serif Onur
Published: August 2023

This article delves into the academic discourse surrounding the security implications of artificial intelligence (AI). It highlights the lack of consensus on what AI truly encompasses, which poses challenges for regulating the technology. While some express concerns about the security risks of AI, there are proponents of ethical AI who believe in the possibility of programming the technology to operate ethically, and supporters of AI for Good (or AI for Social Good) who see potential for AI to address sustainable development challenges. Scholars agree that AI will have a significant impact on global security, but they disagree on the specific mechanisms and dimensions of this impact. Some focus on changes in the balance of power and the effectiveness of autonomous weapons, while others highlight the tactical advantages, defensive and offensive capabilities, and even national differences in AI development and deployment. Overall, the article concludes that more critical studies are needed to explore how AI is already affecting security in a broad sense.
The nexus between institutional framework and employee performance in Tanzania’s maritime sector
Authors: Kikoti Sigfrid Kilian , Lameck Wilfred Uronu
Published: August 2023

Employee performance has been a critical theme which has received global attention in the mainstream literature of public sector governance. In developing countries, the need for employee performance is backed up by public dismay on declining public sector performance. Some of the causes attributed to low performance are the meagre resources allocated to the public sector and the existing formal rules and regulations which mould the behaviour of employees. So far, the existing informal social rules which also regulate the behaviour of employees have received little attention. This article is therefore set to explore the relationship between the formal institutional framework, the informal social rules and the availability of resources on one hand, and employee performance within Tanzania's maritime sector on the other. Accordingly, the study adopted a mixed approach with a case study of the Tanzania Port Authority in Dar es Salaam. To this end, a stratified simple random sampling technique was used to get a sample of 318 respondents for a questionnaire and a purposeful sampling technique was used to get a sample of 30 respondents for in-depth interviews. Quantitative data were analysed through descriptive statistics of employee performance variables and interviews were analysed through a thematic approach to get in-depth information concerning the influence of formal and informal institutions and resources on employee performance. The study found that employees’ performance behaviour at Dar es Salaam port authority is regulated by formal system such as the Open Performance Review and Appraisal System and informal channels of communication. The formal rules define the targets to be reached by each employee but the informal social rules and the resources provide the conditions to achieve the predetermined target.

Points for practitioners

Public managers should be aware that employee performance in the public sector is a function not only of formal rules and regulations in place but also of the availability of resources and the informal social rules which set the conditions and influence the way public officials perform their daily duties and responsibilities in the public office.
The Reading Challenges, Strategies, and Habits of University Students With a History of Reading Difficulties and Their Relations to Academic Achievement
Authors: Howard-Gosse Abigail , Bergey Bradley W. , Deacon S. Hélène
Published: August 2023

Given the increase in students with learning disabilities entering university, we investigated a broader group—students with a history of reading difficulties (HRD)—who are known to be at risk of academic struggles. We identified the self-reported reading challenges and strategies of university students with HRD ( n = 49) and those with no history of reading difficulties (NRD; n = 88) and examined group differences and relations with first-year grade point average (GPA). Students with HRD reported more difficulties with perceived reading comprehension, concentration, and reading speed than students with NRD. Groups differed in use of reading strategies: Students with HRD were descriptively more likely to reduce reading volume by using alternative materials and chose to read based on text length and availability of alternative materials. For both groups, reading completion and concentration strategies were positively related to GPA, while perceived difficulty with reading comprehension and choosing to read based on interest were negatively related to GPA. Some strategies were negatively associated with GPA for students with NRD, but not for students with HRD. Findings revealed the challenges that students with HRD experience with reading in university and identified strategies, potentially adaptive or maladaptive, that they used to manage their academic reading load.
Professional Identity Makes More Work Well-Being Among In-Service Teachers: Mediating Roles of Job Crafting and Work Engagement
Authors: Zhai Yujia , Xiao Weilong , Sun Changkan , Sun Binghai , Yue Guoan
Published: August 2023

Though the positive association between well-being and professional identity among employees is well-document, the internal mechanism underlying this association is known little. Guided by self-determination theory (SDT) and the job demands-resources (JD-R) model, this study examined the roles of job crafting and work engagement in mediating the association between professional identity and workplace well-being. We surveyed 2090 teachers (including Primary, Middle, and High School teachers) ( M age = 39.42 years; SD = 8.72). Teachers completed a series of questionnaires, such as the Teachers’ Professional Identity Scale, Employee’s Workplace Well-being Scale, Job Crafting Scale, and Utrecht Work Engagement Scale. We controlled age, teaching age, and gender covariates to get conservative predictions. Multiple mediation analyses were utilized in this study to prove that: (a) professional identity was positively linked to workplace well-being; (b) both job crafting and work engagement take mediator roles in associating the relationships between professional identity and workplace well-being; and (c) a serial indirect pathway (professional identity → job crafting → work engagement → workplace well-being) emerged. These findings explore the factors that affect well-being and point to potential ways in enhancing teachers’ workplace well-being even when the task is severe.
Implementation of explainable artificial intelligence in commercial communication systems using micro systems
Authors: Manoharan Hariprasath , Yuvaraja Teekaraman , Kuppusamy Ramya , Radhakrishnan Arun
Published: August 2023

The developments in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) and decision making systems are identified as virtuous models for banking and finance sector (BFS) applications. Even though AI provides great advantage in application changes it is essential to remodel the system using explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) design system. Also the standard sensing models provides appropriate monitoring values but huge size of sensors is considered as a major drawback. Thus two diverse problems are addressed in this research work where XAI has been integrated with micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) for solving the problems related to BFS applications. Further the data security has been enhanced as XAI is implemented with conviction managements and real time experiments are carried out by developing a unique application by integrating new mathematical designs. To validate the effectiveness of BFS application the developed model is tested with five scenarios which includes multiple parametric arrangements with interpretability process. The tested and compared outcomes with existing models indicates that XAI and MEMS provides inordinate improvements in terms of data impairments thus increasing the transparency of the projected system to an average 96%.
The Effect of Suspensions on Student Attendance in a High-Absenteeism Urban District
Authors: Singer Jeremy
Published: August 2023

I examine the effect of out-of-school suspensions (OSS) on attendance in a large midwestern urban district with high rates of chronic absenteeism. I do so from an ecological perspective and using daily attendance and discipline data. Out-of-school suspension has a modest and persistent negative effect on subsequent attendance, particularly for students who were not chronically absent and in schools with harsher discipline climates. I find not only that reducing OSS rates can improve attendance but also that addressing in-school factors such as OSS alone will not be sufficient for substantially reducing high-absenteeism rates in the context of broader social and economic inequalities.
Ideology Strength Versus Party Identity Strength: Ideology Strength Is the Key Predictor of Attitude Stability
Authors: Turner-Zwinkels Felicity M. , Brandt Mark J.
Published: August 2023

We investigate the relationship between attitude instability and both party identity strength and ideology strength. We test the explorative hypotheses that higher party identity strength (H1) and ideology strength (H2) predict more attitude stability using intensive longitudinal data collected in the United States every 2 weeks over 1 year (Study 1, N = 552) and in the Netherlands over 6 months (Study 2, N = 1,670). We found mixed support for H1: In the United States, there was no association between party identity strength and attitude stability. In the Netherlands, people with stronger party identity had more stable attitudes. We found stronger support for H2: Individuals with a stronger ideology than average had more stable attitudes in the United States and the Netherlands. The context-dependent nature of relations is discussed.
Comparing Person-Fit and Traditional Indices Across Careless Response Patterns in Surveys
Authors: Jones Eli A. , Wind Stefanie A. , Tsai Chia-Lin , Ge Yuan
Published: August 2023

Methods to identify carelessness in survey research can be valuable tools in reducing bias during survey development, validation, and use. Because carelessness may take multiple forms, researchers typically use multiple indices when identifying carelessness. In the current study, we extend the literature on careless response identification by examining the usefulness of three item-response theory-based person-fit indices for both random and overconsistent careless response identification: infit MSE outfit MSE, and the polytomous l z statistic. We compared these statistics with traditional careless response indices using both empirical data and simulated data. The empirical data included 2,049 high school student surveys of teaching effectiveness from the Network for Educator Effectiveness. In the simulated data, we manipulated type of carelessness (random response or overconsistency) and percent of carelessness present (0%, 5%, 10%, 20%). Results suggest that infit and outfit MSE and the l z statistic may provide complementary information to traditional indices such as LongString, Mahalanobis Distance, Validity Items, and Completion Time. Receiver operating characteristic curves suggested that the person-fit indices showed good sensitivity and specificity for classifying both over-consistent and under-consistent careless patterns, thus functioning in a bidirectional manner. Carelessness classifications based on low fit values correlated with carelessness classifications from LongString and completion time, and classifications based on high fit values correlated with classifications from Mahalanobis Distance. We consider implications for research and practice.
Comment piece: The inspection of Offender Management in Custody – new resettlement policy, same old problems
Authors: Cracknell Matthew
Published: August 2023

Two inspection reports regarding the latest resettlement policy – Offender Management in Custody – have recently been published (HM Probation Inspectorate and HM Prison Inspectorate, 2022; HM Inspectorate of Probation, 2023). This comment piece provides a brief analysis of these inspection reports, which demonstrates how Offender Management in Custody is undermined by five issues: a fixed and fragmented model of delivery; poor identification of needs and service provision; poor quality keywork; understaffing in prisons and probation; and finally, poor communication between prison and probation practitioners. This comment piece then places these failures into context, asserting that there has been a longstanding ‘common thread’ of issues that has undermined past resettlement policies and that these have permeated through to Offender Management in Custody. This commentary concludes by suggesting a possible way forward with the Offender Management in Custody model, noting that no resettlement policy will be successful unless the staffing crisis in prisons and probation is resolved, and the practitioners responsible for Offender Management in Custody are provided with sufficient time and resources to provide quality resettlement support.
Compensation Pathways for Utility Accommodation on Public Rights of Way
Authors: Omer Tarig , Sturgill Roy
Published: August 2023

There are various degrees of authority given to accommodate utilities on public rights of way (ROW). In the USA, most state laws permit public-serving utilities to use road ROW so long as they are not obstructing or hindering travel, endangering public safety, or obstructing other utilities from using the ROW legally. State laws and regulations specify different fee structures. In some states, the Department of Transportation (DOT) is authorized to assess fees or enter into lease agreements for utility accommodations on ROW. State DOTs may also receive compensation in some cases through in-kind resource sharing, barter arrangements, or other means. Different strategies may result in different fee schedules, which may or may not generate revenue for the state DOT. State DOTs are currently implementing various practices and compensation structures for utilities installed on public ROWs. This research aims to develop a categorization mechanism framework to determine how state DOTs compensate and evaluate utilities installed on ROWs. The framework is presented to assist DOTs in valuing and compensating for utilities and provides state DOTs with the means and approaches needed to execute a fee or leasing schedule for utility installations in public ROW. Several methods were used to accomplish this objective, including literature reviews, synthesis of legislation and policies, and interviews with subject matter experts. As a result, this investigation found significant variation between states in how they approach compensation and value utility accommodations. Based on this paper’s findings, valuation and compensation standardization are urgently needed.
‘What Now?’: Genre of the Deuteronomic Code as a Model for Contemporary Theological Ethics
Authors: Cash Emily M. H.
Published: August 2023

Typical hermeneutical approaches to the Deuteronomic Code, and to scriptural legal codes more generally, attend to genre either for the sake of historical-critical concerns as an end in themselves, or as a gateway to abstracted content. This article argues, conversely, that the genre of the code is not disconnected from its content, and that its form—imaginative, pragmatic propositions based on communal hope—can and should be imitated in the practice of theological ethics. As best seen in Deuteronomy 15, the communicative genius of the code is that it (1) imagines a specific, viable future, (2) empowers moral agency, (3) forges communal identity, and (4) addresses unique historical situations. Appropriating the genre, rather than the content, thus has unique potential to give traction to modern ethical scholarship through conscious, kerygmatic contingency.
Conspiracy Theory: The Demand for Social Work Interventions
Authors: Cox Carole B.
Published: August 2023

Conspiracy theories continue to threaten individuals, groups, and social institutions. They are easily spread through social media and are attractive to many in society. These theories commonly target perceived dangers to those in power and, thus, can undermine both social justice and human rights. Consequently, social work—with its focus on social justice and the person-in-environment framing—must assume a proactive role in dealing with these theories, which includes interventions at many different levels of practice beginning with education. Social work’s goal of achieving inclusive, diverse, and equitable societies demands that the profession assume an active role in challenging these theories.
Patient Factors Influencing Speech Outcomes in Velopharyngeal Function Following Initial Cleft Palate Repair: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Sainsbury David C. G. , Williams Caroline C. , Butterworth Sophie , de Blacam Catherine , Fell Matthew J. , Mullen Joanne , Breakey William , Murphy Colm , Hodgkinson Peter D. , Wren Yvonne
Published: August 2023

Objective

Identification of patient factors influencing velopharyngeal function for speech following initial cleft palate repair.

Design

A literature search of relevant databases from inception until 2018 was performed using medical subject headings and keywords related to cleft palate, palatoplasty and speech assessment. Following three stage screening data extraction was performed.

Setting

Systematic review and meta-analysis of relevant literature.

Patients/Participants

Three hundred and eighty-three studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising data on 47 658 participants.

Interventions

Individuals undergoing initial palatoplasty.

Main Outcome Measures

Studies including participants undergoing initial cleft palate repair where the frequency of secondary speech surgery and/or velopharyngeal function for speech was recorded.

Results

Patient factors reported included cleft phenotype (95% studies), biological sex (64%), syndrome diagnosis (44%), hearing loss (28%), developmental delay (16%), Robin Sequence (16%) and 22q11.2 microdeletion syndrome (11%). Meta-analysis provided strong evidence that rates of secondary surgery and velopharyngeal dysfunction varied according to cleft phenotype (Veau I best outcomes, Veau IV worst outcomes), Robin Sequence and syndrome diagnosis. There was no evidence that biological sex was associated with worse outcomes. Many studies were poor quality with minimal follow-up.

Conclusions

Meta-analysis demonstrated the association of certain patient factors with speech outcome, however the quality of the evidence was low. Uniform, prospective, multi-centre documentation of preoperative characteristics and speech outcomes is required to characterise risk factors for post-palatoplasty velopharyngeal insufficiency for speech.

Systematic Review Registration

Registered with PROSPERO CRD42017051624.
Protocol Registration
Authors: Sahni Vaibhav
Published: August 2023

Prospective registration of systematic reviews is encouraged and forms part of the PRISMA guidelines. Providing information pertaining to protocol registration would potentially aid in improving the robustness of the report.
Application of metal rubber for semi-active vibration control of mechanical transmission systems
Authors: Soleimanian Sina , Petrone Giuseppe , Franco Francesco , De Rosa Sergio , Kołakowski Przemysław
Published: August 2023

This study proposes a novel semi-active vibration control technique for mechanical transmission systems. The backbone of current research technology is the adaptive stiffness and damping properties of metal rubber (MR) which plays the role of tuning to the vibrational system eigenmodes. The adaptive properties of MR material were proved by a previous study, but the present research investigates the effect of this feature on the structural response and designs an MR-based semi-active vibration controller for industrial application. For this purpose, the semi-active control strategy is created based on an optimal tuning using experimental harmonic test results. The control strategy is applied in practice using a linear actuator controlled by a double pole double throw (DPDT) relay, and National Instruments hardware and software for reading data and writing the control task. The isolator attachment position is defined through the analysis of eigenmode shapes that are predetermined by numerical simulation. A maximum isolation rate of 55.17% is measured near the vibration isolator position. It is observed that the isolation position has a prominent effect on structure vibration behavior where the elastic wave has been reduced in amplitude by passing the isolator position. The effectiveness of the MR-based semi-active control approach is eminent and its application for vibration isolation of commercial mechanical transmission systems could be studied in the future.
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Injection Site Reactions in Randomized-Controlled Trials of Biologic Injections
Authors: Kim Patrick J. , Lansang Rafael Paolo , Vender Ron
Published: August 2023

Background

Biologic agents are emerging as an important treatment option for immune-mediated diseases. Injection site reactions following subcutaneous injection of biologic agents is not well described in the literature.

Objective

To summarize injection site reaction data in phase 3 trials of all biologic agents.

Methods

MEDLINE, Embase, and CENTRAL databases were systematically searched on February 8, 2022. Proportional meta-analysis was conducted to summarize injection site reaction prevalence for each biologic.

Results

There were 158 articles included in the review. The most common types of injection site reactions were erythema (42.8%), unspecified reaction (23.3%), pain (12.4%), and pruritus (5.7%). No patients discontinued their treatment due to injection site reactions in 39 of the 48 studies that reported on discontinuation data. There were 16 biologics included in meta-analysis across 80 eligible studies. The biologics with the highest point prevalence of patients reporting injection site reactions were Canakinumab (15.5%; 294 patients), Dupilumab (11.4%; 1888 patients), Etanercept (11.4%; 4363 patients), and Ixekizumab (11.2%; 2205 patients). The biologics with the lowest point prevalence of injection site reactions were Risankizumab (0.8%; 707 patients), Brodalumab (1.3%; 1365 patients), Guselkumab (1.3%; 1852 patients), Secukinumab (1.9%; 1277 patients).

Conclusions

The prevalence of injection site reaction in response to biologics ranges from 0.08 to 15.5%. Canakinumab, Dupilumab, Etanercept, and Ixekizumab had the highest prevalence of injection site reactions. Risankizumab, Brodalumab, Guselkumab, and Secukinumab had the lowest prevalence of injection site reactions. Recommendations are made regarding the improvement of adverse event reporting to better understand the epidemiology of injection site reactions.
Mechanical meaning: The relationship between game mechanics and story in ergodic theatre
Authors: Greig (Lennox) Gabrielle M
Published: August 2023

Theatre is increasingly exploring the potential of interactivity, especially as the growing experience economy reveals that people actively seek activities that offer new ways to engage with stories. The inclusion of interactive elements akin to game mechanics, which I call ergodic mechanics, shifts these performances into an intermedial sphere between digital games and conventional theatre. I use the term ergodic theatre to classify this specific subgenre of immersive theatre where the traveller works to form their path through the storyworld. Ergodic mechanics are the systems through which the traveller works or interacts. But what impact does the inclusion of ergodic mechanics have on storytelling? This question is critical to producing meaningful ergodic theatre performances and preventing interactive elements from becoming gimmicks, as some theatre reviewers have labelled them (Gardner, 2014). I interrogate the relationship between and impact of ergodic mechanics on the creation of story and meaning by examining narrative moments from The Under Presents, a VR ergodic theatre experience, and What Remains of Edith Finch and Dream, both digital ergodic theatre experiences. Analysing these case studies helps demonstrate the value of weaving ergodic mechanics with the story. When there is harmony between the interactive and story elements, the included ergodic mechanics heighten the traveller’s narrative engagement and emotional connection to the play’s characters or themes. I argue that ludonarrative harmony loops are a powerful tool that can enrich the traveller’s theatrical experience. I present an interdisciplinary approach by applying digital game theory parsed through dramaturgy to address the nuances of telling meaningful and engaging stories in ergodic theatre. Analysing the incorporation and dramaturgical function of interactivity highlights the potential of ergodic mechanics in intermedial ergodic performances. Furthermore, creating ludonarrative harmony is central to ergodic theatre’s continued success and growth as a storytelling medium.
Three-Dimensional Finger Test: A New Echocardiographic Method to Locate the Best Access Site During NeoChord Procedure
Authors: Vairo Alessandro , Manai Rossella , Gaiero Lorenzo , Desalvo Paolo , Bellettini Matteo , Zaccaro Lorenzo , Rinaudo Andrea , Franchin Luca , Piroli Francesco , Bruno Francesco , Sebastiano Viviana , Cura Stura Erik , Barbero Cristina , Marro Matteo , Faletti Riccardo , Alunni Gianluca , De Ferrari Gaetano Maria , Rinaldi Mauro , Salizzoni Stefano
Published: August 2023

Objective:

Transventricular beating-heart mitral valve repair (TBMVR) with artificial chordae implantation is a technique to treat mitral valve prolapse. Two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography completed with simultaneous biplane view during surgeon finger pushing on the left ventricular (LV) wall (finger test [FT]) is currently used to localize the desired LV access, on the inferior-lateral wall, between the papillary muscles (PMs). We aimed to compare a new three-dimensional (3D) method with conventional FT in terms of safety and better localization of LV access.

Methods:

During TBMVR, conventional FT was completed using 3D transesophageal echocardiography by placing the sample box in the bicommissural view of the LV, including the PMs and the apex. The 3D volume was subsequently edited to visualize the LV from above (surgical view) to localize the bulge of the operator’s finger pushing on the LV. We asked the first operator, the second operator, and the cardiac surgery fellow, separately, to evaluate the location of their finger pushing, both with the 2D method and the 3D method, to estimate the interoperator concordance.

Results:

From 2019 to 2021, 42 TBMVRs were performed without complications related to access using FT completed with the 3D method. Regarding the choice of the right and safe entry site, the operator’s agreement was higher using 3D rendering compared with conventional FT (mean agreement 0.59 ± 0.29 for 2D vs 0.83 ± 0.20 for 3D), while full operator agreement was 10 of 42 for 2D and 23 of 42 for 3D ( P = 0.004).

Conclusions:

Three-dimensional FT is easy to perform and facilitates surgeons choosing the best access for TBMVR in term of anatomical localization and safety.
Using a spherical inverted pendulum and statokinesigram for modeling and evaluating quiet standing posture
Authors: Abdul-Ameer Hussam K
Published: August 2023

This paper proposes a new approach to model and analyze erect posture, based on a spherical inverted pendulum which is used to mimic the body posture. The pendulum oscillates in two directions, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], from which the mathematical model was derived and two torque components in oscillation directions were introduced. They are estimated using stabilometric data acquired by a foot pressure mapping system. The model was quantitatively investigated using data from 19 participants, who were first were classified into three groups, according to the foot arch-index. Stabilometric data were then collected and fed into the model to estimate the torque’s components. The components were statistically processed, and the results revealed that the components in direction [Formula: see text] are able to reject intrinsic perturbation. The frequency spectrum of the components in direction [Formula: see text] was processed using fast Fourier transform, and the results showed the feasibility of the component in segregating foot deformities. In addition, high-arched foot cases tended to be more stable than other cases because the exerted torque is less. The torque profiles estimated by our model were compared with the profiles derived from a classical inverted pendulum. In most cases, our results showed a significant change ( t-test p < 0.05).