bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Lessons Private Schools Teach: Using a Field Experiment to Understand the Effects of Private Services on Political Behavior
Authors: Davies Emmerich
Published: August 2022

Government services act as important sites of political socialization. Through interactions with the state individuals learn lessons about their value as citizens, form preferences over government services, and understand the value of political participation. What happens when the private sector replaces government provision of basic services? I explore this question in the context of a randomized private school voucher experiment in India. Based on an original household survey of 1200 households, and semi-structured interviews conducted 5 years after the voucher lottery, I find that voucher winning households hold stronger market-oriented beliefs. However, voucher winning households show little difference in political participation on most measures of political participation. I argue that these results are driven by a greater comfort with private providers as permanent economic actors. This suggests exposure to different economic actors, in the form of private schools, have the potential to change political preferences.
Asset Monetisation: A Step Towards Liberalisation and Privatisation–Strategic Issues
Authors: Dhameja Nand L. , Bobek Samo , Dhameja Manish , Dhaliwal Amandeep , Khattar Ridhi
Published: August 2022

Privatisation, a buzzword of the 20th century, has varied approaches; it could be a broad approach of liberalisation to introduce market forces without any change of ownership, termed as ‘partial privatisation’. In narrow terms, it refers to denationalisation or divestiture and change of ownership by sale to private individuals. Public sector in India has grown over the years and operational autonomy has been granted. Disinvestment of government shareholding, has been an annual budgetary exercise; it includes strategic sale. Of late, various disinvestment approaches that are followed include share buyback, cross shareholding offer for sale, follow-on public offer, block deal exchange trade fund. The realisation of disinvestment has been about 56% of the total, and new options have to be explored.

Asset monetisation, an approach to encash assets with an objective to raise resources to finance new projects, is planned with an objective to develop infrastructure by involving private sector by following different forms of the publicÐprivate partnership approach. National Monetisation Policy (NMP) has been announced by the government of India to raise ₹600,000 crore over the period of next four years, that is, from 2022 to 25, to cover up the infrastructure gap. As such, monetisation of assetsÑcore as well as non-coreÑwould be a great step in achieving the objective of Atmanirbhar Bharat [self-reliant India], and India to become $5 trillion economy by 2024. Privatisation, liberalisation and asset monetisation appear to be a simple theoretical exercise; it would require planning for newer approaches to attract private funds and also to have political will.
Research on MPDPC with FADRC control strategy for three-phase rectifying converter
Authors: Zhao Yulian , Liu Hemiao , Ding Chao , Cheng Yanming , AL Shurafa Mahmoud AM , Wu Jing , Lee Ilkyoo , Niu Jing , Wang Zhongwei , Yao Lu
Published: August 2022

Due to unpredictable factors, the model predictive direct power control (MPDPC) exists weak robustness when the parameters change of three-phase rectifying converter. Therefore, this paper introduced Fractional Active Disturbance Rejection Control (FADRC) into the MPDPC system to improve the robustness of rectifying converter, that is, the power loop of PID controller in conventional model predictive control is replaced by FADRC. In order to verify the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy in this paper, a model of three-phase rectifying converter is established in MATLAB, and the simulation is conducted. Compared with the control effects of the MPDPC with PID (MPDPC-PID) control strategy and MPDPC with Linear Active Disturbance Rejection Control (MPDPC-LADRC) under different operational scenarios, the simulation results demonstrate that the MPDPC with FADRC (MPDPC- FADRC) strategy has best disturbance rejection capability, robustness and rapidity, and it can significantly reduce the voltage fluctuation of DC bus. This study can provide a valuable guidance and reference for the design of the efficient and stable three-phase rectifying converter.
Multiple Family Member Deaths and Cardiometabolic Health among Black and White Older Adults
Authors: Donnelly Rachel , Cha Hyungmin , Umberson Debra
Published: August 2022

Although the bereavement literature is voluminous, we know very little about how exposure to multiple family member deaths across the life course shapes health trajectories as people age and whether unequal exposure to bereavement contributes to racial inequities in cardiometabolic health. We use longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study (1992–2016) to consider how multiple family member deaths before midlife shape trajectories of cardiometabolic health after age 50 for Black and white adults (n = 22,974). Results show that multiple family member deaths prior to age 50 are associated with more cardiometabolic conditions at age 50 and a faster increase in conditions with advancing age. Moreover, Black adults are significantly disadvantaged by a greater risk of bereavement and more cardiometabolic conditions regardless of bereavement status. The life course trauma of exposure to multiple family member deaths uniquely contributes to the cardiometabolic risk of Black Americans.
Adaptation of the Spanish Grief and Meaning Reconstruction Inventory: An Initial Validation and Network Analysis
Authors: Moriconi Valeria , Menéndez Amparo , Neimeyer Robert A. , Moggia Danilo
Published: August 2022

The current study was conducted to adapt the Grief and Meaning Reconstruction Inventory (GMRI) into Spanish and to establish its psychometric properties in a group of 202 mourners seeking treatment in Spain. A confirmatory factor analysis established that the Spanish GMRI yielded eight factors, displaying strong reliability and convergent validity, through the scale’s inverse correlation with the Inventory of Complicated Grief and various measures of psychological distress, explaining a 48% of the variance of the former measure. A network analysis suggested that sense-making could play a central role in meaning-making during bereavement.
Possession of Low Vision Reading Devices Among Residents Living in a Retirement Facility
Authors: Shepherd Jenny L. , Vice Jason , Shultz Hannah L. , Davis Martin M. , Hseih Justin , Yuen Hon K. , Vogtle Laura K.
Published: August 2022

Introduction: The purpose of this cross-sectional survey was to examine the possession of low vision reading devices and factors associated with possession of these devices among residents living in a continuing care retirement community. Low vision reading devices are devices other than eyeglasses that aid in reading at near distances. Methods: One hundred and two usable questionnaires were received from residents, ages 65–97 years old, living in the independent and assisted living units of a retirement community. Results: Data indicated that 47% the participants reported having an eye disease, and 53% of the participants owned at least one low vision reading device. The two most common types of devices were handheld magnifiers (40%) and gooseneck lamps with or without a magnifier (26%). Of the 48 participants reported to have eye disease diagnoses, 65% owned a reading device. Forty-six percent of the participants reported having trouble with reading when performing one of the six daily activities even with their reading eyeglasses. The final multivariable logistic regression model indicated that participants who reported having trouble with reading in near distance were significantly more likely to own one of the reading devices. Discussion: This study identified a discrepancy between the high prevalence of visual impairment (i.e., blindness and low vision) among residents living in a retirement community setting and a relatively low number of residents owning low vision reading devices. Findings suggested the key factor contributing to residents’ decision to own reading devices is their level of visual impairment. Implications for Practitioners: Knowing the factors to owning low vision reading devices, occupational therapists may assist residents in continuing care retirement facilities to obtain the appropriate devices.
Orientation and Mobility Practitioners: A Comparison Study of Changes in Demographics
Authors: Burgin Ximena D. , Penrod William M. , Wiener William , Siffermann Eileen , Blasch Bruce
Published: August 2022

Introduction: Three early studies from 1974 to 2000 provided information on demographics and salient characteristics of the profession of orientation and mobility (O&M). The current study compared demographic information from those studies with data from a survey instrument administered in 2019. The purpose of this article is to examine changes in demographics that have emerged in the ensuing years. Method: The questionnaire was disseminated using Qualtrics. It was distributed to practitioners in the profession via all available professional electronic discussion groups and was advertised on the websites of the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP) and Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER). Findings: The number of O&M practitioners who responded to the survey was 628. Data indicate that the O&M profession is still predominantly Caucasian, and females continue to be in the majority and have expanded within the profession. The percentage of O&M practitioners working in school settings increased by 14% from earlier studies, and respondents had a median age of 41–50 years. Discussion: The results of this study show that the profession remains primarily female, mostly Caucasian, and 65% of practitioners are 41 year of age or older. O&M practitioners continue serving school-age students, thereby supporting results from previous studies. Finally, salaries of O&M practitioners have positively increased over time after accounting for inflation. Implications for Practitioners: Current characteristics of O&M practitioners have implications for recruitment of more diverse young professionals to serve the diversity of those they teach. It is evident the field should try to increase diversity within its ranks to mirror the diverse population they serve. Moreover, O&M salaries have kept pace or exceeded inflation, and thus the profession continues to be attractive in recruiting qualified and diverse professionals.
Posttraumatic Growth Among Older Adults With Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Authors: Tanner Corinna Trujillo , Caserta Michael S. , Clayton Margaret F. , Kleinshcmidt Julia J. , Bernstein Paul S. , Guo Jia-Wen
Published: August 2022

Introduction: The term “post-traumatic growth” describes positive outcomes that accrue from the struggle with highly challenging life circumstances. The purpose of this study is to describe post-traumatic growth accruing from experience with vision loss caused by age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and to identify the relationships between depression, cognitive processing, social support, and post-traumatic growth. Methods: Individuals with vision loss caused by AMD completed an interviewer-administered composite questionnaire to identify elements of Tedeschi and Calhoun’s theoretical model of the process of posttraumatic growth, including measures of distress (depression), intrusive and deliberate rumination (cognitive processing), and social support (quality and quantity of social ties). Relationships were examined using path analysis. Results: Eighty-nine participants completed the questionnaire (mean age = 85.3 years, range = 74–98 years). All paths, including from depression to social support (β = –.363, p < .001), from social support to deliberate rumination (β = .233; p ≤ .01), and from intrusive rumination to deliberate rumination (β = .514, p < .01), were significant and consistent with the posttraumatic growth theoretical model. Deliberate rumination had a significant direct path to post-traumatic growth (β = .38, p = .001). Discussion: The findings may illuminate elements of the process of post-traumatic growth among those with AMD. We found that as social support increased, depression decreased. Increased social support seemed to encourage positive deliberate rumination, which led directly to post-traumatic growth. Although intrusive rumination is often associated with negative outcomes, the model demonstrates that it also stimulates engagement in deliberate attempts to process one’s experience. Deliberate cognitive processing is a direct precursor to post-traumatic growth. Implications for Practitioners: A focus on the process of growth and thriving can offer a broader view of the experience of living with vision loss. Interventions that foster post-traumatic growth among those with AMD should focus on enhancing social support and facilitating deliberate cognitive processing.
Introducing Audio Describer Training in University Interpreting Classes
Authors: Yan Jackie Xiu , Luo Kangte
Published: August 2022

Audio description (AD), the rendering of images into words, helps people who are visually impaired to access audiovisual products. Being able to access media is a basic human right. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities clearly states that people with disabilities should have “access to television programs, films, theater, and other cultural activities, in accessible formats” (United Nations, 2006). Recent developments in technology, for example, text-to-speech synthesizers, have enabled audio description to include more languages (see Tor-Carroggio, 2020). Training is important to ensure the quality of audio describers. Offering audio description training in universities can provide students an opportunity to get early exposure to this field and increase their understanding of the issues about accessibility. This report presents an audio description training module conducted in a university interpreting program in Hong Kong. Based on the commonalities between audio description and interpreting in quality assessment, a set of criteria was proposed and applied to the assessment of the students’ audio description performance. A visually impaired colleague was invited to participate in the evaluation, and her timely feedback for the student was provided from the user’s perspective. A post-class survey was conducted after the training program. The survey results suggested that students were highly motivated to learn audio description in interpreting classes. In reflecting on the skills cultivated during the training process, students acknowledged the value of audio description training for learning interpreting. The implementation of audio description training in interpreting programs has proved to be feasible and highly regarded by the students. The present study hopes to shed some light on the feasibility of offering audio description training in universities in general and interpreting classes in particular. It is expected this practice can significantly enrich and broaden the scope of education, audio description and development.
Goal Orientation Differentiation in Visually Impaired Athletes, by Level of Visual Impairment
Authors: Alemdağ Ceyhun , Ofluoğlu Gamze
Published: August 2022

Introduction: Athletes, who aim for even more perfection at every turn, have some orientations while achieving these goals. These orientations have been aimed to be explained with the goal orientation theory for many years. This study aims to examine the task orientation and ego orientation of visually impaired futsal players based on the level of their impairment. Methods: The sample of the study consisted of 54 visually impaired male athletes (64.8%-B2, 35.2%-B3) who participated in B2–B3 Futsal 2nd League matches in the 2018–2019 season. The Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire was used as the data collection tool in the research ( Toros, 2004 ). The data were analyzed using Mann–Whitney U test. Results: Within the scope of the research, it was found that the task orientation of the athletes with B2-level visual impairment was higher than that of the athletes with B3-level visual impairment. However, this difference was not statistically significant ( p > 05). In terms of ego orientation, on the other hand, it was determined that the ego orientation of the athletes with B3-level visual impairment was significantly higher than the athletes with B2-level visual impairment ( p < .05). Discussion: In this study, considering that athletes with B3-level visual impairment (whose vision is better than B2 athletes) perceive themselves as more competent, it may be better understood why their ego orientation scores were higher. Ego orientation here is associated with visual acuity and, therefore, self-efficacy. Implications for practitioners: In future studies, goal-orientation theory may be examined for visually impaired athletes in different sports branches (for visually impaired people, e.g., athletics, B1 football, B2-B3 futsal, goalball, judo, swimming, and weightlifting). Besides, the relevant theory would become stronger when different disability groups in the sports environment are brought into research.
Performance of Athletes With Visual Impairment in Track-and-Field Events at the Paralympic Games, From 1988 to 2016
Authors: Marmeleira José
Published: August 2022

Introduction: The Paralympic movement has grown considerably over the last decades, but few studies have analyzed the performance evolution of the best athletes with disabilities. This study examined the performance of athletes with visual impairments in track-and-field events over eight Paralympic Games (1988–2016). Method: Results in the Paralympic track-and-field events for athletes with visual impairments (and in the corresponding track-and-field Olympic events) were collected from official public websites. Results: Analysis showed that most performances at Paralympic track-and-field events increased linearly over the years, which finding contrasts with the general stagnation in Olympic events. The improvements from 1988 to 2016 in Paralympic sprinting, middle- and long-distance running, throwing, and long-jumping events were 4.0–16.3%, 3.2–16.2%, 23.0–54.2%, and 4.9–18.9%, respectively. Men had better performances than women in running, throwing, and jumping events. In general, sports classes with a less severe level of visual impairment achieved higher performance levels than those with a more severe level of visual impairment, especially men. The competition density of Paralympic track-and-field events showed modest improvements. Conclusions: This study provides evidence that the performance of track-and-field athletes with visual impairments have been improving persistently over the last eight Paralympic Games, confirming that Paralympic athletes are achieving high-level performances. Implications for Practitioners: This study will be helpful for coaches and athletes with visual impairments who are setting performance (and training) goals for the Paralympic Games and other international athletic events.
Educational Impact of Using the VISSIT to Determine Service Delivery Time of Itinerant Teachers of Students With Visual Impairments
Authors: Cihan Mehmet Akif , Pogrund Rona L.
Published: August 2022

High-quality education for students with visual impairments starts with service intensity determination based on the needs of students by teachers of students with visual impairments (Lewis & Allman, 2017; Spungin et al., 2016). Even though the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) emphasizes addressing students’ needs for service delivery (United States Department of Education, 2004), some teachers of students with visual impairments continue taking other factors such as caseload size into account for service intensity determination (Pogrund et al., 2019). Similarly, The Michigan Vision Services Severity Rating Scale (Michigan Department of Education, 2017) does not focus on the individual needs of the students to recommend service time. For example, it considers teachers’ availability such as travel time while determining service intensity. It also uses students’ visual condition as a criterion, which may not always accurately reflect the needs of the students for service delivery time.
Using Appropriate Assessment to Plan Braille Literacy Instruction
Authors: Stewart Robin , Zebehazy Kim T. , Holbrook M. Cay
Published: August 2022

To be effective teachers of literacy for students who read braille, we need to know what our students’ strengths and needs are as all these components come together in braille literacy. Using an appropriate assessment that addresses the skill sets involved in braille literacy is critical to putting together effective intervention packages for our students. The first author used the Kamei-Hannan and Ricci Reading Assessment (2015) and the Braille Reading Analysis Chart (Harley, et al., 1997) to determine areas of need for a student in grade 2 in a braille literacy program. Needs included: identifying ending sounds and naming final letters and sounds; basic decoding of short and long vowel sounds; recognizing sight words; and identifying letters. Specific miscue patterns in tactile perception (reversals) were identified. Information gathered from these assessments was used to develop a targeted intervention package and informed the development of a balanced literacy program for this student. Following a period of implementation, data showed evidence of overall improvement in braille literacy skills.
Morbidity and Oncological Outcome After Curative Treatment in Sinonasal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Hohenberger Ralph , Beckmann Sven , Kaecker Christoph , Elicin Olgun , Giger Roland , Caversaccio Marco , Anschuetz Lukas
Published: August 2022

Objectives

Sinonasal squamous cell carcinomas are rare and aggressive tumors. Curative therapy includes surgery and radiotherapy, with high risk for local morbidity and impaired quality of life. The objective of this study was to analyze a large cohort of patients with sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma on treatment morbidity and oncological outcome.

Methods

Patients with sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (n = 75) treated at a tertiary referral center between 2008 and 2019 were identified. In patients with curative treatment intent (n = 70), a chart review and analysis on patient and tumor characteristics, morbidity, and oncological outcome was performed.

Results

Mean follow-up was 59 months. Primary curative therapy was surgery alone (n = 18), surgery with radiation (n = 25), and primary (chemo)radiation (n = 27). Forty-two (60%) patients suffered from treatment-related morbidity; most frequent symptoms were dry nasal mucosa (20%), nasal obstruction (14.3%), and vision impairment or loss (11.5%). Patients with early disease had less morbidity (51.4 vs 71.1%; P = 0.09), a lower recurrence rate (27% vs. 48.5%; P = 0.08), and better overall survival (92.5% vs. 71.1%; P = 0.01).

Conclusion

Treatment-related morbidity is common after curative treatment of sinonasal squamous cell carcinomas. Early disease is beneficial in terms of occurrence and severity as multimodal treatment and recurrence can more likely be avoided.
Examination of digital citizenship, online information searching strategy and information literacy depending on changing state of experience in using digital technologies during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Avcı Ümmühan , Yıldız Durak Hatice
Published: August 2022

As educational processes are adapted to the online environment due to COVID-19 pandemic, digital citizenship and online information searching strategies came into prominence. In this context, the aim of this study is the examination of digital citizenship awareness, online information searching strategies and differentiation of the level of information literacy depending on changing state of experience in using digital technologies before and during COVID-19 pandemic. Also, it is aimed to examine the presence of relations between variables of the research. The study was conducted with the participation of 255 university students. Analyses were performed using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). According to the results of the study, during COVID-19 pandemic, there was an increase in digital citizenship awareness of students who spend more time in social media and the ones who improved digital technology usage skills developed online information searching strategies. According to the model analysed, online information searching strategies and information literacy have an effect on digital citizenship while online information searching strategies have an effect on information literacy. The results of the study showed that the students with higher level of information literacy and online information searching strategies may help them develop digital citizenship awareness.
Vicious circles: Adorno, Dewey and disclosing critique of society
Authors: Särkelä Arvi
Published: August 2022

At the centre of Adorno’s critical theory of society lies the problem of Bann or Bannkreis: why do individuals systematically act in ways that reinforce conditions that are obviously incompatible with their freedom and pursuit of happiness? Despite criticism of Dewey’s experimentalism by several Frankfurt School critical theorists claiming that the American pragmatist fails to account for systematic blockages to critique, Dewey does in fact formulate his approach to social critique as a response to the problem that social life might be made immune to transformative claims. In Human Nature and Conduct, thirty years prior to Adorno’s Bannkreis, he conceptualizes a ‘vicious circle’ in which attempts to transform social life seem to be caught and points to a way out. This article shows that Adorno and Dewey share in a project at the heart of critical theory, the project of a disclosing critique of society. In different and mutually completing ways, the Frankfurt School critical theorist and the American pragmatist point out the extent to which their contemporary societies are caught in antagonistic and painful vicious circles and thereby point to the objective possibility of another form of social life. The article is historical, but it is animated by the intent to brush a fruitful path for disclosing critique today. From Adorno, this critical practice gains the idea that theory of society can be a disclosing gesture, which presents an important corrective to Dewey’s failure to trace the eclipse of the public. From Dewey, it gets a reminder that these theories must find ways to continue into ordinary life experience through group action for their disclosure to come full circle.
Developing metacognition as an instructional approach for enhancing young pianists’ musical expressivity
Authors: Bonnaire Serge , González-Moreno Patricia
Published: August 2022

The aim of this study, whose theoretical framework is based on Bandura’s social cognitive theory, was to investigate the effectiveness of including a metacognitive approach in teaching expressivity at the piano. Questions addressed the perceived effect of metacognition by investigating the processes allowing young pianists to elicit an expressive musical idiom through the use of aural modeling and esthetic and stylistic mental representations, by exploring the mechanisms triggering the translation from felt emotions to expressive performance, and by assessing the resulting overall pianistic performance. A case study design was employed. Five intermediate piano students were recruited. Data were collected through teachers’ questionnaires, adjudicators’ assessments, students’ interviews, students’ diaries, and students’ performance recordings. Findings highlighted the central role played by aural modeling. The esthetic and stylistic mental representations in the metacognitive process allowed young pianists to elicit an expressive musical idiom through a mental conversion process. The constructs of aural modeling and of esthetic and stylistic mental representations, along with that of musical phraseology, appeared to function both independently and in conjunction with each other. Results also indicated a positive influence of the above constructs on the overall performance of young pianists.
Orientation and mobility for children with visual impairments during COVID-19: Creative and collaborative curriculum and instruction
Authors: Kaiser Justin T , Fast Danene , Nichols DeGrant Jasamyn
Published: August 2022

This research explored the instructional practices and strategies used by orientation and mobility (O&M) specialists in March and April 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Access and Engagement survey from the American Foundation for the Blind included open-ended responses from 318 O&M specialists. The authors used thematic analysis to examine the main themes regarding instructional practices consistent throughout the responses. This article focused on the themes of collaboration between families and professionals and the creative instructional strategies used for adaptive O&M lessons. Parents took on a more active role and professionals found creative ways to make instruction useful in most cases. There were fundamental changes to the content and structure of O&M lessons when they were moved from in-person to online instruction. Creative and collaborative practices were used to adapt for the absence of the travel environment. Virtual instruction in O&M will continue to be used in certain circumstances when in-person services are not possible, but we need to better explore how to ensure it is safe and effective.
Delays and Queue Lengths at Traffic Signals With Two Greens in One Cycle
Authors: Brilon Werner , Wu Ning , Koenig Ralph
Published: August 2022

Under specific circumstances signal timing at a traffic signal allows the switching of two green times within one cycle. Practitioners expect a reduction in delays and queue length as a result of this control strategy. However, no analytical methodology is available to quantify this effect. To resolve this deficit, analytical considerations have been undertaken. They follow the principles that are also the basis for conventional signal performance analysis. The basic difference compared with a single green is that, within each cycle, the maximum length of the vehicle queue remains shorter under the two-green regime. This effect is expressed by the term uniform delay, w1. For that parameter, a specific deterministic derivation is proposed. The second element is the incremental delay, w2, which stands for the effects of randomness and temporary oversaturation. The analysis confirmed that this parameter could be adopted from conventional methods. Different formulas for the estimation of w2 were investigated using simulation studies. Thus, a set of equations is given for the prediction of average delay and of percentile queue length in the case of two green times. Verification of the derived formulas was performed using Monte Carlo simulations. The results could easily be applied in practice and might be implemented into guidelines. The application demonstrated how a second green within one signal cycle reduced delays and, notably, queue lengths.
Identification of heterogeneous subsets of aortic interleukin-17A-expressing CD4+ T cells in atherosclerotic mice
Authors: Lin Guizhen , Zhang Lei , Yan Zheng , Jiang Wei , Wu Beibei , Li Dongsheng , Xiong Xiaofang
Published: August 2022

Objectives: T helper 17 (Th17) cells are involved in the inflammatory response of atherosclerosis. However, their heterogeneity in the atherosclerotic aorta remains elusive. This study was designed to identify aortic Th17 subsets. Methods: The surface markers and transcription factors of aortic interleukin-17A (IL-17A)-expressing T cells were determined by flow cytometry in an ApoE-deficient mouse atherosclerotic model. Viable aortic IL-17A-expressing T cell subsets were isolated by flow cytometry on the basis of surface markers, followed by characterizing their transcription factors by either flow cytometry or real-time RT-PCR. The effect of aortic IL-17A-expressing T cell subsets on aortic endothelial cells was determined in vitro. Results: C-X-C Motif Chemokine Receptor 3 (CXCR3), interleukin-17 receptor E (IL-17RE), CD200, and C-C Motif Chemokine Receptor 4 (CCR4) marked three subsets of aortic IL-17A-expressing T cells: CXCR3+IL-17RElowCD200+CCR4- T cells expressing T-box protein expressed in T cells (T-bet) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), CXCR3+IL-17RElowCD200+CCR4+ T cells expressing T-bet but fewer IFN-γ, and CXCR3−IL-17REhighCD200+CCR4+ T cells expressing very low T-bet and no IFN-γ. Based on these markers, viable aortic Th17 cells, Th17.1 cells, and transitional Th17.1 cells were identified. Both Th17.1 cells and transitional Th17.1 cells were more proliferative than Th17 cells. Compared with Th17 cells, Th17.1 cells plus transitional Th17.1 cells induced higher expression of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL1), C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), C-X-C motif chemokine 5 (CXCL5), and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in aortic endothelial cells. Conclusion: IL-17A-expressing CD4+ T cells were heterogeneous in atherosclerotic aortas.
Traversing Academic Contexts: An Egyptian Writer’s Literacy Learning Trajectory From Public School to Transnational University
Authors: Austin James P.
Published: August 2022

This article follows the academic literacy learning trajectory of Farah, an undergraduate anthropology major at the American University in Cairo. In charting her path from the Egyptian public schooling system to a Western-based transnational university, this study offers a perspective in which a writer created and navigated a challenging trajectory and adapted Western-based literacies to aid in the development of an academic and professional agenda based in personal and national interests. This article draws on frameworks in composition studies and transnational literacy studies to suggest that theorizing such trajectories may require new concepts that can account for literacy learning trajectories for writers like Farah.
Four Distinct Cultures of Oilfield Masculinity, but Absent Hegemonic Masculinity: Some Multiple Masculinities Perspectives from a Remote UK Offshore Drilling Platform
Authors: Adams Nicholas Norman
Published: August 2022

This study explores the multiple and distinct cultures of oilfield masculinity uncovered during an embedded ethnographic study of masculinities onboard a remote UK offshore drilling platform. Oilmen revealed shifting interpretations for how risky and dangerous oil work “should be done.” Changes led to the construction of three distinct masculine cultures intertwined with positive safety behaviors and one culture intertwined with negative risky behaviors. Tracing the trajectory of Connell’s hegemonic masculinity theory, no singular “hegemonic” or dominant masculinity existed in the oilfield. Also, unlike some existing oilfield research, masculine reformations and subsequent divisions and associations between local cultures were triggered by factors independent from shifts in workplace policies. Rather, and linking with emerging research exploring “manhood acts”; oilmen consciously reformulated their masculine identities, embodying self-awareness and self-reflection for reimagining processes, and themselves recognized each industrial identity as unique and capable of cultural support or resistance. Perspectives of growth for “hegemonic” masculinities theory are presented, alongside suggestions for further examination of masculinities in understudied male-dominated workplaces, to further expand the “manhood acts” research perspective.
Performance of polylactide biopolymer as matrix material for woven fiber composite laminates
Authors: Demirok Gokberk , Kaynak Cevdet
Published: August 2022

The first purpose of this study was, as the first time in the literature, to investigate usability of polylactide (PLA) biopolymer as the matrix of high-performance composite laminated structures having woven forms of glass and carbon fibers. For this purpose, 2-14 layers of 2 × 2 twill Carbon Fiber (CF) and 1 × 1 plain weave Glass Fiber (GF) forms were stacked by PLA powders followed by consolidation of these layers by compression molding technique. After conducting various tests and analysis it was observed that significant improvements in the mechanical and thermal properties could be obtained by laminating PLA with woven CF and GF layers. For instance, mechanical properties obtained for PLA/CF laminates with 14 layers were flexural strength of 641 MPa, flexural modulus of 34 GPa and interlaminar shear strength of 38 MPa. Another purpose of this study was to compare mechanical performance of the PLA matrix laminates with Epoxy matrix laminates having exactly the same type and number of GF and CF layers. It was revealed that mechanical properties of the PLA/CF laminates were approaching to the values of the Epoxy/CF laminates (e.g. flexural strength of 607 and 673 MPa, respectively); while due to poor adhesion between the PLA matrix and Glass Fiber surfaces, the properties were lower in the PLA/GF laminates (e.g. flexural strength of 302 and 553 MPa, respectively). Therefore, it could be generally concluded that, in terms of mechanical performance; traditional thermoset Epoxy matrix could be replaced with the renewable biopolymer PLA matrix in the Woven Carbon Fiber laminates. For the Woven Glass Fiber laminates, a proper sizing treatment with a PLA compatible silane coupling agent would be necessary.
A Text Mining Approach to Determinants of Attitude Towards Syrian Immigration in the Turkish Twittersphere
Authors: Koytak Huseyin Zeyd , Celik Muhammed Hasan
Published: August 2022

This study uses novel deep learning-based language models to extract meaningful information from vast chunks of textual data from Twitter on the competing narratives of the recent Syrian immigration to Turkey. Our analysis identifies five main topics in the framing of Syrian immigration in Turkish Twittersphere. In this paper, we demonstrate correlational links between the timing of landmark events and change in the percent share of trends in those topics across time. We highlight two important observations: (a) Social benefit demands of natives on Twitter rose sharply with the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to ever more widespread sentiments of welfare chauvinism and (b) Patriotic feelings and the implementation of an interventionist foreign policy agenda in the immigrants’ country of origin created a relatively tolerant yet patronizing attitude towards migrants. As the COVID-19 pandemic and immigration frequently occupy the center stage in politics of immigrant-hosting societies, our research has international appeal beyond its specific geographical context.
Disconnection More Problematic for Adolescent Self-Esteem than Heavy Social Media Use: Evidence from Access Inequalities and Restrictive Media Parenting in Rural America
Authors: Hampton Keith N. , Shin Inyoung
Published: August 2022

Some argue that social media use displaces time that adolescents spend with friends and family and is therefore associated with lower psychological well-being. They reason that young people who experience “disconnection,” because their parents actively restrict media use, or they have limited material access to the Internet, are better protected from psychological harm. Prior research has misspecified and exaggerated the magnitude of the relationship between screen time and adolescent psychological well-being. If the harm associated with heavy (excessive) or even average use of new media has been overstated, then the recommendation of disconnection may also be problematic. New media use is heavily integrated into youth culture and sociality, restrictive media parenting practices or digital inequalities may rob adolescents of experiences that would otherwise be protective of self-esteem. We conducted a survey of rural adolescents, who are more likely to experience disconnection at home because of a lack of physical availability of broadband, not simply affordability. Based on that survey, we find that a negative relationship between screen time and lower self-esteem is eclipsed by a more substantive, negative relationship to inequalities in material access to the Internet and restrictive mediation of media by parents. Findings show that new media use does not substantively displace time spent socializing with family and friends and in other social activities (e.g., volunteering). Omitting the supportive, indirect relationship between time on social media and self-esteem, through time spent socializing, exaggerates the negative relationship between social media use and adolescent well-being for girls, and for boys, misspecified the direction of the relationship. Adolescents, who experience heavy restrictive mediation of media by parents or have limited Internet access at home, tend to report substantively lower self-esteem than heavy users of any new media.
Evaluating the Role of Pharmacy Technician-Administered Vaccines
Authors: Fuschetto Kevin S. , Amin Kunal A. , Gothard M. Dave , Merico Erin M.
Published: August 2022

Background: Before the COVID-19 pandemic, most states limited administration of vaccines to trained pharmacists and pharmacy interns. In October 2020 due to the public health emergency, the Federal Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP Act) authorized qualified pharmacy technicians to administer vaccines nationally. Currently available research on the perception of pharmacy technician-administered vaccines is limited. Objectives: The primary objective was to evaluate the perceptions of licensed pharmacists and pharmacy technicians regarding pharmacy technician-administered vaccines. The secondary objective was to analyze correlations between demographic data and the perceptions of respondents. Methods: An anonymous, 24-question survey including 5-point Likert-scale and ranking type questions was distributed using Qualtrics® survey software to licensed pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in the state of Ohio. Results: Total of 52,240 pharmacists and pharmacy technicians were invited to participate in the survey, 26,226 viewed the e-mail and 2179 responses were collected, yielding a response rate of 8.3%. Results showed 65.9% (n = 365) of pharmacists and 76.2% (n = 675) of pharmacy technicians agreed that trained pharmacy technicians should be able to administer vaccines post-COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: Licensed pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in the state of Ohio support the continued administration of vaccines by trained pharmacy technicians fostering the need for legislative change.
How I stopped fearing micro-credentials and began to love digital badging – a pilot project
Authors: Felton Shawn D , Whitehouse Glenn , Motley Clay , Jaeger Dave , Timur Aysegul
Published: August 2022

Higher education faces increasing demands to take a more active and direct role in assuring employability for students. Micro-credentialing and badging is a growing movement, attractive for its flexibility and efficiency in connecting students with careers and jobs. This paper presents a case study of the development and pilot of an industry-specific micro-credential at a regional comprehensive university. Florida Gulf Coast University developed the Fundamentals of Medical Device Industry badge (micro-credential) in response to specific regional workforce needs in partnership with a major area employer. The concept, design, course integration and initial results are detailed, along with the next steps and best practices for institutions implementing similar badges.
Pose prediction of textureless objects for robot bin picking with deep learning approach
Authors: Zhuang Chungang , Zhao Heng , Li Shaofei , Ding Han
Published: August 2022

Six dimensional pose prediction of objects for robotic manipulation has received much attention in industrial applications. Despite considerable research on improving the performance of pose estimation, the problem remains challenging for industrial objects because of their textureless and mostly homogeneous properties in the presence of clutter and occlusion. This article proposes deep learning-based pose estimation by jointly detecting, segmenting and pose predicting. The binary classification branch as an attention module is suggested to improve the accuracy of instance segmentation. Using the instance information, the initial pose estimation network is designed by fusing the depth information into the grayscale image to strengthen the geometric features. Then, to obtain a highly accurate pose, an iterative network is constructed with point clouds as inputs to refine the initial pose. The networks are implemented to predict the pose of textureless object on the synthetic and real scenes. Experimental results indicate the pose estimation method is efficient and robust to pose prediction of textureless objects in cluttered and occluded scenes.
Long-term shoreline evolution (Late-Holocene – 2018) of the Channel 15 coast (Samborombón bay, NE – Buenos Aires province, Argentina)
Authors: D’Amico Gabriela , Luengo Mariel Samanta , Fucks Enrique , Vilanova Isabel
Published: August 2022

Here we present an investigation with the aim of reconstructing the shoreline evolution and geomorphological changes in the central zone of Samborombón bay (Channel 15, Buenos Aires province, Argentina) during the period 2700 cal yr BP to recent times. Palynological, geomorphological and historical imagery and proxy-data analyses were combined to reconstruct the shoreline evolution and paleo-environmental changes. Palynological material (pollen and non-pollen palynomorphs -NPP-) was recovered from a continuous 117 cm long sedimentary profile extracted from an outcrop at the northern margin of Channel 15. Relict landforms, including paleo- shorelines, were reconstructed by applying enhancing filters to a Spot 6 image from 2015. Historical shorelines were identified in high-definition images (aerial and satellite imagery) between 1968 and 2018, but also by using the marsh vegetation edge as a shoreline proxy. Shoreline change was quantified using the Net Shoreline Movement and Weighted Linear Regression algorithms in ArcMap 10.1. Results based on the palynological analysis for the period 2700–2740 BP, show the passage from subtidal-intertidal to supratidal environment with influence of brackish to fresh-waters, where paleo-shorelines imprint was recognized developing over a tidal plain that was grading to marshes. Results based on aerial and satellite imagery for the period 1968–2018 show shoreline retrocession only immediately at the north of the channel mouth, while the rest of the coast prograded toward the estuary. These processes indicate that new marshes – and, therefore, wetlands – are constantly developing at the edge of Samborombón bay.
Same Same, but Different: Ghana’s Sinohydro Deal as Evolved ‘Angola Model’?
Authors: Purwins Sebastian
Published: August 2022

Ghana has gained international attention due to a controversial deal, which it has entered with the Chinese Sinohydro Corporation Limited. Sinohydro is investing $2 billion in infrastructure development, in return for refined bauxite over a 15-year period. When it comes to resource-backed loans between China and African governments, these types of cooperation are widely known as the Angola Model. Besides the criticism of resource-secured lending, in some African countries, these practices are declined, while in others it continues, but also evolve. For example in Guinea and in Ghana. This article takes a closer look at the structure and concerns regarding Ghana’s Sinohydro deal in comparison to the Angola Model. The main difference appears to be (a) the established para-state company charged with managing the extraction of bauxite and (b) the plans to develop an integrated bauxite–aluminum industry within Ghana. On the other side, environmental concerns regarding bypassing regulations or possible pollution remain the same.