bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiple Thyroglossal Duct Cysts: Clinical Experience and Literature Review
Authors: Bao Yang-Yang , Yang Kai-Qiang , Li Ke-Da , Fu Zi-Ming , Zhong Jiang-Tao , Zhou Shui-Hong , Wu Chang-Chen
Published: May 2023

Thyroglossal duct cysts (TDCs) are generally single cyst, multiple TDCs are rare. We describe a case of multiple TDCs, discuss its characteristic features and management, and provide a review of the literature, to improve clinical diagnosis and treatment. We report an extremely rare case of multiple TDCs containing five cysts, together with a review of the relevant English medical literature. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of TDCs containing more than three cysts in the anterior cervical region. The five cysts were completely excised in a Sistrunk operation. Histological examination of the cystic lesions revealed TDCs. The patient recovered well and no recurrence was found during the 6-year of follow-up. Multiple TDCs are extremely rare, and may be misdiagnosed as a single cyst. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of multiple thyroglossal duct cysts. Adequate preoperative radiological examinations should be performed, and careful interpretation of the CT or MRI scans is important to diagnosis and surgery.
The Vernacular of Disaster: The Rhetoric and Memory of Volcanic Eruption at Museum Gunung Merapi, Indonesia
Authors: Murti Desideria Cempaka Wijaya
Published: May 2023

This study analyzes the vernacular rhetoric of disaster in a volcanic eruption museum. Using the Mount Merapi Museum (Museum Gunung Merapi or MGM) in Indonesia, the research investigates how the site has become a public memorial for volcanic disasters through archival work, textual analysis, and in-the-field methods. The findings show that MGM materializes a “vernacular rhetoric of disaster” through the socio-cultural aspect. It emphasizes the juxtaposition of mythological stories, scientific descriptions, and everyday discourses produced by the disasters, centering on the philosophy of eling or the act of remembering in Javanese society. Finally, the paper offers observational frameworks to understand the museum. Those are the situational setting of the museum's location culturally and socially, the building design, and the connection of everyday life to the surrounding contexts. This framework is helpful to be applied in another setting.
The interpersonal process model of intimacy, burden and communal motivation to care in a multinational group of informal caregivers
Authors: Ferraris Giulia , Bei Eva , Coumoundouros Chelsea , Woodford Joanne , Saita Emanuela , Sanderman Robbert , Hagedoorn Mariët
Published: May 2023

The interpersonal process model of intimacy suggests that intimacy within dyads develops when open communication from one dyad member is met with validating, understanding and caring responses from the other dyad member. Little is known about interpersonal processes between informal caregivers and care recipients in different illness contexts (i.e., coping with neurological, physical or other impairments/comorbidities) and relationship types (i.e., spouses, adult children and others), and how interpersonal processes are linked to the caregivers’ wellbeing. In this cross-sectional study, caregivers ( N = 882) from nine countries reported on their open communication with care recipients, care recipients’ responsiveness, and caregivers’ wellbeing (i.e., intimacy, burden and communal motivation to care). Although caregivers of care recipients with neurological impairments and adult child caregivers reported lower mean levels of open communication and perceived responsiveness, similar mediating effects of perceived responsiveness between open communication and intimacy (effect = 0.05; CI95 = [0.04, 0.06]), burden (effect = −0.42; CI95 = [−0.49, −0.35]), and communal motivation to care (effect = 0.28; CI95 = [0.21, 0.36]) were reported across different illness contexts and relationship types. Only the negative relationship between perceived responsiveness and burden was stronger for spouses (b = −0.23, CI95 = [-0.26, −0.19]) than for adult children and others. Results suggest the interpersonal process model of intimacy may be used to identify caregivers at risk of poor wellbeing in different illness contexts and with different relationships with their care recipients. Lack of open communication and caregivers’ misperceptions of care recipients’ responsiveness may represent opportunities to intervene to enhance caregivers’ intimacy to the care recipients, communal motivation to care, and to decrease caregiver burden.
The blindfolded traveler’s problem: A search framework for motion planning with contact estimates
Authors: Saund Brad , Choudhury Sanjiban , Srinivasa Siddhartha , Berenson Dmitry
Published: May 2023

We address the problem of robot motion planning under uncertainty where the only observations are through contact with the environment. Such problems are typically solved by planning optimistically assuming unknown space is free, moving along the planned path and re-planning if the robot collides. However this approach can be very inefficient, leading to many unnecessary collisions and unproductive motion. We propose a new formulation, the Blindfolded Traveler’s Problem (BTP), for planning on a graph containing edges with unknown validity, with true validity observed only through attempted traversal by the robot. The solution to a BTP is a policy indicating the next edge to attempt given previous observations and an initial belief. We prove that BTP is NP-complete and show that exact modeling of the belief is intractable, therefore we present several approximation-based policies and beliefs. For the policy we propose graph search with edge weights augmented by the probability of collision. For the belief representation we propose a weighted Mixture of Experts of Collision Hypothesis Sets and a Manifold Particle Filter. Empirical evaluation in simulation and on a real robot arm shows that our proposed approach vastly outperforms several baselines as well as a previous approach that does not employ the BTP framework.
Placental weight and its relationship with the birth weight of term infants and body mass index of the mothers
Authors: Sathasivam Raveendran , Selliah Pranavan , Sivalingarajah Raguraman , Mayorathan Uruthirapasupathi , Munasinghe Baththirange Malaka
Published: May 2023

Objective

Placental pathology is a well-known cause of perinatal and neonatal mortality and morbidity, and may correlate with placental growth, which can be assessed indirectly by anthropometric placental measurements. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate mean placental weight and its relationship with birthweight and maternal body mass index (BMI).

Methods

Fresh (not formalin fixed) consecutively delivered placentae of term newborns (37–42 weeks), collected between February 2022 and August 2022, and the mothers and newborns, were included. Mean placental weight, birthweight and maternal BMI were calculated. Pearson’s correlation coefficient, linear regression, and one-way analysis of variance were used to analyse continuous and categorical data.

Results

Out of 390 samples, 211 placentae (with 211 newborns and mothers) were included in this study after exclusion criteria were applied. Mean placental weight was 494.45 ± 110.39 g, and mean term birth weight/placental weight ratio was 6.21 ± 1.21 (range, 3.35–11.62 g). Placental weight was positively correlated with birthweight and maternal BMI, but not with newborn sex. Linear regression effect estimation of placental weight on birthweight revealed a medium correlation ( R2 = 0.212; formula, 1.4553 × X + 2246.7, where X is placental weight [g]).

Conclusion

Placental weight was revealed to positively correlate with birthweight and maternal BMI.
Real-Time Multi-Vehicle Multi-Camera Tracking with Graph-Based Tracklet Features
Authors: Nguyen Tuan T. , Nguyen Hoang H. , Sartipi Mina , Fisichella Marco
Published: May 2023

An essential application in intelligent transportation systems is multi-target multi-camera tracking (MTMCT), where the target’s activity is tracked from different cameras. Although the tracking-by-detection scheme is the primary paradigm in MTMCT, the object association information from the video frames is lost. This is mainly because the multi-camera multi-object matching uses the information from the video frames separately. To solve this problem and leverage this association information, we propose an MTMCT framework, where features are built in the form of a graph and a graph similarity algorithm is used to match multi-camera objects. In this paper, we focus on the real-time scenario, where only the past images are used to match an object. Our method achieves an IDF1 score (the ratio of the number of correctly identified objects to the number of ground truth and average objects) of 0.75 with a rate of 14 frames per second (fps).
Environmental and Economic Efficiency of Stone-Matrix Asphalt with Surface Micro-Milling
Authors: Al-Qadi Imad L. , Jayme Angeli , Okte Egemen
Published: May 2023

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has employed a combination of open-graded friction course (OGFC) and stone-matrix asphalt (SMA) layers on its Interstate highways for more than two decades. Given that the SMA layer was structurally intact, GDOT implemented micro-milling to solely remove the OGFC layer. Four conventional resurfacing cycles were considered to compare the environmental and economic impacts for a section of Interstate 95 using life-cycle assessment and life-cycle cost analysis, assuming 8-, 10-, 12-, and 14-year resurfacing intervals of asphalt concrete (AC) resurfacing. Within the pavement life cycle, the maintenance and rehabilitation (M&R), and the use stages were significantly influenced by the change of scenarios. The M&R stage revealed a twofold cost increase for the full-depth AC, as compared with SMA, over the pavement life, because of the latter’s relative improved structural performance and a delay in future rehabilitation. Furthermore, in the use stage, M&R affected the agency costs significantly, whereas the work-zone delay governed the user cost. The holistic evaluation of the SMA and micro-milling combination revealed positive outcomes in field performance, along with environmental and economic impacts. However, it is worth noting that the scenarios presented follow GDOT’s approach with a long-standing use of SMA and micro-milling. Given the extensive experience with the aforementioned combination, it was evident that the method provided significant benefits, especially in the long-term outlook, and may be applicable for locations that have conditions analogous to GDOT’s.
Do Anxiety Symptoms Mediate the Association Between Cannabis Use Frequency and Psychotic-Like Experiences in Emerging Adult Undergraduates?
Authors: Bernusky Haley C. R. , Tibbo Philip G. , Conrod Patricia J. , Yunus Fakir Md. , Keough Matthew T. , Thompson Kara D. , Krank Marvin D. , Hadwin Allyson F. , Stewart Sherry H.
Published: May 2023

Objective

Cannabis is commonly used by Canadian emerging adults (ages 18–25 years), many of whom attend post-secondary institutions. Frequent cannabis use is linked with psychotic-like experiences (PLEs); however, the exact nature of this association remains unclear. Anxiety symptoms may mediate this association, as they are prevalent in emerging adults and have been independently linked with both cannabis use and PLEs. Past work found that anxiety mediated the association between cannabis use frequency and attenuated positive psychotic symptoms (further along the psychosis continuum than PLEs), however this research had yet to be validated in the Canadian population, and trait rather than state anxiety (frequency of anxiety symptoms) was studied. Thus, our primary objective was to examine if anxiety symptoms mediated the association between cannabis use frequency and PLEs in Canadian emerging adult undergraduates. Despite known sex differences in cannabis use, expression of anxiety, and PLEs, past work did not evaluate the potential impact of biological sex on the anxiety-mediated model, and thus is the secondary objective of the present study.

Methods

1,266 first-/second-year emerging adult undergraduates from five Canadian universities provided cross-sectional, self-report survey data in fall 2021 semester. Validated measures of cannabis use frequency, anxiety, and PLEs were administered.

Results

Path analyses supported mediation from cannabis use to PLEs through anxiety ( b  =  0.07, P < 0.001, 95% bootstrap CI [0.03, 0.10]). No direct effect was found ( P  =  0.457), suggesting that the cannabis-to-PLEs association was mediated by anxiety. Mediation did not depend on biological sex (i.e., bootstrapped 95% CIs crossed zero).

Conclusions

Anxiety symptoms mediated the association between cannabis use and PLEs in emerging adults regardless of their biological sex. Assuming replication in prospective research, results highlight anxiety as an important intervention target in frequent cannabis-using emerging adults, to potentially prevent development/worsening of PLEs, and in turn psychotic illness.
A Movement to Redefine our Relationship With Work
Authors: Kruse Gretl C. , MDiv Beba Tata-Mbeng
Published: May 2023

The Great Resignation ushered in a new world of work and fostered the growth of Quiet Quitting. Employers stand at a crossroads: Meet this moment head-on or risk losing the best and brightest. How we address this new dynamic will influence the way we work for years to come.
Organization for Liquid-Modern times?
Authors: Bauman Zygmunt
Published: May 2023

In an unpublished manuscript that Zygmunt Bauman wrote around the year 2008, Bauman’s overall theory of liquid modernity is sketched in relation to recent types of organization. He describes a shift from classical ‘managerialism’ to the ‘experience economy’, resulting in organizations characterized as eclectic and nonlinear. Ambiguous consequences of this transition follow for individual organization members. The most important trait of and expectation for liquidly modern employees will be their flexibility. Workplaces made seductive and attractive, with food, sport, bike racks and stylish informality, create a fragile cocoon for the elite of knowledge workers. For Bauman, such employees’ materialize love and happiness by buying things, resulting in more working hours to gain the money required to purchase further things in a ‘vicious circle’. The less qualified cannot access either these things or similar working conditions, which is one critical dimension of these recent transformations. Managerially, practices in flexible organizations continuously keep elite employees in a state of uncertainty and urgency. Bauman closes by embedding these tendencies of organizations’ new voraciousness in his overall theme of liquid modernity, as he points to unintended consequences of lighter and more flexible organizational forms. The manuscript is accompanied by a commentary, in which Stewart Clegg, one of the leading scholars in recent attempts to connect Bauman’s theory of liquid modernity with management and organization studies, contextualizes the work.
Adaptive robust control for reliable trajectory tracking of autonomous vehicle in uncertain driving environment
Authors: Zhang Ziwei , Zheng Ling , Li Yinong , Zheng Hao , Zhang Zhida
Published: May 2023

External disturbances, parameter perturbance, data delay and control lag provoke significant model mismatches. If not properly compensated, they can greatly deteriorate the control performance of autonomous vehicle, such as reduction of tracking accuracy or even loss of stability in extreme. However, existing approaches barely consider these uncertainties together. In the light of this, an adaptive strategy is presented for trajectory tracking control of autonomous vehicle to simultaneously cope with aforementioned factors. First of all, given the dynamic or kinematic characteristics among path, vehicle and steering actuator, an integrated dynamic model is constructed. To handle the control lag of the steering actuator, a first-order model is utilized to approximate the dynamics of the steering subsystem, which is then integrated into the vehicle dynamics to reformulate the tracking model as a lag-free one. Then, the hierarchical robust tracking controller is proposed to acquire reliable control commands. To prevent the system breakdown in the presence of data delay, the delay-dependent criterion is designed via linear parameter varying technique and integral inequality approach. Moreover, the controllers also consider both the H∞ index and the guaranteed cost one to guarantee the effectiveness and robustness of tracking commands. Subsequently, to enhance the adaptability of algorithm, a feedback gains scheduling mechanism is proposed to adaptively tune tracking commands among different robust gains leveraging the phase plane approach. Finally, several comparative cases are conducted in the hardware-in-the-loop platform to verify that proposed strategy has better capability on trajectory tracking in uncertain driving conditions.
Causal mediation and sensitivity analysis for mixed-scale data
Authors: Rene Lexi , Linero Antonio R , Slate Elizabeth
Published: May 2023

The goal of causal mediation analysis, often described within the potential outcomes framework, is to decompose the effect of an exposure on an outcome of interest along different causal pathways. Using the assumption of sequential ignorability to attain non-parametric identification, Imai et al. (2010) proposed a flexible approach to measuring mediation effects, focusing on parametric and semiparametric normal/Bernoulli models for the outcome and mediator. Less attention has been paid to the case where the outcome and/or mediator model are mixed-scale, ordinal, or otherwise fall outside the normal/Bernoulli setting. We develop a simple, but flexible, parametric modeling framework to accommodate the common situation where the responses are mixed continuous and binary, and, apply it to a zero-one inflated beta model for the outcome and mediator. Applying our proposed methods to the publicly-available JOBS II dataset, we (i) argue for the need for non-normal models, (ii) show how to estimate both average and quantile mediation effects for boundary-censored data, and (iii) show how to conduct a meaningful sensitivity analysis by introducing unidentified, scientifically meaningful, sensitivity parameters.
Two variants of ‘constrained participation’ in the care of vulnerable adults: A proof-of-concept study
Authors: Kristjánsson Kristján , Thórarinsdóttir Kristín
Published: May 2023

There has been a radical turn towards ideals of patient autonomy and person-centred care, and away from historically entrenched forms of medical paternalism, in the last 50 years of nursing practice. However, along the way, some shades of grey between the areas of ideal patient participation and of outright patient non-participation have been missed. The current article constitutes an exploratory proof-of-concept study of the real-world traction of a distinction-straddling concept of ‘constrained participation’ and its two sub-concepts of ‘fought-for participation’ and ‘forced-to participation’. In order to concretise these additions to the conceptual terrain of person-centred participation and its anti-theses, we apply them to themes in the care of vulnerable older adults. In the final section, we close by eliciting some characterological, educational and clinical implications of adding these new tools also to the conceptual repertoire of nursing practice and education.
The true (financial) costs of workplace violence in Australia
Authors: Ballard Allison , Bozin Doris
Published: May 2023

There is a need to determine the contemporary financial costs of workplace violence to the Australian economy. Since 2001, this intractable and typically gendered workplace problem has been viewed through a mythical lens which suggests it costs Australia between $6–36 billion every year. For over two decades, this estimate has been touted as an immutable source of truth. Accurate and realistic costings could support better policy and regulatory approaches to the prevention and effective management of workplace violence while also protecting those vulnerable members of our community who are most at risk of ongoing harm on account of workplace violence.
Understanding the Suicide Risk in Indian Society: An Anomic Approach
Authors: Patel Avanish Bhai
Published: May 2023

Human society in the 21st century, along with development and progress, is also confronting numerous social problems, one of which is the problem of suicide, which is assuming the shape of a daunting problem. The death of a person caused by suicide is a matter of grave concern across all Indian states in contemporary times. Today, a lot of people are dying themselves by suicide due to stress, depression, and familial and social imbalance. The present study understands the nature of suicide in Indian society and examines the causes of suicide. The author has applied the phenomenological content analysis method. The information for the current research has been collected using news content from various Indian newspapers, magazines, and news portals through the phenomenological view. The researcher has collated 210 occurrences of suicide from newspapers in Uttar Pradesh between October 1, 2020, and April 30, 2021. The study has indicated that there is a substantial rise in suicide cases due to rapid changes in society resulting in anomic conditions. The effect of the anomic situation has also contributed to isolation and loneliness, which, in turn, leads to suicide in three ways personal anomie, familial anomie, and societal anomie. Moreover, the anomic situation has led to the various factors instrumental in suicide such as frustration, family problems, love affairs, poverty, harassment, sexual violence, social boycott, chronic diseases, and bankruptcy.
How Does Party Position Change Happen? The Case of LGBT Rights in the U.S.
Authors: Karol David
Published: May 2023

A partisan divide over LGBT rights has emerged in the U.S. Yet unlike other issues on which the parties have traded places or polarized, most of the change on gay rights has occurred within one party, the Democrats. How did this unusual change occur? LGBT rights was originally a fringe cause, rejected by most politicians in both parties. As gay rights activists slowly became more prominent in the Democratic Party, many politicians adapted, abandoning earlier positions informed by their personal backgrounds and state or district constituencies. Meanwhile, incorporating the religious right led most Republicans to maintain the anti-LGBT rights stand that was once common to both parties, even as public opinion shifted. The result was a partisan divide in this issue area that had consequences for policy. The role of adaptation by incumbents in producing it—contrary to some prominent models—is evident in both Congressional co-sponsorship and roll-call data. The growing party divide is also evident in platforms. These findings contribute to a broader understanding of how party position change occurs.
Addressing Anti-Asian Racism and Stigma Towards Therapy: A Clinical Intervention Guideline
Authors: Lau Hou I. , Collet Ashley , Nordfelt Rachel , Hamby Erika M. , Richardson Lauren S. , Udozorh Kosisochi
Published: May 2023

Asian Americans (AA) in the United States, and throughout the world, commonly hold a negative connotation or stigma regarding seeking mental health services. Unique cultural stigmas and beliefs of AA play an important role when examining why this population group is less likely to engage in therapy. This article explains why these cultural stigmas and beliefs contribute to the lack of mental health help seeking. Through examining these stigmas, perception of therapy, loss of face, and parental control among AA will allow therapists to have a better understanding when they are working with this population. Also, the consideration is given of how the increase of Anti-Asian racism due to the COVID-19 pandemic affects AA and the challenges it creates. This article includes a case example that provides information on how stigmas impact an AA family who have differing cultural values and expectations while experiencing discrimination from COVID-19.
Nomogram Prediction for Lower Extremity Deep Vein Thrombosis in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients Receiving Thrombolytic Therapy
Authors: Wang Yuyan , Cao Miaokai , Liu Xuan , Sun YiLing , Wang YiKai , Jin RuJun , Zhang Wanli , Shao Bei
Published: May 2023

This study developed and evaluated a tailored nomogram to predict the potential occurrence of early lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (LDVT) in patients receiving thrombolytic therapy. We performed several logistic analyses on the training cohort and created a corresponding nomogram to forecast early LDVT. The classification accuracy and the accuracy of predicted probabilities of the multiple logistic regression model were evaluated using area under the curve (AUC) and the calibration graph method. According to the multivariate logistic regression model homocysteine, previous history of hypertension and atrial fibrillation, indirect bilirubin, age, and sex was identified as independent determinants of early LDVT. The nomogram was constructed using these variables. The calibration plots showed a good agreement between the predicted and observed LDVT possibilities in the training and validation cohorts with AUCs being 0.833 (95% CI: 0.774-0.892) and 0.907 (95% CI: 0.801-1.000), respectively. Our nomogram offers clinicians a tool for predicting the individual risk of LDVT in the early stage of acute ischemic stroke in patients receiving thrombolytic therapy, which could lead to early intervention.
Part B: Steering and control of an autonomous vehicle in emergency lane change maneuvers based on skilled driver’s performance
Authors: Neisy Minaei Samir , Ghaffari Ali , Najafi Ardekany Ali
Published: May 2023

This paper considers the vehicle control process in emergency lane change (ELC). The control method is divided into two parts: before crossing the obstacle and after crossing it. The first part is done by a feed-forward controller inspired by the driver’s behavior pattern in the ELC maneuver. This controller is compensated by a neural network system and two proportional-integral (PI) and proportional-derivative (PD) controllers, which correct the output of the feed-forward controller to follow the path more accurately. The second part consists of two PD controllers responsible for controlling and steering the vehicle in the main path after crossing the obstacle. The main novelty of the proposed method is that the computational burden is low because of using a feed-forward controller, which is the main source of the calculation’s burden. So as a result, the controller system can cover the ELC maneuver in under 2 seconds in various lateral displacements to bypass the obstacle and prevent collisions. The co-simulations are performed in CarSim software and MATLAB/Simulink, which shows that the control system can appropriately steer the vehicle and follow the desired at different speeds, in the presence of road friction and parameter uncertainty.
Agents of Socialization, Anxiety, College Women, and Fear of Rape
Authors: Pryor Douglas W. , Hughes Marion R. , Langdon Jennifer J.
Published: May 2023

This paper examines the impact of messages about sexual danger women receive from parents, peers, media, school officials, and past victimization on fear of stranger and acquaintance rape. Analyzing survey data for 630 undergraduate women, we find that parental warnings, internalized mean world view, university crime alerts, and being more prone to anxiety are significant predictors of fear of rape across models, while effects of media and victimization are limited. When high and low proneness to anxiety subgroups are considered separately, numerous differences emerge. Results suggest the need to include formal measures of anxiety in future fear of crime research.
Oncology pharmacy practice in the United States: Results of a comprehensive, nationwide survey
Authors: Griffin Shawn P , Signorelli Jessie R , Lasko Aubrey , Andrick Benjamin J , Doan David , Hough Shannon , Riebandt Grazyna , Harnicar Stephen
Published: May 2023

Introduction: This study was designed to describe the landscape of oncology pharmacy practice at patient facing institutional healthcare organizations throughout the United States. Methods: The Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA) Practice Outcomes and Professional Benchmarking Committee conducted a multi-organization, voluntary survey of HOPA members between March 2021 and January 2022. Four overarching domains were targeted: institutional description, job function, staffing, and training/certification. Data were evaluated using descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 68 responses were analyzed including 59% and 41% who self-identified their organization as academic and community centers, respectively. The median number of infusion chairs and annual infusion visits were 49 (interquartile range (IQR): 32–92) and 23,500 (IQR: 8300–300,000), respectively. Pharmacy departments reported to a business leader, physician leader, and nursing leader 57%, 24%, and 10% of the time, respectively. The median oncology pharmacy full-time equivalents was 16 (IQR: 5–60). At academic centers, 50% (IQR: 26–60) of inpatient and 30% (IQR: 21–38) of ambulatory pharmacist FTEs were dedicated to clinical activities. At community centers, 45% (IQR: 26–65) of inpatient and 50% (IQR: 42–58) of ambulatory pharmacist FTEs were dedicated to clinical activities. As many as 18% and 65% of organizations required or encouraged certification for oncology pharmacists, respectively. The median number of Board-Certified Oncology Pharmacists was 4 (IQR: 2–15). Conclusion: As the number of patients with cancer rises, the oncology workforce must grow to support this expanding population. These results describe the practice landscape of oncology pharmacy at US healthcare institutions to serve as a foundation for future research evaluating metrics and benchmarks.
Double horizon peridynamics
Authors: Yang Zhenghao , Oterkus Erkan , Oterkus Selda , Ma Chien-Ching
Published: May 2023

In this study, a new double horizon peridynamics formulation was introduced by utilising two horizons instead of one as in traditional peridynamics. The new approach allows utilisation of large horizon sizes by controlling the size of the inner horizon size. To demonstrate the capability of the current approach, four different numerical cases were examined by considering static and dynamic conditions, different boundary and initial conditions, and different outer and inner horizon size values. For both static and dynamic cases, it was observed that as the inner horizon decreases, peridynamic solutions converge to classical continuum mechanics solutions even by using a larger horizon size value. Therefore, the proposed approach can serve as an alternative approach to improve computational efficiency of peridynamic simulations by obtaining accurate results with larger horizon sizes.
The ethnic food system of Jaad Bhotiya tribal community in the Gangotri landscape of western Himalaya: a transition in traditional practices
Authors: Bhatt Shobha , Purohit Monika Vats , Balodi Khima Nand , Kumar Ujjwal , Sharma Archana , Shridhar Vijay , Arunachalam Ayyanadar , Arunachalam Kusum
Published: May 2023

Traditional foods of Indigenous peoples are composed of ingredients from the local environment that are culturally acceptable. The Indian Himalayan region is known for its diverse tribal population, and each of them exhibits a distinct food culture. The present study has been conducted first time to document the diverse traditional food practices of Jaad Bhotiya, a lesser-known tribe of the Gangotri landscape, Uttarakhand, India. The community holds a varied range of ethnic foods; however, 13 traditional dishes are described in the present article. This study reflects a clear understanding of their preference, importance, and causes of transitions. It is noteworthy that the elders were highly attached to ethnic foods while the younger generation has limited fondness for it. The current transitional pattern is an issue of concern for policymakers, anthropologists, and the community itself. Nonetheless, a holistic policy approach to conserve traditional foods may provide an opportunity to sustain these unique practices.
Current Status of Urinary Schistosomiasis Among Communities in Kurmuk District, Western Ethiopia: Prevalence and Intensity of Infection
Authors: Mohammed Tigist , Hu Wei , Aemero Mulugeta , Gebrehiwot Yirgalem , Erko Berhanu
Published: May 2023

Background:

Schistosomiasis is a highly prevalent but neglected tropical disease, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. In Ethiopia, urogenital schistosomiasis due to Schistosoma haematobium has been known to be endemic in several lowland areas. This study was designed to determine the current prevalence and intensity of the urogenital schistosomiasis among communities in Kurmuk District, western Ethiopia.

Methods:

Urine filtration technique and urine dipstick test were used to screen for S. haematobium eggs and hematuria, respectively. The data were analyzed with SPSS version 23. Logistic regression and odds ratio were used to measure associations and strength between prevalence, intensity, and independent variables. P-values <.05 at 95% CI were considered statistically significant.

Results:

The overall prevalence of S. haematobium infection as determined by urine filtration was 34.2% (138/403). In bivariate analysis, the most infected (45.4%) age groups were 5 to 12 years (odds ratio [OR] = 4.16, 95% CI: 1.36-12.67), followed by 13 to 20 years (OR = 3.23, 95% CI: 1.01-10.35) with higher significant mean egg count (MEC). The mean egg intensity ranged from 2.39 in Ogendu (CI: 1.05-3.72) to 14.1 in Dulshatalo (CI: 4.98-23.12) villages. The main predictor of infection was swimming habits (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.43 [CI: 1.19-4.94]). The prevalence of hematuria was 39.2% (158/403), the odds being 2.64 times higher among participants who resided in Dulshatalo than those who resided in Kurmuk (AOR 2.64 [95% CI: 1.43-4.87], P = .004).

Conclusion:

To reduce the infection and interrupt transmission, the PC in place in the area using PZQ should be strengthened and continued, alongside with provision of sanitary facilities, safe alternative water supplies and health education. The Federal Ministry of Health of Ethiopia should also collaborate with the health authorities of the Sudan government for the control of trans-boundary transmission of the disease as the transmission foci are shared between the 2 countries.
The why of candidate selection: How party selectors handle trade-offs between party goals
Authors: Vandeleene Audrey
Published: May 2023

While the knowledge on how candidate selection happens is flourishing, remarkably little attention has been paid to the selection criteria. Why do selectors prefer some candidates? This study investigates the intricate trade-offs party selectors face when having to compromise between the pursuit of three core party goals: unity, policy, and victory. When candidates score lower on one goal, do selectors favour candidates following the party line, skill for politics or ability to garner votes? Relying on 23 in-depth interviews with party selectors from three Belgian francophone parties (Social Democrats, Greens, and Liberals), this research offers insight into how selectors balance their choices between candidates in a PR list context where the group equilibrium is almost as important as individual assets. I point out the interconnections selectors consider between selection criteria, and hence the need to regard the full picture when studying intra-party competition at the nomination stage.
Achieving agency within imperfect automation: Working customers and self-service technologies
Authors: Pentzold Christian , Bischof Andreas
Published: May 2023

In this article, we propose to treat agency as something which is accomplished in the entanglement of humans with technologies. This redirects our attention away from the question of what distinguishes humans from smart machines and towards querying how people and automated apparatuses join in processes of mutual sociomaterial engagement. To further our argument, we look at self-service kiosks, which are ubiquitous yet largely overlooked components of mediated environments. We reflect on a participant observation in groceries stores and interviews with customers familiar with self-checkout facilities. They make us aware that operating this equipment is not an individual affair but a joint activity by default, taking place in a temporally regimented setting prone to human errors and malfunction when people try to respond to the terminals’ protocol. This sort of imperfect automation has ambivalent ramifications which rely on the capabilities of users and the capacities of an interface and its underlying operations. Agency, we conclude, thus becomes a matter of viable performance in which humans may act machine-like while machines perform an expanding share of activities.
Of tubes and telegrams: The names of social media platforms and messenger services
Authors: Gerhards Claudia
Published: May 2023

Although names play a crucial role in the communication of products, services and companies and their acceptance by the public, virtually no research findings are available to date about the naming strategies used by social media platforms and messenger services. This article explores the naming strategies of the most successful social media platforms and messenger services in terms of the numbers of their users worldwide. For this purpose, 17 brand names were analysed with the help of a taxonomy of brand names that is used in marketing practice. Furthermore, etymological and semantic aspects of the brand names are examined. One finding is that most of the brands use fanciful names, which can best be protected. Additionally, this study highlights the fact that many of the social media platforms and messenger services contain hints to prior media forms in their names. But why do they use these semantically retro references? This study adopts different approaches (remediation, skeuomorphism, invented tradition) to illuminate this retro-naming strategy.
When digital inequalities meet digital disconnection: Studying the material conditions of disconnection in rural Turkey
Authors: Bozan Veysel , Treré Emiliano
Published: May 2023

Digital inequalities research has lacked a focus on voluntary non-use and its consequences, whereas digital disconnection studies have focused on non-use but neglected the material implications of digital inequalities. Located at the intersection between these two approaches, this article relies on twelve semi-structured interviews, observations and informal dialogues to examine digital media uses, inequalities and the meanings of disconnection in a village of rural Turkey. The findings show that the main inequalities are due to infrastructure, geography and socio-economic conditions. These inequalities shape the practices and meanings of digital disconnection, revealing obstacles, frustrations and a forced kind of disconnection that is very different from the romantic portrayal of detox retreats that dominate the literature in the Global North. The insights of this research illuminate the unexplored area of intersection between digital inequalities and disconnection, engaging a fruitful conversation that enriches both fields of inquiry and unfolds future research opportunities.
Linguistic justice for non-resident citizens: Protecting language interests away from home
Authors: Bonotti Matteo , Lazzari Chiara De
Published: May 2023

Over the past 20 years, a number of political theorists have been focusing on the just political treatment of linguistic diversity in liberal democratic societies. This body of work, known as the ‘linguistic justice’ literature, has mainly examined two specific categories of linguistic groups: autochthonous linguistic minorities and immigrants. However, it has entirely neglected non-resident citizens, that is, citizens of a country who reside in a different one, and their distinctive language interests and rights. In this article, we address this gap by developing a theory of linguistic justice for non-resident citizens, using diaspora institutions as a case study. More specifically, we draw on the linguistic justice literature to outline two categories of non-resident citizens’ language interests and rights, that is, those related to opportunity access and to democracy. We finally suggest ways in which language-related diaspora institutions could be reformed in order to better fulfil non-resident citizens’ language interests and rights.
Formula optimization and thermodynamic evolution of high-performance large-sized porcelain thin ceramic tiles mainly enhanced by contrivable multi-phases
Authors: Zhong Xinzi , Cao Liyun , Huang Jianfeng , Liu Yijun , Shen Xuetao , Wang Qinggang , Kong Luo , Cheng Zhiwen , Liu Ting , Wang Fangmin
Published: May 2023

Owing to the high expenses and numerous potential avenues for formula research in ceramic production, obtaining cost-effective and high-quality ceramic formulas for high-performance ceramics poses significant challenges. To address this issue, a flux formula optimization procedure is proposed to develop the predictive ceramic formula P18, which allows precise control of the Al/Si ratio and is compatible with standard manufacturing processes. This cost-effective method enables the visual examination of ceramics’ physical, mechanical and thermodynamic properties. It is found that sintering temperature plays a crucial role in phase and microstructure evolution by classical phenomenological kinetic theory. Moreover, the sintered sample P18 exhibits remarkable mechanical performance, with a strength of 96.82  ±  2.0 MPa and fracture toughness of 1.89  ±  0.02 MPa·m1/2. These outstanding properties can be attributed to the reinforcing effects of multiple phases, such as high-strength corundum and in situ mullite whiskers. The mechanical mechanisms of the resulting ceramic tiles include particle reinforcement, microcrack deflection, intergranular and transgranular fracture, and in situ mullite whisker bridge pull-out, which collectively contribute to increase energy consumption per unit length, thus reducing the risk of brittle fractures.
Foamwork: Challenges and strategies in using mineral foam 3D printing for a lightweight composite concrete slab
Authors: Bedarf Patrick , Szabo Anna , Scoccimarro Enrico , Dillenburger Benjamin
Published: May 2023

This paper presents an innovative design and fabrication workflow for a lightweight composite slab prototype that combines mineral foam 3D printing (F3DP) and concrete casting. Non-standardized concrete elements that are geometrically optimized for resource efficiency often result in complex shapes that are difficult to manufacture. This paper extends the research in earlier studies, showing that F3DP can address this challenge. F3DP is used to construct 24 stay-in-place formwork elements for a lightweight, resource-efficient ribbed concrete element with a 2 × 1.3 m footprint. This advancement highlights the improved robotic F3DP setup, computational design techniques for geometry and print path generation, and strategies to achieve near-net-shape fabrication. The resulting prototype shows how complex geometries that were previously cost-prohibitive can be produced efficiently. Discussing the findings, challenges, and future improvements offers useful perspectives and supports the development of this resourceful and sustainable construction technique.
Implications for Practice: How to Write a Meaningful Contribution
Authors: Kroese Ingeborg
Published: May 2023

Problem

There is a continued, well documented disconnect between HRD scholars and practitioners. Specifically, the ‘Implications for HRD Practice’ section in academic articles is often lacking in relevance and meaning. This is harmful for both academia and practice, but especially for the well-being of learners.

Solution

This essay focusses on how to write a meaningful ‘Implications for HRD Practice’ section and suggests five areas to consider: why writing for practice is important; understand who practice is; relate to practitioners’ knowledge; provide evidence-based suggestions and finally, connect with practice.

Stakeholders

HRD scholars who are committed to write for, and connect with, practice.
What Public Comments During Rulemaking Do (and Why)
Authors: Libgober Brian , Rashin Steven
Published: May 2023

Public comments on proposed federal regulations are thought to influence bureaucratic policy choices, but why? While reelection incentives give politicians straightforward reasons for catering to public preferences, regulators lack similarly direct incentives to accede to demands from stake-holders. We argue commenters may adopt several different tactics to try and persuade regulators. Broadly, they may either describe policy consequences or threaten the regulator with sanctions, especially by the Courts or Congress. But which tactics do members of the public – especially firms and interest groups – use during commenting, and why? We explore this question by extensive manual coding of comments submitted by strategic actors during high-stakes financial rulemaking. We find that the vast majority of comments have purely informational content, with very limited threats to involve political principals. These findings should be surprising to a literature that often presumes a model where interest group commenting is a form of bargaining in the shadow of the Courts or Congress. To assess whether this behavior is driven by the benefits of information versus the costs of threatening, we explore how the strategy of outside interests changes across the resource distribution, and analyze the litigation records of firms against these agencies. We conclude with a case study of a high-stakes policy where different kinds of interests used different strategies.
Crypto, Meme Stocks, and Threatened Masculinity
Authors: Cassino Dan
Published: May 2023

They’re not good investments, so what’s driving their popularity? The answer lies in who is buying Bitcoin, meme stocks, and similar financial instruments.
Eating for Two Trillion
Authors: Elton Sarah
Published: May 2023

Thinking of the gut microbiome as part of the foodscape reorients us to a food justice perspective on equality and access to human health and flourishing.
White Cliffs Country: The Migrant Crisis and England’s Border Landscape
Authors: Hubbard Phil , Leech Stuart
Published: May 2023

Phil Hubbard and Stuart Leech on the politics of a bulwark shore.
Art Attack: Protest Takes Aim at the Climate Crisis
Authors: Einhorn Tom , Corrigall-Brown Catherine
Published: May 2023

Tom Einhorn and Catherine Corrigall-Brown on messes with a message.
The Burden of Data: Court Practices Tilting the Scales
Authors: Albrecht Kat , Filip Kaitlyn
Published: May 2023

Kat Albrecht and Kaitlyn Filip on data disadvantaging defendants.
Crypto altruism: Applying blockchain to charitable and humanitarian activities
Authors: Novak Mikayla
Published: May 2023

Charities and humanitarian organizations have come under closer scrutiny over recent years. Highly publicized financial scandals, together with criticisms concerning the cost, effectiveness, and underlying motivations of certain charitable and humanitarian activities, appear to have corroded public trust. Can recent innovations in blockchain assist in improving nonprofit effectiveness and, through it, trust amongst donors, beneficiaries, and broader communities? This paper deploys a “cost of trust” framework to assess blockchain potential in reinforcing trust in charitable and humanitarian operations. Blockchain has been touted by its advocates as a potential solution for charities to reduce the cost of trust, by: (i) enabling observable funding flows; (ii) enforcing conditions regarding funding disbursement and use; and (iii) facilitating direct giving. Despite a growing number of use cases, limitations of this technology in reducing the cost of trust are also recognized in respect of complex relationships between donating and trust perceptions in heterogeneous environments.