Search

The apps for drawing are present in our children's life. Nevertheless, little is known about the impact of mobile technology on the freehand drawing educational activity. There are few works which are contextualised within short periods of time, with teachers who are not theirs and, in some cases, outside the children's classroom. In this paper, we are focussed on the use of technology on freehand drawing activity. Thus, we have compared the graphics produced by 4- and 5-year-old children with paper&crayon in comparison with those with tablet-finger. Children made the drawings during a planned free-drawing activity, in their ordinary classrooms, with their teachers and during five sessions. Assessment of drawings has evidenced tablet feasibility for making graphics. Nevertheless, with the passing of time, quality of graphics (tablet-finger vs paper&crayons), are nearly matched, demonstrating the low impact level technology has on this activity. In addition, if drawings are analysed specifically according to ages, results have shown that both groups have to develop adaptation strategies of visual perceptual skills and fine motor skills for the touch screen in order to obtain the same quality in the drawings made on both support types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Users' experiences in mental health assessment are multifaceted, including their emotional experiences. Yet, studies of mobile apps for psychiatric assessment have centered on diagnostic accuracy and perceived usability, with little consideration of the impact of user emotional experiences. In this study, we focused on users' perceived usability and emotions and compared the user experience of a paper-and-pencil and an app-based collection of mental health screening questionnaires: EarlyDetect. The System Usability Scale (SUS) and modality-directed emotion questionnaires were administered using paper-and-pencil or iPad. Modality was assigned pseudo-randomly on patients' first visit at a referral-based mental health clinic. We found that patients assigned to the iPad app reported a significantly higher SUS score than patients assigned to paper-and-pencil, qualified by a modality-by-gender interaction where modality effects were significant for men but not for women. Moreover, enjoyment was positively linked to perceived usability, whereas boredom, frustration, and anxiety were negatively linked to usability. Our findings illustrate the added value of studying user experience applied to psychiatric assessments, where both emotions and gender-specific user experience should be taken into consideration. We further discuss the implications for psychiatric assessments via app versus traditional data collection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to examine the effects that reading on screens (using digital devices with different screen sizes) and on paper have on reading time and comprehension. The study group was comprised of126 secondary students from a private school. To ensure balance, the participants were assigned into test groups, formed according to the size of the reading device, based on class levels, gender, and average school grade. In the data collection process, a narrative text was transferred to both print and electronic media. Access to the text was provided on paper and three digital devices. There were no time limitations. After reading, participants were given comprehension tests that consisted of twenty multiple-choice questions. Female participants' on-screen comprehension scores were found to be relatively higher compared to their paper comprehension scores. They also acquired better scores as the screen size increased. Conversely, male participants had higher comprehension scores on tablets and smart phones. Participants who read the text on smart phones and tablets completed the tasks in less time compared to other groups. However, the effects of reading modality on comprehension and reading time were not found to be statistically significant in either the male or female groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Academics are expected to publish their research work. Hence, during the past few years, the scientific community has witnessed an ever-increasing growth and output in scientific papers. However, a large number of authors have violated ethical norms of research leading to retractions of their research works as well. The article focuses on the scientific fraud emanating from China and India in Health Sciences for a period of three years i.e. 2015 to 2018. The present data were extracted from a search filter term "Research Articles OR Articles in Press" on the subject category of Health Sciences (HSC). A total of 318 retracted papers were retrieved and the result of the study indicated that majority (268 items) of the retracted papers in Health Science originated from China, whereas just 50 retracted papers originated from India as on 21-02-2019. While analyzing the data, 26 redundant articles from China have been removed that received retraction notices. Further, the results of the study suggest that there are several factors associated with retraction of scientific papers, which include unreliable results, duplication of results, plagiarism, forged authorship, error in the text, error in data and so on. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Paper patching, a method that places cigarette paper over the most mobile quadrants of the tympanic membrane, is one of the treatment options for patulous eustachian tube (PET). Aims/Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare the outcomes of two different treatment strategies for PET. Material and methods: Twenty-three patients underwent paper patching of the tympanic membrane and 16 patients were treated with nasal saline irrigation with or without ipratropium bromide nasal spray. Medical records were reviewed for resolution of PET symptoms as categorical variables (complete remission, partial remission, or no improvement) with a minimum follow-up of 3 months. Results: Immediately after undergoing paper patching, 20 of the 23 patients (87.0%) reported complete remission (CR). The percentage of CR after paper patching was 82.6% at 1 month and 65.2% at 3 months. A greater percentage of patients reported CR of aural symptoms in the paper patching group than in the nasal irrigation group at both 1 and 3 months after treatment (p < .05). Conclusions and significance: Repetitive paper patching resolves aural discomfort in most PET patients for at least 3 months and can be considered as a first-line treatment option for PET in the outpatient setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of fiber characteristics and calendering on the structure and properties of aramid paper was investigated. Laboratory aramid handsheets were prepared, and the structure and properties of them were investigated by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA), X-ray Diffractometer (XRD) and strength test. A comparison with commerical Nomex papers showed that overdrawn fibers with high initial modulus and film-like fibrids were helpful for improving the interface bonding and mechanical strength of aramid paper. Hot calendering improved the crystallinity, storage modulus and interface bonding of aramid materials, thereby greatly improving the mechanical strength of aramid paper. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

There is increasing concern about chemical pollutants that have the ability to mimic hormones, the so-called endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs). One of the main reasons for concern is the possible effect of EDCs on human health. EDCs may be released into the environment in different ways, and one of the most significant sources is industrial wastewater. The main objective of this research was to evaluate the treatment performance of different wastewater treatment procedures (biological treatment, filtration, advanced oxidation processes) for the reduction of chemical oxygen demand and seven selected EDCs (dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, benzyl butyl phthalate, bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, bisphenol A and nonylphenol) from wastewaters from a mill producing 100 % recycled paper. Two pilot plants were running in parallel and the following treatments were compared: (i) anaerobic biological treatment followed by aerobic biological treatment, ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis (RO), and (ii) anaerobic biological treatment followed by membrane bioreactor and RO. Moreover, at lab-scale, four different advanced oxidation processes (Fenton reaction, photo-Fenton reaction, photocatalysis with TiO2, and ozonation) were applied. The results indicated that the concentrations of selected EDCs from paper mill wastewaters were effectively reduced (100 %) by both combinations of pilot plants and photo-Fenton oxidation (98 %), while Fenton process, photocatalysis with TiO2 and ozonation were less effective (70 % to 90 %, respectively). [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this study, a comparative analysis of textile schools around the world based on research journal publications is made using the most popular bibliometric evaluation methodology. The study benchmarks bibliometric evaluation of professional research institutions related to textile, apparel, fashion and clothing in recent years from 2014 to 2019. Based on Web of ScienceTM, a total of 124,362 research publications (not counting conference papers) from 2014 to 2019 were found to be textile or fiber related. Out of more 1000 textile schools worldwide, 31 schools from 18 countries or territories were identified to be among the top 100 institutions contributing the textile or fiber related publications listed in Web of ScienceTM. These 31 textile schools are ranked in terms of productivity and citation impact, including total number of publications, publication per staff, h-index, total citations, average citations, and citation per staff. While these bibliometric measures provide some insights of the trends of the research activities and influences of textile schools in the world, they should be interpreted with caution as the quality of research contributions in terms of originality, scientific rigor and societal impact may not be reflected by the publication counts and the cites they receive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this laboratory experiment we examined the effect of resume format (paper resume only, video resume only, or both) on applicant evaluation. Differences in applicant personality trait evaluation were found for extraversion and agreeableness when video resumes were reviewed compared to when only paper resumes were reviewed. In addition, social skill and mental capability ratings were lower when only video resumes were reviewed. These findings indicate that video resumes may result in different assessments of applicant personality and harsher evaluations of applicant skills and abilities than paper resumes. Human resource personnel are cautioned in the use of video resumes until more research has been completed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research compared the ability of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and the altruism framework (AM) to predict paper-recycling behavior. It was comprised of formative research and a major survey. Data collected from 628 undergraduate students in Thailand were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results showed that TPB was superior to AM in predicting paper recycling. Perceived behavioral control was the only significant determinant from the TPB; personal norms alone significantly predicted behavior in AM. A communication approach is proposed to reinforce change in sociopsychological factors that could lead to a long-term paper-recycling commitment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Patient-reported mood charts are frequently used in management of bipolar disorder. Although mood charts have recently been programmed in electronic devices such as mobile phones, little is known about the impact of the method of data capture on the psychometric properties and validity of these data. Methods: In an ongoing pilot study, a sample of outpatients with bipolar disorder were randomized to complete mood charts either on a mobile phone or with standard paper and pencil as part of a 12-week intervention (primary outcomes for the trial await study completion). We compared these conditions across a single item rating of mood state, and we hypothesized that mobile phone-based data capture would produce greater compliance to mood ratings, variability between and within participants, and concurrent validity with blinded clinician-rated affective symptom severity. Results: A total of 56 participants were randomized and 40 participants were included in the analyses. There were no significant differences between conditions on demographic or clinical variables. The rate of compliance was significantly higher in paper-and-pencil versus mobile phone ratings. Ratings demonstrated significantly more variability within individuals in the mobile phone condition. Mobile phone mood ratings were significantly correlated with clinician-rated depressive symptom severity across the study and with manic symptom severity at the week-6 assessment, whereas paper-and-pencil ratings were not significantly associated with clinician-rated depression or mania. Conclusions: Although preliminary, our results suggest a lower rate of compliance with mobile phones compared to paper-and-pencil daily mood rating in bipolar disorder, yet a greater ability to capture variability and concurrent validity in quantifying affective symptoms. This clinical trial is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01670123. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To compare data based on computerized and paper versions of health status questionnaires (HSQs) for sampling patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in patients with fibromyalgia (FM). In addition, to examine associations between patient characteristics (age, education, computer experience) and differences between versions. Finally, to evaluate the acceptability of computer-based questionnaires among patients with FM.Method: The study population comprised female patients diagnosed with FM. All patients completed six HSQs: the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), the Major Depression Inventory (MDI), the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), the painDETECT questionnaire (PDQ), the Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Self-Assessment Questionnaire (GAD-10), both on paper and using a touch screen. One HSQ was tested at a time in a repeated randomized cross-over design. The two versions were completed with a 5-min interval and between each HSQ the participants had a 5-min break. Means, mean differences with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), medians, median differences, and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated for all HSQs, including relevant subscales. Associations between patient characteristics and differences between versions were explored using Spearman's correlation coefficients.Results: Twenty women, mean age 48.4 years, participated in the study. Except for one item, ICCs between touch-screen and paper versions of the HSQs examined indicated acceptable agreement (ICC = 0.71-0.99). Overall, mean and median differences revealed no differences between versions. No significant associations were observed for patient characteristics. None of the participants preferred paper questionnaires over computerized versions.Conclusions: The computerized HSQs using a touch screen gave comparable results to answers given on paper and were generally preferred by the participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This discussion is introduced with emphasis on the need for comparative psychoanalytic studies in our pluralistic psychoanalytic world and describes an approach to such an endeavor. A very brief comment on the extensive literature review is followed by a more detailed focus on the “analysis of envy,” which gradually changed into the analysis of the patient, as a person. The discussant's “empathic entry” into the analyst's mode of listening and responding was simultaneously also applied to the patient's experience, to see how well patient and analyst communicated with each other and whether or not the patient indicated that she felt understood or not. When she did not feel understood, the patient signaled this with an intensification of her envy into furious “envy attacks.” The analyst's “decoding interpretations” implied that the patient was causing her own problems and should not feel the way she did. The analyst discovered this later herself. Her discoveries in the fourth year of the analysis yielded notable changes both in her approach and in the patient's progress. Ultimately, the analyst allowed her subjectivity to enter the analysis and became better amalgamated with her chosen theory, leading to the changes in a progressively more fruitful analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urbanizing villages are erstwhile rural villages that are spatially enveloped and are characterized by their dual relation to the state, which expresses itself as an issue of citizenship; of land ownership; of governance; and building regulations. This paper transcends the current focus on villages in Southern China, by comparing village urbanization between China and India through four narratives of village extensions. Four parallel readings are offered, namely that urban villages are characterized by; shared tenure rooted in their rural past; inherited administrative boundaries that are re-imbued with new legal designations; emulation of traditional practices; and sustained modes of self-governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the effect of magnesium sulfate for prevention of eclampsia on blood loss at time of cesarean delivery (CD). Methods: We conducted an electronic based search using the following databases: MEDLINE, PUBMED and the Cochrane Library. The search terms were “magnesium sulfate”, “preeclampsia” and “randomized”. Inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials of women with preeclampsia who delivered with or without magnesium sulfate therapy for seizure prophylaxis. Only trials with placebo or no treatment comparison groups were included. Primary outcome was postpartum hemorrhage. Secondary outcomes were estimated blood loss, change in hemoglobin, blood transfusion and eclampsia. Results: Five trials met inclusion criteria. The incidence of postpartum hemorrhage was similar between the two groups [magnesium sulfate: 754/4482 (17%); no magnesium sulfate: 775/4427 (18%); RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.88–1.06]. There was no statistical difference between any of the other blood loss outcomes reported in the included studies. The rate of eclampsia with magnesium sulfate was significantly lower than with placebo (42/5604, 0.7%, versus 107/5600, 1.9%; RR 0.40, 95% CI 0.28–0.57). Conclusions: Magnesium sulfate does not appear to affect blood loss intrapartum and postpartum in women with preeclampsia. Magnesium sulfate, therefore, should be continued during CD, given the benefit of seizure prophylaxis without any increased risk of hemorrhage. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Acquiring information about one's child's cancer diagnosis is a complex and ever-changing process, and parents' needs change over time. As yet, we know little about what information parents require at different stages of their child's illness. This paper is part of a larger randomized control trial studying the parent-centered information given to mothers and fathers. The aim of this paper was to describe the topics addressed in person-centered meetings between nurses and parents of children with cancer and how those changed over time. Using qualitative content analysis, we analyzed nurses' written summaries of 56 meetings with 16 parents and then computed for each topic the percentage of parents who brought it up at any time during the intervention. The main categories were Child's disease and treatment (addressed by 100% of parents), Consequences of treatment (88%), Emotional management for the child (75%), Emotional management for the parent (100%), Social life of the child (63%), and Social life of the parent (100%). Different topics were addressed at different points in time, and fathers raised more concerns about the child's emotional management and the consequences of treatment than mothers. This paper suggests that parental information demands change over time and differ between fathers and mothers, implying that information should be person-centered. Registered at Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02332226). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to show how changes in survey design, supervision, and data collector affect travel survey data. The results can be used by policymakers and travel behaviour researchers when evaluating or choosing survey design. A document study of public documentation of national travel survey (NTS) methodology, and research using NTS data material from six European countries were conducted to compare the survey design of their respective NTSs. The results show that all countries included in this analysis have some sort of quality challenges. However, the countries have handled them differently, at different stages, and the transparency of the data collection process varies. Transparency in the data collection process and processing of data is essential for improving the survey design, evaluating quality, and ensuring that the time series is intact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines a new first-year EAP course in a Hong Kong university. It utilizes teacher and student reflections to understand the course's strengths and weaknesses, aiming to enhance its design and delivery. The study employed a qualitative approach whereby textual analysis was used to interpret the data collected in the form of written teacher reflections, written student reflections, and notes of teacher reflective dialogue. The thematic categories for coding the data were established based on the course's main learning outcomes: Effective Learning, Spoken Language, and Written Language. Findings reveal that teachers were more critical of the course compared to learners. Teachers expressed dissatisfaction with the pedagogical approach to Effective Learning unit, insufficient time provided in the course to teach solo speaking, and the inability to cover too many organizational and linguistic features in the writing unit. Students, however, did not have much to reflect on about Effective Learning, had mixed views about Spoken Language with some worried about reading from notes, and wrote extremely positively about their learning of Written Language. Nonetheless, their views provide valuable insights for course improvement. Consequently, the paper advocates for a reflective pedagogy approach to EAP that considers both teacher and student reflections to enhance teaching and learning outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper documents the incipient emergence of an active role of the state in Brazil that has been oriented towards creating and shaping markets through investments in innovation. It draws on a comparative analysis of two case studies of funding programmes: the BNDES–FINEP Joint Programme for Supporting Industrial Technological Innovation in the Sugar-based Economy and Sugar-Chemicals Sectors (PAISS), and the Ministry of Health's Production Development Partnerships Programme (PDPP). In the study, evidence was found within both programmes of five dimensions of effective public–private partnerships, these being that public agencies (i) seized mapped opportunities; (ii) took the lead; (iii) engaged in risk-sharing and institutional building; (iv) pursued risk diversification and competition; and (v) sought an equitable sharing of rewards. After a discussion of the main policy lessons, the paper concludes with a reflection on the specific challenges for building equitable public–private partnerships in the light of the increasingly competitive and global scope of the economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Policy innovation is critical to improve governance capacity; however, contemporary research mainly focuses on diffusion and adoption, disregarding the next stage, namely institutionalization. Taking the diffusion and institutionalization of China's "One Visit at Most" reform as a case study and using fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis, this paper examines the conditions and paths that lead local governments to institutionalize this reform. The results show that four paths lead from innovation to institutionalization: policy system and idea embeddedness, spontaneous competition, learning by seizing momentum, and entrepreneurial breakthrough. These findings extend the research on policy adoption, diffusion, and institutionalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores an expanding area of policy interest: the networks and collaboration mechanisms between universities and creative industries actors in cities. While much is known about such relationships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), they remain taken for granted and under researched in the creative industries. We argue that they are pivotal for different domains of research and policy, notably, cultural policy, higher education, innovation systems, and regional development. To that end, this paper aims to open up consideration of these relationships which we argue 1) stimulate innovation and 2) make broader contributions to local communities and economic regeneration via a creative economy approach. Using the Triple Helix framework, we explore university-industry-governemnt relationships and knowledge exchange mechanisms via a comparative analysis of two creative industries case cities: Shenzhen, China and Brisbane, Australia. Despite differences in certain important respects the two cities have both adopted creative industries policy frameworks. We found important differences between the cases in the roles and relative strength of the three sectoral actors. This study also shows a need for strategic incentives to foster collective capacity and governance interventions as a push to broker relationships that were not there before. Focussing on boundary spanning we also argue that cultural policy should have formal mechanisms and informal interactions to build a sustainable innovation ecosystem based on knowledge exchange. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blockchain is increasingly gaining interest in both the academic and professional worlds. The implementation of this decentralised and distributed network has started taking place, firstly in the financial world and in recent years reaching to other industries. Nevertheless, not all blockchain networks are the same, and choosing the right consensus algorithm is important for companies willing to invest in this technology. Companies eager to implement blockchain should understand the underlying architecture when selecting a particular network. Through an in-depth analysis, this paper aims to explore and compare from a technical perspective the three biggest permissionless blockchain networks by market capitalisation: Bitcoin, Ethereum and Ripple. Our research shows that Bitcoin gains a competitive advantage as a widely adopted means of payment, Ethereum excels in adopting a robust and flexible smart contract functionality whilst Ripple is most suitable for cross-border payments due to its scalability and fast processing speed. Based on the comprehensive analysis of the networks and their consensus protocols, this paper is designed to set the ground for further studies on the emerging applications of blockchain in numerous sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present article seeks to identify the reasons why some articles are more cited than others, with a specific focus on the recent and innovative research area of the sharing economy. To determine how characteristics of the research drive citations, we carry out a systematic analysis of articles published from 2012 to 2018 in high-impact social science journals. Comparative analyses were conducted to visualise what features relate to higher citations. The results show that citations vary depending on the approach, field, unit of analysis, and the data analyses used in the research. Our contributions will be useful both for authors when deciding the type of analysis to undertake and the journal to which to send their papers, as well as for editors setting editorial policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a scheduling strategy for irregular curved blocks to address the complex spatiotemporal coupling scheduling problem related to the entered time, the entered sequence, the setting positions and the rotated angles for the curved blocks in a shipbuilding yard. The strategy presents a makespan-based curved blocks - classification and selection rule to fulfil the programming time for the entry of the curved blocks into the workplace and realises the suppression on the delay. Useless stepping search of curved blocks in occupied workplace is avoided by combining the lowest centre-of-gravity rule with the calculation method of the remained workplace proposed in this paper. A modified genetic ant colony algorithm was proposed, which apply the ease to premature characteristics of GA and the excellent local optimisation ability of ACO, to let and promote the algorithm falls into local optimum. Then the large-scale and full-range mutation will be implemented to make the algorithm jump out of the original local optimisation to search more local optimal solutions so that the global optimal solution can be achieved. Finally, a software system for algorithm verification was developed which conducts the comparative analysis of the algorithms and verifies the validity of the algorithm proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In resource poor environments, identifying those most in need of limited available resources is challenging. Kenya's older persons cash transfer programme (OPCT) targeted at the most poor used a 2-stage targeting process to identify beneficiaries, combining community-based selection with a proxy means-test. This paper investigates whether the process "correctly" identified targeted vulnerable older people in Nairobi's informal settlements and whether receipt of the OPCT resulted in an improvement in perceived financial wellbeing. Regression results show that individuals with greater need were covered under the OPCT. Using propensity score matching, the paper evidences that the OPCT improved subjective financial wellbeing among beneficiaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People with mental illness have a higher prevalence of co-occurring physical health conditions and poor health behaviors, leading a mortality gap of up to 16 years, compared with the general population. Nurses working in mental health settings play an important role in addressing factors influencing sub-optimal physical health. Therefore, this scoping review aimed to identify nurse-led physical health interventions and align interventions to eight recognized physical healthcare priority areas (i.e. Equally Well in Victoria Framework). A systematic search strategy was used to identify relevant literature. Data extraction included alignment to the Equally Well priority areas, research design, and indication of co-design (meaningful and collaborative involvement of consumers and significant others) and recovery-oriented practice (focusing on needs and goals of a consumer's recovery journey). All included papers (n = 74) were aligned to at least one of eight Equally Well priority areas. Papers were predominately quantitative (n = 64, 86%), with the remainder mixed methods (n = 9, 9%) or qualitative (n = 4, 5%). Most papers were aligned to improving metabolic health and support to quit smoking. One study focused on nurse-led intervention designed to reduce falls. Recovery-oriented practice was evident in six papers. No paper described evidence of co-design. A research gap was identified for nurse-led intervention to reduce falls and improve dental/oral care. Relative to mental healthcare policy, there is a need for future nurse-led physical health research to be co-designed and include recovery-oriented practice. Evaluation and description of future nurse-led physical interventions should seek to report perspectives of key stakeholders as these remain relatively unknown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper departs from research illustrating that the development effects of high-speed rail (HSR) vary between cities being locations for stations and assumes that strategic planning and geographical contexts matter. It gives an overview of general planning through local authorities for a coming HSR and its station locations in four Swedish cities and settlements. The results show that, although Sweden represents a planning system with strong mandates for local authorities, strategic planning takes form through multi-level governance. The paper discusses how this condition the integration of visions for growth and environmental issues for the general planning on the local level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For conformal contact situations, some of the assumptions employed in classical contact theories, such as the flatness of the contact area, lose their validity. Existing conformal contact models are challenged by either accuracy or computational efficiency. With the aim of achieving a balanced trade-off between these contrasting requirements, this paper proposes a new simplified method to solve conformal rolling contact problems, which is based on fast non-Hertzian contact model INFCON and FaStrip. Numerical experiments are performed for two typical wheel/rail conformal contact scenarios to assess the performance of the proposed method, taking as the reference the CONTACT method for conformal contacts. The comparative analyses show that the proposed method is in good agreement with the reference method in terms of the determination of the contact stresses, total forces, and the prediction of wear, whereas the traditional half-space approach fails to capture the main features of the conformal contacts. In addition, the high computational efficiency of the proposed method shows the potential for application in vehicle dynamic simulation and damage analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite advances in HIV-treatment, adolescents and young adults (AYA) with HIV (AYAHIV) face myriad challenges. They are less likely than children and older adults to be virally suppressed and are at higher risk for mental health conditions compared to their peers who do not have HIV. AYA are also developing in the context of numerous biomedical, neurocognitive, and psychosocial developmental changes. Normative challenges during this time can be exacerbated by HIV and can result in significant physical and mental health problems. Yet, many AYAHIV have shown resilience with positive assets and resources and few health or mental health problems. Historically research has had a risk-focused approach to understanding AYAHIV needs. This paper discusses the rationale for a shift from a risk-focused only approach to one that examines AYAHIV needs from both a risk and resilience perspective. This paper presents: (1) epidemiological data on AYAHIV; (2) conceptual models for understanding both risk (e.g., poverty, stress, trauma, limited resources) and resilience/protective factors (e.g., family and peer support, future orientation, problem-solving skills); (3) global data examining risk and protective factors for physical and mental health challenges; and (4) promising interventions that incorporate elements of resilience to improve overall outcomes among AYAHIV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study reported in this paper explores the experiences of 95 people with intersex variations constituting an international English-speaking sample who completed a mixed methods survey comprises questions designed by the authors to explore 1) genital variations and medical interventions (and pressures to undertake them), 2) experiences with sex education, and 3) experience of physical intimacy, including use of safer sex devices and sexually transmitted infections. Surgeries on minors were common and typically not consensual, often resulting in the need for revisions. Pressures for surgeries most commonly were made by doctors. Experiences of sex education often failed to be inclusive of intersex bodies, with information about menstruation and hygiene rarely provided, and many participants having to learn on their own. Participants had a diversity of experiences of physical intimacy beyond penetration. For those who had experienced penetration, vaginal intercourse was enjoyable for some, but many found it painful. Conversely, anal intercourse was enjoyed by many and rarely found to be painful. The paper concludes by highlighting the importance of an intersex-specific approach to sexual health for this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has generated a new impetus towards an enhanced European defence pillar, while many EU members have announced significant increases in their respective defence budgets over the coming years. Expectedly, a large percentage of the capital and technological inputs required to support the efforts towards a common European defence and the increased defence needs of many EU members will be procured from the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB). The European defence companies are among the major suppliers of conventional arms in the world. Their cumulative share of world arms exports is the second largest globally. This paper uses a Benefit-of-the-Doubt (BoD) model via Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to comparatively evaluate the sales performance of major European defence industries vis-à-vis other major international arms producers. The sample used in the analysis contains 72 firms and spans the period 2016–2020. The findings indicate that on the whole US defence manufacturers have a dominant presence among the biggest global producers and outrank many major European companies. These findings offer valuable policy recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides a circular supply chain perspective of packaging recovery ecosystems being implemented by Tetra Pak, a prime global player in the food packaging industry, in two major emerging economies: China and Brazil. The circular supply chain archetype considered in the research allowed a consistent comparative analysis of Tetra Pak's circular supply chains in both countries. Through a case study approach, the research provides theoretical propositions and learning points that are valuable for academics and practitioners interested in the Chinese and Brazilian markets as well as in the supply chains supporting recovery ecosystems in the packaging industry. In particular, the distinct environments in the Chinese and Brazilian markets render Tetra Pak opportunities to design circular supply chains in different ways showing adaptation and learning to local market characteristics. The industrial perspectives from these emerging economies add to the contributions offered in the paper. Overall, the conceptual considerations and practical recommendations presented in the paper provide useful insights for the development of further studies and implementation of industrial practices advocated by the circular economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the impact of social movements on the Indian state's developmental paradigm. Adopting from Varigonda's (2020) framework, the paper argues that the impact of social movements on state policy and its implementation is primarily determined by three key factors: the collective action repertoires of social movements; the politicization of the Indian state's developmental paradigm; and the openness of state input structures. This framework is tested through a comparative study of two movements that have emerged against two examples of the Indian state's developmental paradigm: a proposed nuclear plant at Kovvada and a proposed thermal plant at Sompeta, both in Andhra Pradesh. The Sompeta agitation was successful in impeding the thermal plant's inception while the movement in Kovvada eventually petered out. The paper demonstrates how the variation in the impact of the two movements can be attributed to the social movement in Sompeta benefitting from stronger collective action repertoires; greater politicization of the state's developmental paradigm; and more open state input structures, vis-à-vis the movement in Kovvada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shareholder value orientation has commonly been considered a hallmark of corporate financialisation. Today, firms increasingly share their profits with shareholders in the form of cash dividends and share buybacks. Yet how the shareholder payouts are distributed by firms from various sectors, sizes and countries remain unexplored. To complement existing accumulation- and asset-centred approaches that focus, respectively, on how resources enter the firm and change its structure, we present a payouts-centred approach to corporate financialisation that focuses on how resources leave the firm. This paper analyses firm-level trends in shareholder payouts in OECD member countries for the period 2000–2019, differentiating between types of distributed payouts. We show that shareholder payouts are high across various sectors and geographical locations, and not limited to a small subset of large, US-American financial corporations, but include 'big pharma' and 'big tech' as well as Latin American and Israeli firms. The paper sheds light on the nature of the contemporary corporations and contributes to discussions on the increasing financialisation of non-financial firms and their rising shareholder value orientation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Infants who remain in-utero after their due date are exposed to increasing risk of infection, late stillbirth and delivery complications. Much of the current literature on post-term outcomes is based on short term observations and the impacts may be substantially greater in the long term. The aim of this work is to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to quantify the cognitive or educational impacts of post term delivery.Methods: Systematic review was performed by the two authors using Medline database (1960-2017). A title search was performed to identify likely relevant literature. Exposure terms were clarified to identify papers where the exposure was related to delivery after the infants' due date. Primary outcome was cognitive score. A quality assessment and data extraction pro forma was completed by both reviewers for all studies deemed to satisfy the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Meta-analysis used adjusted results where available. Small-study bias was assessed visually using a funnel plot and then formally tested using Egger's regression asymmetry test.Results: Medline was searched on the 4 July 2018; and produced a list of 1318 publications. Of these, 43 abstracts were screened, and of these a total of 10 full-text papers were reviewed. A further three papers were identified during this review and contributed to a total of 13 papers. The publications dated from 1969 to 2017. Two studies presented a binary outcome for cognitive measures and combined estimates found that the risk of a low cognitive score was higher in post-term infants compared to term infants (odds ratio [OR] 1.06 [1.04-1.08]). Four papers presented the association with mean cognitive measures and post-term delivery, and all demonstrated a mean reduction in scores in the post-term group. A combined estimate showed strong evidence of a reduction in cognitive scores across the four studies (-1.90 [-3.50 to -0.31]). There was little evidence of heterogeneity in the studies which reported cognitive outcomes (other p-values >.2).Conclusion: This meta-analysis has found that post term birth (>41 + 6 weeks) is associated with small but significant negative effects on cognitive outcomes when compared with delivery at, or around term. The effect, while small, is compounded by a common exposure and appears consistent in the studies identified. Less evidence was found for a measurable impact on early developmental measures or educational outcomes. This may further help inform the debate on the timing of otherwise uncomplicated pregnancies and further trials in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For subnational authorities in Europe the emergence of governance structures at the European level represents an opportunity to further their involvement in the policy process. However, the structures and process by which this governance is to be delivered require a deeper understanding of different national systems of governance. The modernisation agenda in the UK is producing an overall model that clearly emulates the structures of a more formalized federal system and a comparative analysis with Germany and Spain shows that this system does not necessarily match the depth of citizen participation or governmental cooperation and partnership formation upon which the non-regional system in the UK was built. It is suggested that care needs to be taken that a regional form in UK governance is not followed simply for form's sake. For the European Union, the issue is one of ensuring participation and openness -- which entails being aware of the consequences of pursuing a purely regional governance programme at the expense of effective subregional actor mobilisation and participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article traces the origin, sustenance and implications of a persistent rumour that is responsible for low measles mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination uptake in the Somali diaspora in a number of countries across the globe. The rumour stipulates that the MMR vaccine – the silent shot – causes autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Although the association between MMR and ASD is non-causal, and various public health initiatives have promoted health information campaigns, the rumour continues to circulate in the Somali diaspora in many countries, including Sweden. This paper shows that there are valid reasons for this. The findings from this paper draw on a systematic scoping review and qualitative interview data from Sweden. The results show that the Somali community experiences higher than average rates of ASD compared to the general population. Moreover, ASD does not exist in the Somali language or their home country, is considered a Western disease that only affects Somali children in the diaspora, and is a highly stigmatised disease. Also, the Somali diaspora has had negative experiences with ASD diagnosis and care. The rumour has been sustained by the absence of an answer to their ASD fear and through active diaspora networks on social media. The network that surrounds the rumour has arguably further helped to create an epistemic community for a community whose concerns have been silenced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper empirically investigates the leadership implications of adopting the European Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3) in a non-European context. A multiple case study compares the Latin American regions of Medellín, Colombia, and San Luis Potosí, Mexico. A variety of data collection procedures are used, including in-depth interviews with 33 relevant actors from the triple helix that participated in the S3 design. The paper contributes to the literature by identifying the leadership capabilities that lead to effective S3 in intermediate metropolitan regions, as well as the factors that foster and hinder those leadership capabilities. This paper argues that the leadership roles for S3 include a systemic perspective among a wide range of stakeholders, but also an evolutionary perspective to manage novelty and break path dependencies. Second, it argues that the degree of centralization and institutional context affect regional leadership. Finally, four leadership capabilities are suggested based on both systemic and evolutionary perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Submission deadline: September 30, 2009 Special issue will be published in 2011 Given the contradictory results regarding the effects of HRM on employee performance there has been a wave of interest in exploring the processes that lie between HR strategy, policy and outcomes. New perspectives require a focus on HR relationships and processes, and in this regard the major players include line managers and their HR counterparts at various organizational levels. In this special issue, we contend that it is the relationship between HR and line managers, including the context in which this occurs, that provides a key to understanding HR practice implementation and employee perceptions of the organization's people practices more generally. This in turn is likely to affect employees' organizational commitment, satisfaction and well being. Bowen and Ostroff's (2004) HR theory concerning the characteristics of HR systems is useful in elaborating this perspective. For this special issue we ask for papers concerning the issue that the collaborative and consensual relationship between line and HR managers is likely to promote a strong HR climate that will be reflected in favorable employee responses. However, consensus is only one possibility. A key question investigated for this special issue is how these relationships vary and their consequent impact on employee perceptions of HR practice and on employee responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyzes shares and rankings of Russian bioscience publications and journals in international bibliometric databases. Studying scholarly output, international collaboration, and the share of Russian papers both in national and international journals enables the authors to highlight the current state of biological science and journals in Russia and outline some pronounced trends. A comparative analysis with the leading countries confirms good representation of Russian bioscience journals among other international serials. Certain problems remain unsolved, however: low impact factors, overrepresentation of national papers, and poor online services. Thus, Russian publishers should correct their editorial policy to improve availability and performance of serials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the distribution system, voltage sags and swell have adverse effects on sensitive and critical loads. Dynamic Voltage Restorer (DVR) play a vital role to mitigate voltage sags and swell through its organized control when connected in series with the system. Various conventional control schemes have been reported for the control of DVR. The performance of DVR with these schemes has been successful in the mitigation of voltage sags/swell, but drawbacks, such as undershoot, and overshoot during sag dynamics are observed in the regulated load terminal voltage. These drawbacks may cause malfunctioning of the equipment connected and hence their elimination is indispensable. With this inspiration, a novel Adaline filter-based adaptive control scheme using learning-rate parameter-based Least-Mean-Square algorithm has been proposed. This scheme has the capability to overcome the drawbacks with the conventional control schemes thus improving the performance of DVR. In this paper, the performance of DVR using proposed algorithm is compared with that using synchronous reference frame (SRF)-based conventional control scheme. The performance is studied and validated through simulation results under different voltage sag and swell conditions in MATLAB software using Sim Power System toolboxes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hearing voices is a highly stigmatised experience, despite being common across clinical and non-clinical populations. The stigma held by healthcare professions of the clinical populations they work with can have a detrimental impact on the recovery trajectory of people with mental illness, with early career professionals and students thought to have among the most negative attitudes. The current study examined the efficacy of an education intervention to reduce implicit and explicit stigma surrounding voice hearing in psychology students (N = 49). With the world turning to digital delivery methods in the face of COVID-19, the study also examined the impact of intervention delivery mode: comparing online with face-to-face delivery. Results indicated that the education intervention was associated with improvements to explicit – but not implicit – stigma towards voice hearing. Comparisons between education delivery type suggested online and face-to-face delivery methods found no difference in associated reductions to explicit stigma. These findings provide further support for the use of education interventions to reduce stigma surrounding voice hearing and support the online administration of such interventions to allow for more widespread education delivery to a broader audience. What is already known about this topic: Hearing voices is a common yet highly stigmatised experience. Stigma towards mental illness is common among by healthcare professionals, with early career professionals and students holding particularly negative attitudes. Education interventions can be effective in reducing stigma held towards mental illness in healthcare professionals. What this paper adds: This paper supports the use of an education intervention to reduce psychology students' explicit stigma towards voice hearing. It also provides support for education interventions to be delivered in both online and face-to-face formats. This may allow education interventions to be delivered to broader audiences in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Homecare workers face significant occupational risks, necessitating effective safety training programs. This paper presents a comprehensive Train-the-Trainer (TTT) program developed to enhance occupational safety in homecare organizations. Through an analysis of 229 reported safety events, the frequency and type of incidents, such as injuries during handling, road crashes, slips, trips, and falls, were identified and primarily attributed to human errors and violations. Based on the results, a TTT program was designed and implemented. The TTT successfully engaged Health, Safety, and Environment managers, fostering collaborative activities, knowledge sharing, and resource discussions. The program modules address critical areas, including distractions and inattentions, fatigue, time pressure, frustration and aggressiveness, and safety behaviors. This innovative approach provides valuable insights for organizations seeking to improve homecare workers' safety. The findings add to the broader comprehension of occupational safety in the homecare sector, proposing a pragmatic framework for future interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental governance in China is a hybrid of mandatory and voluntary regulations in both implementation and enforcement. This paper aims to explore how voluntary environmental regulations (VERs) affect corporate green innovation (CGI) and the role of mandatory environmental regulations (MERs). The study uses panel data of 1,232 Chinese-listed manufacturing firms from 2004 to 2016 and the main findings are: first, VERs have a significant positive effect on CGI. Second, no significant effect has been found of MERs on firms' CGI. Third, in areas where mandatory environmental regulations are weak, voluntary environmental regulation can better serve as a supplement to promote firms' green innovation. The results are robust to a series of sensitivity checks. This study provides evidence that voluntary environmental regulation is more effective in encouraging enterprises to engage in green innovation activities, and it is an important supplement to mandatory environmental regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dentists, managing highly prevalent oral disease are in demand across the world and hence potentially highly mobile. Both the United Kingdom and Australia, continue to be favourable destinations for migrant dentists. This paper undertakes a comparative analysis of the professional integration of migrant dentists in the UK and Australia, and health system responses, while explicating implications for future health workforce governance. In doing so, the paper adopts a system-thinking approach to analyse interactions between the migration system and other societal systems. This is the first multi-country study to analyse the professional integration of migrant dentists through the lens of health workforce and migration governance. The study draws on semi-structured qualitative interviews with migrant dentists in both countries, together with national systems registration and examination data and relevant policies, together with data from government and global datasets. Both countries are high-income countries with a relatively large dentist-to-population ratio maintained through reliance on migrant dentists. The health systems and migration governance have responded by increasing the number of local graduates with limited success in the UK, potentially due to organisational demands, and the multifactorial complex mutual influences between higher education systems, labour market, feedback loops and dentist migration systems creating a nexus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, developmental and biographical issues in individual biographical pathways of radicalization are examined from birth through to conviction for Islamist terrorism-related offenses. The source of data was court files of forty-five homegrown Germans convicted of Islamist terrorism-related offenses (age range at the time of the crime: 15 to 38; mean: 24 years, SD: 5; four female convicts). Using coding and constant case comparison techniques, a multiple comparative case analysis was conducted. This article gives an account of what individuals who were later convicted of Islamist terrorism-related offenses experienced in their life course and when. Patterns of relations between the biographical experiences and developmental psychological phases are identified, visually represented, and measured using odds ratios. In particular, the importance of the distinction between the developmental psychological phases of adolescence, emerging adulthood, and adulthood is emphasized and its meaning for radicalization processes is discussed. The interplay of cumulative vulnerabilities and developmental psychological phases are discussed. Guidance is provided on which topics are best addressed in prevention interventions and at what times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cosmopolitanism, which is often defined as openness to other cultures and individuals, is significant for understanding processes of stratification in contemporary, globalised societies that are home to increasingly diverse populations. In this paper, we broaden the perspective on cosmopolitanism to include cultural, interpersonal, and political dimensions. We test the associations between these types of cosmopolitanism and three types of correlates: socio-demographic characteristics, personal exposure to other cultures, and exposure to other cultures via various media. We analyse data from nine European countries that differ in the characteristics of their population, cultural traditions, and political models. Results indicate that differences between respondents in the nine countries are better explained by individual characteristics than by country characteristics. Furthermore, it is mainly personal and mediated exposure to other cultures, rather than socio-demographic variables, that play a significant role in influencing respondents' cosmopolitan tendencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global programmes (GPs) are crucial actors in transnational policy transfer but understudied in literature. The paper explores GP policy transfer in terms of instruments, space, and time from a comparative perspective. Employing a thematic analysis of policy/programme files and using the GP to prevent gender-biased sex selection as a case study, the paper compares implementation across diverse countries and regions. It finds similar policies and ideas are transferred, across scales, sectors, and actors throughout the policy cycle. Yet short programme cycles contradict longer timeframes needed to assess sex-selection policies and interventions to change social norms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]