Measuring belief in conspiracy theories: Validation of a French and English single-item scale

We designed, in French and in English, a single-item scale to measure people’s general tendency to believe in conspiracy theories. The validity and reliability of this scale was assessed in 3 studies (total N = 555). In Study 1 (N = 152), positive correlations between the single-item scale and 3 other conspiracy belief scales on a French student sample suggested good concurrent validity. In Study 2 (N = 292), we replicated these results on a larger and more heterogeneous Internet American sample. Moreover, the scale showed good predictive validity—responses predicted participants’ willingness to receive a bi-monthly newsletter about alleged conspiracy theories. Finally, in Study 3 (N = 111), we observed good test-retest reliability and demonstrated both convergent and discriminant validity of the single-item scale. Overall these results suggest that the single-item conspiracy belief scale has good validity and reliability and may be used to measure conspiracy belief in favor of lengthier existing scales. In addition, the validation of the single-item scale led us to develop and start validating French versions of the Generic Conspiracist Beliefs scale, the Conspiracy Mentality Questionnaire, and a 10-item version (instead of the 15-item original version) of the Belief in Conspiracy Theories Inventory

Composição do Conselho de Administração e desempenho bancário em um pequeno estado insular em desenvolvimento: o caso de Curaçao

Based on agency theory, this paper contributes to the literature by assessing the effects of Supervisory Board size, gender diversity, and multiple directorship on performance within the banking industry of the small island developing state: Curacao. The research made use of the data drawn from annual reports of locally generated banks and its subsidiaries. Results from linear regressions indicate a positive relationship between multiple directorship and bank performance, and a negative association between bank outcomes and both gender diversity and board size. According to these results, it is concluded that the legislation on corporate governance for credit institutions in Curacao should incorporate a maximum number of members on the board, as well as promote interlocking directorates and quotas by gender.Basado en la teoría de agencias, este documento contribuye a la literatura al evaluar los efectos del tamaño del Consejo de Administración, la diversidad de género y los directorios múltiples en el desempeño de los bancos en Curazao. Se utilizaron datos de informes anuales de bancos locales y sus subsidiarias. Los resultados de las regresiones lineales indican una relación positiva entre los directorios múltiples y el desempeño del banco, y una asociación negativa entre los resultados del banco y la diversidad de género y el tamaño del directorio. Se recomienda que la legislación sobre gobierno corporativo para bancos en Curazao incorpore un número máximo de miembros en el Consejo, así como promueva los directorios múltiples y las cuotas por género.Com base na teoria da agência, este trabalho contribui para a literatura avaliando os efeitos do tamanho do Conselho de Administração, a diversidade de gênero e os múltiplos diretórios sobre o desempenho dos bancos em Curaçao. Foram utilizados dados de relatórios anuais de bancos locais e suas subsidiárias. Os resultados das regressões lineares indicam uma relação positiva entre os diretórios múltiplos e o desempenho do banco, e uma associação negativa entre o desempenho dos bancos e a diversidade de gênero e o tamanho do diretório. É recomendável que a legislação de governança corporativa para bancos em Curaçao incorpore um número máximo de membros no Conselho, assim como promova múltiplos diretórios e cotas por gênero

Forecasting Cycles in the Transportation Sector

This paper predicted fluctuations in the transportation sector using leading indicators. From 25 initial candidates, we selected seven leading indicators, using various screening techniques and modern time series models. A composite leading index was constructed and found to perform well in predicting transportation reference cycles. The leading index signals downturns in the transportation sector 10 months ahead and upturns six months ahead on average. The index predicted the latest recession in transportation with a lead of 20 months. The analysis also confirms the predictive contents of the composite leading index (CLI) in relation to transportation growth cycles. These evaluation criteria ensure accurate forecasts of the general state of the transportation sector in a timely fashion

ZETA - Zero-Trust Authentication: Relying on Innate Human Ability, not Technology

Reliable authentication requires the devices and channels involved in the process to be trustworthy; otherwise authentication secrets can easily be compromised. Given the unceasing efforts of attackers worldwide such trustworthiness is increasingly not a given. A variety of technical solutions, such as utilising multiple devices/channels and verification protocols, has the potential to mitigate the threat of untrusted communications to a certain extent. Yet such technical solutions make two assumptions: (1) users have access to multiple devices and (2) attackers will not resort to hacking the human, using social engineering techniques. In this paper, we propose and explore the potential of using human-based computation instead of solely technical solutions to mitigate the threat of untrusted devices and channels. ZeTA (Zero Trust Authentication on untrusted channels) has the potential to allow people to authenticate despite compromised channels or communications and easily observed usage. Our contributions are threefold: (1) We propose the ZeTA protocol with a formal definition and security analysis that utilises semantics and human-based computation to ameliorate the problem of untrusted devices and channels. (2) We outline a security analysis to assess the envisaged performance of the proposed authentication protocol. (3) We report on a usability study that explores the viability of relying on human computation in this context

Benefits, Costs, and Financing of Truck-Only Highway Lanes

As increasing amounts of intercity freight are transported by trucking firms, the possibility of constructing truck-only lanes along selected rural Interstate highways warrants consideration. On heavily traveled sections, there is potential for improvements in safety and productivity if such lanes were added. In this paper, we explore the conditions under which investment in truck-only lanes could be considered and what sorts of benefits may accrue to both occupants of passenger vehicles and to operators of heavy trucks. Then we examine the available evidence regarding the nature and magnitude of these benefits to gain insight into the willingness of highway users to pay for these lanes. We conclude that the willingness to pay for truck-only lanes on the part of occupants of passenger vehicles appear to be quite limited and that support for these lanes on the part of trucking firms is likely to depend upon their being allowed to operate longer-combination vehicles (LCVs) on them. Trucking firms could be assessed tolls to travel in truck-only lanes, with these tolls representing some fraction of the increased productivity gained through being allowed to operate LCVs. Finally, we pose several questions that would need to be answered before an investment in truck-only lanes might be considered along a given Interstate segment

Contemporary Art Documentation and Fine Arts Libraries; A Reader in Art Librarianship (Book Review)

published or submitted for publicatio

Phenobarbital Therapy for Alcohol Withdrawal

For the treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS), phenobarbital works differently than benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines activate only gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) whereas phenobarbital has the additional mechanism of inhibiting glutamate receptors. In the absence of alcohol, GABA receptor numbers are increased, and glutamate receptors are decreased causing withdrawal symptoms. By giving phenobarbital, we are counteracting both receptors. This mechanism is associated with less agitation and delirium then what is typically seen with benzodiazepine treatment 1-3. Background: A literature reviewed demonstrated no studies have compared the impact of these two treatment protocols – Dexmedetomidine and Benzodiazepine vs. Phenobarbital and Benzodiazepine – for AWS; therefore, this study seeks to compare the two treatment protocols. recedex (Dexmedetomidine HCL), a Central alpha-2 Adrenergic Agonist, is utilized in the ICU as an adjunctive treatment to the standard of care – benzodiazepines – and is based on CIWA score 1-3. Literature demonstrates Phenobarbital has been used in conjunction with benzodiazepines based on the CIWA scale 1-3. Problem statement: Anticipated that administration of phenobarbital treatment for management of alcohol withdrawal reduces CIWA-Ar scores and improves CAM-ICU Scores when compared to the administration of dexmedetomidine. Methods: Electronic health records were reviewed from this retrospective study for a goal of 50 (up to 100) cases per group [total of 100 (up to 200)] for Henry Ford Allegiance Health (HFAH) patients 18 years of age or older who were treated for alcohol withdrawal syndrome between September 1st, 2017 and January 1st, 2020. Primary measures include assessing outcomes for patients given the following alcohol withdrawal protocols: – Phenobarbital and Benzodiazepine – Dexmedetomidine and Benzodiazepine. Assessed and compared each treatment protocol (Phenobarbital and Dexmedetomidine) for the following variables: number of patients, average change in CIWA-Ar scores, average change in CAM-ICU scores, and average change in RASS scores. Average LOS per patient in each treatment group (Phenobarbital and Dexmedetomidine) was assessed and compared. Looked at changes in outcome variables and differences in length of stay. Results: Dexmedetomidine lowered CIWA scores (9.1 points), which is more than phenobarbital does (5.7 points) within 24 hours of medication administration. (pvalue of 0.067; See Figure 1). Length of Stay for dexmedetomidine cases were in hospital for about 11 days, whereas the phenobarbital cases only had a mean stay of about 9 days (p=0.241; See Figure 2). Conclusion: This study will help identify best practices for the treatment of AWS and may be of benefit to other physicians and their patients. This study adds to the literature for administration of phenobarbital versus dexmedetomidine for AWS management.https://scholarlycommons.henryford.com/nursresconf2021/1009/thumbnail.jp