bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prison Personnel Solutions for Reducing and Improving the Appropriate Use and Effectiveness of Extended Restrictive Housing
Authors: Mears Daniel P. , Pesta George B. , Aranda-Hughes Vivian
Published: December 2024

Critiques of extended restrictive housing (ERH), used to manage incarcerated persons deemed to pose a threat to prison order and safety, have led to calls for reducing its use. There is a need for guidance about how to achieve this goal. Drawing on a qualitative study of restrictive housing in Florida, we glean insights from personnel about (1) how to reduce the need for and use of ERH and (2) how, when needed, to ensure its appropriate use and effectiveness. Findings point to many possible solutions for reducing ERH and facilitating appropriate and effective use of it. They also reveal that personnel support reforms that would reduce ERH and change how it operates. Implications for research and policy are discussed.
India as a Developed Country in 2047: Risks and Challenges
Authors: Rao M. Govinda
Published: December 2024

The fast-paced recovery after the sharp contraction seen during the pandemic has seen India reaching the pre-pandemic level. The international comparison shows India as the fastest-growing large economy and is expected to become the third-largest economy by 2030. Despite this, with per capita income at about $2,500, it is a low-middle-income country. From this, having seen the fast pace of growth, the Prime Minister has set an aspirational target of achieving the high-income status by the centenary year of independence, 2047, which requires a more than five-fold increase in per capita income at the current exchange rate. Equally important is the challenge of absorbing the addition to the labour force and absorbing those in the informal sectors in productive better-paying jobs. This article presents the nature of the challenge and the macroeconomic and structural reform needed to achieve them.

JEL Codes: O2, O23, O53
Defining Race, Space, and Citizenship through Play: The Playground Movement in the San Francisco Bay Area, 1900-1920
Authors: Novoa Natalie
Published: December 2024

During the Progressive Era, the playground movement ushered in a period of extensive park and playground building in cities across the country. Playground advocates emphasized how organized play reduced juvenile delinquency, and that green space made cities aesthetically pleasing. Bay Area cities created playground commissions, hosted conferences, and initiated projects to improve the city landscape. Finding themselves excluded, the small but active Black middle-class fought to gain access to these public spaces while also investing in their own institutions. With the eruption of World War I, the rhetoric around recreation shifted from juvenile delinquency to cultural pluralism, creating opportunities for Black Americans to demand full citizenship.
Response Blocking to Identify Inappropriate Self-Feeding as a Motivation or a Skill Deficit
Authors: Bernstein Alec M. , Juanico Jessica F. , Roane Henry S. , Gureghian Danielle L. , Neidert Pamela L.
Published: December 2024

Persistent inappropriate self-feeding (e.g., finger-feeding food typically consumed using a utensil after 14–24 months of age) is common for children with neurodevelopmental disorders and other delays and can result in energy and nutrient deficiencies. Although interventions for problematic feeding behavior are common, there is limited information for children without a pediatric feeding disorder who self-feed but exclusively do so inappropriately. We used a proactive approach, with a foundation in the skill-acquisition literature, to address the inappropriate self-feeding of seven children with neurodevelopmental disorders or other delays but without a feeding-related diagnosis. We first evaluated response blocking as an assessment to identify motivation and skill deficits. The assessment identified a skill deficit, a motivation deficit, and a combined deficit for four, two, and one participant, respectively. These results informed treatment for six of the seven participants. Treatment for a motivation deficit included response blocking with and without programmed differential reinforcement. Treatment for a skill deficit included backward chaining with response blocking and programmed differential reinforcement. Treatments were generally successful for all six participants. We discuss the usefulness and implications of response blocking as a brief assessment for inappropriate self-feeding.
Are Mediterranean Societies “Cultures of Honor?”: Prevalence and Implications of a Cultural Logic of Honor Across Three World Regions
Authors: Vignoles Vivian L. , Kirchner-Häusler Alexander , Uskul Ayse K. , Cross Susan E. , Rodriguez-Bailón Rosa , Bossom Isabella R. L. , Castillo Vanessa A. , Gezici-Yalçın Meral , Harb Charles , Ishii Keiko , Karamaouna Panagiota , Kafetsios Konstantinos , Kateri Evangelia , Matamoros-Lima Juan , Miniesy Rania , Na Jinkyung , Özkan Zafer , Pagliaro Stefano , Psaltis Charis , Rabie Dina , Teresi Manuel , Uchida Yukiko , Wohl Michael J. A.
Published: December 2024

Mediterranean societies are often labeled as “honor cultures,” in contrast with presumed “dignity” and “face” cultures of Anglo-Western and East Asian societies. We measured these cultural logics in two large-scale surveys (Studies 1 & 3: N = 2,942 students from 11 societies; Study 2: N = 5,471 adults from 14 societies). Middle Eastern and North African groups perceived honor values as the most normative in their societies, followed by Southeast European, and then Latin-European groups (who were comparable to Anglo-Western and East-Asian groups). East-Asian and Anglo-Western groups, respectively, perceived face and dignity values as most normative. Culture-level variation in perceived normative honor values, but not personal values, accounted for previously reported differences between Mediterranean and non-Mediterranean samples in several (but not all) measures of social cognitive tendencies. We conclude that a cultural logic of honor plays a role in Mediterranean societies, but labeling these societies as “honor cultures” is oversimplistic.
Narcissism and Wellbeing: A Cross-Cultural Meta-Analysis
Authors: Sedikides Constantine , Tang Yixin , Liu Yan , de Boer Eva , Assink Mark , Thomaes Sander , Brummelman Eddie
Published: December 2024

Do narcissists enjoy better or worse wellbeing than others? Psychological theories disagree. In an attempt to reconcile them, we conducted a comprehensive cross-cultural meta-analysis testing the core hypotheses that grandiose narcissism would be associated with better wellbeing and vulnerable narcissism with worse wellbeing. We also hypothesized that these associations would be explained by self-esteem and would be stronger in countries higher on individualism. First, as hypothesized, grandiose narcissism was associated with better wellbeing and vulnerable narcissism with worse wellbeing. Second, as hypothesized, both associations became nonsignificant after controlling for self-esteem, suggesting that they are explained by self-esteem. Third, partly as hypothesized, the association between grandiose—but not vulnerable—narcissism and wellbeing was stronger in more individualistic countries. Results held across wellbeing forms (hedonic, eudaimonic) and methods (cross-sectional, longitudinal). Advancing psychological theory, we demonstrated that only grandiose narcissists enjoy better wellbeing, especially in individualistic countries, a phenomenon accounted for by their higher self-esteem.
Aspergillus pericarditis: a case report and literature review
Authors: Xie Yuan , Gu Yanli , Chen Liang
Published: December 2024

Aspergillus pericarditis is a condition characterized by nonspecific clinical features, making diagnosis challenging. Although relatively uncommon, it is associated with a low diagnostic yield and high mortality. We herein present a case of Aspergillus pericarditis alongside a review of similar cases from the literature. This report underscores the importance of enhancing clinicians’ awareness of Aspergillus pericarditis and emphasizes the need for prompt diagnosis and early initiation of treatment to improve patient outcomes.
Understanding the Used Vehicle Market and Its Implications for Electric Vehicles
Authors: Konstantinou Theodora , Chakraborty Debapriya , Lopez Julia Beatriz Gutierrez
Published: December 2024

Understanding the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in the used vehicle market is crucial for achieving mass market penetration. This area, however, remains relatively under-studied. This research aims to understand the new-versus-used vehicle choice behavior and the consequent vehicle ownership cost by analyzing consumer expenditure survey data that tracks households’ expenditure on vehicle acquisition and operation on a national scale (U.S.). The motivation is to understand how much households who generally purchase used vehicles can gain or lose if they transition to a used EV instead. The choice model and cluster analysis conducted show that ownership of used vehicles is associated with family size, income, housing tenure, and age. Additionally, for lower-income renters, vehicle ownership and purchase costs tend to consume a high fraction of their household income, raising equity concerns and indicating that these households need particular consideration while encouraging the EV transition. Moreover, while the current average price paid for a used conventional vehicle is approximately $14,077, the price for a used EV of a comparable vintage can range between $9,177 to $37,078 depending on the electric range and whether it is a luxury or an economy segment vehicle. This price disparity suggests the need for incentives to encourage the used EV market. The current study can serve as a starting point and can be of interest to stakeholders, such as policymakers, who can be informed about what is necessary for potential buyers of used EVs to transition to EVs.
Effect of an SRSD Informative Writing Intervention for High Schoolers With Learning Disabilities
Authors: Ray Amber B. , Connor Kate E. , Brenner Hannah , Kim Casey
Published: December 2024

The ability to write informatively is a skill not only required by the Common Core State Standards but is also essential for preparing students to be successful in college. The purpose of this exploratory study was to evaluate the effects of a self-regulated strategy development (SRSD) informative writing intervention for high school students with and at-risk for learning disabilities. Using a pretest–posttest design, 18 high school students received instruction on identifying credible source texts; reading and annotating source texts; and planning, writing, and revising informative essays that incorporated central ideas and details from source texts. Student essays were scored for overall quality, number of genre elements, transitions, total words written, and central ideas and details from the sources. Students made statistically significant gains in their informative genre knowledge and writing skills in all measured outcomes. Students also reported increased self-efficacy and found the intervention to have acceptable social validity.
Study of Provider Perceptions of Types and Extent of Fraud in Health Insurance and Factors Influencing Ethics in Healthcare Provisioning: Learnings from the World’s Largest Public Health Insurance Scheme in India
Authors: Naib Parul , Gupta Shiv D. , Chandrashekar Sudha
Published: December 2024

Provider malpractices under health insurance programmes are common and have far-reaching implications for financial losses to health-financing agencies and may result in an adverse impact on patient healthcare and trust. The characteristics of the health insurance market make the health insurance market extremely susceptible to fraud. Current information on healthcare fraud has mostly emanated from high-income countries which have vastly different healthcare systems as opposed to lower-middle income countries. We conducted a perception-based cross-sectional study of healthcare providers across five Indian states which have implemented the Prime Minister Jan Arogya Yojana health insurance scheme, the largest public-funded health insurance in the world covering 500 million individuals across the country. The study presents provider perceptions of various frauds and underlying causes, based on the theory of planned behaviour. Proactive actions by the state around the detection and investigation of fraud are more effective in the deterrence of malpractices as compared to reactive measures pertaining to disciplinary actions and punishments post the fraud has occurred. Delay in provider reimbursements by the state impacts provider revenues as the cost of care has already incurred. This in turn may provide a rationalisation to providers to resort to malpractices to recover the unpaid money which is due to them. Paper-based medical records can be easily manipulated by providers; hence, the adoption of electronic health records would limit providers’ capability to commit fraud. The level of fraud in the state was found to be strongly associated with the actions of the state. Proactive actions by the state such as investigation and audit were found to be more effective in reducing fraud than reactive measures such as disciplinary actions. Timely payments and leveraging electronic health records were also found to be significant.
The Politics of Secularism in Ethiopia: Repression and Co-option Towards the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church
Authors: Liyew Dereje Melese
Published: December 2024

Secularism in Ethiopia has not been practiced as stipulated in the 1995 Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) constitution, separation of state and religion. Instead, consecutive regimes since the introduction of secularism employed tactic of co-option and repression towards the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church (EOTC) to meet their political objectives. This article thus tried to address the nature and manifestation of government intervention in the EOTC through either co-option and/or repression, with a special emphasis on the post-2018 regime. The study argues de facto secularism in Ethiopia is far from the essence of separation of state and religion; it is a new version of religion industriously implemented by governments to upgrade the Orthodox Church in a way that fits with the political system. The secular regimes co-opted and repressed the church conditionally at any cost of the institution through the Machiavellian approach. The study also finds that the Prosperity-led regime was actively involved in the internal affairs of the church—in the early days through co-option in the name of reconciliation with the exile synod and later through repression. Manifestations of this repression include the mass killing of orthodox followers, burning of churches and restriction on the church’s annual ceremony, as in the case of Epiphany and Meskel (Demera).
Design and vibration damping study of a novel variable stiffness composite based on electrorheological fluid
Authors: Xu Chen , Qiu Zhaohui , Jiang Bo , Xue Heng , Xiong Xiaomin
Published: December 2024

We propose a novel variable stiffness composite (VSERF) made of soft materials, featuring a three-layer fluid-membrane composite structure with electrorheological fluid encapsulated in a thin film. The overall shear storage modulus of this composite can be described using a viscoelastic model. Under a 3 kV/mm electric field, the electrorheological fluid transitions from a liquid to a quasi-solid state, resulting in a 25-fold increase in the overall shear storage modulus of the VSERF, allowing for controllable changes in stiffness. We used VSERF as a variable stiffness element in a vibration absorber. When the electric field strength was increased from 0 to 3 kV/mm, the natural frequency of the absorber shifted from 13 to 21 Hz, indicating that vibrations within this range of excitation frequencies could be effectively controlled. The damping ratio of the VSERF absorber is below 0.189, and its transmissibility peak exceeds 2.9, ensuring that the absorber can effectively transmit vibrations from the excitation source to the mass, enhancing vibration damping. Consequently, VSERF shows promising potential for energy absorption and vibration damping applications.
Stress distribution around a circular hole in transversely isotropic elastic bodies whose material moduli depend on density
Authors: Myneni Manoj , Rajagopal Kumbakonam R
Published: December 2024

In this paper, we study the stress distribution around a circular hole in transversely isotropic elastic bodies, whose material moduli depend on density under small deformations. Two special constitutive relations are considered within the framework of implicit elasticity to describe the nonlinear stress–strain response of such bodies. We studied the stress concentration problem in a thin plate under uniaxial tension. The constitutive relations presented herein exhibit stiffening or softening mechanical response under tension and compression depending on the values of the material parameters. While the stress distribution at the circumference of the hole resembles that of a classical linearized elastic body, the peak value of the normalized hoop stress at the hole is not constant and varies as a function of the applied stress. Furthermore, we perform a parametric study to understand the influence of different material parameters on the stress distribution around the hole.
Prevalence of Pre-Existing Subclinical Leg Lymphedema in Patients with Erysipelas
Authors: Merzel Šabović Eva Klara , Planinšek Ručigaj Tanja
Published: December 2024

Background:

Erysipelas is a common bacterial infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. In certain patients, the triggering factor can be identified, but in many cases, it remains elusive. Prior research indicates that pre-existing subclinical lymphedema in patients might serve as a triggering factor for the development of erysipelas.

Objectives:

We investigated the prevalence of subclinical lymphedema on the unaffected leg in patients with a recent history of erysipelas by performing lymphoscintigraphy of both legs.

Methods:

In a prospective study, 106 consecutive patients (mean age 53.4 years; 87/19: men/women) 3 to 6 months after erysipelas episode were included in the study. In all patients, lymphoscintigraphy was performed by subcutaneous injection of Tc-99m-labelled human albumin into both feet according to standard protocol.

Results:

Subclinical lymphedema on the unaffected leg was found in 82% of patients, with a similar prevalence in all genders and age groups, and in patients with or without erysipelas risk factors. Moreover, the prevalence of subclinical lymphedema increased proportionally with the number of erysipelas episodes: among those with a single episode, 74% exhibited subclinical lymphedema, whereas among those with 3 or more episodes, the prevalence was 100%.

Conclusions:

We found a high prevalence of subclinical lymphedema in the unaffected leg in erysipelas patients, indicating its frequent bilateral occurrence and its role as a primary trigger of erysipelas. Moreover, our study highlights subclinical lymphedema as a risk factor for erysipelas recurrences. Thus, our clinical recommendation suggests bilateral leg compression therapy in erysipelas patients to prevent recurrence and lymphedema exacerbation.
Physics-guided neural network for structural health monitoring with lamb waves through boundary reflection elimination
Authors: Song Yang , Shan Shengbo , Zhang Yuanman , Cheng Li
Published: December 2024

Lamb-wave-based structural health monitoring (SHM) technology for damage location in plate-like structures relies on the postprocessing of captured signals after interacting with damage. Traditional methods typically leverage the time of flight (ToF) of scattered waves from damage. However, these methods are prone to reflected waves from structural boundaries which mix with scattered waves from damage. This is a vital problem faced by most ToF-based detection methods, which seriously narrows the inspection area. To tackle this problem, a machine learning framework, consisting of a multiscale spatiotemporal (MSST) fusion network, is proposed to facilitate the accurate extraction of the ToF of scattered waves through eliminating the influence of boundary reflections. Experiments are conducted with the time-domain Lamb wave signals recorded by a tactically designed piezoelectric sensor array on a 2-mm-thick Al-6061 plate. A pair of circle magnets is attached onto the plate as the wave reflectors. Through step-by-step moving of the magnets in the predefined grids, the corresponding Lamb wave signals are measured to construct a database. An MSST is subsequently designed to minimize the error between estimated and theoretical ToFs, with wavelet coefficients of the signals and transducer position as inputs. The model is trained with the Adam algorithm where 80% of samples in the database are used for training and the rest for evaluation. The final validations are conducted with the scatters off the predefined grids. Results demonstrate that the designed neural network architecture can effectively eliminate boundary reflections and enable precise ToF extraction of the scattered waves from damage. This allows the enlargement of the detection area and presents a promising and useful tool for enhancing the detection performance of existing SHM methods in complex structures.
A Systematic Review of Microaggression-Focused Interventions and Training Programs in Healthcare
Authors: Fu Rui , Varghese Jonathan , Duroseau Nathalie H. , Duncan Andrea , Leff Stephen S.
Published: December 2024

Microaggressions in healthcare are prevalent in clinical encounters, training, and collegial interactions, impacting the physical and psychological well-being of patients and healthcare professionals with marginalized backgrounds. To address healthcare-based microaggressions, there has been an increasing number of interventions and training programs over the past few decades. Based upon the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist, a systematic literature search, screening, and review of microaggression-focused interventions and programs in healthcare settings was conducted and yielded 44 interventions. The interventions and training programs included were reviewed on a range of program characteristics and quality indicators, such as theoretical framework, targeted interpersonal interaction, targeted behavioral strategies, delivery platform and teaching modality, and evaluation design. The reviewed interventions and programs have shown promising potential in enhancing awareness of and/or behavioral skills in addressing microaggressions. Further, this review identified critical areas in the field for improvement, such as a lack of interventions designed for or implemented among preceptors and patients and for equipping perpetrators with strategies when involved in microaggressions, insufficient use of randomized controlled trials and other rigorous methods for intervention and program evaluation, and a lack of an intersectionality lens and placing microaggressions in the historical and structural context.
Imputation of Missing Continuous Glucose Monitor Data
Authors: Kuang Alan , Yu Yuanzhi , Siddique Juned , Scholtens Denise
Published: December 2024

Background:

Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) in research and clinical settings characterize glycemic profiles through repeated measurement of interstitial glucose levels on the order of minutes. Missing values from devices are unavoidable. Data from the Glycemic Observation and Metabolic Outcomes in Mothers and Offspring (GO MOMs) study were used to investigate the impact of missing data on CGM summary metrics. Several imputation techniques were evaluated by comparing mean relative bias (MRB) between true and imputed CGM data for the summary metrics.

Methods:

We used 105 CGM profiles with nine days of complete glucose measurements and introduced missing data strings using a zero-inflated negative binomial hurdle model. Overall missingness was introduced at 2% consistent with GO MOMs data and increased to 5%, 10%, and 20%. Imputation approaches included single, multiple, machine learning techniques, and hot-deck imputation, where missing values are replaced with the participant’s observed values. Removing missing values prior to analysis (complete case analysis) was also evaluated.

Results:

The MRB is minimal across most metrics and imputation methods at overall 2% missing data and increases with higher missing data frequency, with trends depending on metric and imputation method. Hot-deck imputation and complete case analysis show consistently low MRB.

Conclusions:

Missing CGM data are to be expected. For periods of wear with up to 20% missing data, hot-deck imputation and complete case analysis may be acceptable if data are missing completely at random. Explored imputation techniques are robust, but each has their own limitations, which should be considered if these techniques are implemented.
Staff, Patient, and Designer Perspectives on Outpatient Rehabilitation Therapy Environments: A Pilot Study
Authors: Shepley Mardelle McCuskey , Joyce Karen , Ashour Mojtaba , Radmanesh Nastaran , Gao Yifei , Liu Zeyu , Shao Yi Cheng , Thai Jill
Published: December 2024

Objectives

Recognizing the limited research and design guidelines for these essential health care settings, this study gathered pilot data on the design of outpatient rehabilitation therapy (RT) facilities as a foundation for future research.

Background

Providing RT is core to addressing health conditions that might otherwise lead to higher and more costly levels of medical intervention. The World Health Organization estimates that 2.4 billion people worldwide would benefit from RT; however, only half receive care. As a result, more space may be sought for ambulatory clinics and hospital-based settings that cater to both inpatients and outpatients.

Methods

Interviews ( n = 21) and questionnaires ( n = 43) involving RT patients and staff and RT facility designers were conducted with overlap between the interview and questionnaire participants. Both methods explored amenities and features of RT environments.

Results

Among the findings, there were several significant differences regarding the importance and effectiveness (presence) of specific environmental elements. Additionally, there were some significant differences among patients, staff, and designers in terms of their perceptions of importance and effectiveness.

Conclusion

Eight potential design guidelines are suggested, rather than recommended, as of yet. They are topics for future research and include the provision of an appropriate balance of private and shared spaces, acoustical treatment of open therapy areas, efficient and restorative staff areas, outdoor spaces, window views and daylight, flexible lighting, and appropriate furniture and wall coverings.
Recognizing Social Distance in Visionary Leadership Communication: A Potent Prescription for Organizational Health
Authors: Petry Bethany A.
Published: December 2024

Healthy organizations have visionary leaders who both inspire and empower members to work together toward a common vision. This research advances scholarship on business communication by demonstrating organizational leaders’ transforming impact on followers is strengthened when they adjust their communication behavior based on the social distance between the leader and follower. A new communication-centric visionary leadership communication scale builds on the seminal transformational leadership theory and delineates which communication behaviors are best enacted by a distant executive versus a close immediate supervisor. The new scale demonstrates establishing the need for action and exemplifying a willingness to sacrifice are the most impactful communication behaviors a leader can perform to influence followers’ integration of the organization’s vision. Surprisingly, they are even more essential than effectively articulating what the vision is. Moreover, they are most effective when enacted by a socially distant leader. Business communication practitioners charged with advising executives on internal communication strategy can use this tool to help their leaders tailor vision-related messages in a manner that transforms employees into contributing members of a healthy organization.
Intracranial carotid arteriosclerosis and their prognosis in intracerebral hemorrhage
Authors: Lee Bo-Ching , Tsai Hsin-Hsi , Chen Ya-Fang , Jeng Jiann-Shing , Tsai Li-Kai
Published: December 2024

Background:

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a manifestations of sporadic cerebral small vessel disease, and the survivors are predisposed to higher long-term risks of vascular events. Intracranial carotid artery calcification (ICAC), a potential marker for arteriosclerosis, is a risk factor for stroke but their roles in ICH is unknown. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and morphological subtypes of ICAC and their associations with long-term vascular events in ICH survivors.

Materials and methods:

Survivors of spontaneous ICH treated at a single center in Taiwan were included. ICAC was assessed by non-contrast CT; morphology was evaluated and categorized as intimal, internal elastic lamina (IEL), or mixed subtype. Patients were followed up for two years. Associations between calcification subtypes and follow-up events (stroke, cardiovascular event, death) were explored using multivariable Cox regression models.

Results:

Overall, 462 (80.1%) survivors of ICH had ICAC—223 (38.6%) were categorized as IEL calcification, 216 (37.4%) as intimal calcification, and 23 (4.0%) as mixed type calcification—and 115 patients (19.9%) had no calcification. Patients with IEL calcification were older than patients with intimal or no calcification ( p < 0.001). Age ( p < 0.001), diabetes ( p = 0.010), and reduced renal function ( p = 0.001) were independently associated with IEL calcification. During 2-years of follow-up, IEL calcification was not associated with a significant difference in the risk of recurrent ICH (HR=2.8 [0.8‒9.7]), but was associated with higher risks of incident ischemic stroke (HR = 9.0 [1.0‒77.4]), vascular mortality (HR = 13.6 [1.7‒1772.4], and all-cause mortality (HR = 13.9 [1.8‒105.8]).

Conclusions:

ICAC is common among ICH survivors and the subtype of IEL calcification may potentially have prognostic value for long-term vascular events.
Insights using Hamilton-Crosser model in Williamson hybrid nanofluids with homogeneous-heterogeneous reactions and diagonal electromagnetic effects
Authors: Sarma Neelav , Patgiri Bhagyashri , Paul Ashish
Published: December 2024

The study of Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC)-based Williamson hybrid nanofluids offers a significant leap in fluid dynamics and thermal management systems. This research investigates the flow characteristics over a porous, horizontally stretched cylindrical surface, incorporating complex phenomena such as Hall current, ion slip, diagonal magnetic fields, suction, velocity slip and thermal slip. A unique aspect is the inclusion of uniform and exponentially space-dependent heat sources, critical for advanced thermal transport processes. Using the Hamilton-Crosser model for accurate thermophysical properties and the Runge-Kutta-Fehlberg method for numerical analysis, the study examines the impact of varying hybrid nanoparticle concentrations (4% to 20%) on flow behaviour. The findings reveal that nanoparticles enhance viscosity, significantly increasing skin friction and momentum transfer, even as factors like the Weissenberg number, Hall current and ion slip mitigate these effects. The study emphasises the thermal management advantages of Carboxymethyl Cellulose-based Williamson hybrid nanofluids, especially when heat sources and homogeneous-heterogeneous reactions are involved. Notable differences are observed between pure Carboxymethyl Cellulose-based Williamson fluids and their hybrid nanofluid counterparts, particularly in velocity, temperature distribution and reaction dynamics. These results are promising for practical applications such as magnetic drug targeting, porous heat exchangers, magnetohydrodynamic systems and electronic cooling. The research underscores the potential of Carboxymethyl Cellulose-based Williamson hybrid nanofluids to enhance energy efficiency and reliability in industrial processes, making them pivotal for future developments in heat management technologies.
The 45 Most Cited Publications in Total Ankle Arthroplasty Revisions: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Jimenez Mosquea Thelma R. , Flynn Grace , Ubillus Hugo A. , Walls Raymond J.
Published: December 2024

Category:

Ankle Arthritis; Ankle

Introduction/Purpose:

The understanding of total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) and optimal surgical management of end-stage ankle arthritis has significantly expanded over the last decade, evidenced by the increasing number of primary TAA surgeries being revised. Characterizing the most influential studies in total ankle replacement revision surgeries can clarify controversies regarding complications, identify core literature, and further collective knowledge for educational purposes. We conducted a comprehensive bibliometric analysis regarding revision total ankle arthroplasty to evaluate the significance and influence of these online sources.

Methods:

Using the search terms 'revision' AND 'total ankle replacement' OR 'TAR' OR 'total ankle arthroplasty,' we systematically searched through the top 45 most cited articles in The Science Citation Index Expanded subsection of the Web of Science Core Collection. Publication and study characteristics were extracted and reported using descriptive statistics for the total number of citations, citation rate, publication year, journal, implant type, and level of evidence. Spearman correlations were calculated to assess the relationship between citation data and the level of evidence.

Results:

728 results were yielded from our initial search. 45 articles were published between 2004 and 2024, with 20% published in 2020. The top 45 cited papers had a mean of 11.35 citations (range: 0 to 68 citations), and the citation rate was 4.18 ± 7.6 citations per year. These articles were published across 16 different journals, mentioning 24 different implant types. The top three most frequently referenced implants were Agility (13 citations), STAR (13 citations), and Hintegra (12 citations). Most studies were level of evidence III (33, 73.3%), with the remaining articles classified as level of evidence IV. A significant positive correlation was found between the year of publication and citation rate (r=0.38, p=0.009).

Conclusion:

This study provides a current landscape of the most cited articles in TAA revision surgeries. With the increase in these procedures over the past two decades, this study serves as the first historical landmark in the literature and a launching point for future research. As TAA becomes a more common option for end-stage arthritis, we anticipate a corresponding increase in revisions. Therefore, bibliometric analyses will play an important role for surgeons and future researchers in identifying foundational papers and research trends regarding this emerging procedure.
Transforming Steps: A Glimpse into the Future of Gait Analysis with Deep Learning and Markerless Motion Capture
Authors: Kim Yoon-Chung , Choi Youn-Ho , Yoon Chi-Young , Choi Bongseok , Jin Kim Gyu , Hoon Ahn Jae
Published: December 2024

Category:

Basic Sciences/Biologics; Other

Introduction/Purpose:

Gait analysis is essential for diagnosing foot and ankle disorders. However, conventional gait analysis methods are costly and complex, especially when evaluating large populations or requiring swift diagnostics. Our study focuses on an innovative application of deep learning (DL) technique to simplify gait analysis. We propose a markerless motion capture system utilizing a single-camera setup, bypassing infrared markers and multi-camera. This novel method aims to be cost-effective and adaptable, enhancing diagnostic efficiency. It is designed to accurately capture gait patterns, offering a comprehensive view of patient-specific conditions when combined with other diagnostic tools such as weight-bearing radiographs and computed tomography. This study evaluates the reliability of the DL-assisted markerless motion capture technique for clinical gait analysis, potentially revolutionizing the evaluation of foot and ankle pathologies.

Methods:

From March 2023 to February 2024, 18 patients who underwent ankle arthrodesis or subtalar arthrodesis for degenerative arthritis were analyzed using the Remobody-S device (Remo Inc., South Korea) integrated with the HuMoR deep learning architecture. This equipment interprets 3D skeletal coordinates, joint range of motion (ROM), and gait metrics from 2D video input. We focused on the hip, knee, and ankle ROMs during the gait cycle. Patients walked 4 meters preoperatively and six months postoperatively, with their movements captured by an attached 2D camera. Differences in gait metrics and joint ROMs between the affected and unaffected sides were compared using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and Lower extremity function score (LEFS).

Results:

Results indicated that the significant preoperative differences in joint ROMs became comparable postoperatively (Figure 1). The ICCs for hip, knee, and ankle ROMs approached 1 postoperatively, denoting reduced discrepancies between both sides (Table 1). The mean VAS improved from 6.67 ± 1.23 preoperatively to 3.67 ± 0.55 postoperatively (p = 0.003). The mean LEFS improved from 36.3 ± 12.9 preoperatively to 53.0 ± 17.4 postoperatively (p = 0.251).

Conclusion:

The DL-assisted markerless motion capture technique for gait analysis reliably depicted postoperative gait improvement, consistent with clinical outcomes. Its potential clinical application warrants further research.
COL2A1 Mutation Causing Pediatric Macular Chorioretinal Atrophy Associated With Stickler Syndrome
Authors: Shah Serena , Lopez-Font Francisco , Fan Jason , Cruz Natasha Ferreira Santos da , Staropoli Patrick , Negron Catherin , Berrocal Audina M.
Published: December 2024

Purpose: To report a case of macular chorioretinal atrophy associated with Stickler syndrome in a pediatric patient with a genetically confirmed COL2A1 mutation. Methods: A single case was evaluated. Results: A 3-year-old girl was found to have macular chorioretinal atrophy in the right eye and a retinal detachment in the left eye. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) showed macular chorioretinal atrophy and retinal thinning in the right eye. Conclusions: Macular chorioretinal atrophy can occur in Stickler syndrome. OCT imaging can be an important tool to characterize and differentiate these lesions from infectious or degenerative processes. These macular findings in collagen disorders can affect vision, making disease identification essential for early diagnosis and management.
Spatio-temporal dynamics of building carbon emissions via a GIS-LCA integrated framework
Authors: Wan Zheng , Gu Tianci , Wang Xue-Chao , Zhang Shiyu , Xie Yizhou , Zhang Ling , Huang Qingxu
Published: December 2024

Building carbon emissions (BCEs) from the construction industry are crucial to realizing the ‘Dual-Carbon’ Goals of China, but their spatio-temporal and stage differences are not fully understood. Here, we explored the spatial and temporal differences of building carbon emissions in the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration by combining life cycle assessment and spatial analysis, and further compared the contribution rates of each influencing factor to BCEs based on the LMDI-STIRPAT model. The results revealed that from 2005 to 2020, the growth rate of building carbon emissions in the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration slowed after 2013, with a spatial trend of ‘slow in the east and fast in the west’. With respect to the whole process, the contribution of building materials production and transportation to BCEs is the most significant. Additionally, the types of building materials and energy used in each stage have changed dramatically over the 16 years. Furthermore, GDP per capita and carbon intensity are the strongest positive and negative drivers, respectively. These findings provide a complete understanding for a regional exploration of BCEs and contribute to formulating low-carbon building policies within urban agglomerations.
Thyroid hormone receptor- and stage-dependent transcriptome changes affect the initial period of Xenopus tropicalis tail regeneration
Authors: Wang Shouhong , Fu Liezhen , Wang Bin , Cai Yanmei , Jiang Jianping , Shi Yun-Bo
Published: December 2024

Background

Thyroid hormone (T3) has an inhibitory effect on tissue/organ regeneration. It is still elusive how T3 regulates this process. It is well established that the developmental effects of T3 are primarily mediated through transcriptional regulation by thyroid hormone receptors (TRs). Here we have taken advantage of mutant tadpoles lacking both TRα and TRβ (TRDKO), the only receptor genes in vertebrates, for RNA-seq analyses to investigate the transcriptome changes underlying the initiation of tail regeneration, i.e., wound healing and blastema formation, because this crucial initial step determines the extent of the functional regeneration in the later phase of tissue regrowth.

Results

We discovered that GO (gene ontology) terms related to inflammatory response, metabolic process, cell apoptosis, and epithelial cell migration were highly enriched among commonly regulated genes during wound healing at either stage 56 or 61 or with either wild type (WT) or TRDKO tadpoles, consistent with the morphological changes associated with wound healing occurring in both regenerative (WT stage 56, TRDKO stage 56, TRDKO stage 61) and nonregenerative (WT stage 61) animals. Interestingly, ECM-receptor interaction and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, which are essential for blastema formation and regeneration, were significantly enriched among regulated genes in the 3 regenerative groups but not the non-regenerative group at the blastema formation period. In addition, the regulated genes specific to the nonregenerative group were highly enriched with genes involved in cellular senescence. Finally, T3 treatment at stage 56, while not inducing any measurable tail resorption, inhibited tail regeneration in the wild type but not TRDKO tadpoles.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that TR-mediated, T3-induced gene regulation changed the permissive environment during the initial period of regeneration and affected the subsequent patterning/outgrowth period of the regeneration process. Specifically, T3 signaling via TRs inhibits the expression of ECM-related genes while promoting the expression of inflammation-related genes during the blastema formation period. Interestingly, our findings indicate that amputation-induced changes in DNA replication-related pathways can occur during this nonregenerative period. Further studies, particularly on the regenerative microenvironment that may depend on ECM-receptor interaction and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, should provide important insights on the regulation of regenerative capacity during vertebrate development.
‘It’s a secret in my life’: frontstage and backstage experiences of women undergoing induced abortions in a rural community of Pakistan
Authors: Slamat Rubeena , Bracke Piet , Ceuterick Melissa
Published: December 2024

Abortion is taboo in Pakistani society, and it is stigmatised throughout the country, regardless of legal permission. Despite the burdens imposed by social norms of pronatalism and motherhood, women do exercise agency to have abortions. This study explores the experiences of women who have had induced abortions and maintained their social status within the community. Goffman’s dramaturgical theory (frontstage and backstage behaviours) is applied in order to document these experiences. Data were collected through 38 in-depth interviews and six focus group discussions. The results are presented according to a grounded theory approach. The results of this study indicate that women exercise agency and stage abortions as miscarriages, which are culturally more acceptable. They do this with the help of support systems comprising family members and friends. They are able to maintain their social status by navigating between what Goffman refers to as the frontstage and backstage regions of their lives. In this study, these regions are not defined by physical boundaries, but by the presence of participants and audience. Women must therefore take care to behave appropriately, especially in the frontstage region. Even when women do opt for abortion, the experience is likely to result in the psychological burden of a lifelong memory.
Tumor microenvironment and immunotherapy for triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Guo Zijie , Zhu Ziyu , Lin Xixi , Wang Shenkangle , Wen Yihong , Wang Linbo , Zhi Lili , Zhou Jichun
Published: December 2024

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer known for its high aggressiveness and poor prognosis. Conventional treatment of TNBC is challenging due to its heterogeneity and lack of clear targets. Recent advancements in immunotherapy have shown promise in treating TNBC, with immune checkpoint therapy playing a significant role in comprehensive treatment plans. The tumor microenvironment (TME), comprising immune cells, stromal cells, and various cytokines, plays a crucial role in TNBC progression and response to immunotherapy. The high presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and immune checkpoint proteins in TNBC indicates the potential of immunotherapeutic strategies. However, the complexity of the TME, while offering therapeutic targets, requires further exploration of its multiple roles in immunotherapy. In this review, we discuss the interaction mechanism between TME and TNBC immunotherapy based on the characteristics and composition of TME, and elaborate on and analyze the effect of TME on immunotherapy, the potential of TME as an immune target, and the ability of TME as a biomarker. Understanding these dynamics will offer new insights for enhancing therapeutic approaches and investigating stratification and prognostic markers for TNBC patients.
Evaluation of machine learning algorithms in tunnel boring machine applications: a case study in Mashhad metro line 3
Authors: Abbasi Morteza , Namadchi Amir Hossein , Abbasi Mehdi , Abbasi Mohsen
Published: December 2024

Accurately predicting the performance of Earth Pressure Balance Tunnel Boring Machines (EPB-TBMs) in soft ground conditions is crucial yet challenging due to the complex interaction of geological and operational factors. This study investigates Mashhad Metro Line 3, where a TBM was employed to excavate a 1831-m section through variable soil compositions, including significant cobble and boulder content, presenting unique challenges to performance prediction. To address these complexities, several machine learning models—Multiple Linear Regression (MLR), Decision Trees (DT), and Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) neural networks—were applied to predict TBM penetration rates and assess model efficacy. Beginning with a dataset of 438,960 rows, rigorous feature selection and data processing yielded a final dataset of 1833 rows. Among the models, MLR achieved an R2 score of 0.991, closely matching the more complex MLP model, which reached an R2 score of 0.988. In contrast, the Decision Tree model demonstrated a lower R2 score of 0.923, suggesting a tendency to overfit. While MLR provided an effective, straightforward approach, MLP proved valuable for capturing non-linear patterns that could improve predictive accuracy in more variable tunneling conditions. These findings underscore the practical applications of both simple and complex machine learning models in enhancing TBM performance prediction.