bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cultural adaptation and evaluation of Namaste Care program for home-dwelling persons with dementia and their caregivers in China: a mixed-methods study protocol
Authors: Jin Meng , Meng Dijuan , Sun Chang , Shen Qinan , Bai Yamei , Xu Guihua , Song Yulei , Wang Shanshan , Chen Hongtu
Published: July 2024

Background: The Namaste Care program is an evidence-based intervention proven effective for individuals with moderate to advanced dementia and their caregivers. To enhance its efficacy, the program will be adapted to align with Chinese culture.
Methods: A multi-stage, mixed-methods design comprising three stages and eleven steps will be implemented, incorporating comprehensive process evaluations. Outcome measures will include the quality of life and self-perceived burden for persons with dementia, as well as the quality of life, caregiving burden, caregiving capacity, attitudes towards caregiving, and positive perceptions of dementia for caregivers. These outcomes will be evaluated through a combination of qualitative feedback and specific quantitative measures collected at baseline (T0), immediately post-intervention(T1), and three-month post-intervention (T2). Linear mixed effects models will be employed to analyze the effects of intervention. Qualitative interviews will explore caregivers’ experiences, and thematic analysis will assess the acceptability of the intervention.
Discussion: A culturally adapted Namaste Care program is essential for implementing practical adjustments that accommodate local communities and cultural contexts.The expected outcomes will enhance the knowledge of non-pharmacological interventions for dementia care within the home setting.
Trial registration: This study was registered on 29 August 2023 at https://www.chictr.org.cn (identifier: ChiCTR2300075195).
LWCNet: A Lightweight and Efficient Algorithm for Household Waste Detection and Classification Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Wang Yue , Wang Jingzhe , Sun Aixi , Zhang Yu
Published: July 2024

The existing waste classification algorithms based on computer vision are hindered by issues such as low classification accuracy, a large number of model parameters, and high computational complexity. Aiming at these problems, a Lightweight Waste Classification Network (LWCNet) based on the basic framework of YOLOv8n is designed and proposed in this paper. Firstly, a detection head based on the self-attention mechanism, SAHead, is proposed to capture a wider range of contextual information. Secondly, the lightweight convolution GSConv is employed to optimize the standard convolution in YOLOv8n. Combined with GELAN, the GRCSPELAN module is designed to reduce the model size without compromising performance. Finally, the AIFI module is introduced to enhance the intra-scale feature interaction ability. The experimental results indicate that LWCNet effectively reduces the model size and enhances detection efficiency, providing reliable theoretical support for the automation of household waste detection and classification.
Can Body Dissatisfaction Worsen Eating Disorders? The Moderating Role of Mindfulness and Body Mass Index among a sample of Lebanese adults
Authors: Khoury-Malhame Myriam El El , Obeid Sahar , Ayoub Mira , Sawma Toni , Hallit Souheil
Published: July 2024

Background.
Body shape dissatisfaction, increasingly common in adults, is a known predictor of mental distress in general and eating disorders in particular. Recently, mindfulness has been introduced as a potential psychological buffer to dampen these disorders. This study investigates the relation between body shape satisfaction and eating disorders and evaluates the potential moderating role of mindfulness and body mass index among a sample of Lebanese adults.
Methods.
A total of 324 adults were recruited via snowball sampling technique and were asked to fill demographic data and standardized questionnaires online. In addition to age, gender, and Body Mass Index (BMI), participants were assessed for body shape dissatisfaction, eating disorders, as well as mindfulness.
Results.
Findings indicate that higher body shape concerns, higher BMI and lower mindfulness were associated with higher eating disorders. We also found that mindfulness and BMI moderated the relationship between body shape concerns and eating disorders. Yet, considered alone, did not dampen the direct relation of body concerns worsening eating disorders.
Conclusion.
Taken together, these results indicate that the impact of perceived body shape concerns over eating disorders could be moderated by mindfulness and actual body mass. Yet, these factors alone are not sufficient to reduce the negative impact of body shape. Therefore, additional studies are warranted to look into the intricate relation between them to further bolster the effect of focused attention and body size on maladaptive eating behaviors worsened by dissatisfaction with ones’ shape.
Pediatric oncology healthcare professionals’ attitudes to and awareness of regulations for minors’ and guardians’ online record access: A mixed-methods study in Sweden
Authors: Hagström Josefin , Blease Charlotte , Harila Arja , Lähteenmäki Päivi , Scandurra Isabella , Hägglund Maria
Published: July 2024

Background: Healthcare providers and policymakers worldwide differ in their provision of access to adolescent patients’ electronic health records (EHR). The regulatory framework in Sweden restricting both guardians’ and adolescents’ online record access (ORA) has during recent years received criticism. The aim was to quantitatively and qualitatively, explore attitudes about ORA and perceptions about ORA regulations among pediatric oncology healthcare professionals (HCPs) in Sweden.
Methods: A convergent mixed-methods design (QUAL, quan) was used, consisting of a survey study (N=95) and semi-structured individual interviews (N=13). Physicians and nurses in pediatric oncology were recruited in clinics face-to-face or via staff e-mail. Descriptive statistics were used to present quantitative survey results. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analysed using content analysis.
Results: Participants were critical of the access gap but lacked knowledge about access extensions, with more than 60% unaware of application procedures. Qualitative analysis resulted five themes of benefits (Improving adolescents' and parents' emotional state, Facilitated parental care management, Empowering adolescents, Improving partnership and communication and Enhanced documentation accuracy) and five themes of downsides (Increased emotional distress and confusion, Decreased documentation quality and accuracy, Increased workload, Threatened confidentiality, and Technical portal limitations). HCPs’ views on regulations were categorized into five themes: Uncertainty, Adolescents differ, Balancing parental support and adolescent privacy, “I understand why access is restricted, but…”, and Regulatory changes.
Conclusions: Most pediatric oncology HCPs in this study were critical about ORA restrictions during adolescence, recognizing benefits primarily of parental access. Perceived benefits of enhanced parental support and adolescent empowerment conflicted with perceived risks of confidentiality and emotional distress in adolescents and parents from accessing unexplained results. While ORA has potential to improve partnerships in adolescent healthcare, information, guidance and resources for HCPs are needed to ensure patient safety and quality of documentation.
Trial registration: Not applicable.
Perceptions of integrating cervical cancer screening with HIV and sexual and reproductive health services: results from serial qualitative studies among health workers and women in Zimbabwe
Authors: Ruhode Nancy , Madanhire Claudius , Tumushime Mary K , Gudukeya Stephano , Muhonde Nyaradzo D , Hatzold Karin , Cowan Frances M , Sibanda Euphemia L
Published: July 2024

Background
Cervical cancer screening among Zimbabwean women is suboptimal. Integrating cervical cancer screening with HIV and sexual and reproductive health services can improve uptake. To inform optimisation of integrated models, we explored evolution of women’s and health worker views on integration and cervical cancer screening.
Methods
Over three phases between Nov-2013 and Mar-2016, we collected serial qualitative data from female clinic attendees and health workers at four clinics providing integrated cervical cancer screening and HIV and sexual/reproductive health services. Using program data, we examined trends in uptake of cervical cancer screening.
Results
Between 2013–2016, 38,342 women were screened for cervical cancer at three clinics. Program data showed increasing trends in uptake, capping at clinic capacity. Qualitative studies showed that clinic attendees and health workers viewed integration positively across phases because: i) information on cervical cancer screening was easily disseminated, leading to improved uptake; ii) co-location of services was convenient. As knowledge increased, demand exceeded supply, requiring operation of strict appointment-based systems. Other facilitators to cervical cancer screening included offer of services for free, personal experience of friend/family who suffered cervical cancer, peer encouragement, spousal/partner support, and having suspicious signs/symptoms. Barriers were more pronounced in earlier phases and largely centred around myths that spread in communities or clinic waiting rooms. Lack of training among health workers impeded implementation.
Conclusions
Integrating cervical cancer screening with HIV and sexual/reproductive health services was feasible and acceptable, with less pronounced barriers as programs matured. Addressing individual and program-level barriers can optimise uptake of services.
What proportion of cannabis users in Germany have spoken with their general practitioner about their consumption? A repeated cross-sectional representative population survey
Authors: Borchardt Benjamin , Klosterhalfen Stephanie , Kotz Daniel
Published: July 2024

Introduction:
On 1st of April 2024 a law on cannabis legislation entered into force in Germany. Henceforth, a rise in cannabis consumption rates and consequently cannabis related health impacts is expected. Preventive measures are only possible if harmful use is recognised and addressed at an early stage. We set up to estimate the proportion of cannabis users in Germany that discussed their cannabis consumption with their general practitioner (GP), either on the initiative of the GP or the patient, and how these varied according to person characteristics.
Methods
We used data from the German Study on Tobacco Use (DEBRA). This is a repeated ongoing representative cross-sectional household survey on use of tobacco and alternative nicotine delivery systems in Germany in people aged 14 years and older. During bimonthly study waves we asked all respondents who stated that they had consumed cannabis before whether they had ever spoken with their GP about their cannabis use or received advice about it. We estimated the proportion including 95% confidence intervals and assessed possible associations with person characteristics by using univariate logistic regression models.
Results
Of 2,057 ever users of cannabis, 7.0% [95%CI = 5.9; 8.2%] (n = 139) answered “Yes, I have ever spoken to my general practitioner about my cannabis use or sought advice in this regard”. This response was associated with older age (65+), low educational attainment, low income, and frequent cannabis use. Conversation with a GP was also more common in past-year cannabis users (16.2% [95%CI = 13.5; 19.6%], n = 591).
Conclusions
Around one in fifteen cannabis users has ever spoken with his or her GP, or received advice, about his or her cannabis consumption. In past-year and frequent users, the proportions are highest, between 16 to 26%. The awareness of this topic among GPs needs to be increased. Furthermore, a future re-evaluation on what impact the legislation of cannabis will have on the frequency of consultation about cannabis consumption in primary care is necessary.
Collusion between Retailers and Customers: The Case of Insurance Fraud in Taiwan
Authors: Picard Pierre , Wang Jennifer , Wang Kili
Published: July 2024

We analyze how the insurance distribution channel may affect claim fraud.
Attention is focused on the Taiwan automobile insurance market, with a
database provided by two large insurers. The econometric analysis confirms the
evidence of fraud through claim manipulation, in order to skirt around the
bonus-malus system and to reduce the weight of insurance deductibles. We
highlight the role of car-dealer insurance agencies in this fraud process, and
its change from 2010 to 2018. The theoretical underpinnings of our analysis
are provided by a model of claims fraud with collusion and audit.
Artificial Neural Networks Estimate Evapotranspiration For Miscanthus × Giganteus As Effectively As Empirical Model But With Fewer Inputs
Authors: Sungur Guler (Rojda) Aslan , Moore Caitlin E. , Bernacchi Carl J. , Heaton Emily , Vanloocke Andy
Published: July 2024

Estimating actual evapotranspiration (ET) is particularly crucial for addressing how vegetation affects the water balance of ecosystems. ET estimation can be complex with empirical models due to their many parameters and reliance on aridity. In contrast, artificial neural networks (ANNs) could potentially estimate ET with fewer and more common meteorological parameters. In this study, we trained two ANNs, one using a feed-forward approach (FFN) and the other a nonlinear auto-regressive network (NARX), to predict ET and compared them to the commonly used empirical model Granger and Gray (GG). We trained our models on a nine-year eddy covariance (EC) dataset for Miscanthus × giganteus (M. × giganteus) from Illinois (UIEF), then tested them using out-of-sample data from both UIEF and a different location in Iowa (SABR) to compare the accuracy of FFN, NARX, and GG models in estimating daily ET.
A combination of air temperature (Ta) and solar radiation (Rs) was chosen as inputs due to the highest R2 for FFN (R2= 0.79, 0.81, and 0.79 for training, testing, and validation, respectively) and only Ta for NARX (R2= 0.70 for out-of-sample validation). The predictive power of the FFN model was superior to the NARX and GG models at the UIEF site (R2= 0.84, 0.70, and 0.83 for out-of-sample validation, respectively). Our analysis showed that ANN approaches are as accurate as empirical approaches for estimating ET but use fewer inputs.
Most Potential Neuroprotective compound isolated from Allium sativum Targeting Alpha Synuclein involved in Parkinson’s Disease identified through Molecular Docking and MTT Assay
Authors: Ahmad S Rehan , Zeyaullah Md. , AlShahrani Abdullah M. , Muzammil Khursheed , Khan Mohammad Suhail , Qavi Danish , Husain Izhar , Altijani Abdelrhman Galaleldin , Dawria Adam , Mohieldin Ali , Alam Mohammad Shane
Published: July 2024

Background -Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) which is marked by symptoms like tremors, muscle weakness, etc. Still, levodopa is considered a gold standard drug for PD which just reduces symptoms and there is an urgent need for drugs for permanent cure of PD. In this study, we are investigating nine neuroprotective compounds extracted from Garlic as it has medicinal properties like reducing inflammation. In this study, we are identifying the most promising compound from nine compounds.
Methodology - First molecular docking was performed for all nine compounds using AutoDock 4.2.6 in which we considered Alpha-Synuclein as the target protein. After molecular docking based on binding affinities, we proceed toward the MTT assay.
Result - The binding affinity of the nine compounds lies between −5.1 and −10.8 kcal/mol, In this study allicin and E-ajone show a binding affinity of -10.4 kcal/mol. So, for further in vitro study we took alliin, allicin, ajone, and diallyl disulfide and performed an MTT assay for all four compounds on rotenone-induced neurotoxicity in the SHSY5Y neuroblastoma cell line.
Conclusion - Based on in silico and in vitro findings we reach to the conclusion that allicin is the most promising neuroprotective compound from all nine compounds of Garlic but still depth in vitro and in vivo analysis is needed before we proceed toward clinical trials.
A Multilevel Analysis of Factors Associated with Minimum Acceptable Diets Among Children Aged 6-23 Months in Lesotho: A Study of The Lesotho Multiple Cluster Indicator Study of 2018
Authors: Leseba Nthatisi , Vermaak Kerry , Makatjane Tiisetso
Published: July 2024

Background The World Health Organization’s Infant and Young Children Feeding Guidelines (IYCF) has been adopted as an international acceptable complementary feeding guideline known as the Minimum Acceptable Diet (MAD). MAD is a combination of Minimum Meal Frequency (MMF) and Minimum Dietary Diversity (MDD). MAD is not met in many countries in the world. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and multilevel determinants of a minimum acceptable diet among children aged 6–23 months in Lesotho.Methods We conducted a multilevel logistic regression using data from the Lesotho Multiple Cluster Indicator Study of 2018.Results In Lesotho only 22.7% [CI: 19.6 26.2] of children aged 6–23 months received MAD. At individual level, higher odds of receiving MAD were observed among females (WAR = 1.43; CI: 1.1 1.3) and children aged 9–23 months (WAR = 1.67; CI: 1.3 2.2). At household level, only maternal age of 20–25 and 35–39 were statistically significant to MAD; on the other hand, the odds of receiving MAD were higher for children with maternal age of 30–34 (WAR = 1.15; CI: 0.8 1.7) and 40+ (WAR = 1.13; CI: 0.6 2.0). Moreover, at community level, children in communities with high proportions of poor households had lower odds of receiving MAD (WAR = 0.64; CI: 0.5 0.8) and children in communities with high proportions of maternal media exposure had higher odds of receiving MAD (WAR = 1.53: CI:1.1 2.2).Conclusion At individual level, child sex and age were determinants of MAD. At household level maternal age was a determinant of MAD, maternal age in this case indicates that knowledge and experience in childcare contributed to better dietary intake for children aged 6–23. At community level, lack of care resources, food availability and knowledge acquisition were determinants of MAD. Therefore, strategies and programs to improve MDD nationwide should be done at community level.
Robust-GBDT: Leveraging Robust Loss for Noisy and Imbalanced Classification with GBDT
Authors: Luo Jiaqi , Quan Yuedong , Xu Shixin
Published: July 2024

Dealing with label noise in tabular classification tasks poses a challenge in machine learning. This paper introduces Robust-GBDT, a novel approach to enhance the robustness of Gradient Boosting Decision Trees (GBDT) models against label noise and class imbalance in tabular data classification. We present a theoretical insight demonstrating that nonconvex loss functions, under specific constraints, can be effectively employed in GBDT models. Leveraging this foundation, Robust-GBDT integrates advanced GBDT frameworks with robust loss functions, including a newly proposed Robust Focal Loss designed to address class imbalance. Our method overcomes limitations of existing noise-robust boosting techniques, such as binary classification constraints, inability to handle imbalanced datasets and missing values, and computational inefficiency. Experimental results show that Robust-GBDT outperforms existing bagging and robust boosting methods, delivering more accurate predictions and improved generalization capabilities in scenarios with label noise and class imbalance.
The short-term and accumulated effects of extreme high temperature on depressive symptoms in China: a difference-in-difference analysis
Authors: Liu Linfeng , Yin Bo , Ke Limei , Chen Runsen , Zhang Ying , Liu Jianxiu , Di Qian
Published: July 2024

Background
As global warming continues to worsen, the adverse effects of extreme high temperatures have been extensively studied, including the impact on depression. However, few studies have explored the impact of extreme high temperatures on depressive symptoms at different time scales.
Methods
We conducted a difference-in-difference analysis using data from China Family Panel Studies, which includes 108,099 samples. Depressive symptoms were measured by the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. We identified 32 ºC as a threshold and defined the proportion of hours above 32 ºC as the metric of the exposure to extreme high temperatures.
Results
Our results found that extreme high temperatures increased depressive symptoms in both short-term and long-term. Exposure to more than one extreme high temperature hour in a day significantly increased depressive symptoms by 3.21% (95% CI: 2.08%, 4.36%). Our findings also revealed that the effects of extreme high temperature intensified over extended time periods, indicating a cumulative effect. In the subgroup analysis, the elderly (> 60 years) were more vulnerable than the young (< 36 years). Furthermore, we made predictions on the future extreme-high-temperature-induced depressive symptoms in China under different emission scenarios and found that the depressive symptoms in the Chinese population would increase by 22.83% (95% CI: 16.06%, 30.16%) by 2060 even under the most optimistic scenario.
Conclusions
Our study highlighted significant adverse effects of extreme high temperatures on depressive symptoms at different time scales, which warrants effective interventions to protect mental health from a warming climate.
Patch-Wise Self-Supervised Visual Representation Learning: A Fine-Grained Approach
Authors: Javidani Ali , Sadeghi Mohammad Amin , Araabi Babak Nadjar
Published: July 2024

Self-supervised visual representation learning traditionally focuses on image-level instance discrimination. Our study introduces an innovative, fine-grained dimension by integrating patch-level discrimination into these methodologies. This integration allows for the simultaneous analysis of local and global visual features, thereby enriching the quality of the learned representations. Initially, the original images undergo spatial augmentation. Subsequently, we employ a distinctive photometric patch-level augmentation, where each patch is individually augmented, independent from other patches within the same view. This approach generates a diverse training dataset with distinct color variations in each segment. The augmented images are then processed through a self-distillation learning framework, utilizing the Vision Transformer (ViT) as its backbone. The proposed method minimizes the representation distances across both image and patch levels to capture details from macro to micro perspectives. To this end, we present a simple yet effective patch-matching algorithm to find the corresponding patches across the augmented views. Thanks to the efficient structure of the patch-matching algorithm, our method reduces computational complexity compared to similar approaches. Consequently, we achieve an advanced understanding of the model without adding significant computational requirements. We have extensively pretrained our method on datasets of varied scales, such as Cifar10, ImageNet-100, and ImageNet-1K. It demonstrates superior performance over state-of-the-art self-supervised representation learning methods in image classification and downstream tasks, such as copy detection and image retrieval.
Insights for Nature-based Climate Solutions: Managing Forests for Climate Resilience and Carbon Stability
Authors: Murphy Bailey , Rollinson Christine , Dietze Michael , Staudhammer Christina , vonHedemann Nicolena , Schultz Courtney , Kleindl William , Desai Ankur
Published: July 2024

Successful implementation of forest management as a Nature-based Climate Solution is
dependent on the durability of management-induced changes in forest carbon storage and
sequestration. As forests face unprecedented stability risks in the face of ongoing climate change,
much remains unknown regarding how management will impact forest stability, or how
interactions with climate might shift the response of forests to management across
spatiotemporal scales. Here, we used a process-based model to simulate multi-decadal
projections of forest dynamics in response to changes in management and climate. Simulations
were conducted across gradients in forest type, edaphic factors, and management intensity under
two alternate radiative forcing scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5). This allowed for the
quantification of forest stability shifts in response to climate change, and the role of management
in modulating that response, where ecosystem stability is characterized as the resilience and
temporal stability of net primary production, aboveground biomass, and soil carbon. Our results
indicate that forest structure is primarily shaped by management, but the same management
strategy often produced divergent structures over time, due to interactions with regional climate
change. We found that management can be used to increase stability and minimize the release of
stored carbon by reducing mortality, but also highlight the regional dependency of
management-induced changes in resilience to climate change.
Association between insurance status and nonelderly penile squamous cell carcinoma survivorship: a national retrospective analysis
Authors: Venishetty Nikit , Rafati Yousef , Alzweri Laith
Published: July 2024

Background:
Penile squamous cell carcinoma is an aggressive genitourinary malignancy with significant physical and psychological morbidity. Socioeconomic factors are prognostic indicators for various genitourinary neoplasms. Therefore, investigating the association between penile squamous cell cancer survivorship based on insurance status holds considerable implications for reducing cancer burden and maximizing health equity in the varying social gradients.
Materials and Methods:
Men diagnosed with primary penile squamous cell carcinoma from 2007 to 2015 were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) national database. Participants were categorized based on insurance status: non-Medicaid, Medicaid, and uninsured. Pearson’s chi-squared test assessed the distribution of observed frequencies between the patient demographics, socioeconomic status, tumor characteristics, and surgical variables across the insurance groups. Overall and penile cause-specific survival was estimated using a multivariate Cox hazards proportional model analysis.
Results:
The multivariate Cox hazards proportional model showed that, compared to non-Medicaid insured patients, Medicaid patients had an increased risk for overall death (hazard ratio [HR] = HR 1.54; 95% CI, 1.12–2.07). For penile cause-specific mortality, Medicaid patients had an increased risk of death compared to non-Medicaid insured patients (HR 1.58; 95% CI, 1.11–2.25).
Conclusion:
Medicaid does not mitigate the differences caused by health insurance status due to health insurance disparities for overall or penile cause-specific mortality. Lower Medicaid reimbursements and out-of-pocket costs lead to a narrow network of physicians, hospitals, and treatment modalities that compromise health equity. Increasing awareness of health insurance disparities and improving access to care via a clinician-community-governmental partnership can potentially lead to improved predictive outcomes.
Probabilistic Optimization of Pavement Preventive Maintenance Using Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Yamany Mohamed S. , Abraham Dulcy M. , Ventresca Mario , Nantung Tommy , Labi Samuel
Published: July 2024

Highway agencies encounter the challenge of limited funding resources while striving to improve the condition of their pavement network. Therefore, optimization models have been developed to schedule maintenance and rehabilitation (M&R) activities for road networks. Previous probabilistic optimization models have primarily focused on the uncertainty of the budget constraint, neglecting other sources of uncertainty. Failure to account for the uncertainty of expected pavement condition and maintenance effectiveness in multi-year optimization models may lead to mistiming of maintenance applications and consequently result in suboptimal schedules. This paper develops stochastic optimization models that account for the uncertainty associated with the deterioration and improvement of pavement condition, as well as the budget constraint. The Multi-objective Genetic Algorithm (MOGA) is employed to create the optimization models due to its robust search capability, resulting in optimal or near-optimal global solutions. To reduce the computational expenses of the stochastic MOGA models, three approaches were implemented: (1) identifying and adopting the most commonly used maintenance treatments (2) clustering pavement sections based on their age, and (3) implementing a filtering constraint that enforces a rest period after treatment applications. The results demonstrate that the Pareto optimal solutions significantly change when considering the uncertainty of pavement condition deterioration and improvement. The developed stochastic MOGA models can provide highway agencies with probabilistic Pareto optimal solutions that account for the anticipated uncertainty in pavement condition data.
Suppressing Deep-Level Trap and Energy Band Alignment Enable Air-Solution-Processed Cu2ZnSnS4 Thin Film Solar Cell with Certified Record Efficiency
Authors: Liang Guangxing , WU Tong , Wang Zi , Luo Ping , Chen Shuo , Zheng Zhuang-Hao , Su Zhenghua , Luo Jingting , Ma Hongli , Zhang Xianghua
Published: July 2024

The sulfide kesterite Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) is widely recognized as a highly competitive photovoltaic material, especially for use in multi-junction solar cells, due to its excellent photoelectric properties. However, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of CZTS solar cells has remained stagnant for years. The presence of deep level defects, such as VS (sulfur vacancies), has been demonstrated to provide a kind of effective non-radiative recombination pathway, leading to serious open-circuit voltage (VOC) deficit and reduced efficiency in carrier migration and separation. Herein, we propose a novel directional passivation strategy for VS through a an easily operable heterojunction heat treatment. By introducing O2 during this process, sulfur vacancies can be readily occupied by oxygen atoms in an oxygen-rich environment, thus contributing to eliminating the already-existing VS defects. In addition, the thermal movement of ions during this process induces Cd diffusion to the absorption layer to occupy the Cu or Zn lattice sites, these collective effects lead to a reduced charge recombination and more favorable band alignment. As a result, CZTS thin film solar cell with a PCE of 11.89% and a certified record efficiency of 11.51% was achieved. The present study offers valuable insights into defect passivation mechanism of kesterite thin-film solar cells.
External Circumstances and University-to-Work Transitions: A Comparative Analysis across Western Balkan Countries
Authors: Drishti Elvisa , Duhanxhi Idlir , Kapisyzi Brikene Dionizi , Lesha Jonida , Halluni Arjola , Hasmujaj Elona , Saraçi Peter , Topalli Bujane , Dema Bresena Kopliku
Published: July 2024

This study investigates the university-to-work transitions (measured as the time-to-first-job) of graduates in the Western Balkan 6 countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia), focusing on how external circumstances such as demographic and socio-economic factors influence these transitions. Analysing data from 2019 to 2021, we find significant disparities based on gender, age, urban versus rural upbringing, and socio-economic status. Our findings reveal that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing inequalities, with male graduates and those from higher socio-economic backgrounds generally experiencing shorter transitions to their first job. The study underscores the critical need for targeted policy interventions to bridge these gaps and promote equitable employment outcomes. By offering valuable insights for policymakers, our research highlights the necessity for cohesive strategies to enhance youth employability and foster regional development in the context of the EU integration agenda.
Heatwaves and firewaves: the drivers of urban wildfires in London in the summer of 2022
Authors: John Jamie , Rein Guillermo
Published: July 2024

In the summer of 2022, a series of heatwaves caused an unprecedented wave of wildfires across the UK. London, in particular, was badly affected. Its green spaces wilted, and the drying vegetation provided the fuel for wildfires. The London Fire Brigade (LFB), one of the largest firefighting organisations in the world, was overwhelmed. On 19th July 2022, it experienced its busiest day since World War II. Our work represents a first attempt to examine and quantify the link between heatwaves and wildfires in a city. We combine fire incident data from the LFB and meteorological data from the Met Office, from 2009–2022, identifying vapour pressure deficit (VPD) as a key driver of wildfires in the urban habitants of Greater London. Wildfire activity is characterised using the number of recorded wildfires, and the time spent at incidents by the LFB’s fire pumps. We find that VPD is able to explain up to 61% of the variation in number of London wildfires. Relative humidity, and maximum daily temperature are only able to explain 44% and 42% of the variation respectively. We find that the Met Office’s definition of a heatwave – defined for the purpose of public health – is unsuited to describe the process of vegetation drying, and propose a new definition using data from the Met Office, based on vapour pressure deficit. Further, using the time spent at incidents by the LFB’s pumps, we define and identify the concept of a ‘firewave’ for London, in order to quantify the severity of a day of wildfires for the LFB. It is hoped that the results will be of operational value to the LFB, and lay the foundation for further work investigating the role of heatwaves and VPD in increasing wildfire risk in cities and other urban environments.
Upscaling A Smaller LLM to More Parameters via Manual Regressive Distillation
Authors: Merrick Felix , Radcliffe Maria , Hensley Rupert
Published: July 2024

The rapid expansion of data and the increasing complexity of linguistic tasks necessitate the development of more powerful language models capable of understanding and generating human language with greater accuracy. The novel approach of scaling GPT-Neo to 70 billion parameters through manual regressive distillation presents a significant advancement, leveraging a systematic knowledge transfer process to enhance model performance while managing computational resources efficiently. Comprehensive experiments demonstrated substantial improvements in benchmarks such as perplexity, BLEU score, and accuracy across various NLP tasks, highlighting the model's enhanced capabilities. The validation process on unseen data confirmed the model's robustness and generalization ability, ensuring consistent performance across diverse scenarios. Task-specific fine-tuning further optimized the model for applications like text summarization, sentiment analysis, and question answering, showcasing its versatility. Optimization techniques such as pruning and quantization facilitated efficient deployment, making the model feasible for real-time applications. This research provides valuable insights into the scalability and practicality of large-scale language models, setting a new benchmark for future advancements in the field.
Experiences, perceptions and attitudes on providing advice on physical activity to patients with chronic ischemic heart disease – A qualitative study in general practitioners in Germany
Authors: Prinz Alicia , Hoppe Sabrina , Leve Verena , Crutzen Rik , Donner-Banzhoff Norbert , Wilm Stefan , Kastaun Sabrina
Published: July 2024

Background and objective: The German treatment guideline “chronic ischemic/coronary heart disease (IHD)” recommends that general practitioners (GPs) deliver advice on physical activity (PA) to IHD patients. However, the provision of PA advice seems to be inadequately implemented in general practice. One reason is the lack of medical training in providing PA advice effectively and efficiently. International guidelines recommend such training for health professionals. This study aims to explore experiences, perceptions and attitudes, including barriers and facilitators of GPs towards the routine delivery of PA advice to IHD patients.
Methods: Between March and June 2023, 12 face-to-face problem centred interviews and six focus group discussions (n=37) with GPs were conducted. Interview and discussion guides were developed and pilot tested by the multi-professional study team. We used a purposive sampling strategy, and data were collected in an iterative process. Audio-recorded data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using a content structuring procedure (deductive and inductive approach). GPs were involved throughout the entire research process, e.g., in multi-professional analysis groups.
Results: Whereas GPs are mostly aware of the health benefits of PA for patients with IHD, PA advice is not routinely provided. Conversations on PA tend to be rather unstructured and advice is often addressed more generally than customised to the patients’ needs and preferences. Priority is given to other lifestyle issues, such as smoking. PA advice is perceived as time consuming and rather ineffective with regard to the target behaviour. GPs frequently mention frustration in this context. Routine processes and structure-creating tools are mentioned as facilitating factors to provide advice on PA. GPs express a lack of and simultaneously a need for communication strategies (structure and tools) that can be integrated into everyday GP practice to motivate patients to PA.
Conclusion: The results provide relevant insights into the everyday practice of GPs with regard to their attitudes on, experiences with, and requirements for the provision of PA advice to IHD patients. These results are helpful to inform a customised development of an appropriate GP training in the provision of very brief PA advice to IHD patients.
Half a century of extensive acceleration and grounding line retreat following the ocean driven collapse of Wordie Ice Shelf
Authors: Doemgaard Mads , Millan Romain , Andersen Jonas , Scheuchl Bernd , Rignot Eric , Izeboud Maaike , Bjørk Anders
Published: July 2024

Ice shelves restrain the discharge of grounded ice into the ocean, and their break-up plays a major role in Antarctica’s contribution to sea level rise. By combining aerial images from 1966 with modern satellite data, we produce one of the longest and most complete time series of an ice shelf collapse in Antarctica, specifically the Wordie Ice Shelf. Our results indicate that hydrofracturing and rising air temperatures played a minimal role in the collapse. Instead, we detect signs of substantial basal melt since the 1970s, with ice shelf changes correlated with increasing ocean temperatures from 1960-1990. Changes at tributary glaciers occurred at different intervals, with a tripling of surface velocities and grounding line retreats of up to 13 km since 1966. The long record of ice shelf change also demonstrates a heterogeneity in the timing of glacier retreat, mainly correlated with the loss of pinning points and the geomorphology of the Bay. Our results demonstrate that long-term observations of ice shelf collapses are critical for understanding the driving processes and consequences for tributary glaciers.
The studying of Spinal fixation in lumbosacral spondylolisthesis patients at Damascus hospital
Authors: Hassan Jana Bassam , Abdin Ahamd Jihad
Published: July 2024

Introduction
Lumbosacral spondylolisthesis is one of the most common causes of low back pain. Understanding the natural history of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis is important to design an individualized treatment plan for each patient. Conservative treatment may be considered for patients with low-level lumbar spondylolisthesis who present with nerve root stenosis or false gait contractures. These options may include physical therapy, corticosteroid injections, and epidural pain medications. If the case does not resolve, surgical options may include fixation therapy.
Aims
An epidemiological study on the prevalence of lumbosacral spondylolisthesis in Damascus Hospital in Syria, and the health status and improvement of patients after spinal stabilization for lumbar spondylolisthesis. Epidemiological study on the Gender, age and profession of patients. An epidemiological study of the results of medical tests and the radiological imaging methods used.
Materials and Methods
We conducted a retrospective study using a self-administered questionnaire based on patient records in Damascus Hospital that comply. A sample size of n = 134 was collected from patients visiting Al-Mujtahid Hospital with a complaint of spinal slip in 2013–2023. We studied the sample from different aspects, demographically, medically, clinically and we analyzed the data.
Results
Lumbosacral spondylolisthesis (LS) is a common disease, and the prevalence of LS varies according to gender, age, and profession. We concluded that it is more common between women than men, and among elder people, and among workers with profession with “sitting all the time”. About diagnosing lumbar spondylolisthesis, the patient must undergo a complete clinical examination, with adopting radiological diagnostic methods to confirm the diagnosis. The spinal stabilization helps improve the stability of the affected vertebrae and reduce patients' pain.
Pre-service Physical Sciences Teachers’ Views on Integrating ChatGPT into Teaching: A Case Study
Authors: Jere Samuel , Bessong Rebecca , Mpeta Mamotena , Litshani Ndanganeni Florence
Published: July 2024

The emergence of artificial intelligence, exemplified by generative chatbots like ChatGPT, has elicited optimism among some educators regarding enhanced teaching and learning methods. Simultaneously, it has raised concerns among others who perceive these chatbots as disruptive to established pedagogical norms developed over centuries. This study investigated and analysed pre-service teachers' perceptions regarding integrating ChatGPT into teaching physical sciences at a rural university. A case study research design that used a qualitative approach was used to collect, analyse and interpret data. This methodology was employed to gain a comprehensive insight into the viewpoints held by physical science pre-service teachers. The study explored the benefits and potential challenges of incorporating emerging technologies like ChatGPT into teaching physical sciences. The theoretical framework that guided the study was the technological, pedagogical content knowledge. Eleven purposively sampled pre-service physical science teachers participated in semi-structured interviews. The collected data were analysed using thematic analysis. The research findings were that ChatGPT has the potential to contribute to teaching physical sciences in lesson planning, preparation, presentation and formative assessment. However, the study revealed that the inability of ChatGPT to answer some questions in physical sciences was of great concern. These findings shed light on how artificial intelligence generative chatbots can be incorporated into science teaching and learning. The findings provide insights for policymakers, science educators and researchers to deepen their understanding of the role of emerging technologies in science education.
La ira, el odio y el insulto como discurso político
Authors: Orozco Macias Andres Fernando , Madrid Garcés Pedro José
Published: July 2024

La investigación analiza a través de estudio de caso, como el excandidato presidencial y político colombiano Rodolfo Hernández Suárez, construyó un discurso disperso basado en la violencia y en el insulto como justificación a diferentes problemáticas sociales y políticas del país, donde la emocionalidad política parece exacerbar los límites mismos de la libertad de expresión y la democracia en sus diferentes procesos de participación. Se analizaron más de cien fuentes grabadas en las que se encuentran discursos, entrevistas y llamadas telefónicas, donde se escogieron cuatro de ellas para realizar el análisis de emotividad desde la perspectiva analítica y teórica de Martha Nussbaum, reconociendo allí, una serie de palabras donde se hace evidente el insulto y la discriminación tanto a ciudadanos nacionales como extranjeros, donde se concluye, que el lenguaje común con foco discriminatorio parece ser atractivo para sus electores, porque apela fundamentalmente a la emotividad a través de la violencia como sostén de la desconfianza y la desilusión política de una gran parte de los ciudadanos.
La función de resocialización de la pena y la capacidad para afrontar los acontecimientos vitales: el caso de la cárcel de varones de Manizales en la perspectiva analítica del sentido de coherencia
Authors: Velez Arango Alba Lucia , Franco Idárraga Sandra Milena
Published: July 2024

La función de resocialización de la pena es necesaria para potenciar las capacidades humanas, la reinserción a la vida en sociedad y la reducción de la reincidencia. El Programa Cadena de la vida propicia la adquisición de Sentido de Coherencia y el desarrollo de habilidades de afrontamiento que otorguen valor y significado a la vida. La aplicación de la Escala SOC-15 a 37 varones de la cárcel de Manizales evidenció que las penas privativas de la libertad extensas inciden en la salud mental y se requiere fortalecer el acceso a servicios de salud, la actividad física, laboral y educativa.
La dimensión afectiva, eje central en la defensa del territorio de La Loma, desde la experiencia artística del colectivo de hip hop Talla de Reyes
Authors: Urrego Tovar Ángela María , Arias Acevedo Cristian Camilo
Published: July 2024

Este artículo presenta los resultados de una investigación que buscó comprender las contribuciones sociales y políticas realizadas por el colectivo de hip-hop Talla De Reyes-TDR a través de su producción artística en la vereda La Loma del corregimiento de San Cristóbal (Medellín)[1]. El análisis empleó la Propuesta de Investigación Narrativa Hermenéutica (PINH). Los hallazgos principales revelan que las acciones de TDR van más allá de las intervenciones artísticas con rap o grafiti, ya que han propiciado sinergias que promueven nuevos lazos de confianza y transformaciones físicas y simbólicas del territorio. Esto ha contribuido a superar la estigmatización que se les había impuesto. Además, la dimensión afectiva emerge con fuerza como eje central que articula las acciones de defensa del territorio, derivadas de la emergencia de nuevas territorialidades que se fundamentan en el amor por el territorio y en la apropiación de espacios políticos, sociales y culturales desde el arte.
 
[1] La investigación “Talla de Reyes: una apuesta por la defensa del territorio en la vereda La Loma” se desarrolló en el marco del programa de investigación “Territorialidades para la paz con justicia social” desde la línea de investigación Violencia, conflicto y territorio, de la Maestría en Educación y Derechos Humanos de la Universidad Autónoma Latinoamericana (UNAULA).
Retos y limitaciones de los migrantes venezolanos para la integración laboral en el Departamento de Boyacá (Colombia)
Authors: Ramos Quintero Claudia Liliana , Lesmes Ortiz Lizeth Viviana
Published: July 2024

La integración laboral de migrantes en el mercado laboral colombiano se ha convertido en un reto importante dentro de las políticas gubernamentales. Pese a su condición administrativa de regularización la percepción nacional es negativa dado que se asocian a la delincuencia, transgresión de la norma, usurpación de beneficios como salud y educación. Adicionalmente en tiempo de campaña política se convierten en tema obligado. Se deben trabajar en temas de articulación institucional desde la perspectiva nacional, gubernamental y local, así como integrar elementos como enfoque de género, emprendimiento y campañas contra la xenofobia dentro de las acciones de política pública y que sean integradas dentro de los planes de desarrollo locales.