bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Relationship between Model Biases in East Asian Summer Monsoon Rainfall and Land Evaporation
Authors: Geen Ruth , Pietschnig Marianne , Agrawal Shubhi , Dey Dipanjan , Lambert F. Hugo , Vallis Geoffrey K.
Published: May 2023

The East Asian Summer Monsoon (EASM) provides the majority of annual rainfall to countries in East Asia. Although state-of-the-art models broadly project increased EASM rainfall, the spread of projections is large and simulations of present-day rainfall show significant climatological biases. Systematic evapotranspiration biases occur locally over East Asia, and globally over land, in simulations both with and without a coupled ocean. This study explores the relationship between evapotranspiration and EASM precipitation biases. First, idealized model simulations are presented in which the parameterization of land evaporation is modified, while sea surface temperature is fixed. The results suggest a feedback whereby excessive evapotranspiration over East Asia results in cooling of land, a weakened monsoon low, and a shift of rainfall from the Philippine Sea to China, further fueling evapotranspiration. Cross-model regressions against evapotranspiration over China indicate a similar pattern of behavior in Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project (AMIP) simulations. Possible causes of this pattern are investigated. The feedback is not explained by an overly intense global hydrological cycle or by differences in radiative processes. Analysis of land-only simulations indicates that evapotranspiration biases are present even when models are forced with prescribed rainfall. These are strengthened when coupled to the atmosphere, suggesting a role for land-model errors in driving atmospheric biases. Coupled atmosphere-ocean models are shown to have similar evapotranspiration biases to those in AMIP over China, but different precipitation biases, including a northward shift in the ITCZ over the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
The Wallis Products for Fermat Curves
Authors: Gambini Alessandro , Nicoletti Giorgio , Ritelli Daniele
Published: May 2023

After revisiting the properties of generalized trigonometric functions, i.e., the trigonometric function linked to the planar (Fermat) curve $$x^p+y^p=1$$

x
p

+

y
p

=
1

, using the tool of Keplerian trigonometry, introduced in (Gambini et al.: Monatsh. Math. 195, 55–72, 2021), we present the extension to this class of functions of the Wallis product, discovering connections with the representations of ordinary trigonometric functions by means of infinite products.
Information and communication technology use by students with disabilities in higher education during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Kishira Hayato , Sasaki Ginga
Published: May 2023

Recently, due to the spread of COVID-19, the implementation of remote learning has been increasing worldwide. This study aims to analyze the difficulties and convenience of using information and communication technology (ICT) for students with disabilities and changes in their perceptions of ICT use after the completion of courses for each form of remote learning. The survey included 122 students with disabilities and 314 students without disabilities via a web-based questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of four situations, categorized according to the type of remote classes. We conducted an analysis of variance using a two-factor mixed design with disability (non-paired: two levels) × situations (paired: four levels) regarding perceptions of resistance toward ICT and self-rated comprehension as the dependent variables. Results show that students with disabilities were more positive about using ICT than students without disabilities in many items. However, before the courses that required the use of relatively new application software, such as web conferencing systems, students with disabilities showed significantly higher levels of resistance and lower levels of self-assessed comprehension. Further, a comparison of the amount of change in perceptions before and after the course reveals that students with disabilities showed significantly more improvement in negative items before the course. These results suggest the importance of providing opportunities for students with disability to learn how to use ICT and understand its convenience in an environment similar to an actual classroom, given the rapid changes occurring in ICT.
Novel observation of play behaviour between a harem holder and a bachelor group of Przewalski’s horses in the wild
Authors: Bernátková Anna , Ceacero Francisco , Oyunsaikhan Ganbaatar , Sukhbaatar Dalaitseren , Šimek Jaroslav , Komárková Martina
Published: May 2023

Przewalski’s horses live in stable nonterritorial families (harem) of one or more harem stallions, several mares, and their offspring. The harem stallion typically behaves aggressively towards any male intruder approaching the harem. Play behaviour is frequently observed among the group members in horses. For stallions, the most common, well-known cases of play behaviour are found between members of bachelor groups (groups of young stallions) and between the harem stallion and his offspring. The play between the harem stallion and members of the bachelor groups is, on the other hand, seemingly much rarer as a description of such events in the literature is anecdotal. In this note, we present our observation conducted in the Great Gobi B Strictly Protected Area (Mongolia) and describe the play behaviour between a Przewalski’s horse harem stallion and members of a bachelor group. The observation was done as a part of broader research during which selected Przewalski’s horses’ groups were located by binoculars in daily monitoring routines and filmed from a close distance (from 150 to 800 m). Behavioural Observation Research Interactive Software (BORIS) was used to extract data from the video recordings. The observation described in this note lasted for ∼ 180 min, during which the horses engaged in three separate bouts of play and repeated inter-group association. During the whole study (241.5 h of video recordings), this was the only observation including inter-group interactions. We observed two other events during which two harems approached each other (but never merged). Our observation is the first video recording of such an event and raises the question of how prevalent this behaviour is in the Przewalski’s horses’ restored natural populations. We conclude that this behaviour is unusual or has not been sufficiently studied in wild or feral harems. Further technological advances may help reveal more information on this topic.
Mechanical properties of animal ligaments: a review and comparative study for the identification of the most suitable human ligament surrogates
Authors: Burgio V. , Casari S. , Milizia M. , Sanna F. , Spezia G. , Civera M. , Rodriguez Reinoso M. , Bertuglia A. , Surace C.
Published: May 2023

The interest in the properties of animal soft tissues is often related to the desire to find an animal model to replace human counterparts due to the unsteady availability of human tissues for experimental purposes. Once the most appropriate animal model is identified, it is possible to carry out ex-vivo and in-vivo studies for the repair of ligamentous tissues and performance testing of replacement and support healing devices. This work aims to present a systematic review of the mechanical properties of ligaments reported in the scientific literature by considering different anatomical regions in humans and several animal species. This study was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method. Moreover, considering the lack of a standard protocol for preconditioning of tissues, this aspect is also addressed. Ninety-six studies were selected for the systematic review and analysed. The mechanical properties of different animal species are reported and summarised in tables. Only results from studies reporting the strain rate parameter were considered for comparison with human ligaments, as they were deemed more reliable. Elastic modulus, ultimate tensile stress, and ultimate strain properties are graphically reported identifying the range of values for each animal species and to facilitate comparison between values reported in the scientific literature in animal and human ligaments. Useful similarities between the mechanical properties of swine, cow, and rat and human ligaments have been found.
Shedding light on long-term trends in Mediterranean carnivore populations: five species, one scenario, different responses
Authors: Sereno-Cadierno Jorge , Soriguer Ramón C. , Carro Francisco
Published: May 2023

Long-term studies of community composition and relative abundance are key tools in wildlife management and biodiversity conservation. However, few studies of this kind are available for Mediterranean carnivores, especially in the Iberian Peninsula, a hotspot of mammal biodiversity in Europe. We used 15 years of carnivore monitoring data from the Doñana National Park, one of the most representative areas for carnivores in Iberia, to obtain population trends for the main Mediterranean carnivore species. They were positive for red fox, stable for badger and Egyptian mongoose, and negative for common genet and Iberian lynx. The importance of long-term datasets and the implications of the results for the studied species at global level are discussed, above all for species whose population trends are less well known. This is the case of the Egyptian mongoose, for which we present novel information on its long-term population trend in Europe, and of the Iberian lynx, an endangered species with a clear negative trend in this well-protected area.
Low-rank tensor structure preservation in fractional operators by means of exponential sums
Authors: Casulli Angelo , Robol Leonardo
Published: May 2023

The use of fractional differential equations is a key tool in modeling non-local phenomena. Often, an efficient scheme for solving a linear system involving the discretization of a fractional operator is computing inverse fractional powers of the standard discretized Laplace operator. In this work, an exponential sum approximation for such fractional powers is derived. It is accurate over all positive real numbers larger than one, and allows to efficiently approximate the action of such operators on tensors stored in a variety of low-rank formats (CP, TT, Tucker). The results are relevant from a practical and theoretical perspective, as they predict the low-rank approximability of the solutions of these linear systems in low-rank tensor formats.
The More the Merrier: How Psychological Standing and Work Group Size Explain Managers’ Willingness to Communicate About Unethical Conduct in Their Work Group
Authors: Oc Burak , Kouchaki Maryam
Published: May 2023

Business ethics research has long examined the dichotomy between remaining silent or reporting ethical misconduct to a third party. Little is known, however, about ethical conversations within a work group after observing misconduct. Specifically, we do not know how many members of their work group individuals choose to communicate with. These conversations could have important implications for creating an ethical workplace. We propose that psychological standing is an important driver of individuals’ decisions not to remain silent and to instead raise moral concerns with a greater number of others in their work group. In addition, integrating existing work on structural power, psychological standing, and the bystander effect, we develop a moderated mediation model with both structural power position and work group size as contextual drivers of psychological standing. Our model is supported across four studies using different designs and methodological approaches. Our results contribute to the understanding of when and why individuals raise moral concerns, and they provide insights into how an ethical context is created in organizations.
Braided Hopf Algebras and Gauge Transformations II: $$*$$-Structures and Examples
Authors: Aschieri Paolo , Landi Giovanni , Pagani Chiara
Published: May 2023

We consider noncommutative principal bundles which are equivariant under a triangular Hopf algebra. We present explicit examples of infinite dimensional braided Lie and Hopf algebras of infinitesimal gauge transformations of bundles on noncommutative spheres. The braiding of these algebras is implemented by the triangular structure of the symmetry Hopf algebra. We present a systematic analysis of compatible $$*$$

∗

-structures, encompassing the quasitriangular case.
Pharmacist-driven antimicrobial stewardship interventions in patients with COVID-19: a scoping review
Authors: Nasr Z. G. , Elamin W. , Basil M. , Eljaaly K.
Published: May 2023

Background

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly infectious disease that can be treated with antivirals in addition to other antimicrobials in cases of secondary or concomitant infections. This creates potential for antimicrobials misuse, which increases antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Pharmacists are known to undertake prominent roles in combatting AMR.

Aim

The aim of this review was to characterize pharmacist-driven interventions that have been performed in patients with COVID-19 globally and describe their impact on antimicrobial use.

Method

We followed the Joanna Briggs Institutes manual framework for scoping reviews in our study. Studies that reported antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) interventions performed by pharmacists in COVID-19 patients were included. Articles that did not report outcomes or did not mention pharmacists in the intervention were excluded. Restrictions included English-only articles from inception date until June 2022. Articles were searched from four databases.

Results

Eleven publications were included in the review. The most common AMS intervention was pharmacist-driven interventions reported in 63.2% of all studies, followed by guideline development and application (26.3%), and medication supply coordination (10.5%), respectively. The outcomes of the interventions were difficult to compare but showed a reduction in antimicrobial use and prevention of adverse drug reactions with a relatively high acceptance rate from physicians.

Conclusion

Pharmacists played an important role in performing AMS-related interventions in COVID-19 patients and helped in the fight against the worsening of AMR during the pandemic. The impact of pharmacist-driven AMS interventions in patients with COVID-19 seemed to be positive and improved outcomes related to antimicrobial use.
A Twofold Subjective Measure of Income Inequality
Authors: Gáspár Attila , Cervone Carmen , Durante Federica , Maass Anne , Suitner Caterina , Valtorta Roberta Rosa , Vezzoli Michela
Published: May 2023

Social scientists have been aiming to calculate a “subjective income Gini coefficient”of survey respondents that would describe their beliefs about income inequality in their country. Niehues (Subjective perceptions of inequality and redistributive preferences: an international comparison, Cologne Institute for Economic Research, IWTRENDS Discussion Paper, 2014) derives this estimate from respondents’ beliefs about the relative sizes of different social classes (answers to “shape of society” questions), while Kuhn (The individual perception of wage inequality: a measurement framework and some empirical evidence, Technical report, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), 2015) estimates it using beliefs about the pay structure. We combine their efforts to calculate what we call a twofold subjective Gini coefficient, which incorporates both pieces of information independently from one another. We present the country-level distribution of perceived and desired twofold subjective Gini coefficients using the ISSP Social Inequality V survey (ISSP Research Group in International social survey programme: social inequality
v—issp 2019, 2019. https://doi.org/10.4225/13/511C71F8612C3). Accounting for both subjective class structure and pay structure yields much lower perceived and desired levels of inequality. At the country level the averages of the twofold subjective Gini coefficients are closer to actual income Gini coefficients than the previous measures. At the individual level the twofold subjective Gini coefficients are better predictors of the individual’s verbal assessment of inequality and their preferences towards redistribution.
Time series outlier removal and imputing methods based on Colombian weather stations data
Authors: Parra-Plazas Jaime , Gaona-Garcia Paulo , Plazas-Nossa Leonardo
Published: May 2023

The time data series of weather stations are a source of information for floods. The study of the previous wintertime series allows knowing the behavior of the variables and the result that will be applied to analysis and simulation models that feed variables such as flow and level of a study area. One of the most common problems is the acquisition and transmission of data from weather stations due to atypical values and lost data; this generates difficulties in the simulation process. Consequently, it is necessary to propose a numerical strategy to solve this problem. The data source for this study is a real database where these problems are presented with different variables of weather. This study is based on comparing three methods of time series analysis to evaluate a multivariable process offline. For the development of the study, we applied a method based on the discrete Fourier transform (DFT), and we contrasted it with methods such as the average and linear regression without uncertainty parameters to complete missing data. The proposed methodology entails statistical values, outlier detection, and the application of the DFT. The application of DFT allows the time series completion, based on its ability to manage various gap sizes and replace missing values. In sum, DFT led to low error percentages for all the time series (1% average). This percentage reflects what would have likely been the shape or pattern of the time series behavior in the absence of misleading outliers and missing data.
Missed opportunities in mixed methods EdTech research? Visual joint display development as an analytical strategy for achieving integration in mixed methods studies
Authors: Peters Mitchell , Fàbregues Sergi
Published: May 2023

Mixed methods research is becoming more prevalent in educational technology due to its potential for addressing complex educational problems by integrating qualitative and quantitative data and findings. At the same time, a growing chorus of researchers laments the quality and rigor of research in this field. Mixed methods studies which demonstrate explicit integration in educational technology research are scarce, and even fewer apply integration strategies recommended in the literature, such as visual joint displays. Failure to address the challenge of comprehensive integration may result in missed opportunities for deeper insights. To address this methodological problem, the purpose of this paper is to shed light on the procedures, opportunities, and practical challenges associated with mixed methods integration through the use of visual joint displays as an analytical tool for data interpretation and reporting in these types of designs. Using an exploratory sequential mixed methods multiple case study design as an illustrative example, we will (1) provide step-by-step guidance on how to develop a visual joint display to conduct an integrated analysis in a complex mixed methods design; (2) demonstrate how to use a display of this type to integrate meta-inferences previously generated through a series of interconnected joint displays; and (3) illustrate the benefits of integrating at the literature review, theoretical, analysis, interpretation, and reporting levels in mixed methods studies. This methodological article aims to advance knowledge in educational technology research by addressing the integration challenge in mixed methods studies and assisting researchers in this field in achieving comprehensive integration at multiple levels.
Public preferences for international law compliance: Respecting legal obligations or conforming to common practices?
Authors: Kuzushima Saki , Mori McElwain Kenneth , Shiraito Yuki
Published: May 2023

Despite significant debate about the ability of international law to constrain state behavior, recent research points to domestic mechanisms that deter non-compliance, most notably public disapproval of governments that violate treaty agreements. However, existing studies have not explicitly differentiated two distinct, theoretically important motivations that underlie this disapproval: respect for legal obligations versus the desire to follow common global practices. We design an innovative survey experiment in Japan that manipulates information about these two potential channels directly. We examine attitudes towards four controversial practices that fall afoul of international law—same-surname marriage, whaling, hate speech regulation, and capital punishment—and find that the legal obligation cue has a stronger effect on respondent attitudes than the common practices cue. We also show subgroup differences based on partisanship and identification with global civil society. These results demonstrate that the legal nature of international law is crucial to domestic compliance pull.
Sustaining psychological contracts during organizational change
Authors: Raeder Sabine
Published: May 2023

Organizational change is expected to undermine the quality of psychological contracts. A large amount of research has shown that change has detrimental effects on employment relationships, especially when major restructuring and the downsizing of staff lead to a breach of the psychological contract. However, a smaller number of studies have presented certain types of change and supporting practices that foster psychological contracts. This systematic review of published research summarizes practices that are used to support psychological contracts during organizational change. Effective practices pertain to organizational justice, effective communication, participation, leadership, management practices for planning change and human resource management practices. The benefits of these practices are assessed in the context of four types of changes (minor and major changes, mergers, and downsizing) because these types of changes affect psychological contracts differently and determine the range of practices that can be used. This analysis contributes to the literature by providing guidance for future research with regard to identifying factors that pertain to the quality of the change with respect to psychological contracts. It highlights lacunae in the extant research and ultimately helps support organizational practice to plan and manage changes in a sustainable way.
Beyond synergies: understanding SDG trade-offs, equity and implementation challenges of sectoral climate change mitigation options
Authors: Halsnæs Kirsten , Some Shreya , Pathak Minal
Published: May 2023

Mitigation actions needed to achieve the ambitions of the Paris agreement to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 °C or below 2 °C have to align with sustainable development. In the near term, this implies a better understanding of context-specific challenges in integrating sustainability with climate policies during the designing, planning, implementation and financing stages. Through a review of selected studies across regions, this paper draws out conclusions focussing on mitigation–sustainable development goal (SDG) trade-offs, with implications on costs and equity for different development contexts. Studies show that trade-offs depend on how the option is implemented and at what scale; mitigation options such as afforestation, biomass production and digitalisation are examples of this. Some options could also result in significant adverse environmental impacts as in the case of battery waste and raw material resources for electric vehicle (EV) or air pollution associated with compact urban development. We find the most important factors influencing equity include unequal access (e.g. urban green spaces and public transportation), high costs (e.g. EV) and financial constraints. Major knowledge gaps include (i) limited empirical evidence of SDG-related trade-offs associated with scaling up mitigation options, (ii) limited understanding of the extent to which benefits are experienced by different groups, (iii) an understanding of the extent to which local context was considered when assessing mitigation–SDG interaction, including the engagement of stakeholders and (iv) synergies and trade-offs associated with cross-sectoral policies. The paper recommends ex-post analysis of detailed and place-based cases that document how synergies and trade-offs emerged and how these were addressed.
Exploring bioproduction systems in socio-ecological production landscapes and seascapes in Asia through solution scanning using the Nature Futures Framework
Authors: Lahoti Shruti Ashish , Withaningsih Susanti , Lomente Laizha , Kamiyama Chiho , De Luna Catherine , Sahle Mesfin , Malik Annas Dwitri , Parikesit Pampang , Pulhin Juan , Hashimoto Shizuka , Saito Osamu
Published: May 2023

Social–ecological production landscapes and seascapes (SEPLS) are an essential source of livelihood for people worldwide; however, they are experiencing challenges due to climate and ecological systems’ change affecting their bioproduction mechanisms. These externally influenced drivers challenge their relevance, which calls for the revitalization of these systems focusing on sustainable use and management of resources with increased socio-ecological resilience and improved economic viability. In response, this study was conducted by reviewing the literature on 90 bioproduction systems in SEPLS across three countries in Asia, Japan, Philippines and Indonesia. Through a solution scanning exercise, the study aims to identify the driver of change, the involvement of stakeholders, and the prominent response types considered during their revival. The recorded 348 policy responses are filtered using the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment-based response typology to systematically categorize the scanned solutions, and the Nature Futures Framework (NFF) to capture the linked pluralistic values. In addition to the solutions, the study captured the drivers of change and other characteristics of the bioproduction system. Overall, the stakeholder engagement, the solution type, and pathways to achieve the NFF perspectives vary across the countries. In all study countries, the change in natural, physical, and biological systems and challenges posed by land use change are the key direct driver. Indirect drivers in Japan are mainly associated with demographic change, while in the Philippines and Indonesia, they are socio-political and technological challenges, respectively. The NFF filtering indicates a stronger lean toward a ‘Nature as Culture/One with Nature’ perspective, achieved through solutions targeting sociocultural and behavioral change and community-based management. The solutions and the filtering allowed an understanding of the differing approaches, which can guide other bioproduction systems in enhancing their socio-economic resilience and bringing transformative change to SEPLS.
Trends and treatments of pelvic and acetabular fractures in Taiwan: facing an aging society
Authors: Hsieh Shang-Lin , Lin Tsung-Li , Lo Yuan-Shun , Chen Chun-Yen , Chang Hao Wei , Chen Hsien-Te , Fong Yi-Chin , Tsai Chun-Hao
Published: May 2023

Summary

Pelvic-acetabular fractures lead to high mortality in elders and their association between different groups is not known. Our results indicate that older age with pelvic-acetabular fracture was significantly associated with mortality. This finding may help planning and allocating healthcare resources, risk stratification, and optimizing the treatment of pelvic fractures.

Purpose

Pelvic or acetabular fractures are among main outcomes of low-energy trauma such as falls, especially in older adults. They represent approximately 3–8% of all fractures and are associated with a high mortality rate ranging from 4 to 28%. This study is aimed at comparing the incidence and trends of hip fractures and pelvic-acetabular fractures in the Taiwanese general population, gender differences in adults aged over 65 years, and mortality risk between pelvic or acetabular fractures and hip fractures and surgery trends in patients with these fractures.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted extracting data from the National Health Insurance Research Database of patients diagnosed with hip fracture and pelvic acetabular fracture between 2000 and 2018.

Results

Older age with pelvic-acetabular fracture was significantly associated with increased mortality. No significant differences were found in comorbidities between the two fracture groups. Results provide clear epidemiological evidence for trends in pelvic-acetabular fractures in Taiwan and demonstrate the need for better strategies to manage these fractures and comorbidities, particularly in older adults.

Conclusion

Findings of this study may aid in planning and allocating healthcare resources, risk stratification, and optimizing the treatment of pelvic fractures among older adults in Taiwan.
Patients’ thoughts about assessment of fracture risk in a dental setting using FRAX—a qualitative interview study
Authors: Elleby Charlotta , Skott Pia , Theobald Holger , Nyrén Sven , Salminen Helena
Published: May 2023

Summary

FRAX is a tool based on questions that identifies persons at risk of fragility fractures. We interviewed patients about their thoughts on doing FRAX in a dental setting. They were generally positive but had some concerns that need to be considered before introducing FRAX in a dental setting.

Purpose

To investigate patients’ thoughts about assessing the risk of fragility fractures using the FRAX tool in a dental setting. Sweden has a high incidence of fragility fractures, but many of these are preventable. The most common method for identifying persons with a high risk of sustaining fragility fractures is FRAX, a validated instrument for assessing the risk of suffering fragility fractures within 10 years. In the Nordic countries, most of the adult population has regular contact with their dentist, which could be useful in identifying high-risk individuals.

Methods

A qualitative inductive approach to content analysis, with individual semi-structured interviews, was used. Seven women and three men, aged 65–75 years, were interviewed and assessed with FRAX.

Results

An overarching theme was that patients considered a FRAX assessment in the dental setting a good service but doubted that the dentists would have the interest, time, and knowledge to do it. The patients had little knowledge and experience of osteoporosis and fragility fractures. They were positive towards assessing the fracture risk with the FRAX instrument. If they were found to have a high fracture risk, they expected the dentist to send a referral for further investigation and to collaborate in the risk assessment with their family physician. They thought risk assessment in a dental context would be a good service if the fee was the same as that in primary care.

Conclusion

Most participants were positive about having FRAX and other health assessments done in the dental clinic, but this study shows that patients have concerns that need to be addressed before introducing FRAX in this context.
On the Short-Term Creep and Recovery Behaviors of Injection Molded and Additive-Manufactured Tough Polylactic Acid Polymer
Authors: Gebrehiwot Silas Z. , Espinosa-Leal Leonardo , Andersson Mirja , Remes Heikki
Published: May 2023

The creep and recovery behaviors of a tough polylactic acid polymer are investigated experimentally and theoretically. We studied the influence of manufacturing methods and parameters on the viscoelastic responses. Experimental comparisons were carried out on 13 different samples manufactured using fused deposition modeling (FDM) and injection molding methods. The sample variations in the FDM were based on four infill densities (70-100%) and 3 infill directions $$(0^\circ ,45^\circ ,90^\circ )$$

(

0
∘

,

45
∘

,

90
∘

)

. Theoretically, the Burgers and Weibull’s models are used to predict the creep and recovery responses of the samples. Our experimental findings suggest that the injection-molded samples perform better in creep for most of the cases. However, at higher stress loadings, the 90 and 100% infill density samples showed excellent creep resistance behaviors at the $$90^\circ$$

90
∘

infill direction. On the other hand, the theoretical creep and recovery predictions were based on the nonlinear least-squares regression method. The Burgers model predicted the creep responses with reasonable accuracies. A maximum of $$5.83\%$$

5.83
%

mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) was found for the 0° infill direction and 80% infill density sample. On the contrary, the model lacks accuracy in recovery strain predictions, showing an average of 173.15% MAPE for all studied samples. Introducing Weibull’s distribution improved the accuracies showing a 3.44% average MAPE for all samples.
Numerical Investigation of the Effect of a Nozzle Extension on the Plasma Jet in Multi-Arc Plasma Spraying
Authors: Bobzin K. , Heinemann H. , Dokhanchi S. R.
Published: May 2023

In plasma spraying, compared to other thermal spraying process variants, only a small part of the available energy is used to build up a coating. Another peculiarity of this process is the relatively strong oxidation of the sprayed metallic particles, caused by the high temperatures and turbulent flow of the plasma jet in combination with the ambient air. A promising solution for increasing energy efficiency is a solid shroud that surrounds the plasma jet and thus prevents air entrainments from mixing with the plasma gas. The primary goal of this study is to develop a numerical model to investigate the effect of an external fixed nozzle extension on the plasma jet as a shroud in case of a multi-arc plasma generator. To this end, the existing simulation models of the plasma jet from the previous works of the authors were extended to model a solid nozzle extension at the outlet of a three-arc plasma generator. The developed parametrized model can be used to optimize the geometry of the nozzle extension based on experimental measurements to adapt it to the flow conditions of the plasma jet. The results revealed that the plasma temperature could be increased using the nozzle extension even with relatively cold process parameters, thereby raising the energy efficiency to melt the particles in plasma spraying.
The Power in Rural Place Stigma
Authors: Malatzky Christina A. R. , Couch Danielle L.
Published: May 2023

The phenomenon and implications of stigma have been recognized across many contexts and in relation to many discrete issues or conditions. The notion of spatial stigma has been developed within stigma literature, although the importance and relevance of spatial stigma for rural places and rural people have been largely neglected. This is the case even within fields of inquiry like public and rural health, which are expansively tasked with addressing the socio-structural drivers of health inequalities. In this paper, we argue that developing a better understanding of rural place stigma is critical for addressing contemporary patterns of spatial injustice and health inequalities affecting rural communities globally. Drawing on international literature and examples from the reported experiences of rurally living Australians and news and other media, we present an analysis highlighting the power in rural place stigma. In doing so, we build a case for the relevance and importance of interrogating rural place stigma, especially in the fields of public and rural health, for changing the conditions within—and the broader positioning of—the rural in the public and political landscapes.
Smoldering charcoal detection in forest soil by multiple CO sensors
Authors: Yang Chunmei , Hou Yuning , Liu Tongbin , Ma Yaqiang , Liu Jiuqing
Published: May 2023

Cleaning up residual fires is an important part of forest fire management to avoid the loss of forest resources caused by the recurrence of a residual fire. Existing residual fire detection equipment is mainly infrared temperature detection and smoke identification. Due to the isolation of ground, temperature and smoke characteristics of medium and large smoldering charcoal in some forest soils are not obvious, making it difficult to identify by detection equipment. CO gas is an important detection index for indoor smoldering fire detection, and an important identification feature of hidden smoldering ground fires. However, there is no research on locating smoldering fires through CO detection. We studied the diffusion law of CO gas directly above covered smoldering charcoal as a criterion to design a detection device equipped with multiple CO sensors. According to the motion decomposition search algorithm, the detection device realizes the function of automatically searching for smoldering charcoal. Experimental data shows that the average CO concentration over the covered smoldering charcoal decreases exponentially with increasing height. The size of the search step is related to the reliability of the search algorithm. The detection success corresponding to the small step length is high but the search time is lengthy which can lead to search failure. The introduction of step and rotation factors in search algorithm improves the search efficiency. This study reveals that the average ground CO concentration directly above smoldering charcoal in forests changes with height. Based on this law, a CO gas sensor detection device for hidden smoldering fires has been designed, which enriches the technique of residual fire detection.
Responses of arid plant species diversity and composition to environmental factors
Authors: Shi Haobo , Zhang Feng , Shi Qingdong , Li Mengze , Dai Yue , Zhang Zipeng , Zhu Chuanmei
Published: May 2023

An oasis is a unique natural landscape in arid and semi-arid areas, significant for regulating regional microclimates and hydrological processes in deserts. However, little is known regarding the response of natural oasis plants communities to various environmental factors. Nineteen sample plots (50 m × 50 m) were selected in the Daliyabuyi Oasis in the Taklimakan Desert hinterland based on the location of groundwater monitoring wells and 76 vegetation quadrats (25 m × 25 m) were established. A two-way indicator species analysis, Mantel test, detrended correspondence analysis, canonical correspondence analysis (CCA), and hierarchical partitioning were used to provide an in-depth analysis of community classification, species composition, and environmental interpretation of the oasis. A generalized linear model was used to verify the results which showed that the current oasis community could be divided into four types according to the dominant species, which is controlled by soil moisture. Measurement of species composition and distribution of communities showed significant differences between species diversity of individual community types. Variations in groundwater depth affects patterns of species diversity which is sensitive to richness, while the degree of surface water disturbance affects the pattern of species evenness. Moreover, the CCA ordination map showed that community distribution and diversity characteristics have their own preferences in habitat gradients. The study concluded that the species dominance of the community and the composition and distribution are not dominated by a single factor. There are differences in the scale and effect of different water resource types in maintaining community characteristics.
Reoptimisation strategies for dynamic vehicle routing problems with proximity-dependent nodes
Authors: Andersen Tiria , Belward Shaun , Sankupellay Mangalam , Myers Trina , Chen Carla
Published: May 2023

Autonomous vehicles create new opportunities as well as new challenges to dynamic vehicle routing. The introduction of autonomous vehicles as information-collecting agents results in scenarios, where dynamic nodes are found by proximity. This paper presents a novel dynamic vehicle-routing problem variant with proximity-dependent nodes. Here, we introduced a novel variable, detectability, which determines whether a proximal dynamic node will be detected, based on the sight radius of the vehicle. The problem considered is motivated by autonomous weed-spraying vehicles in large agricultural operations. This work is generalisable to many other autonomous vehicle applications. The first step to crafting a solution approach for the problem is to decide when reoptimisation should be triggered. Two reoptimisation trigger strategies are considered—exogenous and endogenous. Computational experiments compared the strategies for both the classical dynamic vehicle routing problem as well as the introduced variant. Experiments used extensive standardised vehicle-routing problem benchmarks with varying degrees of dynamism and geographical node distributions. The results showed that for both the classical problem and the novel variant, an endogenous trigger strategy is better in most cases, while an exogenous trigger strategy is only suitable when both detectability and dynamism are low. Furthermore, the optimal level of detectability was shown to be dependent on the combination of trigger, degree of dynamism, and geographical node distribution, meaning practitioners may determine the required detectability based on the attributes of their specific problem.
Positive and negative survivor-specific psychosocial consequences of childhood cancer: the DCCSS-LATER 2 psycho-oncology study
Authors: Maas Anne , Maurice-Stam Heleen , van der Aa-van Delden Alied M. , van Dalen Elvira C. , van Dulmen-den Broeder Eline , Tissing Wim J. E. , Loonen Jacqueline J. , van der Pal Helena J. H. , de Vries Andrica C. H. , van den Heuvel-Eibrink Marry M. , Janssens Geert O. , Ronckers Cécile , Neggers Sebastian , Bresters Dorine , Louwerens Marloes , Versluys Birgitta A. B. , van der Heiden-van der Loo Margriet , Kremer Leontien C. M. , van Gorp Marloes , Grootenhuis Martha A. ,   on behalf of the Dutch LATER study group
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Numerous studies investigated generic psychosocial outcomes in survivors of childhood cancer (CCS). The present study aimed to describe survivor-specific psychosocial consequences in CCS, and to identify socio-demographic and medical associated factors.

Methods

CCS from the Dutch Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (DCCSS)-LATER cohort (diagnosed 1963–2001) part 2 (age ≥ 18 years, diagnosed < 18 years, ≥ 5 years since diagnosis) completed the Benefit & Burden Scale (BBSC) and the Impact of Cancer–Childhood Cancer (IOC-CS). Items were scored on a 5-point Likert scale (range 1–5). We examined outcomes with descriptive statistics, and socio-demographic and medical associated factors with regression analyses, corrected for multiple testing (p < 0.004).

Results

CCS, N = 1713, age mean (M) 36 years, 49% female, ≥ 15 years since diagnosis, participated. On average, CCS reported ‘somewhat’ Benefit (M = 2.9), and ‘not at all’ to ‘a little’ Burden (M = 1.5) of childhood cancer. Average scores on IOC-CS’ positive impact scales ranged from 2.5 (Personal Growth) to 4.1 (Socializing), and on the negative impact scales from 1.4 (Financial Problems) to 2.4 (Thinking/Memory). Apart from cognitive problems, CCS reported challenges as worries about relationship status, fertility, and how cancer had affected siblings. Female sex was associated with more Personal Growth, and more negative impact. CCS more highly educated, partnered, and employed had higher positive and lower negative impact. CCS older at diagnosis reported more positive impact. CNS tumor survivors and those who had head/cranium radiotherapy had higher negative impact. CNS tumor survivors reported less positive impact.

Conclusion and implications

The majority of CCS reported positive impact of cancer while most CCS reported little negative impact. While this may indicate resiliency in most CCS, health care providers should be aware that they can also experience survivor-specific challenges that warrant monitoring/screening, information provision and psychosocial support.
Psychosocial distress and quality of life in patients after radical cystectomy – one year follow-up in 842 German patients
Authors: Bahlburg Henning , Hellmann Tabea , Tully Karl , Butea-Bocu Marius Cristian , Reike Moritz , Roghmann Florian , Noldus Joachim , Müller Guido
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study aims to report on psychosocial distress and QoL in bladder cancer patients after radical cystectomy (RC) and urinary diversion to obtain a better basis for patient counseling and postoperative care.

Methods

The study relied on prospectively collected data for 842 patients, who underwent three weeks of inpatient rehabilitation after RC and creation of an ileal conduit (IC) or ileal neobladder (INB). Data on QoL and psychosocial distress were collected by validated questionnaires. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify predictors for high psychosocial distress.

Results

Four-hundred and forty-seven patients (326 male, 121 female) received an IC, while 395 patients (357 male, 38 female) received an INB. Health-related QoL improved steadily in the whole cohort during follow-up. Patients with an INB reported better physical function but suffered more from diarrhea and financial worries. Patients with an IC reported reduced satisfaction with their body image, increased worries about the future, and suffered more from constipation. Psychosocial distress increased significantly during follow-up. One year after surgery, 43.1% of patients suffered from high psychosocial distress. Multivariate regression analysis identified age ≤ 59 years (OR 1.731; CI 1.056–2.838; p = 0.030) and lymph node metastases (OR 2.073; CI 1.133–3.793; p = 0.018) as independent predictors for high psychosocial distress.

Conclusion

QoL improves significantly in all patients one year after RC. However, psychosocial distress remains high in a substantial number of patients.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

To prevent chronic psychological disorders, easily accessible opportunities for psycho-oncological counseling are needed for patients following RC.
COVID-19 and Protracted Displacement: a Scoping Review of Migration Policies in Mexico and Central America
Authors: ten Have Noor J. , Jimenez Kassandra J. , Attilus Jonas , Livaudais Maria B. , Mengistu Brittney S.
Published: May 2023

By the end of 2020, more than 500,000 migrants from Central America, Haiti, Africa, and Asia sought asylum along the US-Mexico border despite COVID-19-related travel restrictions and public health measures. A scoping review was conducted to understand the role of COVID-19-related policies on irregular migration flows through Central America and Mexico and to examine the experiences of asylum seekers traversing this region. Peer-reviewed literature, policy briefs, and commentaries were screened for inclusion, resulting in 33 documents selected for this review. This review identified three dominant themes: border closures due to multiple national migration policies, delays in asylum procedures, and increased risks to migrant wellbeing. This article argues that border closures were a punitive policy measure to deter irregular migration during the COVID-19 pandemic. Implications for future research and policy include prioritizing the health needs of asylum seekers and advocating the appropriateness and effectiveness of immigration and public health policy.