bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resampling approaches for the quantitative analysis of spatially distributed cells
Authors: Bertolazzi Giorgio , Tumminello Michele , Morello Gaia , Belmonte Beatrice , Tripodo Claudio
Published: March 2024

Image segmentation is a crucial step in various image analysis pipelines and constitutes one of the cutting-edge areas of digital pathology. The advent of quantitative analysis has enabled the evaluation of millions of individual cells in tissues, allowing for the combined assessment of morphological features, biomarker expression, and spatial context. The recorded cells can be described as a point pattern process. However, the classical statistical approaches to point pattern processes prove unreliable in this context due to the presence of multiple irregularly-shaped interstitial cell-devoid spaces in the domain, which correspond to anatomical features (e.g. vessels, lipid vacuoles, glandular lumina) or tissue artefacts (e.g. tissue fractures), and whose coordinates are unknown. These interstitial spaces impede the accurate calculation of the domain area, resulting in biased clustering measurements. Moreover, the mistaken inclusion of empty regions of the domain can directly impact the results of hypothesis testing. The literature currently lacks any introduced bias correction method to address interstitial cell-devoid spaces. To address this gap, we propose novel resampling methods for testing spatial randomness and evaluating relationships among different cell populations. Our methods obviate the need for domain area estimation and provide non-biased clustering measurements. We created the SpaceR software (https://github.com/GBertolazzi/SpaceR) to enhance the accessibility of our methodologies.
Frequency modulation increases the specificity of time-resolved connectivity: A resting-state fMRI study
Authors: Faghiri Ashkan , Yang Kun , Faria Andreia , Ishizuka Koko , Sawa Akira , Adali Tülay , Calhoun Vince
Published: March 2024

Representing data using time-resolved networks is valuable for analyzing functional data of the human brain. One commonly used method for constructing time-resolved networks from data is sliding window Pearson correlation (SWPC). One major limitation of SWPC is that it applies a high-pass filter to the activity time series. Therefore, if we select a short window (desirable to estimate rapid changes in connectivity), we will remove important low-frequency information. Here, we propose an approach based on single sideband modulation (SSB) in communication theory. This allows us to select shorter windows to capture rapid changes in the time-resolved functional network connectivity (trFNC). We use simulation and real resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data to demonstrate the superior performance of SSB+SWPC compared to SWPC. We also compare the recurring trFNC patterns between individuals with the first episode of psychosis (FEP) and typical controls (TC) and show that FEPs stay more in states that show weaker connectivity across the whole brain. A result exclusive to SSB+SWPC is that TCs stay more in a state with negative connectivity between subcortical and cortical regions. Based on all the results, we argue that SSB+SWPC is more sensitive for capturing temporal variation in trFNC.
The Application of Resin Infiltration Combined with Nano-Hydroxyapatite in the Treatment of Post-Orthodontic White Spot Lesions
Authors: Zhang Chunbo , Xue Lili , Cai Qiaoling , Ke Jianguo
Published: March 2024

This study aims to investigate whether the combination of resin infiltration and nanohydroxyapatite (nHA) can provide a synergistic treatment for post-orthodontic white spot lesions (WSL), thus establishing an experimental basis for its treatment. For this study, a total of 60 bicuspid
teeth that required extraction due to orthodontics were collected. Orthodontic models were established for each tooth sample, and demineralization staining was conducted using Coca-Cola. The dental samples were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group, nHA group, resin infiltration group,
and resin infiltration+nHA group. The demineralized samples were remineralized with 10% nHA and Icon resin infiltration, respectively. The samples were subjected to color difference observation, microhardness test, energy-dispersive X-ray spectrum analysis, and surface roughness detection.
The results showed that the tooth surface of the control group was rough and dull after demineralization. The area around the bracket exhibited a brown color, greatly contrasting with the color of the surrounding tooth enamel. After the remineralization treatment with nHA and resin infiltration,
the color difference decreased significantly and the microhardness increased. A significant difference was observed between the nHA group and the resin infiltration group (P < 0.05). However, the combination of resin infiltration and nHA exhibited superior staining resistance and
improved WSL microhardness value. Additionally, nHA was found to enhance the mass ratio and molar ratio of calcium to phosphorus in WSL samples, while also reducing the surface roughness Ra, demonstrating a greater effectiveness compared to resin infiltration. The use of nHA following resin
infiltration led to a significant improvement in mineral deposition and a substantial reduction in surface roughness. In conclusion, both resin infiltration and nHA play a crucial role in promoting enamel remineralization, offering their respective advantages in reducing color difference,
increasing microhardness and calcium and phosphorus content, and reducing surface roughness in WSL samples. Remarkably, the combined application of resin infiltration and nHA enables resin infiltration to improve the remineralization and anti-coloring ability in WSL, while preserving its aesthetic
effects. This combination demonstrates a positive application outcome.
Secondary Ice Production in Simulated Deep Convective Clouds: A Sensitivity Study
Authors: Han Cunbo , Hoose Corinna , Dürlich Viktoria
Published: March 2024

Multiple mechanisms have been proposed to explain secondary ice production (SIP), and SIP has been recognized to play a vital role in forming cloud ice crystals. However, most weather and climate models do not consider SIP in their cloud microphysical schemes. In this study, in addition to the default rime splintering (RS) process, two SIP processes, namely, shattering/fragmentation during freezing of supercooled rain/drizzle drops (DS) and breakup upon ice–ice collisions (BR), were implemented into a two-moment cloud microphysics scheme. Besides, two different parameterization schemes for BR were introduced. A series of sensitivity experiments were performed to investigate how SIP impacts cloud microphysics and cloud phase distributions in warm-based deep convective clouds developed in the central part of Europe. Simulation results revealed that cloud microphysical properties were significantly influenced by the SIP processes. Ice crystal number concentrations (ICNCs) increased up to more than 20 times and surface precipitation was reduced by up to 20% with the consideration of SIP processes. Interestingly, BR was found to dominate SIP, and the BR process rate was larger than the RS and DS process rates by four and three orders of magnitude, respectively. Liquid pixel number fractions inside clouds and at the cloud top decreased when implementing all three SIP processes, but the decrease depended on the BR scheme. Peak values of ice enhancement factors (IEFs) in the simulated deep convective clouds were 102–104 and located at −24°C with the consideration of all three SIP processes, while the temperature dependency of IEF was sensitive to the BR scheme. However, if only RS or RS and DS processes were included, the IEFs were comparable, with peak values of about 6, located at −7°C. Moreover, switching off the cascade effect led to a remarkable reduction in ICNCs and ice crystal mass mixing ratios.

Significance Statement

The cloud phase is found to have a significant impact on cloud evolution, radiative properties, and precipitation formation. However, the simulation of the cloud phase is a big challenge for cloud research because multiple processes are not well described or missing in numerical models. In this study, we implemented two secondary ice production (SIP) processes, namely, shattering/fragmentation during the freezing of supercooled rain/drizzle drops and breakup upon ice–ice collisions, which are missing in most numerical models. Sensitivity experiments were conducted to investigate how SIP impacts cloud microphysics and cloud phase in deep convective clouds. We found that SIP significantly impacts in-cloud and cloud-top phase distribution. We also identified that the collisional breakup of ice particles is the dominant SIP process in the simulated deep convective clouds.
Sensitivity of Easterly QBO’s Boreal Winter Teleconnections and Surface Impacts to SSWs
Authors: Elsbury Dillon , Butler Amy , Peings Yannick , Magnusdottir Gudrun
Published: March 2024

The quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) is thought to influence boreal winter surface conditions over Asia and around the North Atlantic. Confirming if these responses are robust is complicated by the QBO having multiple pathways to influence surface conditions as well as internal variability. The reanalysis record suggests that sudden stratospheric warmings (SSWs), breakdowns of the polar vortex that can elicit persistent surface impacts, are more frequent during easterly QBO (EQBO). Hence, this modulated frequency of SSWs may account for some of the EQBO surface responses. However, many climate models do not reproduce this QBO–SSW relationship, perhaps because it is noise or because the model QBOs are deficient. We circumvent these issues by using an ensemble of fixed boundary condition branched simulations in which a realistic EQBO is prescribed in control simulations previously devoid of a QBO, allowing us to isolate the transient atmospheric response to EQBO. Imposing EQBO accelerates the tropical upper-tropospheric wind, shifts the subtropical jet poleward, and attenuates the polar vortex. Interestingly, the latter is not entirely dependent on the statistically significant increase in SSW frequency due to EQBO. Corroborating observations, EQBO is associated with warmer surface temperatures over Asia and negative North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) conditions. We then subsample the branched/control simulations based on which EQBO members have SSWs. The negative NAO response is primarily associated with more frequent SSWs, while the Asia warming develops irrespective of SSWs. These results have implications for wintertime predictability and clarify the pairing of particular QBO teleconnections with certain surface impacts.

Significance Statement

The QBO is one of the few parts of the Earth system that is predictable months in advance and that also elicits global effects on surface temperature, circulation, and precipitation. Unfortunately, climate models and operational forecast systems do not simulate the QBO well and it is not always clear how robust the global impacts of the QBO are. Here, we impose the QBO in idealized model simulations, which modulates wintertime surface temperature and precipitation over Asia, the North Atlantic, Europe, and Africa in a manner consistent with observations. This work substantiates the importance of climate and forecast models properly simulating the QBO.
Linearity of the Climate Response to Increasingly Strong Tropical Volcanic Eruptions in a Large Ensemble Framework
Authors: Timmreck Claudia , Olonscheck Dirk , Ballinger Andrew P. , D’Agostino Roberta , Fang Shih-Wei , Schurer Andrew P. , Hegerl Gabriele C.
Published: March 2024

Large explosive volcanic eruptions cause short-term climatic impacts on both regional and global scales. Their impact on tropical climate variability, in particular El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), is still uncertain, as is their combined and separate effect on tropical and global precipitation. Here, we investigate the relationship between large-scale temperature and precipitation and tropical volcanic eruption strength, using 100-member MPI-ESM ensembles for idealized equatorial symmetric Northern Hemisphere summer eruptions of different sulfur emission strengths. Our results show that for idealized tropical eruptions, global and hemispheric mean near-surface temperature and precipitation anomalies are negative and linearly scalable for sulfur emissions between 10 and 40 Tg S. We identify 20 Tg S emission as a threshold where the global ensemble-mean near-surface temperature and precipitation signals exceed the range of internal variability, even though some ensemble members emerge from variability for lower eruption strengths. Seasonal and ensemble mean patterns of near-surface temperature and precipitation anomalies are highly correlated across eruption strengths, in particular for larger emission strengths in the tropics, and strongly modulated by ENSO. There is a tendency to shift toward a warm ENSO phase for the first postvolcanic year as the emission strength increases. Volcanic cooling emerges on a hemisphere-wide scale, while the precipitation response is more localized, and emergence is mainly confined to the tropics and subtropics.

Significance Statement

The purpose of this study is to investigate at which strength the climate responses of volcanic forcing can be distinguished from the internal climate variability and whether the responses will linearly increase as the emission strengths become stronger. We ran 100-member MPI-ESM ensembles of idealized equatorial volcanic eruptions of different sulfur emission strengths and find that seasonal and ensemble mean patterns of near-surface temperature and precipitation anomalies are distinguishable and linearly scalable for sulfur emissions from 10 to 40 Tg S if their forcing patterns are similar. The identification of volcanic fingerprints is important for seasonal to decadal forecasts in the case of potential future eruptions and could help to prepare society for the regional climatic consequences of such an event.
Multicycle Parameter Estimations in Coupled Earth System Models Based on Multiscale Sensitivity Responses in the Context of Low-Order Models
Authors: Yang Haoyu , Zhang Shaoqing , Cai Jinzhuo , Wang Dong , Deng Xiong , Gao Yang
Published: March 2024

Climate model simulations tend to drift away from the real world because of model errors induced by an incomplete understanding and implementation of dynamics and physics. Parameter estimation uses data assimilation methods to optimize model parameters, which minimizes model errors by incorporating observations into the model through state-parameter covariance. However, traditional parameter estimation schemes that simultaneously estimate multiple parameters using observations could fail to reduce model errors because of the low signal-to-noise ratio in the covariance. Here, based on the saturation time scales of model sensitivity that depend on different parameters and model components, we design a new multicycle parameter estimation scheme, where each cycle is determined by the saturation time scale of sensitivity of the model state associated with observations in each climate system component. The new scheme is evaluated using two low-order models. The results show that due to high signal-to-noise ratios sustained during the parameter estimation process, the new scheme consistently reduces model errors as the number of estimated parameters increases. The new scheme may improve comprehensive coupled climate models by optimizing multiple parameters with multisource observations, thereby addressing the multiscale nature of component motions in the Earth system.

Significance Statement

Parameter estimation is used to reduce model errors by optimizing the model parameter values with observational information, which is important for improving long-term predictions. In previous parameter estimation methods, multisource observations have not yet been sufficiently used because the quality and dimension size of the optimized parameters are limited. Here, based on the multiscale nature of component motion in the Earth system, we develop a new parameter estimation method that makes full use of multisource observations. The new method processes the parameters being estimated sequentially according to sensitivity magnitudes and saturation time scales so that the parameters can be continuously optimized. This new method has large application potential for weather and climate reanalyses and predictions.
The Brazil Basin Tracer Release Experiment: Observations
Authors: Ledwell James R.
Published: March 2024

Lightening of bottom water is required to close the abyssal overturning circulation, believed to play an important role in the climate system. A tracer release experiment and turbulence measurement programs have revealed how bottom water is lightened, and illuminated the associated circulation in the deep Brazil Basin, a representative region of the global ocean. Tracer was released on an isopycnal surface about 4000 m deep, over one of the fracture zones emanating from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR). Tracer that mixed toward the bottom moved toward the MAR across isopycnal surfaces that bend down to intersect the bottom at a rate implying a near-bottom buoyancy flux of 1.5 × 10−9 m2 s−3, somewhat larger than inferred from dissipation measurements. The diffusivity at the level of the tracer release is estimated at 4.4 ± 1 × 10−4 m2 s−1, again larger than inferred from dissipation rates. The main patch moved southwest at about 2 cm s−1 while sinking due to the divergence of buoyancy flux above the bottom layer. The isopycnal eddy diffusivity was about 100 m2 s−1. Westward flow away from the MAR is the return flow balancing the eastward near-bottom upslope flow. The southward component of the flow is roughly consistent with conservation of potential vorticity. The circulation as well as the pattern of diapycnal flux are qualitatively the same as in St. Laurent et al. (2001) but are more robust. The results indicate that diapycnal diffusivity is about twice that invoked by Morris et al. (2001) in calculating the basinwide buoyancy budget.

Significance Statement

Buoyancy flux into the abyssal waters is required to close the overturning circulation of those waters, an important part of the climate system. This contribution presents a robust view of the strength of that buoyancy flux and the associated circulation.
Social Media Influencers’ Credibility and Purchase Intention: The Moderating Role of Green Consumption Values
Authors: Rizomyliotis Ioannis , Konstantoulaki Kleopatra , Giovanis Apostolos
Published: March 2024

Social media influencer marketing has emerged as a new marketing tool. Generation Z consumers are especially influenced by social media influencers when purchasing cosmetic products. The purpose of this research is to examine the effect of the credibility of social media influencers on consumers’ brand consideration and purchase intention, while at the same time authors test the moderating effect of green consumption values on the aforementioned relationships. An online questionnaire survey was conducted, targeting Gen-Z consumers who follow beauty influencers on social media. According to the results from 201 participants, social media influencers’ credibility positively effects brand consideration and purchase intention. These effects are both found to be moderated by users’ green consumption values.
An Automobile’s Tail Lights: Sacrificing Safety for Playful Design?
Authors: Burns-Hemingway Fiona , Feltmate Brett B. T. , Klein Raymond M.
Published: March 2024

Objective

The counterintuitive “Union Jack”-inspired turn signals on versions of BMW’s Mini vehicles was investigated to reveal potential impacts on human performance.

Background

When some Mini drivers indicate a change in direction, they do so with an oppositely oriented arrow. This conflict, between the task-irrelevant spatial shape and task-relevant location of the signal, mimics a “converse” spatial-Stroop effect that, in combination with the ubiquitous use of arrows on road signs, may be confusing.

Method

Participants ( n = 30) responded—via right and left keypresses—to the directions of road signs and turn signals in both pure and mixed blocks. Reaction times and accuracies were recorded to determine performance in each condition (compatible, neutral, incompatible).

Results

Performance suffered when the location and direction of the stimuli did not correspond. When responding to turn signals the cost to performance was especially salient in mixed blocks. Thus, when driving on roads where the meanings of arrows on road signs is important, turn signals pointing in a direction opposite from the directional intention indicated by the signals’ location are likely to be confusing.

Conclusion

The design of some Mini’s “Union Jack” style taillights opposes well-established principles of cognitive functioning, caused confusion in our laboratory study and therefore may be a safety hazard—a possibility that ought to be explored in more realistic (e.g., driving simulator) situations.

Application

BMW designers should consider universally adopting the neutral, “horizontal line,” illumination style that is currently available in the aftermarket.
Research on data mapping and fusion method of ship production workshop based on digital twins
Authors: Wang Lei , Chen Jianxun , Zhang Yu , Tian Yali , Li Zhengyu , Wang Chenghao
Published: March 2024

Aiming at the problems existing in discrete manufacturing workshops of ships, such as the lack of real-time management and control ability of on-site production status, and the long time delay of real-time interaction and fusion between physical entities and virtual entities data, this paper proposes ship production workshop data mapping and fusion method based on digital twins. Taking a ship machining workshop as an application research example, the integrated business process and data mapping and fusion method of the machining workshop based on digital twins are studied. On this basis, the dynamic scheduling optimization algorithm of ship machining workshops based on digital twins is studied. The results show that the data mapping and fusion method in this study can significantly reduce the time delay of data interaction between the virtual and real objects. It can effectively improve the real-time and production flexibility of dynamic and complex tasks such as emergency insertion and task rework. The ability of real-time data interaction and synchronous real-time mapping between physical entities and virtual entities in dynamic scenes such as production line reconstruction and customized production is improved.
Akkermansia muciniphila in infectious disease: A new target for this next-generation probiotic?
Authors: Keane Jonathan M. , Cazzaniga Monica , Gahan Cormac G.M.
Published: March 2024

The common gastrointestinal commensal Akkermansia muciniphila is a mucin-degrading bacterium that is greatly reduced in individuals consuming a high-fat diet. Increasing evidence from a variety of clinical and pre-clinical studies suggests that oral supplementation with Akkermansia can improve metabolic health and moderate systemic inflammation. We and others have demonstrated a role for Akkermansia administration in protection against infectious disease and the outcome from sepsis. Very recent studies have indicated the molecular mechanisms by which A. muciniphila may interact with the host to influence systemic immune-regulation and control of microbial pathogenesis. Here we consider recent studies which demonstrate the efficacy of this potential next-generation probiotic in animal models of Salmonella Typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes and Clostridioides difficile as well as influenza virus and phlebovirus. The potential mechanisms by which A. muciniphila may influence local and systemic immune responses are discussed.
Ecotoxicity of commonly used oilfield-based emulsifiers on Guinean Tilapia (Tilapia guineensis) using histopathology and behavioral alterations as protocol
Authors: Chris Davies Ibienebo , Wokeh Okechukwu Kenneth , Téllez-Isaías Guillermo , Kari Zulhisyam Abdul , Azra Mohamad Nor
Published: March 2024

This study examined the histological aberrations in the gill and liver tissues and behavioural changes of Tilapia guineensis fingerlings exposed to lethal concentrations of used Oilfield-based emulsifiers for 96 h. Various concentrations of the surfactants were tested, ranging from 0.0 to 15.0 ml/L. The behaviour of the fish was observed throughout the experiment, and the results showed that increasing concentrations of the surfactants led to progressively abnormal behaviour, including hyperventilation and altered opercular beat frequency. These behavioural changes indicated respiratory distress and neurotoxic effects. Histological analysis revealed structural aberrations in the gill and liver tissues, with higher concentrations causing more severe damage, such as lesions, necrosis, inflammation, and cellular degeneration. This implies that surfactants released even at low concentrations are capable of inducing changes in the tissues of aquatic organisms. These findings highlight the toxic effects of the surfactants on fish health and provide biomarkers of toxicity. Future research should focus on understanding the specific mechanisms and long-term consequences of surfactant toxicity on fish genetic composition, populations, and ecosystems to implement effective conservation measures.
A novel measurement approach to dynamic change of limb length discrepancy using deep learning and wearable sensors
Authors: Wu Jianning , Shi Yujie , Wu Xiaoyan
Published: March 2024

The accurate identification of dynamic change of limb length discrepancy (LLD) in non-clinical settings is of great significance for monitoring gait function change in people's everyday lives. How to search for advanced techniques to measure LLD changes in non-clinical settings has always been a challenging endeavor in recent related research. In this study, we have proposed a novel approach to accurately measure the dynamic change of LLD outdoors by using deep learning and wearable sensors. The basic idea is that the measurement of dynamic change of LLD was considered as a multiple gait classification task based on LLD change that is clearly associated with its gait pattern. A hybrid deep learning model of convolutional neural network and long short-term memory (CNN-LSTM) was developed to precisely classify LLD gait patterns by discovering the most representative spatial-temporal LLD dynamic change features. Twenty-three healthy subjects were recruited to simulate four levels of LLD by wearing a shoe lift with different heights. The Delsys TrignoTM system was implemented to simultaneously acquire gait data from six sensors positioned on the hip, knee and ankle joint of two lower limbs respectively. The experimental results showed that the developed CNN-LSTM model could reach a higher accuracy of 93.24% and F1-score of 93.48% to classify four different LLD gait patterns when compared with CNN, LSTM, and CNN-gated recurrent unit(CNN-GRU), and gain better recall and precision (more than 92%) to detect each LLD gait pattern accurately. Our model could achieve excellent learning ability to discover the most representative LLD dynamic change features for classifying LLD gait patterns accurately. Our technical solution would help not only to accurately measure LLD dynamic change in non-clinical settings, but also to potentially find out lower limb joints with more abnormal compensatory change caused by LLD.
A bibliometric literature review of stock price forecasting: From statistical model to deep learning approach
Authors: Vuong Pham Hoang , Phu Lam Hung , Van Nguyen Tran Hong , Duy Le Nhat , Bao Pham The , Trinh Tan Dat
Published: March 2024

We introduce a comprehensive analysis of several approaches used in stock price forecasting, including statistical, machine learning, and deep learning models. The advantages and limitations of these models are discussed to provide an insight into stock price forecasting. Traditional statistical methods, such as the autoregressive integrated moving average and its variants, are recognized for their efficiency, but they also have some limitations in addressing non-linear problems and providing long-term forecasts. Machine learning approaches, including algorithms such as artificial neural networks and random forests, are praised for their ability to grasp non-linear information without depending on stochastic data or economic theory. Moreover, deep learning approaches, such as convolutional neural networks and recurrent neural networks, can deal with complex patterns in stock prices. Additionally, this study further investigates hybrid models, combining various approaches to explore their strengths and counterbalance individual weaknesses, thereby enhancing predictive accuracy. By presenting a detailed review of various studies and methods, this study illuminates the direction of stock price forecasting and highlights potential approaches for further studies refining the stock price forecasting models.
Unlocking Nontransactional Value Co-creation: Insights From Online Travel Communities
Authors: Jiang Hui , Meng Fang , Liu Bing
Published: March 2024

Online travel communities have been pivotal touchpoints for tourists to co-create nontransactional values with both platforms and other tourists. This study employed a mixed-method approach to examine the antecedents of tourists’ nontransactional value co-creation, including tourist-initiated and platform-initiated value co-creation, and its influence on the effective creation of knowledge value. The results of the quantitative study revealed both similarities and distinctions in the underlying mechanisms influencing tourist-initiated and platform-initiated value co-creation. These two forms of value co-creation also exhibited different impacts on the effectiveness of nontransactional value created in the co-creation process. The subsequent qualitative study further validated these similarities and distinctions while uncovering the underlying reasons. This study embodies the nature of bilateral participation from tourists and platforms in value co-creation, and provides theoretical and practical implications regarding nontransactional values in online travel communities, extending beyond transactional values, such as brand loyalty and purchase intention discussed in prior literature.
Book review: Azra Razzack and M. Atyab Siddiqui, The School at Ajmeri Gate: Delhi’s Educational Legacy
Authors: Agarwal Yamini
Published: March 2024

Azra Razzack and M. Atyab Siddiqui, The School at Ajmeri Gate: Delhi’s Educational Legacy, Oxford University Press, 2022, 501 pp., ₹2295, ISBN 978- 81-948316-2-4 (Hardcover).
Book review: Santosh K Singh (Ed.), Remembering India’s Villages
Authors: Alha Akhil
Published: March 2024

Santosh K Singh (Ed.), Remembering India’s Villages, Aakar Publications, 2021, 266 pp., ₹895, ISBN 978-93-5002-720-2 (Hardcover).
Food Insecurity Among Community College Caregivers During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Soria Krista M. , Vakanski Stacey E. , White Trevor , Arp Ryan
Published: March 2024

Objective: The purpose of this paper was to examine variables associated with food insecurity among community college caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We used data from a multi-institutional survey of 15,051 caregivers enrolled at 130 community colleges in 42 states in fall 2020. We used a logistic regression to examine whether demographic, academic, caregiving-related, financial, or COVID-19-related variables were associated with caregivers’ food insecurity. Results: Over half (52%) of community college caregivers experienced food insecurity. Transgender caregivers, first-generation caregivers, and caregivers who were divorced or single, had multiple disabilities, were previously in foster care, and had a family that experienced trouble making ends meet growing up had significantly ( p < .05) higher probabilities of experiencing food insecurity. Community college caregivers who used childcare and those with at least one child up to 12 years old also had increased probabilities of experiencing food insecurity. Moreover, caregivers who felt childcare was not affordable and believed that they did not earn enough money to make employment worthwhile after paying for childcare expenses had higher probabilities of experiencing food insecurity, as did those who experienced housing insecurity and used Pell grants, student loans, and support from friends or family to pay for college. Losing a job, experiencing cuts to work hours or wages, employment as a frontline worker, and contracting COVID were associated with higher probabilities of food insecurity. Contributions: Community college caregivers experienced high rates of food insecurity during the pandemic and some caregivers were at greater risk of exacerbated probabilities of food insecurity. We advocate for targeted interventions, wraparound services, and increased advocacy for legislation to support student caregivers.
Conformity of public policy and citizens’ attitudes towards the public service media
Authors: Jastramskis Deimantas
Published: March 2024

The article examines how the structural conditions (ownership, management, financing, and accountability) of public service media (PSM) functioning established by public policy decisions align with citizens’ attitudes. The empirical research employs the case of Lithuanian PSM because of relatively favorable conditions created for developing the PSM as a project of democracy and civil society. A document analysis was performed, and a representative survey of the Lithuanian population was conducted in response to the research questions. The analysis concludes that the intentions of public policy and civil society are quite different concerning the operating conditions of PSM. The citizens would like to have more say in the management of the PSM and to see the PSM much more accountable to society.
Language change in Japanese–English bilingual returnee children over the course of five years: Evidence from accent-rating
Authors: Laméris Tim Joris , Kubota Maki , Kupisch Tanja , Cabrelli Jennifer , Snape Neal , Rothman Jason
Published: March 2024

Few studies have examined global foreign accent (GFA) in bilingual children, and little is known about how GFA changes over time and what factors determine change. Here, we examine GFA trajectories in Japanese–English bilingual returnees (Japanese children who returned to Japan after having lived in a majority English environment for several years). In two accent-rating tasks, first language (L1) speakers of English or Japanese rated returnee speech excerpts recorded at three time points over a five-year period. The ratings show a decrease in Japanese GFA one year after return to Japan, and an increase in English GFA, but only five years after return. These findings suggest rapid re-exposure effects of the L1 and relatively stable maintenance of the second language (L2). Changes varied by L2 English age of onset (AoO) and exposure to L2 English while abroad, suggesting a crucial role for these individual factors in transitory contexts such as returnee bilingualism.
The Effect of Primary ACL Reconstruction on Career Longevity in English Premier League and Championship Soccer Players Compared With Uninjured Controls: A Matched Cohort Analysis
Authors: Borque Kyle A. , Laughlin Mitzi S. , Hugo Pinheiro Vítor , Ngo Dylan , Kent Madison , Balendra Ganesh , Jones Mary , Williams Andy
Published: March 2024

Background:

Because of the multitude of variables that affect the retirement decisions of professional soccer players, it has proven difficult to isolate the effect of undergoing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) on career longevity.

Purpose:

To compare the career longevity of professional soccer players after a primary ACLR with that of an uninjured matched control cohort.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

A retrospective review of a consecutive series of primary ACLR was performed between 2008 and 2018 in professional male soccer players from the senior author's practice. Each athlete with ACLR was matched to 3 control athletes who had not undergone ACLR according to age, league, playing position, and preinjury game appearances/minutes played. Player career statistics—including league, game appearances, and game minutes—were compiled for each year until retirement or July 1, 2022.

Results:

A total of 82 soccer players in the English Premier League or Championship at the time of their primary ACLR were matched to 246 control athletes. The mean career length after ACLR was 6 ± 2.6 years, while that of the matched control athletes was 7.6 ± 2.8 years ( P < .001). After primary ACLR, an athlete had a 2 times greater chance of retirement compared with the matched control athlete (hazard ratio, 2.19; P < .001). At 5 years after ACLR, 16% of athletes had retired from professional soccer, while 8.5% of the matched cohort were retired ( P = .060). By 10 years, 72% of the ACLR cohort had retired compared with 43% of the matched cohort ( P < .001). Forwards were more likely to have shortened careers compared with goalkeepers ( P = .021); however, no significant differences were observed between midfielders, defenders, and forwards. Within the ACLR cohort, a contralateral ACL tear during the athlete's career caused a 2.30 times ( P = .022) increased chance of retirement compared with athletes with only 1 ACL tear during their career. Mechanism of injury, meniscal pathology, graft rerupture, and chondral lesions did not affect career length.

Conclusion:

Professional male soccer players who underwent ACLR had decreased career length by approximately 1.6 years compared with a matched player cohort.
The seasonality of conflict
Authors: Guardado Jenny , Pennings Steven
Published: March 2024

This paper uses one of the largest changes to labor demand in developing countries—harvest—to examine how the returns to fighting vs. working impact the intensity of conflict. Exploiting the exogenous allocation and timing of harvest across Afghanistan, Iraq, and Pakistan, we find that the onset of harvest reduces the number of insurgent attacks by between 6 and 21%. This is not due to changes in local temperature or rainfall, to name a few possibilities. Moreover, because harvest is transitory and anticipated, our estimates minimize the potential bias present in other persistent income shocks commonly used in the literature.
CAR and CSTR Cardiac Computed Tomography (CT) Practice Guidelines: Part 2-Non-Coronary Imaging
Authors: Nguyen Elsie T. , Green Courtney R. , Adams Scott J. , Bishop Helen , Gleeton Guylaine , Hague Cameron J. , Hanneman Kate , Harris Scott , Strzelczyk Jacek , Dennie Carole
Published: March 2024

The cardiac computed tomography (CT) practice guidelines provide an updated review of the technological improvements since the publication of the first Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR) cardiac CT practice guidelines in 2009. An overview of the current evidence supporting the use of cardiac CT in the most common clinical scenarios, standards of practice to optimize patient preparation and safety as well as image quality are described. Coronary CT angiography (CCTA) is the focus of Part I. In Part II, an overview of cardiac CT for non-coronary indications that include valvular and pericardial imaging, tumour and mass evaluation, pulmonary vein imaging, and imaging of congenital heart disease for diagnosis and treatment monitoring are discussed. The guidelines are intended to be relevant for community hospitals and large academic centres with established cardiac CT imaging programs.
The Effects of Laughter Yoga on Happiness and Stress in Nursing Students Going into Clinical Practice for the First Time
Authors: Bal Betul , Demirci Canan , Kilicli Gamze Gulsum
Published: March 2024

Background: There are numerous difficulties that nursing students must overcome in the nursing practice environment. This circumstance mainly impacts the happiness and stress levels of nursing students who lack clinical practice. Aim: In this study aimed to examine the effect of laughter yoga (LY) on nursing students’ happiness and stress levels attending to clinical practice for the first-time. Method: In this randomized controlled trial, a totally 50 nursing students were included from a nursing school in Turkey. Data were collected between December 2022-January 2023 via The Happiness Scale and the Perceived Stress Scale for Nursing Students. A total of eight LY lessons for 4 weeks were practiced to the laughter group (LG). Result: The Happiness Scale's means were compared between the groups before and after the intervention, and the results revealed a significant increase ( p < 0.05). There was not a significant difference in the stress scale scores between both the groups following LG and clinical practice ( t: -1.780; p = 0.081). However, the stress scores of the LG decreased significantly after the LY sessions were completed ( b: 3.595; p = 0.001). Conclusion: LY can be an effective method to be used to help increase happiness and reduce the stress of nursing students for first-time entering clinical practice.
Efficient design of composite honeycomb sandwich panels under blast loading
Authors: Sawant Rashmi , Patel Shivdayal
Published: March 2024

Hybrid composite honeycomb sandwich structures (HCHSS) were employed due to high specific strength and stiffness and higher impact resistance property required for the aerospace and defence fields. The numerical modelling of the efficient HCHSS was developed for the core, front and back face plate using the C3D8R elements to determine the realistic failure behaviour for the honeycomb sandwich structure. The ConWep blast simulation loading was applied for the HCHSS. Advanced composite materials were used for the blast analysis of the HCHSS (carbon/epoxy, graphite/epoxy, woven basalt fibres/polypropylene and woven Kevlar fibres/polypropylene). The damage initiation and damage propagation based progressive damage modelling was developed and implemented in the VUMAT code for composite materials to determine the actual failure behaviour of the HCHSS. The face sheets used in this model were of a stainless-steel alloy AL-6XN. The sandwich structure was subjected to blast loads of 1, 2 and 3 kg of TNT and their performance was compared w.r.t both front and back-face deflection. The effectiveness of sandwich panels was further examined by altering the thickness of the core. Fibre-metal laminates (FML) were used in place of the steel face sheets in the panel in order to minimise its mass, and a thorough analysis of the panel’s mass in relation to its peak deflection was carried out. Upon analysing the results, it was noted that the panel with the basalt fibre reinforced polymer (BFRP) core gave the best results compared to other composite materials. For a blast load of 3 kg TNT, the peak back face deflection (PBFD) of HCHSS with a BFRP core decreased by 10.64%, 7.61% and 4.75%, respectively, compared to panels with CFRP, GFRP, and KFRP cores. The peak deflection of the panel decreased as the BFRP core thickness increased. The energy absorption capacity of the panel also increased with increasing thickness. Additionally, it was found that panels with BFRP cores and KFRP-steel laminate face sheets provided the optimum balance of strong blast resistant performance and light weight. Compared to the metallic (steel) sandwich panel, the mass of the sandwich panel with KFRP-steel laminate face sheets and BFRP core was reduced by 33%, but at the same time, its PBFD increased by almost 50%.
Statistical inference for diagnostic test accuracy studies with multiple comparisons
Authors: Westphal Max , Zapf Antonia
Published: March 2024

Diagnostic accuracy studies assess the sensitivity and specificity of a new index test in relation to an established comparator or the reference standard. The development and selection of the index test are usually assumed to be conducted prior to the accuracy study. In practice, this is often violated, for instance, if the choice of the (apparently) best biomarker, model or cutpoint is based on the same data that is used later for validation purposes. In this work, we investigate several multiple comparison procedures which provide family-wise error rate control for the emerging multiple testing problem. Due to the nature of the co-primary hypothesis problem, conventional approaches for multiplicity adjustment are too conservative for the specific problem and thus need to be adapted. In an extensive simulation study, five multiple comparison procedures are compared with regard to statistical error rates in least-favourable and realistic scenarios. This covers parametric and non-parametric methods and one Bayesian approach. All methods have been implemented in the new open-source R package cases which allows us to reproduce all simulation results. Based on our numerical results, we conclude that the parametric approaches (maxT and Bonferroni) are easy to apply but can have inflated type I error rates for small sample sizes. The two investigated Bootstrap procedures, in particular the so-called pairs Bootstrap, allow for a family-wise error rate control in finite samples and in addition have a competitive statistical power.
Association between time to colonoscopy after positive fecal testing and colorectal cancer outcomes in Alberta, Canada
Authors: Brenner Darren R , Carbonell Chantelle , Xu Linan , Nemecek Nicole , Yang Huiming
Published: March 2024

Objective

To quantify the associations between time to colonoscopy after a positive fecal immunochemical test (FIT+) and colorectal cancer (CRC)-related outcomes in the context of a provincial, population-based CRC screening program.

Setting

Population-based, retrospective cohort study in Alberta, Canada, including Albertans aged 50–74 with at least one FIT+ in 2014–2017.

Methods

Study outcomes were CRC diagnosis after a FIT+ and a diagnostic follow-up colonoscopy in 2014–2019 and CRC stage at diagnosis. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate the relative risk of any CRC or advanced-stage CRC. Results were presented as crude odds ratio (OR) and adjusted OR (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

Of the 787,967 participants who had a FIT, 63,232 (8%) had a FIT+ and met the study's eligibility criteria. The risk of any CRC or advanced-stage CRC stayed high and was relatively consistent for follow-up colonoscopies performed within 1–12 months of the FIT+. After 12 months, the risk of CRC was considerably higher, particularly for advanced-stage CRC. The OR and aOR for any CRC were 1.40 (95% CI: 1.13–1.73; p < 0.05) and 1.20 (95% CI: 0.96–1.49), respectively, and the OR and aOR for advanced-stage CRC were 1.42 (95% CI: 0.98–2.08) and 0.88 (95% CI: 0.59–1.32), respectively, for colonoscopy follow-up within 12–18 months versus 1–2 months.

Conclusions

For Albertans who used FIT for CRC screening, a longer time interval between a FIT+ and follow-up colonoscopy, particularly over 12 months, increases the risk of having CRC and decreases the effectiveness of CRC screening programs.