bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Terms of Inclusion: Transitional School Programs in a Racialized Organizational Field
Authors: Walker Dominic Terrel
Published: February 2025

As organizations committed to providing upward social mobility and leadership development for academically high-achieving working-class youth of color, transitional school programs (TSPs) prepare students to transition from urban public schools to elite, mostly private high schools. However, TSPs’ dependence on wealthy, White institutions to achieve these goals highlights racialized contradictions in the organizational field. How do TSPs navigate the race and class conflicts between the goals of their program and the racial organizational field of elite schools on which they depend for survival? Drawing on two years of ethnographic research at Ascend, a TSP in a northeastern city, this article demonstrates how because of racialized dependencies, Ascend is compelled to adopt the inequitable practices and assumptions of the racialized organizational field of elite education. Yet over time, the organization begins to resist this organizational order by decoupling their practices from elite schools. Student voice and activism contributed to destabilizing this racialized organizational order through direct action. As Ascend’s loose coupling to the field became untenable during national student protests, the organization sought to recouple to the demands of student protesters by explicitly renegotiating the terms of inclusion for their students in the racialized organizational field. These findings contribute to a limited literature about TSPs, organizations critical to the desegregation of elite schools. The findings also demonstrate how studying an organization in the context of its organizational field can reveal how organizations become racialized in practice. Finally, the case of Ascend shows that decoupling, previously theorized to be a method of evading commitments to equity, may also be a method of subverting racialized dependencies.
Flexible fabrics based on BaFe12O19/PPy/PVDF composite filler for enhancing microwave absorption bandwidth and strength
Authors: Dong Zijing , Wu Yujie , Liu Jie , Sun Runjun , Zhi Chao , Zhao Huaxiang , Qian Lijiang , Ying Chengwei
Published: February 2025

Magnetic–dielectric composites are an effective strategy for developing efficient microwave absorbers, owing to the synergistic effect of different attenuation mechanisms. In this work, barium ferrite (BaFe12O19) powder is first prepared using a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method, and then BaFe12O19/polypyrrole (PPy) composite powders with different contents of PPy were prepared using an in situ polymerization method. Polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) is selected as the film-forming agent, and BaFe12O19/PPy/PVDF film is prepared using a casting molding process; then polyvinyl alcohol is used as a binder to prepare BaFe12O19/PPy/PVDF film or fabric with a strong microwave absorption performance. The minimum reflection loss (RLmin) is as high as −36.52 dB at 16.31 GHz for a thickness of 2.5 mm. The adequate absorption bandwidth (RL ≤ −10 dB) is as wide as 7.98 GHz for the same thickness, covering almost all X and Ku bands. The absorption mechanism is revealed in detail through an in-depth analysis of the electromagnetic parameters. The synergistic effect of the solid magnetic loss of BaFe12O19 magnetic metal, the intense dielectric loss of PPy, and the superior impedance matching result in excellent microwave absorption capability. The results show that the BaFe12O19/PPy/PVDF film or fabric is a promising and efficient microwave-absorbing material, being thin and strongly absorbing across a wide bandwidth.
Global perceptions of religious and non-religious scientists
Authors: Hughes Rebecca E , Sharp Carissa A , Leicht Carola , Elsdon-Baker Fern
Published: February 2025

Previous research investigating perception of science and scientists indicates that certain physical, behavioural and belief system–related attributes are associated with scientists. Some of these include white, male, reserved and devoted to work. The current research takes an international approach into perceptions of science and scientists related to (non-)religious social identity. Four studies ( n = 1146) across four countries (the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Argentina) investigates perceptions of scientists with religious social identity. This research included several targets with multiple identities, combining (non-)religious identity (religious, spiritual, atheist, non-religious or none specified) and scientist identity (scientist or evolutionary scientist). Findings show that the perceiver’s own (non-)religious social identity relates to their view of scientists. In addition, exploration of trust in scientists with differing (non-)religious identities by personal (non-) religious identification revealed not only an in-group bias, but an overarching bias towards a scientist without any (non-)religious identification, which provides an interesting avenue to further explore.
Is There a Communication Perspective for Digital Restorative Justice? Insights From the Experience of Spanish Facilitators
Authors: Romero-Seseña Pablo
Published: February 2025

This paper examines the role of communication within restorative justice processes, particularly in the context of the use of digital channels. Grounded in the understanding that restorative justice is fundamentally a communicative process, this study highlights how communication shapes outcomes in both face-to-face and online settings. Digital restorative processes introduce new challenges, particularly regarding the transmission of nonverbal cues and emotional content. Facilitators play a key role in managing these challenges, acting as guardians of communication and ensuring that trust and engagement are maintained in virtual spaces. Drawing from interviews with facilitators in Spain, the paper explores how communicative dynamics of restorative justice have been transformed by digital tools. The findings suggest that, while online restorative practices can limit some elements of emotional expression, it remains a viable and adaptive option when properly facilitated, emphasizing the importance of the facilitator’s skills in guiding effective communication within restorative processes.
Racialized Dispossession and the Third Exile Honduran Garifuna Asylum Seekers
Authors: England Sarah
Published: February 2025

Over the last decade Honduran Garifuna have increasingly appeared among the millions of Central Americans arriving at the US/Mexico border to claim asylum. This is striking because unlike other Hondurans, Garifuna have a long history of largely documented US-bound migration. Recently, however, they have been transformed from transnational migrants into asylum seekers by being caught between “accumulation by racialized dispossession” accelerated by the expansion of agribusiness, tourism, and other extractivism in Honduras, and a US racialized immigration regime that has progressively closed the doors to legal migration, leaving asylum as one of the only options for those seeking refuge from direct persecution and structural violence. Garifuna are subjected to racialized rightlessness throughout the migration circuit, stripped of their right to land and dignified work in Honduras, persecuted for defending their land as Afro-Indigenous peoples, denied safe passage to the US, and forced to apply for asylum which they are unlikely to receive.
U.S. Army Reserve and National Guard Soldiers’ Motivations for Joining the Military and Their Effects on Post-Deployment Mental Health
Authors: Hoopsick Rachel A. , Vest Bonnie M. , Arif Mehreen , Homish D. Lynn , Homish Gregory G.
Published: February 2025

The link between combat exposure and mental health among military service members has been well-established, and reservists are at increased risk. This study uses a subset of cross-sectional data ( N = 239) from Operation: SAFETY, an ongoing study of U.S. Army Reserve/National Guard soldiers, to examine the moderating effects of reasons for joining the military on the relations between combat exposure and post-deployment mental health symptomatology. Soldiers who served for reasons associated with “wanting a military life” had an increasingly higher likelihood of anxiety symptomatology with greater combat exposure. Conversely, soldiers who served for reasons associated with “wanting material benefits” reported fewer mental health symptoms as combat exposure increased.
Functional connectivity markers of prematurity at birth predict neurodevelopmental outcomes at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months
Authors: Canini Matteo , Cara Cristina , Oprandi Claudia , Katušić Ana , Žunić Išasegi Iris , Messina Antonio , Zambon Alberto Andrea , Pecco Nicolò , Barni Sarah , Poloniato Antonella , Natali Sora Maria Grazia , Falautano Monica , Scifo Paola , Barera Graziano , Tettamanti Marco , Falini Andrea , Baldoli Cristina , Della Rosa Pasquale Anthony
Published: February 2025

In the field of developmental neuropsychology, interesting patterns of association between functional brain development at birth and neurodevelopmental outcomes during early childhood have been recently highlighted. In this work, we investigated a population of preterm neonates ( n = 32) and (1) derived perinatal functional connectivity (p-FC) markers of prematurity, through direct comparison with a group of at-term borns and (2) tested the role of these markers as predictors of cognitive (COG), language (LANG), and socioemotional (SE) outcomes measured at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months. We did this by means of regression models in which functional markers were tested as predictors, after accounting for variability captured by metrics derived from current clinical practice and which were previously reported to be associated with a higher risk for adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes (i.e., pregnancy, perinatal weight and physiological conditions, and structural brain development variability). Our results revealed that (1) p-FC between the bilateral cerebellar hemispheres predicted SE outcomes at 6 months; (2) p-FC between the bilateral visual cortices predicted COG outcomes at 12 months; (3) p-FC between cortices related to language and emotional control predicted SE outcomes at 12 months; (4 and 5) p-FC between somatosensory motor and higher-order control cortices predicted LANG outcomes at 24 months and COG outcomes at 36 months; and (6 and 7) p-FC between language-related cortices predicted SE and COG outcomes at 36 months. Linear mixed model analyses with pattern mixture modeling, performed to comprehensively explore the longitudinal impact of significant perinatal functional predictors, demonstrated the importance of specific perinatal functional predictors of global neurodevelopment over time. We discuss our results by suggesting that perinatal functional imaging of the brain at rest could represent a very valuable and unique addition to current preterm clinical care routines, to improve pediatric clinical practices of the near future.
Trends in the Prevalence of Childfree Women in the Philippines, 1993–2022
Authors: Chua Anthony Luis B. , Neal Jennifer Watling , Neal Zachary P.
Published: February 2025

Research has documented trends in, and demographic associations with, the prevalence of childfree women in multiple countries. However, despite significant media coverage, little is known about childfree women in the Philippines. We use population-representative data from the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) program to investigate changes in the prevalence of childfree women age 15-49 in the Philippines between 1993 and 2022 (Pooled N = 120,378). We also examine the demographic characteristics associated with being childfree among Filipino women. We find that prevalence rates of Filipino childfree women were stable until about 2013, after which they have risen dramatically, particularly among single women. Additionally, we find that Filipino women are more likely to be childfree if they are single, older, and live in an urban area. We discuss implications of these results for future research on childfree adults and for Philippine family policy.
All in the family: A collective case study of family influence on siblings’ experiences and outcomes in organized youth sport
Authors: Osai Keith V. , Dorsch Travis E. , Bradford Kay , Whiteman Shawn , Blazo Jordan A. , Downey Haylee
Published: February 2025

The influence of families on siblings’ experiences and outcomes has been well documented outside of sport, with research dedicated to topics such as socialization, relationship quality, adjustment, resource dilution, and behavioral genetics. While these associations are understood in reference to the immediate family context, sibling dynamics are less understood in the context of youth sport. This is important because sport represents the most common extracurricular activity in which siblings participate together. Guided by family systems theory, Dorsch and colleagues’ (2022) integrated model of the youth sport system, and a social constructivist epistemology, the present study was designed to understand the interactions that take place across multiple family relationships and how these relationships impact siblings’ experiences and outcomes in organized youth sport. Twelve intact families, each consisting of two parents and two siblings, who were engaged in organized youth sport in the United States, participated in individual, semi-structured interviews. More than nine hours of interviews were conducted across these 48 participants.Three researchers engaged in the coding process, which informed the creation of case narratives for each of the 12 families. Interpretation of the case narratives led to the development of nine general themes regarding sibling relationships in youth sport. Of note, a unique pathway of influence was also recognized, wherein parents expressed support for their children’s pursuit of their own niche/identity in youth sport. Future theoretically informed research should be designed to investigate specific individual, dyadic, and family processes that influence sibling experiences and outcomes in youth sport, offering further insight into the complex and dynamic interactions that occur within and across families.
Buttock ischemia in adults with femoral venoarterial-extracorporeal membranoxygenation – A single center experience
Authors: Scriba Verena , Loeschhorn-Becker Ralf , Motekallemi Arash , Lotz Christopher , Lepper Philipp M , Torje Iuliu E , Feth Maximilian , Rolfes Caroline B , Muellenbach Ralf M , Ajouri Jonas
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Femoral veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is used as an ultima ratio to maintain circulation in patients with refractory cardiorespiratory failure, but is also associated with vascular and ischemic complications. Buttock ischemia appears to be an underreported complication in these patients. Methods: In this retrospective single-center case series over a five-year period, all patients who received femoral VA-ECMO and survived for more than 24 hours were screened for buttock ischemia. Buttock ischemia was diagnosed using a two-step approach, which involved identifying characteristic skin lesions and CT scans suggesting hypoperfusion of the ipsilateral internal iliac artery.

Results

Over the five-year period, 264 patients were assessed for buttock ischemia, which occurred in seven patients, with an average annual incidence of 2.7%. Unilateral buttock ischemia was observed in six patients, while bilateral buttock ischemia was seen in one patient and led to multiple surgeries in three patients. The CT scans showed that, in all cases, the arterial ECMO cannula covered the origin of the internal iliac artery and revealed additional bilateral atherosclerotic lesions in the iliac arteries.

Conclusion

Buttock ischemia is a rare and not fully understood complication of femoral VA-ECMO but may lead to clinically significant sequelae. Widespread knowledge and awareness are therefore important to recognize buttock ischemia, followed by individualized strategies for selecting and positioning the arterial cannula.
Priorities for post-stroke aphasia service development: Prioritisation phase of an experience-based co-design study
Authors: Anemaat Lisa , Palmer Victoria J , Copland David A , Binge Geoffrey , Druery Kent , Druery Julia , Mainstone Kathryn , Aisthorpe Bruce , Wallace Sarah J
Published: February 2025

Objective

Post-stroke aphasia (language impairment) has a devastating impact on quality of life and people with aphasia experience long-term unmet needs. A shared understanding of the experiences underpinning these unmet needs is required to identify priorities for improvement. Establishing priorities for meaningful service improvement requires involvement of service users and providers. Therefore, this research aimed to: (1) collaboratively identify priorities for aphasia service improvement according to people with aphasia, significant others, speech pathologists, and (2) co-design a plan for service development and improvement.

Design

Prioritisation phase of an experience-based co-design project. Online surveys were used to prioritise ideas ( n = 773). Three multi-stakeholder consensus groups were held to shortlist top priorities. Design principles were applied during three consecutive co-design workshops, to develop a concept design targeting the top priority.

Participants, setting

People with aphasia ( n = 41), significant others ( n = 35) and speech pathologists ( n = 75) across 26 health and hospital sites in remote, regional, and metropolitan Queensland, Australia.

Results

Consensus was established on seven priorities: (1) chart alert system for aphasia, (2) training for healthcare providers in ways to support communication, (3) care that is tailored to the individual, (4) consistent care, (5) equitable access to care, (6) intensive communication therapy options, and (7) mental health service options. A concept design (implementation strategy) was created for the top priority.

Conclusions

Multi-stakeholder consensus was gained on seven priorities. Development, implementation, and evaluation of the co-designed concept plan for the top priority may decrease miscommunication in hospital settings and enhance experiences of people with aphasia communicating with healthcare providers.
The spiritual care intervention “In dialogue with your life story”: Results of a longitudinal study on palliative clients’ spiritual wellbeing
Authors: Liefbroer Anke I. , Foppen Annemarie , Wierstra Iris R. , Nagel Ineke
Published: February 2025

Background:

Spiritual care is important for palliative care, but the evidence base for spiritual care provision is low.

Aim:

To investigate the course over time of clients’ spiritual wellbeing who participated in the spiritual care intervention “In dialogue with your life story.”

Design:

The intervention consisted of six individual sessions between client and chaplain of various faiths. A longitudinal study was conducted pre- and post-intervention, and a follow-up approximately 10 weeks after post-intervention. Spiritual wellbeing was measured using the EORTC QLQ-SWB32 and NEIS, and symptoms of anxiety and depression as secondary outcome measure using the HADS. Latent growth modeling was used to investigate changes in outcome measures over time.

Setting/Participants:

Adult clients receiving home-based, palliative care were eligible to participate in this study.

Results:

A total of 75 clients and 33 chaplains participated. On the four EORTC QLQ-SWQ32-subscales, a significant increase was found over time on “relationship with self,” “relationship with others,” and ‘“existential wellbeing” (linear trends). “Relationship with someone or something greater” significantly increased over time but decreased 10 weeks post-intervention (quadratic trend). On the two NEIS-subscales, ego-integrity significantly increased over time (linear trend), while despair significantly decreased (quadratic trend). On the two HADS-subscales, symptoms of anxiety significantly decreased over time (linear trend). No significant change was found for depressive symptoms.

Conclusions:

We provided first empirical evidence for an increase in clients’ spiritual wellbeing after enrollment in the spiritual care intervention “In dialogue with your life story.” Future research using control conditions is needed to investigate its causal effect.
Initial experience of magnification tomosynthesis in depiction of suspected microcalcifications: prospective reading study of a novel reconstruction algorithm prototype
Authors: Arlan Kirill , Meretoja Tuomo J , Hukkinen Katja
Published: February 2025

Background

Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) has several limitations with respect to microcalcification depiction. The quality of DBT images may be improved by modifying technical parameters; however, the amount of raw data and postprocessing computational time is unacceptably huge. Therefore, once detected it still seems necessary to take additional spot images to characterize microcalcifications. Additional imaging increases cumulative dose. Radiation risks and protection are raising issues nowadays.

Purpose

To compare image quality of magnification tomosynthesis (t-spot) and synthetic spot magnification (s-spot) to conventional spot images in characterization of microcalcifications.

Material and Methods

This prospective single institute reading study includes 45 patients with suspected microcalcifications initially found on mammography and referred to vacuum-assisted biopsy. Conventional spot and DBT were performed. Acquired DBT data were used to reconstruct t- and s-spots. All images were reviewed by four breast radiologists in two sessions. The morphology (BI-RADS) and extent of microcalcifications were recorded. Clinical performance was evaluated using area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) for BI-RADS and Bland–Altman plots for the maximum extent of microcalcifications.

Results

All four readers preferred t-spot to s-spot. The overall AUC for t-spot was 0.67 and for spot 0.69 with a difference lower than a non-inferiority margin (delta = 0.012, 95% confidence interval [CI] = −0.067–0.09, P = 0.772). Three readers underestimate the extent of microcalcifications on t-spots for both benign and malignant cases ( P < 0.05). The discordance becomes more evident with the increasing extent of the lesion.

Conclusion

The performance of conventional and reconstructed spots was similar but reader-dependent and inconclusive.
Cycles of Neglect: A Statutory Review of State Policies Regarding Feminine Hygiene Product Provision During Incarceration
Authors: Wood McKenzie , Garrett Nicole E. , Routh Douglas , Jeffs Michelle
Published: February 2025

Historically, American correctional institutions were designed for men. An increase in incarcerated females has required states to grapple with issues related to menstrual hygiene, including menstrual cycles. While the federal government requires that women and persons who menstruate in federal prisons be supplied with minimal menstrual hygiene supplies, there is no such mandate for menstruators incarcerated in state prisons. We conducted a review and analysis of state legal statutes and Department of Corrections’ (DoC) policies pertaining to menstrual product provision to incarcerated individuals in the United States. We assessed state statutes and policies for product type, amount and quality, requisition process, and cost. Forty-six jurisdictions had policy between state statute or a DoC manual or handbook. Results indicate policies regarding procurement processes and amount provided were vague.
Assessing the Landscape for PrEP Provisions in Prisons: A Systematic Review
Authors: Tripathy Snehasish , Lakhani Alisha , Saifuddin Mohammed , Negi Sapna , Gurram Shravya Devi , Fletcher Nicole Elsie , Nour Mohammed Mohammed , Mehta Vini
Published: February 2025

This systematic review aims to review awareness and willingness for PrEP use in the prison complex and the factors influencing PrEP uptake among people incarcerated in state or federal prisons. We searched MEDLINE (OVID), EMBASE, and Scopus for relevant articles. Qualitative or quantitative studies focusing on incarcerated population, and outcome measures such as knowledge, willingness, or influencing factors for PrEP uptake were included. A narrative method was used to summarise the findings. Inmates’ knowledge of PrEP was very low. Inmates who were briefly introduced to PrEP showed a favourable attitude and willingness toward it. However, low-risk perception of HIV, fear of stigma, jail policies, low priority to health overall, appointment issues, transportation problems, depression, substance misuse, and budgetary limitations after release were perceived as barriers to its uptake and continuation. PrEP is a much-needed HIV prevention strategy for the incarcerated population. However, removing the structural and social obstacles to sustained adherence is imperative.
Partitioning Influences on SLD Decision Outcomes and Confidence: School Psychologists’ Decision-Making Style, Beliefs, and Sociodemographic Characteristics
Authors: Barrett Courtenay A. , Maki Kathrin E. , Miller Hannah E. , Bagasrawala Lamia , Burns Matthew K. , Hajovsky Daniel B.
Published: February 2025

Despite the importance of reliable, valid, and equitable identification of students with specific learning disabilities (SLD), research has highlighted the potential for school psychologists’ personal characteristics to influence the identification decision. No studies to date have examined the broad range of individual characteristics and their potential to affect the SLD identification decision or individuals’ confidence in their decision. We conducted a study with 264 full-time practicing school psychologists to isolate the role of individual characteristics, including beliefs about SLD and decision-making style, on the SLD identification decision and confidence in the decision. Results indicated that, all else equal, a variety of individual characteristics emerged as significant predictors of the identification decision and confidence. Implications for research and practice are discussed, as well as suggestions for future research.
A novel detail-enhanced wavelet domain feature compensation network for sparse-view X-ray computed laminography
Authors: Long Yawu , Zhong Qianglong , Lu Jin , Xiong Chengke
Published: February 2025

Background

X-ray Computed Laminography (CL) is a popular industrial tool for non-destructive visualization of flat objects. However, high-quality CL imaging requires a large number of projections, resulting in a long imaging time. Reducing the number of projections allows acceleration of the imaging process, but decreases the quality of reconstructed images.

Objective

Our objective is to build a deep learning network for sparse-view CL reconstruction.

Methods

Considering complementarities of feature extraction in different domains, we design an encoder-decoder network that enables to compensate the missing information during spatial domain feature extraction in wavelet domain. Also, a detail-enhanced module is developed to highlight details. Additionally, Swin Transformer and convolution operators are combined to better capture features.

Results

A total of 3200 pairs of 16-view and 1024-view CL images (2880 pairs for training, 160 pairs for validation, and 160 pairs for testing) of solder joints have been employed to investigate the performance of the proposed network. It is observed that the proposed network obtains the highest image quality with PSNR and SSIM of 37.875 ± 0.908 dB, 0.992 ± 0.002, respectively. Also, it achieves competitive results on the AAPM dataset.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the effectiveness and generalization of the proposed network for sparse-view CL reconstruction.
Historia cum ira: Alexandre Herculano and the virtues of engaged objectivity
Authors: Assis Arthur Alfaix
Published: February 2025

Historical objectivity is a polysemic concept whose genesis and validity merit more non-polemical attention than it usually receives. As a notion that encapsulates the special applications of the language of objectivity to methodological and ethical issues faced by historical scholars all across the human sciences, it will be addressed here from a perspective that combines conceptual history, history of ideas, and theoretical reflection. A peculiar mode of claiming objectivity will be at focus, one that assumes that historians can bring together two attitudes often regarded as mutually contradictory: objectivity and engagement. My main assertion is that from at least the mid 19th century a new avenue for historical thought was opened, as a few intellectuals challenged the traditional requirement that histories be written sine ira et studio; and especially as they did so while at the same time upholding a strong commitment to the value of research. I intend to show how in the mode of engaged objectivity, a disposition like anger, which was traditionally taken to be a historiographical vice, was turned into a potential virtue. This general point will be illustrated with a case study of the underlying motives and the structural configurations of Alexandre Herculano's History of the Origin and Establishment of the Inquisition in Portugal, a confessedly committed, utterly critical, and sometimes furious research-based historical account.
Stability control of in-wheel motor electric vehicles based on centroid sideslip-angle estimation
Authors: Quan Lingxiao , Chang Ronglei , Guo Jia , Wang Honghui , Li Bin , Gao Jing
Published: February 2025

In this paper, we present a high-precision, reliable super-twisting sliding mode controller (STSMC) based on the estimated centroid sideslip angle in rear-wheel drive vehicles. We use a maximum-correlation entropy-adaptive generalized high-order cubature Kalman filter (MCAGHCKF) to perform real-time estimation of the centroid sideslip angle. According to the saddle point of the d β- β phase plane, we determine the unstable region of the centroid sideslip angle. We then propose a centroid sideslip angle stability coefficient and establish a normalized combined error equation with variable weights, allowing the combined error of the centroid sideslip angle and yaw rate to adapt to changes in the stability coefficient. We use the integral sliding-mode surface and super-twisting sliding-mode algorithm to design an STSMC. We conducted a simulation comparison and test analysis on the estimation of centroid sideslip angle, and the results show that the MCAGHCKF provided reliable estimation data of the centroid sideslip angle for stability control. When STSMC was used to control the rear-wheel drive vehicle, the simulation results show that the maximum reduction in the centroid sideslip angle and yaw rate was 36.47% and 14.2%, respectively. The test results show that the maximum reduction in the centroid sideslip angle and yaw rate was 24.84% and 30.89%, respectively. The results indicate that the STSMC based on variable-weight combined error can effectively control the stability of the vehicle.
Integrated brake system functional safety analysis, design and validation
Authors: Jianyu Duan , Wang Zhen , Jing Xiaopu , Jiangfeng Nan
Published: February 2025

The development of integrated brake system for hybrid and electric vehicles poses new challenges and opportunities for functional safety analysis, design and validation. Integrated brake system is advanced brake-by-wire system that integrates booster brake function, extern brake function, anti-lock brake function, electronic stability function, and other related brake functions into one compact unit. Integrated brake system is complex and has more interaction relationships among different modules than conventional brake systems. Therefore, ensuring the safety of integrated brake system is essential and requires systematic approach. This paper presents a systematic approach for functional safety analysis, design and validation of intelligent brake system. The purposed approach consists of an integrated system safety framework, which includes the following steps: system design, hazard analysis, and risk assessment, safety requirements specification, safety design and system test. The approach is applied to intelligent brake system, safety design and tests are performed. The system test includes fault injection experiments under critical driving scenario to validate the designed safety mechanism. This paper verifies that the proposed safety framework can effectively guarantee the functional safety of integrated brake system and enhance the braking performance.
Contralateral cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP) response elicited by AC stimuli
Authors: Jombik Peter , Bahyl Vladimir
Published: February 2025

Background

Cervical VEMP elicited by air-conducted acoustic stimuli (AC cVEMP) is considered as a valuable test for assessment of saccular function. The dominant component of this response, which is composed of a biphasic positive-negative deflexion, can be recorded from the tensed ipsilateral sternocleidomastoid muscle. It is conveyed by inhibitory connections from the irregular saccular afferents. The contralateral response, which has opposite polarity, is in general not studied in clinical practice. It probably reflects excitatory influences conveyed from irregular afferents of the utricle.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether this contralateral response has any clinical value.

Methods

AC cVEMPs of 117 control subjects and 353 patients with balance problems and/or BPPV were subjected to retrospective analysis. The contribution of the contralateral excitatory response to the whole response (i.e., amplitudes of the contralateral plus ipsilateral responses) was expressed in percentages calculated according to Jongkee’s formula.

Results

There was statistically significant increase in the contribution of the contralateral excitatory component to the whole response in patients.

Conclusions

This may imply somewhat lower vulnerability of the contralateral utricular response to various disease processes and/or aging.
A comprehensive review of compressed natural gas (CNG)-fueled engines under different operating conditions and combustion strategies on performance and combustion characteristics
Authors: Nguyen Thanh Hai , Balasubramanian Dhinesh , Inbanaathan Papla Venugopal , Le Thanh Tuan , Le Huu Cuong , Truong Thanh Hai , Cao Dao Nam
Published: February 2025

Climate change and stringent emission regulations are driving the search for sustainable fuels for internal combustion engines. To address growing urbanization, increased vehicle use, and environmental concerns, researchers are exploring alternative fuels that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. Compressed natural gas (CNG) is one of the most promising and ecologically friendly alternative fuels since it can be exploited in both compression ignition and spark ignition engines. Thus, this review article broadly and comprehensively focuses on the global background of CNG usage, aiming to attain the ambition of mitigating greenhouse gases and environmental pollution. Indeed, CNG projects carried out around the world and the suitable properties of CNG for internal combustion engines are critically presented. More importantly, the performance, combustion, and emission attributes of the CNG-fueled engines are evaluated and compared with those of conventional diesel and gasoline engines. The brake thermal efficiency of CNG is greater than that of gasoline, but it drops when compared to diesel because of the disparity in calorific value. Compared with conventional fuels, CNG has a lower peak cylinder pressure and heat release rate because its laminar flame speed is slower. In addition, the effects of operating parameters on CNG-fueled engines are also completely analyzed. Finally, the combustion strategies, limitations, and perspectives of CNG are discussed in detail.
Unraveling uncertainty spillovers: Climate policy's role in global economic, energy and geopolitical landscapes
Authors: Liu Lu , Wang Kai-Hua , Liu Hong-Wen
Published: February 2025

This paper discusses the uncertainty spillover among climate policy, economic policy, energy market and geopolitics, using time-varying parameter vector autoregression (TVP-VAR) connectedness approach. The major results show that the total connectedness index (TCI) is dominated by long-term connectedness in static analysis. The main spillover transmitters are climate policy uncertainty in China (CPUC) and economic policy uncertainty (EPU) while the receivers are the USA (CPUS) and energy-related uncertainty (ERU) when considering time and frequency. Next, in the dynamic analysis, the TCI exhibits a downward trend, and the net total directional connectedness indicates that CPUC is still a pure transmitter, while CPUS plays a completely opposite role. Finally, dynamic net pairwise analysis shows that CPUC exerts spillovers on EPU, ERU and geopolitical risk. Conversely, CPUS is more likely to accept the shock of other uncertainties. The major contribution is that the different uncertainties are incorporated into a unified research framework, and explain the detailed influencing channels. More importantly, this paper recognizes the different roles of CPUC and CPUS in the entire uncertainty connectedness with considering time and frequency, and argue that China is reshaping global economy, energy market and geopolitical situation. Some policies, including prudent and firm climate policy, international climate cooperation, and depoliticization in climate-related decisions, are provided for promoting economic development, stabilizing energy market and geopolitical tensions.
Does Enterprise Risk Management Quality Constrain Real Earnings Management Practices? Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Oreshile Sulaiman Ademola
Published: February 2025

In the wake of curbing managerial opportunism and self-serving tendencies, this study investigates how enterprise risk management quality affects real earnings management practices in sub-Saharan African emerging markets. This study uses the least squares dummy variable estimator to analyze panel data from 186 non-financial firms across nine sub-Saharan African countries between 2014 and 2020. Additionally, two-stage least squares and a two-step generalized method of moments address potential endogeneity concerns. The analyses indicate that enterprise risk management quality restricts managerial real earnings management practices, particularly in Big4 audited, larger, more profitable and financially constrained firms. This result holds when considering alternative enterprise risk management quality and real earnings management measures, the disaggregated enterprise risk management quality, regional variations and endogeneity tests. Stakeholders, researchers and regulatory bodies should consider enterprise risk management quality crucial for assessing managerial opportunism via real earnings management practices, thereby mitigating information asymmetry risks. This study offers an emerging market perspective, demonstrating that sub-Saharan African firms with high-quality enterprise risk management can safeguard themselves against managerial opportunism.
Ethnomusicological Insights into the Sociocultural Dynamics of Folk Songs in Southern Shaanxi, China
Authors: Wang Yang , Thotham Awirut
Published: February 2025

This study investigates the musical characteristics and development of Zhenba and Ziyang folk songs in Southern Shaanxi. Through literature review and field research, we identified four folk song genres— shange, haozi, xiaodiao, and custom songs—primarily based on pentatonic scales. The melodies predominantly feature small intervallic leaps—typically thirds and fourths—creating a smooth melodic flow. Occasional large leaps of six-, seven-, and eight-degree intervals are used as embellishments, which is a feature more commonly associated with Northern Chinese music. Additionally, the songs exhibit rich variations in rhythm, intonation, lyrics, and thematic content, which is emblematic of their multicultural nature. The songs have been preserved over time through oral transmission. In modern society, there has been a more systematic focus on preservation, as evidenced by the frequent organization of performances and cultural exchange activities driven by government authorities.
Reframing the Narrative on Natural Farming Yields and Income - Insights from a Baseline Survey in Madhya Pradesh, India
Authors: K. M. Siva Muthuprakash , Mishra Amit Kumar , Ahirwar Kirti , Dabral Vinay , Ghosh Piyuli , Bhadbhade Neha , Patil Sidharth , Damani Om , Kate Tarak , K. J. Joy , Shah Mihir
Published: February 2025

A comprehensive baseline survey of 1,776 farmers was conducted under a programme to scale up natural farming practices across 11 agro-ecological zones in Madhya Pradesh. This provided a unique opportunity to study farms at different stages of transition, including chemical, non-pesticide management (NPM) and organic farms. Unlike previous comparative studies that focus on monocropping, we adopt a methodology for assessing multi-cropping system, which is a key feature of natural farming. Fresh insights reveal that at certain levels of organic input use, the aggregate yield of organic farms matches or exceeds that of chemical farms. However, most organic farms apply inputs below this range. A significant portion of chemical farms’ net income is attributable to fertiliser subsidies, and when this subsidy is deducted, organic farms often have a higher net income. Further, the study highlights that the adoption of natural farming is not a simple binary choice but rather a gradient shaped by the level of agro-ecological practice adoption and organic input application, both of which directly influence farm performance. Although standardisation is not encouraged in natural farming, our findings suggest that setting benchmarks for input quantities and composition could establish useful adoption thresholds, aiding farmers in their transition to natural farming.
Platelet Indices as Predictors of Glycaemic Status and Complications in Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Jena Sweekruti , Raizada Nishant , Kalra Sanjay , Bhattacharya Saptarshi
Published: February 2025

An accelerated atherosclerotic process is a significant contributor to the development of vascular complications in diabetes. Endothelial dysfunction and heightened platelet hyperactivity in diabetes exacerbate vasoconstriction and thrombus formation, thereby accelerating the atherosclerotic process. The platelet hyperreactivity associated with the prothrombotic state is characterised by alterations in platelet morphology and function. Platelet indices, such as the platelet volume, platelet distribution width, platelet-large cell ratio and plateletcrit, reflect these changes. These platelet indices could emerge as an important marker of glycaemic status and risk of complications. Several studies have demonstrated that mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width and platelet-large cell ratio increase in diabetes, especially if there are vascular complications. These tests are readily available and hold promise as cost-effective tools for assessing the risk of complications, especially in resource-limited settings. However, well-designed longitudinal studies are necessary to establish the clinical utility of platelet indices in assessing glycaemic status and the risk of complications.
Effects of Cultural Novelty on the Interplay Between Language and Cultural Adjustment in International Students
Authors: Wilczewski Michał , Wang Rong , Giuri Paola , Puffer Sheila M. , Søderberg Anne-Marie , Meschke Stephan , Du Juana
Published: February 2025

Recent research has revealed the significant role of perceived cultural differences, or cultural novelty, in shaping the intercultural experiences of diverse individuals. Yet, our understanding of how cultural novelty influences the relationship between language and cultural adjustment remains limited. This study addresses this gap by examining the moderating effect of cultural novelty on the relationship between foreign-language proficiency and cultural adjustment. Survey data from 1,092 international students in five countries were analyzed using mediation and moderated mediation analyses. The moderating effect of cultural novelty was confirmed, specifically in the host-language context, where higher cultural novelty significantly weakened the relationship between host-language proficiency and socializing with domestic students. Moreover, this research illuminates the influence of the lingocultural context on cultural adjustment. This study has important implications for higher education institutions. It demonstrates how cultural novelty can impact the ability of foreign-language proficiency to enhance student adjustment and the overall educational experience.
Team Emergent States as Emotional Needs
Authors: Pincus J. David
Published: February 2025

The concept of Team Emergent States (TES) is gaining significant traction among researchers and practitioners in the field of organizational behavior. Despite the growing interest in TES, there is a notable lack of theoretical consensus among scholars regarding its definition and constituent elements. This situation mirrors similar challenges in the domains of leadership effectiveness, organizational culture, employee engagement, and employee well-being, where the absence of clear definitions and theoretical frameworks has hindered the development of coherent theory and measurement. This paper advocates for a more grounded approach to the study of Team Emergent States, anchoring it firmly within the psychological literature on human needs. We review the leading conceptualizations of TES in the academic literature and argue that they can be distilled into a core set of human needs, each supported by robust research traditions. By proposing a framework that comprehensively enumerates and integrates need concepts, we demonstrate the value of adopting a more structured and theoretically grounded approach over current practices, which tend to accumulate an unwieldy array of dimensions and elements without clear theoretical justification. We consider the impact of setting TES concepts within existing motivational constructs for each of the following: (a) theory, especially the development of emergent state frameworks; (b) methods, including the value of applying a comprehensive, structural approach; and (c) practice, where we emphasize the practical advantages of clear operational definitions.
Clarity is Charity in the Advances of Causal Inquiry
Authors: Petscher Yaacov , Killian Michael , Kelcey Benjamin
Published: February 2025

This special issue highlights the necessity of rigorous methodologies, transparency, and innovation in social work research. Emphasizing causal inference, the contributions in this volume address replication challenges, design complexities, and data transparency. Key advancements and recommendations we put forth include study preregistration, data sharing, and novel methodologies such as advanced mixed methods considerations, emerging recommendations in regression discontinuity designs, the use co-twin control designs, and how to handle complex nesting structures with partially nested designs. Papers also explore cost-effective trial planning, replication improvement, and fostering mentorship to enhance rigor and societal trust. These approaches aim to answer critical questions of efficacy and equity, providing a roadmap for impactful research that informs practice, shapes policy, and improves lives in an evolving scientific landscape.