bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of COVID-19 Restrictions on Reports of Domestic Violence Against Women in the Context of a Middle-Income Country: The Case of Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Authors: Goncalves Vitor S. , Santos Mateus R. , Chai April Miin Miin
Published: October 2024

The city of Belo Horizonte is a state capital in Brazil with 2.7 million people. The city is remarkable for its stubbornly high and stable levels of domestic violence, and for having implemented very restrictive responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Using 260 weeks of data between 2017 and 2021, we used an Interrupted Time Series model to estimate the effect of the restrictive orders and their subsequent relief on reports of domestic violence against women. Results show that restrictive orders had a large and negative immediate impact on reports of domestic violence against women, which was immediately followed by a gradual increase towards their original level. The subsequent relief had no impact, as the series had already resumed its earlier trend by the time restrictions ended. We engage with theory and extant research from middle-income countries to consider why reports declined and why this decline was momentary. Findings contrast with research in high-income countries, which generally found increases in reports of domestic violence after implementing pandemic-related restrictions. However, results align with a single other study in Mexico, a medium-income country similar to Brazil. In light of our data’s context and literature, we considered that reports of domestic violence may have declined not necessarily because of a reduction in actual incidents, but because the restrictions may have exacerbated the isolation of women in vulnerable domestic arrangements, limiting their ability to report their victimization. A stable trend in reports of domestic violence against women, which resumed even after a global pandemic, suggests that current policies have been ineffective and that addressing domestic violence requires a better understanding of related issues and evidence-based strategies. Our study also highlights the importance of considering the consequences of hastily implemented policies during a crisis. While necessary, such policies can inadvertently exacerbate issues such as social isolation.
Graphene, graphene oxide or modified graphene in polyaniline based nanocomposites—features and technical highlights
Authors: Kausar Ayesha
Published: October 2024

Polyaniline is a remarkable conjugated polymer having valuable structural and physical characteristics. Nevertheless, polyaniline has poor solubility and structural durability which had limited its practical utilization. Consequently, polyaniline has been reinforced with carbonaceous and inorganic nanoparticles to enhance its processability and physical properties, such as electrical/thermal conductivity and thermal/mechanical stability. Accordingly, polyaniline has been applied as a valuable matrix material to form nanocomposites with graphene which is a one atom thick nanosheet of hexagonally arranged carbon atoms. Subsequently, graphene as well as modified graphene forms have been utilized as important nanoadditives for the polyaniline matrix. This state-of-the-art review article has been designed to investigate the fabrication, characteristics, and applications of the polyaniline and graphene/modified graphene based nanomaterials. Potential enhancements in the physical characteristics of the pristine polyaniline upon graphene reinforcement seemed to be reliant upon the matrix-nanofiller interactions, interface formation, and synergetic effects between polyaniline-graphene. Subsequently, practical aspects of the polyaniline/graphene nanocomposites have been discussed regarding their applications in the fields of solar cells, supercapacitors, and sensors. According to the literature analysis, dye sensitized solar cell based on polyaniline/graphene and polyaniline/graphene oxide exhibited superior power conversion efficiencies ∼2.0-7.6 % and open circuit voltage ∼500-800 mV. Supercapacitor electrodes based on polyaniline/graphene oxide and polyaniline/reduced graphene oxide showed significantly high values of specific capacitance and capacitance retention of ∼1100-1900 Fg−1and ∼80-98 %, respectively, during >5000-6000 cycles. Besides, the polyaniline/graphene oxide depicted superior sensitivity and response time for gas sensors (∼20 % and 50 s, respectively) and humidity sensors (>90 % and 4-7 s, respectively) and low detection limits for biosensors.
Using Google Trends Data to Study High-Frequency Search Terms: Evidence for a Reliability-Frequency Continuum
Authors: Gummer Tobias , Oehrlein Anne-Sophie
Published: October 2024

Google Trends (GT) data are increasingly used in the social sciences and adjacent fields. However, previous research on the quality of GT data has raised concerns regarding their reliability. In the present study, we investigated whether reliability differs between low- and high-frequency search terms. In other words, we explored the existence of a reliability-frequency continuum in GT data. Our study adds to previous research by investigating a more comprehensive set of search terms and different aspects of reliability (e.g., differences in relative search volume distributions, correctly identified maxima). For this purpose, we collected samples of GT data for ten high- and two low-frequency search terms. We obtained one real-time sample and 62 non–realtime samples per search term (30 non–realtime samples for low-frequency search terms). Data collection was restricted to search data for Germany. Our data support the existence of a reliability-frequency continuum—low-frequency search terms are subject to greater reliability issues compared to high-frequency search terms. Based on our findings, we have derived practical recommendations for the use of GT data and have outlined future research opportunities.
Emerging Insights on the Role of Social Networks in Intergroup Friendship
Authors: Turetsky Kate M. , Shelton J. Nicole
Published: October 2024

Research on intergroup friendships has historically focused on individuals and dyads. Only recently has research begun to examine intergroup friendship in the context of the broader web of social relationships in which individuals and dyads are embedded. This review highlights emerging research on the role of social networks in intergroup friendship, with a focus on interracial friendship. In particular, we examine how social networks shape opportunities to form intergroup friendships, influence intergroup attitudes, and affect ongoing intergroup interactions and relationships. This emerging work reveals how friendships across group lines are shaped not only by the individuals involved but also by their other friends, the attitudes of those around them, and the structure and context of their broader social network. Though nascent, social network research has already begun to offer novel insights into foundational intergroup theories and inform future interventions to foster intergroup friendships.
Examining How Psychological Safety Consensus Emerges Over Time
Authors: Marlow Shannon L. , Lacerenza Christina N. , Salas Eduardo
Published: October 2024

Although research has provided rich data highlighting the value of team psychological safety, a common call among scholars is the need for longitudinal examinations of this construct to test implicit assumptions about time made in dominant team theories. By analyzing changes in both consensus and the average level of psychological safety over time, we respond to this need and provide insight into emergent state development. Results indicated that team psychological safety climate develops over time through consensus emergence, this process is initiated by early information sharing, and there is a decline in the average level of psychological safety over time.
“Not Only a Matter of Personal Interest”—Vaccination Narratives and the Model of Moral Motives in China and Germany
Authors: Müller Selina , Wachinger Jonas , Jiao Lirui , Bärnighausen Till , Chen Simiao , McMahon Shannon A.
Published: October 2024

Understanding vaccination decision-making processes is vital for guiding vaccine promotion within pandemic contexts and for routine immunization efforts. Vaccine-related attitudes influencing individual decision-making can be affected by broader cultural and normative contexts. We conducted 73 qualitative interviews with adults in China ( n = 40) and Germany ( n = 33) between December 2020 and April 2021 to understand COVID-19 vaccination intentions and preferences, and we analyzed transcripts using a five-step framework approach. During early analysis, we identified moral considerations in line with the tenets of the Model of Moral Motives (MMM) as a recurrent theme in the data. The MMM guided further analysis steps, particularly with its distinction between motives that are proscriptive (focus on avoiding harm by inhibiting “bad” behavior) and prescriptive (focus on actively seeking positive outcomes). Proscriptive vaccination arguments that compelled vaccination in our data included avoiding negative attention, being a law-abiding citizen, preventing harm to others, and protecting one’s country. Prescriptive motives focused on self-efficacious behavior such as protecting the health of oneself and others via widespread but voluntary vaccination, prioritizing elderly and predisposed individuals for vaccination, and favoring a fair and equitable distribution of vaccines at the global level. In the interviews in China, both lines of arguments emerged, with a general tendency toward more proscriptive reasoning; interviews conducted in Germany tended to reflect more prescriptive motives. We encourage research and vaccine promotion practice to reflect moral considerations when aiming to understand public health preventive behavior and when developing tailored health promotion campaigns.
Exposure to Family Planning Messages, Feminization of Contraception, and Tendency to Stigmatize Female Contraceptive Users Among Partnered Men in Northern Nigeria
Authors: Okunlola David Aduragbemi , Ilesanmi Benjamin Bukky , Kierian Emem Udo , Awoleye Abayomi Folorunso
Published: October 2024

To examine whether exposure to family planning messages (EFM) was negatively associated with feminizing contraception (FC) and the risk of stigmatizing female users (SFU) among partnered men in northern Nigeria, we analyzed the 2018 Nigerian demographic and health survey (4472 partnered men aged 15–59). The results from the multinomial logistic regressions showed that EFM was negatively associated with the FC (vs. no FC) and the risk of SFU versus the risk of no SFU. EFM was negatively associated with the risks of not knowing about FC (vs. no FC) and SFU (vs. no SFU). Exposing partnered men in northern Nigeria to family planning messages may play a vital role in reducing their tendency to feminize contraception and stigmatize female users.
Gender Stereotypes and Candidate Qualifications in Judicial Elections
Authors: Kennedy Megan , Nelson Michael J. , Heidt-Forsythe Erin
Published: October 2024

A large literature documents the effects of gendered stereotyping on the outcomes of legislative and executive elections. Less attention has been paid to the effects of these stereotypes on judicial elections, a venue where candidates might encounter unique stereotypes. Further, existing research on judicial elections prioritizes one form of qualification—prior judicial experience—leaving unaddressed the effects of other professional experiences on voters’ choices in these contests. In this paper, we rely on a conjoint experiment to test the effects of candidate qualifications and gender stereotypes in U.S. state judicial elections. We find that, on average, women candidates are advantaged in judicial elections, though we find no evidence that citizens view women candidates as more qualified. Further, while voters do prefer candidates with prior judicial experience they also—contrary to the conventional wisdom—favor judges with prior political experience. Importantly, however, we observe minimal instances of gendered stereotyping in these elections. Our findings call for further research on the effects of gender in judicial elections.
The Influence of Task and Group Disparities Over Users’ Attitudes Toward Using Large Language Models for Psychotherapy
Authors: He Qihang , Wang Jiyao , He Dengbo
Published: October 2024

The population suffering from mental health disorders has kept increasing in recent years. With the advancements in large language models (LLMs) in diverse fields, LLM-based psychotherapy has also attracted increasingly more attention. However, the factors influencing users’ attitudes to LLM-based psychotherapy have rarely been explored. As the first attempt, this paper investigated the influence of task and group disparities on user attitudes toward LLM-based psychotherapy tools. Utilizing the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Automation Acceptance Model (AAM), based on an online survey, we collected and analyzed responses from 222 LLM-based psychotherapy users in mainland China. The results revealed that group disparity (i.e., mental health conditions) can influence users’ attitudes toward LLM tools. Further, one of the typical task disparities, that is, the privacy concern, was not found to have a significant effect on trust and usage intention. These findings can guide the design of future LLM-based psychotherapy services.
Usability Assessment of OpenEMR: Enhancing Healthcare Interactions
Authors: Mahmoud Abdelrahman , Saleem Jason J.
Published: October 2024

Electronic medical record (EMR) systems are pivotal in modern healthcare for digitizing patient records and improving clinical workflows. However, persistent usability challenges hinder their effective adoption and user satisfaction. This study employs a comprehensive user-centered design approach to identify and address usability issues in one such EHR, an open-source system named openEMR. Our main objective was to assess openEMR’s usability through several usability metrics. In addition to a summative usability test with 10 participants, we employed usability inspection (i.e., a heuristic evaluation) to generate additional findings using multiple methods. The results from the summative usability test provide a comprehensive perspective on openEMR’s performance. In addition to task-specific observations, participants offered insights into openEMR’s overall usability through a debrief interview. Through quantitative surveys, usability testing, qualitative interviews, and a heuristic evaluation, this study identified critical usability issues, proposes targeted solutions, and discusses implications for enhancing EMR systems in healthcare settings.
Evolving Dynamics of Relational Coordination: A Study of Progression of Care Huddles in Hospital Observation Services
Authors: Gomes Paulo J. , Mirzaei Tala
Published: October 2024

Health care organizations are increasingly using team huddles to enhance communication, improve patient experience, and deliver timely care. However, established practices, resource constraints, and hierarchical role dynamics can hinder the effectiveness of huddling. This study investigates the dynamics of care huddle implementation through interviews with care providers and managers of an observation unit in a U.S. hospital. Qualitative analysis of interview data reveals that huddle adoption enhances relational coordination (RC), thus highlighting the importance of both coaching interventions in fostering proactive behavior and the building of a work environment aligned toward shared goals. The findings affirm RC as a dynamic change model, examining its interplay with organizational processes and structure. The study underscores the significance of adaptations in work processes, the role of informal boundary spanners in facilitating cross-departmental coordination, and structural changes that increase autonomy for low-power actors. We offer actionable recommendations for health care organizations aiming to improve care coordination.
From Bylines to Headlines: Exploring Gender Bias in the News
Authors: Meeks Lindsey
Published: October 2024

The comparative lack of women in newsrooms and in news coverage is a global problem, typically rooted in countries’ masculinized norms that permeate society writ large, from kitchen tables to newsrooms to halls of power. Journalistic coverage often reinforces this gendered hierarchy. The nine articles in this themed collection examine this power dynamic across seven nations, chronicling the low representation of women in newsrooms and news coverage, and identifying the persistent challenges women journalists face. Many of the articles call for action at the root level of the problem: a change in society and culture.
Creating Solvability With Real-Time Crime Centers (RTCCs): Impacts on Homicide and Shooting Investigations
Authors: Barao Lisa , Mastroianni Chris
Published: October 2024

Amidst recent increases in homicides and shootings in the United States, clearances rates for homicides have declined and nonfatal shooting cases remain notoriously difficult to solve. Considerable research indicates that the outcomes of homicide and shooting investigations are likely influenced by a range of factors, including inherited case characteristics, investigative actions, forensic testing, and agency resources. Recent advancements in technologies available to law enforcement may help fill persistent gaps in solvability, but research remains limited on their effectiveness. RTCCs integrate a variety of technological innovations and software programs to rapidly receive and distribute information to support police operations, and they harness the strong potential to powerfully impact investigative outcomes and offer an additional pathway through which police agencies can increase case clearance. The current study explores the impact of strategic efforts in the Hartford Police Department (HPD) to increase investigative effectiveness through RTCC processes and technologies. Our findings indicate that RTCC activities significantly increase the likelihood that a case is solved, and this effect is primarily due to RTCC analysts’ ability to locate and analyze video associated with the case. When associated video was located, cases were 442% more likely to be solved when controlling for other covariates. The HPD’s RTCC operations, institutionalized technology, and organizational culture also play a crucial role, with a commitment to technology and information-sharing enhancing investigative capabilities. This study emphasizes the effectiveness of real-time crime centers in locating digital evidence, facilitating rapid information dissemination, and fostering agencywide collaboration, ultimately improving investigative outcomes.
Comprehensive Profiling of Transcriptome and m6A Epitranscriptome Uncovers the Neurotoxic Effects of Yunaconitine on HT22 Cells
Authors: Lin Beian , Zhang Jian , Chen Mengting , Gao Xinyue , Wen Jiaxin , Tian Kun , Wu Yajiao , Chen Zekai , Yang Qiaomei , Zhu An , Du Chunhong
Published: October 2024

Objective:

To explore different mRNA transcriptome patterns and RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) alteration in yunaconitine (YA)-treated HT22 mouse hippocampal neuron, and uncover the role of abnormal mRNA expression and RNA m6A modification in YA-induced neurotoxicity.

Methods:

HT22 cells were treated with 0, 5, 10, and 50 μM of YA for 72 h to evaluate their viability and GSH content. Subsequently, mRNA-seq and MeRIP-seq analyses were performed on HT22 cells treated with 0 and 10 μM YA for 72 h, and molecular docking was used to simulate interactions between YA and differentially expressed m6A regulators. The mitochondrial membrane potential was examined using the JC-10 probe, and RT-qPCR was conducted to verify the expression levels of differentially expressed m6A regulatory factors, as well as to assess alterations in the mRNA expression levels of antioxidant genes.

Results:

YA treatment significantly reduced the viability of HT22 cells and decreased GSH content. The mRNA-seq analysis obtained 1018 differentially expressed genes, KEGG and GO enrichment results of differentially expressed genes mainly comprise the nervous system development, cholinergic synapse, response to oxidative stress, and mitochondrial inner membrane. A total of 7 differentially expressed m6A regulators were identified by MeRIP-seq. Notably, molecular docking results suggested a stable interaction between YA and most of the differentially expressed m6A regulators.

Conclusion:

This study showed that YA-induced HT22 cell damage was associated with the increased methylation modification level of target gene m6A and abnormal expression of m6A regulators.
Comparison and Analysis of Clinical Features of Papillary Thyroid Cancer Complicated With Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
Authors: Zheng Ke , Mao Jingxin
Published: October 2024

Background:

Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) combined with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is more common in clinical practice, maybe posing a serious threat to the health of patients. It is uncertain whether HT is a risk factor or protective factor for PTC. The aim of the study was to retrospectively explore the effect of HT on the biological behavior of PTC.

Methods:

A total of 200 patients were included in the study. Among them, 100 patients with PTC without HT were in the control group (PTC group), and 100 cases diagnosed as PTC with HT were in the experimental group (HT + PTC group). The following data were counted and analyzed, respectively: (1) the basic clinicopathologic characteristics of patients; (2) postoperative thyroid function indicators; (3) blood biochemical indicators; (4) liver function indicators; and (5) histopathological report.

Results:

Compared with the PTC group, women were predominant in the PTC + HT group ( P < .05). In addition, the central lymph node metastasis rate, the number of cervical lymph node metastases, and the lateral cervical lymph node metastasis rate were significantly decreased ( P < .05). Thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and thyroglobulin antibody (TGAb) of the thyroid function index were significantly increased, while the thyroglobulin (TG) value was significantly decreased ( P < .05). The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level of the liver function index was significantly decreased, while the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level was significantly increased ( P < .05). In the pathological examination, a large number of mononuclear cells infiltrated in the lymphocyte follicular stroma. In an ultrasound examination, the boundary definition rate is lower.

Conclusion:

Women may be more susceptible to PTC or PTC and HT than men. Patients under 55 years old accounted for a larger proportion in PTC + HT than PTC. Hashimoto thyroiditis may play an inhibitory role in the occurrence of PTC, and the presence of HT is a protective factor for PTC.
Cognitive causes of the mental state of terror and their link to mental health outcomes
Authors: Gutoreva Alina , Olin Sarah L
Published: October 2024

The mental state of terror is a dysphoric emotion, feeling of dread and sudden realisation that the outcomes of one’s life events can take an extremely negative turn. The state represents the acute stage of fear, anxiety and trauma and generally occurs in mental disorders, such as trauma- and stress-related disorders, but it can also manifest in healthy individuals as the initial trigger response, the point of mental dysregulation. The mental state of terror can be specified with the following parameters: (1) perceived loss of safety, (2) unpredictability and uncertainty, (3) intense consequent emotional reaction, (4) hypersensitivity to the trigger stimuli, and consequentially, (5) the outcome that can be either negative, such as resulting in developing a mental disorder, or positive, such as developing post-traumatic growth and resilience. Behavioural biases are also a for factor the development of the mental state of terror. The aim of this theoretical contribution is to define the mental state of terror in terms of cognitive factors, such as exposure to traumatic events and uncertainty of the environment for understanding the development of mental disorders within stress and trauma domains; highlight the importance of psychological resilience and social support.
Impact of an mHealth intervention on parents’ emotional health and on the neurodevelopment of high-risk infants
Authors: Bellido-González Mercedes , Padilla Muñoz Eva María , Castelar-Ríos María José , Díaz López Miguel Ángel , Lozano José Maldonado , Lanzarote Fernández María Dolores
Published: October 2024

We assess the prenatal and postnatal effect of the High-Risk Pregnancy and Baby Parenting programme, which is complemented with two mHealth (app-based) resources. The GLM Repeated Measures Model technique was used to explore differences in the emotional health of the participants and in their infants’ neurodevelopment, comparing programme versus usual care groups, composed of 150 and 195 participants, respectively. The mothers presented lower levels of depression (mean difference 1.74, p = 0.04, 95% CI 0.07, 3.40) and higher levels of resilience (mean difference 4.09, p = 0.004, 95% CI 1.40, 6.78). For the fathers, positive effects on resilience were recorded ( p < 0.001). A positive treatment effect was perceived in the infants’ cognitive ( p = 0.014), language ( p < 0.001) and motor ( p = 0.006) development. These findings suggest application of the programme can benefit maternal emotional health and infant neurodevelopment. M-Health technology could make this programme more accessible.
The association between religiosity, suicidality, psychological distress, and quality of life among breast cancer patients, an example of a Middle Eastern population
Authors: Alzahrani Ahmad S , Al-Mulhem Saleh Mohammed , Alfurayh Ibrahim Abdulaziz , Alshehri Saud Abdullah Mohammed , Khrad Hussain , Omdah Rozan , Gouta Hanady , Habib Noor , Alharthi Reem , Bajandouh Wejdan , Sabgul Marwa , Alabbasi Renan Abdulwahab , Alsaloumi Esraa Abdulaziz
Published: October 2024

The study aimed to explore the relationship between religiosity, psychological distress, and quality of life (QOL) in Saudi breast cancer patients. Utilizing a multi-center cross-sectional design, 277 patients were recruited. Patients completed questionnaires assessing religiosity, depression, anxiety, suicidality, and QOL. Results revealed a high prevalence of depression (35.7%) and anxiety (18.1%), with no significant variations in internal religiosity across different health stages, despite high levels of perceived social support. Suicidal ideation was reported by a small proportion of patients (2.5%). Multivariate analysis identified anxiety, therapy side effects, and breast symptoms as significant predictors of depression, while depression and previous psychiatric treatment predicted anxiety levels. QOL assessments indicated that body image received the highest satisfaction ratings, while sexual function received the lowest. These findings highlight the critical need for integrated mental health support in the treatment regimen of breast cancer patients.
‘I wouldn’t want one or the other’: Understanding parents’ preferences for direct support or parent coaching for young autistic children
Authors: Jordan Phoebe , Wallace-Watkin Carla , Tupou Jessica , Pillar Sarah , Waddington Hannah
Published: October 2024

There has been considerable research into the barriers and facilitators of coaching parents of autistic children. However, little is known about parents’ preferences for this approach compared to support provided directly by a clinician to an autistic or potentially autistic child. This study aimed to examine parents’ relative preferences for parent coaching and direct clinician support. A total of 22 families who had received both approaches for their autistic child quantitatively indicated which they preferred. We then used semi-structured interviews with 11 of these participating parents to further investigate the reasons underlying these preferences. We used multiple methods to ensure trustworthiness and credibility. Four themes were identified through template analysis: (1) ‘I wouldn’t want one without the other’, (2) ‘It forced me outside my comfort zone’, (3) ‘It’s just about different types of learners’ and (4) ‘If our child is happy, then we are happy’. Overall, results indicated that parents appreciated characteristics of both approaches and felt that they complimented each other in helping themselves and their child. However, when forced to choose, parents generally expressed a preference for direct support. Many parents discussed their belief that their child experienced more enjoyment and progressed further through direct support. These findings emphasise the importance of honouring families’ preferences in the delivery of supports.

Lay abstract

Professionals often support autistic children by working with them directly (direct support) or by coaching their parents. We know a lot about what parents think about parent coaching, but we do not know as much about what they think about direct support. We also do not know whether parents prefer parent coaching or direct support. The current study involved 22 parents who each received 2 h a week of direct support for their autistic child and up to 1 h a week of parent coaching for 6 months. At the end of 6 months, all these parents indicated in a survey whether they preferred parent coaching or direct support. Eleven of these participating parents also chose to take part in an interview to understand more about these preferences. Our findings suggest that parents generally liked both supports and believed they worked well together; however, they preferred direct support over parent coaching. While parents think that both approaches are beneficial, there are strengths and challenges of each. These findings emphasise the importance of parent choice in the delivery of support. It may also be possible to adapt both approaches to address some of the identified challenges and improve the whole family’s experience.
Parent concerns prior to an assessment of autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review
Authors: Solia Dominique , Albarqouni Loai , Stehlik Paulina , Conroy Antonia , Thomas Rae
Published: October 2024

Some parents experience concerns relating to their child’s development and seek clinical assessments for their child’s behaviour. We sought to understand the concerns that led parents to seek a general clinical assessment where some children were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. We conducted a systematic review to identify the types of parent concerns that drives parents to seek professional help for their child’s development. Database searching identified 7587 records, where 10 studies (9 cohorts) met our inclusion criteria. Parent reported concerns were categorised using the coding schemes of included studies described as autism spectrum disorder–specific (i.e. communication, social or stereotyped behaviour concerns) or non-autism spectrum disorder–specific concerns (i.e. behaviour/temperament, developmental, medical, sensory or motor concerns). The most reported parental concerns prior to an assessment were speech and language, social and behavioural. Concerns were also reported relating to parent understandings of an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis and the positive and negative implications surrounding the autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. Data were reported descriptively due to variations in study design and data analyses. Additional rigorous research on parent concerns prior to a diagnostic autism spectrum disorder assessment is required to capture what drives parents to seek professional help to support their child’s development.

Prospero registration number: CRD42022307436

Lay abstract

When a parent has concerns about their child’s development, there is a lag between seeking and receiving health information. When waiting, parents may speculate about a possible diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, but it is unclear what types of concerns might drive this speculation. To determine the types of concerns parents may have before their child is assessed, we conducted a systematic review that explored parent concerns before an autism spectrum disorder assessment. Our aim was to determine the types of concerns that might drive parents to seek medical help for their child’s development. Four online databases were searched and 10 articles reporting on 9 studies matched our inclusion criteria. In these cohorts, parents reported autism spectrum disorder–specific concerns (i.e. communication, social or stereotyped behaviour concerns) or non-autism spectrum disorder–specific concerns (i.e. behaviour/temperament, developmental, medical, sensory or motor concerns). Some parents also reported on their positive and negative thoughts of a potential autism spectrum disorder diagnosis and what the diagnosis would mean to them. The most reported parental concerns before an assessment were speech and language, social and behavioural. To understand the types of concerns parents have once they seek medical help, further research into how families speculated a possible autism spectrum disorder is recommended.
Space invaders: “Dissonant bodies” in positions of power: A conversation with Nirmal Puwar
Authors: Galetto Manuela , Martucci Chiara , Puwar Nirmal
Published: October 2024

In July 2022, the Centre for the Study of Gender and Sexuality of the City University of London organized a seminar to celebrate the 18th anniversary of Space Invaders: Race, Gender and Bodies Out of Place. Following on from the rich discussion it generated, we organized an interview-conversation with the author, Nirmal Puwar, to contextualize the book in light of contemporary, seemingly more diverse – but also increasingly aggressive and exclusionary – forms of public discourse and social policies. We designed questions to engage with Nirmal in an open conversation about what does change, if at all, once dissonant bodies reach positions of power, starting from the contexts closest to us: England and Italy.
Smart variant filtering - A blueprint solution for massively parallel sequencing-based variant analysis
Authors: Brahimllari Orlinda , Eloranta Sandra , Georgii-Hemming Patrik , Haider Zahra , Koch Sabine , Krstic Aleksandra , Skarp Frantzeska Papadopoulou , Rosenquist Richard , Smedby Karin E , Taylan Fulya , Thorvaldsdottir Birna , Wirta Valtteri , Wästerlid Tove , Boman Magnus
Published: October 2024

Massively parallel sequencing helps create new knowledge on genes, variants and their association with disease phenotype. This important technological advancement simultaneously makes clinical decision making, using genomic information for cancer patients, more complex. Currently, identifying actionable pathogenic variants with diagnostic, prognostic, or predictive impact requires substantial manual effort. Objective: The purpose is to design a solution for clinical diagnostics of lymphoma, specifically for systematic variant filtering and interpretation. Methods: A scoping review and demonstrations from specialists serve as a basis for a blueprint of a solution for massively parallel sequencing-based genetic diagnostics. Results: The solution uses machine learning methods to facilitate decision making in the diagnostic process. A validation round of interviews with specialists consolidated the blueprint and anchored it across all relevant expert disciplines. The scoping review identified four components of variant filtering solutions: algorithms and Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications, software, bioinformatics pipelines and variant filtering strategies. The blueprint describes the input, the AI model and the interface for dynamic browsing. Conclusion: An AI-augmented system is designed for predicting pathogenic variants. While such a system can be used to classify identified variants, diagnosticians should still evaluate the classification’s accuracy, make corrections when necessary, and ultimately decide which variants are truly pathogenic.
Research on energy transfer and vibration suppression of nonlinear energy sink with nonlinear damping
Authors: Qi Xing-ke , Zhang Jian-chao , Wang Jun , Cai Li-wei
Published: October 2024

The nonlinear energy sink is a nonlinear shock absorber that provides targeted energy transfer and plays a crucial role in structural vibration suppression. In this paper, the energy transfer and dynamic characteristics of nonlinear damping nonlinear energy sink systems are analyzed. Firstly, the theoretical model of the nonlinear damping NES system is described, and secondly, the equations of the system in the free state are derived by using the complex variable average method and the multi-scale method to obtain the energy transfer efficiency equation of the system. Through the study of the slow invariant manifold and energy transfer efficiency of the system, the influence of each system parameter on the energy transfer efficiency is analyzed. Then the equations of the system under harmonic excitation are processed in the same method to obtain the boundary equations of the system, through which the saddle-node bifurcation diagram of the system is plotted to study the influence of each system parameter on the saddle-node bifurcation characteristics of the system. Finally, the slow-varying equation of the system under harmonic excitation is derived, and the influence of each system parameter on the frequency detuning parameter interval of the strongly modulated response is obtained using the phase trajectory and a one-dimensional mapping diagram of the system, and the time-mileage diagram and Poincare section are used to prove the damping effect of the strongly modulated response.
Dating algorithms? Investigating the reciprocal relationships between partner choice FOMO, decision fatigue, excessive swiping, and trust in algorithms on dating apps
Authors: Binder Alice , Stevic Anja , Matthes Jörg , Thomas Marina F
Published: October 2024

Dating apps have changed the way people establish contact with potential romantic partners. However, more and more dating apps use algorithms to keep their users’ engagement high. Studies suggest that trust in algorithms can shape offline dating experiences. We theorize that excessive swiping, driven by fear of missing out, predicts trust. We also explore the role of decision fatigue. Findings from a two-wave panel study with NTime2 = 521 young dating app users suggest that the fear of missing out on potential romantic partners was positively related to decision fatigue on dating apps. Moreover, excessive swiping and decision fatigue were positively related to trust in algorithms. No reciprocal effects of trust in algorithms on excessive swiping or decision fatigue were observed. It seems that trust in algorithms might present some kind of relief strategy for compulsive behaviors such as excessively swiping, or for negative feelings such as decision fatigue.
Metaverse risks and harms among US youth: Experiences, gender differences, and prevention and response measures
Authors: Hinduja Sameer , Patchin Justin W
Published: October 2024

Research indicates that participation in metaverse environments and with virtual reality (VR) is increasing among younger populations, and that youth may be the primary drivers of widespread adoption of these technologies. This will more readily happen if their experiences are safe, secure, and positive. We analyze data from a nationally representative sample of 5005, 13- to 17-year-olds in the United States to measure their experiences of 12 specific harms on VR platforms, and which protective strategies they employed to prevent or respond to them. Girls were more likely to be sexually harassed and to experience grooming/predatory behavior, and were more likely to have been targeted specifically because of their gender. Finally, girls were more likely to engage in some specific protective measures online, but overall both boys and girls use platform safety mechanisms infrequently. We discuss enhancements in policy, content moderation, and feature sets that can serve to better safeguard youth in the metaverse.
Evaluation of soot emission and wall heat loss for the fuels with high aromatic contents using the coupled analysis of chemical luminescence images with heat flux
Authors: Imai Yasuo , Takagi Masahide
Published: October 2024

The stricter regulations on the sulfur content of marine fuel oil in the general sea area that came into effect in January 2020 have led to a prediction of the increase of light cycle oil with high aromatic contents. The higher aromatic content is expected to result in higher soot in the exhaust gas. During combustion, soot emits radiant heat because of blackbody radiation, some of which passes through the walls of the combustion chamber and is released outside. Therefore, the exhaust emission characteristics and wall heat loss are affected if soot formation during combustion differs depending on the aromatic content of the fuel oil. This study developed an analytical method that combines the temporal and spatial distributions of C2 and OH radicals (these species contribute to soot formation and oxidation) to evaluate the emission and wall heat loss characteristics of different aromatics in fuel oils via combustion and heat flux analysis. The method was applied to test fuels containing different aromatic contents. Two test fuels containing 60 vol% each of toluene (monocyclic) and 1-methylnaphthalene (bicyclic) were evaluated in a rapid compression machine with a 100 mm wall-to-wall distance combustion chamber. The results suggested that the differences in soot emissions were observed because of differences in aromatics, and no differences in the wall heat flux were observed. The distributions of C2 and OH radical luminescence intensities between the walls were examined, and the differences in soot production were attributed to differences in the C2 radical production upstream of the flame in the region of low air entrainment. The lack of difference in the heat flux between the test fuels can be attributed to the the differences in the C2 and OH luminescence intensities, which are related to the heat release rate and heat flux, being almost nonexistent near the walls.
Interval prediction method for dynamic zoning of displacements in super-high arch dam under significant water level fluctuations
Authors: Xu Bo , Chen Zeyuan , Su Huaizhi , Zhang Hu , Zhu Zhenhao
Published: October 2024

Displacement is one of the most intuitive indicators reflecting the influence of internal and external environments on dam structures. However, existing displacement monitoring models mostly rely on static fitting of single point and deterministic point value estimation, failing to deeply consider the similarity and uncertainty of displacement in dynamic changes under significant water level fluctuations. To address this issue, the displacements are first divided into three periods: ascending, descending, and stable periods. Second, based on the Ward criterion, the displacements of measuring points in different periods are clustered and partitioned, and the CRITIC method is applied to amalgamate the displacement of multiple points within each partition into comprehensive displacements, which reflect the displacement changes of the corresponding partition. Then, the comprehensive displacements are predicted utilizing deep learning model convolutional neural network-gated recurrent unit (CNN-GRU). Finally, to consider the uncertainty and randomness of displacement changes, prediction intervals based on Bootstrap method are employed to quantify the impact of uncertain factors. Engineering examples show that the proposed method can provide scientific basis and technical support for the safety monitoring and health diagnosis of super-high arch dams.
International Prevalence of Technology-Facilitated Sexual Violence Against Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies
Authors: Benítez-Hidalgo Vivian , Henares-Montiel Jesús , Ruiz-Pérez Isabel , Pastor-Moreno Guadalupe
Published: October 2024

The aim of the present review was to systematically identify and examine current knowledge regarding the frequency of any form of technology-facilitated sexual violence (TFSV) perpetrated against women aged 16 years and older. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist was applied when performing the present review. Observational studies reporting prevalence data for any form of TFSV against women aged 16 years and above were considered for inclusion. Four meta-analyses were conducted. One examined data pertaining to overall TFSV, while the other three each addressed a key dimension based on the type of victimization under study. Random-effects models were used to compute pooled estimate prevalences (95% CI). Included studies reported prevalence in 32 different countries at different time points, with 28,220 women being interviewed (16–97 years). A total of 1,437 potential articles were gathered from 8 databases and 17 studies were selected for analysis. Included studies exhibited a low risk of bias (12 strong methodological quality—5 medium). Rates of TFSV ranged from 2.2% to 84%. Global estimated prevalence was 30.60% (95% CI [24.08, 37.12]). The most frequently reported behaviors pertained to “digital sexual harassment” (28.54%) followed by “technology-facilitated aggression and coercion” (16.93%) and “image-based sexual abuse” (6.48%). Present findings shed light on a significant gap in understanding the experiences of adult women. The wide range of reported frequencies underscores the importance of unifying terms and standardizing measurement instruments, emphasizing the need for a cohesive approach to better comprehend and address the multifaceted nature of TFSV.
Unmanned surface vehicles for naval warfare and maritime security
Authors: Boretti Alberto
Published: October 2024

There is a growing need to implement maritime defensive systems, covering both medium-range and close-in defenses. This is in response to the escalating threat posed by unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) in a rapidly changing environment. As unmanned technologies become more widespread and advanced, the proactive deployment of these defensive measures is becoming imperative. This strategic approach aims to reduce risks, protect vital assets, and bolster the Navy’s flexibility in adapting to the evolving dynamics of contemporary naval warfare. This initiative aligns with broader goals of upholding maritime security and contributing to regional stability amid rapidly shifting conditions in warfare. This perspective covers the relevant aspects of USV development, and the countermeasures being considered.