bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conduction Disturbances and Outcome After Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients With Bicuspid and Tricuspid Aortic Stenosis
Authors: Wedin Johan O. , Näslund Viktor , Rodin Sergey , Simonson Oscar E. , Flachskampf Frank A. , James Stefan K. , Ståhle Elisabeth , Grinnemo Karl-Henrik
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND:

This study aimed to compare the incidence and prognostic implications of new-onset conduction disturbances after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) aortic stenosis (AS) versus patients with tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) AS (ie, BAV-AS and TAV-AS, respectively). Additionally, the study included stratification of BAV patients according to subtype.

METHODS:

In this cohort study, the incidence of postoperative third-degree atrioventricular (AV) block with subsequent permanent pacemaker requirement and new-onset left bundle-branch block (LBBB) was investigated in 1147 consecutive patients without preoperative conduction disorder who underwent isolated SAVR (with or without ascending aortic surgery) between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2022. The groups were stratified by aortic valve morphology (BAV, n=589; TAV, n=558). The outcomes of interests were new-onset third-degree AV block or new-onset LBBB during the index hospitalization. The impact of new-onset postoperative conduction disturbances on survival was investigated in BAV-AS and TAV-AS patients during a median follow-up of 8.2 years. BAV morphology was further categorized according to the Sievers and Schmidtke classification system (possible in 307 BAV-AS patients) to explore association between BAV subtypes and new-onset conduction disturbances after SAVR.

RESULTS:

The overall incidence of third-degree AV block and new-onset LBBB after SAVR was 4.5% and 7.8%, respectively. BAV-AS patients had a higher incidence of both new-onset third-degree AV block (6.5% versus 2.5%;
P
=0.001) and new-onset LBBB (9.7% versus 5.7%;
P
=0.013) compared with TAV-AS patients. New-onset LBBB was associated with an increased all-cause mortality during follow-up (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.60 [95% CI, 1.12–2.30];
P
=0.011), whereas new-onset third-degree AV block was not associated with worse prognosis. Subgroup analysis of the BAV cohort revealed that BAV-AS patients with fusion of the right- and non-coronary cusps had the highest risk of new-onset third-degree AV block (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 8.33 [95% CI, 3.31–20.97];
P
<0.001, with TAV as reference group) and new-onset LBBB (aOR, 4.03 [95% CI, 1.84–8.82];
P
<0.001, with TAV as reference group), whereas no significant association was observed for the other BAV subtypes.

CONCLUSIONS:

New-onset LBBB after SAVR is associated with increased all-cause mortality during follow-up, and is more frequent complication in BAV AS patients compared with TAV-AS patients. BAV-AS patients with fusion of the right- and non-coronary cusps have an increased risk for conduction disturbances after SAVR. This should be taken into consideration when managing these patients.
Senescent Syncytiotrophoblast Secretion During Early Onset Preeclampsia
Authors: Nonn Olivia , Debnath Olivia , Valdes Daniela S. , Sallinger Katja , Secener Ali Kerim , Fischer Cornelius , Tiesmeyer Sebastian , Nimo Jose , Kuenzer Thomas , Ulrich Juliane , Maxian Theresa , Knöfler Martin , Karau Philipp , Bartolomaeus Hendrik , Kroneis Thomas , Frolova Alina , Neuper Lena , Haase Nadine , Malt Alexander , Müller-Bötticher Niklas , Kräker Kristin , Kedziora Sarah , Forstner Désirée , Eils Roland , Schmidt-Ullrich Ruth , Haider Sandra , Verlohren Stefan , Stern Christina , Sugulle Meryam , Jones Stuart , Thilaganathan Basky , Kaitu’u-Lino Tu’uhevaha J. , Tong Stephen , Huppertz Berthold , El-Heliebi Amin , Staff Anne Cathrine , Coscia Fabian , Müller Dominik N. , Dechend Ralf , Gauster Martin , Ishaque Naveed , Herse Florian
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND:

Preeclampsia is a severe hypertensive disorder in pregnancy that causes preterm delivery, maternal and fetal morbidity, mortality, and life-long sequelae. Understanding the pathogenesis of preeclampsia is a critical first step toward protecting mother and child from this syndrome and increased risk of cardiovascular disease later in life. However, effective early predictive tests and therapies for preeclampsia are scarce.

METHODS:

To identify novel markers and signaling pathways for early onset preeclampsia, we profiled human maternal-fetal interface units (fetal villi and maternal decidua) from early onset preeclampsia and healthy controls using single-nucleus RNA sequencing combined with spatial transcriptomics. The placental syncytiotrophoblast is in direct contact with maternal blood and forms the barrier between fetal and maternal circulation.

RESULTS:

We identified different transcriptomic states of the endocrine syncytiotrophoblast nuclei with patterns of dysregulation associated with a senescence-associated secretory phenotype and a spatial dysregulation of senescence in the placental trophoblast layer. Elevated senescence markers were validated in placental tissues of clinical multicenter cohorts. Importantly, several secreted senescence-associated secretory phenotype factors were elevated in maternal blood already in the first trimester. We verified the secreted senescence markers, PAI-1 (plasminogen activator inhibitor 1) and activin A, as identified in our single-nucleus RNA sequencing model as predictive markers before clinical preeclampsia diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS:

This indicates that increased syncytiotrophoblast senescence appears weeks before clinical manifestation of early onset preeclampsia, suggesting that the dysregulated preeclamptic placenta starts with higher cell maturation resulting in premature and increased senescence-associated secretory phenotype release. These senescence-associated secretory phenotype markers may serve as an additional early diagnostic tool for this syndrome.
Female-led teams produce more innovative ideas yet receive less scientific impact
Authors: Yang Alex J. , Ding Ying , Liu Meijun
Published: October 2024

Despite long-standing concerns about gender bias in science, there remains a lack of understanding regarding the performance of female scientists as team leaders compared to their male counterparts. This study explores differences between female-led and male-led teams in terms of scientific impact, novelty, and disruption, utilizing a comprehensive data set of journal articles spanning from 1980 to 2016 across STEM fields. We employed Coarsened Exact Matching (CEM) to match female and male scientists based on their characteristics. Subsequently, we applied multivariable logistic regression models to compare the outcomes of journal articles produced by female-led and male-led teams. Our analysis reveals that female-led teams generate more novel and disruptive ideas. However, they tend to produce articles with less scientific impact compared to their male-led counterparts. This suggests a systemic undervaluation of the contributions of female scientists. Further analysis indicates that this gender bias intensifies in later career stages and with larger team sizes. Additionally, significant field-specific heterogeneity is observed, with the most pronounced bias found in Biology and Medicine. These findings highlight the urgent need for policy adjustments to address these biases and promote a more equitable evaluation system in scientific research.
Remembering the Disremembered
Authors: Asempasah Rogers , Arthur Samuel Papa
Published: October 2024

This article reads Abubakar Ibrahim’s short story “The Book of Remembered Things” as an anti-jihadist narrative that meditates on the traumatic effects of violent jihadism on the postcolonial Muslim domestic space and a counternarrative to the dominant body of Western fictional responses to the 9/11 terror attacks. Situated at the intersection of Spivak’s “Can the Subaltern Speak?” and postcolonial trauma theory, the article argues that Ibrahim mourns and remembers the traumas of the disremembered postcolonial subaltern African Muslim woman elided in the dominant discourses on the WoT and also subtly critiques fundamentalists ideologies like Boko Haram. Ibrahim shows that Jihadists’ quest for an Islamic theocracy or caliphate is doomed to fail because it revolves around a sacrificial structure wherein the Muslin woman is sacrificed on the altar of ideological incoherence. By focusing on the nexus between WoT and gendered trauma, the article explores how Ibrahim reclaims the subaltern woman’s voice in the wake of violent jihadism.
Water-Energy-Food Communities in South Africa
Authors: Viljoen Germarié , Mauger Romain , Mugadza Alois , Rantlo John , du Plessis Willemien
Published: October 2024

South Africa faces significant challenges concerning the scarcity and unequal distribution of water, energy and food resources. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 underscores the importance of social justice and mandates collaboration among all levels of government and state entities. To effectively address the interconnected nature of these resources, a collaborative governance approach is necessary. This article introduces the concept of ‘Water-Energy-Food (wef) communities’, a concept not currently recognised in South African law, drawing inspiration from the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive (res-Directive) of 2018 and the Electricity Market Directive (E-Directive) of 2019 that introduced the concept of ‘energy communities’. wef communities, operating at the local level, could integrate improved governance and decision-making in the water, energy, and food sectors, thereby advancing social justice in local communities. The article compares existing multi-actor governance instruments in South African law and uses the EU law as learning points for the establishment of wef communities as opposed to energy communities that focus on one determinant only. Although the current South African multi-actor governance instruments do not explicitly address an integrated wef governance approach, they may serve as a basis for proposing framework rules to establish wef communities, highlighting their potential to achieve social justice goals in relation to their access to water, energy and food. The article proposes rules for the potential establishment of wef communities, taking learning points from the EU directives as well as existing South African instruments.
Description of larvae and redescription of the fungus beetle Pselaphacus procerus Kuhnt, 1910 (Coleoptera: Erotylidae: Erotylinae: Tritomini) from Brazil
Authors: CASARI SÔNIA A. , SILVA THIAGO J. , POLIZEI THIAGO T. S.
Published: October 2024

The early and mature larvae of Pselaphacus procerus Kuhnt, 1910 are described here for the first time and the adult male and female are redescribed. The description of the larvae of this species represents the second of Pselaphacus immatures. The early larvae of this species are easily separated from mature larvae, by the absence of dorsal sclerotized plates on the abdomen of the former. Based on observations and information from literature, we provide a synopsis of the larval studies on Erotylini, data on maternal behavior in the genus and an updated biogeographical distribution of this species.
Biodiversity assessment of the Lower Mekong Basin: evolutionary novelties in gemmular morphotraits of Genus Corvospongilla (Porifera: Spongillida) with description of a new species from Khorat Plateau, and biogeographic notes
Authors: RUENGSAWANG NISIT , SANGPRADUB NARUMON , CUBEDDU TIZIANA , PRONZATO ROBERTO , MANCONI RENATA
Published: October 2024

A new occurrence of the genus Corvospongilla (Porifera: Demospongiae) is recorded from the Southeast Asia freshwater of Khorat Plateau, northeast Thailand. This is the second record of the genus from the Lower Mekong Basin with the discovery the new species Corvospongilla lampaoensis sp. nov. inhabiting a eutrophic lentic habitat (in Lam Pao Reservoir) on manmade structures of fish farming and fishery. Skeleton and gemmules morphotraits, diagnostic for Genus Corvospongilla of the family Spongillidae (Order Spongillida), were examined by Light and Scanning Electron Microscopy differentiating a new species from its twenty congeners known worldwide. In addition, the comparative morpho-analysis highlighted distant sympatric lineages with a notable morphotraits divergence of Corvospongilla lampaoensis sp. nov. vs Corvospongilla siamensis in two western tributaries of the Lower Mekong. The results from this study expand our knowledge of the order Spongillida adaptive radiation in Asia and fill a gap in the geographic range of the genus Corvospongilla in the Oriental-Indomalayan Region.
Support Carbon Neutral Goal with a High-Resolution Carbon Monitoring System in Beijing
Authors: Han Pengfei , Yao Bo , Cai Qixiang , Chen Huilin , Sun Wanqi , Liang Miao , Zhang Xingying , Zhao Meng , Martin Cory , Liu Zhiqiang , Ye Hanhan , Wang Pucai , Li Yanxia , Zeng Ning
Published: October 2024

China has committed to peak its carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060, known as the dual carbon goals (DCGs). To support the DCG, monitoring and assessment of progresses in emissions reduction have become a central research focus. Here, we describe the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (JJJ) carbon monitoring system, established over the last 6 years through a collaborative effort of 16 research institutions and universities. The monitoring capability includes ground-based high-precision reference stations, a dense network of medium-accuracy low-cost sensors, carbon satellites, vertical profile samplers, and mobile platforms. Observations using the network have shown CO2 variations from diurnal-, synoptic- to seasonal-interannual time scales, as well as dramatic on-road changes during the COVID-19 lockdown. High-resolution modeling and data assimilation at kilometer scale reveal major deficiencies in global carbon emission datasets at regional/city scale. The inversion found the total fossil fuel CO2 emissions of the City of Beijing to be 117 megatonne (Mt) but much lower than the national-databased inventories (152 MtCO2). The results have been used in emission assessment by national and local environmental protection agencies. Similar systems are now being developed in other Chinese cities.
Reasons for Different Predictability of Tropical Cyclone Tracks in the Western North Pacific and Atlantic Oceans
Authors: Ye Yiwei , Zhou Feifan
Published: October 2024

Recent several studies have focused on the predictability of tropical cyclone track forecast. As a response to the question issued by Landsea and Cangialosi about whether “the approaching limit of predictability for tropical cyclone (TC) track prediction is near or has already been reached,” Zhou and Toth (hereafter ZT20) and Yu et al. (hereafter Y22) have found that the limit of predictability for TC track prediction has not been reached in both the Atlantic (ATL) and western North Pacific (WNP) basins. However, the predictabilities are different in the two basins, as ZT20 found that 1 day’s improvement can be obtained through 10 years in ATL, while Y22 found that 2 days’ improvement can be obtained through 15 years in WNP. To reveal the causes of this difference, the predictability of TC track in WNP is first investigated under the same framework as ZT20. Then, important parameters that determine the predictabilities are found and analyzed. Results suggested that the growth rate of true track forecast error in WNP is higher than that in ATL, indicating a lower predictability in WNP. Further explorations suggested that TCs in the WNP basin have averagely larger sizes, stronger intensities, lower-latitude locations, and poorer forecast skills of their guided flows. All these factors contribute to the larger track forecast error growth rate. Moreover, it is pointed out that the improvement of forecast skills over years is mainly due to the reduction in initial analysis errors; although a lower predictability is found in WNP, the forecast skill improvement in WNP is faster than that in ATL.
Reconstructing the Ocean State Using Argo Data and a Data-Driven Method
Authors: Oulhen Erwan , Kolodziejczyk Nicolas , Tandeo Pierre , Blanke Bruno , Sévellec Florian
Published: October 2024

Over the past two decades, Argo profiles have provided unprecedented insight into the global patterns of space and time variability of ocean temperature and salinity, significantly reducing associated uncertainties. However, analyzing such assessments during the pre-Argo period remains challenging due to the scarcity of observations in many regions. From the Argo period, a set of dominant three-dimensional patterns can be estimated using empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis, which helps to fill in observational gaps. From the associated principal components, temporal fluctuations can be observed, aiming to build a catalog of possible ocean state trajectories. To map pre-Argo observations, EOFs are used in a data assimilation framework that uses this catalog to feed an analog prediction and provide reanalysis. In this study, a new data-driven interpolation method called Reduced-Space Analog Data Assimilation (RedAnDA) was tested in the tropical Pacific Ocean. RedAnDA was first validated through an observing system simulation experiment (OSSE) approach, using synthetic observations extracted from a model simulation. It was subsequently applied to a real historical dataset and compared with other available reanalysis products. Overall, the reconstructed temperature field showed variability consistent with the OSSE true field and other reanalysis products in the real data application. Further improvements are needed to optimally estimate uncertainty, but RedAnDA already combines valuable information about state predictability, observational sampling, and unresolved scale issues.
Climatology of Atmospheric Unstable Layers Revisited: A Corrigendum
Authors: Geller Marvin A. , Wang Ling , Love Peter T.
Published: October 2024

We have published a recent paper on differences between temperature fluctuations of various vertical scales in raw and processed U.S. high vertical resolution radiosonde data (HVRRD). In that paper, we note that the small-scale temperature fluctuations in the raw U.S. HVRRD are significantly larger than those in the processed U.S. HVRRD and that those small-scale temperature fluctuations are much larger during daytime that during nighttime. We believe that this is due to the varying amount of solar radiation falling on the radiosonde temperature sensor as the radiosonde instrument swings and rotates. In light of these new results, we present revisions to some of our conclusions about the climatology of atmospheric unstable layers. When we repeat our calculations of atmospheric unstable layers using the processed U.S. HVRRD, we find the following. 1) The 0000/1200 UTC differences in unstable layer occurrences in the lower stratosphere that were noted in our earlier paper essentially disappear. 2) The “notch” in the deep tropics where there is a relative deficiency of thin unstable layers and a corresponding excess of thicker layers is still a feature when processed data are analyzed, but the daytime notch is less marked when the processed data were used. 3) The discontinuity in unstable layer occurrences, when there was a change in radiosonde instrumentation, is still present when processed data are analyzed, but is diminished from what it was when the raw data were analyzed.

Significance Statement

In a previous paper deriving the climatology of atmospheric unstable layers, we emphasized several findings. We reexamine three of the main points of that paper when processed U.S. high vertical resolution radiosonde data are analyzed instead of the raw data used in that previous paper. We find the 0000/1200 UTC differences virtually disappear in the new analysis. We find that the “notch” feature previously noted at Koror still exists, and we find that the discontinuity in unstable layers, when radiosonde instrumentation is changed, is diminished, but is still present in the new analysis.
Application of surface Plasmon resonance imaging in the high-throughput detection of influenza virus
Authors: Zhang Haixiang , Sun Jingying , Guo Chunyan , Feng Qing , Li Yan , Zhao Xiangrong , Sun Lijun , Xu Cuixiang
Published: October 2024

Objective

To evaluate the application effect of SPRi monoclonal antibody (mAb) chip in the detection of influenza virus antigen in complex mixtures.

Methods

A total of 115 strains of mAbs against different subtypes (H1N1, H5N1, A1, A3, B, H7N9, H9N2, and H3N2) of influenza virus were prepared. The chip of mAbs against influenza virus was prepared by surface plasmonic resonance imaging (SPRi) technology, which was used for the detection of influenza virus supernatant, and compared with the traditional antigen capture ELISA method.

Results

Comparative studies have shown that traditional antigen capture ELISA methods have a higher sensitivity (86.8% (46/53) vs. 46.5% (46/99); z = 4.84, P < .001), while the SPRi chip methods present a significantly higher specificity (56.3% (9/16) vs. 14.5% (9/62); z = 3.54, P < .001). The SPRi chip detection method for influenza virus antibodies can well reflect the specific binding characteristics of influenza virus antigens and antibodies.

Conclusion

The SPRi mAb chip can be used for the detection of specific pathogenic microorganisms or viral proteins in complex mixtures such as influenza virus supernatant. It has significant advantages of label free, real-time, high-throughput, and good specificity, and can play an important role in disease diagnosis and infectious disease prevention and control.
Standing between the elite and street fields: Young people from affluent communities dealing with drugs
Authors: Berger Eirik Jerven
Published: October 2024

Sociology has a rich tradition studying ‘elite’ and ‘street’ social spaces, but rarely considers spaces between these fields and the social actors within them. This article fills that gap by examining the life stories of affluent Oslo youth engaged in illegal drug dealing. Participants had access to economic, social, and cultural capital in both elite and street social space. Making money in legitimate and illegitimate ways kept participants relatively marginal in both spaces. Having social networks among street-oriented peers and among elites facilitated drug dealing but also allowed them an exit from drug crimes when needed. They were educated and often employed, but also had high levels of drug and street cultural competence. This left them relatively estranged from their affluent background milieu leading to persistence in drug dealing. I argue that illegal drug markets among the affluent can be viewed as an in-between social space, that ‘elite’ or ‘street’ youth are likely best conceptualized as existing on a sociocultural spectrum between fields and provide a Bourdieusian framework to study social actors who stand between fields and the impact this may have on their lives.
‘Taming’ a Wicked Problem: Selective Problematisation of Issues of Urban Water Supply in Mumbai
Authors: Tiwale Sachin , Wagle Subodh
Published: October 2024

The lack of universal urban water access in the cities in the global south is a wicked problem. Using the case of Mumbai, this paper illustrates how consistently this wicked problem was chiselled and selectively problematised to turn it into a tame problem – a problem of water shortages at the city level. The chiselling included neglecting the essential aspects of urban water supply, such as supply coverage, pressure and leakages, which define the quality of urban water service received by citizens. Through chiselling and selective problematisation, the paper illustrates how the problem of providing universal urban water access in Mumbai was ignored for decades and the issues of water shortages were emphasised alone to justify and prioritise the development of dams.
Predictions of sheet molding compound composite structures using probabilistic finite element simulations with bimodal Weibull strength distributions
Authors: Iqbal Sakib , Xiao Xinran , Gong XiaoJing
Published: October 2024

Due to the large scatters in Sheet Molding Compound (SMC) mechanical properties, the uncertainty in the prediction of mechanical responses of SMC composite structures is significantly high as compared to that for continuous fiber composite structures. Another challenge is the size effect resulting from the scatter in mechanical strengths, i.e., the measured material flexural strength is much higher than its tensile strength. As a result, classical approaches that rely on the mean tensile strength can substantially underpredict the flexural responses in Finite Element Analysis (FEA). This work investigates the use of a material model with bimodal Weibull distributions for its strength properties in Probabilistic FE (PFE) simulations. A Random Search-based optimization procedure was developed to obtain model parameters which are difficult to determine. The material model was verified by PFE simulations of standard experiments, and then examined in simulations of open-hole tension and disk bending tests.
Analysis of initiation and growth of new transverse cracks in high crack density regions in cross-ply laminates
Authors: Kulkarni Anish Niranjan , Pupurs Andrejs , Varna Janis
Published: October 2024

In cross-ply laminates under loading, multiple intralaminar (transverse) cracking in the 90-layers causes laminate stiffness reduction which can be predicted by analytical models studying average of the stress perturbation between transverse cracks. The commonly used analytical models such as shear-lag type or variational-type models assume that stress in damaged 90-layers does not depend on the laminate thickness coordinate. But with increase in crack density, the stress perturbations created by transverse cracks start to interact, generating high stress gradients in through-the-thickness direction in the 90-layers. Location of a new crack and features of its propagation in a high stress gradient region between two cracks in a cross-ply laminate are analyzed in this paper. FEM is used to calculate stress distribution between two cracks. The location of the next crack and its initial orientation is found using principal stresses and orientation of principal axes. Most often these cracks are initiated at ply interface in the middle between already existing cracks. Their propagation across the layer thickness is analyzed using energy release rate based criterion. It is shown that at very high crack density the crack propagation across the layer thickness is unstable in the beginning, but it is stopped when approaching the middle of the layer where the crack opening becomes zero. Presence of local delaminations at the tips of existing cracks changes the energy release rate for propagation of new transverse cracks.
Evolution of microstructure and properties of CuCr50 alloy prepared by liquid phase sintering coupled with complementary copper infiltration
Authors: He Xiaorui , Han Jin-ru , Li Qiang , Zhou Junqiang , Liu Wei , Zhang Hongjun , Yang Weiwei , Wang Yafeng , Wang Haihong
Published: October 2024

CuCr alloy has become the preferred contact material in the field of environmental protection vacuum switches because of its good mechanical and electrical properties, and the development of preparation technology of highly dense and homogeneous CuCr alloy has become one of its research directions. In this paper, the concepts of liquid phase sintering and complementary copper infiltration are coupled to prepare CuCr50 alloys, which are subjected to secondary treatment using solid solution as well as aging heat treatments, to observe the evolution of the microstructure and properties of CuCr50 alloys. It is found that CuCr50 alloy can be prepared stably by liquid phase sintering coupled with complementary copper infiltration. The average particle size of the Cr-rich phase in CuCr50 alloy is 48.9 μm after liquid phase sintering, solid solution treatment and aging treatment, and the uniformity of the distribution of the Cr-rich phase is improved compared with the billet and sintered state. At this time, the density of the CuCr50 alloy is 7.94 g·cm−3, the electrical conductivity is 22.77 MS·m−1, and the hardness reaches 113.2 HB. Compared with the requirements in the national standard GB/T 26867-2011, the density, conductivity, and hardness are increased by 0.51%, 42.3%, and 41.5%, respectively. The peak of the density of states at energies around −5 eV on the total density of states diagram is contributed by the superposition of the 3d orbitals of Cu and the 3d orbitals of Cr, which is a reason for the stable existence of the CuCr50 alloy.
Preparation and excellent mechanical properties of nanocrystalline GW103K Mg alloy by HDDR technology
Authors: Ma Chao , Fan Jianfeng , Zhang Qiang , Li Weiguo , Dong Hongbiao , Guan Gaoyang
Published: October 2024

Grain size of GW103K Mg alloy powder were markedly refined to about 45 nm from 20 μm by an optimized hydrogenation-disproportionation-desorption-recombination (HDDR) process. By changing temperature, hydrogen pressure and time, the optimum hydrogenation conditions are explored by orthogonal design. Then the complete dehydrogenation process was determined by using single factor control variables. Furtherly, the HDDRed powder was spark plasma sintering (SPS) sintered and hot extruded to prepare GW103K alloy bulk. XRD, OM, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscope (TEM) were used to analyze the phase transformation and microstructure evolution, based on which the grain refining mechanism during the HDDR were discussed. The optimum HDDR parameters for preparing nanocrystalline Mg alloy powders are hydriding at 550 °C under 5 MPa hydrogen pressure for 24 h and dehydriding at 550 °C for 8 h in vacuum. The nanocrystalline GW103 alloy presents a notable dimensional stability and the grain size of the alloy bulk is 43 nm after SPS and hot extrusion. As a result, the nanocrystalline GW103K specimens exhibit excellent mechanical properties compared to the coarse-grained counterparts. Especially, the nanocrystalline GW103K alloy has a tensile elongation of 21.1% which is much more than those of the as-cast and as-extrusion alloys.
Child’s Externalizing and Internalizing Problems and Caregiver Strain: Mediation of Child’s Executive Functions
Authors: Brezetić Sandra , Ručević Silvija
Published: October 2024

The aim of the study is to explore the role of child’s executive functions in the relation between child’s externalizing and internalizing problems and caregiver strain in early school age children. The caregiver strain refers to providing nurture and care for a dependent family member. A sample includes 175 caregiver-child dyads and 36 school teachers. Participants completed the Family Strain Index which measures caregiver strain or burden (caregivers), the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire which measures child’s externalizing and internalizing problems (teachers), and behavioral tasks that measure executive functions (children). Using structural equation modelling, the analysis resulted in a full mediation of the child’s externalizing problems on the caregiver strain by child’s executive functions. However, the association of child’s internalizing problems with caregiver strain has not been confirmed. These results indicate that better child’s executive functions buffer the negative effect of child’s externalizing problems on caregiver perceived burden. Based on these results, we can suggest that interventions should be focused on programmes to improve the child’s executive functions in the family and educational context, along with caregiver training aimed at providing emotional and social support, or individual therapy.
Text–image multimodal fusion model for enhanced fake news detection
Authors: Lin Szu-Yin , Chen Yen-Chiu , Chang Yu-Han , Lo Shih-Hsin , Chao Kuo-Ming
Published: October 2024

In the era of rapid internet expansion and technological progress, discerning real from fake news poses a growing challenge, exposing users to potential misinformation. The existing literature primarily focuses on analyzing individual features in fake news, overlooking multimodal feature fusion recognition. Compared to single-modal approaches, multimodal fusion allows for a more comprehensive and enriched capture of information from different data modalities (such as text and images), thereby improving the performance and effectiveness of the model. This study proposes a model using multimodal fusion to identify fake news, aiming to curb misinformation. The framework integrates textual and visual information, using early fusion, joint fusion and late fusion strategies to combine them. The proposed framework processes textual and visual information through data cleaning and feature extraction before classification. Fake news classification is accomplished through a model, achieving accuracy of 85% and 90% in the Gossipcop and Fakeddit datasets, with F1-scores of 90% and 88%, showcasing its performance. The study presents outcomes across different training periods, demonstrating the effectiveness of multimodal fusion in combining text and image recognition for combating fake news. This research contributes significantly to addressing the critical issue of misinformation, emphasizing a comprehensive approach for detection accuracy enhancement.
Working for the Workers? Infonavit’s Creation and Its Foundational Motivations, 1972-1976
Authors: Buchanan Jordan
Published: October 2024

As Mexican society urbanized rapidly from 1950 to 1970, housing became a major issue for city inhabitants. This article contributes a specific focus on Infonavit as a major social housing project of the Mexican government. I argue that the Echeverría government created Infonavit in 1972 as one of its social welfare packages for three key reasons: (1) to rejuvenate the PRI’s claim to revolutionary legitimacy, (2) to resolve the perceived ills of mass urbanization and to create ideal urban citizens, and (3) to support economic development. However, I also demonstrate that Infonavit operated as an institution with a core interest in improving the conditions of Mexican workers that was also informed by the goal of creating ideal citizens. Although the politics of Infonavit’s creation was closely linked with PRI legitimacy, Infonavit staff built an institute that was motivated to serve the housing needs of low-income Mexican workers.
An innovative dynamic observer for nonlinear interconnected systems with uncertainties
Authors: Ji Nan , Wang Lei , Yan Xinggang , Xu Dezhi
Published: October 2024

In this paper, an innovative dynamic observer is applied to complex nonlinear interconnected systems with matched and mismatched uncertainties. This dynamic observer can estimate system states, which cannot be achieved during the design process for nonlinear interconnected systems with uncertainties. The proposed method has great identification ability with small estimated errors for the states of nonlinear interconnected systems with matched and mismatched uncertainties. It should be pointed out that the considered uncertainties of nonlinear interconnected systems have general forms, which means that the proposed method can be effectively used in more generalised nonlinear interconnected systems. Finally, simulation results for the lateral flight control system are presented to ensure the effectiveness of this strategy.
Gain-scheduled filter design with different time delays for T-S fuzzy systems
Authors: Aslam Muhammad Shamrooz , Bilal Hazrat , Anjum Zeeshan
Published: October 2024

In this article, the authors study a problem of parameter-varying systems that gain-scheduled [Formula: see text] filtering T-S fuzzy problems by appearing of time-varying delays. Our paper also aims to establish filters that deal with communication delays. Traditional studies often study delay-free filters, but these filters have a more general form. In addition, a nonlinear fractional transformation structure has been incorporated into this filter, which allows its parameters to vary. The authors implement fuzzy Lyapunov–Krasovskii functionals used to intend the delayed fuzzy filters of this study, and delay-dependent circumstances are obtained for stability and performance analysis. The solution of the presented linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) provides the filter parameters. This method is finally justified with an example that illustrates its effectiveness.
Interpretations of Generic Versus Comparative Statements About Groups: Similarities and Differences
Authors: Lux Alexandra , Bruckmüller Susanne , Hoorens Vera
Published: October 2024

We compare interpretations of two kinds of statements that are important for stereotype transmission: generics (e.g., “women are helpful”) and comparatives (e.g., “women are more helpful than men”). Participants ( N = 338) read and interpreted generic or comparative statements about positive and negative features of gender (Experiment A) and age groups (Experiment B). We found similarities and differences. Participants interpreted both generics and comparatives as conveying information not only about the target (women in the example) but also about the referent (men in the example), whether the statement explicitly mentioned the referent (in comparatives) or not (in generics). When statements said something positive (negative) about the target, they also communicated a rather negative (positive) view of the referent. Remarkably, although comparatives explicitly contrast groups while generics do not, generics implied bigger differences between the groups and provoked more extreme assumptions about the groups. We discuss implications for stereotype transmission.
Factors influencing the use of e-library resources by postgraduate engineering students at Kyambogo University in Uganda
Authors: Acanit Mary , Ngulube Patrick , Mojapelo Samuel Maredi
Published: October 2024

The aim of this study was to investigate the factors influencing the use of e-library resources among postgraduate engineering students at Kyambogo University in Uganda to make suggestions on how to improve access to and use of e-library resources. The study adopted a survey research design to collect data from postgraduate engineering students. Following a census sampling strategy, data was obtained from 58 out of 80 registered postgraduate engineering students using online self-administered questionnaires. The findings revealed that the use of e-library resources by postgraduate engineering students was influenced by ease of use, convenience, level of awareness, and information search skills. However, access restrictions and high internet costs negatively affected e-library resources usage. It is the conclusion of the study that the use of e-library resources was largely influenced by personal factors. This study has implications on e-library resources collection development, policy development, and service delivery in academic libraries. The study bridges the knowledge gap in the use of e-library resources among postgraduate engineering students.
The group mind of hybrid teams with humans and intelligent agents in knowledge-intense work
Authors: Hopf Konstantin , Nahr Nora , Staake Thorsten , Lehner Franz
Published: October 2024

Studies regularly demonstrate how well intelligent agents (IAs) can support humans or are demonstrably superior to them in some areas. Given that some tasks likely remain unsuitable for even the most intelligent machines in the mid-future, work in hybrid teams of humans and IAs—where the capabilities of both are effectively combined—will most likely shape the way we work in the coming decades. In an abductive study, we investigate an early example of hybrid teams, consisting of a conversational intelligent agent (IA) and humans, that aims to improve health behavior or change personality traits. We theorize Transactive Intelligent Memory System (TIMS) as a new vision of collaboration between humans and IAs in hybrid teams, based on our empirical insights and our literature review on transactive memory systems theory. Our empirical evidence shows that IAs can develop a form of individual and external memory, and hybrid teams of humans and IAs can realize joint systems of transactive memory—a competence that current literature only ascribes to humans. We further find that whether individuals view IAs merely as external memory aids or as part of their teams’ transactive memory is moderated by the tasks’ complexity and knowledge intensity, as well as the IA’s ability to complete the task. This theorizing helps to better understand the role of IAs in future team-based working processes. Developers of IAs can use TIMS as a tool for requirements formulation to prepare their software agents for collaboration in hybrid teams.
An Approach for Combining Clinical Judgment with Machine Learning to Inform Medical Decision Making: Analysis of Nonemergency Surgery Strategies for Acute Appendicitis in Patients with Multiple Long-Term Conditions
Authors: Moler-Zapata S. , Hutchings A. , Grieve R. , Hinchliffe R. , Smart N. , Moonesinghe S. R. , Bellingan G. , Vohra R. , Moug S. , O’Neill S.
Published: October 2024

Background

Machine learning (ML) methods can identify complex patterns of treatment effect heterogeneity. However, before ML can help to personalize decision making, transparent approaches must be developed that draw on clinical judgment. We develop an approach that combines clinical judgment with ML to generate appropriate comparative effectiveness evidence for informing decision making.

Methods

We motivate this approach in evaluating the effectiveness of nonemergency surgery (NES) strategies, such as antibiotic therapy, for people with acute appendicitis who have multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs) compared with emergency surgery (ES). Our 4-stage approach 1) draws on clinical judgment about which patient characteristics and morbidities modify the relative effectiveness of NES; 2) selects additional covariates from a high-dimensional covariate space ( P > 500) by applying an ML approach, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), to large-scale administrative data ( N = 24,312); 3) generates estimates of comparative effectiveness for relevant subgroups; and 4) presents evidence in a suitable form for decision making.

Results

This approach provides useful evidence for clinically relevant subgroups. We found that overall NES strategies led to increases in the mean number of days alive and out-of-hospital compared with ES, but estimates differed across subgroups, ranging from 21.2 (95% confidence interval: 1.8 to 40.5) for patients with chronic heart failure and chronic kidney disease to −10.4 (−29.8 to 9.1) for patients with cancer and hypertension. Our interactive tool for visualizing ML output allows for findings to be customized according to the specific needs of the clinical decision maker.

Conclusions

This principled approach of combining clinical judgment with an ML approach can improve trust, relevance, and usefulness of the evidence generated for clinical decision making.

Highlights

Machine learning (ML) methods have many potential applications in medical decision making, but the lack of model interpretability and usability constitutes an important barrier for the wider adoption of ML evidence in practice. We develop a 4-stage approach for integrating clinical judgment into the way an ML approach is used to estimate and report comparative effectiveness. We illustrate the approach in undertaking an evaluation of nonemergency surgery (NES) strategies for acute appendicitis in patients with multiple long-term conditions and find that NES strategies lead to better outcomes compared with emergency surgery and that the effects differ across subgroups. We develop an interactive tool for visualizing the results of this study that allows findings to be customized according to the user’s preferences.
Jordan’s Regime Security Under the COVID-19 Pandemic: Securitisation Against Visible and Invisible Threats
Authors: Kikkawa Takuro
Published: October 2024

The Jordanian authoritarian regime, headed by the Hashemite royal family, has developed a robust regime security system. Having defeated the Arab Nationalists and Palestinian militias, the most significant threats in the Kingdom’s history, and achieved peace with Israel, the monarchy appears to have legitimised its sovereignty and domestic rule. Meanwhile, nonterritorial threats represented by jihadists have continued intermittently despite a surveillance network and continuous securitisation by authorities. Worryingly, decades-long employment problems and inflationary risks are chronic security risks in Jordan in the 21st century. This study examines how Jordan’s regime is functioning against new and old internal security risks during an unprecedented emergency, the COVID-19 pandemic. Under several lockdowns, the government could securitise prominent social forces including Islamists and professional associations for regulation violations. However, it needed to be more effective against the grassroots movement that continued to criticise the government while using cyberspace as its main battleground. Most critical cases, such as the 2021 uproar over former Crown Prince Hamza, primarily became virtual movements. The battle without winners and losers, fought using information and communication technologies from the perspective of digital authoritarianism by the government and liberation technology by resistance forces, posed a new challenge for Jordan’s regime security.
Impact of Debris Removal Post-Wildfires on Pavement Fatigue and Rutting Lives: Case Studies of California’s Camp and Carr Fires
Authors: Zarei Ali , Kim Changmo , Butt Ali Azhar , Wu Rongzong , Lea Jeremy David , Erdahl Jessica , Nassiri Somayeh
Published: October 2024

Between 2017 and 2018, California experienced a series of four devastating fires, including the Camp and Carr Fires, which ranked among the most destructive fires in U.S. history. During these fires, roads were critical in the evacuation, rescue operations, goods transportation, and access to critical services. Additionally, postfire, road infrastructure became crucial for removing hazardous and nonhazardous waste from fire-affected areas to major landfills and recycling facilities. Despite the significance of pavements in this process, previous studies have not quantitatively assessed the potential damage caused to pavements by the additional trucks used in debris removal operations. This research aimed to address this knowledge gap by collecting precise traffic data for the routes taken to waste management facilities, including data on the number of trips involved in debris transportation. The traffic information was then utilized to calculate changes in equivalent single axle loads and traffic index values for pavement design. Pavement structures were obtained from the available core database. Pavement simulation results showed that of the nine studied highways, only one exhibited a reduction in cracking life of about 2 years. However, Skyway, the main artery in the town of Paradise, demonstrated a significantly accelerated fatigue cracking failure by 14.3 years. A sensitivity analysis of fire intensity showed other highway sections that were structurally adequate could be affected by larger fires. The presented methodology could be used in traffic planning as part of debris management operations to avoid vulnerable pavement sections.