bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fair Feature Selection: A Causal Perspective
Authors: Ling Zhaolong , Xu Enqi , Zhou Peng , Du Liang , Yu Kui , Wu Xindong
Published: February 2024

Fair feature selection for classification decision tasks has recently garnered significant attention from researchers. However, existing fair feature selection algorithms fall short of providing a full explanation of the causal relationship between features and sensitive attributes, potentially impacting the accuracy of fair feature identification. To address this issue, we propose a fair causal feature selection algorithm, called
FairCFS
. Specifically, FairCFS constructs a localized causal graph that identifies the Markov blankets of class and sensitive variables, to block the transmission of sensitive information for selecting fair causal features. Extensive experiments on seven public real-world datasets validate that FairCFS has accuracy comparable to eight state-of-the-art feature selection algorithms while presenting more superior fairness.
Corynebacterium striatum: A True Pathogen in Chronic Contiguous Osteomyelitis
Authors: Trivedi Grishma R. , Merchant Shehzad S.
Published: February 2024

Objective/Purpose. Chronic contiguous osteomyelitis (CCO) is a well-recognized clinical condition. Causative factors include direct trauma, prior surgery, or underlying comorbidities like diabetes and vascular insufficiency. Staphylococci especially S. aureus, Streptococci especially beta-hemolytic Streptococci, Gram-negative bacilli, and anaerobes are the most common pathogens isolated. Corynebacterium striatum (C. striatum) is a ubiquitous Gram-positive rod that colonizes the skin and mucous membranes of normal hosts and hospitalized patients. The pathogenic potential of C. striatum has only been reported in immunocompromised hosts and in patients with retained foreign bodies and prosthetic devices. However, it is not a known causative agent of chronic contiguous osteomyelitis. Design/Method. We recognized seven cases of CCO whereby amidst polymicrobial growth, C. striatum appeared to be a true pathogen and required targeted treatment along with surgical intervention. Main Outcome Measures. A pre-post analysis was used to assess the outcome. Results. All patients were cured after successful completion of an antibiotic course with a resolution of infection. Cure was defined as granulation of the infected wound and resolution of clinical symptoms at outpatient follow-up between 6 and 8 weeks. Conclusion. This series emphasizes that C. striatum is often a true pathogen in the setting of CCO. When isolated in polymicrobial infections, a targeted antibiotic therapy towards this pathogen along with other causative pathogens accompanied by surgical intervention is typically required for a successful cure of CCO.
Case Presentation: Functional Assessment of a CASR Variant Identified in a Patient with Hypercalcaemia Confirms Familial Hypocalciuric Hypercalcaemia in the Patient and a Sister Previously Misdiagnosed with Primary Hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Ward Bryan K. , Loffell Kirsten A. , Walsh John P. , Howe Warwick D. , Brown Suzanne J. , Wilson Scott G.
Published: February 2024

Background. Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and familial hypocalciuric hypercalcaemia (FHH) are common causes of hypercalcaemia. Patients are mostly asymptomatic in the case of FHH and often so in the case of PHPT. In addition, biochemical parameters show considerable overlap, making differential diagnosis difficult. Genetic screening for inactivating variants in the calcium-sensing receptor (CASR) gene that are causative of FHH assists with the diagnosis since such variants are not generally associated with PHPT. However, novel CASR variants must undergo functional assessment before they can be definitively assigned a causative role in FHH. Case Presentations. We describe a 73-year-old female (patient A) who presented with mild parathyroid hormone (PTH)-dependent hypercalcaemia and a history of osteoporosis. Family history revealed that her sister (patient B) had presented a decade earlier with symptoms of PHPT including a history of mild hypercalcaemia and multiple renal calculi, prompting parathyroid surgery. However, a subtotal parathyroidectomy did not resolve her hypercalcaemia long term. On this basis, genetic screening was performed on patient A. This identified a heterozygous variant in the CASR, NM_000388.4:c.T101C: p.Leu34Pro (L34P). Functional analysis showed that the L34P variant was unable to produce mature, dimerized receptor and did not respond to Ca++ ions. Adopting American College of Medical Genetics-based guidelines, the variant was classified as 'Pathogenic (II)'. Patient B was subsequently found to carry the L34P variant heterozygously, confirming a diagnosis of FHH, not PHPT. Conclusion. This study shows the importance of examining patient’s family history in providing clues to the diagnosis in isolated cases of hypercalcaemia. In this case, history of a sister’s unsuccessful parathyroidectomy prompted genetic screening in a patient who might otherwise have undergone inappropriate parathyroid surgery. Screening detected an inactivating CASR variant, firming up a diagnosis of FHH. These studies reaffirm the requirement for functionally assessing novel CASR variants prior to assigning causality to FHH.
Antidepressant-Like Activity and Molecular Docking Analysis of a Sesquiterpene Lactone Isolated from the Root Bark of Ximenia americana (L.)
Authors: Abebe Tekeste , Hymete Ariaya , Giday Mirutse , Bisrat Daniel
Published: February 2024

Depression, a global cause of disability and premature death, is often treated by traditional healers in Africa using medicinal herbs such as Ximenia americana (L.). With recent pharmacological studies showing the potential antidepressant properties of X. americana extract, this study aimed to evaluate the antidepressant-like effects of the compound(s) isolated from X. americana extract using the forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) models predictive of depression. The extracts, administered orally within a dose range of 100–400 mg/kg, notably decreased the immobility time in both the FST and the TST. The most significant reduction occurred at the highest dose of 400 mg/kg, with a decrease of 117.66 s in FST and 53.5 s in TST. However, this reduction in immobility was not linked to changes in movements, as observed in an open-field test (OFT), suggesting that the effect of the extracts was not due to activation of locomotion. Subsequently, a sesquiterpene lactone, dehydrocostus lactone (1) was isolated through solubility-based fractionation and column chromatography of the active root bark extract of X. americana. Dehydrocostus lactone (400 mg/kg) demonstrated a 46.50 s reduction in immobility time in the FST, which was comparable to the positive control, imipramine (30 mg/kg). With a highly favorable docking score of −8.365 kcal/mol on an antidepressant target, monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A; pdb ID: 2BXS), dehydrocostus lactone (1) potentially outperforms the standard MAO-A inhibitor drug, isocarboxazid (−5.847 kcal/mol). Dehydrocostus lactone (1) displayed strong interactions involving hydrogen bond and hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions with specific MAO-A binding site residues. These findings highlight that the antidepressant-like activity of X. americana is partly attributed to the presence of dehydrocostus lactone. Additionally, it also supports the traditional medicinal use of the plant for treating depression.
Curiosity Satisfaction Increases Event-related Potentials Sensitive to Reward
Authors: Rüterbories Tim , Mecklinger Axel , Eschmann Kathrin C. J. , Crivelli-Decker Jordan , Ranganath Charan , Gruber Matthias J.
Published: February 2024

Successful learning depends on various factors such as depth of processing, motivation, or curiosity about information. A strong drive to learn something or the expectation of receiving a reward can be crucial to enhance learning. However, the influence of curiosity on the processing of new information and its similarity with reward processing is not well understood. This study examined whether states of curiosity influence specific ERPs associated with reward processing and whether these ERPs are related with later memory benefits. In an initial screening phase, participants indicated their curiosity and confidence in prior knowledge about answers to various trivia questions. In a subsequent study phase, we targeted different time windows related to reward processing during the presentation of trivia answers containing the reward positivity (RewP; 250–350 msec), the P3 (250–500 msec), and the late-positive-potential (LPP; 600–1000 msec). In a following surprise memory test, we found that participants recalled more high- than low-curiosity answers. The RewP, P3, and LPP showed greater positive mean amplitudes for high compared with low curiosity, reflecting increased reward processing. In addition, we found that the RewP and the P3 showed more positive mean amplitudes for later recalled compared with later forgotten answers, but curiosity did not modulate this encoding-related results. These findings support the view that the satisfaction of curiosity resembles reward processing, indicated by ERPs.
Neural Correlates of Analogical Reasoning on Syntactic Patterns
Authors: Li Zhongshan , Zhou Zhuqian , Wang Xiaoling , Wu Jinshan , Chen Luyao
Published: February 2024

Analogical reasoning is central to thought and learning. However, previous neuroscience studies have focused mainly on neural substrates for visuospatial and semantic analogies. There has not yet been research on the neural correlates of analogical reasoning on syntactic patterns generated by the syntactic rules, a key feature of human language faculty. The present investigation took an initial step to address this paucity. Twenty-four participants, whose brain activity was monitored by fMRI, engaged in first-order and second-order relational judgments of syntactic patterns as well as simple and complex working memory tasks. After scanning, participants rated the difficulty of each step during analogical reasoning; these ratings were related to signal intensities in activated regions of interest using Spearman correlation analyses. After prior research, differences in activation levels during second-order and first-order relational judgments were taken as evidence of analogical reasoning. These analyses showed that analogical reasoning on syntactic patterns recruited brain regions consistent with those supporting visuospatial and semantic analogies, including the anterior and posterior parts of the left middle frontal gyrus, anatomically corresponding to the left rostrolateral pFC and the left dorsolateral pFC. The correlation results further revealed that the posterior middle frontal gyrus might be involved in analogical access and mapping with syntactic patterns. Our study is the first to investigate the process of analogical reasoning on syntactic patterns at the neurobiological level and provide evidence of the specific functional roles of related regions during subprocesses of analogical reasoning.
(In)sufficient institutionalization? Norm articulation in the World Health Organization and infectious disease prevalence across the global South
Authors: Shorette Kristen , Phillips Nolan Edward
Published: February 2024

Recent work in the neoinstitutional tradition has sought to clarify the mechanisms by which global norms diffuse across the world system. Prior work highlights the role of organizational linkages between world society and the nation-state—especially international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs)—in the process of spreading policies, practices, and ideas cross-nationally. Although prior empirical studies ask whether diffusion occurs, this study examines the conditions under which such effects are stronger versus weak (or absent). To do so, we use the strategic case of norm articulation in the World Health Organization (WHO) and its relationship to infectious disease prevalence across the global South. Our research design leverages variation in the extent to which issues garner attention within this intergovernmental organization. We begin by identifying four infectious diseases with variable degrees of prominence on the WHO agenda. In the descending order, they are HIV, tuberculosis, leprosy, and Guinea-worm disease. We then estimate the impact of organizational links to world society (operationalized as health INGOs) on disease prevalence and compare results across each of the four outcomes. Results support the neoinstitutional argument that diffusion is conditional on the extent to which norms are articulated in the prevailing global institution. We find that, for the most part, world society links are associated with lower rates of infectious disease. However, the size and significance of the relationship depends on a disease’s relative priority on the WHO agenda. In the absence of sufficient norm articulation, results show that integration into world society is unrelated to infectious disease prevalence.
Structural Racism and Health Stratification: Connecting Theory to Measurement
Authors: Brown Tyson H. , Homan Patricia
Published: February 2024

Less than 1% of studies on racialized health inequities have empirically examined their root cause: structural racism. Moreover, there has been a disconnect between the conceptualization and measurement of structural racism. This study advances the field by (1) distilling central tenets of theories of structural racism to inform measurement approaches, (2) conceptualizing U.S. states as racializing institutional actors shaping health, (3) developing a novel latent measure of structural racism in states, (4) using multilevel models to quantify the association between structural racism and five individual-level health outcomes among respondents from the Health and Retirement Study (N = 9,020) and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (N = 308,029), and (5) making our measure of structural racism publicly available to catalyze research. Results show that structural racism is consistently associated with worse health for Black people but not White people. We conclude by highlighting this study’s contributions (theoretical, methodological, and substantive) and important avenues for future research on the topic.
Does Populism Fuel Affective Polarization? An Individual-Level Panel Data Analysis
Authors: Pérez-Rajó Juan
Published: February 2024

Populism and affective polarization speak of a bisected society, and scholars have linked them at the party level. While the relationship between populism and affective polarization can be reciprocal, this article leverages panel data to delve into the causal relationship between populism and affective polarization. First, I posit individuals who become identified with populist parties will hold higher levels of affective polarization. Second, I expect increases in levels of populist attitudes to heighten affective polarization, and this is explained by both the increase of affect towards the ingroup and the decrease of affect towards the outgroup. Using nine waves of a panel survey, results show the importance of differentiating between measures of populism at the individual level, as the increase in populist attitudes appears to fuel affective polarization, symmetrically increasing affect towards the ingroup and decreasing affect towards the outgroup, while the effect of becoming a populist party supporter is more nuanced, as it is different for populist left and right parties.
Rescuing justice and stability
Authors: Weithman Paul
Published: February 2024

Though John Rawls's treatment of stability has received less attention than other parts of his work, it promises help in understanding how liberal institutions can reproduce themselves under non-ideal conditions like ours. But stability in Rawls's sense seems to depend ineliminably on society's justice, and Gerald Cohen powerfully criticized the connection Rawls drew between the two. Cohen contends that stability is ‘alien’ to justice rather than conceptually connected to it. It is therefore a consideration that should be studied separately. If we are to draw on Rawls's treatment, it needs to be defended against Cohen's critique. I argue that it can be. The defense depends upon establishing a conclusion that Cohen thought inconsistent with Rawls's theory and that might have discomfited Rawls himself: that the arguments he offered for the stability of a just society were more limited and tentative than he acknowledged. Locating those limits has two valuable payoffs. It sheds light on some of the more obscure and difficult, but neglected parts of Rawls's work. More important for our current political moment, it shows the points at which unjust societies such as our own need to be shored up.
Effect of thermal-oxidative and mechanical degradation of recycled LDPE on foaming
Authors: Zou Huanyu , Lu Jiawei , Zhou Pengfei , Liu Tao
Published: February 2024

In this study, we investigated the effect of recycling process on the molecular structure, viscoelasticity and foaming behavior of low density polyethylene (LDPE). A series of LDPE samples with different recycling process was prepared by multiple extrusion using a twin-screw extruder. The molecular weight distribution (MWD) was characterized by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Wider MWD indicated the generation of higher molecular weight products. Small-amplitude oscillation rheology showed reduced loss factors, indicating that the chain entanglement was more difficult to relax. Moreover, nonlinear viscoelasticity was investigated using elongational rheology and molecular stress function (MSF) model. The results showed a steeper strain hardening exhibited in recycled LDPE. The correlated parameter β in the MSF model indicated that the recycling did not significantly change the branches regularity in LDPE, while the increasing [Formula: see text], the other correlated parameter, indicated that the chain entanglement was enhanced, which was corresponded to the improvement of high molecular weight component. The foaming results revealed that the recycled LDPE had finer cellular structure and higher nucleation density. Moreover, despite adding PP and active CaCO3 to simulate the impurities, the foamability loss of these mixed samples was well restricted and still valuable. Recycled LDPE is instead better than its corresponding virgin one in foaming performance, exhibiting the application potential for further developments.
Lattice structures with a negative Poisson’s ratio: Energy absorption assessment
Authors: Munyensanga Patrick , Eddahchouri Hamza , Lamnawar Khalid , Morestin Fabrice , Maazouz Abderrahim , Bousmina Mostapha , El Mabrouk Khalil
Published: February 2024

Lattice structures nowadays have gained a peak in research. Inspired by the honeycomb structure and fishbone, this study investigated lattice structures that can provide auxetic behavior and store maximum energy absorption during deformation mode. From that, the study involved designing and producing different modified lattices based on the honeycomb’s structure and the fishbone’s perspective. The specimens were 3D printed within fused filament fabrication techniques within the additive manufacturing platform of Euromed University of Fes. The conception, production, mechanical testing, and simulation have been employed to get optimum data analysis of the mechanical properties of the designed structures. The results observed under quasi-dynamic compression did not show significant densification behavior; but, the auxetic behavior was seen in all structures, while some suddenly collapsed. The experimental and numerical analysis demonstrated similar deformation behavior and strong agreement in their respective results. Nevertheless, some discrepancies in mechanical values were observed, with a relative percentage error of approximately 1% for both methods. Consequently, owing to the enhanced energy absorption observed in the V2 and V3 structures, it is evident that these modifications hold promise for optimizing the performance of these metamaterials in various practical applications.
Automated Cephalometric Landmark Detection: A Novel Software Model Compared with Manual Annotation Method
Authors: S. Jishnu , Kurian Binnoy , Michael Tony
Published: February 2024

Introduction

AI-based automated cephalometric landmark detection streamlines orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning, providing accurate, efficient, and reliable results. Benefits include saving time, minimizing subjectivity, improving precision, and facilitating continuous improvement. However, they should complement clinician expertise, ensuring qualified orthodontists make the final diagnosis and treatment plan.

Aim

To propose a method that automatically detects cephalometric landmarks on the X-ray images and compare these values with the manual annotation method.

Methodology

A dataset of 600 X-ray images, each containing 19 landmarks, was collected. Two orthodontists manually marked the 19 landmarks in 300 cephalograms and their coordinates were automatically extracted. The dataset was cleaned for errors, and a pre-trained CNN model with an EfficientNetB7 backbone was used for landmark detection. The model was trained on 80% of the dataset and tested on the remaining 20%. The two-step method included ROI extraction and landmark detection. The RMSE score was used to evaluate inter-examiner reliability and the R2 score was used to compare manual and automated models.

Result

Model landmark locations were compared to the manual method. The mean deviation of the predicted landmarks from the actual landmarks was calculated using RMSE, and the model showed acceptable accuracy compared to manual annotation. EfficientNetB7 was found to have detection accuracies similar to the manual annotation method. For landmarks like Porion, articulare, and soft tissue pogonion, the model outperformed the human annotation method and provides a consistent better result, and for points like Point A, pogonion, gnathion, and menton, the manual methods show more accurate results.

Conclusion

The study introduced an automated approach using deep learning to predict landmark locations, and the results demonstrate its accuracy in comparison with the manual annotation method. This approach effectively detects cephalometric landmarks, suggesting its potential for clinical use with orthodontist’s supervision.
Modified Bracket Holding Plier: BRAC-M
Authors: Raju Aravind S. , Gopinath Sruti , N.R. Ramyashree , Paul Renji K. , Kaushik Harish , Kamath Shruti
Published: February 2024

Bracket holding tweezer is used for bonding brackets in orthodontics and mouth mirror for indirect vision for checking the horizontal positioning of the brackets. In this article, bracket positioner has been modified with mouth mirror on the opposite side of the positioner to aid in precise positioning of the brackets both vertically and horizontally and to provide a proper view while bonding.
A fall into the pit, a gain in your wit: Top managerial career setback experience and accounting conservatism
Authors: Su Zhong-qin , Zhu Yiting , Su Wunhong , Xiao Zuoping
Published: February 2024

This study investigates the relationship between chief executive officers (CEOs) and chief financial officers (CFOs) with career setbacks and firms’ accounting conservatism. Using manually collected data from Chinese listed firms, this study finds that firms run by CEOs/CFOs who experienced career setbacks adopt more conservative accounting policies. In addition, the degree and timing of career setbacks and the experience of demotion and penalization by regulations affect CEOs’/CFOs’ decision-making. The results are robust to a battery of checks and analyses, including the propensity score matching procedure, the difference-in-differences method, and alternative measures. Further evidence suggests that the positive association between CEOs/CFOs with career setbacks and firms’ accounting conservatism is more pronounced at firms with better corporate governance, effective internal control, and higher financial constraints. This study also shows that financially conservative firms have more cash holding, which is positively correlated with career setbacks.

JEL Classification: G34, M41, G41
Improvement of migraine depressive symptoms is not related to headache frequency: exploring the impact of anti-CGRP therapies
Authors: Torres-Ferrús Marta , Gallardo Victor J. , Alpuente Alicia , Caronna Edoardo , Giné-Ciprés Eulalia , Pozo-Rosich Patricia
Published: February 2024

Background

The present study aimed to describe the prevalence and evolution of depressive symptoms in a cohort of migraine patients treated with anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies.

Methods

This is an exploratory, prospective, unicentric, one-year longitudinal study. We included migraine patients who started treatment with anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies. Baseline demographic data, medical history, concomitant medication and migraine characteristics were collected. The presence of depressive symptoms was evaluated using the Beck Depression Inventory-II quarterly and treatment response was categorized according to the reduction in monthly headache days. A generalized mixed-effect regression model was used to model depression score over a one-year treatment taking into account frequency response rates.

Results

We included 577 patients: 84.2% females; median (range) age 47.0 (39.0–53.0) years, 46.1% (266/577) of them presented depressive symptoms at baseline (16.1% mild, 13.3% moderate and 16.6% severe). After six-month treatment, 47.4% (126/266) reduced headache frequency ≥50% after one year and 63.5% (169/266) achieved a clinically significant improvement in depression symptoms. We observed a 30.8% (−50.0%, −3.2%) main reduction in depression score during the first quarter. The improvement in depression symptoms was independently associated with headache frequency response: non-responders, −25.0% (−43.9%, −1.1%); partial responders, −30.2% (−51.3%, −7.6%); and good responders, −33.3% (−54.6%, −7.5%).

Conclusions

Anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies targeting CGRP are effective in reducing depressive symptoms in patients with migraine. The main change of depression score happens during the first three months of treatment. The reduction in depressive symptoms is independent of migraine frequency improvement.
Investigating damage resistance in aerospace radome applications: Experimental analysis of hybrid sandwich composites
Authors: Iqbal Zafar , Umer Malik Adeel , Asim Kamran , Khan Haris Ali
Published: February 2024

This research introduces an innovative hybrid sandwich composite structure tailored for specific applications, featuring a foam core and dissimilar face sheets made of Kevlar and S-Glass materials to address in-phase electromagnetic properties, UV protection, and impact response. Building on our prior work on design optimization for electromagnetic performance and aero/inertial loading, this paper investigates the low-velocity impacts (LVIs) response of the composite structure through drop-weight testing at various energy levels. Utilizing computed tomography (CT) scanning for damage analysis, distinct failure modes were observed for different face sheet combinations, with notable variations (energy absorption characteristics) in damage depth and width between the S-Glass and Kevlar face sheets. This study, unprecedented in existing literature, proposes hybrid sandwich structures with superior specific impact strength compared to various composite sandwich structures documented in the published literature expanding its utility beyond radomes.
Design and implementation of a 2-DOF 5R parallel mechanism with a coaxial-driven layout
Authors: Zhang Zefeng , Hou Zhili , Li Lina , Qin Huibin , Abbas Muddaser , Siddique Muhammad
Published: February 2024

In order to expand and improve the reachable workspace of planar parallel manipulators, a 2-DOF 5R parallel mechanism with a coaxial-driven layout is proposed. The configuration analysis and structural design are carried out, and the kinematic model is presented to conduct simulation analysis. The results indicate that the layout with the axes of the two driving devices overlapping has a larger workspace and a more compact structure. Meanwhile, a closed-loop PID control system is established to evaluate the accuracy of the proposed mechanism and analyse the kinematic error under different gain parameters. Simulation results indicate that the kinematic performance of the mechanism has improved. The control system is constructed based on using a motion control card as the primary control component and two servo motors as the drive device. Additionally, gain values are adjusted by the driver to reduce the deviation of the servo motors. Finally, the design of the prototype is deployed, and the experiment proved that the 2-DOF 5R planar parallel mechanism (PPM) with a coaxial-driven layout has the advantages of a large workspace, fast dynamic response, high stiffness, and easy control. The design of the 2-DOF 5R PPM solves the problem of single operation and high repeatability, which is increasingly utilized in the fields of electronics, food, daily chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.
Tribological investigations on piston alloy based hybrid nano composite and GGG40 spheroidal cast iron under reciprocating dry sliding conditions
Authors: Nisar Mehak , Charoo Mohammad Shafi
Published: February 2024

GGG40 spheroidal cast iron is commonly used in engine blocks of passenger vehicles. However, it adds to the weight and wear of the engine block thereby costing us more energy. In this paper, fabrication and tribological investigations are carried out on dual particle sized hybrid nano composites to examine their potential to replace conventional GGG40 in engine applications. The SiC single and SiC-Si3N4+Gr dual sized ceramic reinforcements are introduced in piston alloy-Al6061 alloy through liquid metallurgy route. The tribological properties of GGG40 under reciprocating dry sliding conditions are also studied and compared to the fabricated composites. At 10 N, GGG40 shows 0.6714 coefficient of friction while it is 0.424 for the hybrid composite (decreased by 51.74%). At 25 N, coefficient of friction for hybrid composites comes out to be 0.4732 which is 26.11% less than GGG40 for which it is 0.5955. Wear rate for hybrid composites at 10 N is 4.71 × 10–6 mm3/Nm which is 62.71% less than the wear rate of GGG40 which is 20.2 × 10–6 mm3/Nm. At 25 N, the fabricated composites show wear rate equal to 9.41 × 10–6 mm3/Nm which is 16.5% less than GGG40 which shows 11.7 × 10–6 mm3/Nm wear rate. Micro sized SiC with nano sized Si3N4 generate a compact and smooth tribo film on the surface of base alloy with graphite further adding to the durability of the tribo film. The fabricated composites can be the good replacement of conventional GGG40 in automobile applications.
Mechanical response of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) reinforced epoxy adhesive joints
Authors: Vuppuluri Amol , Penumakala Pavan Kumar , Subramanyam Munukutla Venkata Sankara , Ganesh Sana , Podicheti Rajendra Simha , Prasad Ammiappa Venkata Subrahmanya Siva
Published: February 2024

The present work aims at investigating the effect of adhesive modification on the lap shear strength of the adhesively bonded joints. The epoxy-based adhesive is reinforced with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) at different weight fractions. Single lap joints (SLJ) have been prepared by considering the commercially available aerospace-grade aluminum alloy AA8011 as the adherend material and Araldite 2014 A/B as the adhesive. Experiments showed that the addition of 0.5 wt.% graphene to the epoxy adhesive resulted an approximately 27% increase in the lap shear strength of the SLJ. Further increase in the reinforcement loading decreases the lap shear strength due to the agglomeration of graphene particles. A detailed analysis of the effect of reinforcement loading and overlap length on the shear strength has been presented and failure mechanisms are discussed.
Online Radicalisation: How Social Media Is Promoting Islamist Militancy
Authors: Sharma Shudipta
Published: February 2024

This study delves into the role of social media in the realm of Islamist militancy, with a particular emphasis on Bangladesh, a country with the third-largest Muslim population. Employing a content analysis approach, this study finds that while explicit calls to join Islamist militancy are rare, social media platforms contribute to the creation of a moral foundation for militant ideology and provide justification for violent acts. Additionally, the study highlights the influence of social media in motivating young individuals to participate in Islamist militancy, although the direct impact of online radicalisation on real-life actions remains uncertain. The findings underscore the need for further research on the dynamics between social media and Islamist militancy and their implications for countering militant ideologies.
Does Efficiency in Working Capital Management Impact the Overall Performance of Firms? Evidence from India
Authors: Kumar Kamlesh , Sawarni Kumar Sanjay , Narayanasamy Sivasankaran
Published: February 2024

Using 514 Indian-listed firms for 11 years (2012–2022), this study provides evidence that efficiency in working capital management (WCM) positively influences the overall financial performance (proxied by return on equity [ROE]). WCM impacts each decomposed component as per DuPont analysis, such as profit margin (PM), asset turn (AT), and equity multiplier (EMR). Efficient WCM enhances PM and AT. Sample firms with longer working capital (WC) conversion cycles have higher EMR, indicating that inefficiency in WCM pushes the firms towards more dependence on debt financing. The shorter inventory days, speedy receivable collections, and prompt payment terms augment ROE, PM, and AT. Longer inventory storage days and generous credit terms extended to the customers increase EMR of the sample firms. The firms with higher EMR delay payment to their suppliers. Furthermore, among the relationship of each DuPont performance lever with ROE, we find that the relationship of PM with ROE is most influenced by efficient WCM for the Indian sample firms compared to the relationship of AT with ROE and the relationship of EMR with ROE.
The protean music career as a sociopolitical orientation: The mutually integrated, non-hierarchical work values of socially engaged musicians
Authors: Westerlund Heidi , Karttunen Sari
Published: February 2024

Socially engaged, participatory music making is slowly establishing itself as a complement to musicians’ portfolio careers, although it may still be considered of less value than established concert hall practices. To gain a better understanding of the drivers toward socially engaged practice in music field, we analyzed 20 semi-structured interviews with musicians in Finland, using the lenses of work values and career orientations. The abductive, theoretical reading analysis shows that the musicians viewed the social-relational nature of their work as a fundamental feature of the practice and sought congruence between their work values and other personal values. The interviewees renounced the hierarchy between intrinsic (autonomy, creativity, variety, achievement, challenge, and intellectual stimulation) and social work values (interacting with people, altruism, and contribution to society), and found participatory practice to be artistically freeing and personally rewarding. Their work appeared less driven by extrinsic values (economic gain and status); hence, their self-directed and values-driven orientation resonates strongly with the notion of the protean career. Although their sociopolitical stance involved the risk of weakening their professional status and they had to constantly justify their work amongst their colleagues, they all expressed conscious counternarratives to what they considered the elitism of expert culture in traditional music institutions. The study argues that the practice of socially engaged musicians can help the professional field of music reconsider and transform its stubborn value hierarchies in the complex social, political, ethical, and moral landscapes of contemporary society.
Expressive semitones: Music students’ perceptual preferences for melodic intonation on the violin
Authors: Weng Sheng-Ying Isabella , Huovinen Erkki
Published: February 2024

Studies of performance intonation and musicians’ own statements suggest that classical string instrumentalists often deviate in their intonation from equal temperament for expressive purposes. However, it is not clear to what extent corresponding perceptual preferences for intonational deviations might rely on listeners’ instrumental expertise or such contextual aspects as the metrical placement of tones. We investigated higher-education music students’ perceptual preferences for melodic intonation of local leading tones in unaccompanied classical violin performances. Recordings of 12 excerpts were manipulated in the size of ascending semitones (110, 90, or 70 cents) leading to tones that were more stable in the tonal context. Groups of violin students and music education students listened to pairs of excerpts differing only in the size of semitones and chose the intonation variant that they preferred. In the comparison between 90- and 110-cent semitones, violin students showed a stronger group consensus for preferring 90 cents. However, greater instrumental expertise did not result in a stronger overall preference for the sharpest 70-cent variant. Instead, the violin students showed an expertise-related connection between intonation preference and meter, which was not observed for the music education students. In particular, the violin students more often preferred 70-cent intonation (i.e., the sharpest leading tones) in metrically unaccented than in accented positions. In effect, this is to prefer an expressive intonation that colors the music while not challenging the harmonic structure at metrically salient tones. It is argued that understanding expressive intonation in musical performance requires consideration of the metrical context.
Personnel Training for Common Facility Management Issues in Thermal-Energy-Storage Chiller Plant using a Serious 3D Game
Authors: Sanzana Mirza Rayana , Abdulrazic Mostafa Osama Mostafa , Wong Jing Ying , Yip Chun-Chieh
Published: February 2024

Background

This study introduces an innovative personnel training method for facility management and maintenance of Thermal-Energy-Storage (TES) chiller plants using a serious 3D game. Training games can improve the decision-making of personnel where they can learn to deal with management of TES chiller plants in the context of this study in an active learning approach.

Intervention

The research aims to investigate the effectiveness of an immersive learning experience with computerized simulation and synthetic task environments as a training game for facility managers. The serious 3D game adopts a first-person perspective, allowing players to assume the role of a facility manager and actively learn how to address maintenance issues commonly encountered in chiller plants.

Methods

The study implemented a first-person-based serious 3D game centered around a TES chiller plant. Participants, in the role of facility managers, engaged with the game and followed instructions to gain practical knowledge in managing maintenance issues within a controlled and simulated setting.

Results

The findings demonstrate increased engagement and interest among personnel when learning how to manage chiller plant issues within a serious 3D game environment. Notably, personnel experienced reduced pressure compared to real-life scenarios, as they navigated the challenges without the presence of a supervisor.

Limitations

The study’s limitations include a higher proportion of male participants in the qualitative content analysis, which may affect the generalizability of the findings. Additionally, the absence of a control group limits the ability to make direct comparisons with traditional training methods.

Conclusion

The results suggest that serious 3D games hold potential as an effective training tool for facility management and maintenance personnel. By engaging in active training within simulated and synthetic task environments, personnel can enhance their skills and decision-making capabilities. However, further research with a more diverse participant sample and a control group is warranted to fully evaluate the effectiveness of this innovative personnel training approach.
Well-posedness of evolutionary differential variational–hemivariational inequalities and applications to frictional contact mechanics
Authors: Taki Nadia Skoglund , Kumar Kundan
Published: February 2024

In this paper, we study the well-posedness of a class of evolutionary variational–hemivariational inequalities coupled with a nonlinear ordinary differential equation in Banach spaces. The proof is based on an iterative approximation scheme showing that the problem has a unique mild solution. In addition, we established the continuity of the flow map with respect to the initial data. Under the general framework, we consider two new applications for modeling of frictional contact for viscoelastic materials. In the first application, we consider Coulomb’s friction with normal compliance, and in the second, normal damped response. The structure of the friction coefficient [Formula: see text] is new with motivation from geophysical applications in earth sciences with dependence on an external state variable [Formula: see text] and the slip rate [Formula: see text].
Building prosocial behaviours: Examining the possibilities of social stories in early childhood classroom settings
Authors: Tan Eunice , G Kaveri
Published: February 2024

Prosocial behaviours such as sharing are essential for young children’s collaborative learning experiences and social development. When learnt during the early years, these behaviours enable positive peer interactions and relationship building in social settings, laying the foundation for young children’s social and emotional competencies with implications for individual and societal wellbeing. It is, therefore, critical that the early years are optimised to facilitate the development of young children’s prosocial behaviours. Set against this context, we present the findings of our qualitative teacher inquiry project that examined the role of social stories intervention in developing children’s prosocial behaviours, particularly sharing. The study was conducted at a private kindergarten in Singapore with four preschool children between the ages of four and five with difficulties in sharing resources with peers in classroom settings. The findings show children’s gradual progress from self-centred behaviours to independent problem-solving and other-oriented sharing behaviours, demonstrating the importance of consistency, teacher facilitation and authenticity as the three key elements of a successful social stories intervention. Thus, this small-scale qualitative study adds value to the limited literature on social stories intervention to promote sharing behaviours in preschool children.
Demystification and Actualisation of Data Saturation in Qualitative Research Through Thematic Analysis
Authors: Naeem Muhammad , Ozuem Wilson , Howell Kerry , Ranfagni Silvia
Published: February 2024

The concept of saturation in qualitative research is a widely debated topic. Saturation refers to the point at which no new data or themes are emerging from the data set, which indicates that the data have been fully explored. It is considered an important concept as it helps to ensure that the findings are robust and that the data are being used to their full potential to achieve the research aim. Saturation, or the point at which further observation of data will not lead to the discovery of more information related to the research questions, is an important aspect of qualitative research. However, there is some mystification and semantic debate surrounding the term saturation, and it is not always clear how many rounds of research are needed to reach saturation or what criteria are used to make that determination during the thematic analysis process. This paper focuses on the actualisation of saturation in the context of thematic analysis and develops a systematic approach to using data to justify the contribution of research. Consequently, we introduce a distinct model to help researchers reach saturation through refining or expanding existing quotations, codes, themes and concepts as necessary.
Challenges of Doing Gender Research as a Male Researcher in Pakistan: Reflections From Online and In-Person Fieldwork
Authors: Shah Rahat
Published: February 2024

In this reflection paper, which stems from my PhD project and explores the gender arrangements and subjective experiences of female breadwinning couples (FBCs) in Pakistan, I delve into the distinctive challenges faced by a male researcher conducting gender research in a patriarchal cultural context. Drawing from both in-person and online fieldwork experiences, which began during the pre-pandemic period and extended through the pandemic into the post-pandemic era, this article unveils the layered intricacies posed by entrenched gender norms, societal expectations and the dynamics of a male researcher probing gendered issue. These challenges were further intensified in online mediums of interviewing, presenting obstacles from participant hesitations surrounding online privacy to inconsistent Internet connectivity and continuous disruptions. This paper also underscores the fluidity and multifaceted nature of the researcher’s positionality, navigating interplays of gender, age, and cultural perceptions. My dual role, both an insider (by virtue of my cultural connection to the fieldwork area) and an outsider (owing to my affiliation with a Western academic institution), added layers of complexity to the fieldwork experiences. By juxtaposing in-person and online encounters, a rich tapestry unfolds, depicting both intersecting and unique challenges inherent to each mode of interviewing. Contributions of this reflection paper are multifold, which not only offers valuable insights for future researchers venturing into similar sociocultural contexts but also highlights the nuanced experiences of male-led gender research in predominantly patriarchal settings. The paper also contributes to the discourse on the fluidity of insider-outsider roles, reflexivity, and the methodological resilience and adaptability needed while conducting gender-focused fieldwork within specific cultural contexts.
Challenges and advances in the medical treatment of granulomatous amebic encephalitis
Authors: Spottiswoode Natasha , Haston Julia C. , Hanners Natasha W. , Gruenberg Katherine , Kim Annie , DeRisi Joseph L. , Wilson Michael R.
Published: February 2024

Granulomatous amebic encephalitis, caused by the free-living amebae Balamuthia mandrillaris or Acanthamoeba species, is a rare and deadly infectious syndrome with a current mortality rate of >90%. Much work remains to define the optimal treatment for these infections. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of the supporting evidence behind antimicrobials currently recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with updated statistics on survival rates and medication usage from the CDC Free-Living Ameba Database. We also discuss promising treatments, especially the emerging therapeutic agent nitroxoline, and provide recommendations for the next steps in this area.