bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aerosol-Induced Changes in Atmospheric and Oceanic Heat Transports in the CESM2 Large Ensemble
Authors: Needham Michael R. , Cox Tyler , Randall David A.
Published: August 2024

The total poleward energy transport (PET) is set by the top of atmosphere radiation flux and is therefore sensitive to any process which can alter those fluxes, particularly in the shortwave. One example is the direct and indirect effects of anthropogenic aerosols, which increase the local reflection of solar radiation back into space. The historic emission of sulfur dioxide, which peaked in the northern midlatitudes during the 1980s, has been proposed as a primary contributor to historic anomalies in cross-equatorial energy transport, as well as related processes such as a shift in the tropical rainband. In this study, we analyze simulations from the Community Earth System Model, version 2 (CESM2), large ensemble and single-forcing projects to better understand the forced response of PET to historical forcings. First, analysis of the single-forcing project reveals that the position of the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) responds in a nonlinear manner to greenhouse gas forcing in CESM2. This type of nonlinearity has been found previously in the context of the aerosol-only simulations in the CESM2 single-forcing project but may be the first identification of a similar effect in the greenhouse gas–only simulations. Second, through analysis of the full CESM2 large ensemble simulations, we find that anomalous heat transport occurred in both the atmosphere (through the mean meridional circulation and atmospheric eddies) and the oceans (through the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific sectors) due to a variety of related processes including the Hadley cells, the midlatitude storm tracks, the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC), and the Pacific wind-driven subtropical gyre.

Significance Statement

In this study, we investigate how the Earth system changed the transport of energy from the tropics to the poles in response to historic pollution. We analyze a large number of climate model simulations of the recent past (1850 to present) and find that historic emissions of sulfur dioxide caused the model to transport more energy in the form of stronger ocean currents, stronger storms, and stronger prevailing winds. This is because the modeled currents in the Atlantic were too sensitive to historic pollution and transported too much warm water northward.
The Structural and Systemic Factors Influencing Underreporting of Intimate Partner Violence among Rural Married Women: A Qualitative Research
Authors: Muzingili Taruvinga , Muzondo Edward , Chidyausiku Weston , Kahomwe Lucia
Published: August 2024

This study utilized a phenomenological design to examine the factors that contribute to the underreporting of occurrences of intimate partner violence (IPV) among married women living in rural areas. We obtained the data from a sample of 12 married women recruited using snowball sampling techniques and from four key informants recruited using purposive sampling. The study revealed structural factors such as limited service availability, corruption, and negative attitudes from service providers, and existing systemic barriers. It provides new approaches to address and eliminate the underreporting of IPV, thereby contributing to broader initiatives aimed at achieving gender equality.
Is Left-Handedness Associated With Greater Success From the 7-Meter Line? An Analysis of 7-Meter Records Across Various Handball Competitions
Authors: Laxdal Aron , Haugen Tommy , Angeltveit Ørjan , Sørensen Christian , Ivarsson Andreas
Published: August 2024

While left-handers have been overrepresented among 7-meter shooters in handball, previous investigators have not found success from the 7-meter line to be related to handedness. Drawing on previous handedness research in sport, we performed two studies to examine possible negative frequency-dependent advantages to left-handedness during 7-meter throws among elite players. In Study I, we analyzed the records of 974 7-meter shooters from Danish and Norwegian elite divisions (485 males and 489 females) and found that left-handed males were overrepresented compared to the prevalence of left-handers in these two leagues, but left-handed females were not. An analysis of covariance showed no statistically significant associations between throwing arm or sex, and success from the 7-meter line. In Study II, we analyzed the records of 899 7-meter shooters at 41 major championships for both males and females between 2007-2023 (442 males and 457 females). We again found left-handed males to be overrepresented compared to their prevalence at the championships, but left-handed females were not. Also, in alignment with Study I, an analysis of covariance found no associations between throwing arm or sex, and success from 7-meter throws. These findings further underline the complexities associated with lateral biases in sports, where there appear to be benefits for left-handed males in the selection process that are not evident during performance execution.
Sociophonetic Properties of Southern California English among Black and Latinx Teens
Authors: Holliday Nicole
Published: August 2024

Descriptions of ethnolects in the U.S. have frequently focused on canonical, well-described features of these varieties, but less work has focused on how such features may overlap and spread into other ethnolects and local varieties in contact. Outside the U.S., the concept of the multiethnolect has been used to describe such situations of dialect contact, but little work has been done to document highly multiethnic dialect contact situations in the U.S. This study is among the first to provide a sociophonetic description of the distribution of features linked to different ethnolects, and to describe a situation of sustained U.S. contact dialect among youth from different racialized groups. Analysis of the speech of a group of Black and Latinx adolescents in Southern California reveals that these teens use a variety of sociophonetic features that have been previously linked to Chicano English (ChE) and African American English (AAE), as well as California Anglo English (CAE). I examine eight phonological variables previously described in these other varieties and reveal a complex sociolinguistic situation in which teens of both ethnicities appear to employ repertoires that draw on features of ChE, AAE, and CAE. I argue that the patterns of use I observe in this data provide evidence of a unique type of dialect contact situation that reflects ongoing trends in urban centers across the U.S.
Neglect of older adults living with dementia in family caregiving: A dimensional concept analysis
Authors: Hernandez Chilatra Jessica A , Patrician Patricia A , Fazeli Pariya L , Pickering Carolyn EZ
Published: August 2024

Objective

To present a concept analysis of neglect, specifically examining its occurrence and implications in the context of family caregiving for older adults living with dementia.

Methods

A literature search was conducted in Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, and Embase databases in February 2023. Inclusion criteria targeted articles focusing on neglect in dementia family caregiving, leading to the identification of 11 articles for thorough review. Employing Caron and Bowers’ dimensional analysis approach, the concept analysis aimed to elucidate neglect as a social construct shaped by diverse contexts, perspectives, and underlying assumptions.

Results

Neglect in this context emerged as a multidimensional phenomenon, influenced by contextual elements such as activities of daily living and behavioral symptoms of dementia. It encompasses dimensions including “expectations of unmet needs”, “maladaptive behaviors”, and “feelings of guilt”, considering the perspectives of both caregivers and individuals living with dementia. Recognizing neglect as a dyadic phenomenon emphasizes the significance of interactions between caregivers and individuals living with dementia.

Conclusion

A comprehensive understanding of neglect in dementia family caregiving is crucial for effective interventions and support systems. The dyadic perspective is vital for accurate assessment. Primary care physicians, mental health, nurses, and other health professionals play a key role in prevention and supporting family caregivers. Further research is needed to explore the dynamics of dementia caregiving settings strengthening prevention strategies against elder neglect.
‘Liv Good’: dreaming the intersectionally just good life
Authors: Beckles-Raymond Gabriella
Published: August 2024

Black radical traditions include an orientation towards dreaming of better futures. In this article, I enter a dialogical space for us to explore the relationship between our desire to live a good life and our conceptions of what doing so might entail. Speaking from the perspective of an African-Caribbean person in Britain, I begin by considering the need for us to dream what it means to ‘Liv Good’—where Liv Good is an intersectionally just version of the good life. I discuss Britain’s credo and the liberal philosophical context it emerges out of that makes distinctions between the right and the good, which I claim undermine our entitlement to dream of a good life and give rise to a tendency to consider the good life as secondary to our efforts to achieve political justice. My aim is to highlight the importance of holding in tandem questions about what it means for us to live a good life with questions of justice. By conceptualising and demonstrating Liv Good methodological praxis, I explore the ways in which we can dream Liv Good into reality, by drawing on our own intellectual traditions and honouring our own dream imperatives. I conclude by offering readers an invitation to join me in dreaming Liv Good, engaging its unified ethical framework as a basis from which we can imagine an intersectionally just version of the good life.
The current practice of latent growth curve modeling in the social and behavioral sciences: Observations and recommendations
Authors: Miller Matt L. , Ferrer Emilio , Ghisletta Paolo
Published: August 2024

We examine recommendations for three key features of latent growth curve models in the structural equation modeling framework. As a basis for the discussion, we review current practice in the social and behavioral sciences literature as found in 441 reports published in the 19 months beginning in January 2019 and compare our findings to extant recommendations. We then provide suggestions for empirical researchers, reviewing the application of these very popular models, specifically focusing on comparison of alternative change models, time metric and interval features implemented, and the treatment of individually varying time intervals.
Systemic administration of blood-derived exosomes induced by remote ischemic post-conditioning, by delivering a specific cluster of miRNAs, ameliorates ischemic damage and neurological function
Authors: Cuomo Ornella , Anzilotti Serenella , Brancaccio Paola , Cepparulo Pasquale , Lombardi Giovanna , Viscardi Viviana , Vinciguerra Antonio , Annunziato Lucio , Pignataro Giuseppe
Published: August 2024

MicroRNAs, contained in exosomes or freely circulating in the plasma, might play a pivotal role in the infarct-sparing effect exerted by remote limb ischemic postconditioning (RLIP). The aims of the present study were: (1) To evaluate the effect of pure exosomes isolated from plasma of animals subjected to RLIP systemically administered to ischemic rats; (2) To finely dissect exosomes content in terms of miRNAs; (3) To select those regulatory miRNAs specifically expressed in protective exosomes and to identify molecular pathways involved in their neurobeneficial effects. Circulating exosomes were isolated from blood of animals exposed to RLIP and administered to animals exposed to tMCAO by intracerebroventricular, intraperitoneal or intranasal routes. Exosomal miRNA signature was evaluated by microarray and FISH analysis. Plasmatic exosomes isolated from plasma of RLIP rats attenuated cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury and improved neurological functions until 3 days after ischemia induction. Interestingly, miR-702-3p and miR-423-5p seem to be mainly involved in exosome protective action by modulating NOD1 and NLRP3, two key triggers of neuroinflammation and neuronal death. Collectively, the results of the present work demonstrated that plasma-released exosomes after RLIP may transfer a neuroprotective signal to the brain of ischemic animals, thus representing a potentially translatable therapeutic strategy in stroke.
Minimally invasive removal of a foreign body in the pancreas using digital intelligent technology: a case report
Authors: Li Shuanghua , Liu Chunyong , Wen Sai , Geng Yanyun
Published: August 2024

Pancreatitis caused by a fish bone penetrating the posterior wall of the stomach and entering the pancreas is rare. We herein report a case involving a woman in her late 30s with an approximately 1-month history of recurrent upper abdominal pain. Initial evaluation at another hospital failed to identify the cause but raised suspicion of pancreatic cancer. Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and a detailed consultation led us to suspect that the patient’s pain had been caused by inadvertent ingestion of a fish bone. We used three-dimensional visualization technology to determine the location of the fish bone and informed the patient of the lesion and surgical plan through a simulated surgical demonstration. During surgery, we applied augmented reality navigation technology to remove the fish bone by a minimally invasive approach. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 3. She was followed up by telephone 24 hours after discharge. Outpatient follow-up was performed 1 week after discharge and on day 30. The patient recovered well and developed no complications. This case shows that digital medical technology can be applied in patients undergoing surgical removal of a pancreatic foreign body. Such technology assists with preoperative evaluation, patient education, and intraoperative trauma reduction.
Inclusive Special Education: What Do We Mean and What Do We Want?
Authors: Lemons Christopher J. , Vaughn Sharon , Alsolami Abdulaziz
Published: August 2024

The United States will soon recognize the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975. Considering the past 50 years in special education, we organized this special issue of Remedial and Special Education focused on inclusive education of students with disabilities in international contexts. Just as a broad array of U.S. educators have grappled with improving how the education system might most effectively include students with disabilities, educational leaders in various countries across the globe have been addressing the same question: How can we design inclusive education for students with disabilities that effectively meets their needs? The manuscripts included in this special issue represent five countries—India, Japan, Norway, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea. Each paper presents background on the inclusion of students with disabilities within the focus country and highlights recent advances in and proposes next steps for policy, practice, and research. Collectively, we hope the issue expands readers’ thinking about what special education could be, encourages our community to set specific goals for our next ‘milestone anniversary,’ and ignites conversations about the specific steps we need to accomplish our goals.
The Elusive Meaning of Inclusive Education in Five Countries—and the United States
Authors: Fuchs Douglas
Published: August 2024

In this commentary, I reflect on the papers in this special issue that describe inclusion in five countries. More specifically, I highlight several themes among the authors’ descriptions of both progress and challenges as their respective countries try to provide students with disabilities a stronger, more inclusive educational experience. I compare and contrast this effort to efforts in the United States to properly understand and implement an inclusive education that benefits all children and youth with disabilities.
Re-thinking the Concept of Cultural Competency in Nursing Care of Older Adults
Authors: Mohamed Amany Farag Hassan , Modanloo Shokoufeh
Published: August 2024

The influx of migrants to Canada has resulted in a shift in the country's demographic landscape. Individuals often interpret and approach health and wellness through the lens of their cultural heritage, which has led to stereotyping behaviors and discriminatory practices, exacerbating the notion of “Othering”. Immigrant older adults are likely to experience discrimination in a more dreadful way in the form of societal isolation and marginalization due to the collective systems of power such as ageism, ableism, and racism. This paper results from continuous thought-provoking discussions initiated by the first author (AM) in her doctoral program at the University of Western Ontario for the Philosophy of Nursing Science course, taught and facilitated by the second author (SM). After studying the course materials on “revolutionary science” and reflection on the process of paradigm shift introduced by Thomas Khun and engaging in critical discussions on a range of relevant philosophical concepts such as bio-power, othering, silencing and ignorance, marginalization, oppression, neoliberalism, health equity, and social justice, we have been prompted to rethink the concept of cultural competence in nursing education and healthcare practices, particularly in the context of nursing care of older adults. Therefore, in this paper, we will critique the concept of cultural competency in the context of an anti-racist and anti-oppressive lens and suggest a pivotal response to move towards an inquiry-driven approach based on cultural humility and respect in the nursing care of older adults.
Associations Between ADHD Symptoms and Rejection Sensitivity in College Students: Exploring a Path Model With Indicators of Mental Well-Being
Authors: Müller Vanessa , Mellor David , Pikó Bettina F
Published: August 2024

The purpose of this study was to assess the association between attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and rejection sensitivity in college students, and whether it is mediated or moderated by elements of mental well-being. Using a cross-sectional design, the study examined 304 Hungarian college students who responded online to a set of questionnaires that included the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale, The Mental Health Test, and the Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire. Path analysis indicated that well-being, creative/executive proficiency, self-regulation, and resilience partially mediated the relationship between ADHD symptoms and rejection sensitivity, while savoring moderated this link. The model explained up to 50% of the total variance in rejection sensitivity scores. Findings suggest that university students with ADHD symptoms may particularly benefit from acquiring savoring skills to enhance their mental well-being and lower rejection to sensitivity. As such, the results carry significant implications for counseling psychologists, educators, and mental health professionals working in the higher education sector.
Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii immunoglobulins and its association with systemic lupus erythematosus: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ranjan Shovit , Panda Aditya K
Published: August 2024

Background

The exact cause of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is still unknown. However, hormonal, genetic, and environmental factors may play significant roles in its development. Infection has been recognized as a crucial trigger for SLE development. Several studies have reported a higher prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infections in patients with SLE than in healthy individuals. However, these results were inconsistent. Therefore, this study aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies to provide a definitive conclusion regarding the relationship between T. gondii infection and SLE.

Materials and methods

We conducted a comprehensive search across diverse databases using an array of search tools to uncover pertinent literature. Following the stringent application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, we carefully selected the appropriate reports for our meta-analysis. Using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software v4, we analyzed the data and determined the prevalence of antibodies against T. gondii in patients affected with SLE. To investigate the correlation between T. gondii seropositivity and SLE, we computed the risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

Eleven studies were considered eligible for inclusion in the present study. The prevalence of anti-IgG and IgM antibodies against T. gondii was 33.9% and 7.7%, respectively. A significant association between T. gondii IgG seropositivity and SLE was observed when compared to the controls (risk ratio = 2.14, 95% CI = 1.42 to 3.22, p = .000). However, IgM seropositivity against T. gondii was comparable between patients with SLE and healthy controls.

Conclusions

In summary, this study suggests that T. gondii IgG is more prevalent in patients with SLE than in healthy individuals in areas where T. gondii infections are more frequent. However, an exact cause-and-effect relationship still needs to be established. Therefore, additional research is necessary to validate these findings and to investigate the underlying mechanisms.
Clay powder in polymer composite membranes enhanced the performance of direct methanol fuel cells
Authors: Karim Md. Anwarul , Dipti Sharmin Sultana , Elahi Mohammad Mahfuz Enam
Published: August 2024

Polyvinyl alcohol has the potential to be used in fuel cell membranes due to its chemical, mechanical, and membrane-forming capabilities, as well as its higher hydrophilicity and low methanol permeability. However, the pure PVA membrane has a lower proton conductivity than the NafionTM membrane. With the addition of some ceramic fillers, PVA can be a possible alternative to NafionTM membranes. Therefore, we used the solution method to prepare three polyvinyl alcohol-based composite membranes with the following compositions: a) 5 wt% PVA (polyvinyl alcohol), b) 5 wt% PVA/2 wt % PEG (polyethylene glycol)/wt.1% silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles, and c) 5 wt% PVA/2 wt% PEG/wt.1% clay powder. The membranes were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), oxidative stability, ion exchange capacity, water absorption characteristics, conductivity, and permeability. FITR, EDX, and SEM confirmed the successful fabrication of the composite membrane, while TGA demonstrated membrane thermal stability and other parameters relevant to fuel cell membranes. The methanol permeability of the membrane is pure 5 wt % PVA, 5 wt%PVA/2 wt%/1 wt% SiO2, and 5 wt% PVA/2 wt% PEG/wt.1% Clay measured 2.37 × 10−6 cm2/s, 2.89 × 10−6 cm2/s, and 1.57 × 10−6 cm2/s, respectively. The methanol permeability of 5 wt% PVA/2 wt% PEG/wt.1% Clay is better than of Nafion117 (5.16 × 10−6 cm2/s as reported). The membrane 5 wt% PVA/2 wt% PEG/1% Clay exhibits satisfactory levels of oxidative stability (RW% = 94.09 at 1.32 h), IEC (0.232 meq/g), conductivity (0.00432 S/cm), methanol permeability (1.57 × 10−6 cm2/s), selectivity (3.63 × 10−4 Ss/cm3), and better water uptake properties at fuel cell operating temperature. As a result, it is reasonable to expect that PVA-based modified membranes will outperform NafionTM membranes in the future.
The nurses’ clinical environment belongingness and professional identity: The mediating role of professional values
Authors: Bakhshi Zadeh Somaye , Parviniannasab Ali Mohammad , Bijani Mostafa , Dehghan Azizallah , Zare Aezam
Published: August 2024

Background

Belonging to the clinical environment and the professional values of the performers play a role in forming a professional identity. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the degree of connection among these concepts.

Aim

This study aimed to examine the mediating effects of professional values on the relationship between nurses’ clinical environment belongingness and professional identity.

Design

In the present study, a descriptive cross-sectional multicenter design was used.

Participants and research context

A convenient sample of 635 nurses recruited from three hospitals in Fars Province, Southern Iran, from September 2023 to January 2024. Nurses Professional Values Scale–Revised, Clinical Environment Belongingness Scale, and Professional Identity Scale were used to collect the data. The mediation model was analyzed using SPSS v27 and the Process Macro 4.0.

Ethical considerations

The protocol of this study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Fasa University of Medical Sciences, and informed consent was obtained from all nurses. The study conforms to the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki.

Results

Based on the results of regression analysis, clinical environment belongingness had a positive and significant impact on professional identity (β = 0.366, p < 0.001) and professional value (β = 0.676, p < 0.001). Professional value significantly predicted professional identity (β = 0.170, p < 0.001). The indirect effect of clinical environment belongingness on professional identity via professional values was statistically significant (β = 0.115, SE = 0.024, 95% CI = [0.068, 0.162]), and this effect was directly (β = 0.336, SE = 0.034, 95% CI = [0.297, 0.434]) significant.

Conclusions

The new theoretical framework for nurses developed in this study can contribute to professional development. It is further recommended that the promotion of professional value and clinical environment belongingness may be effective in enhancing the professional identity of the nursing staff, as indicated by the results.
Navigating the city: Role of property-market intelligence channels in urban governance networks
Authors: Taşan-Kok Tuna
Published: August 2024

This study presents a novel perspective on the impact of market-intelligence channels on property markets and the subsequent effects on the formation of alliances among public- and private-sector actors in urban governance. I argue and demonstrate that property actors, especially investors, collaborate through knowledge coalitions by utilizing the market-intelligence channels they created, not only to navigate property markets but also to establish the mode of regulation in urban development. By using a strategic-relational perspective, it is possible to analyze the underlying institutional infrastructure of the property market as a dynamic system shaped by the relationships and interactions among various social and economic actors. In addition to forming various marketing or lobbying coalitions, property actors forge alliances by converting pertinent information—such as locational analysis, socioeconomic data, policy and land-use forecasts, permit conditions, and planning strategies—into advanced market intelligence. This process allows them to define the norms, rules, and principles to be negotiated with public policymakers and enhance their positions in knowledge-based governance networks. To obtain empirical evidence about Amsterdam’s property market, a comprehensive data set was created to identify the influential actors. Extensive deskwork was conducted to map the diverse channels and connections of market intelligence. Key players in the property market were also interviewed to provide a comprehensive view of the active market-intelligence channels in governance networks.
Evaluation of a Passive Upper Extremity Exoskeleton on Reducing Discomfort and Workload in Cardiac Sonographers
Authors: Wang Tianke , Hallbeck M. Susan , Martineau Michael , Bremer Merri , Kane Garvan C. , Zoaktafi Mojgan , Tetteh Emmanuel
Published: August 2024

Cardiac sonographers are frequently exposed to ergonomic risks such as postural stress and high levels of physical exertion while performing scanning tasks, contributing to work-related pain, and discomfort among cardiac sonographers. Passive exoskeletons are a potential ergonomic intervention with the potential to mitigate some of the risks associated with scanning. This study examined the effectiveness of a passive upper body exoskeleton in reducing the levels of work-related pain, discomfort, and workload in cardiac sonographers while performing transthoracic echocardiograms (TTE). Twelve cardiac sonographers were asked to use the HAPO FRONT exoskeleton while performing TTEs during a full workday. Participants were asked to rate their body part discomfort and workload throughout the day, both with and without the exoskeleton. The exoskeleton did not significantly decrease discomfort or workload associated with performing TTEs, except for a slight reduction in the discomfort at the left hand/wrist. This result indicates that the HAPO FRONT was not effective or appropriate for use by cardiac sonographers. Future development and study of purpose-designed exoskeletons for healthcare applications may provide greater benefits to cardiac sonographers.
Individual Differences in Fatigued Performance
Authors: Morris Megan B. , Swan Garrett , Veksler Bella Z.
Published: August 2024

Cognitive fatigue is a prevalent issue across multiple military operational domains, resulting in degraded mission performance and costly mishaps. One approach to mitigating the effects of fatigue in operational environments is to develop technology, such as biomathematical, physiological, and cognitive models, that can help individuals assess and predict their fatigue and its impacts on performance. We can further enhance the accuracy of these models by incorporating individual difference metrics that allow for increased individualization. In the current study, we examine how individual differences in circadian typology, typical sleep duration, sleep duration need, and hardiness relate to fatigued performance during a 24-hr long mobility aircraft simulator session with mobility aircrews. Specifically, we examine individual difference relationships with performance on three cognitive tasks, the Psychomotor Vigilance Test, the N-back task, and the Change Signal Task, which measure processes crucial to operational performance: attention, working memory, and executive functioning.
Using a Critical FMEA Approach to Identify Equity-Related Failures in Usability Evaluations of Health Technologies
Authors: Tjhie D. Ruben , Montague Enid , Cafazzo Joseph A.
Published: August 2024

Design issues that affect the usability of health technologies for marginalized populations may lead to further exacerbating health inequity. To address this concern, we propose the use of failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) to systematically identify potential inequities that result from usability evaluation methods. This new application of FMEA grounds the traditional FMEA in critical theory and introduces two key concepts: the equity failure mode and reflexivity. To test our approach, we engaged 13 usability practitioners with expertise in healthcare in a series of four workshops. We found that when participants located themselves reflexively in their practice of usability evaluation, they were able to identify more nuanced equity failure modes. Through reflecting on our experience using this method, we aim to illustrate that the critical FMEA is a viable approach human factors practitioners and researchers can use to anticipate equity failure modes in design and evaluation methods.
Exploring Cognitive Workload Changes in Teleoperators: Collaboration with On-Site Workers and Robots in Assembly Tasks
Authors: Zahabi Saman Jamshid Nezhad , Taori Sakshi , Kim Sunwook , Lim Sol
Published: August 2024

Teleoperation is commonly employed to perform industrial tasks in remote or inaccessible areas. However, there is a noticeable gap in evaluating cognitive workload of teleoperators in collaboration environments. This study compared the variation of cognitive workload for teleoperators guiding an on-site participant to complete a wire assembly task in two scenarios: one aided by a robot arm (tRH) and another without any robot assistance (HH). Additionally, the task demands for on-site participants were manipulated to measure its impact on teleoperator’s workload. NASA-TLX and EEG activity were utilized to assess workload. The results indicated that EEG theta activity was significantly higher for the HH group than tRH group, potentially showing lower workload for teleoperators in the scenario with robot assistance. Task difficulty did not affect any of the workload measures. The study highlights the importance of cognitive workload assessment in human-robot collaborations to optimize human cognitive demands in complex settings.
Cognitive Biases in Commercial Aviation: Empirical Review of Accident Reports
Authors: Nadri Chihab , Regalado Jordan , Ferris Thomas , Zahabi Maryam
Published: August 2024

Cognitive biases in commercial aviation can coax pilots into disregarding established protocols or overlooking potential hazards, a concern that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has acknowledged. However, the concrete impact of these biases on aviation operations has not been adequately quantified; empirical evidence remains limited. Recognizing this research gap, our study seeks to provide a comprehensive analysis of cognitive biases within commercial aviation. We conducted a review of National Transportation Safety Board flight incident reports for air carriers across the United States, from 2014 to 2024. We also conducted an expert interview with an instructor who is an experienced pilot to ascertain current training material and its adequacy in addressing cognitive biases. Our analysis revealed cognitive biases not identified by the FAA (e.g., overconfidence) and training material gaps. Our research lays the groundwork for improved training protocols and the potential for a more nuanced understanding of pilot behavior and safety.
Interior Illumination Impact on Night Driving in a Driving Simulator
Authors: Koca Ekim
Published: August 2024

Automakers are beginning to include larger and brighter tablet-style interfaces in their vehicles. The amount of light emitted from these large interfaces could cause issues with driver distraction and might degrade performance. In the following study, the impact of bright lights from the interface on driver performance and object detection was studied.
Transformation Through Practice: A Dialogical Exploration of Embodiment and Presence in Arts-Based Qualitative Research With Self and Others
Authors: Høybye Martin , Pini Sarah
Published: August 2024

In this article, we discuss the potential of artist-researchers inviting research participants to engage directly in arts- and practice-based ethnographic work. To enable openings for this engagement, we find that the artist-researcher ontologically must stay oneself but also be able to share the self so that embodied knowing and years of embedded repertoires may find pathways of externalization, which may be walked co-creatively with research participants. In a reflexive conversation, we—Pini (dance artist, anthropologist) and Høybye (collaborative songwriter, ethnographer)—share insights from our respective artistic and academic fields to discern which areas of practice and knowledge creation may be similar, and which may be different. The aim is to identify how ways of working that have been transformative for us may be facilitated in interventions for others, and more specifically young cancer patients in our joint ongoing research project.
Shared Space and Civic Engagement: Block Parties and Voter Turnout in Philadelphia
Authors: Raychaudhuri Tanika , Davidson Joshua H. , Jones-Correa Michael
Published: August 2024

Along with socioeconomic resources, “strong ties” of family and friends increase political engagement. However, most daily interactions are casual encounters with “weak” social ties. How do these interactions shape political participation in urban environments? Interpersonal contact with weak ties may enable information sharing and increase voting participation. Using an original individual-level dataset that merges geocoded Census data, voter file data, and city permits for neighborhood “block parties” in Philadelphia, this study explores the ways one-off events that draw neighbors together influence turnout. The results show neighborhood block parties are positively associated with individual-level voting. These mobilizing effects are particularly visible in African American neighborhoods. Taking advantage of the fact that some blocks request permits some years and not others, the data allow for time-variant tests, linking changes in the strength of neighborhood-based “weak ties” with increased turnout. This research suggests that casual interactions among neighborhood weak ties shape political engagement.
No difference in early functional outcome between the direct anterior approach and posterior approach in patients following total hip arthroplasty
Authors: Douven Dirk P M , van Kampen Paulien M , Werner Paul H , Schrier Joost C
Published: August 2024

Background:

Objective and subjective outcomes in the direct anterior approach (DAA) and posterior approach (PA) in total hip arthroplasty (THA) were assessed in this study, using the Oxford Hip Score (OHS) as primary outcome. Pain, 3 objective performance-based tests, surgical time, blood loss and length of stay were assessed as secondary outcomes.

Methods:

Patients with primary end-stage osteoarthritis were prospectively enrolled by shared decision making for the DAA (32 patients) or PA (26 patients). Baseline data were collected preoperatively and outcomes postoperatively at 2-, 6-, 9- and 12-month follow-up.

Results:

There is no significant difference (p < 0.05) between the DAA and PA on primary outcome (OHS). There was a main effect of time which indicated an increase of OHS over time independent of group (p < 0.01).

Conclusions:

In the current study, no significant differences in postoperative functional outcome were found between DAA and PA in all follow-up moments.
Does user-generated video content motivate individuals to visit a destination? A non-visitor typology
Authors: Zaim Ilma Aulia , Stylidis Dimitrios , Andriotis Konstantinos , Thickett Anthony
Published: August 2024

Νon-visitors comprise a lucrative but underexplored segment in the tourism literature. This study fills a research gap on non-visitors by proposing a new typology contributing to a better understanding of their travel motivations and intentions to visit or not a destination, after being exposed to user-generated video content online. Semi-structured in-depth interviews facilitated via two tourist videos of Raja Ampat, Indonesia, available on YouTube, were conducted with 31 Indonesians and 30 British non-visitors. Findings indicate the presence of five types of non-visitors based on travel motivations: neophiles, nationalists, narcissists, volunteers, and reluctant non-goers. The study contributes to a better understanding of non-visitors’ motivations across different cultures and sheds some light on how user-generated video content shapes visit intentions among those who have never visited a destination. In practical terms, the study offers prudent knowledge on enhancing the possibility that non-visitors will turn into goers.
Loss, shame and secrecy in women’s experiences of a vulval skin condition: A qualitative study
Authors: Rees Sophie , Arnold Susanne
Published: August 2024

Vulval lichen sclerosus (LS) is a chronic dermatological condition affecting the anogenital area, causing intense itching, pain and bleeding. It can change the terrain of the vulva, causing loss of vulval anatomy and altered texture and appearance of the skin. There has been little research into how women experience the materialities of a dermatological vulval disease. We aimed to understand experiences of living with LS, using a feminist lens to examine the influence of societal attitudes towards women’s bodies and the vulva. We conducted qualitative interviews with 20 women with vulval LS, taking a critical feminist grounded theory approach. While we found that women’s experiences of vulval LS symptoms was normalised as a part of womanhood, there was a silencing of speech about the vulva generally, and vulval symptoms more specifically. This caused profound shame and loneliness, and was a barrier to disclosing and seeking help for vulval symptoms, leading to delayed diagnosis and disease progression. Loss of vulval architecture resulted in a loss of (feminine) self and the sense of a body which was whole.
The ethics of open source investigations: Navigating privacy challenges in a gray zone information landscape
Authors: van der Woude Maartje , Dodds Tomás , Torres Guillén
Published: August 2024

With the exploding availability of online data, digital open-source investigations (OSINV) methods have become increasingly popular in journalism. However, practitioners face novel challenges related to the tension between journalism’s transparency ideals and its duty to safeguard the privacy and security of data subjects. This article explores this tension by drawing on data from eight in-depth interviews with professional open-source investigative journalists in the Netherlands. The findings of our study reveal that OSINV investigators rely heavily on personal assessments and ongoing dialogues with colleagues to make privacy-related editorial choices, as rules and guidelines have only recently emerged. This research provides valuable insights into the intricacies of OSINV journalism, uncovering the delicate balance between journalistic transparency and privacy/security considerations.
Heritage as threshold: an autoethnographic exploration of the porticoes of Bologna (Italy)
Authors: Bonfiglioli Stefania
Published: August 2024

The contents and aims of this paper derive from an autoethnographic exploration of the porticoes of Bologna, which in 2021 became part of the UNESCO World Heritage List. It was the difficulty of their candidacy process, which is not usual for Italian urban heritage, that shaped my concern with them. I conducted empirical research by walking under the porticoes in order to understand the reasons behind their otherness as official heritage and how these reasons can represent an interesting case for current geographical debates on heritage in its cultural dimension. Drawing first of all on the fact that my embodied experience of the porticoes was a liminal experience, I argue here that their otherness lies in being heritage as threshold by developing this idea in two ways. The first way consists of interpreting the spatiality of the porticoes in the light of the concept of threshold. To the extent that a threshold, as conceived here, is not a boundary but a zone of transition where binary terms are held together and interact with each other, the spatial nature of the porticoes as thresholds challenges the sedentary certainties and sharp boundaries of ‘authorized heritage discourse’. The second way in which I conceive and develop the idea of heritage as threshold consists of relating it, through the example of the porticoes, to the process of heritage-making. From this point of view, the idea of heritage as threshold is a spatial interpretation of the process of construction, deconstruction, reconstruction of heritage, whenever based on the interweaving of official discourses and everyday experiences, on their reciprocal influence and transformation. The construction of the narrative on the porticoes as heritage represents a perfect example of this process of transition and interchange between different perspectives – a process closely associated with the spatiality of thresholds.
Guided wave-driven machine learning for damage classification with limited dataset in aluminum panel
Authors: Rezazadeh Nima , Perfetto Donato , Polverino Antonio , De Luca Alessandro , Lamanna Giuseppe
Published: August 2024

The goal of this research study is to classify damages in an aluminum panel using ultrasonic-guided waves (UGWs). The study is carried out on the premise that only a limited dataset, consisting of only two receivers, is available. In the experimental phase, three distinct parts, that is, stainless steel masses, were located on the surface of the panel, assumed to be mapped into four triangular regions, to experimentally simulate the effects induced by circular artificial damage of varied sizes. UGW-driven damage classification was thus performed via machine learning. A data synthesis technique called conditional generative adversarial network (cGAN) was used to generate 2000 samples (signals) for each of the 12 different malfunction scenarios (classes), based on the combination of damage region and size. Damage features were extracted using the wavelet time scattering technique, while the classification task was performed via a long short-term memory network with tuned hyperparameters. A validation procedure was executed to ensure that the classification network was not overfitted. Furthermore, two testing stages were performed to evaluate the designed framework. The designed framework was thus tested on the observations excluded from the training and validation phases, as well as on 10 additional novel experimental samples. The high accuracy and F1-score values of the validation and the two testing stages—97.7%, 98.5%, and 96.6%, respectively—attest to the generality of this methodology, which is neither underfitted nor overfitted. To further assess the robustness of the methodology, the cGAN was tested on a new sensor placement, demonstrating a consistent performance (95.3%) and confirming the framework applicability under different sensor configurations, showcasing potential extension to other classification problems featuring a limited dataset.