bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leverage of aluminium oxynitride on the impact resistance of Kevlar‐impregnated epoxy composites: Experimental and numerical evaluation under low‐velocity impact
Authors: Chenrayan Venkatesh , Shahapurkar Kiran , Kiran M. C. , Ngarajan Bhuvanesh , Arunachalam Krishna Prakash , Weiss Alejandra Decinti , Fouad Yasser , Almehmadi Fahad Awjah , Soudagar Manzoore Elahi M.
Published: August 2024

The present work highlights the benefits of matrix strengthening through the inclusion of hard particles within the resin‐impregnated woven Kevlar mat. Aluminium Oxynitride (ALON) particles are added to epoxy resin by 5, 10, and 15 volume percentages. The test coupons were developed through a hand‐lay‐up technique to estimate the low‐velocity impact resistance. The characterization was performed through EDAX and SEM to ensure the presence of the ALON particles and their homogenous distribution respectively. Low‐velocity testing is preferred to assess the capacity of the materials to rebound the incident energy. The damage assessment was made to estimate the material's stiffness. The compression after impact (CAI) was executed to observe the strength of the material after the impact. The post‐CAI micrographic observation reveals the delamination history. The results manifest that the ALON–rich coupon exhibits higher impact resistance to the scale of 33.33% than that of the ALON‐free coupon. The damage assessment and CAI results annunciate the lesser damage and higher compressive strength of ALON‐rich material respectively. The micrographic study studied after the CAI reveals the delamination and failure behavior. Additionally, explicit numerical assessment was conducted to validate the experimental results. A good agreement is attained between the experimental results and numerical predictions. The enriched stiffness of the synthesized material makes it a perfect candidate for structural application where the frequency of impact loading is high.

Highlights

Development of ALON reinforced Kevlar‐Epoxy composites for low‐velocity impact applications.

Evaluating the performance of developed composites under low‐velocity impact loading.

Determining the optimal volume percentage of ALON in the composites.

Studying the fractography of developed composites.

Correlation between experimental and numerical studies.
Control of basic aggregate structure: Application and mechanism analysis in nitrile rubber composite materials
Authors: Wang Maohui , Yong Zhanfu
Published: August 2024

This paper investigated the dispersion of silica exhibiting different specific surface areas in nitrile rubber (NBR) matrices and the interactions between fillers, filled rubber, and rubber networks by regulating the aggregate size. To better characterize and leverage the filler network structure, a comprehensive analysis was conducted using linear and nonlinear rheological tests based on the equilibrium solvation theory and pipe models. The results demonstrated that the incorporation of fillers formed an island‐like network structure. With high specific surface area, the concurrent use of high and low specific surface area silica fillers improved the filler‐rubber interactions and hindered filler‐filler interactions, decreased the filler aggregate size, and enhanced the dispersion. Furthermore, we analyzed the mechanism of the filler network structural enhancement and its relationship with the specific surface area by regulating the filler ratios to adjust the polymer size.

Highlights

Control of Filler Network Structure: Ratio adjustment strengthens interactions.

Large silica surface enhances F‐R interaction, small surface improves dispersion.

Mixing ratios favor robust filler interconnection or dispersion.

Reveals strong correlation of filler network strength with F‐F interactions.

Highlighted effective eco‐friendly means of adjusting filler Mixing ratios.
Registration of CA 4011 cotton germplasm line with resistance to areolate mildew and tolerance to thrips
Authors: Beasley Edward D. , Wann Dylan , Shanbhad Shreya , Lubbers Edward , Suassuna Nelson Dias , Jones Don C. , Kelly Carol M. , Dever Jane K. , Chee Peng W.
Published: August 2024

CA 4011 (Reg. no. GP‐1149, PI 705597) is a noncommercial breeding line of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) jointly released by Texas A&M AgriLife Research and the Agricultural Experiment Station at the University of Georgia‐Tifton. This cotton germplasm is a selection from CA 3084, a germplasm line released by Texas Agricultural Experiment Station in 1987. CA 3084 was derived from a cross of EPSM‐75‐AAAA‐3 and EPSM‐1224‐1‐74‐2‐4‐2‐1, historical breeding lines developed by the cotton breeding program at Texas Agricultural Experiment Station in El Paso. Progeny row of CA 4011 was selected for 2008 preliminary yield testing in Southern High Plains by the Texas A&M AgriLife Research cotton breeding program in Lubbock. In 2012, CA 4011 had less damage from thrips feeding injury than 22 other genotypes tested in a greenhouse assay but was equal to the resistant check TX110 (PI 163608). Performance testing for yield, fiber quality, and other related agronomic properties was conducted under organic management and on certified organic farms during 2012, 2013, and 2014 growing seasons. CA 4011 showed comparable yield and fiber quality to standard check cultivars grown in the Southern High Plains. Subsequent testing was done at the University of Georgia Coastal Plains Experiment Station in Tifton, GA, to evaluate for resistance to the foliar diseases areolate mildew and target spot. Disease ratings were taken in 2018 and 2019 growing seasons. CA 4011 showed favorable resistance to areolate mildew in comparison to susceptible checks, providing less leaf infection and defoliation.
A dearth of disability‐related competencies in Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education's Milestones 2.0
Authors: Houtrow Amy J. , Hurwitz Max B.
Published: August 2024

Background

Despite the high prevalence of disability and the frequency with which people with disabilities encounter the health care system, physicians report inadequate knowledge regarding caring for their patients with disabilities.

Objective

To determine the number and type of disability‐related competencies in the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education's Milestones 2.0.

Design

Cross‐sectional analysis of publicly available data to identify, via key word search, the presence of disability‐related competencies using disability‐related terms derived from the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health.

Setting

Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education's Milestones 2.0.

Participants

N/A

Interventions

N/A

Main Outcome Measure

Presence of disability‐related competencies.

Results

Over one‐third (37.5%) of specialties had zero disability‐related competencies. Nineteen (59.4%) included an Interpersonal and Communication Skills Milestone that mentions disability as a potential barrier to communication. No specialties had Systems‐Based Practice or Practice‐Based Learning and Improvement disability‐related competencies. Physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) had six disability‐related competencies, preventive medicine occupational and environmental medicine had three, and otolaryngology and transition year each had two.

Conclusions

A minority of medical and surgical specialties had disability‐related competencies outside of the Interpersonal and Communication domain. With the rising prevalence of disability and the lack of physicians with expertise in the care of people with disability, the time is now to integrate disability competencies into residencies, especially for the primary care specialties.
Novel low‐temperature curable photosensitive polyimides with stable storage
Authors: Shi Shun , Zhang Chunhua , Ma Jiaojiao , Yang Zhenghui , Guo Haiquan
Published: August 2024

In this work, varieties of thermal base generators with nitrogen heterocyclic bases as curing catalysts were synthesized and further blended with photo‐crosslinking agents, and photoinitiators to achieve the research goal of the low‐temperature curable negative photosensitive polyimide (n‐LTPI) photoresist. Due to the addition of thermal base generators, the curing temperature was reduced to 200 °C. Adding 2% 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene (DBU) pyromellitic acid salt to the photoresist can completely iminate at 200 °C. Through field‐emission scanning electron microscope analysis, the film produced high‐quality photo‐patterns with line and via resolution of 2–5 μm at 5–6 μm film thickness. Compared with existing technologies, our article not only achieves low‐temperature curing of photoresists but also improved storage stability, which has great practical value in the field of advanced semiconductor packaging.
Organic reactions in plasma–liquid systems for environmental applications
Authors: Gorbanev Yury , Nikiforov Anton , Fedirchyk Igor , Bogaerts Annemie
Published: August 2024

Plasma–liquid systems are best recognised in biomedicine, where the generation of plasma‐treated water and complex organic‐containing solutions affords biological effects. However, plasma interactions with liquids are more diverse. In this review, we look from the chemical point of view at the three fields of plasma–liquid interaction in which plasma is used to convert organic substrates. In wastewater treatment, plasma decomposes organic substances: the selectivity towards specific products is less crucial than process energy costs. In the conversion of organic liquids for sustainable energy purposes, the carbon and hydrogen selectivity to syngas are important, but these are still destructive reactions yielding small molecules. Finally, we provide a comprehensive plasma application list for synthetic organic chemistry and discuss their mechanisms and limitations.
A Comprehensive Numerical Study on the Transport and Deposition of Nasal Sprayed Pharmaceutical Aerosols in a Nasal‐To‐Lung Respiratory Tract Model
Authors: Huang Xinlei , Yin Yaohui , Saha Goutam , Francis Isabella , Saha Suvash C.
Published: August 2024

Utilizing a computed tomography (CT)‐based realistic nasal‐to‐lung respiratory tract model allows for a comprehensive investigation of the transport and deposition of nasal sprayed aerosols. This study has three main objectives: first, to determine the optimal mesh that achieves the quickest convergence for computational fluid‐particle dynamics (CFPD) simulations of a nasal‐to‐lung nasal respiratory tract by assessing the performance of different element types, sizes, and prism boundary layers; second, to design and validate a numerical method to compare grid data with different mesh structures and densities for simulation result validation; and finally, to observe and analyze fluid‐particle dynamics in the respiratory tract to aid in the development of nasal sprayed medications. This study involves reverse‐engineering a realistic and anatomically accurate respiratory tract model from CT scans. Results reveal that the optimal numerical approach for minimum calculation time is the polyhedral hybrid mesh with four boundary prism layers and the SIMPLE pressure‐velocity coupling scheme. Furthermore, observations of particle dynamics reveal that the vocal cords' location contains a concentration site of deposited small aerosols due to the turbulent airflow in the region. The optimal diameters of nasal sprayed aerosols to target each region are concluded in the end.
Elimination of V‐Shaped Pits in Thick InGaN Layers via Ammonia‐Assisted Face‐to‐Face Annealing
Authors: Nakata Atsuto , Sasaki Ayano , Kurai Satoshi , Okada Narihito , Yamada Yoichi
Published: August 2024

InGaN, a group‐III nitride semiconductor, is expected to be widely used in the field of optoelectronics, owing to its excellent physical properties. However, InGaN has various limitations. This study reports face‐to‐face annealing (FFA) using vapor‐phase and in‐plane mass transport to improve the surface flatness of an InGaN template. InGaN layers are grown on a GaN template that is grown on a c‐plane sapphire substrate using metal–organic vapor‐phase epitaxy. NH3‐assisted FFA is performed at 1050 °C for 20 min, causing V‐pits to vanish from the InGaN template despite their initial density of 3.3 × 108 cm−2. The surface condition of the lower InGaN layer is worse than that of the upper InGaN layer due to the FFA‐induced upward mass transport from the lower layer, thereby eliminating the V‐pits. Compositional analysis of the upper layer through Auger electron spectroscopy and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy reveals In peaks despite high‐temperature annealing, thus confirming the presence of InGaN. The results of this study offer possibilities for future InGaN crystal growth and InGaN‐based device fabrication.
Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity of Anatase/Rutile‐Mixed Phase Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles Annealed with Polyethylene Glycol at Low Temperatures in Aluminum Foil‐Covered Combustion Boats
Authors: Kawakami Retsuo , Matsumoto Takumi , Yanagiya Shin‐ichiro , Shirai Akihiro , Nakano Yoshitaka , Niibe Masahito
Published: August 2024

A facile carbon‐doping process is proposed to enhance the photocatalytic activity of anatase/rutile‐mixed phase TiO2 nanoparticles using polyethylene glycol (PEG). The TiO2‐PEG composite is loaded into a boat and covered tightly with Al foil to increase the pressure inside that boat during annealing. The boat is annealed for 1 h at different temperatures and PEG ratios. The annealing with 30% PEG at 300 °C enhances the decomposition of organic pollutants and bacterial inactivation under 405 nm light compared to the annealing without Al films. This annealing causes 2.5–3% carbon doping, introduces more oxygen vacancies, and converts PEG into organic compounds rich in CC bond components. These modifications of TiO2 can be attributed to carbon‐centered radicals produced from PEG during annealing. The modifications change the band structure to enhance the photogenerated carrier concentration responsible for the photocatalytic activity. The carbon doping narrows the anatase and rutile bandgaps, allowing the anatase phase to absorb 405 nm light. The introduced oxygen vacancies increase the electron‐trapping sites and raise the adsorbed oxygen groups enhancing the upward band bending and the depletion layer depth at the surface. The PEG‐converted compounds can transfer photogenerated electrons within the compounds to the TiO2 conduction band.
An improved fuzzy‐controlled local path planning algorithm based on dynamic window approach
Authors: Liu Aizun , Liu Chong , Li Lei , Wang Ruchao , Lu Zhiguo
Published: August 2024

With the increasingly complex operating environment of mobile robots, the intelligent requirements of robots are getting higher and higher. Navigation technology is the core of mobile robot intelligent technology research, and path planning is an important function of mobile robot navigation. Dynamic window approach (DWA) is one of the most popular local path planning algorithms nowadays. However, there are also some problems. DWA algorithm is easy to fall into local optimal solution without the guidance of global path. The traditional solution is to use the key nodes of the global path as the temporary target points. However, the guiding ability of the temporary target points will be weakened in some cases, which still leads DWA to fall into local optimal solutions such as being trapped by a “C”‐shaped obstacle or go around outside of a dense obstacle area. In a complex operating environment, if the local path deviates too far from the global path, serious consequences may be caused. Therefore, we proposed a trajectory similarity evaluation function based on dynamic time warping method to provide better guidance. The other problem is poor adaptability to complex environments due to fixed evaluation function weights. And, we designed a fuzzy controller to improve the adaptability of the DWA algorithm in complex environments. Experiment results show that the trajectory similarity evaluation function reduces algorithm execution time by 0.7% and mileage by 2.1%, the fuzzy controller reduces algorithm execution time by 10.8% and improves the average distance between the mobile robot and obstacles at the global path's danger points by 50%, and in simulated complex terrain environment, the finishing rate of experiments improves by 25%.
Shortwave Infrared Imaging of a Quantum Dot‐Based Magnetic Guidewire Toward Non‐Fluoroscopic Peripheral Vascular Interventions
Authors: Hwang Junsun , Kim Beomjoo , Jin Chaewon , Lee Gyudong , Jeong Hwajun , Lee Hyunki , Noh Jonggu , Lim Sung Jun , Kim Jin‐young , Choi Hongsoo
Published: August 2024

Peripheral vascular interventions (PVIs) offer several benefits to patients with lower extremity arterial diseases, including reduced pain, simpler anesthesia, and shorter recovery time, compared to open surgery. However, to monitor the endovascular tools inside the body, PVIs are conducted under X‐ray fluoroscopy, which poses serious long‐term health risks to physicians and patients. Shortwave infrared (SWIR) imaging of quantum dots (QDs) has shown great potential in bioimaging due to the non‐ionizing penetration of SWIR light through tissues. In this paper, a QD‐based magnetic guidewire and its system is introduced that allows X‐ray‐free detection under SWIR imaging and precise steering via magnetic manipulation. The QD magnetic guidewire contains a flexible silicone tube encapsulating a QD polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite, where HgCdSe/HgS/CdS/CdZnS/ZnS/SiO2 core/multi‐shell QDs are dispersed in the PDMS matrix for SWIR imaging upon near‐infrared excitation, as well as a permanent magnet for magnetic steering. The SWIR penetration of the QD magnetic guidewire is investigated within an artificial tissue model (1% Intralipid) and explore the potential for non‐fluoroscopic PVIs within a vascular phantom model. The QD magnetic guidewire is biocompatible in its entirety, with excellent resistance to photobleaching and chemical alteration, which is a promising sign for its future clinical implementation.
Quantification of cellular phototoxicity of organelle stains by the dynamics of microtubule polymerization
Authors: Mahapatra Shivam , Ma Seohee , Dong Bin , Zhang Chi
Published: August 2024

Being able to quantify the phototoxicity of dyes and drugs in live cells allows biologists to better understand cell responses to exogenous stimuli during imaging. This capability further helps to design fluorescent labels with lower phototoxicity and drugs with better efficacy. Conventional ways to evaluate cellular phototoxicity rely on late‐stage measurements of individual or different populations of cells. Here, we developed a quantitative method using intracellular microtubule polymerization as a rapid and sensitive marker to quantify early‐stage phototoxicity. Implementing this method, we assessed the photosensitization induced by organelle dyes illuminated with different excitation wavelengths. Notably, fluorescent markers targeting mitochondria, nuclei, and endoplasmic reticulum exhibited diverse levels of phototoxicity. Furthermore, leveraging a real‐time precision opto‐control technology allowed us to evaluate the synergistic effect of light and dyes on specific organelles. Studies in hypoxia revealed enhanced phototoxicity of Mito‐Tracker Red CMXRos that is not correlated with the generation of reactive oxygen species but a different deleterious pathway in low oxygen conditions.
Seroepidemiology of bovine herpesvirus‐1 in goats in south‐western Iran
Authors: Pourmahdi Borujeni Mahdi , Abbasi Amir Hossein , Haji Hajikolaei Mohammad Rahim , Seifi Abad Shapouri Masoud Reza
Published: August 2024

Background

Widely regarded as one of the chief causes of diseases in cattle population, bovine herpesvirus‐1 (BoHV‐1) has the potential to infect sheep and goat, making them potential reservoirs or hosts for this virus. Thus, preventive measures against BoHV‐1 in cattle should not overlook the ability of this virus to infect other animals.

Aims

Therefore, the focal point of this study was to ascertain the seroprevalence of BoHV‐1 in 300 healthy goats, the relationship between host and the environmental determinants of infection, and the contributing role of goats in the epidemiology of the BoHV‐1.

Materials & Methods

In order to pinpoint the existing antibodies to BoHV‐1, the obtained sera were analyzed by Virus Neutralization test.

Results

According to this test, the seroprevalence of BoHV‐1 appeared to be 64.33% in southwestern Iran. What logistic regression disclosed was that the odds ratio between age and infection with BoHV‐1 was 0.83 (p = 0.01), representing a decrease of 17% as goats grew one year older. In addition, females manifested a higher relative frequency of infection compared to males, with the odds of infection in female goats being registered at 1.88, compared to those in males (p = 0.2). Moreover, contrasted with goats lacking any history of abortion, those with a history of abortion featured 1.1 as the odds ratio (p = 0.87). The seroprevalence in Hendijan, Ahvaz, Shushtar and Dasht e Azadegan was detected to stand at 73.24, 71.30, 55.56 and 47.06 percent, respectively, with 6% of fluctuation in the infection rates being attributed to various geographical locations under the scrutiny of this study (p = 0.003).

Discussion and Conclusion

Having attested the marked seroprevalence of BoHV‐1, the definitive role of goats in the epidemiology of this virus as a secondary host or reservoir was confirmed by the present study, necessitating the strict monitoring of BoHV‐1 in goats by animal health authorities in areas where BoHV‐1 abounds in cattle.
On the Treatment of Static Gravity Field Signal for Time-Variable Gravity Field Recovery
Authors: Lasser Martin , Meyer Ulrich , Arnold Daniel , Jäggi Adrian
Published: August 2024

When estimating time-variable gravity field models from GRACE Follow-On data, a set of a priori given background force models is introduced in the processing to enable the computation of monthly snapshots of spherical harmonic coefficients representing the state of the Earth’s gravity field. The to-be-estimated spherical harmonic series has to be truncated at a certain point, for GRACE Follow-On commonly at degree and order 96, and one of the background models is usually a model for the gravity field itself, which is used to reduce higher frequency static gravity field signal to avoid aliasing (contained in degrees above 96).

In this study we take a look on the influence of different strategies to treat the high degree gravity field signal in monthly gravity field solutions from GRACE Follow-On data. We estimate temporal gravity fields with fixed high degrees of different a priori background gravity field models, and opposed to this, we also co-estimate static spherical harmonic coefficients from degree 97 up to degree and order 160 from 51 months of GRACE Follow-On data along with the monthly snapshots to enable a consistent handling of correlations between time-variable and static gravity field coefficients. The observation noise modelling of the data is handled by an empirical covariance estimation for the noise based on post-fit residuals between the final GRACE Follow-On orbits, that are co-estimated together with the gravity field, and the observations. Since the post-fit residuals, amongst other things, depend on the choice of the background force models they are a potential carrier of a priori information into the final solution.

The results show that a formal correlation between the time-variable and static gravity field coefficients is almost non-existent, and also the empirical covariance model has only minor impacts on this correlation. Only a poor choice of the background gravity field requires a prior or co-estimation of the static gravity field.
UNESCO in Afghanistan: Historical Highlights from Monument Conservation to Debates on Reconstruction
Authors: Hayashi Nao
Published: August 2024

UNESCO has been collaborating with the government of Afghanistan and partners such as academia and civil society since the 1950s, in the fields of built heritage, World Heritage, museums, intangible and living heritage. Since 2001, it has focused on the safeguarding of two World Heritage sites in Afghanistan, Bamiyan and Jam, also placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger. Building on its previous achievement thanks to the cooperation with various partners, the international community continues to provide various supports, including to fulfill the conditions for removing the two sites from the List of World Heritage in Danger, as well as to further discuss the issue of reconstruction, as Bamiyan represents a unique case for reflection on this subject.
ALIPH in Iraq
Authors: Urtizverea Elsa
Published: August 2024

Iraq is the raison d’être of ALIPH, and since the organization became operational in Geneva in September 2018, the foundation has supported more than 40 projects in Iraq. Combined, these projects have the goal to rehabilitate monuments and sites, safeguard museums and their collections, preserve and enhance written heritage, protect intangible heritage, and combat looting and illicit trafficking of cultural property. ALIPH is able to carry out its mission to help protect Iraqi heritage thanks to its close working relationships with the Iraqi Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities and the State Board of Antiquities and Heritage, with whom the Foundation shares a common holistic approach toward safeguarding and conserving heritage from its roots, stretching back thousands of years, to its future.
Heritage and Cultural Activities for Sustainable Development. A Proposal for a Theoretical and Methodological Approach
Authors: Cabasino Emilio
Published: August 2024

Initiatives organized to promote cultural heritage interventions, and culture in the context of development cooperation more generally, especially in fragile contexts, are always conditioned by the scarce resources available, which are at risk of being allocated to heterogeneous sectors. It is for this reason that such initiatives ought to be conceived, designed and implemented on the basis of a sound and well-defined theoretical and methodological approach. Indeed, in the following pages, we will endeavour to outline such an approach.
In the Frame: Women and the Discursive Construction of Gender Equality in Theory and Practice
Authors: Johnson Carol
Published: August 2024

This chapter makes a case for why the history of the development of gender equality policy in Australia, as a multicultural, settler-colonial society situated in the Asia-Pacific, is of broader international significance. It highlights Australia’s innovative contributions to gender equality, from its early granting of women’s suffrage and the right to stand for parliament, to the development of feminist policy advisory structures and being the first country to introduce gender responsive budgeting. Yet, Australian governments also tried to meld social democracy and neoliberalism (long before Tony Blair) with major consequences for women that the Albanese Labor government has begun to address. The chapter provides necessary background, discussing different conceptions of gender equality internationally and the breadth of relevant policy issues requiring study from political economy to intersectionality. It outlines a range of feminist methodological approaches used while arguing that an analysis of gendered discursive policy framing is particularly useful for identifying both the factors influencing policy and the flaws in policy that can result. In particular, discursive policy framing analysis identifies the need to reimagine gender equality policy frameworks, given that gender equality policy has all too often been incorporated into pre-existing frameworks designed to address other issues.
Great Hopes: “Second-Wave” Feminism and the State, from Whitlam to Fraser (1972–1983)
Authors: Johnson Carol
Published: August 2024

This chapter focuses on Australian government policy but also provides relevant international examples. It analyses gender equality policy during the Whitlam and Fraser governments. Fortuitously for feminists, Whitlam’s election coincided with so-called second-wave feminism’s serious challenge to traditional policy frameworks in the 1970s. The government drew on international developments but also implemented innovative Australian policies. Feminist demands in state-based areas from childcare and women’s health to women’s refuges fitted well with the Whitlam government’s policy framing around “positive equality” whereby government would provide additional services and facilities that improved peoples’ lives. Consequently, the Whitlam government became a pioneering government internationally when it came to the implementation of gender equality measures and the policy machinery associated with them, including being the first government in the world to appoint a women’s advisor. The Whitlam government was also an early pioneer of intersectional approaches. However, neoliberal ideology began to have some influence during the end of the Whitlam government’s period in office and increased under the Liberal/Coalition government of Malcolm Fraser that followed. Furthermore, social conservative Liberals were beginning to mobilise against social liberal perspectives within the Liberal Party that were more supportive of feminism.
Social Democracy, the “Fair Go” and Gender Wars: Women Under the Rudd and Gillard Governments (2007–2013)
Authors: Johnson Carol
Published: August 2024

This chapter focuses on Australian government policy but also provides relevant international examples. The Rudd Labor government’s support for equal opportunity for women was incorporated into the framing of supporting a “fair go”. However, government plans were impacted by the Global Financial Crisis and rising deficits. As was the case internationally, the resulting government stimulus policies were often relatively gender-blind with a focus on areas such as the construction industry that had relatively low levels of female employment. Nonetheless, there were feminist achievements, such as the belated introduction of paid parental leave. The government remained friendly towards feminism rather than antagonistic to it as under Howard. When Julia Gillard displaced Rudd as Prime Minister she supported a number of feminist agendas, especially supporting equal pay for low-paid women in caring work. However, Gillard faced gendered, culture war attacks on her Prime Ministership that revealed similarities with the way that women leaders and potential leaders have been treated internationally. Gillard has gone on to become a major proponent of women’s equality internationally, particularly regarding the issue of women and leadership.
Area Studies and Methodological Approaches to the New Regional Dynamics of the Middle East
Authors: Hanieh Adam
Published: August 2024

This paper explores how we might think through the shifting, contradictory, and plural features of the Middle East in ways that move beyond the constraints of competing nationalisms, geographical silos, and disciplinary boundaries. The main objective is methodological—an attempt to outline some of the key analytical perspectives that might productively frame a better understanding of the new regional dynamics of the Middle East. Three key methodological issues are highlighted: (1) a focus on the various cross-border flows that serve to both upset state-centric approaches to the region, while also destabilizing the particular conceptual categories through which we often think of social processes in the Middle East; (2) closer attention to borders, borderlands, and transboundary processes in the Middle East, all of which contribute in powerful ways to the making of the national and regional scales; and (3) a recognition that regional processes in the Middle East need to be considered as mutually constitutive of a global totality and that this necessitates a closer analysis of the various relations that exist between the wider world market and the regional scale.
On the Construction of Kazakhstan’s National State From the Factor of “Immigration” Between Kazakhstan and Russia
Authors: Yang Dan , Zhiping Pan
Published: August 2024

Kazakhstan is the only country in Central Asia with a common border with Russia. Since the tribal Khanate period, the whole grassland has almost borne the pressure of “reclamation immigrants” from Russia, and this colonial memory from the Tsarist Russian period has also been deeply embedded in the history of Central Asia. After the establishment of the Soviet regime, the Kazakh grassland was incorporated into the territory of the Soviet Union. Stalin quickly divided Central Asia into five parts by “language family”. Historical immigrants and indigenous people obtained the identity of “Soviet citizen”, and the unified political identity weakened their national consciousness. In 1992, the five Central Asian countries declared independence as new countries, and the five “language families” became the main ethnic groups and embarked on a new path of political development. After three decades, Kazakhstan, as a neighbor of Russia, “immigration” is one of the factors that cannot be ignored in the construction of its nation-state and involves the issue of demarcation and identification. This paper mainly investigates the history and reality of immigrants from Kazakhstan and Russia and tries to analyze its influence on the construction of Kazakhstan's nation-state.
From Annex to Autonomy: A Centennial Exploration of Panama’s National Development Path
Authors: Zhang Song
Published: August 2024

With its strategic position and convenience for trade and commerce, Panama connects two oceans by a Canal and links the Americas via the isthmus. The construction of Panama Canal led to the independence of Panama. In the early days, with its territory divided into two parts and its politics and economy totally dependent on the United States, Panama was more like an annex of the Canal Zone which was under the jurisdiction of the United States. Throughout the twentieth century, in addition to the strenuous efforts for the sovereignty over the Canal Zone, Panama has also been exploring its own model of development. A long-term plan, rooted back to the Torrijos era in the 1970s and implemented after the return of the Canal, is the main line of Panama's development. Based on its own characteristics, Panama focuses on the service sector and gradually forms its four pillars on Canal, duty-free zone, finance and tourism. In the new century, the vision of “Hub of the Americas” was proposed to integrate all Canal, maritime and logistics-related industries and make Panama the “Singapore of the America”. While these achievements have been widely recognized by the international community, Panama still faces challenges such as the enormous gap between the rich and the poor. Whether these challenges can be overcome will determine the prospects of Panama.
Kyrgyzstan’s Nation-State Building Under the Dual Effects of Nationalism and Tribalism
Authors: Wang Tao
Published: August 2024

Like other countries in Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan embarked on a state-building journey to independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union. However, three special alternations in power in the 30 years after independence have made Kyrgyzstan a special case among Central Asian countries, which significantly undermined the state-building process. Taking the power alternation in 2005 as an example, this article is trying to explore the state-building process of Kyrgyzstan from the perspective of nationalism and tribalism. Despite the efforts of Kyrgyz leaders to construct state nationalism, the return of tribal politics and ethnic nationalism hindered the formation of a unified national identity and weakened the strengthening of the state’s control over society, which ultimately slowed the building of the state.
The Chermak–Delgado measure as a map on posets
Authors: Cocke William , McCulloch Ryan
Published: August 2024

The Chermak–Delgado measure of a finite group is a function which assigns to each subgroup a positive integer. In this paper, we give necessary and sufficient conditions for when the Chermak–Delgado measure of a group is actually a map of posets, i.e., a monotone function from the subgroup lattice to the positive integers. We also investigate when the Chermak–Delgado measure, restricted to the centralizers, is increasing.
The (almost) integral Chow ring of $$\widetilde{{\mathcal {M}}}_3^7$$
Authors: Pernice Michele
Published: August 2024

This paper is the third in a series of four papers aiming to describe the (almost integral) Chow ring of $$\overline{\mathcal {M}}_3$$

M
¯

3

, the moduli stack of stable curves of genus 3. In this paper, we compute the Chow ring of $$\widetilde{{\mathcal {M}}}_3^7$$

M
~

3
7

with $${\mathbb {Z}}[1/6]$$

Z
[
1
/
6
]

-coefficients.
Einsamkeit am Lebensende
Authors: Seiler Annina , Evstigneev Sophia Rose , Hepp Zehra , Hertler Caroline , Peng-Keller Simon , Blum David
Published: August 2024

Fortgeschrittene unheilbare Erkrankungen gehen aufgrund des zunehmenden Krankheitsprogresses mit zahlreichen Verlusten und Belastungen einher, welche die Autonomie und Selbstbestimmung sowie das Würdegefühl der Betroffenen erheblich beeinträchtigen und Einsamkeitsgefühle fördern können. Der gesundheitliche Abbau, die zunehmende Symptomlast, der Verlust von sozialen Rollen sowie die Angst vor dem Tod und dem Sterben zählen zu den wichtigsten Risikofaktoren für Einsamkeit am Lebensende. Dieser Artikel bietet einen Überblick über die verschiedenen Dimensionen der Einsamkeit am Lebensende. Die existentielle Einsamkeit wird in Abgrenzung zur emotionalen und sozialen Einsamkeit am Lebensende beleuchtet, Ursachen und gesundheitliche Auswirkungen von Einsamkeit am Lebensende werden diskutiert, auf diagnostische Instrumente wird hingewiesen und Empfehlungen zum Umgang mit der emotionalen, sozialen und existentiellen Einsamkeit am Lebensende werden ausgesprochen. Auch die Einsamkeit pflegender Angehöriger wird thematisiert. Im Artikel weisen wir darauf hin, wie wichtig es ist, der emotionalen und sozialen Einsamkeit am Lebensende frühzeitig entgegenzuwirken. Palliative, psychologische und spirituelle Unterstützung können dabei helfen, zwischenmenschliche Beziehungen zu stärken, Sinn und Bedeutung zu fördern und die negativen Auswirkungen von Einsamkeitsgefühlen auf die Gesundheit und die Lebensqualität zu reduzieren. Im Gegensatz dazu wird die existentielle Einsamkeit als Ausdruck hoher emotionaler Reife betrachtet und kann als entwicklungsfördernde Erfahrung zu einer besseren Verortung des Selbst sowie zur Stärkung von Identität, Würde und Transzendenz am Lebensende beitragen.
Current practice of diagnosis and treatment for rectourethral fistula in male patients with anorectal malformation: a multicenter questionnaire survey in Japan
Authors: Harumatsu Toshio , Murakami Masakazu , Sugita Koshiro , Ishimaru Tetsuya , Fujino Akihiro , Nakata Mitsuyuki , Aoi Shigeyoshi , Soh Hideki , Kinoshita Yoshiaki , Uchida Keiichi , Hirabayashi Takeshi , Fuchimoto Yasushi , Okajima Hideaki , Yonekura Takeo , Koshinaga Tsugumichi , Yagi Minoru , Matsufuji Hiroshi , Hirobe Seiichi , Nio Masaki , Ueno Shigeru , Iwai Jun , Kuroda Tatsuo , Ieiri Satoshi
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Surgical procedures for anorectoplasty for anorectal malformations (ARMs), particularly rectourethral fistula (RUF), depend on the institution. We investigated the diagnosis and treatment of RUF in male patients with ARMs in Japan using a questionnaire survey.

Methods

An online survey inquiring about the diagnosis and treatment (diagnostic modalities, surgical approaches, fistula dissection devices, and fistula closure techniques) of each type of ARM in male patients was conducted among institutional members of the Japanese Study Group of Anorectal Anomalies. Fisher’s exact test was used to compare surgical methods between posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (PSARP) and laparoscopy-assisted anorectoplasty (LAARP).

Results

Sixty-one institutions (100%) completed the survey. LAARP was the preferred approach for high-type ARM (75.4%). PSARP was preferred for intermediate-type ARM (59.0%). Monopolar devices were most commonly used (72.1%) for RUF dissection. Blunt dissection was more frequent in the PSARP group (PSARP vs. LAARP: 55.6 vs. 20.0%, p < 0.005). Cystoscopy/urethroscopy to confirm the extent of dissection was used more frequently in the LAARP group (70.0% vs. 25.0%, p < 0.005). Clips and staplers were used more frequently in the LAARP group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Distinct fistula management strategies for PSARP and LAARP were revealed. Further studies are needed to investigate the postoperative outcomes associated with these practices.
Long-term outcomes after capitate fractures: a median 16-year follow-up
Authors: Ossowski Daniel , Thomsen Niels O. B. , Clementson Martin , Besjakov Jack , Jörgsholm Peter , Björkman Anders
Published: August 2024

Introduction

The long-term effects of a capitate fracture are unknown. The aim of this study was to assess both clinical and radiological long-term outcomes after a capitate fracture.

Materials and methods

From a cohort of 526 consecutive patients with post traumatic radial sided wrist pain, 23 were identified diagnosed with a capitate fracture. 16 of these (11 males and 5 females) with a median age at injury of 17.5 years (range 11–27 years) were eligible for a follow-up after a median of 16 years (range 8 to 17 years). In this study patients were examined using conventional radiographs, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the time of injury and with CT at the follow-up. At follow-up radiological signs of osteoarthritis were graded in four stages and clinical outcome was evaluated by measuring range of wrist motion and grip and pinch strength. The subjective outcome was assessed using DASH and PRWE questionnaires.

Results

Five patients had isolated capitate fractures and 11 had concomitant fractures, 10 of which had a simultaneous scaphoid fracture. 14 patients had been treated non-surgically in a cast and two patients were treated surgically. None of the fractures were visible on conventional radiographs at the time of injury. At follow-up all fractures had healed without signs of avascular necrosis. In one patient, CT examination revealed osteoarthritis between the capitate and lunate. This did not cause clinical symptoms. Functional impairments and pain scores were low: median DASH score 0, median PRWE 3 and median VAS pain score 0. We found no impairment in range of motion or grip and pinch strength.

Conclusions

At a median of 16-year follow-up, patients with a capitate fracture report normal self-assessed hand function as well as good wrist motion and strength. The risk of development of posttraumatic arthritis in the joints around the capitate is low.
Train Climbing—A new old trend in adolescents: Treatment of high voltage injuries and planning of a pilot project to raise awareness
Authors: Koenig Viktoria , Tratnig-Frankl Philipp , Pittermann Anna , Windpassinger Marita , Joestl Julian , Aszmann Oskar
Published: August 2024

Introduction

An increasing number of high voltage electric burn injuries in a typically younger patient collective of train surfers and climbers at our level I center for burns was recognized. The purpose of this study was a retrospective data evaluation and as a consequence the implementation of an awareness program against train surfing.

Material and methods

In a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data, 17 patients with high voltage injuries, who had been treated at our unit between January 2022 and January 2023, were identified. Of these patients seven were treated for injuries due to train surfing or climbing and therefore included in this study. The patients were assessed clinically for total burn surface area (TBSA), degree of burn, associated Injuries, hospital length of stay, number and type of surgeries (fasciotomy, minor/major amputations, defect coverage split skin graft or flaps).

Results

A total of seven males formed the basis of this report with an average age of 17.7 years (range 14–21 years). The highest ABSI (Abbreviated Burn Severity Index) score was 12, leading to the death of the 21-year-old patient who had 80% TBSA as well as multiple comorbidities including severe brain damage. The mean duration of stay at the intensive care unit (ICU) was 24.8 days and the mortality rate was 14.29%.

Conclusion

This study highlighted the severity of injuries, with a mean TBSA of 41.42% and a mortality rate of 14.29% among the study population. Train climbing and surfing patients presented with severe injuries and fatal long-term consequences. A pilot project involving several stakeholders was initiated in order to raise awareness of the dangers of electric arcs and the risk involved.
Efficacy and safety of intradetrusor abobotulinumtoxinA and incobotulinumtoxinA in women with overactive bladder and the value of local anesthesia: a randomized clinical study
Authors: Kavcic Niko , Avsenak Andrej , Zmazek Jan , Serdinsek Tamara , But Igor
Published: August 2024

Background

A non-inferiority clinical study evaluated the efficacy and safety of abobotulinumtoxinA vs. incobotulinumtoxinA intradetrusor injections in women with overactive bladder and urge urinary incontinence. Also, the effect of local anesthesia on the pain level of the procedure was assessed.

Methods

Patients were randomized to receive 20 intradetrusor injections of either 300 U abobotulinumtoxinA or 100 U incobotulinumtoxinA. They were further randomized to receive either local anesthesia (40 ml 1% lidocaine solution) or placebo before botulinum toxin injection. Before the procedure and 4 months after the procedure each patient reported urinary incontinence episodes, frequency, nocturia, completed the Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6) score, Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7), and Incontinence Quality of Life (I-QOL) questionnaire. Each patient completed a patient satisfaction survey 4 months after the procedure. During the procedure, the patients graded the pain intensity of every injection on a visual analog scale (VAS). The total score of each questionnaire was considered.

Results

A total of 54 patients with a mean age of 66 ± 13 (SD) years completed the study. Total scores of UDI‑6, IIQ‑7, I‑QOL, patient satisfaction, urinary incontinence episodes, frequency, nocturia and VAS questionnaires did not show differences between the abobotulinumtoxinA (n = 26) or incobotulinumtoxinA (n = 28) group. Urinary retention requiring catheterization was noted in five patients. The VAS and patient satisfaction questionnaire values did not show significant differences between the group receiving bladder instillation with lidocaine solution (n = 28) or the group receiving placebo (n = 26).

Conclusion

In women with overactive bladder and urge urinary incontinence where conservative treatment failed, abobotulinumtoxinA vs. incobotulinumtoxinA intradetrusor injections showed comparable results regarding improved clinical outcome and patient satisfaction. Local anesthesia before the procedure did not reduce the pain level in comparison with the placebo.