bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of blockchain and artificial intelligence technologies in network security for e-voting
Authors: Ainur Jumagaliyeva , Gulzhan Muratova , Amandos Tulegulov , Venera Rystygulova , Bulat Serimbetov , Zauresh Yersultanova , Aizhan Shegetayeva
Published: October 2024

This study explored the integration of blockchain and artificial intelligence technologies to enhance the security framework of electronic voting (e-voting) systems. Amid increasing vulnerabilities and cyber threats to electoral integrity, these technologies provided robust solutions by ensuring the immutability of voting records and enabling real-time anomaly detection. Blockchain technology secured votes in a decentralized, tamper-proof ledger, preventing unauthorized modifications, and enhancing transparency. Concurrently, artificial intelligence leveraged predictive analytics to dynamically monitor and respond to potential security threats, thereby ensuring the reliability and integrity of the voting process. This paper presented a dual-technology approach where blockchain’s transparency complemented artificial intelligence’s (AI) threat detection capabilities, providing a comprehensive security solution for e-voting systems. Through theoretical models and empirical data, we demonstrated significant improvements in transaction throughput, threat detection accuracy, and system scalability. The findings suggested that the strategic application of these technologies could substantially mitigate current e-voting vulnerabilities, offering a pathway to more secure, transparent, and efficient electoral processes globally.
Moderating roles of user’s intention to use LINE official account in healthcare context: body mass index
Authors: Trakulmaykee Numtip , Choksuchat Chidchanok , Jetwanna Korakot Wichitsa-nguan , Inthanuchit Kochakorn Sukjan
Published: October 2024

This study aimed to investigate the extended factors based on the technology acceptance model, and the moderating roles of customer behavioral intention factors to use information technology. This research is a questionnaire-based survey with convenience sampling approach where 386 cases were collected from healthcare customers. For statistical analysis, the study used SmartPLS as a tool for regression analysis and descriptive statistics. The findings revealed the influence of social norm on customer behavioral intention to use information technology in the healthcare context as significant factors at 0.001. In addition, the results indicated the small effect of two moderating variables in the proposed model. First, the problematic body mass index (BMI) can be a moderator on the relationship between social norm and customer behavioral intention to use technology at a significant level of 0.05. Second, the technology experience can moderate the relationship between perceived ease of use and customer behavioral intention to use technology at a significant level of 0.05. The proposed model may guide for future exploration, especially information services in healthcare businesses and developers.
Dipterocarpaceae trunk texture classification using two-stage convolutional neural network-based transfer learning model
Authors: Wati Masna , Puspitasari Novianti , Hairah Ummul , Widians Joan Angelina , Tjikoa Ade Fiqri
Published: October 2024

The importance of plant identification has been recognized by academia and industry. There have been several attempts to utilize leaves and flowers for identification. However, the trunk can also be helpful, especially for tall trees. In Borneo, the Dipterocarpaceae family are the main constituents of the tropical rainforest ecosystem. This research focuses on the classification of the dipterocarp family, which can reach a height of between 70 and 85 m. Leveraging convolutional neural network (CNN) models, this research proposes a two-stage transfer learning strategy. In the first stage, the pre-trained CNN models are refined by only modifying the classification layer while keeping the feature layer frozen. The second stage involves selecting and freezing several convolutional layers to adapt the model to classify dipterocarp stems. The dataset consists of 857 images of different dipterocarp species. Experiments show that the VGG16 model with a two-stage transfer learning strategy achieves a high accuracy of 98.246%. This study aims to accurately identify species, benefiting conservation and ecological studies by enabling fast and reliable tree species classification based on stem texture images.
A novel scheme for unified streamlined traffic management in 5G backhaul network
Authors: Thippanna Deepa , Jayappa Praveen
Published: October 2024

The issues associated with the 5G backhaul network act as the underlying reason for concern. Existing literature towards the 5G backhaul network offers various ranges of sophisticated schemes that are yet to possess open-end issues. Therefore, the proposed study introduces a novel scheme for effective 5G backhaul network traffic management. The scheme hypothesizes that if an efficient gateway node is selected, it can better communicate between the macro-base station and the core network. The study contributes to developing a sophisticated system design to identify the blockage region, a macro-base station, and a small base station. These attributes incorporate the capability of a gateway node to identify the bottleneck condition during peak traffic situations in the 5G backhaul network. The study outcome shows better communication performance in contrast to the existing system. The study outcome shows the proposed scheme to offer 47% increased throughput, 80% reduced latency, and 55% reduced algorithmic processing time in contrast to existing schemes.
A fusion of cross-shaped window attention block and enhanced 3D U-Net for brain tumor segmentation
Authors: Polaki Ramya , Rangarajan Prasanna Kumar , Pallavi Gundala , Rajasekhar Elakkiya , Altalbe Ali
Published: October 2024

Brain tumor diagnosis and treatment are primarily reliant on medical imaging, necessitating precise segmentation methodologies for practical clinical solutions. Tumor boundaries are difficult to consistently identify, even with breakthroughs in deep learning. To address this challenge, we propose a novel approach that combines an upgraded 3D U-Net architecture for brain tumor segmentation with cross-shaped window attention (CSWA-U-Net). Current segmentation techniques have limitations, particularly in capturing amorphous tumor shapes and fuzzy boundaries. Our strategy aims to overcome these constraints by combining the complementary capabilities of the expanded 3D U-Net, which is efficient at managing volumetric data and maintaining spatial features, with the cross-shaped window attention, which is well-known for capturing long-range relationships and contextual information. We evaluate our method's efficacy using a variety of performance measures, including specificity, sensitivity, and the Dice score. Our results demonstrate increased performance, with Dice scores of 94.7% for the whole tumor, 93.4% for the enhanced tumor region, and 90.5% for the tumor core. Furthermore, our technique has high sensitivity and specificity, highlighting its potential for improving medical imaging analysis.
Development of machine learning algorithms in student performance classification based on online learning activities
Authors: Alias Muhamad Aqif Hadi , Aziz Mohd Azri Abdul , Hambali Najidah , Taib Mohd Nasir
Published: October 2024

The field of educational data mining has gained significant traction for its pivotal role in assessing students' academic achievements. However, to ensure the compatibility of algorithms with the selected dataset, it is imperative for a comprehensive analysis of the algorithms to be done. This study delved into the development of machine learning algorithms utilizing students' online learning activities to effectively classify their academic performance. In the data cleaning stage, we employed VarianceThreshold for discarding features that have all zeros. Feature selection and oversampling techniques were integrated into the data preprocessing, using information gain to facilitate efficient feature selection and synthetic minority oversampling technique (SMOTE) to address class imbalance. In the classification phase, three supervised machine learning algorithms: k-nearest neighbors (KNN), multi-layer perceptron (MLP), and logistic regression (LR) were implemented, with 3-fold cross-validation to enhance robustness. Classifiers’ performance underwent refinement through hyperparameter tuning via GridSearchCV. Evaluation metrics, encompassing accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score, were meticulously measured for each classifier. Notably, the study revealed that both MLP and LR achieved impeccable scores of 100% across all metrics, while KNN exhibited a noticeable performance boost after using hyperparameter tuning.
A deep learning-based surveillance system for enhancing public safety through internet of things and digital technology using Raspberry Pi
Authors: Sanapannavar Shreedevi Kareppa , Lakshmanagowda Chayadevi Mysore , Sundararajan Geetha
Published: October 2024

In public spaces, individuals encounter challenges due to the prevalence of malicious activities like theft and kidnapping. As the internet of things (IoT) and digital technology continue to expand rapidly, efforts to create safe environments are becoming increasingly sophisticated. To address these security concerns, a proposed solution involves the utilization of video-capturing technology with the help of a Raspberry Pi web camera. Videos of the surroundings are recorded, a digital signature algorithm is applied to protect the videos, and they are then transmitted to authorized individuals who use them for forensic analysis. This process allows for the identification and investigation of any suspicious or criminal activities. The captured video data is compared with a standard dataset using a deep learning process. By analyzing the content of the videos and identifying the potential threat objects, we can allow for prompt intervention or further investigation by relevant authorities.
PdM-FSA: predictive maintenance framework with fault severity awareness in Industry 4.0 using machine learning
Authors: Moulla Donatien Koulla , Mnkandla Ernest , Aboubakar Moussa , Adamou Abba Ari Ado , Abran Alain
Published: October 2024

Predictive maintenance contributes to Industry 4.0, as it enables a decrease in maintenance costs and downtime while aiming to increase production and return on investment. Despite the increasing utilization of machine learning techniques in predictive maintenance in industrial systems over the past few years, several challenges remain to be addressed in the implementation of ML, including the quality of the data collected, resource constraints, and equipment heterogeneity. This study proposes an adaptive framework for predictive maintenance in the context of Industry 4.0, specifically in internet of things (IoT) systems, using machine learning (ML) models. In particular, this study introduces PdM-FSA, a new framework based on an ensemble classifier that takes advantage of four widely adopted ML models in the predictive maintenance literature: random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), and k-nearest neighbors (KNN). The performance evaluation results showed that the PdM-FSA framework can perform well for predictive maintenance according to the severity of equipment malfunctions in a smart factory. The results of this study provide significant knowledge to researchers and practitioners on predictive maintenance in the context of Industry 4.0. and enables the optimization of processes and improves productivity.
Acetaminophen Overdose Reveals PAR4 as a Low-Expressing but Potent Receptor on the Hepatic Endothelium in Mice
Authors: Rajala Rahul , Cleuren Audrey C.A. , Griffin Courtney T.
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND:

The protease thrombin, which elicits multiple physiological and pathological effects on vascular endothelial cells (ECs), can signal through PARs (protease-activated receptors) 1 and 4. PAR1 is a high-affinity thrombin receptor known to signal on ECs, whereas PAR4 is a low-affinity thrombin receptor, and evidence for its expression and function on ECs is mixed. This study aims to exploit the high levels of thrombin generation and hepatic vascular dysfunction that occur during acetaminophen (APAP) overdose to determine (1) whether hepatic endothelial PAR4 is a functional receptor, and (2) the endothelial-specific functions for PAR1 and PAR4 in a high thrombin and pathological setting.

METHODS:

We generated mice with conditional deletion of
Par1/Par4
in ECs and overdosed them with APAP. Hepatic vascular permeability, erythrocyte accumulation in the liver, thrombin generation, and liver function were assessed following overdose. Additionally, we investigated the expression levels of endothelial PARs and how they influence transcription in APAP-overdosed liver ECs using endothelial translating ribosome affinity purification followed by next-generation sequencing.

RESULTS:

We found that mice deficient in high-expressing endothelial
Par1
or low-expressing
Par4
had equivalent reductions in APAP-induced hepatic vascular instability, although mice deficient for both receptors had lower vascular permeability at an earlier timepoint after APAP overdose than either of the single mutants. Additionally, mice with loss of both endothelial
Par1
and
Par4
had reduced thrombin generation after APAP overdose, suggesting decreased hypercoagulability. Last, we found that endothelial PAR1—but not PAR4—can regulate transcription in hepatic ECs.

CONCLUSIONS:

Low-expressing PAR4 can react similarly to high-expressing PAR1 in APAP-overdosed hepatic ECs, demonstrating that PAR4 is a potent thrombin receptor. Additionally, these receptors are functionally redundant but act divergently in their expression and ability to influence transcription in hepatic ECs.
RANKING ALTERNATIVE ROUTES FOR PEDESTRIAN WALKWAYS FOR A FACTORY BY APPLYING ANALYTICAL HIERARCHY PROCESS
Authors: Kayahan Karakul Aygülen , Pire Özgen Saba
Published: October 2024

The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) is one of the Multi Criteria Decision-making (MCDM) methods developed by Thomas Lorie Saaty. It can be defined as the theory of measurement through pairwise comparisons, relying on expert judgments of priority scales. This study aims to compare the alternative pedestrian routes within the production area of a manufacturing company located in Manisa, Türkiye, utilizing AHP. AHP is selected as a suitable tool for this case study, since it allows inclusion of tangible and intangible criteria and consideration of sub-criteria as part of the decision-making process. Three alternative pedestrian routes were evaluated by applying the AHP method to define the best route enabling access for pedestrians to the targeted area in the manufacturing building. The decision criteria were defined by expert Decision Makers of the company and are in line with criteria, such as safety, cost effectiveness and time, utilized broadly for layout selection related studies in manufacturing as per the conducted literature review. The best alternative route was determined as Route 1, and the main criteria priorities were ranked as Criteria 1- “Operational Health and Safety (OHS) Risk Assessment,” Criteria 4 “Restricted access to the material warehouse,” Criteria 2 “Investment Feasibility” and Criteria 3 “Walking Time.” As a conclusion, AHP is effectively applied to prioritize the tangible and intangible criteria and select most suitable pedestrian routes within a manufacturing facility.
Ironic Lynchings and Embodied Crucifixions in Morrison’s Paradise
Authors: Little Brent
Published: October 2024

This article explores how the womanist theology of M. Shawn Copeland illuminates the theological dimensions of Toni Morrison’s 1997 novel, Paradise. With reference to Copeland’s thought, I argue that Morrison re-imagines the crucifixion anew during the novel’s climax, in which five socially marginalized and racially diverse women are scapegoated and murdered by male leaders of the all-black town, Ruby. Drawing upon the thought of James Cone and observations by Morrison herself, I further describe these women’s murders as a kind of lynching. Morrison thus demonstrates how racism’s logic of domination becomes internalized and replicated by Ruby’s male-power structure. The lynching of the women thereby emerges as ironic, for the men’s intentions to create an all-black paradise unconsciously imitate the oppression and perverse theology of white supremacy. Morrison’s novel thus encourages readers to re-imagine the cross so as to reject exclusionary forms of Christianity.
Dialectics of Deduction and Divination
Authors: Leubner Ben
Published: October 2024

This article seeks to demonstrate the heretofore unnoted influence of Arthur Conan Doyle on the poetry of James Merrill, most notably in both Merrill’s famous lyric, “Lost in Translation,” and his epic trilogy, The Changing Light at Sandover. In particular, the article seeks to show how Merrill saw as proximal to each other what many Conan Doyle experts and Sherlockians have seen as befuddlingly exclusive: the skepticism of Sherlock Holmes and the spiritualism of his creator, Conan Doyle.
Description of Cervidellus bifidihastatus n. sp. (Rhabditida, Cephalobidae) from Tabernas Desert, Spain
Authors: Abolafia Joaquín , Robles María-Cristina
Published: October 2024

A new species of the genus Cervidellus, C. bifidihastatus sp. n., is described from the Tabernas desert, in southern Iberian Peninsula. The new species is distinguished by having a body 0.31-0.36 mm long, cuticle tessellated, lateral fields with three longitudinal incisures, a lip region with lips having four small rounded processes at the primary axil, one small rounded apical process, and two larger triangular processes at the secondary axil, primary and secondary axils with two triangular axillar guard processes, amphids rounded, oral opening surrounded by three bifurcate Y-shaped labial probolae with long stipe with three thickenings at base and bifurcated distally with long prongs appearing as a spur-like process directed posteriorly, the excretory pore located at basal bulb or isthmus-bulb junction level, female reproductive system with long spermatheca and short post-vulval uterine sac, female and male tails conical and spicules 19-20 μm long. Additionally, the species of the genus Cervidellus are listed and their lip regions are illustrated.
Association of H-reflex parameters and peroneal nerve conduction velocity with dynamic balance and agility in university athletes: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Anand A.D. , Raza M.S.
Published: October 2024

Athletic performance parameters encompass a wide range of physical, physiological, and biomechanical measures that are crucial for evaluating and optimising athletes’ capabilities. There are various intrinsic factors that can contribute to athletic skills, which subsequently impact overall performance. Thus, there is a need to explore significant intrinsic factors associated with athletic parameters, that can provide insights into the physiological mechanisms underlying performance. In this study, we examined the potential relationship of two such intrinsic factors, namely the H-reflex and the peroneal nerve conduction velocity, with athletic skills like dynamic balance and agility. Forty-five university-level athletes of all genders playing for different teams of Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi, India were selected. All athletes underwent tibial H-reflex, peroneal NCV, mSEBT (for dynamic balance), and agility T-test evaluations. The Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated to evaluate the association of nerve function parameters (H-reflex and NCV) with athletic performance parameters (dynamic balance and agility). Results showed that H-reflex amplitude showed a significant negative correlation with both dynamic balance scores (Dominant Leg [DL]: r = −0.321 and ; Non-dominant leg [NDL]: r = −0.397 and ) and T-test scores (DL: r = −0.342; NDL: r = −0.321, ), respectively. The peroneal NCV was significantly positively correlated with dynamic balance (DL: r = 0.438 and ; NDL: r = 0.418 and ) and agility scores (DL: r = 0.639 and ; NDL: r = 0.641 and ) in athletes. In conclusion, significant associations were found between H-reflex and Peroneal nerve conduction velocity and key athletic performance parameters like dynamic balance and agility among university athletes. This implies that neural function is closely linked with athletic skills and performance.

Registered in Clinical Trials Registry-India (CTRI) under registration number: REF/2023/11/075394.
Harvesting, culinary importance and nutritional value of “toritos” (Umbonia reclinata G. 1835) (Homoptera: Membracidae) used as food in Tlaxcala, Mexico
Authors: Vázquez Colı́n M.A. , Pino Moreno J.M. , Alonso de Jesús M. , Garcı́a Pérez Á. , Talamantes Gómez J.M. , Garcı́a Flores A.
Published: October 2024

Using the techniques of the AOAC, the nutritional value of the edible insect called “toritos” was quantified. This evaluated organism is rich mainly in crude protein (29.06%), true protein (20.61%), pepsin digestible protein (25.11%) and in ether extract (40.32%). In aminoacids is rich in glutamic acid and lysine, in minerals it is rich in calcium (0.020). In fatty acids, the highest figures correspond to oleic 59.48%, palmitic 17.50% and alpha linoleic 13.44% and presents significant amounts of vitamins D (3.461 μg/ml) and E (1.238 μg/ml). Due to the high percentage of protein, calcium and fatty acids reported, as well as the quality of its protein, these insects could potentially improve the nutritional status of the rural population located in some municipalities of this state. In addition, these insects are widely sought collected, and accepted as a part of the diet, for their consumption.
Aphids of Iran: their host plants and distribution
Authors: MEHRPARVAR MOHSEN
Published: October 2024

A reviewed checklist of aphids (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Aphidomorpha) species recorded in Iran is presented as a catalogue in alphabetical order considering recent taxonomic changes. In total, 572 species along with 29 subspecies within 148 genera, belonging to 13 subfamilies, 3 families and 3 superfamilies of Aphidomorpha are presented. In addition, the list of host plants and distribution of the aphid species in Iran and the related references are provided.
An update on the knowledge and general understanding of the Chilean Diptera diversity
Authors: BARAHONA-SEGOVIA RODRIGO M. , MADRIZ R. ISAÍ , GONZÁLEZ CHRISTIAN R. , AMORIM DALTON DE SOUZA
Published: October 2024

Chilean flies play an important role in many aspects of phylogeny and evolution of Diptera given their uniqueness and direct link with the Gondwanan insect fauna. Many dipterists have considered the order to be one of the most diverse in Chile, but there are still many gaps of information to fill. This study updates the families, genera, and species known from Chile and addresses the evolutionary origin of most dipteran families—indicating which biogeographical layers they belong to. The taxonomic literature was thoroughly reviewed from 1967 until May 2024. Our investigation revealed a total of 97 families, 930 genera and 4,108 valid species, placing Diptera as one of the most specious insect orders in Chile. The diversity of the Lower Diptera (suborders Tipulomorpha, Psychodomorpha, Culicomorpha, Perissommatomorpha and Bibionomorpha) increased to 111 genera (93.27%) and 1,019 species (136.22%), whereas Brachycera increased to 229 genera (48.61%) and 703 species (50.72%). Specifically, the number of genera and species in the division Aschiza increased by 117.14% and 114.28% respectively, while Acalyptratae increased by 62.24% genera and 63.82% species to date. Finally, the number of genera and species in the Calyptratae increased by 31.05% and 50%, respectively. The family Neriidae is newly recorded for Chile and the species Telostylinus lineolatus (Wiedemann) is reported from Easter Island. We present age hypotheses of clades in Chile belonging to 60 families—of which 16 correspond to Cretaceous- and 46 to Cenozoic-, and a small number to Jurassic-elements. Finally, we address three major gaps for a more robust development of Diptera systematics in Chile: (1) lack of long-term systematic sampling, (2) taxonomic, spatial, and temporal biases for Diptera diversity and (3) poor understanding of biological and ecological processes related to Diptera facing advances in anthropogenic impacts across the country.
Consequences of Metaphor Frames for Education: From Beliefs to Facts Through Language
Authors: Pérez-Hernández Lorena , Pérez-Sobrino Paula
Published: October 2024

This paper investigates the inferences stemming from two opposing metaphorical portraits of current educational methods (i.e., knowledge-transfer vs. knowledge construction metaphors) in contrast to the facts revealed by the actual teaching practice, and its implications for educational policy programs. To this effect, we tested the influence of the aforementioned conceptual metaphors on 100 parents with children enrolled in primary education in relation to four criteria (i.e., perceived difficulty, effectiveness, entertainment, and motivation towards teaching methods), and then conducted a study among 8 class groups (198 students) at the 6º level of primary education (i.e., between 9 and 10 years old) of 4 schools in Logroño (La Rioja, Spain) to confirm whether the inferences stemming from each of the education metaphors under consideration were mirrored in the classroom. In this experiment, students were randomly assigned to one of the two teaching methods corresponding to each of the conceptual metaphors targeted in this study (i.e., Direct Instruction for teaching is knowledge-transfer and Project Based Learning for teaching is knowledge-construction). The results show a significant gap between parents’ inferences emerging from the conceptual metaphors on education and actual students’ performance in the experiment. Both the actual learning results and the students’ perceptions about the difficulty, entertainment,and motivation of each methodology contradict the adults’ expectations based on the inferences they had drawn from these two conceptual metaphors, thus showing an unfounded prejudice of parents’ against DI’s methodologies. We discuss the implications of this research for the current debate about teaching methodologies in Spain (and other countries), and the need for evidencebased implementation of new educational policies.
Observation-Constrained Climate Change in China over 1850–2014 by Aerosols in CMIP6 Models
Authors: Qin Zhuofan , Liao Hong
Published: October 2024

Aerosols play a very important role in climate change with large uncertainties. Using the multimodel results from CMIP6, we analyzed the aerosol effective radiative forcing (ERF) and aerosol-induced surface air temperature (SAT) change in China in the present day (PD; 11-yr mean of 2004–14) relative to the preindustrial (PI) time (11-yr mean of 1850–60). With the increase in the anthropogenic emissions, the simulated surface PM2.5 concentration and aerosol optical depth (AOD) averaged over eastern China (EC; 18°–44°N, 103°–122°E) increased by 21.43 ± 7.58 μg m−3 and 0.47 ± 0.33, respectively, from PI to PD. The simulated aerosol ERFs in EC were −4.91 ± 2.56 and −5.35 ± 2.40 W m−2 from equilibrium and transient simulations, respectively. The simulated change in SAT caused by the increases in aerosols was −1.37° ± 0.38°C in EC from PI to PD. The simulated values of equilibrium and transient climate sensitivity to aerosols (CSA; aerosol-induced SAT change per unit aerosol ERF) in EC were 0.236° and 0.222°C (W m−2)−1, respectively. By using the observed AOD from MODIS to constrain aerosol ERF, the constrained aerosol equilibrium and transient ERFs over EC were −4.66 and −4.93 W m−2, respectively, which were smaller in magnitude than the simulated values directly from the models. By using the observed SAT from the Climatic Research Unit temperature version 5 to constrain aerosol-induced cooling, the surface cooling caused by aerosols was magnified to −1.47°C. The adjusted CSA after the constraint was calculated by dividing adjusted aerosol-induced SAT change by adjusted aerosol ERF. Adjusted equilibrium and transient CSA values in EC were 0.32° and 0.34°C (W m−2)−1, respectively.
Parental unemployment and children's well-being at school: The role of duration, reemployment, and socioeconomic status
Authors: Jensen Simon Skovgaard , Kühhirt Michael , Weiss Felix
Published: October 2024

We examine the effect of parental unemployment on the school well-being of children aged 6 to 9 while considering differential effects by unemployment duration, reemployment, and parents’ socioeconomic status. The analysis is based on a mandatory school well-being survey, which is answered by the children and conducted annually in Danish public schools (2014–2019) and linked to administrative register data. A child-level fixed effect model is used to adjust for time-constant confounders. The findings reveal no statistically significant effects and suggest that parental unemployment either has no impact or at best a very weak effect on children's school well-being. If fathers become unemployed, any effect on children's school well-being appears to be limited to those who do not regain employment. Moreover, the potential effects were more pronounced among children of lower socioeconomic status fathers. Interestingly, among mothers, remaining unemployed seems to be associated with improved child well-being at school.
Spectral Background Calibration of Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman and Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals (SHERLOC) Spectrometer Onboard the Perseverance Rover Enables Identification of a Ubiquitous Martian Spectral Component
Authors: Jakubek Ryan S. , Corpolongo Andrea , Bhartia Rohit , Morris Richard V. , Uckert Kyle , Asher Sanford A. , Burton Aaron S. , Fries Marc D. , Hand Kevin , Hug William F. , Lee Carina , McCubbin Francis M. , Scheller Eva L. , Sharma Sunanda , Siljeström Sandra , Steele Andrew
Published: October 2024

The Perseverance rover landed at Jezero crater, Mars, on 18 February 2021, with a payload of scientific instruments to examine Mars' past habitability, look for signs of past life, and process samples for future return to Earth. The instrument payload includes the Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman and Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals (SHERLOC) deep ultraviolet Raman and fluorescence imaging spectrometer designed to detect, characterize, and map the presence of organics and minerals on the Martian surface. Operation and engineering constraints sometimes result in the acquisition of spectra with features near the detection limit. It is therefore important to separate instrumental (background) spectral components and spectral components inherent to Martian surface materials. For SHERLOC, the instrumental background is assessed by collecting spectra in the stowed-arm configuration where the instrument is pointed at the Martian nighttime sky with no surface sample present in its optical path. These measurements reveal weak Raman and fluorescence background spectral signatures as well as charged-coupled device pixels prone to erroneous intensity spikes separate from cosmic rays. We quantitatively describe these features and provide a subtraction procedure to remove the spectral background from surface spectra. By identifying and accounting for the SHERLOC Raman background features within the median Raman spectra of Martian target scans, we find that the undefined silicate spectral feature interpreted to be either amorphous silicate or plagioclase feldspar is ubiquitously found in every Mars target Raman scan collected through Sol 751.
Big Data in Epidemiology: Brave New World?
Authors: Jordan R.A. , Celeste R.K. , Bernabe E. , Schwendicke F.
Published: October 2024

Epidemiology is experiencing a significant shift toward the utilization of big data for health monitoring and decision-making. This article discusses the recent example of the World Health Organization (WHO) global oral health status report and regional summaries, which faced criticisms due to its reliance on big data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study. We address the arguments for and against the use of big data in epidemiology and provide an assessment of the value and limitations of big data epidemiology. Moreover, we provide recommendations as to how the oral health community should reconcile traditional epidemiologic approaches with big data and advanced data analytics. This Perspective article highlights the challenges of the current epidemiologic landscape, the potential of big data, and the need for a balanced approach to data utilization in epidemiology.
Zone In Not Out! The Key to Winning High-Level Tetris
Authors: Berry Jacquelyn H.
Published: October 2024

Automating a perceptual-motor task will not win you a perceptual-motor contest. Despite claims that mindless automaticity is the essence of expertise, the view espoused here is that automaticity is worthwhile only because it enables the expert to plan and strategize. Indeed, the purpose of learning to manually shift gears is to eventually ignore that function to focus instead on actual driving. To perform well, the expert must transition their attention from a task’s low-level components to its high-level nuances. This is best understood in real-world scenarios (e.g. driving, in which performance is dynamic and sometimes competitive). This argument is based on a years-long, longitudinal case study of learning to play the puzzle game, Tetris. Tetris is intensively perceptual-motor with complicated manual routines needed to manage expert game speeds. For this case study, the player began as an advanced novice but successfully transitioned to championship level in the 2020 Classic Tetris World Championship. Initially, the challenge was gaining enough skill to make and execute perceptual-motor decisions in a fraction of a second. However, once that process became automatic, the player could spend those freed mental resources elsewhere. Performance was better for all games when the player was mentally engaged and used their focused attention to plan ahead rather than just automatically respond to the game pieces. We argue that the end goal for automating perceptual-motor skills in competitive, dynamic environments is to free cognitive space in the brain for the user to excel strategically.
Bookshelf: Kappan authors on their favorite reads
Authors: Volante Louis
Published: October 2024

Educators recommend books that have influenced them. Louis Volante recommends Aurelius’ Meditations. And Chelsey Barber recommends Writing Without Teachers by Peter Elbow.
Learning by doing
Authors: Vail Kathleen
Published: October 2024

Some students learn better if they can apply skills and knowledge to their lives. Youth apprenticeships are a way for students to work and gain skills in a chosen career field and earn money while still in high school. Youth apprenticeships are on a continuum of work-based learning that includes job shadowing and internships. Apprenticeships require a yearlong commitment from the students and employers, and students often graduate from high school with career credentials and college credits. Schools and employers must work together to make the experience a success for all participants.
First Person: Early childhood educators deserve more
Authors: Robinson Sandra F.
Published: October 2024

Early child care is essential work, but the pay for providers does not reflect that. Author Sandra F. Robinson looks back at her short stint as an early child care worker after Hurricane Katrina displaced thousands of classroom teachers. Robinson recalls that the work was rewarding but made more difficult by the low pay and the constant turnover of teachers and providers. She worked two other jobs to make ends meet. She advocates for increased pay and support for early childhood education teachers.
Validation of plasma neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin as a biomarker for diabetes-related acute kidney injury
Authors: Bufkin Kendra B. , Karim Zubair A. , Silva Jeane
Published: October 2024

Objective

This retrospective study aimed to investigate the correlation between neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin (NGAL) levels and the clinical progression and severity of diabetes-related acute kidney injury (AKI). The quantitative determination of NGAL in plasma on the Beckman Coulter AU480 analyzer was measured using the Bioporto NGAL TestTM, a particle-enhanced turbidimetric immunoassay with hospitalized patients at an East Central Georgia Medical Center.

Methods

The clinical determination of plasma NGAL included a retrospective cohort study where 45 adult patients were selectively recruited. The selective criteria were patients with and without diabetes mellitus (DM) at risk for developing AKI admitted to the Medical Center between January and November 2023. All patients included in the study had pNGAL levels measured upon admission and up to 96 h post-admission. Receiver operating characteristics and likelihood ratio methods were used to determine optimal sensitivity, specificity, and cutoff value of pNGAL in AKI patients associated with and without DM.

Results

The intra-assay and interassay imprecision percent relative standard deviation was between 2.7% and 4.2%. pNGAL levels were higher for patients with AKI compared to non-AKI patients, regardless of DM status. The optimal cutoff value for pNGAL to predict AKI for patients with DM was 293 ng/mL, with a sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 87%. In a multivariate logistic regression model, pNGAL levels at 48 h post-admission were determined to be associated with diabetes-related AKI patients.

Conclusion

Plasma NGAL levels at 48 h are associated with patients with diabetes-related AKI. The specific cutoff values for AKI for early diagnosis and risk stratification and its association with comorbidities must be determined to improve patient outcomes.
Are the International Tribunals of Rights of Nature pluriversal?
Authors: Querejazu Amaya
Published: October 2024

The recognition of natural entities like rivers, forests, and mountains as subjects of rights is becoming an important trend throughout the world. It is a result of efforts by legal and environmental activists, Indigenous groups, and civil society organizations united under – among others – the Rights of Nature (RoN) movement that contest the binary separation between human and nature. The International Tribunals of Rights of Nature (ITRN) play a unique role by issuing judgments based on this perspective. But are they pluriversal in the sense that allow the coexistence of different worlds? The argument here is that they can open spaces for the pluriverse, of different worlds relationally interconnected. This does not happen without complications, for hearings and proceedings can also be interpreted as pertaining to or coopted as modern/Western (liberal) understandings of rights. Yet, saying that tribunals are hybrid would be reductionist. This paper seeks to address this drawing from pluriversal relationality, political ontology, and cosmopolitics to identify the relational nuances that reveal the pluriverse. For this it focuses on the ways participants engage in the hearings, the roles they play, and the worlds they bring with them. This paper conducts an analysis proposing alternative viewpoints that can reframe and reground IR through relational approaches.
Why Hyflex Teaching Should Not Become the New Normal in Higher Education
Authors: Gillis Alanna , Szabo Alexandria
Published: October 2024

Hyflex teaching, in which the instructor meets face-to-face with some students while other students simultaneously join remotely, has proliferated since 2020. However, little research has investigated new problems it may create. We analyze six courses taught during the 2020–2021 academic year at a liberal arts college, five hyflex and one synchronous remote. Data include student quiz and final exam scores, participation reflections, and survey responses. We find that although hyflex courses do enable student learning and skill acquisition, students who attend only remotely tend to perform worse than those who attend face-to-face. Additionally, although hyflex and synchronous remote share some drawbacks, we find that hyflex creates new unique problems and unequal learning environments. Flexibility and accessibility are essential problems in higher education, but we argue that widespread implementation of hyflex courses is not the answer. We conclude with the limited circumstances in which hyflex could be recommended.
Surfveillance: SurfCams, Social Issues and Regulatory Intervention
Authors: Mann Monique , Warren Ian , Baird Alexander
Published: October 2024

We make a unique contribution to the field of sport and social issues with a place-based case study of one SurfCam fixed to a private residence overlooking the world famous and iconic Bells Beach Surfing Recreation Reserve on the Surf Coast of Victoria, Australia. This case study offers a paradigm example of corporate extractivism that occurs through the surveillance of public space by a private company, which contributes to a range of social and environmental issues and has impacts on the culture of surfing. We argue that SurfCams reconfigure our understanding of surveillance and the governance of open spaces where recreational or competitive nature sports take place. We consider the impacts of SurfCams for individual rights, as well as the environment, and surfing culture. We examine deficiencies in existing regulatory governance and highlight tensions between local community interests, corporate extractivism, and the neoliberalization of contemporary sport facilitated by surveillance technology. Our analysis shows these developments occur in a context where several intersecting governance modes are, at present, incapable of regulating the SurfCam.
Neuroinflammation and blood-brain barrier breakdown in acute, clinical intracerebral hemorrhage
Authors: Jones Olivia A , Mohamed Saffwan , Hinz Rainer , Paterson Alastair , Sobowale Oluwaseun A , Dickie Ben R , Parkes Laura M , Parry-Jones Adrian R
Published: October 2024

Neuroinflammation is a promising therapeutic target in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), characterized in the brain by microglial activation and blood-brain barrier (BBB) breakdown. In this study, 36 acute, spontaneous, supratentorial ICH patients underwent dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI to measure BBB permeability ( Ktrans) 1–3 days post-onset and 16 returned for [11C]( R)-PK11195 PET to quantify microglial activation ( BPND), 2–7 days post-onset. We first tested if these markers were increased and co-localized in the perihematomal brain and found that perihematomal Ktrans and BPND were increased vs. the contralateral brain, but regions of high Ktrans and BPND only overlapped by a mean of 4.9%. We then tested for associations of perihematomal Ktrans and BPND with clinical characteristics (age, ICH volume & location, blood pressure), other markers of inflammation (edema, IL-6, and CRP), and long-term functional outcome (90-day mRS). Lower perihematomal BPND was associated with increasing age. Lobar hemorrhage was associated with greater Ktrans than deep, but Ktrans and BPND were not associated with ICH volume, or other inflammatory markers. While perihematomal Ktrans and BPNDwere not associated with outcome, contralateral Ktrans was significantly associated with greater 90-day mRS. Exploratory analyses demonstrated that blood pressure variability over 72 h was also associated with contralateral Ktrans.
Retropharyngeal haematoma with subtotal upper airway obstruction after puncture attempt: a case report
Authors: Mallick Jeanne , Guillot Max , Castelain Vincent , Michaud Antonin
Published: October 2024

Mechanical complications during central catheterisation occur in approximately 15% of cases. This report describes a potentially fatal yet avoidable complication and highlights the typical radiological features of a retropharyngeal haematoma.

A patient with acute myeloid leukaemia was admitted to the intensive care unit with respiratory distress immediately after an attempt to insert a subclavian catheter without ultrasound guidance. A computed tomography scan revealed nearly complete obstruction of the upper airway by a retropharyngeal haematoma, with a blush of contrast agent. There was also a mass effect on the trachea and mediastinal structures. The haematoma was caused by accidental puncture of the thyrocervical artery. The patient’s condition improved following orotracheal intubation, transfusion of platelets and fresh frozen plasma, arterial radio-embolisation, and clinical monitoring of haematoma resorption, which restored airway patency.

A retropharyngeal haematoma is a potentially lethal complication, and its treatment carries significant risks. Therefore, central catheter insertion should likely not be attempted without ultrasound guidance to avoid serious complications for patients.
A Flat Reconstruction of the Medial Collateral Ligament and Anteromedial Structures Restores Native Knee Kinematics: A Biomechanical Robotic Investigation
Authors: Deichsel Adrian , Peez Christian , Raschke Michael J. , Albert Alina , Herbort Mirco , Kittl Christoph , Fink Christian , Herbst Elmar
Published: October 2024

Background:

Injuries of the superficial medial collateral ligament (sMCL) and anteromedial structures of the knee result in excess valgus rotation and external tibial rotation (ER) as well as tibial translation.

Purpose:

To evaluate a flat reconstruction of the sMCL and anteromedial structures in restoring knee kinematics in the combined MCL- and anteromedial-deficient knee.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

Eight cadaveric knee specimens were tested in a 6 degrees of freedom robotic test setup. Force-controlled clinical laxity tests were performed with 200 N of axial compression in 0°, 30°, 60°, and 90° of flexion: 8 N·m valgus torque, 5 N·m ER torque, 89 N anterior tibial translation (ATT) force, and an anteromedial drawer test consisting of 89 N ATT force under 5 N·m ER torque. After determining the native knee kinematics, we transected the sMCL, followed by the deep medial collateral ligament (dMCL). Subsequently, a flat reconstruction of the sMCL with anteromedial limb, mimicking the function of the anteromedial corner, was performed. Mixed linear models were used for statistical analysis ( P < .05).

Results:

Cutting of the sMCL led to statistically significant increases in laxity regarding valgus rotation, ER, and anteromedial translation in all tested flexion angles ( P < .05). ATT was significantly increased in all flexion angles but not at 60° after cutting of the sMCL. A combined instability of the sMCL and dMCL led to further increased knee laxity in all tested kinematics and flexion angles ( P < .05). After reconstruction, the knee kinematics were not significantly different from those of the native state.

Conclusion:

Insufficiency of the sMCL and dMCL led to excess valgus rotation, ER, ATT, and anteromedial tibial translation. A combined flat reconstruction of the sMCL and the anteromedial aspect restored this excess laxity to values not significantly different from those of the native knee.

Clinical Relevance:

The presented reconstruction might lead to favorable results for patients with MCL and anteromedial injuries with an anteromedial rotatory knee instability.