bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The 4.2 ka BP event in western Anatolia: Tracing the impact of climatic change
Authors: Bal Çağlayan , Pişkin Evangelia
Published: July 2024

Climatic change has been called for as an explanation on many occasions of societal change. The way climatic deterioration affects societies appears to be straightforward; it causes such alterations in the environment that critical subsistence resources are not anymore available in sufficient abundance. Nevertheless, it is not clear how these alterations can be identified and verified in the archeological record, and there is not an easy way to clarify if modifications observed in subsistence patterns are the consequences of climatic change or other agents. Additionally, there is a number of problems related to paleoenvironmental data that measure the climatic fluctuations, mostly concerning the exact timing of events and their intensity which may not have been the same universally. In this research, we examine the 4.2 ka BP climatic event and its possible effects on western Anatolian societies through a set of published data. We discuss the information we have about the event from available paleoenvironmental data and the gaps in this kind of research. We examine the agropastoral economy from Troy, Küllüoba, Kanlıgeçit, and Karataş-Semayük for possible changes according to a set of criteria that we consider as indicators of responses to aridification. We found diverging strategies that may relate to the different local environments or varying societal structures unique to each site. We consider a partial turn to nomadic pastoralism as an adaptation strategy based on changes in settlement patterns. Finally, we evaluate our findings against other possible explanations since the observed patterns could have had multiple explanations.
Gray legality: Varying degrees of housing illegality in Berlin’s rental cap
Authors: Hendawy Mennatullah , Rezk Ahmed A
Published: July 2024

This study aims to understand how housing legality is negotiated and contextually constructed by investigating the highly regulated German context of Berlin. It investigates the varying tenants’ experiences affected by the enforcement and abolition of the city’s rental cap law (Berliner Mietendeckel-Geset), implemented between February 2020 and April 2021. The article frames the case study of Berlin in the context of legality and develops a typology of legal and illegal practices within this case. Through collecting data from 19 tenants using semi-structured interviews to identify recurring narratives and experiences, the article explores how legality is negotiated and socially constructed. The results suggest that a spectrum of gray legality emerges from these negotiations, breaking the binary view of legality in the Global North. This spectrum covers legality, semi-legality, semi-illegality, and illegality. Gray legality refers to incidents where it becomes hard to judge the complete adherence or lack of compliance with a law. Hence, this article contributes to understanding illegality as a state–society relationship defined not only by laws and regulations but also by publicly accepted practices and the often-untraceable stakeholder negotiations.
Structural analysis of the dynamic response of a shape memory alloy based damper
Authors: Thiebaud Frédéric , Ben Zineb Tarak
Published: July 2024

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) are promising candidates for use in sensors, actuators, or passive dampers. This paper investigates the dynamic response of a superelastic NiTi holed disk to assess its damping performance relative to frequency and temperature for SMA-based damper applications. This study involved several key steps. Initially, the superelastic behavior of the SMA was experimentally characterized through tensile tests. This testing campaign provided the required data to identify material parameters of a thermomechanical constitutive model, already implemented in the finite element code Abaqus. Using the identified parameters, a finite element based structural analysis was conducted to predict the disk’s operational range, ensuring it remained within the superelastic domain without incurring potential damage. Following this static analysis, a dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) was performed on the disk. By employing a complex stiffness approach, we further examined the disk’s damping effects. This dynamic method enabled a detailed description of the apparent stiffness and damping characteristics based on solicitation frequency, test temperature, vibration amplitude, and a predefined static displacement. The results indicated a clearly predominant structural effect over the phase transformation effect, despite the disk’s substantial damping potential.
Auxetic enhancement of the shunted piezoelectric effect for vibration suppression
Authors: Daraki Maria-Styliani , Marakakis Konstantinos , Foutsitzi Georgia A , Stavroulakis Georgios E
Published: July 2024

Shunted piezoelectric patches connected to passive electric circuits can be attached to a host structure for effective vibration attenuation. The effect of an auxetic layer to enhance the electromechanical coupling and subsequently the vibration suppression is studied here. Three different configurations are considered for the layer: a classical, a homogeneous auxetic and a layer with microstructure leading to auxetic behavior. First, is presented a modification of the “current-flowing” shunt circuit for multimode vibration control. Two finite element models have been validated, the frequency response graph of the system and the most suitable values of the electric parameters are calculated and a comparison is provided. Furthermore, it is shown that the vibration reduction of the second and third eigenmodes can be enhanced, provided that an auxetic of significant thickness is used. The results demonstrate the effect of the auxetic boosting on vibration suppression.
Young women, dating apps, and affective assemblages in the time of pandemic: No relationship is a linear transition to a fixed point
Authors: Mainardi Arianna , Magaraggia Sveva
Published: July 2024

The article aims to explore the centrality in young women’s life of the affective assemblages that took shape in their relationship with digital media during the pandemic, particularly fostered by the use of dating apps. Emotional and affective connection is and has been prevented by the pandemic in the form of physical distancing and the risk of contagion, but also by regulations that in some states, such as Italy, have only recognised legitimate familial relationships to grant permission to mobility (like marriage, birth family). So, what happens when people cannot take care and be sustained by their affective web of relationships? On one hand, this negative situation limited desire, mutual sharing, and pleasure as potential pushes for social change, and on the other hand, it opened up new mediated spaces in which to cultivate different and unexpected effects and relationships. Therefore, the article looks at the role of the affective realm as a political space linked to social change, and explores the use of dating apps by young women during the pandemic as an element of a broader affective assemblage. The article follows a subgroup of young women who used dating apps during the Covid lockdown over the three waves of interviews. The young women are aged 24–30 years and have been encountered as a part of a longitudinal research project on the transition to adulthood in Italy conducted from 2020 to 2022. Specifically, it focuses on those biographies of youth who are not in a stable romantic relationship, and often live alone, and who have therefore experienced unprecedented forms of emotional/affective isolation and have recurred to dating apps for different purposes. The goal here is to analyse the unexpected uses of these apps – not only centred in erotic or romantic purpose – and the online (and sometimes offline) relationships that ensue: for example, making sense of rarefied and solitary time, building relations of care in everyday life. These assemblages – made up of bodies, digital media, and affects – intervene in the current context of normalised crisis and precarity, characterised by a digitally saturated environment, giving the possibility to young people to produce and enjoy spaces for non-normative/linear/straight desire and sharing that go beyond the pandemic.
Motherhood rights and digital activism: An interview with Francesca Fiore and Sarah Malnerich, content creators of the account @mammadimerda
Authors: D’Amelio Maria Elena
Published: July 2024

The work of content creators and digital activists Francesca Fiore and Sarah Malnerich actively engages their followers to criticize both the outdated model of Italian maternalism and the current neoliberal discourse of intensive motherhood. Through their blog and Facebook and Instagram accounts, @mammadimerda, Fiore and Malnerich actively rebuke and critique the proliferation of media images of intensive motherhood as normative and successful. In particular, Fiore and Malnerich take issue with both the sacrificial mother model and the new momism neoliberal idea of the super-mom. They use the self-branding non-farcela (we can’t make it) motto as a feminist critique of gendered parental roles and systemic inequality in the workplace. In their stories and posts, they invite followers to share their experiences as ‘imperfect’ mothers, and they start and promote calls for action on better governmental policies for working mothers. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Fiore and Malnerich actively mobilized their followers, creating petitions and social media campaigns aimed at pushing the government to re-open schools or provide financial aid in support of women’s employment. In this article, I interview Fiore and Malnerich about their digital activism on mothers and women’s rights in Italy, focusing on their campaigns on gender equality during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Impact of Cosmetic and Beauty Campaigns on Women’s Mentality
Authors: Enriquez Allison , Paik Sung-Hee Wendy , Moon Young Eun
Published: July 2024

The main objective of this research is to explore how modern beauty and cosmetic marketing campaigns and advertisements affect women’s health, emotionally and mentally. In three studies, participants were shown an assortment of ads related to cosmetics and beauty ideals that focus on cosmetics and beauty. Ads were categorized as “positive beauty/real beauty” or “guilt-inducing/pressurized beauty ideals” to show underlying issues that women face after repeatedly coming into contact with advertisements concerning beauty ideals. Studies 1A and 1B were distributed to college-aged, cis-gendered females (i.e. 18–25 years) in the U.S. concerning their evaluation, attitudes, and emotions toward two types of ads and showed that the positive (vs. negative) effect of real beauty ads (vs. guilt-inducing ads) on confidence (vs. feeling of insecurity) is stronger for ads featuring the body compared to the face. In Study 2, we replicated the findings and showed that confidence and the feeling of insecurity mediate individuals’ attitudes toward these ads. Our findings contribute to the understanding of women’s mentality living alongside pressurized beauty ideals and how beauty/cosmetic brands can take back the narrative of what real women look like.
Toward improving efficiency and mitigating emissions in a natural gas/diesel direct injection dual fuel engine using EGR
Authors: Sehili Youcef , Tarabet Lyes , Cerdoun Mahfoudh , Loubar Khaled , Lacroix Clément
Published: July 2024

As emissions regulations become more and more stringent and conventional fuel sources rarefaction, new alternatives are emerging to address this situation. Dual fuel engines are among the promising solutions, offering both ecological and economic advantages. However, these engines often confront constraints linked to high levels of unburnt hydrocarbons (HC) at low loads and NOx emissions at high loads. To overcome these problems and guarantee high-efficiency overall operating loads, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) is a potential solution. In the present experimental study, appropriate modifications have been carried out to a single-cylinder diesel engine to ensure dual fuel operation with EGR. Natural gas and diesel are used as the primary and pilot fuel, respectively. At low load operations, the EGR rate is increased up to 35% until the reduction of unburnt hydrocarbons. However, at high loads, the EGR rate is carefully adjusted, as the combustion efficiency easily deteriorates due to oxygen amount lack in the combustion chamber. Also, minimizing NOx emissions is prioritized in all load conditions while keeping thermal efficiency in sight. In addition, the variation in the amount of pilot fuel is studied for improving the combination of dual fuel engine operation with the EGR technique. This made it possible to determine the influence of load, EGR rate, and pilot fuel quantity on the engine in response to the triple challenges of reducing NOx and HC and improving thermal efficiency. The results show that an adequate EGR rate of 30%, depending on the operating conditions, can reduce HC emissions by >25% while increasing thermal efficiency by around 20%. This result is accompanied by a significant reduction, over 90%, in NOx emissions.
Effects of dual injection operations on combustion performances and particulate matter emissions in a spark ignition engine fuelled with second-generation biogasoline
Authors: Mohamed Mohamed , Wang Xinyan , Zhao Hua , Hall Jonathan
Published: July 2024

The automotive industry must mitigate climate change by reducing vehicle carbon emissions and promoting sustainable transportation through technical solutions and innovations. Biofuels are seen as a solution to reduce CO2 emissions, but they may affect fuel performance and emissions. Second-generation biogasoline mixed with ethanol has proven that it can be introduced as a drop-in fuel with the same performance and tailpipe emissions at the same level as fossil fuels. However, particulate matter (PM) emissions are significantly higher than fossil fuels. This study aims to experimentally investigate the effect of port and direct fuel injections on the PM emissions in a boosted spark ignition (SI) engine fuelled by Euro 6 standard biofuel with a 99 octane number blended with 20% ethanol compared to a fossil fuel baseline. The single-cylinder SI engine was equipped with two fuel injectors, a direct injector and a port fuel injector, and operated with externally boosted air. The split injection ratio was adjusted from 100% direct injection (DI) to 100% port fuel injection (PFI) to investigate the combustion characteristics and particulate emissions (PM) at different engine loads and speeds. The results indicate that by changing 100% DI to 80% PFI, PM emissions numbers between particle sizes of 23 and 1000 nm were dropped by 96.56% at a low load operation of 4.6 bar IMEP for the 99 RON E20 biogasoline and by 84% for the 95 RON E10 fossil fuel while maintaining the same indicated thermal efficiency and a similar level of other emissions. However, at a higher load above 10 bar IMEP, it was found that full DI operation reduced particulate numbers (PN) by 64% and 38% for 99 RON E20 biogasoline and 95 RON E10 fossil fuel at 20 bar IMEP, respectively, and enabled more stable operation at 3000 rpm with higher load operation regions.
Forgotten responsibilities? Nordic truth commissions, Sámi history, and the difficulty of transnational perspectives on historical responsibility
Authors: Kortekangas Otso , Elgabsi Natan , Arvidsson Malin
Published: July 2024

The article studies the Norwegian, Finnish and Swedish truth commissions dealing with state-Sámi (an indigenous population living in northern Scandinavia, Finland and north-western Russia) relations through the concept of transnational historical justice. The fact that three separate commissions are studying the history of the Sámi has been criticized by earlier researchers, but never from the perspective of intergenerational, and more specifically historical justice. Our study of the mandate documents and the report of the Norwegian commission (the only one published in the time of writing of this article) points to constructive ways forward that could acknowledge and better embrace the transnational character of Sámi history, especially in terms of historical justice. We also study in what way the Norwegian commission worked within and stretched the framework set by the mandate document. Our conclusion is that the lack of transnationalism in the mandate and work of the commissions leads to historical Sámi individuals and groups being forgotten. These are historical groups and individuals whose existence does not fit in neatly in the presentist perspective of the commissions, projecting the current nation state borders back in time. For this reason, historical justice toward these groups is also a forgotten issue in the mandate and work of the commissions.
Relevance of multidimensional dyspnea assessment in the context of pulmonary rehabilitation
Authors: Molinier Virginie , Moine Espérance , Caille Pauline , Fernandes Nathalie , Alexandre François , Heraud Nelly
Published: July 2024

Objectives: While dyspnea is the main symptom in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), it is often inadequately evaluated in pulmonary rehabilitation (PR), as it is typically measured using only the impact dimension (ID). However, dyspnea is a multidimensional construct including perception (PD) and emotional (ED) domains. Our work aimed to study the complementarity of dyspnea dimensions and their respective ability to identify different evolutions during PR. Methods: 145 people with COPD attending PR were included in this retrospective study. Dyspnea scores from the modified Medical Research Council scale (ID) and the Multidimensional Dyspnea Profile questionnaire (PD/ED), exercise capacity, quality of life at the start (T1) and the end of PR (T2) were collected from existing databases/medical files. The evolution of each dyspnea dimension was evaluated using the delta score between T2–T1. PR response was defined using the minimal clinically important difference. Results: Our results show that each dyspnea dimension was associated with different health-outcomes. Positive correlations were found between PD-ED at baseline and between their T2-T1 delta score (ρ = 0.51; ρ = 0.41 respectively, p < .01), but there was no significant correlation between ID-PD or -ED ( p > .05). 51% of the patients did not respond on ID, but 85% of them nonetheless responded on either PD or ED. Finally, 92% of patients responded on at least one dimension after PR. Discussion: Our study emphasizes the significance of assessing each dimension of dyspnea independently and complementary, as dimensions are associated with different elements and evolve differently under PR effects. This approach is crucial to identifying weak points and allows professionals to focus on program elements that most effectively address the specific dimension causing problems.
Organizational Support After Early Pregnancy Loss: The Importance of Training and Awareness Development
Authors: Cavallo Taylor , Rodriguez Ana Carolina
Published: July 2024

The Problem

Miscarriage is an under-discussed topic in organizations. Many organizations in the United States do not offer organizational support for individuals who experience miscarriage. Not having organizational support may make an individual’s experience of healing more challenging, impacting their professional and career development.

The Solution

Organizations can combat some of the challenges around pregnancy loss by implementing training & development and awareness development initiatives to educate around this topic and provide support for individuals who may be impacted.

Stakeholders

Stakeholders in this issue include HRD practitioners, managers and organizations that are committed to leveraging training & development initiatives to support employees and alleviating the organizational challenges surrounding the multiple journeys of working parenthood, including miscarriage.
The Role of Self-Threat and Self-Affirmation in Initiation of Political Conversations
Authors: Argyle Lisa P. , Freeze Melanie
Published: July 2024

Both in their quantity and their quality, informal political conversations can provide an important bellwether for democratic health. However, not everyone is willing to participate in political conversations in all settings, and systematic imbalances in who chooses not to share political attitudes can distort perceptions of public opinion. Using data from three original surveys, including both observational and experimental analysis, we examine people’s decisions to initiate political discussions using a psychological framework of self-threat and self-affirmation. We find that political conversations pose a higher level of self-threat when disagreement is probable and the relationship with the potential discussion partner is weaker. High levels of self-threat, measured via self-reported anxiety, are associated with a lower willingness to initiate a political conversation. However, self-threat can be counteracted. While it does not reduce the anxiety associated with a threatening situation, self-affirmation increases people’s willingness to initiate a political conversation in higher threat circumstances. This suggests that efforts to find common ground or boost confidence by reflecting on non-political values could increase the pool of people willing to bring up and share their political views.
Measurement of Cognitive Function in Exercise Oncology Studies in Patients Treated With Chemotherapy: A Scoping Review
Authors: Moon Crisann , Wilson Rebekah L. , Gonzalo-Encabo Paola , Kang Dong-Woo , Mithani Sara , Dieli-Conwright Christina M. , Patel Darpan I.
Published: July 2024

Cancer-associated cognitive deficits following chemotherapy have received increased attention in clinical research. Exercise has been shown to preserve cognitive function in cancer patients, though the overall effect is mixed. Here we present a scoping review of the published literature summarizing methods used to assess cognitive function in exercise oncology trials. Methods: PubMed, PsycINFO and CINAHL databases were searched using keywords “cognition,” “cancer” OR “neoplasm” OR “tumor,” “chemotherapy” and “exercise” OR “physical activity.” Studies eligible for inclusion include prospective studies that were published in English in peer-reviewed journals that include a method of assessing cognitive function in adult cancer patients, in which an exercise modality or method of quantifying exercise habits was evident. Studies were excluded if they included a pediatric population, patients that were not diagnosed with cancer, or were systematic/narrative/scoping reviews, protocol papers or dissertation/theses. Results: A total of 29 studies met the inclusion criteria. In total, 29 unique assessments were used to evaluate cognitive function, including patient-reported outcomes (PROs; n = 8) and objective (n = 21) methods. More than half (n = 17) of included studies relied on PROs while 12 studies utilized objective measures of cognitive function Cognitive domains of the PROs were limited in scope, focusing on memory and attention/concentration while the objective measures were broader and inclusive of multiple domains. Conclusion: The results of this review indicate that mixed approaches to evaluating cognitive function in cancer patients pose a major limitation to understanding the role of exercise as an integrative approach. The evidence demonstrates a need for more uniform assessment of cognitive function in exercise oncology trials.
Caution Regarding ChatGPT’s Appropriateness and Reliability Regarding Surgery for Wrist Arthritis
Authors: Hones Keegan , Krisanda Emily , Chim Harvey
Published: July 2024

Background:

Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer (ChatGPT), an artificial intelligence (AI) program, is widely used for information compilation. This study sought to analyze the quality and consistency of the information generated by ChatGPT regarding common procedures for wrist arthritis.

Methods:

32 standardized questions regarding wrist osteoarthritis and related procedures (4-corner-fusion [4CF], proximal row carpectomy [PRC], resurfacing capitate pyrocarbon implant, wrist denervation, and total wrist arthrodesis and arthroplasty) were presented to the ChatGPT-3.5 interface 3 separate times, without feedback. ChatGPT’s answers were evaluated for medical accuracy by 3 reviewers and rated as “appropriate,” “appropriate but incomplete,” or “inappropriate.” Ratings were then converted to numerical values to calculate an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). A DISCERN score was used to assess quality, and Flesch-Kincade Grade Level and Flesch Reading Ease Score for readability.

Results:

75% of the responses were deemed “appropriate,” with 23 questions receiving unanimous appropriate ratings across all responses. The ICC was 0.97 (95% CI [0.46, 0.98]), indicating excellent reliability. DISCERN score was 60 (good). The Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level was 14.6 ± 1.9, and the Flesch Reading Ease Score was 25.3 ± 6.7, implying a college reading level. The information that ChatGPT provided for PRC and total wrist arthrodesis and arthroplasty, appeared to be more reliable than for 4CF and denervation.

Conclusion:

ChatGPT’s reliability and accuracy of information varied across procedures, possibly due to unknown and diverse sources. Furthermore, while some answers were factually correct, many provided generic information across differing questions, limiting usefulness. ChatGPT must be used cautiously and the limitations understood.
Multi-response optimization in laser processing technologies by applying desirability function approach and response surface methodology based on grey relation analysis
Authors: Madić Miloš , Marinković Velibor
Published: July 2024

Laser processing technologies are among the leading industry technologies for efficient and economical processing of a wide spectrum of engineering materials. The determination of optimal parameter settings with respect to multiple and opposite process performances is of great practical importance in laser processing technologies. This paper discusses, analyzes, and compares two main approaches for multi-response optimization (MRO) in engineering, that is, desirability function approach (DFA) and grey relation analysis (GRA), while solving five case studies, covering different laser processing technologies, such as cutting, drilling, welding, micro-channeling, and cladding. In each case study the MRO solutions obtained with two competitive approaches were assessed using the relative target deviation (RTD) criterion. Analysis of the obtained MRO solutions and comparative analysis with results from previous studies indicate that the integrated RSM-GRA provide similar and comparable solutions with the hybrid Taguchi method and GRA, while DFA proved to be a better and more promising approach for solving MRO in laser processing technologies. Some specific features, limitations, and possibilities of MRO approaches were also discussed.
Neural network-based 3D point cloud detection of targets in unstructured environments
Authors: Wang Deping , Yang Hongfei , Yao Zongwei , Chang Zhiyong , Wang Yinan
Published: July 2024

Accurate environmental sensing is an important prerequisite for autonomous driving in off-road environments. Most targets in off-road environments do not have regular shapes, colors, textures and other features, making them difficult to identify. In addition, complex driving conditions can cause large, broadband vibrations in off-road vehicles, which interfere with environment sensing and affect the accuracy and efficiency of perception. To address the above problems, this paper proposes an improved 3D point cloud filtering algorithm for unstructured environments and a point cloud classification method using neural networks, and provides an experimental proof-of-principle of the proposed methods. A comparison of the results under six conditions shows that the amount of data processed by the improved filtering algorithm is 65%–85% of that processed by the conventional filtering algorithm, and the trained neural network model achieves an accuracy of 98.0% and a loss value as low as 0.008 when classifying three typical targets in an unstructured environment. A comparison with algorithms proposed in other papers shows that the proposed method is highly feasible.
Investigation on situation awareness model of unmanned aerial vehicle groups communication network based on adversarial network
Authors: Xue Jingyun , Liu Xuebin , Li Hanshan
Published: July 2024

With the widespread application and development of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology, ensuring the security and stability of UAV swarm communication networks has become crucial. Given the diverse forms of interference and attacks in current networks, this poses a serious threat to the normal operation of UAV swarm communication. Therefore, how to accurately identify and effectively counter these network threats has become the focus of research. This study comprehensively evaluates the core technology of UAV swarm communication network situational awareness and constructs a situational awareness model based on adversarial networks. The model utilizes adversarial network technology and combines data collection and processing to design four experiments to comprehensively evaluate the performance of the model in different scenarios. The experimental results show that as the amount of data gradually increases, the performance of the model also improves. When processing 100, 1000, and 10,000 data points, the model achieved accuracies of 0.955, 0.962, and 0.982, respectively. Furthermore, the experimental results also indicate that effective noise suppression measures can significantly improve the accuracy and stability of the situational awareness model. Additionally, it is noted that different model structures will affect training duration, accuracy, and stability. Although increasing network scale may lead to increased computational complexity and latency, its accuracy is correspondingly improved. The adversarial network-based situational awareness model proposed in this study can accurately identify and effectively counter interference and attacks in UAV swarm communication networks, thereby providing solid protection for the collaborative combat and information sharing of UAV swarms.
Experimental analysis of the effect of copper dimple tube with aluminum coating on the performance of parabolic solar water heater using helically twisted tape
Authors: Munusamy Arun , Barik Debabrata , Chandran Sreejesh S.R. , Reby Roy K.E. , Paramasivam Prabhu , Shreedhara Murthy Sunil
Published: July 2024

In this research, a parabolic trough solar water heater (PTSWH) having helically twisted copper tubes and dimple texturing with an aluminum (AlC) coat was experimentally examined to identify the solar collector’s efficiency, friction factor, convective heat transfer, Nusselt numbers variations, and uncertainty during the test. For this purpose, helical copper dimple tubes with Al coating were used to pass water through it at mass flow rates of 0.5–2.5 kg/min, with 0.5 kg/min increments. Experimental tests were conducted using specific datasets to investigate the efficacy of PTSWH. These experiments aimed to evaluate the efficiency and performance of solar collectors in harnessing solar energy for various applications, such as space heating, water heating, and industrial processes. The results of these experiments are recorded and analyzed to assess the practical viability of solar thermal systems. The results showed that solar collector effectiveness was improved by about 31.2% at flow rates of 1.5 kg/min, while the friction factor was raised by approximately 0.23%. The convective heat transfer coefficient was enhanced by about 7%, and the Nusselt numbers were enhanced to nearly 298. The overall uncertainty of ±2.3% was also observed, indicating that the findings were within the permissible range. Moreover, the PTSWH system recorded an elevated pressure drop of 2.32 kPa. This approach of dimple texturing with Al coating may be best suited for the PTSWHs used in moderate and low solar intensity regions.
Systematic Improvement of a Bolus Calculator That Is on the Market: A User-Centric Approach
Authors: Eichinger Valerie , de Klepper Mirjam , Zivkovic Josip , Malenczyk Katarzyna , Theodorou Delphine , Heinemann Lutz , Silbermann Stephan
Published: July 2024

Background:

State-of-the-art diabetes self-management includes the usage of (software) tools, such as Bolus Calculators, to support patients with their therapeutic decisions. The development of such medical devices comes with strict obligations to ensure the safety and performance for the user; however, it is also necessary to continue to evaluate such aspects after the products are introduced into the market. In addition, such aspects cannot always be sufficiently validated by clinical trials; they need real-world evaluation to systematically improve such tools while they are on the market.

Methods:

The approach described here uses innovative ways of generating user-centric evidence to improve the bolus calculator, including (1) human factor engineering, (2) analysis of glycemic real-world data, (3) patient-reported outcomes, and (4) machine-generated behavioral measurements.

Results:

The combination of the diverse techniques to optimize the bolus calculator triggered changes in the user experience: a significant reduction in hypoglycemic events, –0.52% (±0.05), P < .01, n=3480, an increased diabetes treatment satisfaction (Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire [DTSQ] +9.90, P < .01, n=217), as well as an increased acceptance rate of bolus calculations, +15.73 (±0.89), P < .01, n=3436, were observed.

Conclusions:

Altogether, human factor engineering and different forms of real-world data support fast and direct adaptations and improvements in products used for diabetes therapy.
Reflections: Putting Theory into Practice
Authors: Meeth Catherine , Ray Sarah
Published: July 2024

This reflection includes my transformative educational journey as a graduate student. The journey includes early professional experience at a startup then shifts to the pivotal role of teachers in the learning process. These early experiences led to my decisions to pursue graduate studies in adult learning and human resource development. Reflecting on transformative learning experiences, I explore the often-overlooked realm of teacher support and development, delving into an integrative literature review on sociocultural factors contributing to teacher burnout and strategies for mitigation. The reflection highlights the findings from the integrative literature review including the interconnectedness of internal and external factors impacting teacher wellness, emphasizing self-efficacy and external support structures as crucial elements which were also personal and evident in my own life. I presented at the AAACE conference where these findings were also evident in the lives of attendees. I now lead a diverse team of teachers where I apply these lessons learned daily, advocating for structural supports to safeguard teacher commitment and combat burnout. The reflection underscores the intrinsic value of teachers as the “secret ingredient” in education and the ongoing quest to sustain their passion and well-being.
‘Listening to my readers’: Exploring the ‘Personal literacies landscapes’ of beginner readers
Authors: Smith Gillian Mary
Published: July 2024

This study takes a more holistic look at reading support, to explore what else is happening in this teaching and learning context, beyond the acquisition of a more secure knowledge of decoding skills. Children are deemed in need of a reading support intervention when their literacy skills are assessed as being significantly below the levels expected by their school for their age, and these difficulties can often negatively impact both upon their confidence as a learner, and also upon their enjoyment of literacy activities in school. Confidence and enjoyment in literacy learning is tacitly presumed to re-emerge once these skills are gained, boosted by the intervention’s focus on the cognitive technical decoding skills. This can often lead to less choice and agency in their reading activities than their peers enjoy. However, the findings of this study suggest that building in activities that promote enjoyment in literacy learning, confidence as a learner and a sense of agency do not detract from the cognitive gains, but seem to boost them. A key aspect of this is linking reading support activities to the literacy activities that the learner enjoys at home as well as in school. This is theorised as an individual’s ‘Personal Literacies Landscape’: all the different texts that they have seen or heard, even if they cannot access them independently, that have contributed to their ways of being in the world.
Pediatric penetrating brain injuries with intact neurological function: Two case reports of a pencil and a toy wheel encounter
Authors: Shaukat Shuja , Zaidi Syeda Mahrukh Fatima , shah Irfan Ali , Siddiqui Mishal Shan , Ali Farhad , Ayesha Shabih , Khatri Adil , Ansari Abdul Basit , Khan Atiq Ahmed
Published: July 2024

Accidental injuries in the pediatric population are common. The response to injury also differs owing to anatomical and physiological differences in children. While such injuries carry a risk of lifelong morbidity, some cases may follow a benign course despite their distressing appearance. We report two cases of accidentally incurred penetrating trauma in the pediatric population with unusual objects, including a pencil and a toy wheel. Despite their intracranial extension, neither of the patients exhibited any discernible neurological deficits. Penetrating brain injuries require early removal and meticulous perioperative care to minimize the risk of long-term adverse neurological events in children.
Is social media a helpful communicative tool in combatting corruption in developing countries? Evidence from Ghana
Authors: Asomah Joseph Yaw
Published: July 2024

The traditional mainstream media is often considered part of the capital and power network involved in corruption, casting doubt on the traditional media’s watchdog functions. This study examines whether social media can be a positive communicative tool for addressing corruption, especially in developing countries such as Ghana. Drawing on in-depth semi-structured interviews and relevant secondary data, Habermas’s theory of the public sphere, and the notion of citizen journalism as a form of social accountability, the study addresses key questions: As a communicative platform/tool, does social media provide utility toward the fight against corruption? In what ways does social media support or undermine the fight against corruption? Findings indicate that social media is a valuable communicative instrument for combating corruption. It offers an alternative platform for exposing corruption; naming and shaming offenders; and mobilizing, organizing, protesting, and demanding accountability. Nevertheless, the study reveals that social media routinely spreads fake news, propaganda, and misinformation, undermining its credibility as an effective anti-corruption communicative tool. This article contributes to the debate on whether social media is a valuable communicative tool in the fight against corruption, especially in the developing country context.
Ohio Health Care Professionals’ Pandemic-Related Help-Seeking Knowledge, Behaviors, and Concerns
Authors: Beaujolais Brieanne , McCloskey Rebecca J. , Underwood Abigail , Hammond Gretchen
Published: July 2024

Background: Health care professionals (HCPs) historically exhibit high rates of stress, burnout, and low rates of service utilization from Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and Professional Health Programs (PHPs). New and magnified stressors that accompanied COVID-19 exacerbated HCPs’ risk of burnout. Purpose: During the pandemic, this study examined Ohio HCP’s utilization of EAPs and PHPs, knowledge of available services, barriers to accessing services, and likelihood of future service utilization. Conditions needing to change to increase likelihood of future utilization were also explored. Methods: A one-time survey was administered in July and August of 2021 to HCPs from 13 licensing boards in Ohio. This study used a subset of data to examine the extent of convergence between quantitative results—analyzed using frequency calculations—and results from thematic analysis of corresponding open-ended survey items. Qualitative results supported and elaborated the quantitative findings. Results: Fewer than 25% of respondents ( N = 12,807) utilized EAPs or PHPs to address mental health concerns. Obstacles impeding service utilization included issues around awareness, time commitment, and confidentiality—a concern encompassing issues of stigma and fear of employment repercussions. Noting multiple obstacles to accessing EAPs and PHPs, HCPs in Ohio reported low rates of support service utilization and low likeliness to use services in the future despite their experiences of extreme stress and burnout. Conclusions: Addressing the time commitment and confidentiality concerns could increase the likelihood of accessing services. Employers of HCPs should explore additional support mechanisms such as comprehensive wellness programs and innovative, brief intervention strategies to combat burnout, especially during viral outbreaks and other high-stress events.
Atypical Presentation of Ziprasidone-Induced Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome: A Case Report
Authors: Allonce John , Khan Sikandar , Pulford Brian
Published: July 2024

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a severe adverse reaction associated with neuroleptic or antipsychotic drugs. This case report discusses a 43-year-old man with a history of bipolar disorder and polysubstance abuse who presented with altered mental status, autonomic dysfunction, and muscular rigidity. The patient had recently started on ziprasidone, a second-generation antipsychotic, leading to an atypical presentation of NMS. Unlike classic findings associated with NMS induced by first-generation antipsychotics, this case lacked high fever, lead pipe rigidity, or elevated creatine kinase levels greater than 1000 on initial presentation. The delay in diagnosis was attributed to the milder symptoms and absence of typical findings, resulting in extensive diagnostic workup and interventions. The patient responded positively to treatment with lorazepam based on the Woodbury severity stage guidelines. This case underscores the complexity of diagnosing NMS induced by second-generation antipsychotics and highlights the need for awareness and tailored treatment approaches for atypical presentations.
Paws and Pathogens: A Multidisciplinary Approach Through Bartonella henselae Endocarditis and Hepatosplenic T-Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Sulaiman Zoheb Irshad , Schwade Mark , Raposa Jesse T. , Desai Shreya , Mohan Gem , Schafer Pascha E. , Huggett Ashley L.
Published: July 2024

Bartonella species are gram-negative coccobacilli that are globally recognized as significant pathogens causing zoonotic infections. Among Bartonella species, B. henselae, B. quintana, and B. bacilliformis are prominent pathogens causing infections in humans, often manifesting as infective endocarditis. Bartonella endocarditis can pose diagnostic challenges due to its indolent presentation and limitations of standard microbiological culture techniques to identify the organism. We report a case of a 23-year-old male, who initially presented with the manifestations of hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma, later diagnosed with blood culture–negative endocarditis caused by B. henselae. The patient had a complicated clinical course including pancytopenia, hepatosplenomegaly, and severe aortic valve regurgitation. Despite negative blood cultures, diagnostic clues included persistent fevers and bicuspid aortic valve with abscess. High Bartonella IgG titers (>1:800) supported the diagnosis. This case underscores the importance of considering Bartonella species in patients with suspected endocarditis, particularly in those with predisposing factors and negative blood cultures. Diagnosis relies heavily on serologic assays due to low sensitivity of conventional culture methods. Treatment involves a multidisciplinary approach with antibiotics and surgical intervention for optimal outcomes. Timely recognition and management are crucial to mitigate the high mortality associated with Bartonella endocarditis, and we hope this article offers insight for clinicians.
The Cardiorespiratory Fitness of Children and the Anthropometric Determinants During Late Childhood Within South East Wales: Potential Implications for Future Health
Authors: Jarvis Stuart , Giles Helen , New Karl J.
Published: July 2024

Objective. This study investigated cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) levels and the relationship with field-based measures of anthropometry in children aged 10 to 11 years. Methods. A total of 288 boys and 257 girls participated in the study. CRF (20 m shuttle run) and several field-based measures of anthropometry were assessed. Multiple regression was utilized for all data analysis. Results. Boys performed significantly better than girls on the CRF test ( P < .001) and achieved higher classifications of CRF based on centile norms compared to girls. All measures of anthropometry were significant predictors of CRF, ( P < .001), and each measure was significant in predicting a negative trajectory of CRF performance when they increased in value ( P < .05). Conclusion. The study findings add to the international reporting of CRF and the use of simple field-based measures of anthropometry alongside the use of BMI to predict CRF for health with Welsh school children (UK).
Does a compact city really reduce consumption-based carbon emissions? The case of South Korea
Authors: Mun Hansol , Yeom Jaeweon , Oh Jiwoon , Jung Juchul
Published: July 2024

Evidence to prove that compact cities, the core of smart growth strategies, are the vision for carbon-neutral cities has been insufficiently explored because analyses have not distinguished between production- and consumption-based carbon emissions. Empirically analyzing the relationship with compact cities by estimating the final demand and investigating carbon emissions generated from the consumption of goods is essential. This study estimated consumption-based carbon emissions in South Korea using nighttime satellite imagery. Subsequently, using spatial analysis, K-means clustering analysis, and a regression model, we comprehensively confirmed whether a compact city to reduce consumption-based carbon emissions should be pursued. The results showed that (1) based on the clustering analysis, consumption-based carbon emissions were the lowest in clusters with the most desirable development form from a compact city perspective; and (2) the OLS regression analysis showed that the higher the complex land use (diversity), population density (density), congestion frequency intensity (transit access), green area ratio (environment), and agricultural area ratio (environment), the lower the consumption-based carbon emissions. However, the results confirmed that the greater the Vehicle Kilometers Traveled (street accessibility) and the poorer the accessibility of high-speed rail, the higher the consumption-based carbon emissions. Therefore, we recommend pursuing a compact city to reduce consumption-based carbon emissions.