bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation and Analysis on the Interactions Between Mathematics Literacy Skills Using Mathematical Modeling
Authors: Christiana Nkuturum , Peters Nwagor
Published: August 2024

This study investigated and analyzed the interactions between mathematics literacy skills using mathematical modeling. The study used an ASMD model to represent the population of individuals who have skills on addition (A), subtraction (S), multiplication (M) and division (D). The objectives achieved were that the recruitment parameter and coefficient of leaving any compartments significantly influence the system based on the free-equilibrium analysis of mathematics literacy skills. The study showed that system has direct and indirect dynamics in the three states: subtraction, multiplication and division. It also revealed that addition skill is easier to learn than others. Subtraction and multiplication do not interact and have no inter coefficient. The system showcased that good number of individuals are not efficient and effective in the utilization of these skills from the endemic equilibrium of the model showed that En>1 (asymptotically unstable). Finally, this study discovered that these elementary skills in mathematics is fundamental to learners, educated and uneducated, support continued inclusive, workable economic growth, full creative employment, decent work and improve academic performance for all at all levels and in the world at large. The study recommends that curriculum planners should give more time to study these skills thoroughly say one academic session, discourage the use of calculator at early stage, student and teacher factors should be taken into considerations and so on.
Continuous Slag Discharge Construction Technology for Shield Tunneling in Narrow Space Environment
Authors: Liqiang Chen , Shunming Xu , Dongni Li
Published: August 2024

The shield tunneling method is the main construction method in subway tunnel construction, which has the characteristics of safety, efficiency, mechanization, and high degree of automation. However, the shield tunneling equipment is huge, the supporting facilities are numerous, and the site requirements are high. In response to the problems of slow slag removal speed and low construction efficiency in shield tunneling under the construction conditions of small wellhead shield tunneling sections in urban subways, taking the shield tunneling section of Guangzhou Metro Line 13 Phase II as the background,This article introduces the main components, working principles, installation and transportation processes, fault handling, and benefit analysis of the continuous belt conveyor slag removal system,This article elaborates on the method of using a continuous belt conveyor in the tunnel combined with a vertical lifting system at the wellhead to achieve continuous slag removal during underground shield tunneling construction in a narrow wellhead construction site. This not only improves excavation efficiency but also reduces construction costs, solves construction problems, and provides reference for similar projects in the future.
Aerosol Components Derived from Global AERONET Measurements by GRASP: A New Value-Added Aerosol Component Global Dataset and Its Application
Authors: Zhang Xindan , Li Lei , Che Huizheng , Dubovik Oleg , Derimian Yevgeny , Holben Brent , Gupta Pawan , Eck Thomas F. , Lind Elena S. , Toledano Carlos , Xia Xiangao , Zheng Yu , Gui Ke , Zhang Xiaoye
Published: August 2024

Aerosols affect Earth’s climate both directly and indirectly, which is the largest uncertainty in the assessment of radiative forcings affecting anthropogenic climate change. The standard Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) aerosol products have been widely used for more than 30 years. Currently, there is strong community interest in the possibility of determining aerosol composition directly from remote sensing observations. This work presents the results of applying such a recently developed approach by Li et al. to extended datasets of the directional sky radiances and spectral aerosol optical depth (AOD) measured by AERONET for the retrievals of aerosol components. First, the validation of aerosol optical properties retrieved by this component approach with AERONET standard products shows good agreement. Then, spatiotemporal variations of the obtained aerosol component concentration are characterized globally, especially the absorbing aerosol species (black carbon, brown carbon, and iron oxides) and scattering aerosol species (organic carbon, quartz, and inorganic salts). Finally, we compared the black carbon (BC) and dust column concentration retrievals to the Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications, version 2 (MERRA-2), products in several regions of interest (Amazon zone, Indo-China Peninsula, North India, southern Africa, sub-Sahel, Gobi Desert, Middle East, Sahara Desert, and Taklamakan Desert) for new insights on the quantitative assessment of MERRA-2 aerosol composition products (R = 0.60–0.85 for BC; R = 0.75–0.90 for dust). The new value-added and long-term aerosol composition product globally is available online (https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.25415239.v1), which provides important measurements for the improvement and optimization of aerosol modeling to enhance estimation of the aerosol radiative forcing.
Mapping a Novel Metric for Flash Flood Recovery Using Interpretable Machine Learning
Authors: Kumar Anil , Saharia Manabendra , Kirstetter Pierre
Published: August 2024

Flash floods are one of the most devastating natural disasters, yet many aspects of their severity and impact are poorly understood. The recession limb is related to postflood recovery and its impact on communities, yet it remains less documented than the rising limb of the hydrograph to predict the peak discharge and timing of floods. This work introduces a new metric called flash flood recovery or recoveriness, which is the potential for recovery of a watershed to preflood conditions. Using a comprehensive database of 78 years and supervised machine learning algorithms, flash flood recovery is mapped in the conterminous United States. A suite of geomorphological and climatological variables is used as predictors to provide probabilistic estimates of recoveriness. Slope index, river basin area, and river length are found to be the most significant predictors to predict recoveriness. Several new localized hotspots were identified, such as the western slopes of the Appalachians consisting of Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia and the interlinked areas of western Montana and northern Idaho. This new metric can be useful for prioritizing relief and rehabilitation efforts as well as precautionary measures for disaster risk reduction.
The Tools of Autocracy Worldwide: Authoritarian Networks, the Façade of Democracy, and Neo-Repression
Authors: Del Real Deisy , Menjívar Cecilia
Published: August 2024

This special double issue identifies the tools and conditions that allow (re)emerging autocrats to undermine democratic traditions and constrain civil rights across the world. In our introduction, we posit that identifying the tools of the established, emerging, and aspiring authoritarians in today’s world is vital, theoretically and practically. It allows us to identify common denominators across specific contexts to advance knowledge about the features and risks that authoritarian regimes pose today. It also permits us to reveal the inter-state and transnational expert networks through which autocrats share strategies, information, and resources to remain in power. Through a global and comparative lens, we thematically organize the articles’ key findings. The articles reveal a set of tools of authoritarianism that (re)emerging autocrats use to control media to manipulate public perceptions and delegitimize opponents and critics, seek to maintain the legitimacy of a democratic rule by aligning with “grassroots” social movements composed of extremists and hate organized groups, redefine the meaning of democracy, and use a range of repressive methods domestically and abroad, all while maintaining a façade of democracy. This special issue also captures variation in the successful deployment of autocratic tools as authors caution against equating conditions across different autocratic regimes. We bookend the special issue with a brief reflection on populism on the left and right and what it means for the main themes of the special issue.
Who Governs Policing? Mayors’ Strategic Linkages to Police in Latin American Cities
Authors: González Yanilda , Zarkin Jessica
Published: August 2024

What explains variation in mayors’ strategic linkages with police forces they do not formally control? This question is of central importance in Latin America, home to 43 of the 50 most violent cities in the world. As mayors with limited to no authority over police came to see their electoral fortunes affected by citizen demands for security, some have expanded the role of municipal governments in policing. Others, however, deliberately constrained their role in this electorally risky area. Drawing on within and cross-case comparisons of São Paulo, Colombia, and Mexico City police forces, we argue and show that variation in mayors’ strategic linkages to policing and security is shaped by electoral incentives for responsiveness, constitutional rules that impose responsibility, and risks of shirking by police. Our findings speak to an emerging research agenda placing policing at the center of our understanding of urban governance and democratic responsiveness more broadly.
Dosage Effects of Anti-prescription Opioid Risk Narratives, Prescription Opioid Misuse Experience, Risk Perceptions, and Message Processing
Authors: Cao Xiaoxia
Published: August 2024

An online experiment was conducted among a convenience sample of non-Hispanic young Black and White Americans to test the dosage effects of anti-prescription opioid risk narratives (i.e., receiving zero, one, or two different narratives) on negative attitudes toward prescription opioids and intentions to avoid misusing prescription opioids while considering the mediating role of risk perceptions and the moderating role of prescription opioid misuse experience. The study also investigated how the misuse experience may affect risk narrative processing. It detected positive dosage effects on risk perceptions and negative attitudes as well as significant indirect positive dosage effects on the attitudes and behavioral intentions via risk perceptions. Further analysis showed that these positive effects existed only among participants with little experience of misusing prescription opioids. Those with some misuse experience were inclined to engage in defensive processing of the narratives. These findings have a number of theoretical and practical implications.
Understanding the Future of Harm Reduction in the United States: An Over-Time Analysis of California Voter Perceptions
Authors: Diaz Maryanne Alderson , Fischer Ryan , Perrone Dina
Published: August 2024

With the ongoing opioid epidemic, evidence-based interventions are needed to prevent and respond to opioid-related overdoses. Overdose prevention sites (OPS) have been operating effectively internationally since the 1980s. In the United States, despite unprecedented numbers of overdose-related deaths, only two sites operate in New York City. California, generally a beacon of progressive policy, has been unable to implement a sanctioned facility. Using two waves of survey data (2017 and 2022), this paper seeks to answer the following research questions: (1) Do CA voters support overdose prevention sites? (2) How has support changed over time? And, (3) What factors contribute to the support and opposition of these programs? Results reveal that most respondents would support an OPS in California, despite the recent veto of such measures by California Governor Newsom. Further analyses examine factors that contribute to both support and opposition, as well as exploring potential avenues for reform.
A Comprehensive Scoping Review of Empirical Studies on Earned Secure Attachment
Authors: Filosa Maria , Sharp Carla , Gori Alessio , Musetti Alessandro
Published: August 2024

Earned-Secure Attachment (ESA) can be defined as the process by which individuals with insecure childhood attachment rise above malevolent childhood experiences to develop secure relationships pattern in adulthood. To our knowledge, no previous review has summarized findings from empirical literature about this topic. To fill this gap, we conduct a preregistered scoping review (research published until 2023) following the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews, to find how ESA has been defined, assessed, and studied in the empirical literature. Four databases were searched (Scopus, PsycInfo, PubMed and Web of Science), 24 studies were included in the review and were assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Findings from our review reveal a more formal than substantial agreement on the conceptualization of ESA and the conclusions that can be made, considering the heterogeneity of our results, are only preliminary. Developmental factors, the association between ESA and depressive symptoms and the role of fathers remain poorly defined, although the importance of secondary attachment figures and reflective functioning as factors that may contribute to earned-security in attachment is clear. Recommendations and future steps for researchers and practitioners are highlighted.
A robust proportional filtered integral controller based on backpropagation neural network
Authors: Benharkou Ibtihal , Gherbi Sofiane , Sedraoui Moussa , Bechouat Mohcene
Published: August 2024

This paper introduces a novel design of a proportional filtered-integral (P-FI) controller whose parameters are auto-tuned using the backpropagation neural networks (BPNN) algorithm. The proposed controller is designed to address the main challenges posed by a class of complex systems characterized by uncertain high-gain and pure integrator dynamics, including high-frequency noise amplification and poor robustness against parameter variations. Designing such a controller involves three main steps: First, a proportional–integral–derivative (PID) controller is designed, with its parameters auto-tuned online using the BPNN algorithm, resulting in the primary (BPNN-PID) controller. Second, the obtained parameters of the previous controller are utilized to compute those of a low-pass filter offline. This filter is then cascaded with the integral parts of a PID controller, forming a P-FI controller structure. This configuration introduces a phase lead within a specific frequency range without amplifying high-frequency noise, overcoming the primary disadvantage of the derivative term. Finally, the parameters of the resulting P-FI controller are again auto-tuned online using the BPNN algorithm, resulting in the final robust (BPNN-P-FI) controller. This novel controller structure and its parameters tuning procedure, based on a two-stage BPNN learning approach, constitute the main contributions of this paper. Simulation results demonstrate the superiority of the proposed controller in terms of time-domain performance, sensor noise attenuation, and closed-loop robustness compared to those obtained with the BPNN-PID and optimally tuned PID controllers.
A Systematic Review: What Are the Impacts of Receiving Extrinsic Feedback on Health Professions Students in Higher Education?
Authors: Lim Raymond Boon Tar , Voo Kelly , Tan Claire Gek Ling , Zheng Huili
Published: August 2024

Effective feedback is crucial for educating health professions students. This systematic review investigates the impact of extrinsic feedback on health professions students, encompassing medical, dental, and nursing fields. Through meticulous gathering and analysis of 37 studies, this review highlights verbal and visual feedback as predominant forms, often delivered immediately by instructors and supplemented by peer or simulated input. Notably, technology is increasingly utilised to enhance the provision of feedback. The impacts of feedback span various domains, including surgical skills and patient communication, revealing notable improvements in procedural skills such as suturing and knot-tying, as well as general patient communication proficiency. Meta-analyses underscore significant enhancements in communication skills and provide nuanced insights into chest compression techniques. Overall, the findings provide initial evidence that extrinsic feedback enhances surgical procedural skills and general patient communication proficiency among health professions students. The evolving role of technology in feedback provision is promising. Future studies should assess extrinsic feedback across different health professions to better understand its impacts and alignment with specific educational needs and accreditation standards, thereby enhancing learning outcomes.
Biopsychosocial Factors That Influence Depression, Anxiety, and Neuropsychological Functions in the Aging Process
Authors: Gaspar Tania , Barata Marta , de Sousa Sofia Borges , Raimundo Marta , Cabrita Tulia
Published: August 2024

Background:

Aging is a process inherent to the human condition that is characterized by various biological, psychological, and social changes that can lead to certain mental health problems.

Objective:

This study aimed to understand and characterize how biological, psychological, and social factors influence mental health symptoms and neuropsychological function in the aging process.

Methods:

A sample consisting of 616 participants (73.8% female) aged between 50 and 90 years, (mean [SD]: 69.6 [17.2] years). Data collection involved a neuropsychological assessment carried out by a psychologist in a clinical interview session and the self-completion of a questionnaire.

Results:

Regression models revealed that depressive symptoms are explained by anxiety, psychological and environmental quality of life, and sleep habits. Anxiety symptoms are explained by depression, physical quality of life, and sleep habits. Statistically significant differences were identified between participants with and without anxiety in neuropsychological terms at the level of agnosia and praxis. Statistically significant differences were identified between participants with and without depression in neuropsychological terms at the level of memory, language, agnosia and praxis, and executive function (eg, prefrontal tests).

Conclusions:

Depression and anxiety symptoms are associated and could negatively influence the aging process. Aging should be understood in an ecological way taking into account the action of biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors, as well as the relationship and influence between the different levels and factors. This knowledge is important for diagnosis, for clinical practice, and for the development and definition of public policies to promote healthy aging.
How Chinese parents of children with autism spectrum disorder seek orienting information? An exploration of information source horizons, preference criteria, and information-seeking pathways
Authors: Zhong Huan , Han Zhengbiao
Published: August 2024

This study revealed the orienting information seeking behavior of Chinese parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) based on three aspects: information source horizons, preference criteria, and information-seeking pathways. Data were collected using interviews and the information horizon mapping method. Three findings were identified through qualitative analysis. First, the information source horizons of parents were relatively narrow and primarily focused on social media sources (WeChat public accounts and groups). Second, the source preference criteria that they considered were limited and mainly based on experiential, proactive, and professional aspects in selecting the appropriate sources. Third, the information-seeking pathways consisted of either monitoring a single information source or using up to two sources, without the formation of longer pathways. This study proposes a research framework for the orienting information seeking of parents of children with ASD, providing deeper insights into information seeking, and thus, potentially inspiring studies on information seeking in other groups.
Local governance of evolutionary entrepreneurial ecosystems: A case study in a low-density territory
Authors: Almeida João , Daniel Ana
Published: August 2024

The entrepreneurial ecosystem (EE) concept has been getting attention as a comprehensive approach to studying the evolution of a local economy, and it is increasingly adopted by policymakers to promote entrepreneurship and innovation and foster local socio-economic development. This study represents an original attempt to understand the EE governance evolution and to contribute to the research on underdeveloped places, such as low-density territories. Evidence is taken from the EE of Fundão, a low-density municipality in the Centro region of Portugal, between 2012 and 2022. The primary and secondary data collected was analysed in the light of evolutionary governance theory and recent literature on evolutionary EEs. The findings highlight the significant role local government plays in the creation and development of the EE, by addressing the gaps in governance and resources within low-density territories, and performing multiple roles during the EE evolution. Moreover, several EE governance strategies were identified to tackle local obstacles including community acceptance, lack of entrepreneurial culture, or resource limitations. This work provides important contributions to EE and regional development literature, as well as implications for local and regional policymakers aiming to promote entrepreneurship and innovation in their territories.
Elderly patients with very high plasma lipoprotein(a) concentrations and few cardiovascular consequences: a case series
Authors: Hang Shyann , Hegele Robert A.
Published: August 2024

Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is an atherogenic low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-like particle that is currently regarded as a non-modifiable risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The number of patients detected with elevated Lp(a) concentrations has been increasing in recent years, although the implication of this finding is unclear for patients and physicians. We screened our lipid clinic database for patients aged >65 years with very high Lp(a) concentrations, which were defined as >230 nmol/L, and cardiovascular outcomes were assessed. The patients’ (n = 16) mean (±standard deviation) age was 72.2 ± 7.1 years and the mean Lp(a) concentration was 313 ± 68 nmol/L. After a cumulative 129.0 patient-year follow-up (mean: 8.1 ± 4.2 years), the mean age was 80.3 ± 7.0 years. We observed a low baseline prevalence of cardiovascular events, with only two patients having a history of cardiovascular events. Furthermore, zero incident adverse cardiovascular events were recorded over the follow-up. Therefore, very high Lp(a) concentrations and disease-free old age are not mutually exclusive. Our aggregated clinical experience is that there is only a modest association between elevated Lp(a) concentrations and adverse outcomes. Nonetheless, we still advise treating modifiable risk factors in these patients.
Migraine is the most disabling neurological disease among children and adolescents, and second after stroke among adults: A call to action
Authors: Peres Mario Fernando Prieto , Sacco Simona , Pozo-Rosich Patricia , Tassorelli Cristina , Ahmed Fayyaz , Burstein Rami , Ashina Sait , Uluduz Derya , Husøy Andreas Kattem , Steiner Timothy J
Published: August 2024

The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study is pivotal in shaping health policies by providing comprehensive data on mortality and disability. An updated GBD2021 analysis, published in Lancet Neurology on 14 March 2024, expands the scope of neurological disorders to include 37 conditions, revealing their significant impact on global health. Neurological disorders affect 3.4 billion people, or 43.1% of the global population, making them the leading cause of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in 2021, with an 18.2% increase since 1990. The top three causes of DALYs in this category are stroke, neonatal encephalopathy and migraine. Migraine, affecting 1.16 billion people, ranks first among children and adolescents and second among adults aged under 60 years. Despite its substantial impact, migraine often lacks proper attention because of its non-fatal nature, invisibility and historical neglect of neurological disorders. The International Headache Society calls for recognizing migraine as a serious medical condition, promoting research and integrating migraine management into public health strategies. Effective interventions include raising awareness, improving access to treatment, adding migraine to the epidemiological surveillance agenda and exploring new treatment strategies. A coordinated effort among stakeholders is essential to alleviate the burden of migraine on individuals and society.
“It's Like You're a Living Hostage, and It Never Ends”: A Qualitative Examination of the Trauma and Mental Health Impacts of Coercive Control
Authors: Lohmann Susanne , Felmingham Kim , O’Donnell Meaghan , Cowlishaw Sean
Published: August 2024

Coercive control is a complex and poorly understood dimension of intimate partner violence that is associated with trauma and mental health consequences. It is essential to understand the nuanced and varied experiences of coercive control and potential processes of traumatization. In this qualitative phenomenological study, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 16 women who had experienced coercive control and accessed domestic violence services in Australia. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis, which addressed two research questions: (1) How do women describe their experiences of coercive control and (2) How do women describe the impact of coercive control exposure on their mental health? Findings identified entrapment and insidiousness (characterized by subtlety, intangibleness, and gradual worsening), as underlying dimensions of coercive control that were central to the trauma and mental health reactions of participants. These women also described a range of trauma and mental health reactions (e.g., anxiety, hypervigilance, affective dysregulation, negative self-concept, and disturbances with trust and relationships). The findings have important implications for research and practice, highlighting the pressing need for the provision of trauma-informed and integrated psychosocial care by frontline services, health care providers, and mental health professionals who support women who have been exposed to coercive control. Additional online materials for this article are available on PWQ's website at http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/suppl/10.1177/03616843241269941
CORA: An Open-Source Software Tool for Combinational Regularity Analysis
Authors: Mkrtchyan Lusine , Thiem Alrik , Sebechlebská Zuzana
Published: August 2024

Modern Configurational Comparative Methods (CCMs), such as Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) and Coincidence Analysis (CNA), have gained in popularity among social scientists over the last thirty years. A new CCM called Combinational Regularity Analysis (CORA) has recently joined this family of methods. In this article, we provide a software tutorial for the open-source package CORA, which implements the eponymous method. In particular, we demonstrate how to use CORA to discover shared causes of complex effects and how to interpret corresponding solutions correctly, how to mine configurational data to identify minimum-size tuples of solution-generating inputs, and how to visualize solutions by means of logic diagrams.
History and totality in the work of Dale Tomich
Authors: Marques Leonardo , Parron Tâmis
Published: August 2024

Dale Tomich’s significant contributions to methodology and theory in historical writing have been underexplored in theoretical and methodological discussions. This article fills this gap by examining the influence of the Marxian-Hegelian historical tradition, foundational to critical theory, on Tomich’s work. The study also considers how his work has shaped the field of slavery studies and historiography more broadly and emphasizes some of the most promising directions that a serious engagement with his vast work can take us. It concludes with a personal note about his great efforts to help us build a new research center in Brazil that could continue the legacy of the Fernand Braudel Center, which had in Dale Tomich one of its key figures for almost half a century.
Gender-affirming care through the lens of abnormal illness behaviour and abnormal treatment behaviour
Authors: Clarke Patrick , J Amos Andrew
Published: August 2024

Objective

To describe the increasing number and changing demographics of patients presenting with gender dysphoria and provide an account of patient- and clinician-related factors which may have contributed to these changes. The concept of abnormal illness behaviours introduced by Pilowsky, and its extension to the concept of abnormal treatment behaviours by Singh, provides a framework for understanding healthy and pathological interactions between gender dysphoria patients and their doctors.

Conclusions

Abnormal illness behaviours driven by the reinforcing contingencies of gender-affirming care may explain, in part, the increasing number and changing demographics of gender dysphoria, as well as the increasing incidence of desistance and detransition. The under-diagnosis and under-treatment of mental health disorders by clinicians treating these patients are examples of abnormal treatment behaviours. Uncritical affirmation of patient reported gender identity appears likely to conceal unconscious motivations of some patients and clinicians, increasing the risks of harm to both.
Taking a Second Look at the Bait: Attention to Upside Potential Versus Downside Risk in Venture Capitalists’ Staged Investment
Authors: Hao Bin , Feng Yanan , Tan Hongbin , Ye Mingzhu
Published: August 2024

This study investigates how venture capitalists (VCs) balance upside potential and downside risk across investment stages. Drawing on the attention-based view, we propose a situated attention mechanism—that is, the investment stage represents a situational consideration affecting VC’s attention allocation to different risk dimensions. We argue that varying staging situations drive VCs to prioritize upside potential in the initial stage yet downside risk in the subsequent stage. As such, VCs may initially favor a risky project, but subsequently devalue it. We further propose that these effects are contingent on number of VCs on market, start-up maturity, and VC attention constraints. Our empirical results support our predictions.
Experimental investigations and micromechanical thermal fatigue models of concrete
Authors: Peng Haiyou , Xie Qiang , Wang Chong , Zhou Shuai , Ju J Woody
Published: August 2024

The vast changes in temperature are what produce thermal fatigue damage to concrete. In this study, concrete specimens in three different categories—C20, C40, and C60—are tested for thermal fatigue at temperatures ranging from 10°C to 80°C in an atmosphere with constant relative humidity. Utilizing ultrasonic nondestructive testing, the elastic modulus of concrete is determined. After thermal cycling, the mass reduction and appearance of samples are also recorded. The results demonstrate that the degrading effects of thermal fatigue clearly influence concrete. As the thermal cycle lengthens, the elastic modulus of concrete rapidly decreases, and C60 concrete experiences a greater reduction in elastic modulus than C20 concrete. With thermal cycles, the damage factor increases and the ultrasonic wave velocity steadily decreases, suggesting a propagation of the concrete’s interior microcracks. Additionally, the micromechanical thermal fatigue model is developed based on the experimental results. The ability to simulate and describe the physical behavior of concrete under thermal fatigue stress on the microscale is validated by the proposed micromechanical damage model.
Looking Back on Forward Collision Warnings: A Review of Perception Response Times from Empirical Studies
Authors: Scully Iiona D. , Davis Shane J. , Shlanta Peter , Yanes Julio A. , Michaelis Kelly , Cades David M.
Published: August 2024

Recent research suggests that advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) technologies, such as forward collision warning (FCW), have the potential to reduce rear-end and other forward collisions. The primary objective of this literature review is to provide a summary of relevant research on how the presence of FCWs may or may not impact driver perception response time (PRT) to forward hazards. Our review of the literature identified several primary variables that impact driver PRT including warning modality, inattention/distraction, and expectancy. These variables, their implications, and future research are discussed.
Muscle Fatigue Experienced by Healthcare Workers in Hemodialysis Centers: A Survey
Authors: Liu Shijing , Liu Ke , Bayly Michelle
Published: August 2024

The demand for dialysis treatments and the care team is growing. In a hemodialysis center, registered nurses (RNs) and patient care technicians (PCTs) work closely to monitor treatments and ensure patient safety. Due to the nature of dialysis treatments, these professionals often work long hours with extensive physical movements, which can lead to muscle fatigue. Work-related muscle fatigue can put the individual healthcare worker, the patient, and the organization at risk. As a leading medical device manufacturer for dialysis, Fresenius Medical Care is committed to offering our users the best possible products by applying human factors principles in the design process. The objectives of this study are to investigate the existence and extent of muscle fatigue experienced by healthcare workers in dialysis centers, and to explore factors contributing to muscle fatigue for these professionals. The ultimate goal is to mitigate muscle fatigue by optimizing our dialysis product designs.
Influence of Demographic Factors on the Structure of Initial Trust in Autonomous Driving
Authors: Cui Zixin , Tu Nianzhi , Lee Jieun , Itoh Makoto
Published: August 2024

Strategies to enhance drivers’ initial trust in Autonomous Driving before their first interactions are crucial. This study aimed to investigate the factors shaping the nature of initial trust. We conducted an online survey and examined the relationships between the structure of initial trust and several demographic factors. The results showed that, in general, drivers’ initial trust in Autonomous Driving contained faith and dependability, with dependability emerging as the most significant indicator. However, demographic factors influenced the structure of initial trust. Females, the elderly, unmarried and childless individuals, those with lower personal income, residents in regions outside the top metropolitan areas, or individuals only involved in part-time jobs tended to exhibit a stronger reliance on faith in establishing initial trust. These findings confirmed that targeted design and promotion for different populations with different demographic characteristics are necessary to improve drivers’ initial trust in Autonomous Driving.
Systematic Root Cause Analysis of Retained Foreign Objects: A Descriptive Study of 1,371 Sentinel Events from 2010 to 2020 Using Data Analytics
Authors: Tabibzadeh Maryam , Kumari Nitya
Published: August 2024

Medical errors have been a leading cause of deaths in the U.S. and many other countries. Among different adverse events in healthcare settings, retained foreign objects (RFOs) have been identified as one of the most common sentinel events by The Joint Commission (TJC). This study fills an important gap between our knowledge of retention of foreign objects during invasive surgery procedures and their analysis based on real-world data and their trend. We received 1,371 de-identified data points of unique RFO incidents and their root causes, reported to TJC in 2010 to 2020 Q2. Using statistical methods and data analytics, this study aims to identify: (1) the most frequently retained foreign objects, (2) age distribution of the involved patients, and (3) the most influential root cause categories and subcategories of the reported RFOs. It then provides a series of recommendations to address those root causes to reduce RFO incidents and enhance patient safety.
User Expectations for Comfort, Discomfort, and Wearability of Wrist-Worn Devices
Authors: Smith Missie , Madinei Saman , Livingston Jordan , Yu Anna
Published: August 2024

Comfort has been extensively studied and identified as one of the most important factors in the adoption of wearable devices, yet there is still no single commonly accepted definition. Researchers have also examined connections between comfort and discomfort, but less work has connected to the concept of wearability. Extending a 1996 study from Zhang, Helander, and Drury, we conducted three between-subjects surveys designed to account for different definitions, better distinguish between the different constructs, and detect device-specific differences (watch, fitness tracker, smart watch). We found that comfort and wearability may be interchangeable in wrist-wearable research, but discomfort should be considered separately. Device function impacted user expectations for comfort, discomfort, and wearability, meaning that results from research conducted on watches may differ from that of smart watches.
A Review of Human Factors Research on People Who Crochet
Authors: Jaskowiak Nell , Stone Richard , Mgaedeh Fatima
Published: August 2024

Crochet is a handicraft which involves yarn and a single tool of similar size to a pencil, with a 180° hook at one end, called a crochet hook. The crafter employs different stitch techniques with the yarn and hook to create a variety of finished projects, from blankets to clothing to plush toys. In many studies that have been conducted, multiple fiber arts have been studied together (e.g., knitting, crocheting, embroidery) and there is relatively little work isolating individual fiber arts. It is expected that there are several knowledge gaps as a result of limited HFE work on fiber arts and crochet specifically. These gap areas include demographics, biomechanics, physical skill development, limiting factors within the learning process, and factors influencing continued engagement. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of existing literature on the physical, cognitive, and social effects of crochet on both experienced and novice crafters.
Prototype Biofeedback Augmented Reality Glasses for Workload Detection with Machine Learning: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Jangid Vikram R. , Sun Ariana , Wu Jason , Park Junho
Published: August 2024

Augmented reality (AR) technology has shown great promise for its ability to seamlessly integrate into the real world and simulated environments. Commercially available headsets offer great functionality for tasks ranging from gaming to productivity. However, the main limitation that these headsets have is that they are bulky, cause visual strain, and being in mixed reality causes some to experience motion sickness-like symptoms. Therefore, we set an objective of this study as to design prototype AR glasses to detect physical workload in real time using a machine learning algorithm. The glasses are made from low-cost, commercially available components that emphasize ergonomics while maintaining functionality. Preliminary results from our pilot study shows that visual strain, bulkiness, and simulator sickness are all decreased when using the prototype AR glasses as compared to the Meta Quest Pro.
Exploring the Application of Upper Limb Exoskeletons in Pediatric Rehabilitation: A Literature Review
Authors: Meda Pranav , Jiang Lin , Luo Yue
Published: August 2024

Children with neuromotor impairments experience difficulties with upper limb movement. Upper limb exoskeletons offer the potential for a better therapy experience for this population through personalized treatment and facilitating movement throughout the arm, including the shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist, and hand. However, limited exploration of the interaction and usability between these devices and children has been done. Therefore, this study explores the interaction between children and upper limb exoskeletons. To achieve this goal, this paper reviews 10 articles (out of 181 papers) concerning the application and effectiveness of upper limb exoskeletons in children’s rehabilitation. Upper limb exoskeletons were evaluated in these studies based on pediatric participants’ task performance (e.g., inserting an object into a hole) as well as subjective perspectives (e.g., comfortability and usability). Results showed that upper limb exoskeletons were proved to be effective in facilitating children’s upper limb movement in bimanual coordination and unilateral movements. Through tasks designed to require specific movements or the manipulation of objects, researchers noted improvements across coordination, precision, smoothness, quality of movement, and others. The improvements were related to the functioning of upper limb muscles (e.g., biceps and triceps). Limitations for these studies include (1) the lack of control groups when collecting data, (2) possible test-retest reliability concerns when studying the feasibility of exoskeleton use, and (3) implications for long-term efficacy and adaptability for individual physical differences in children. Additionally, some studies exclusively studied healthy children rather than testing devices with children who suffer from motor impairments, which affects the generalizability of results.
Unlocking Insights: An Interface for Understanding Dialogue Data
Authors: Klaeser Morgan , Renata Vianney , Lee John D.
Published: August 2024

Many lines of human factors inquiry rely on dialogue data to examine team dynamics, coordination, and trust in automation. While embeddings enable the transformation of such qualitative information into mathematical representations, they can be challenging to explore—a vector of hundreds or thousands of numbers lacks simple interpretation. To address this, we introduce an interactive interface using RShiny, facilitating the exploration of large datasets containing rich affective context, including lexical, and acoustic information linked to experimental outcomes. Motivated by research quantifying trust in automation during the NASA HERA Study, we aim to pinpoint crucial conversation moments to better understand how social dynamics influence individuals’ development of trust in automation. We anticipate that our method will enhance construct transparency for researchers studying dialogue data.
Identifying the Causes and Effects of Decision Fatigue through a Systematic Review (Extended Abstract)
Authors: Choudhury Nurul Ahad , Saravanan Pratima
Published: August 2024

The aim of this systematic review is to investigate the causes and effects of decision fatigue from the existing literature that can be generalized across different organizational domains. A comprehensive literature search in three databases identified 589 articles on decision fatigue. After screening the articles using PRISMA and JBI appraisal methods, 18 articles that investigated decision fatigue across various domains were selected. The selected articles were investigated through root cause analysis and thematic synthesis. Findings revealed eight causes of decision fatigue which were classified as individual, organizational, and external causes, and four primary effects and seven secondary effects of decision fatigue
Clinical Outcomes of Prostate SBRT Using Non-adaptive MR-Guided Radiotherapy
Authors: Sandoval Maria L. , Rishi Anupam , Latifi Kujtim , Grass G. Daniel , Torres-Roca Javier , Rosenberg Stephen A. , Yamoah Kosj , Johnstone Peter A. S.
Published: August 2024

Objectives

Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is widely used for localized prostate cancer and implementation of MR-guided radiotherapy has the advantage of tighter margins and improved sparing of organs at risk. Here we evaluate outcomes and time required to treat using non-adaptive MR-guided SBRT (MRgSBRT) for localized prostate cancer at our institution.

Methods

From 9/2019 to 11/2021 we conducted a retrospective review of 80 consecutive patients who were treated with MRgSBRT to the prostate. Patients included low (LR) (5%), favorable intermediate (FIR) (40%), unfavorable intermediate (UIR) (49%), and high risk (HR) (6%). Short-term androgen deprivation therapy was used in 32% of patients. Target volumes included prostate gland and proximal seminal vesicles with an isotropic 3 mm margin. Treatment was prescribed to 36.25 Gy in 5 fractions every other day with urethral sparing. Hydrogel spacer was used in 18% of patients. Time on the linac was recorded as beam on time (BOT) plus total treatment time (TTT) including gating. Analyzed outcomes included PSA response and patient reported outcomes scored by the American Urological Association (AUA) questionnaire and toxicity per CTCAE v5. General linear regression model was used to analyze factors affecting PSA and AUA in longitudinal follow up, and chi-square test was used to assess factors affecting toxicity.

Results

Median follow up was 19.3 months (3.8 – 36.6). Median BOT was 4.6 min (2.6 – 7.2) with a median TTT of 11 min (7.6 – 15.8). Pre-treatment vs post-RT median PSA was 6.36 (2.20 – 19.6) vs 0.85 (0.19 – 3.6), respectively ( P < 0.001). PSA decrease differed significantly when patients were stratified by risk category, favoring LR/FIR vs UIF/HR group ( P = 0.019). Four (5%) patients experienced a biochemical failure (BCF), with a median time to BCF of 20.4 months (7.9 – 34.5). Median biochemical failure free survival (BCFFS) was not reached, with 2-yr and 4-yr BCFFS of 97.1% and 72.1%, respectively. Patients with LR/FIR disease had 100% 2-yr and 4-yr BCFFS, whereas patients with UIF/HR had 95% and 41% 2-yr and 4-yr BCFFS ( P = 0.05). Mean pre-treatment AUA was 7.3 (1 - 25) vs 11.3 (1 - 26) at first follow-up; however, AUA normalized to baseline over time. Urethral Dmax ≥35 Gy trended to lower AUA score at all follow-ups ( P = 0.07). Forty-one (51%) patients reported grade 1-2 genitourinary toxicities at the 1 month follow up. Grade 3 toxicity (proctitis) was noted in 1 patient. There was no decrease in any grade rectal toxicity with use of hydrogel spacer (3 vs 6, P = 0.2). No grade ≥4 toxicities was observed.

Conclusions

MRgSBRT has the potential for treatment adaptation but this comes at the cost of increased resource utilization. Our experience with non-adaptive MRgSBRT of the prostate highlights its short treatment times as well as efficacy with good PSA control and low toxicity profile.
Digital Health and Caregiving Resources Used by Family Caregivers of Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Anderson Joel G. , Summers Audrey J. , Ahn Sangwoo , Harris Robin F. , Smith Jennifer L. , Jabson Tree Jennifer M. , Neal Allyson M. , Misawa Mitsunori , Rauer Amy J.
Published: August 2024

Caregiving is often associated with negative physical and mental health outcomes, and as the COVID-19 pandemic escalated, caregivers experienced more burden and provided more care with substantially less support. Digital resources may have been one way caregivers managed demands for care and needs for information. This mixed-methods study included surveys and semi-structured interviews with caregivers ( n = 11) to describe experiences and use of digital health resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. Caregivers most often provided significant physical care and experienced reduced or no social support during the pandemic. Caregivers reported the need for improving the quality of telehealth services and digital health resources. COVID-19 will not likely be the last pandemic faced by contemporary society. Measures should be taken to reduce the anticipated negative impacts on caregivers and those receiving care during future pandemics.