bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Figure 3 from Beyond HRD Status: Unraveling Genetic Variants Impacting PARP Inhibitor Sensitivity in Advanced Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Kjeldsen Maj K. , Jørgensen Morten , Grønseth Dina Sofie B. , Schønemann-Lund Martin , Nyvang Gitte-Bettina , Haslund Charlotte Aaquist , Knudsen Anja Oer , Motavaf Anne Krejbjerg , Malander Susanne , Anttila Maarit , Lindahl Gabriel , Mäenpää Johanna , Dimoula Maria , Werner Theresa L. , Iversen Trine Zeeberg , Hietanen Sakari , Fokdal Lars , Dahlstrand Hanna , Bjørge Line , Birrer Michael J. , Mirza Mansoor R. , Rossing Maria
Published: December 2024

Best response in target lesions from baseline (RECIST 1.1-criteria). Dashed lines at +20% and −30% change from baseline equals stable disease. See guide in plot for color explanations.
UPDATE ON MEDICAL TREATMENT OF ENDOMETRIOSIS:
NEW DRUGS OR NEW THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES?
Authors: Vercellini Paolo , Buffo Camilla , Viganò Paola , Somigliana Edgardo
Published: December 2024

Background: No conceptually new drugs for the safe and successful cure of endometriosis are likely to become available soon. Hormonal modulation of ovarian function and suppression of menstruation remain the pillars of disease control. However, existing drugs may be used following novel modalities to limit the consequences of endometriosis progression.
Objectives: To propose a pharmacological approach aimed at limiting the potential detrimental effects of the recent dramatic increase in postmenarcheal repetitive ovulatory menses and to define the type of hormones and the routes of administration that can be used to maximize safety and tolerability in the medical treatment of endometriosis.
Methods: For this narrative review, we selected the best quality evidence, prioritizing RCTs, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, network meta-analyses, and international guidelines, preferably published in the last decade.
Outcome: Medical treatment of endometriosis should be included into all aspects of prevention. Very-low-dose combined oral contraceptives can be used for years to counteract the increased risk of ovarian cancer observed in patients with endometriosis. This primary prevention measure saves lives and can effectively integrate targeted risk-reducing surgery. Secondary pharmacological prevention, based on a working diagnosis of early-onset adenomyosis-endometriosis selectively in adolescents with severe dysmenorrhea and heavy menstrual bleeding, can potentially impede the development of advanced disease forms, and reduce the need for management of complications due to a delay in diagnosis and treatment. Tertiary prevention, i.e., medical therapy of established disease, is based initially on the safest available estrogen-progestogen combinations and progestogen monotherapies. Whenever possible, ethinyl estradiol and cyproterone acetate should be avoided because of thromboembolic and meningioma risks, respectively. Estradiol can be administered transdermally. Switching to GnRH agonists and antagonists should not be delayed when first-line agents fail.
Conclusions and Outlook: Two-thirds of symptomatic endometriosis patients can be managed satisfactorily for many years using, with the right modality, the existing safe, effective, and well-tolerated medications. Despite the constant plea for new drugs, this already appears to be an excellent clinical outcome, unsurpassed in managing other human chronic inflammatory diseases. Cohort studies are needed to verify whether turning off the recurrent inflammation caused by repeated ovulation and menstruation could also affect the risk of systemic conditions associated with endometriosis.
Unusual Metastatic Lymph Node to Retro-Scapular Area in Occult Breast Cancer: A Case Report
Authors: Wahbeh Lina , Alzibdeh Abdulla , Abutaha Shatha , Mohamad Issa , Abuhijlih Ramiz , Haddad Hussam , Abdel-Razeq Hikmat , Abuhijla Fawzi
Published: December 2024

Introduction: Breast cancer typically metastasizes to axillary, internal mammary and supraclavicular lymph node chains. In contrast, occult breast cancer (OBC), a rare form of breast cancer, usually presents as axillary lymphadenopathy and rarely metastasizes regionally or distally. Case Presentation: In this case report, we present a 45-year-old female patient with unusual presentation of breast cancer initially as axillary lymphadenopathy without breast mass. She was diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging as OBC and later presented with a rare pathological spread to the ipsilateral subscapular region. The retro-scapular nodal disease was first detected via follow-up computed tomography scan and confirmed by positron emission tomography after 18 months of her initial diagnoses. This occurred following completion of OBC management, which included neoadjuvant chemotherapy, axillary lymph node dissection, without mastectomy, followed by adjuvant radiation treatment to regional lymph nodes and ipsilateral whole breast. Her recurrent nodal disease was subsequently managed by surgical resection followed by radiation therapy to surgical bed. Conclusion: This case report emphasizes the diverse locations where metastatic breast cancer can manifest and underscores the advancements in diagnostic tools that have enhanced the detection of these metastatic sites.
A new species of Arctodiaptomus Kiefer, 1932 (Copepoda: Diaptomidae) from the Kumaun Himalaya of India
Authors: Inaotombi Shaikhom , Sarma Debajit
Published: December 2024

A new species of the freshwater copepod genus Arctodiaptomus is described from a high-altitude lake of Kumaun Himalaya. The undescribed species differs from their congeners by the presence of a strong comb-shape denticulated spine at the antepenultimate segment of male right antennule. Basis of the male fifth right leg possess a butterfly shape hyaline membrane on the inner lateral side; 2-segmented endopod with board distinct proximal segment. Endopodite of the female fifth leg is elongated round apex without any septum. The identified diaptomid tends to be restricted in the Himalayan region; it seems apparently isolated from the purported main area of the origin.
New record of Sapria himalayana Griff. (Rafflesiaceae) from Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh, India
Authors: Mandal Anisha , Bishwakarma Aman , Monpa Dibi Soma , Pradhan Kabir , Monpa Karma Wangdi , Rai Rohit
Published: December 2024

The eastern Himalayan region is renowned for its exceptional and abundant floral and faunal biodiversity, harbouring numerous endemic plant species. Among them, Sapria himalayana Griffith, an endoparasitic, rare, and endangered plant, was first discovered in the Mishmi Hills of Arunachal Pradesh in 1836. Despite its discovery nearly two centuries ago, the species remains poorly understood. While some recent studies have begun to explore the genetics and demography of this species, there is still a significant knowledge gap in the understanding of the life history patterns of this parasitic plant. Here, a new record has been added to the distribution of Sapria himalayana from Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary, West Kameng District, Arunachal Pradesh. Around 21 flowers were scattered on the forest floor, spanning various developmental stages from buds to flower maturation, including desiccated flowers. The bud emerges from the roots of Tetrastigma sp. (host plant). One of the primary challenges in conducting extensive research on the intriguing Himalayan Sapria is its infrequent and unpredictable flowering patterns. Therefore, understanding these aspects (flowering phenology and enigmatic traits) is crucial for further research and preserving this rare species and its hosts in the face of ongoing habitat loss. Conducting an annual plant survey in the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary can help identify patterns to unravel these mysteries.
High Shear Stress Reduces ERG Causing Endothelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Shinohara Tsutomu , Moonen Jan-Renier , Chun Yoon Hong , Lee-Yow Yannick C. , Okamura Kenichi , Szafron Jason M. , Kaplan Jordan , Cao Aiqin , Wang Lingli , Guntur Divya , Taylor Shalina , Isobe Sarasa , Dong Melody , Yang Weiguang , Guo Katherine , Franco Benjamin D. , Pacharinsak Cholawat , Pisani Laura J. , Saitoh Shinji , Mitani Yoshihide , Marsden Alison L. , Engreitz Jesse M. , Körbelin Jakob , Rabinovitch Marlene
Published: December 2024

BACKGROUND:

Computational modeling indicated that pathological high shear stress (HSS; 100 dyn/cm
2
) is generated in pulmonary arteries (PAs; 100–500 µm) in congenital heart defects causing PA hypertension (PAH) and in idiopathic PAH with occlusive vascular remodeling. Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is a feature of PAH. We hypothesize that HSS induces EndMT, contributing to the initiation and progression of PAH.

METHODS:

We used the Ibidi perfusion system to determine whether HSS applied to human PA endothelial cells (ECs) induces EndMT when compared with physiological laminar shear stress (15 dyn/cm
2
). The mechanism was investigated and targeted to prevent PAH in a mouse with HSS induced by an aortocaval shunt.

RESULTS:

EndMT, a feature of PAH not previously attributed to HSS, was observed. HSS did not alter the induction of transcription factors KLF (Krüppel-like factor) 2/4, but an ERG (ETS-family transcription factor) was reduced, as were histone H3 lysine 27 acetylation enhancer-promoter peaks containing ERG motifs. Consequently, there was reduced interaction between ERG and KLF2/4, a feature important in tethering KLF and the chromatin remodeling complex to DNA. In PA ECs under laminar shear stress, reducing ERG by siRNA caused EndMT associated with decreased BMPR2 (bone morphogenetic protein receptor 2), CDH5 (cadherin 5), and PECAM1 (platelet and EC adhesion molecule 1) and increased SNAI1/2 (Snail/Slug) and ACTA2 (smooth muscle α2 actin). In PA ECs under HSS, transfection of ERG prevented EndMT. HSS was then induced in mice by an aortocaval shunt, causing progressive PAH over 8 weeks. An adeno-associated viral vector (AAV2-ESGHGYF) was used to replenish ERG selectively in PA ECs. Elevated PA pressure, EndMT, and vascular remodeling (muscularization of peripheral arteries) in the aortocaval shunt mice were markedly reduced by ERG delivery.

CONCLUSIONS:

Pathological HSS reduced lung EC ERG, resulting in EndMT and PAH. Agents that upregulate ERG could reverse HSS-mediated PAH and occlusive vascular remodeling resulting from high flow or narrowed PAs.
Synesthetic Interactions: Exploring the Multisensory Relationships Between Color and Scent in Human Perception
Authors: Barbara Anna , Faschi Vanessa , Gilchrist Anna , Magagnoli Carlotta , Sanchez Federica , Mikhail Reejy Atef Abdelatty
Published: December 2024

The article explores the intricate relationship between colors and odors through five experiments. These experiments were developed by researchers in the field of olfactory design and used in a public workshop held in Brescia titled Chromascent, as part of the event il Corpo Eterno, curated by Elena Abbiatici. The first experiment investigates the duration and characteristics of visual and olfactive memories, revealing a complex interplay between these sensory modalities. The second focuses on the influence of color on perceived fragrance purity, showing that color can affect the identification of pure scents. The third experiment examines the neurological connections between colors and smells, suggesting that congruent color-odor pairings enhance cognitive performance. The fourth study investigates the effect of color intensity on perceived scent intensity, yielding mixed results. The fifth experiment delves into the mental processing of a pleasant atmosphere, demonstrating the dominant role of visual stimuli and the significant impact of olfactory elements in shaping emotional responses and memories. This comprehensive study offers valuable insights into the multisensory nature of human perception, with practical applications for design fields including product design, packaging, educational environments, and interior design. These findings can inform the creation of multisensory experiences that are aesthetically pleasing and enhance cognitive function, emotional response, and memory formation.
Personas as Public, Audience, and Stereotype: A Critical Inquiry
Authors: Prochner Isabel , Godin Danny
Published: December 2024

Personas are a widely used tool in design but have yet to receive much consolidated critical analysis. This article presents a critical inquiry into the creation of personas in design practice and research, culminating in a new way of thinking about persona development. The study employs an integrative literature review of design publications to examine and revisit benefits, potential pitfalls, and accepted wisdom on personas. The article then sets the foundation for a design thinking–based process of persona creation, drawing on persuasive design and participatory design research, and areas for future development of research and inquiry.
Design Templates: Between Empowerment and Control of Amateur Graphic Designers
Authors: Maudet Nolwenn
Published: December 2024

This article proposes to study graphic design templates, a singular digital material object that underpins a large part of our contemporary visual environment. Based on interviews with original template creators for Aldus PageMaker, this article traces the main steps of their evolution from their creation in the desktop publishing industry to how templates on the web came to differ from how they were originally envisioned. Building on this historical inquiry, this article shows how templates have transformed the practice, aesthetic, and even the role of graphic designers. By inverting the role of the graphic designer, who now must invent shapes for content that does not yet exist, templates may be understood as an extension of the design grid or visual identity guidelines which are also key yet invisible graphic design intermediary tools. However, templates’ digital and deterministic nature transforms their effects and brings into play a constant tension between the emancipation and control of amateur graphic designers. While originally intended as an educational tool, they have instead progressively embodied a rigidification of graphic design layout on the web.
Harambee! A Triadic Perspective on Social Impact: Organizations, Evaluators, and Target Beneficiaries in Kenya
Authors: Kim Anna
Published: December 2024

Organizations often claim that their actions benefit others, for example in social impact initiatives, eliciting positive legitimacy evaluations from a broad range of audiences even though such initiatives may produce limited or even harmful effects on target beneficiaries. While scholars have begun to examine relational dynamics between organizations and evaluators who render judgments about organizational legitimacy, target beneficiaries have been typically considered as the passive recipients of positive or negative impacts of organizational actions. Drawing on qualitative data from a corporate social responsibility project in Kenya, this study reveals a triadic relationship (organization–evaluators–target beneficiaries) that establishes organizational legitimacy in the eyes of evaluators while generating substantive benefits for target beneficiaries. Far from being passive, target beneficiaries actively participated in the organizational legitimation process by corroborating, in their communications with evaluators, the organization’s social impact claims. This corroboration provided leverage for the target beneficiaries to negotiate organizational support in order for them to redirect off-the-shelf practices toward contextualized practices that generated substantive benefits to themselves. Going beyond the organization–evaluator dyad, the study contributes a triadic perspective on social impact and reveals how target beneficiaries’ participation can reshape the processes and outcomes of social impact creation.
Video-Based Lifting Action Recognition Using Rank-Altered Kinematic Feature Pairs
Authors: Jung SeHee , Su Bingyi , Lu Lu , Qing Liwei , Xu Xu
Published: December 2024

Objective

To identify lifting actions and count the number of lifts performed in videos based on robust class prediction and a streamlined process for reliable real-time monitoring of lifting tasks.

Background

Traditional methods for recognizing lifting actions often rely on deep learning classifiers applied to human motion data collected from wearable sensors. Despite their high performance, these methods can be difficult to implement on systems with limited hardware resources.

Method

The proposed method follows a five-stage process: (1) BlazePose, a real-time pose estimation model, detects key joints of the human body. (2) These joints are preprocessed by smoothing, centering, and scaling techniques. (3) Kinematic features are extracted from the preprocessed joints. (4) Video frames are classified as lifting or nonlifting using rank-altered kinematic feature pairs. (5) A lifting counting algorithm counts the number of lifts based on the class predictions.

Results

Nine rank-altered kinematic feature pairs are identified as key pairs. These pairs were used to construct an ensemble classifier, which achieved 0.89 or above in classification metrics, including accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score. This classifier showed an accuracy of 0.90 in lifting counting and a latency of 0.06 ms, which is at least 12.5 times faster than baseline classifiers.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that computer vision-based kinematic features could be adopted to effectively and efficiently recognize lifting actions.

Application

The proposed method could be deployed on various platforms, including mobile devices and embedded systems, to monitor lifting tasks in real-time for the proactive prevention of work-related low-back injuries.
Six Books on Sirach 2022–2024
Authors: Corley Jeremy
Published: December 2024

This article reviews three editions of the Hebrew text of Sirach and three commentaries on this deuterocanonical book, all published between 2022 and 2024.
Welfare Impact of Remittances in Rural Vietnam: An Analysis of Income, Poverty and Food Security Using a Mixed-Methods Approach
Authors: Thanh Pham Tien , Saito Katsuhiro
Published: December 2024

This research examines the roles of remittances in improving economic well-being using mixed-methods approach. For quantitative analysis, we use the panel data in rural Vietnam and employ instrumental variable (IV) method. Quantitative findings show that remittances improve total labour income and self-employment income, while reducing agricultural, wage and natural resource-based income sources. Remittances also reduces poverty indices and enhances food security. Qualitative analysis sheds lights on the rationales behind the allocation of remittances towards specific purposes. In light of these findings, we underscore the need for relevant policy interventions to optimize the benefits of remittances, improving improve rural well-being.
Impact of oxygen content on debinding of binder jetted 17-4 PH stainless steel: Part I – Debinding
Authors: Zissel Kai , Bernardo Elena , Forêt Pierre , Hryha Eduard
Published: December 2024

Binder jetting (BJT) utilises a sacrificial binder to shape green parts in a metal powder bed. The binder must be removed during debinding at elevated temperatures without contaminating the powder material. Efficient binder removal often requires oxygen in the atmosphere to aid the decomposition of the binder, but oxygen causes oxidation of the metal powders and hence negatively impacts the final material properties. Therefore, the use of tailored oxygen contents in the atmosphere during a standard debinding cycle performed at 300°C for 2 h was investigated for BJT printed 17-4 PH stainless steel. The change in bulk chemistry (carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen) from green parts to brown parts was thoroughly analysed and compared to the virgin powder subjected to the same conditions as used for debinding. While inert argon was beneficial for protecting the powder from oxidation, the removal of only ∼34% of binder was insufficient, resulting in 0.47 wt.% of residual carbon in the brown part. Debinding in atmospheres containing 3 vol.% O2 to 20 vol.% O2 led to almost complete binder removal, but also caused significant oxygen pickup by the powder between 1734 ppm and 1820 ppm. Furthermore, the brittleness of the brown parts increased, leading to undesirable powder losses during handling. The best debinding was obtained in Ar  + 1 vol.% O2, which allowed the best combination of binder removal of ∼74% and lower oxygen pickup by the powder of 1617 ppm, together with sufficient brown part strength for handling.
Punk pedagogy in a course about punk: A qualitative study of undergraduate students’ experiences
Authors: Logan Samuel W , Sloane Bethany M , Chandler Kelly D
Published: December 2024

Critical pedagogy is one of the major influences on the development of punk pedagogy. Despite the challenges with defining punk pedagogy, we offer a set of guiding principles that informed the current study. The principles are as follows: (a) do-it-yourself (DIY) ethos, (b) anti-hierarchical structure, (c) co-creation of knowledge, (d) inclusive and accessible, and (e) diverse representation. The purpose of this study is to understand students’ experiences with punk pedagogy principles implemented in a course about punk, titled “Punk 101: An exploration of punk rock through zine and do-it-yourself culture.” There were two research questions that guided the current study: (1) What were students’ overall course experiences in Punk 101? And (2) What were students’ experiences with punk pedagogy principles in Punk 101? We used a phenomenological approach involving students’ critical reflection of their experiences in a university-level course. Seven students participated in semi-structured interviews following the course. In this course, students listened to a playlist of 14 songs per week, read and discussed zines, and recorded a sound file from a DIY circuit board or created a zine about a topic of their choosing for their final project. The instructor implemented punk pedagogy principles in a variety of ways throughout the course. Students had positive experiences with the Punk 101 course; they gained knowledge and appreciation about punk music and culture, personal growth through DIY, and community building inside and outside of the classroom. Punk pedagogy is a viable approach in higher education. Further research is warranted to understand effective ways to use punk pedagogy strategies in the university classroom, and beyond.
A Methodological Framework for Descriptive Phenomenological Research
Authors: Abraham Daniel M. , P. Padmakumari
Published: December 2024

Background:

Descriptive phenomenological research is crucial in nursing for understanding individuals’ experiences, perceptions, and relationships, which are essential for person-centered healthcare. However, a common critique is that researchers often use phenomenological methods without fully comprehending their historical and philosophical foundations. Existing literature highlights discrepancies in the application of phenomenological principles by nurse researchers, particularly in their presentation of philosophical underpinnings and methodological details.

Aim:

This article aims to provide a comprehensive methodological framework for descriptive phenomenological research in nursing, addressing both theoretical and practical aspects to guide novice researchers.

Data Sources:

This framework synthesizes existing scholarship on descriptive phenomenology.

Discussion:

Starting from Husserl, this article provides a detailed overview of the history, foundations, and philosophical assumptions of the methodology. It also includes key terms and a comprehensive detailing of all aspects of the research process.

Conclusion:

This framework enriches existing scholarship by offering a streamlined, step-by-step methodological guide for researchers embarking on descriptive phenomenological studies. It emphasizes the importance of establishing minimum, yet critical criteria for publishing research employing this methodology.

Implications for Research:

Future nurse researchers are encouraged to enhance methodological transparency in their descriptive phenomenological studies to facilitate rigorous evaluation of method effectiveness and study quality. This framework aims to alleviate potential apprehensions and provide clarity and structure to novice researchers in the field.
Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy using physician-compounded foam: Position statement from the American vein and lymphatic society
Authors: Cartee Todd , Friedmann Daniel P. , Blebea John , Daugherty Stephen , Vayuvegula Satish , Mishra Vineet
Published: December 2024

Background: Chronic venous disease has a major impact on the quality of life of millions of patients. Large randomized controlled trials have established ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) as a safe and effective treatment option for both saphenous vein insufficiency and tributary disease. Ultrasound guidance is a critical component of sclerotherapy of non-visible veins.

Method: An expert panel of the American Vein and Lymphatic Society (AVLS) was convened to review the literature and write a Position Statement with recommendations for the use of UGFS with physician-compounded foam for patients with venous insufficiency.

Result: Consensus recommendations from the expert panel highlight the advantages and safety of high-quality physician-compounded foam. These recommendations were reviewed, edited and approved by the Guidelines Committee of the AVLS.

Conclusion: UGFS with in-office, physician-compounded foam is a safe primary treatment option for varicose, tributary, and truncal veins of the lower extremities and is an important adjunct therapy for tributary disease following or concomitant to endovenous ablation procedures.
Four-Stage Model of Marketing Systems Evolution: A Theoretical Framework for Sustainable and Inclusive Markets
Authors: Kelleci Alpaslan
Published: December 2024

Markets are dynamic systems evolving in response to societal, economic, and technological shifts. This commentary presents the Four-Stage Model of Marketing Systems, a theoretical framework grounded in Weber's concepts of formal and substantive rationality while also building upon and extending existing frameworks. The model traces market evolution across four phases: hierarchical formal markets, DIY markets, prosumer-driven platforms, and participatory prosumption collectivities. Emphasizing the transition from efficiency-focused “power-over” systems to inclusive, sustainable “power-with” systems, it integrates insights on governance, equity, and societal well-being. By examining examples like Stocksy and FairBnB, the commentary demonstrates how participatory models can address systemic challenges, such as inequality and ecological degradation, while fostering sustainable growth. The model has significant implications for marketing theory, policy, and practice, offering pathways to reimagine markets as tools for collective progress. This paper concludes with a call for interdisciplinary collaboration to align market systems with the values of equity, sustainability, and inclusivity.
Socially Responsible Fintech Using Open Social Innovation
Authors: Kaefer Frederick , Mora Guillermina Luz , Santos Nicholas J.C.
Published: December 2024

Recognizing that a large portion of society endures financial exclusion, this paper examines macromarketing issues regarding ensuring financial inclusion to achieve higher levels of consumer well-being and improved quality of life. Socially responsible marketing (SRM) requires efforts toward social sustainability as some segments of society are vulnerable, and often financially excluded and subject to exploitation. Fintech services have the capability of increasing financial inclusion, which provides many benefits to society. An important approach to achieving socially responsible fintech is by using open social innovation, which utilizes both inbound and outbound open innovation strategies. However, open innovation strategies present significant ethical challenges regarding fairness, trust, knowledge sharing, etc. We examine how the five elements of the Integrative Justice Model (IJM) can be applied to the six stages of the Open Social Innovation (OSI) framework to provide guidelines to achieve socially responsible fintech. Ensuring processes to protect the interests of all fintech stakeholders will increase the chance of obtaining systemic change, the ultimate goal of social innovation.
Incorporating Physical Activity in a New Two-Oscillator Model of Circadian Activity in Nocturnal and Diurnal Mammals
Authors: van Beurden Anouk W. , Meijer Johanna H. , Rohling Jos H. T.
Published: December 2024

In both diurnal and nocturnal species, the neurons in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) generate a daily pattern in which the impulse frequency peaks at midday and is lowest during the night. This pattern, common to both day-active and night-active species, has led to the long-standing notion that their functional difference relies merely on a sign reversal in SCN output. However, recent evidence shows that the response of the SCN to the animal’s physical activity is opposite in nocturnal and diurnal animals. This finding suggests the presence of additional differences in the circadian system between nocturnal and diurnal species. We therefore attempted to identify these differences in neuronal network organization using the A-B two-oscillator model, which is comprised of Poincaré like oscillators. Based on this model, we infer that in diurnal animals the feedback from physical activity acts on neuronal subpopulations in the SCN that do not receive light input; in contrast, in nocturnal animals, physical activity acts on light-receptive neurons in the SCN in order to produce high-amplitude circadian rhythms.
The effect of eccentricity error on the static load sharing characteristics of PTBTS based on 3D-LTCA method
Authors: Che Xiaoyu , Zhang Chao , Yu Hu , Zhu Rupeng
Published: December 2024

Eccentricity error represents a common error form in gear transmission systems. Its presence significantly impacts the time-varying meshing stiffness (TVMS) and transmission error among gear pairs, consequently exerting a notable influence on the load sharing coefficient (LSC) of power two branching transmission system (PTBTS). In this paper, the static load sharing model of PTBTS is constructed based on the equilibrium relationships of gear pair with the consideration of position angle, meshing phase, eccentricity error and so on. Additionally, a TVMS model for multi-branching transmission system is established using the three-dimensional load tooth contact analysis (3D-LTCA) method. Finally, the stiffness model and static load sharing model are coupled to achieve precise modeling of the PTBTS static characteristics, and the impact of eccentricity error amplitude and phase on the static load sharing characteristics of PTBTS are studied. The results indicate a substantial influence of eccentricity error and eccentric phase on the load sharing characteristics of the system. As the eccentricity error amplitude increases, the load sharing performance of the system deteriorates. However, it is noteworthy that the static load sharing characteristics of the system can be enhanced by adjusting the eccentricity error phase to an appropriate setting.
An improved B-spline-based energy operator method for fault detection of motor bearings
Authors: Yao Dan , Wei Yu , Xu Yuanbo , Sun Min
Published: December 2024

Motor bearings play a crucial role in the smooth operation of motors. However, they are often subjected to various external factors such as load, transmission, and impact during their operation. These factors can lead to bearing failure, which ultimately results in mechanical breakdown of the entire motor. To address this issue, an improved B-spline-based energy operator technique is proposed in this study for fault detection of motor bearings. This technique offers several advancements over traditional methods. Firstly, it utilizes an improved grey wolf optimizer (I-GWO) to search for the optimal solution of the B-spline order that matches the input signal. This eliminates the need for blind selection of parameters and ensures accurate results. Secondly, instead of relying on the Hilbert transform (HT) for estimating instantaneous amplitude and frequency (IF and IA), a novel IF and IA tool is employed. By doing so, it establishes precise nodes for the B-spline function, significantly enhancing its precision. The improvements made in this study have demonstrated superior performance in detecting faults compared to existing techniques. Through simulations and case studies conducted during our research, we have observed that the improved demodulation technique outperforms other methods in terms of accuracy and effectiveness.
Adaptive time-varying sliding mode attitude maneuver control for multirotary-joint solar power satellite under constraints
Authors: Xu Song , Qi Naiming , Huo Mingying , Du Desong , Feng Wenyu
Published: December 2024

This paper focuses on the problem of attitude maneuver for the Multirotary-joint Solar Power Satellite (MR-SPS) subject to the angular velocity and control torque constraints, mass parameter uncertainties, and external disturbances. The attitude dynamics and kinematics considering the mass parameter uncertainties and external disturbances are first established. Subsequently, a gain-scheduling disturbance observer is designed to eliminate the effect of the mass parameter uncertainties and the external disturbances. A novel nonlinear implicit time-varying sliding surface is constructed to eliminate the reaching phase and limit the angular velocity to a certain range. Based on the time-varying sliding surface, a sliding mode controller is designed in conjunction with the disturbance observer. The time-varying term in the sliding surface can be adjusted according to the control torques to restrict them within an appropriate range to avoid saturation. Lyapunov stability analysis demonstrates that the sliding mode controller can ensure the asymptotic stability of the system. Finally, numerical simulations are performed to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.
The Perception of Lean Healthcare by Nursing Professionals
Authors: Müller Patrícia Regina , Nunes Fabiano de Lima , Nodari Cristine Hermann , Vaccaro Guilherme Luís Roehe
Published: December 2024

This research aims to identify which lean healthcare (LH) factors from the nursing professionals’ perception matter for the introduction of a lean mentality in hospital environments. We revised the main concepts, techniques and tools that comprise the lean philosophy that is applied in hospitals. Based on the theoretical revision, we surveyed through a questionnaire sent out to 252 people with a return rate of 39.3 per cent and used the structural equation modelling through the SmartPLS 3.0 software. Identified three constructs that represented a load of 0.4961 for the concepts/philosophy construct, 0.248 for the tools construct and 0.161 for the techniques and tools construct, which are considered satisfactory loads by the literature. All the constructs proposed in the research directly affected 69 per cent of the LH construct. Based on the nursing professionals’ perception, it is necessary to use the techniques, the tools, the concepts and the lean philosophy to create an LH mentality. The results show the operations’ planning relevance in health services and, consequently, the importance of LH for the demands that mostly come from the impairment of technological and social resources in the Brazilian hospital context.
A Cross-sectional Study of Depression, Anxiety and Stress in Mongolians During COVID-19 Lockdowns
Authors: Khosbayar Alimaa , Angarag Nomundari , Andrade Maureen Snow , Miller Ronald
Published: December 2024

Mongolia remained one of the few countries with no registered cases of the COVID-19 virus for most of 2020. However, the number spiked after the first registered case, which was imported from abroad by a foreign individual. As a result, the Mongolian government implemented multiple lockdown restrictions, which impacted the overall mental health and well-being of the population. The purpose of this study was to investigate depression, anxiety and stress levels in the Mongolian population ( n = 344) during lockdowns using a Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS-21) scale that included factors such as the health and well-being of loved ones, financial status and anhedonia. This study also aimed at establishing relationships between depression, anxiety, stress and the tendency to seek social support using an Oslo Social Support Scale (OSSS-3) scale. Participants who scored highest on depression, anxiety and stress tended to seek social support less. The findings increase understanding of the impact of social factors on mental well-being during global health crises and have implications for how governments can better approach the management of these issues.
Systematic Assessment of Eras: Effectiveness and Application in Surgical Interventions for Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Tyagi Gaurav , Kai Yin , Zhang Xu
Published: December 2024

Background:

Over the past 20 years, Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) has gained popularity in colorectal cancer surgery. In addition, single-port laparoscopic surgery has been shown to have advantages. In colon cancer surgery, single-port laparoscopic surgery and ERAS can improve short-term results. However, whereas the former depends on surgical ability, the latter requires multidisciplinary teamwork.

Aim:

The goal of this project is to investigate the application and outcomes of ERAS protocols throughout the whole continuum of care for colorectal cancer surgery. Examine the details of how ERAS protocols enhance surgical results, with an emphasis on comprehending the subtleties of its use in the treatment of colorectal cancer and the possible obstacles to its broad adoption.

Materials and Methods:

A literature review was conducted, spanning Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases for research conducted between January 2007 and June 2022 and involved specific keywords. The analysis included studies that had to meet two essential criteria: least investigation period of 30 days and compliance with a minimum of four out of the five core components of ERAS.

Results:

Following a comprehensive assessment, five studies satisfied the inclusion criteria. Among these studies, there were two ‘Randomized Controlled Trials’ (RCTs) and three Observational studies. These studies collectively encompassed 1454 patients: 820 patients treated following ERAS protocols, and 634 patients treated with non-ERAS protocols.

Conclusion:

The evidence supporting ERAS’s potential to enhance patient outcomes and its implementation challenges is compiled in this article. That allows to guide future research, enhance treatment following colorectal cancer surgery, and influence clinical practice.
Enhancing the teaching practice of marketing concepts with literature usage — the case of Émile Zola’s novel / Mejorar la enseñanza de conceptos de marketing con el uso de la literatura: el caso de la novela de Émile Zola
Authors: Kulcsár Erika , Negruşa Adina-Letiţia
Published: December 2024

As a result of the restrictions caused by the pandemic, education has moved to another space. Online conditions largely override all the methods that can be applied offline. The online interface, as an educational platform, requires a different kind of competence. The extent to which heuristic, Socratic methods can be put into practice in online education depends primarily on the creativity of those working on the front lines. The aim of this study is to illustrate how fiction can be applied — in this case, Émile Zola’s novel The Ladies’ Delight, primarily in the teaching of commercial marketing — in order for students to be emotionally involved in the educational process and to be part of the experiential learning during a pandemic.
Understanding student engagement with teacher feedback in Chinese-to-English consecutive interpreting courses
Authors: Gao Bin , Fan Jiashun
Published: December 2024

While research on student engagement with oral and written corrective feedback (CF) in second language acquisition (SLA) is well established, the study of such engagement within the context of interpreting, which requires bilingual conversion, is not as developed. Building on Ellis’ tripartite conceptualization of student engagement – comprising affective, cognitive, and behavioral responses – this study explored the engagement of 30 students with teacher feedback in three Chinese-to-English consecutive interpreting courses. Data were collected through classroom recordings, semi-structured interviews, stimulated recall sessions, and students’ in-class notes. The findings indicated that, affectively, all students highly valued and presented overall affirmative emotions towards teacher feedback. Cognitively, students employed various cognitive strategies, including active attribution, mental rehearsal, and information categorization in processing feedback information; however, they encountered challenges in fully understanding the content and process-focused feedback. Behaviorally, two predominant note-taking patterns emerged: ‘language-oriented’ and ‘skill-oriented’. The findings emphasize the critical role of interpreting practice in language acquisition and underscore the need to refine pedagogical approaches in interpreting courses to support both language learning and interpreter training.
Seismic performance of modular steel structure with X-shaped rubber bearings: Shaking table tests
Authors: Wu Di , Liang Baian , Xiong Yan
Published: December 2024

To facilitate the promotion of modular steel structures (MSSs) in residential and industrial buildings, X-shaped rubber bearings (XRBs) with enhanced ultimate deformation properties are applied in high seismic fortification zone. Currently, there is a lack of seismic performance evaluation for MSS equipped with XRB. Thus, an assessment of the probability of seismic damage of isolated structures has been carried out based on experimental results. Subsequently, the design and construction of a typical modular seismically isolated steel structure (MSISS) have been carried out. Based on shaking table tests, the displacement, acceleration, and strain responses of the full-scale test model under seismic excitation have been measured, and the seismic simulation analysis of the numerical model is performed. Compared with ordinary laminated rubber bearings, XRB shows high ultimate deformation capacity and excellent compressive and shear stability. The results of the study show that the use of XRBs is effective in reducing the risk of seismic failure of the MSISS model compared to the use of cylindrical rubber bearings (CRBs).
Effects of addition of clay and alumina nanoparticles on flame-retardant, thermal, and mechanical properties of polyolefin elastomer/magnesium hydroxide composite
Authors: Jong Young Seob , Park Jae Hyung , Lee Ji Eun , Park Eun-Soo
Published: December 2024

This study aims to develop extreme cold temperature resistance and non-halogenated flame retardant sheathing material for Arctic shipboard cables. A series of polyolefin elastomer (POE)/magnesium hydroxide (MHO)-nanosized clay (CL) and POE/MHO-nanosized alumina (AL) composites were prepared by melt-blending and their flame-retardant, thermal and mechanical properties were evaluated. The results reveal that the AL showed a synergistic effect in improving flame-retardant and tensile properties, oil resistance, and thermal stability of the POE/MHO. Notably, the tensile strength, elongation at break, and limit oxygen index of the POE/MHO composite with 1.2 phr AL increased by 54.9%, 39.5%, and 5.2%, respectively. Crucially, except for POE/MHO-CL1.2 phr, the glass transition temperature of all composites remained below −66 °C. Overall, 1.2 phr AL content is deemed optimal for the desired properties.
Research on piston aeroengine fault diagnosis method with acoustic emission signal and rough set theory synergy
Authors: Bi Xiaoyang , Sun Yinghui , Yang Yanhe , Lee Alamusi , Hou Dongming , Liu Bingxi , Chang Yang , Huang Chuanjin , Hu Ning
Published: December 2024

Piston aeroengine is a general power device for small aircraft. However, the engine system is complex and is subjected to strong noise interference in addition to changing operating conditions, which make it difficult to diagnose the faults of the engine. This article proposes a novel intelligent diagnostic model for piston aeroengine in collaboration with the acoustic emission (AE) signal and rough set theory. First, the wavelet packet transform is used for the time-frequency analysis of AE signals; then based on the rough set theory, to select the sensitive components and features with a high contribution to the classification; and finally, the RGB-3-channel color feature maps are constructed based on the selected components and features for the recognition of convolutional neural network. We compare the proposed method with several conventional methods, and the results show that it has higher diagnostic accuracy as well as better generalization ability and universality.
Critical Anti-Racist Discourse Analysis Applied to Federally Qualified Health Center Policy
Authors: Jabson Tree Jennifer , Laughter Judson , Wairimu Sandra , Melvin Khadijah , Winford Eboni
Published: December 2024

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) seek to improve health equity for marginalized and historically disenfranchised communities. However, FQHC policies are not necessarily designed to be explicitly anti-racist. This can result in institutional racism shaping and influencing policy. FQHCs motivated to engage racism-conscious policy need anti-racism policy analyses. We applied one such method to an FQHC’s operations manual: Critical, Anti-Racist, and Discourse Analysis (CARDA). Using CARDA, three themes were identified, describing pathways along which institutional racism might be reified: (a) procedures for actions were specified but no specific position was listed as responsible, (b) policies written in passive voice, and (c) absence of explicit delineation of workflow responsibilities. Dismantling institutional racism requires analyzing policies that have potential for unintended effects. Cultivating clear policies and procedures for addressing harm and naming positions responsible for implementation of policy and procedure builds accountability, trust, and relationships between institutions and communities.
Handling complexity of large high-level specifications in simulation environment: the case of transformational model-battle management
Authors: Alshareef Abdurrahman , Kim Doohwan
Published: December 2024

Modeling system requirements at a high level can significantly facilitate the communication of mental models across highly heterogeneous entities. Two major challenges may arise during such a process. The first is the degree to which details of the higher-level specifications can capture and effectively handle. Especially, when the model contains more nuanced descriptions of parallel execution and temporal pacing. The second challenge arises when realizing such specifications downstream due to ambiguities and incompleteness encountered in higher-level semiformal artifacts. We propose a formal specification and transformation of higher-level artifacts, particularly in the operational activity model of the Department of Defense Architecture Framework (OV-5 DoDAF). We create an isomorphic activity model corresponding to each activity in the Transformational Model-Battle Management. Then, we generate a code for simulating the models as Markov Discrete Event System Specifications. We demonstrate the size and other aspects of the experiments that can be conducted based on the generated simulation and the level of complexity in such an approach. We highlight aspects of managing complexity using model transformations and code generation techniques in a full-cycle model-based system engineering approach, expediting the process toward arriving at the concrete realization of simulation models that only originated from minimal high-level metamodels and artifacts.