bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Multicenter Validity Study of Four Smartphone Hearing Test Apps in Optimized and Home Environments
Authors: Swords Chloe , Twumasi Emmanuel , Fitzgerald Maisie , Fitzsimons‐West Erin , Luo Michael , Dunne Henry , Lim Kim Hui , Jones Oliver , Law Sarah , Myuran Tharsika , Smith Gareth , Tailor Bhavesh V. , Wakelam Oliver , de Cates Catherine , Borsetto Daniele , Tysome James , Donnelly Neil , Axon Patrick , Bance Manohar , Smith Matthew E.
Published: January 2024

Objective

Pure tone audiometry (PTA) is the gold standard for hearing assessment. However, it requires access to specialized equipment. Smartphone audiometry applications (apps) have been developed to perform automated threshold audiometry and could allow patients to perform self‐administered screening or monitoring. This study aimed to assess the validity and feasibility of patients using apps to self‐assess hearing thresholds at home, with comparison to PTA.

Methods

A multi‐center, prospective randomized study was conducted amongst patients undergoing PTA in clinics. Participants were randomly allocated to one of four publicly‐available apps designed to measure pure tone thresholds. Participants used an app once in optimal sound‐treated conditions and a further three times at home. Ear‐specific frequency‐specific thresholds and pure tone average were compared using Pearson correlation coefficient. The percentage of app hearing tests with results within ±10 dB of PTA was calculated. Patient acceptability was assessed via an online survey.

Results

One hundred thirty‐nine participants submitted data. The results of two at‐home automated smartphone apps correlated strongly/very strongly with PTA average and their frequency‐specific median was within ±10 dB accuracy. Smartphone audiometry performed in sound‐treated and home conditions were very strongly correlated. The apps were rated as easy/very easy to use by 90% of participants and 90% would be happy/very happy to use an app to monitor their hearing.

Conclusion

Judicious use of self‐performed smartphone audiometry was both valid and feasible for two of four apps. It could provide frequency‐specific threshold estimates at home, potentially allowing assessments of patients remotely or monitoring of fluctuating hearing loss.

Level of Evidence

2 Laryngoscope, 134:2864–2870, 2024
Children's Visual Perception of Facial Scarring and Cleft Lip Deformity Using Eye Tracking Data
Authors: Roby Brianne B. , Ebert Bridget , Zavala Hanan , Chinnadurai Siva , Scott Andrew R.
Published: January 2024

Objective

The purpose of this study is to determine children's perception of secondary cleft lip deformity (SCLD) using objective eye tracking technology and subjective responses on a survey to understand pediatric perceptions of facial scarring.

Design

Cross‐sectional study of participants aged 5–17 years old.

Methods

Participants viewed images of children's faces with an eye tracking device. Sixteen images were displayed, 12 with unilateral SCLD and four with no facial scarring. Eye tracking data were obtained. Gaze samples were analyzed for areas of interest (AOIs). Immediately after viewing each image, participants answered two survey questions relating to facial asymmetry attitude toward the child pictured. For analysis, participants were divided into age groups.

Results

A total of 259 participants were enrolled (42.5% female). Mean age was 10.5 years and 78% identified as White. In all age groups, total fixation time was greater for SCLD compared to control images. Early elementary age children spent significantly less time assessing the nose AOI compared to other groups, and also spent the least total fixation time and had the lowest visit count on all AOIs. Subjective survey questions showed similar trends with elementary age not noticing facial asymmetry compared to older age groups.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the successful use of eye tracking technology in children as young as 5 years old. This study suggests that SCLD is perceived as less noticeable in elementary age children and becomes more noticeable to older groups. Understanding peer perception on SCLD from this study may impact decision on revision surgery for SCLD.

Level of Evidence

IV Laryngoscope, 134:2726–2733, 2024
New exploration on approximate controllability of fractional neutral‐type delay stochastic differential inclusions with non‐instantaneous impulse
Authors: Kumar Sharma Om Prakash , Vats Ramesh Kumar , Kumar Ankit
Published: January 2024

This paper aims to derive a new set of sufficient conditions for the existence and approximate controllability of neutral‐type fractional stochastic integrodifferential inclusions with infinite delay and non‐instantaneous impulse in a separable Hilbert space using the Atangana–Baleanu Caputo fractional derivative. We investigate the existence of a mild solution for the Atangana–Baleanu Caputo fractional neutral‐type delay integrodifferential stochastic system while taking into account the non‐instantaneous impulses. For this purpose, the Atangana–Baleanu Caputo fractional neutral‐type impulsive delay stochastic system is transferred into an equivalent fixed point problem via an integral operator, and then, the Bohnenblust–Karlin fixed point approach is applied. Further, the approximate controllability results of the proposed nonlinear stochastic impulsive control system are established under the consideration that the corresponding linear system is approximately controllable. The set of sufficient conditions is established by using the concepts of stochastic analysis, fractional calculus, fixed point technique, semigroup theory of bounded linear operators, and the theory of multivalued maps. To illustrate the abstract results, we provide an example at the end of the paper.
A triangular patch array for wireless power transfer
Authors: Sahandabadi Sahereh , Attaran Ali , Alirezaee Shahpour
Published: January 2024

In this paper, the radiative near‐field method has been employed to transfer power through a triangular patch microstrip array that had not been used for this application previously. Additionally, the FR4 substrate is utilized to further reduce the system cost. The system comprises two identical array antennas functioning as both transmitter and receiver. Each array consists of four triangular patches with a side length of 38.5 mm and operates at a frequency of 2.4 GHz. The distance between the two arrays is 50 mm, placing the system in the radiative near‐field category of wireless power transfer. This two‐array system enables the evaluation of power transfer efficiency. The system's performance is improved compared to that of a single triangular patch, and it is also studied in terms of changes in distance. As expected, reducing the distance enhances the system's performance. Subsequently, the structure is fabricated, and the measurements validate the simulation results. The simulation and measurement results exhibit good agreement.
Experimental synthesis and characterization of PVA‐fumaric acid cross‐linked biodegradable films: Implications as a sustainable matrix for composites
Authors: Sharma Pragya , Agrawal Pawan Kumar , Singh V. K. , Bhaskar Jitendra , Verma Akarsh , Chauhan Sakshi
Published: January 2024

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is a widely used polymer that is biocompatible, nontoxic, and water‐soluble due to the presence of hydroxyl groups in its domain. This study aims to investigate the effects of fumaric acid (FA) cross‐linking and thermal cross‐linking (TC) on the PVA's mechanical and thermal properties. When the FA is mixed with PVA, it was found in the chemical reaction that the OH groups of PVA are condensing with the carboxylic acid units of FA to yield new ester linkages and water as a by‐product, which further results in the reduction of the water absorption capacity. Quantitatively, the addition of 8 (wt. /wt. %) FA resulted in a minimum of 65% water absorption rate, as compared with 117% for pure PVA. The mechanical and thermal properties of PVA also enhanced with the addition of 2% to 8% FA by weight. For the TC case, the % increase in ultimate tensile strength was 30.9% and 42.5% with and without TC, respectively. As the wt. % of FA increased from 2 to 10%, the % elongation value decreased for both with and without TC films relative to pure PVA. The thermogravimetric analysis revealed the change in degradation temperature of FA‐PVA blended film in comparison with pure PVA. Dynamic mechanical analysis was utilized to analyze the viscoelastic nature and temperature variation at the glass transition temperature. The current fabricated film is a potential candidate for the food packaging films application; moreover, the results reported in this investigation will accelerate the industrial applications of biodegradable PVA.

Highlights

Increasing the weight percentage of fumaric acid leads to an enhancement in mechanical and thermal properties of the film.

Esterification is the usual reaction between fumaric acid and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), in which ester linkages are formed when the carboxyl groups (‐COOH) of fumaric acid and the hydroxyl groups (‐OH) of PVA combine.

Water absorption characteristics of the film reduces as the wt. % of fumaric acid increases.

Thermal cross‐linking of the film leads to further improvements in mechanical and thermal properties.

The overall effect of increasing the wt. % of fumaric acid is negative on the glass transition temperature of the film.

The developed film is a potential candidate for the food packaging films application.
Application of hypothetical strategies in acute pain
Authors: Zhong Jinglin , Petullo David
Published: January 2024

Since the publication of ICH E9 (R1), “Addendum to statistical principles for clinical trials: on choosing appropriate estimands and defining sensitivity analyses in clinical trials,” there has been a lot of debate about the hypothetical strategy for handling intercurrent events. Arguments against the hypothetical strategy are twofold: (1) the clinical question has limited clinical/regulatory interest; (2) the estimation may need strong statistical assumptions. In this article, we provide an example of a hypothetical strategy handling use of rescue medications in the acute pain setting. We argue that the treatment effect of a drug that is attributable to the treatment alone is the clinical question of interest and is important to regulators. The hypothetical strategy is important when developing non‐opioid treatment as it estimates the treatment effect due to treatment during the pre‐specified evaluation period whereas the treatment policy strategy does not. Two widely acceptable and non‐controversial clinical inputs are required to construct a reasonable estimator. More importantly, this estimator does not rely on additional strong statistical assumptions and is considered reasonable for regulatory decision making. In this article, we point out examples where estimators for a hypothetical strategy can be constructed without any strong additional statistical assumptions besides acceptable clinical inputs. We also showcase a new way to obtain estimation based on disease specific clinical knowledge instead of strong statistical assumptions. In the example presented, we clearly demonstrate the advantages of the hypothetical strategy compared to alternative strategies including the treatment policy strategy and a composite variable strategy.
Origin of semiconductor and half‐metallic behaviors in the perovskite materials RbXF3 (X = Co, Mn, Fe or V): A GGA + U approach
Authors: Idrissi Samira , Jabar Abderrahim , Bahmad Lahoucine
Published: January 2024

In this paper, we study and discuss the structural, and electronic properties of the RbXF3 (X = Co, Mn, V or Fe) Perovskite Materials using the Density Functional Theory (DFT). Also, the origin of both semi‐conductor (SM) and half‐metallic (HM) characters have been outlined. The density functional theory (DFT) has been applied to illustrate the physical properties of the RbXF3 (X = Co, Mn, Fe or V) perovskite materials. The generalized gradient approximation introduced by Perdew–Burke and Ernzerhof (GGA‐PBE) with Hubbard correction has been used for modeling the physical properties of the RbXF3 (X = Co, Mn, V or Fe) perovskite compounds. The total and partial densities of states of each solar perovskite RbVF3 (X = Co, Mn, Fe or V) material have been illustrated and discussed. In addition, the contribution of the different elements: Rb, Co, Mn, Fe, V and F, has been investigated revealing the most contributing ones in the valance and conduction bands. The magnetic behavior of the studied solar perovskites RbVF3 (X = Co, Mn, Fe or V) materials, has been outlined. It is found that the perovskites RbCoF3 and RbFeF3 are half‐metallic, while the materials RbMnF3 and RbVF3 exhibit a semi‐conductor behavior.
Geometric approach to vertex‐degree‐based topological indices–Elliptic Sombor index, theory and application
Authors: Gutman Ivan , Furtula Boris , Oz Mert Sinan
Published: January 2024

A novel geometric method is proposed for constructing vertex‐degree‐based molecular structure descriptors (topological indices). The model is based on an ellipse whose focal points represent the degrees of a pair of adjacent vertices. This approach enables a geometric interpretation of several previously known topological indices, and lead to design of a few new. The area of the ellipse induces a vertex‐degree‐based topological index of remarkable simplicity, which we call elliptic Sombor index(). The main mathematical properties of are established, especially its relations to other, earlier known, indices. Then the applicative potential of is analyzed.
Developing partnerships for academic data science consulting and collaboration units
Authors: Huebner Marianne , Bond Laura , Stukes Felesia , Herndon Joel , Edwards David J. , Pomann Gina‐Maria
Published: January 2024

Data science consulting and collaboration units (DSUs) are core infrastructure for research at universities. Activities span data management, study design, data analysis, data visualization, predictive modelling, preparing reports, manuscript writing and advising on statistical methods and may include an experiential or teaching component. Partnerships are needed for a thriving DSU as an active part of the larger university network. Guidance for identifying, developing and managing successful partnerships for DSUs can be summarized in six rules: (1) align with institutional strategic plans, (2) cultivate partnerships that fit your mission, (3) ensure sustainability and prepare for growth, (4) define clear expectations in a partnership agreement, (5) communicate and (6) expect the unexpected. While these rules are not exhaustive, they are derived from experiences in a diverse set of DSUs, which vary by administrative home, mission, staffing and funding model. As examples in this paper illustrate, these rules can be adapted to different organizational models for DSUs. Clear expectations in partnership agreements are essential for high quality and consistent collaborations and address core activities, duration, staffing, cost and evaluation. A DSU is an organizational asset that should involve thoughtful investment if the institution is to gain real value.
Performance and microbial response to nitrate nitrogen removal from simulated groundwater by electrode biofilm reactor with Ti/CNT/Cu5‐Pd5 catalytic cathode
Authors: Gao Yan , Shen Jianing , Yinzhang Hongyu , Yang Liuyan
Published: January 2024

To enhance the removal of nitrate nitrogen (NO3−‐N) in groundwater with a low C/N ratio, electrocatalytic reduction of NO3−‐N has received extensive attention since its electrons can be directly produced in situ while simultaneously providing a clean electronic donor of hydrogen for denitrifying bacteria. In this study, Ti/CNT/CuPd bimetallic catalytic electrodes with different copper‐palladium (CuPd) ratios were prepared by electrodeposition onto carbon nanotube (CNT) using titanium (Ti) plates. The results showed that the NO3−‐N conversion rate by Ti/CNT/Cu5‐Pd5 electrode was the highest (53.60%) compared with other CuPd electrode ratios because of the combined role of the copper's high NO3−‐N catalytic activity and the palladium's high N2 selectivity. A new type of electrode biofilm reactor (EBR) with Ti/CNT/Cu5‐Pd5 cathode, biochar substrate was constructed to explore the removal ability of NO3−‐N in simulated low C/N groundwater. When the influent NO3−‐N concentration was 30 mg/L, under the condition of a 30 mA electronic current and hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 12 h, the removal rate of NO3−‐N could reach as high as 78.1 ± 1.2%, and the N2 conversion rate was 99.7%. The horizontal distribution of microbial communities in EBR showed that the denitrification capacity was significantly improved through the electrochemical catalytic reduction of the Ti/CNT/Cu5‐Pd5 cathode and the supply of the hydrogen electron donor to autotrophic denitrogenerating microbes such as Anaerobacillus, Thauera, and Hydrophaga. This study provides a new bimetallic catalytic cathode to enhance the removal of NO3−‐N in groundwater with a low C/N ratio.

Practitioner Points

The Cu5Pd5/CNTs/Ti electrode is beneficial to the adsorption and reduction of NO3−‐N to N2.

The production of hydrogen electron donors by cathode promoted nitrogen degradation.

Activated electrodes together with denitrifying microorganisms contributed to the improved N removal rate.
The social determinants of mental health and disorder: evidence, prevention and recommendations
Authors: Kirkbride James B. , Anglin Deidre M. , Colman Ian , Dykxhoorn Jennifer , Jones Peter B. , Patalay Praveetha , Pitman Alexandra , Soneson Emma , Steare Thomas , Wright Talen , Griffiths Siân Lowri
Published: January 2024

People exposed to more unfavourable social circumstances are more vulnerable to poor mental health over their life course, in ways that are often determined by structural factors which generate and perpetuate intergenerational cycles of disadvantage and poor health. Addressing these challenges is an imperative matter of social justice. In this paper we provide a roadmap to address the social determinants that cause mental ill health. Relying as far as possible on high‐quality evidence, we first map out the literature that supports a causal link between social determinants and later mental health outcomes. Given the breadth of this topic, we focus on the most pervasive social determinants across the life course, and those that are common across major mental disorders. We draw primarily on the available evidence from the Global North, acknowledging that other global contexts will face both similar and unique sets of social determinants that will require equitable attention. Much of our evidence focuses on mental health in groups who are marginalized, and thus often exposed to a multitude of intersecting social risk factors. These groups include refugees, asylum seekers and displaced persons, as well as ethnoracial minoritized groups; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) groups; and those living in poverty. We then introduce a preventive framework for conceptualizing the link between social determinants and mental health and disorder, which can guide much needed primary prevention strategies capable of reducing inequalities and improving population mental health. Following this, we provide a review of the evidence concerning candidate preventive strategies to intervene on social determinants of mental health. These interventions fall broadly within the scope of universal, selected and indicated primary prevention strategies, but we also briefly review important secondary and tertiary strategies to promote recovery in those with existing mental disorders. Finally, we provide seven key recommendations, framed around social justice, which constitute a roadmap for action in research, policy and public health. Adoption of these recommendations would provide an opportunity to advance efforts to intervene on modifiable social determinants that affect population mental health.
The definition of treatment resistance in anxiety disorders: a Delphi method‐based consensus guideline
Authors: Domschke Katharina , Seuling Patrik D. , Schiele Miriam A. , Bandelow Borwin , Batelaan Neeltje M. , Bokma Wicher A. , Branchi Igor , Broich Karl , Burkauskas Julius , Davies Simon J.C. , Dell'Osso Bernardo , Fagan Harry , Fineberg Naomi A. , Furukawa Toshi A. , Hofmann Stefan G. , Hood Sean , Huneke Nathan T.M. , Latas Milan , Lidbetter Nicky , Masdrakis Vasilios , McAllister‐Williams R. Hamish , Nardi Antonio E. , Pallanti Stefano , Penninx Brenda W.J.H. , Perna Giampaolo , Pilling Steve , Pini Stefano , Reif Andreas , Seedat Soraya , Simons Gemma , Srivastava Shrikant , Steibliene˙ Vesta , Stein Dan J. , Stein Murray B. , van Ameringen Michael , van Balkom Anton J.L.M. , van der Wee Nic , Zwanzger Peter , Baldwin David S.
Published: January 2024

Anxiety disorders are very prevalent and often persistent mental disorders, with a considerable rate of treatment resistance which requires regulatory clinical trials of innovative therapeutic interventions. However, an explicit definition of treatment‐resistant anxiety disorders (TR‐AD) informing such trials is currently lacking. We used a Delphi method‐based consensus approach to provide internationally agreed, consistent and clinically useful operational criteria for TR‐AD in adults. Following a summary of the current state of knowledge based on international guidelines and an available systematic review, a survey of free‐text responses to a 29‐item questionnaire on relevant aspects of TR‐AD, and an online consensus meeting, a panel of 36 multidisciplinary international experts and stakeholders voted anonymously on written statements in three survey rounds. Consensus was defined as ≥75% of the panel agreeing with a statement. The panel agreed on a set of 14 recommendations for the definition of TR‐AD, providing detailed operational criteria for resistance to pharmacological and/or psychotherapeutic treatment, as well as a potential staging model. The panel also evaluated further aspects regarding epidemiological subgroups, comorbidities and biographical factors, the terminology of TR‐AD vs. “difficult‐to‐treat” anxiety disorders, preferences and attitudes of persons with these disorders, and future research directions. This Delphi method‐based consensus on operational criteria for TR‐AD is expected to serve as a systematic, consistent and practical clinical guideline to aid in designing future mechanistic studies and facilitate clinical trials for regulatory purposes. This effort could ultimately lead to the development of more effective evidence‐based stepped‐care treatment algorithms for patients with anxiety disorders.
Can we explain cosmic birefringence without a new light field beyond Standard Model?
Authors: Nakai Yuichiro , Namba Ryo , Obata Ippei , Qiu Yu-Cheng , Saito Ryo
Published: January 2024

Abstract

The recent analysis of the Planck 2018 polarization data shows a nonzero isotropic cosmic birefringence (ICB) that is not explained within the ΛCDM paradigm. We then explore the question of whether the nonzero ICB is interpreted by the framework of the Standard Model Effective Field Theory (SMEFT), or at the energy scales of the cosmic microwave background, the low-energy EFT (LEFT) whose dynamical degrees of freedom are five SM quarks and all neutral and charged leptons. Our systematic study reveals that any operator in the EFT on a cosmological background would not give the reported ICB angle, which is observationally consistent with frequency independence. In particular, we estimate the size of the ICB angle generated by the effect that the cosmic microwave background photons travel through the medium of the cosmic neutrino background with parity-violating neutrino-photon interactions and find that it would be too small to explain the data. If the reported ICB angle should be confirmed, then our result would indicate the existence of a new particle that is lighter than the electroweak scale and feebly interacting with the SM particles.
Sequestered string models imply split supersymmetry
Authors: Cicoli Michele , Cotellucci Alessandro , Otsuka Hajime
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Sequestering is a promising mechanism in 4D string models to reconcile high-scale inflation with low-energy supersymmetry. In this scenario the MSSM lives on branes at singularities and it is sequestered from the sources of supersymmetry breaking in the bulk. The soft-terms are suppressed with respect to the gravitino mass so that all moduli are heavy enough to avoid any cosmological moduli problem. In this paper we study stability bounds and flavour constraints on sequestered string models, finding that they can be satisfied if the soft-terms give rise to a mass spectrum typical of split supersymmetry with TeV-scale gauginos and sfermions around 107 GeV. When instead scalar and gaugino masses are of the same order of magnitude, large flavour changing neutral currents can be avoided only by pushing the soft-terms above 106 GeV. However this scenario is in tension with stability bounds due to the presence of charge and colour breaking vacua which could be populated in the early universe, and the possible emergence of directions along which the potential is unbounded from below.
Letale pulmonale Fettembolie: Assoziation mit Myokardhypertrophie
Authors: Harms Hendrik , Hagen Maximilian , Karger Bernd
Published: January 2024

Hintergrund

Die pulmonale Fettembolie (PFE) ist ein Krankheitsbild, welches u. a. nach Trauma oder Operation auftreten kann. Die Verlegung der Lungenstrombahn durch Fettpartikel kann zu kardiorespiratorischen Beschwerden führen. Ziel dieser Untersuchung war es, klinische oder pathophysiologische Risikofaktoren wie Begleiterkrankungen und Körpereigenschaften der an einer PFE verstorbenen Personen festzustellen.

Methodik

Am Institut für Rechtsmedizin des Universitätsklinikums Münster wurde zwischen 1993 und 2017 bei 27 Sektionen als Todesursache eine PFE angegeben. Die Sektions- und Histologiebefunde, Sudan-Färbungen und die histologische Gradeinteilung der PFE nach Falzi bilden die Grundlage dieser Untersuchung. Als Kontrollgruppe dienten 27 traumatische Todesfälle (1995–2017), bei denen eine PFE nicht nachgewiesen werden konnte. Das Herzgewicht, der Body-Mass-Index (BMI), die Überlebenszeiten, die Verletzungsschwere und die Diagnose chronisches Lungenemphysem (CLE) wurden mittels Mann-Whitney-U-Test bzw. Chi-Quadrat-Test verglichen.

Ergebnisse

Die Geschlechterverteilung in der Studien- und Kontrollgruppe betrug 63 % Frauen vs. 37 % Männer. Die Altersspanne in der Studiengruppe reichte vom 56. bis zum 93. Lebensjahr vs. 51 bis 89 Jahren in der Kontrollgruppe. Der mittlere BMI betrug 25,6 kg/m2 in der Studiengruppe und 25,3 kg/m2 in der Kontrolle. Bei 15 Fällen in der Studiengruppe (56 %) lag als Begleiterkrankung ein CLE vor vs. 10 Fällen in der Kontrollgruppe (37 %). Eine Myokardhypertrophie wurde in 20 Fällen (74 %) der Studiengruppe diagnostiziert. Das mittlere Myokardgewicht lag bei 434 g (weibl.) und 496 g (männl.). In 9 Fällen (33 %) wurde ein Herzgewicht von 500 g überschritten. In der Kontrollgruppe lag das mittlere Myokardgewicht bei 349 g (weibl.) und 384 g (männl.); ein Herzgewicht von 500 g wurde 2‑mal überschritten. Der Unterschied bei der Verteilung der Herzgewichte war statistisch signifikant (p = 0,001). Für alle anderen untersuchten Parameter ergaben sich keine signifikanten Unterschiede.

Schlussfolgerung

In diesem eher kleinen Untersuchungsgut bestand ein statistisch signifikanter Zusammenhang zwischen Herzgewicht/Myokardhypertrophie und tödlich verlaufender PFE. Falls dieses Ergebnis in weiteren Studien bestätigt wird, stellt eine Myokardhypertrophie einen Risikofaktor für eine letale PFE dar. Ein statistisch signifikanter Zusammenhang zwischen BMI oder der Diagnose CLE und Tod durch PFE konnte nicht festgestellt werden.
Some additional remarks on statistical properties of Cohen’s d in the presence of covariates
Authors: Groß Jürgen , Möller Annette
Published: January 2024

The size of the effect of the difference in two groups with respect to a variable of interest may be estimated by the classical Cohen’s d. A recently proposed generalized estimator allows conditioning on further independent variables within the framework of a linear regression model. In this note, it is demonstrated how unbiased estimation of the effect size parameter together with a corresponding standard error may be obtained based on the non-central t distribution. The portrayed estimator may be considered as a natural generalization of the unbiased Hedges’ g. In addition, confidence interval estimation for the unknown parameter is demonstrated by applying the so-called inversion confidence interval principle. The regarded properties collapse to already known ones in case of absence of any additional independent variables. The stated remarks are illustrated with a publicly available data set.
The effects of internal representations on performance and fluidity in a motor task
Authors: Runswick Oliver R. , Roebuck Hettie
Published: January 2024

Individuals can differ in the mode in which they experience conscious thought. These differences in visualisation and verbalisation can also be evident during motor control. The Internal Representation Questionnaire (IRQ) was developed to measure propensity to engage certain types of representations, but its ability to predict motor control and links to reinvestment and motor imagery have not been tested. 159 included participants completed the IRQ, movement specific reinvestment scale (MSRS), and a novel online motor task before and after a period of practice. Results showed that the IRQ Verbal and Orthographic factors were significant predictors of scores on the MSRS. The IRQ factor of Manipulational Representations predicted motor performance both before and after practice. The fluidity of executed movements were predicted by the IRQ verbalisation factor where higher propensity to verbalise was associated with higher levels of jitter, but only after a period of practice. Results suggest there may be some informative conceptual overlap between internal verbalisations and reinvestment and that the propensity to manipulate internal representations may be predictive of motor performance in new tasks. The IRQ has potential to be a valuable tool for predicting motor performance.
Can Pulse Rate Variability be Used to Monitor Compliance with a Breath Pacer?
Authors: Sokolovskiy Sergey , Arroyo Dahyana , Hansma Paul
Published: January 2024

Slow paced breathing has been demonstrated to provide significant health benefits for a person’s health, and, during breathing sessions, it is desirable to monitor that a person is actually compliant with the breath pacer. We explore the potential use of pulse rate variability to monitor compliance with a breath pacer during meditation sessions. The study involved 6 human subjects each participating in 2–3 trials, where they are asked to follow or not to follow the breath pacer, where we collected data on how the magnitude of pulse rate variability changed. Two methods, logistic regression and a running standard deviation technique, were developed to detect non-compliance with the breath pacer based on pulse rate variability metrics. Results indicate that using pulse rate variability alone may not reliably detect non-compliance with the breath pacer. Both models exhibited limitations in terms of false positives and false negatives, with accuracy ranging from 67 to 65%. Existing methods involving visual, audio, and motion signals currently perform better for monitoring compliance with the breath pacer.
Impact of Uncertainties in the Atmospheric Boundary Layer Height on the Numerical Simulation of Chemical Species
Authors: Ren Shuzhan , Stroud Craig A.
Published: January 2024

Uncertainties in the atmospheric boundary layer height (ABL-H) are associated either with the uncertainties in meteorological fields or the definition of the ABL-H. When the ABL-H is involved in ABL parameterization schemes these uncertainties can have impacts on numerical simulation of chemical species. The impacts are examined numerically by employing a 1-D diffusion model with the K-profile scheme and 3-D air quality forecast model with the turbulent kinetic energy (TKE)-based scheme. The dependency on the ABL-H in the two schemes is very different. Sensitivity tests with the 1-D model show that the over-estimated/under-estimated ABL-H leads to the decrease/increase of concentration of tracers under both stable and unstable conditions due to the increase/decrease of the volume of tracers within the ABL. Under unstable conditions, the over-estimated/under-estimated ABL-H also enhances/weakens the vertical diffusivity, and leads to the decrease/increase of the concentration of tracers for the negative/positive vertical gradient of tracer. These impacts result in a little change with height within the ABL. The impacts of the ABL-H through the counter-gradient term and entrainment flux are much smaller than the impact through changing the volume of the ABL and vertical diffusivity in the ABL. Sensitivity tests with the 3-D numerical model with the TKE scheme show that over urban areas the over-estimated/under-estimated ABL-H leads to the increase/decrease of TKE in the whole ABL but does not always lead to stronger/weaker diffusivity and lower/higher concentrations of chemical species.
Attribution of current trends in streamflow to climate change for 12 Central Asian catchments
Authors: Didovets Iulii , Krysanova Valentina , Nurbatsina Aliya , Fallah Bijan , Krylova Viktoriya , Saparova Assel , Niyazov Jafar , Kalashnikova Olga , Hattermann Fred Fokko
Published: January 2024

This study investigates the attribution of climate change to trends in river discharge during six decades from 1955 until 2014 in 12 selected river catchments across six Central Asian countries located upstream of the main rivers. For this purpose, the semi-distributed eco-hydrological model SWIM (Soil and Water Integrated Model) was firstly calibrated and validated for all study catchments. Attributing climate change to streamflow simulation trends was forced by factual (reanalysis) and counterfactual climate data (assuming the absence of anthropogenic influence) proposed in the framework of the ISIMIP (Inter-Sectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project) or ESM without anthropogenic forcing that were firstly tested and then compared. The trend analysis was performed for three variables: mean annual discharge and high flow (Q5) and low flow (Q95) indices. The results show that trends in the annual and seasonal discharge could be attributed to climate change for some of the studied catchments. In the three northern catchments (Derkul, Shagan, and Tobol), there are positive trends, and in two catchments (Sarysu and Kafirnigan), there are negative streamflow trends under the factual climate, which could be attributed to climate change. Also, our analysis shows that the average level of discharge in Murghab has increased during the historical study period due to climate change, despite the overall decreasing trend during this period. In addition, the study reveals a clear signal of shifting spring streamflow peaks in all catchments across the study area.
Sustainability education in information systems’ curricula: A conceptual research framework
Authors: Hamadi Mostafa , Imtinan Umera , Namisango Fatuma
Published: January 2024

In recent years, “sustainability education” in Higher Education has become an increasingly popular topic among researchers driven by the constant calls for the research community to contribute novel research that can aid in building a sustainable world. The objective of this paper was to explore how sustainability concepts have been integrated in Information Systems (IS) curricula, to determine the state of knowledge in this area and provide guidance for future research. Using Arksey and O’Malley’s five-stage scoping review process, the current landscape of sustainability in IS classrooms is mapped and key themes and factors which were found to influence sustainability education in IS are identified. Eight databases were searched for relevant papers published on this topic. Fifteen articles were selected and deemed high quality for a thematic analysis. As a result, nine themes emerged from the thematic analysis, and key research gaps and directions for future research are presented. The findings show that there is currently no unified approach to sustainability education in IS. This paper presents the themes in a novel conceptual research framework which can guide the incorporation of sustainability concepts in IS education. In addition, the framework can be used as the basis for future research in this area.
The conceptual exportation question: conceptual engineering and the normativity of virtual worlds
Authors: Montefiore Thomas , Podosky Paul-Mikhail Catapang
Published: January 2024

Debate over the normativity of virtual phenomena is now widespread in the philosophical literature, taking place in roughly two distinct but related camps. The first considers the relevant problems to be within the scope of applied ethics, where the general methodological program is to square the intuitive (im)permissibility of virtual wrongdoings with moral accounts that justify their (im)permissibility. The second camp approaches the normativity of virtual wrongdoings as a metaphysical debate. This is done by disambiguating the ‘virtual’ character of ‘virtual wrongdoings’. Doing so is supposed to provide illuminating ontological distinctions that inform ethical aspects of the debate. We argue that each approach faces its own set of issues, and as a result, motivates consideration of an alternative. The alternative we suggest turns inquiry concerning the normativity of virtual wrongdoings into a distinctively conceptual question. Rather than asking whether some action is right or wrong, or whether some virtual phenomenon counts as a particular action at all, we argue that research into the normativity of virtual wrongdoings may be guided by reflecting on whether a concept that originated and developed within a non-virtual context should be exported into a foreign virtual domain. We consider this approach and several objections.
Miniaturized Multi-band Millimeter-Wave Vivaldi Antenna with Performance Optimization at 28 GHz for 5G MIMO Applications
Authors: Elsharkawy Rania R. , Hussein Khalid. F. A. , Farahat Asmaa E.
Published: January 2024

A novel design for Vivaldi antenna is introduced to operate in more than one frequency band in the millimeter-wave spectrum range with high gain. The proposed Vivaldi antenna is planar and printed on both sides of Rogers 3003C flexible substrate. A parasitic annular ring is added to each arm of the Vivaldi antenna to adjust the impedance matching and maximize the gain. The dimensions of the antenna are optimized using the CST microwave simulator to obtain the best impedance matching bandwidths and highest gain in a compact-size antenna. The 28-GHz band is then selected due to its importance to enhance the gain and improve the operating bandwidth for the 5G applications. A gain of 10 dBi and bandwidth of 6.1 GHz are obtained at 28 GHz. A multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna system is then designed for pattern diversity for the fifth-generation mobile applications. The performance of the MIMO system is evaluated regarding the envelope correlation coefficient and the diversity gain showing good results. The optimized antenna is fabricated and its return loss and radiation patterns are measured showing good consent between the simulations and the practical work. The MIMO antenna system is also fabricated, and its performance is measured regarding the reflection and coupling coefficients showing good agreement between the measurements and simulations.
Single-lot, lot-streaming problem for a 1 + m hybrid flow shop
Authors: Singh Sanchit , Sarin Subhash C. , Cheng Ming
Published: January 2024

In this paper, we consider an application of lot-streaming for processing a lot of multiple items in a hybrid flow shop (HFS) for the objective of minimizing makespan. The HFS that we consider consists of two stages with a single machine available for processing in Stage 1 and m identical parallel machines in Stage 2. We call this problem a 1 + m TSHFS-LSP (two-stage hybrid flow shop, lot streaming problem), and show it to be NP-hard in general, except for the case when the sublot sizes are treated to be continuous. The novelty of our work is in obtaining closed-form expressions for optimal continuous sublot sizes that can be solved in polynomial time, for a given number of sublots. A fast linear search algorithm is also developed for determining the optimal number of sublots for the case of continuous sublot sizes. For the case when the sublot sizes are discrete, we propose a branch-and-bound-based heuristic to determine both the number of sublots and sublot sizes and demonstrate its efficacy by comparing its performance against that of a direct solution of a mixed-integer formulation of the problem by CPLEX®.
Framing UN Human Rights Discourses on Climate Change: The Concept of Vulnerability and its Relation to the Concepts of Inequality and Discrimination
Authors: Mayrhofer Monika
Published: January 2024

The concept of vulnerability is widely used in human rights policy documents, reports, and case law focusing on the impacts of climate change on human rights. In academic discussions, the concept, however, has also sparked a discussion on its benefits and challenges for the advancement of human rights, especially concerning the principles of equality and non-discrimination. This article aims at contributing to this debate from a frame-analytical perspective. In social sciences, frame-analysis is a form of discourse analysis which focuses on the consequences of different concepts for legal, political, and social discussions and norms. With the example of selected UN documents on different human rights issues in the context of climate change, the article, firstly, analyzes whether and how the concept of vulnerability is defined in the documents and why it is used in the documents. Secondly, it is elaborated to which individuals and groups the concept is applied. Thirdly, it is discussed how vulnerability is conceptualized in relation to or in distinction to the concepts of inequality and discrimination. In a further section it is analyzed what narratives are mobilized by the frame of vulnerability. The article concludes that from a discourse-analytical perspective the frame of vulnerability mobilizes problematic narratives which has gendered and racialized implications for those labeled vulnerable.
Components of arithmetic theory acceptance
Authors: Colclough Thomas M.
Published: January 2024

This paper ties together three threads of discussion about the following question: in accepting a system of axioms , what else are we thereby warranted in accepting, on the basis of accepting ? First, certain foundational positions in the philosophy of mathematics are said to be epistemically stable, in that there exists a coherent rationale for accepting a corresponding system of axioms of arithmetic, which does not entail or otherwise rationally oblige the foundationalist to accept statements beyond the logical consequences of those axioms. Second, epistemic stability is said to be incompatible with the implicit commitment thesis, according to which accepting a system of axioms implicitly commits the foundationalist to accept additional statements not immediately available in that theory. Third, epistemic stability stands in tension with the idea that in accepting a system of axioms , one thereby also accepts soundness principles for . We offer a framework for analysis of sets of implicit commitment which reconciles epistemic stability with the latter two notions, and argue that all three ideas are in fact compatible.
Association between a body shape index and prostate cancer: a cross-sectional study of NHANES 2001–2018
Authors: Liu Xiaowu , Shi Honglei , Shi Yunfeng , Wei Hanping , Yuan Xiaoliang , Jiao Zhimin , Wu Tingchun , Wang Zengjun
Published: January 2024

Objective

Abdominal obesity, especially visceral fat, may have negative effects on the development and progression of prostate cancer (PCa). A body shape index (ABSI) can more accurately measure visceral fat accumulation. This study aimed to investigate the association between ABSI and PCa in US adults.

Methods

11,013 participants were enrolled in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2001 to 2018. Weighted multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to explore the independent relationship between ABSI and PCa. Moreover, restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis, subgroup analysis, and interaction tests were performed.

Results

ABSI was positively associated with the presence of PCa. When comparing the second, third, and fourth ABSI quartile to the lowest quartile, the adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for PCa risk were 1.34 (0.77, 2.31), 1.75 (1.03, 3.00), and 1.91 (1.12, 3.27), respectively (p for trend = 0.011). The restricted cubic spline regression analysis did not reveal a non-linear correlation between ABSI and PCa (p for non-linearity = 0.076). Subgroup analysis showed a significant interaction effect in subgroups of different BMI (p for interaction = 0.01).

Conclusions

Elevated ABSI is significantly associated with an increased risk of PCa, particularly among individuals who are under/normal weighted or obese.
Effect of Annealing Temperature and Time on the Magnetic Properties and Magnetic Anisotropy of a Temper-Rolled, Semi-processed Non-oriented Electrical Steel
Authors: He Youliang , Zhang Ruby , Zhou Tihe , Lee Haden , Cathcart Chad , Badgley Peter
Published: January 2024

The effect of final annealing temperature and time on the core loss, magnetic permeability, and magnetic anisotropy of a temper-rolled, semi-processed 0.5 wt.% Si non-oriented electrical steel was investigated. The magnetic properties of the steel sheets at 50–400 Hz and 0.5–1.50 T were measured by the Epstein frame method on strips cut along both the rolling (RD) and transverse directions (TD). Optimal magnetic properties were obtained when the annealing temperature was at 800–825°C, and the annealing time was 2–4 h. Relatively large magnetic anisotropy between the RD and TD was observed in samples after recrystallization (~ 10% in core loss and ~ 70% in relative permeability), while deformed and non-recrystallized samples showed small anisotropy in magnetic properties. Regardless of the processing state of the steel, i.e., temper-rolled, recovered, or recrystallized, the core loss followed quadratic polynomial functions with respect to both the frequency and magnetic flux density, while the relative magnetic permeability followed cubic polynomial functions with respect to both the frequency and magnetic flux density. The microstructure and texture of selected samples were characterized by electron backscatter diffraction, which revealed the correlations between the magnetic properties of the steel and the microstructure and texture.