bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the scientific evidence to support mental health and well-being claims made on probiotic products
Authors: Slykerman Rebecca F. , Davies Naomi , Donohoe Robert
Published: January 2025

Background

Increasing interest in probiotics for mental health has led to products marketed to consumers claiming psychological benefits. This study aimed to identify mental health claims on probiotic supplements and to provide a narrative review of the scientific evidence to support these claims.

Methods

Probiotic supplements with mental health claims on the product label were identified. A search of the scientific literature was performed using Google Scholar, PubMed and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Studies were included if the primary outcome was mental health or a biomarker of mental health, if they investigated the exact probiotic strain or combination of strains as present in the product, and if the study was a trial of probiotics conducted in either humans or animals. Included studies were assessed for risk of bias.

Results

Fourteen probiotic products with mental health claims were identified containing five different strains or strain combinations. Eighteen studies relevant to the products and investigating mental health outcomes met inclusion criteria. Ten studies investigated the same combination of probiotics and provided evidence to support the claims made. Statistically significant results were not universally present for all products.

Conclusion

The amount and quality of evidence to support claims of mental health benefits made on probiotic products is variable. The results support the need for a grading system to facilitate informed consumer decision-making when choosing a probiotic supplement to support mental health.
The Cultural Politics of Artificial Intelligence in China
Authors: Cai Qiaoyu
Published: January 2025

This essay examines the cultural politics of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in China through the lens of postsocialism, proposing the concept of a ‘postsocialist AI’ that goes beyond the dominant paradigm of neoliberal informationalism. The essay first explores the distinct state-capital nexus in China’s AI development, characterized by paradoxical modes of operation driven by neoliberal motivations, yet also deeply influenced by symbolic lexicons, value systems, and institutional structures rooted in Leninist-Maoist traditions. The complex interplay of state support, local governmental practices, and market investment showcases ongoing negotiations among contradictory political-economic objectives and subject positions that resist simplification into a globally universalized model of neoliberal capitalism. Further, the essay investigates the ontogenesis or sociogenesis of machine learning – the process through which intelligent machines become socialized through interactions with their sociocultural and political contexts. By foregrounding the interactive encounter between distinct modes of machinic intelligence and Chinese modernity experiences, the essay contests the prevailing neoliberal subjectivity in AI studies and seeks to expand the political horizon limited by the hegemonic figure of homo economicus.
Austerity without deficits: The global political economy of Norway’s fiscal paradox
Authors: Heiret Yngve , Innset Ola
Published: January 2025

This article advances a new theoretical understanding of the global political economy of austerity through an examination of austerity policies in Norway, a country with soaring fiscal surpluses. Critical scholarship has analyzed austerity as an incoherent economic idea – a product of unreasonable public accounting, or simply ideological nonsense. No national context seems to confirm such a view more than Norway, where wage growth has been curbed and welfare spending restrained in a context of unprecedented public prosperity. Yet, this article argues that there is a rational core to Norwegian ‘austerity without deficits’, if seen from the vantage point of capital in globally integrated neoliberal capitalism. Examining the development of Norwegian economic policies since the 1970s, we demonstrate how the Norwegian state has imposed austerity measures in order to bolster national capital’s global competitiveness. Disciplining labor and public budgets is, we argue, the cost of doing business in today’s world economy. We call this uneven and combined austerity: combining national economies in a global structure of interlocking dependence, neoliberal austerity imposes limits to popular demands for welfare and better material conditions of living, even in countries where public money abounds.
A randomised double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of pramipexole in addition to mood stabilisers for patients with treatment-resistant bipolar depression (the PAX-BD study)
Authors: McAllister-Williams R Hamish , Goudie Nicola , Azim Lumbini , Bartle Victoria , Berger Michael , Butcher Chrissie , Chadwick Thomas , Clare Emily , Courtney Paul , Dixon Lyndsey , Duffelen Nichola , Fouweather Tony , Gann William , Geddes John , Gupta Sumeet , Hall Beth , Helter Timea , Hindmarch Paul , Holstein Eva-Maria , Lawrence Ward , Mawson Phil , McKinnon Iain , Milne Adam , Molloy Aisling , Moore Abigail , Morriss Richard , Nakulan Anisha , Simon Judit , Smith Daniel , Stokes-Crossley Bryony , Stokes Paul RA , Swain Andrew , Taiwo Adeola , Walmsley Zoë , Weetman Christopher , Young Allan H , Watson Stuart
Published: January 2025

Background:

Options for ‘treatment-resistant bipolar depression’ (TRBD) are limited. Two small, short-term, trials of pramipexole suggest it might be an option.

Aims:

To evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of pramipexole in the management of TRBD.

Methods:

A multi-centre randomised, double-blind controlled trial including participants ⩾18 years old with TRBD (failure to respond, tolerate or clinical contraindication/patient refusal of ⩾2 of quetiapine, olanzapine, lamotrigine or lurasidone) randomised 1:1 to pramipexole (max 2.5 mg/day salt weight) or placebo added to ongoing mood stabiliser ( n = 39). Primary outcome: Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptoms, Self-rated (QIDS-SR) at 12 weeks. Up to 48 weeks follow-up.

Results:

Pramipexole ( n = 18) was associated with a greater reduction in QIDS-SR score at 12 weeks versus placebo ( n = 21, 4.4 (4.8) vs 2.1 (5.1)): a medium sized ( d = −0.72) but not statistically significant difference (95% CI: −0.4 to 6.3, p = 0.087). Similarly, there was a non-significant approximate 2-point ( d = −0.76) improvement in pleasure at 6 weeks (95% CI: −0.11 to 4.20). Significant advantages of pramipexole on QIDS-SR score (6.28 points: 95% CI: 1.85–10.71) and psychosocial function (5.36 points: 95% CI: 0.38–10.35) were seen at 36 weeks post-randomisation, and on the response (46% vs 6%; p = 0.026) and remission (31% vs 0%; p = 0.030) rates at trial exit (48 weeks or last available data after 16 weeks for those affected by the early study closure). Hypomania ratings were significantly higher at 12 weeks. Otherwise, pramipexole was well tolerated.

Conclusions:

Clinically large, but statistically non-significant, effects of pramipexole on depression at 12 weeks, with significant longer-term benefits on mood and function were observed. Pramipexole use was complicated by dose titration and increased hypomanic symptoms. The small sample size limits interpretation. Furthermore, larger randomised placebo-controlled trials are warranted.
Catalyst for change: Psilocybin’s antidepressant mechanisms—A systematic review
Authors: Liebnau Joshua , Betzler Felix , Kerber André
Published: January 2025

Background:

Recent clinical trials suggest promising antidepressant effects of psilocybin, despite methodological challenges. While various studies have investigated distinct mechanisms and proposed theoretical opinions, a comprehensive understanding of psilocybin’s neurobiological and psychological antidepressant mechanisms is lacking.

Aims:

Systematically review potential antidepressant neurobiological and psychological mechanisms of psilocybin.

Methods:

Search terms were generated based on existing evidence of psilocybin’s effects related to antidepressant mechanisms. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines, 15 studies were systematically reviewed, exploring various therapeutic change principles such as brain dynamics, emotion regulation, cognition, self-referential processing, connectedness, and interpersonal functioning.

Results:

Within a supportive setting, psilocybin promoted openness, cognitive and neural flexibility, and greater ability and acceptance of emotional experiences. A renewed sense of connectedness to the self, others, and the world emerged as a key experience. Imaging studies consistently found altered brain dynamics, characterized by reduced global and within default mode network connectivity, alongside increased between-network connectivity.

Conclusions:

Together, these changes may create a fertile yet vulnerable window for change, emphasizing the importance of a supportive set, setting, and therapeutic guidance. The results suggest that psilocybin, within a supportive context, may induce antidepressant effects by leveraging the interplay between neurobiological mechanisms and common psychotherapeutic factors. This complements the view of purely pharmacological effects, supporting a multileveled approach that reflects various relevant dimensions of therapeutic change, including neurobiological, psychological, and environmental factors.
Circulating molecules reflect imaging biomarkers of hemorrhage in cerebral cavernous malformations
Authors: Hage Stephanie F , Bi Dehua E , Kinkade Serena , Vera Cruz Diana , Srinath Abhinav , Jhaveri Aditya , Romanos Sharbel , Bindal Akash , Lightle Rhonda , Little Jessica C , Shenkar Robert , Alcazar-Felix Roberto J , Lee Justine , Stadnik Agnieszka , Sidebottom Ashley , Carroll Timothy J , Ji Yuan , Koskimaki Janne , Polster Sean P , Girard Romuald , Awad Issam A
Published: January 2025

Increases in mean lesional iron content by quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) by ≥6% and/or vascular permeability by dynamic contrast enhanced quantitative perfusion (DCEQP) by ≥40% on MRI have been associated with new symptomatic hemorrhage (SH) in cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs). It is not known if plasma biomarkers can reflect these changes within the lesion proper. This cohort study enrolled 46 CCM patients with SH in the prior year. Plasma samples, QSM and DCEQP were simultaneously acquired at the beginning and end of 60 one-year epochs of prospective follow-up. Plasma levels of 16 proteins and 12 metabolites linked to CCM hemorrhage were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and liquid-chromatography mass spectrometry, respectively. A weighted model combining the percent changes in plasma levels in roundabout guidance receptor-4, cluster of differentiation 14, thrombomodulin and acetyl-L-carnitine reflected a mean increase in QSM ≥ 6% (97.2% and 100% specificity/sensitivity, p = 3.1 × 10−13). A weighted combination of percent changes in plasma levels of endoglin, pipecolic acid, arachidonic acid and hypoxanthine correlated with an increase in mean DCEQP ≥40% (99.6% specificity and 100% sensitivity, p = 4.1 × 10−17). This is a first report linking with great accuracy changes of circulating molecules to imaging changes reflecting new SH during prospective follow-up of CCMs.
Artists and Mate Preferences: The Effects of Being a Painter and Intellectuality
Authors: Şenyurt Ahmet Yasin , Gültepe Bedirhan , Kiremitçi Canıöz Elvan
Published: January 2025

This research investigates the influence of being a painter and intellectuality on mate preferences. Two studies were conducted to explore the relationships between being a painter and mate preferences. Study 1 analyzed 192 participants who rated painters, ideal partners, and themselves using a set of adjectives. Results revealed significant correlations between the cognitive abilities attributed to painters and the desirable traits sought in an ideal partner, particularly among women. Consequently, the second study focused exclusively on female participants and considered intellectuality as a broad, overarching concept. Study 2 focused on 150 female participants and used a between-subjects design to manipulate the target's occupation (painter vs. civil servant) and intellectuality (high vs. low). Findings showed an interaction effect, indicating that low intellectual-civil servant condition was the least preferred. These studies suggest that intellectuality is a key factor in the appeal of painters, particularly for women.
‘A Starving Man Does Not Sniff His Food’: Ukrainian Famine Plants during the Holodomor, 1932–1933
Authors: Stryamets Nataliya , Mattalia Giulia , Sōukand Renata , Minnis Paul
Published: January 2025

The Holodomor (1932–1933) was a politically driven, genocidal famine that killed millions through starvation and disease, as well as disrupting Ukrainian society and agriculture. Through the analysis of various archival sources, particularly survivor narratives, we obtained information about 72 plants used as famine foods, foods not customarily eaten and plants eaten in unusual quantities or ways during the Holodomor. A total of at least 114 parts of these 72 plants were eaten as alternative foods. Residual parts of crops represented many of these famine foods. A large range of native plants were also consumed. The inventory of Ukrainian famine foods is broadly similar to those from other major global famines.
Lasting Impression
Authors: Tarricone Paul
Published: January 2025

Lighting at Cincinnati's new Center for Contemporary Art ESTABLISHES AN IDENTITY FOR THE MUSEUM BUT IS FLEXIBLE ENOUGH TO ACCOMMODATE EXHIBITS THAT ARE JUST PASSING THROUGH
The Perfect Blend
Authors: Bachman Leonard
Published: January 2025

SUCCESSFUL INTEGRATION OF NATURAL DAYLIGHT AND ELECTRIC LIGHTING DEPENDS ON INCORPORATING THE STRENGTHS OF EACH TO THE EXCLUSION OF THEIR WEAKNESSES. SEVERAL CASE STUDIES SHOW HOW THEY BECOME COMPLEMENTS NOT COMPETITORS
The Beams of Bunker Hill
Authors: Leibowitz Julie
Published: January 2025

THE LEONARD P. ZAKIM BUNKER HILL BRIDGE DRESSES UP IN LIGHT FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS, SUCH AS THE FOURTH OF JULY, AND PERHAPS SOMEDAY, A BOSTON RED SOX WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP
Dark Skies the Limit
Authors: Tarricone Paul
Published: January 2025

EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT DARK SKIES AND STRATEGIES FOR PREVENTING LIGHT POLLUTION. HERE'S A LOOK ATWHAT SOME ARE DOING ABOUT IT
Replica Result
Authors: Tarricone Paul
Published: January 2025

One lighting legend passes the baton to another on Denver's pedestrian mall
Crowning Achievement
Authors: Desar Leonora
Published: January 2025

In Schwerin, Germany, a power plant gets the royal treatment
The Home Stretch
Authors: Schwirck Samantha
Published: January 2025

A designer revisits her roots to create a new identity for a memorable bridge
A Drama in Three Acts
Authors: Schwirck Samantha
Published: January 2025

Celebrating Shakespeare's life and work with a nighttime experience at his one-time home
TOUCHSTONES
Authors: Case Amber
Published: January 2025

Why physical buttons are crucial to calm technology-based lighting systems
Remaking History: Restoration and Replication
Authors: Rambusch Viggo Bech
Published: January 2025

The author calls upon his lifework to present recent restoration and replication projects
John Jay College Theater Contains Versatility
Authors: Benson Robert L.
Published: January 2025

At Manhattan's newest theater, students come first
Yokohama: Past and Future
Authors: Ishii Motoko
Published: January 2025

Park depicts Japanese city in the next century
Salt Lake Cc Renovates
Authors: MacKay Brent G. , Astle Neil
Published: January 2025

Lighting defines a multi-purpose space
Where Next, Columbus?
Authors: Florentin Frank A.
Published: January 2025

Is energy efficiency in museums too out-of-this-world?
Reflected Glory
Authors: Hefferan Steven
Published: January 2025

Lighting the renovated Arms and Armor Hall at the Met
Where No Luminaire Has Gone Before
Authors: Lewin Ian
Published: January 2025

Exterior luminaires fit for a long-term space mission
Bright Lights, Big Airport
Authors: Loach Kenneth G. , Scott David C.
Published: January 2025

Terminal expansion makes for more happy landings
Spiraling Out of Control? The Impact of Chronic Stress on Civil Servant Perceptions of the Frequency of Workplace Changes
Authors: Verlinden Stéphanie , Wynen Jan , Van Doninck Dries , Roosens Laurence , De Block Christophe , Boon Jan
Published: January 2025

Global political and economic instability have highlighted the importance of resilient governments capable of managing rapid change. However, continuous changes can overwhelm civil servants, leading to change fatigue. While prior studies have explored the impact of perceived frequent change on civil servants’ stress levels, little attention has been given to reverse causality in public management research. Psychological and neuroscience studies suggest that stress can influence individuals’ perceptions of workplace changes. To address this gap, we examine the relationship between chronic stress and civil servants’ perceptions of organizational change frequency. We analyze hair cortisol as a measure of chronic stress and survey data on change perceptions. Data were collected from 43 municipal civil servants at three points in time, offering a total of 129 observations. We find a significant effect of stress on perceptions of change frequency, shedding light on how stress shapes civil servants’ perception of organizational change.
How do intellectually curious and interested people learn and attain knowledge? A focus on behavioral traces of information seeking
Authors: Schumacher Aki , Kammerer Yvonne , Scharinger Christian , Gottschling Steffen , Hübner Nicolas , Tibus Maike , Kasneci Enkelejda , Appel Tobias , Gerjets Peter , Bardach Lisa
Published: January 2025

Intellectual curiosity and personal interest are both believed to spark information seeking and facilitate learning. In two preregistered studies (Study 1: exploratory lab study, N = 312; Study 2: online conceptual replication study, N = 960), we investigated effects of curiosity and interest on participants’ information seeking as they studied a hypertext on a historical topic. We captured their behavioral traces with log files. We also examined effects of curiosity, interest, and information-seeking behaviors on knowledge attainment. In both studies, latent profile analyses based on behavioral trace data revealed that some information-seeking profiles were more adaptive (e.g., broad and deep-diving information seeking, Study 1; broad information seeking, Study 2) and some were less adaptive (e.g., disengaged). More adaptive profiles were consistently related to better knowledge test performance. Curiosity and interest positively predicted more adaptive information seeking (Study 1) and knowledge test performance (Study 2); however, these effects were inconsistent across study contexts. Furthermore, curiosity and interest did not interact in predicting information seeking or knowledge attainment (Studies 1 and 2). Overall, our work extends the understanding of how intellectually curious and interested individuals learn and attain knowledge and underscores the promise of using behavioral trace data to study interindividual differences.
Exploiting commercial micro X-ray fluorescence systems for stereoscopic soft X-ray imaging
Authors: Baettig Ricardo , Ingram Ben , Cabeza Ricardo A
Published: January 2025

Background

Commercial micro X-ray fluorescence (μXRF) systems often employ a tilted convergent beam, which can cause a misalignment between X-ray cartography and the corresponding visible images. This misalignment is typically considered a disadvantage, as it hinders the accurate spatial correlation of elemental information. However, this apparent drawback can be exploited to facilitate X-ray stereoscopy.

Objective

To demonstrate the use of unmodified commercial μXRF equipment to estimate the 3D configurations of metals and voids within a low-atomic-weight matrix, specifically polymethyl methacrylate, and to explore the implications for enhancing μXRF mapping techniques. This approach could have applications in materials science, archaeology, and other fields requiring non-destructive 3D chemical mapping.

Methods

Using unmodified commercial μXRF equipment, we leveraged both XRF and Compton scattering effects to quantitatively reconstruct the size, position, and depth of embedded tungsten, copper, and silver objects. The study specifically examines how beam divergence affects the acutance of objects located deeper within the sample.

Results

Our findings indicate a depth estimation bias ranging from 4% to 15% for depths between 24 mm, and a size estimation bias below 3.2%. These results validate the methodology and highlight the robustness of our approach under typical operational settings, suggesting that the technique could be applied to a wide range of samples with minimal modifications to existing μXRF systems.

Conclusions

The study confirms that the inclination-induced misalignment in μXRF systems can be harnessed to enhance three-dimensional imaging capabilities. Our work establishes a foundation for advancing current μXRF mapping techniques and interpretation strategies, potentially broadening the applications of μXRF in various scientific and industrial fields.
Global Regularity for the Inviscid Micropolar-Rayleigh-Bénard Convection System With Nonlinear Thermal Diffusion
Authors: Melkemi Oussama
Published: January 2025

The present article explores the global well-posedness of the two-dimensional micropolar-Rayleigh–Bénard convection system without any dissipation in the velocity equation which means that the fluid is governed by the Euler equation forced by the angular rotation of the fluid and buoyancy force, precisely, we establish the global Sobolev regularity for this kind of system.
Existence of Ground State Solutions for the Kirchhoff–Choquard Equation With Critical Exponent and External Coulomb Potential
Authors: Gui Shuting , Guo Ting , Qin Dongdong
Published: January 2025

We study the critical Kirchhoff–Choquard type equation [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are positive constants, [Formula: see text] denotes the Riesz potential and [Formula: see text] is the lower critical Hardy–Littlewood–Sobolev exponent. By means of the compactness-concentration principle and the squeezing energy inequality, we obtain the existence of ground state solutions of Nehari–Pohoaev type for the above problem for sufficiently small [Formula: see text].
The role of 3D transesophageal echocardiography in native mitral valve endocarditis – a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Mladenovic Zorica , Milic Gordana , Djuric Predrag , Jovic Zoran , Begovic Vesna , Begic Edin
Published: January 2025

The aim of this paper is to present a case of infective endocarditis (IE) caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), focusing on diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. The paper highlights the importance of 2D transesophageal echocardiography (TOE) and discusses the capabilities and advances of appliance of the 3D TOE in patient evaluation, better understanding of the diagnosis, and timely treatment. The use of this advance echocardiographic modality allows clear visualization of complex and destructive tissue lesions, such as the perforation observed and presented in this case.
Comparative analysis on fatigue, creep, DMA, and flammability behavior of carbon nanotubes, onion peel extracted carbon quantum dots, and Kevlar fiber reinforced epoxy composite
Authors: Prasad M Shakthi , Ramesh C
Published: January 2025

Biocomposite material are now gaining attention in recent decades, by reinforcing waste biomass as filler, and this will attribute to reduce the agro waste generating pollution as well as creating sustainable products. The present research study aim is to perform a thorough analysis of multiscale polymer composite using onion peel-derived carbon quantum dots (CQDs) and compare them to carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in polymer composite. Furthermore, Kevlar fiber is used to provide further reinforcement on hybrid composites. Using an abrasive water jet machine, test specimens are carefully sectioned from the composite plates then, rigorous adherence to ASTM standards is followed for the subsequent characterization, which covers features such as flammability, fatigue, creep strain, and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The findings reveal that the composite designation which combines 2 vol.% CQDs with 35 vol.% Kevlar, and epoxy matrix (EKCQ3), exhibits higher fatigue strength. The EKCQ3 shows a 5.6% improvement in 25% UTS, 12.9% improvement in 50% UTS, and 8.7% improvement in 75% UTS fatigue counts when compared to composite designation with 2 vol.% of CNTs. This demonstrates the CQDs composite’s improved fatigue performance. In a similar way, the CQDs in composite produce less creep strain. In particular, with time intervals of 2000, 4000, 6000, 8000, and 10,000 s, the EKCQ3 shows creep strain values of 0.0022, 0.0031, 0.0046, 0.0065, and 0.0085. The composite designation exhibits improved mechanical performance as seen by its high storage modulus of 8.2 GPa in relation to DMA characteristics. All composite designations are flame-retardant in terms of flammability, and flame propagation speeds range from 5 to 9 mm/min. Thus over all, this study underscores a promising potential of CQDs in advancing composite materials for diverse applications in super capacitors, shielding of microwaves and lightweight automotives.
A novel APA model integrating manufacturing errors and barycenter characteristic for assembly unbalance optimization
Authors: Zhao Binbin , Mu Xiaokai , Sun Qingchao
Published: January 2025

Assembly unbalance is a crucial factor in evaluating the assembly performance of aero-engine rotor system, which is influenced by both manufacturing errors and assembly processes. To achieve precise prediction and optimization control of unbalance distribution during assembly process, firstly, this article established a novel APA (Assembly Precision Analysis) model that integrates manufacturing errors and barycenter characteristic based on morphology feature extraction method and homogeneous coordinates transformation theory. Then, taking into account the total unbalance and local maximum unbalance of assembled rotor comprehensively, the dual-objective optimization method for unbalance reduction was proposed. Finally, based on an assembly case of a simulated aero-engine rotor, the application of APA model in optimizing assembly unbalance has been introduced. The analysis results show that the average errors of the APA model in predicting eccentricity value and eccentricity phase are 3.17% and 2.56% respectively. Meanwhile, compared to the existed assembly strategies, the UTotal and UMax index obtained by the proposed optimization method are significantly reduced, which proves that the proposed APA model and the dual-objective optimization method are feasible in optimizing assembly unbalance. The research contents have important guiding significance for the high-performance assembly of rotor system.
Machine learning algorithms based approach on prediction of mechanical behaviour of PLA/brass composites manufactured by additive manufacturing
Authors: Soms Nisha , Ravi Kumar K , Naveen Kumar M
Published: January 2025

Machine learning (ML) has become a potential alternate in material science to process complex datasets containing multiple inputs/outputs and predict the properties of materials using algorithms and statistical models. The mechanical properties of PLA/brass infill composites fabricated by fused deposition modelling based additive manufacturing were analysed in this work. Tensile strength, flexural strength and impact strength are the three output parameters considered for the study and the input parameters are the infill density, nozzle temperature, layer thickness and printing speed. Strength of the PLA/brass composites increased with rise in infill density and nozzle temperature while the strength decreased with rise in printing speed, layer thickness. Six ML algorithms namely Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), Decision Tree (DT), Random Forest (RF), Ada Boost (AB), Gradient Boost, and Support Vector Machine (SVM) were employed to evaluate the strength. Effectiveness of the ML models was studied using the statistical tools namely the coefficient of determination, mean square error and mean absolute error. ANN model exhibited high accuracy while AB model displayed least accuracy in predicting the strength. Scanning electron morphology was deployed to study the fracture profile of the composites. The mean squared error (MSE) is higher for AB model (1.496) and the least MSE value is obtained for ANN model (0.131) while ANN model has the lowest value of mean absolute error (MAE) (0.209) and the highest MAE is obtained with AB (0.812) for tensile strength. The MSE is higher for Gradient boost model (5.603) and the least MSE value is obtained for ANN model (2.376) while the DT has the lowest value of MAE (0.773) and the highest MAE is obtained with gradient boost model (2.200) for flexural strength.
Experimental investigation on effective use of machining parameters in electric discharge machining for machining micro-holes in Ti-6Al-4V
Authors: Naveen Anthuvan Rex , Krishnaraj Vijayan , Xu Jinyang , Hari Chealvan Selvarajan , Balaji Chellapandian
Published: January 2025

The objective of this research work is to machine micro-holes in Ti-6Al-4V alloy using conventional electric discharge machining process and to optimize its machining parameters to achieve maximum material removal rate and minimum electrode wear rate. The process parameters that have been selected for this study were input current (Ip), pulse-on time (Ton) and pulse-off time (Toff). The experiments were carried out based on Box-Behnken L15 design. Using the regression method, mathematical models were developed for output responses (material removal rate and electrode wear rate) and their significance in enhancing machining processes was analysed using surface plots. The input parameters achieving maximum material removal rate was found to be 4 A of input current (Ip), 5.2 µs of pulse-on time (Ton) and 14.4 µs of pulse-off time (Toff), and for achieving minimum electrode wear rate, it was found to be 1 A of input current (Ip), 2 µs of pulse-on time (Ton) and 6.4 µs of pulse-off time (Toff). Further, the multivariate optimization technique, grey relational analysis, was employed to determine the optimal combination of process parameters to maximize material removal rate while minimizing electrode wear rate. The optimum process parameters identified were an input current (Ip) of 1 A, a pulse-on time (Ton) of 8 µs and a pulse-off time (Toff) of 6.4 µs. Experimental results confirmed that these conditions yielded an optimal material removal rate of 0.008 mm3/min and an electrode wear rate of 0.00055 mm3/min. These results confirmed that the optimal values fall within the range of maximum and minimum outputs for material removal rate and electrode wear rate.
Group sequential design using restricted mean survival time as the primary endpoint in clinical trials
Authors: Li Zhaojin , Geng Xiang , Hou Yawen , Chen Zheng
Published: January 2025

The proportional hazards (PH) assumption is often violated in clinical trials. If the most commonly used Log-rank test is used for trial design in non-proportional hazard (NPH) cases, it will result in power loss or inflation, and the effect measures hazard ratio will become difficult to interpret. To circumvent the issue caused by the NPH for trial design and to make the effect measures easy to interpret and communicate, two simulation-free methods about restricted mean survival time group sequential (GS-RMST) design are introduced in this study: the independent increment GS-RMST (GS-RMSTi) design and the non-independent increment GS-RMST (GS-RMSTn) design. For the above two designs, the corresponding analytic expression of the variance-covariance matrix, the calculations of the stopping boundaries and sample size are given in the study. Simulation studies show that both designs can achieve the corresponding nominal type I error and nominal power. The GS-RMSTn simulation studies show that the Max-Combo test group sequential design is robust in different NPH scenarios and is suitable for discovering whether there is a treatment effect difference. However, it does not have a corresponding easy-to-interpret effect measure indicating effect difference magnitude. GS-RMST performs well in both PH and NPH scenarios, and it can obtain time-scale effect measures that are easy to understand by both physicians and patients. Examples of both GS-RMST designs are also illustrated.
Estimating target population treatment effects in meta-analysis with individual participant-level data
Authors: Hong Hwanhee , Liu Lu , Stuart Elizabeth A
Published: January 2025

Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials is commonly used to evaluate treatments and inform policy decisions because it provides comprehensive summaries of all available evidence. However, meta-analyses are limited to draw population inference of treatment effects because they usually do not define target populations of interest specifically, and results of the individual randomized controlled trials in those meta-analyses may not generalize to the target populations. To leverage evidence from multiple randomized controlled trials in the generalizability context, we bridge the ideas from meta-analysis and causal inference. We integrate meta-analysis with causal inference approaches estimating target population average treatment effect. We evaluate the performance of the methods via simulation studies and apply the methods to generalize meta-analysis results from randomized controlled trials of treatments on schizophrenia to adults with schizophrenia who present to usual care settings in the United States. Our simulation results show that all methods perform comparably and well across different settings. The data analysis results show that the treatment effect in the target population is meaningful, although the effect size is smaller than the sample average treatment effect. We recommend applying multiple methods and comparing the results to ensure robustness, rather than relying on a single method.
Palliative nurses' empathic tendencies, quality of life, individualized care perceptions
Authors: Kayikci Emel Emine , Savci Cemile , Akinci Ayse Cil
Published: January 2025

Background: Palliative care is an important part of health services. The individualized care perceptions are is critical for supporting individuality during care and providing quality nursing care. Individualized care not only has, as well as having foundation of the philosophy of nursing but also, is also related to the nurses’ empathic tendencies and professional quality of life of nurses.

Aim: This study was conducted to examine the relationships between the empathic tendencies, professional quality of life, and individualized care perceptions of palliative care nurses.

Research design: This is a cross-sectional study.

Participants and research context: The study was conducted with 141 nurses working in palliative care between December 2023 and February 2024. The data of the study were collected using a “Participant Information Form,” the “Emphatic Tendency Scale (ETS),” the “Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL R-IV),” and the “Individualized Care Scale-Nurse Version A (ICS-Nurse-A).”

Ethical considerations: Ethics committee approval was obtained to conduct the study. Individuals who agreed to participate in the study were informed of the purpose of the study, and their written consent was obtained.

Findings: The participants had moderate levels of empathic tendencies, compassion satisfaction, and burnout, while their compassion fatigue and individualized care perceptions were high. There was a positive correlation between empathic tendencies and individualized care perceptions ( p < .01). Empathic tendency and compassion satisfaction were significant positive predictors of the individualized care perceptions of the participants and respectively explained 13% and 20% of the total variance in their individualized care perceptions. On the other hand, burnout was a significant negative predictor of their individualized care perceptions and explained 5% of the total variance in their individualized care perceptions.

Conclusions: High levels of empathic tendencies and compassion satisfaction had positive effects on the individualized care perceptions of palliative care nurses, whereas high levels of burnout had a negative effect on the same variable.
Humanistic and Holistic Strategies for Combating Mental Health Sequelae in the Elderly During the Post-COVID Era
Authors: Maity Kalyan , Lal Parth , Jyoti Saras , Bali Parul , Thakur Uttam Kumar , Singh Gurmeet , Majumdar Vijaya , Patra Sanjib , Arya Jaideep , Anand Akshay
Published: January 2025

Background

The elderly population is rapidly growing worldwide. By the year 2050, the elderly population will increase up to 2.1 billion. Among them, most of the elderly will be from low- to middle-income countries. India and China are the most populated countries in the world, and also they fall in the category of low- to middle-income countries. The elderly population in these two countries is also growing rapidly and creating an economic burden of geriatric care. On the other hand, the COVID-19 pandemic greatly affected the healthcare system. A higher mortality rate was documented among the elderly due to COVID-19; hence, it was a challenge for them to deal with a high load of the elderly population during the pandemic. These challenges never sublimate even during the post-COVID era. Mental health issues, such as stress, anxiety, and depression, are major drawbacks of COVID-19 among the elderly due to excessive fear of getting reinfection of COVID-19 and fear of social withdrawal. These factors are affecting healthy aging among the elderly. Even though WHO has taken few initiatives for healthy aging, proper interventional strategies are required to prevent mental illness and improve mental health among the elderly during the post-COVID era.

In this review, we have proposed a few mind-body strategies like Yoga, Exercise, Tai-Chi, and Qigong to improve mental health and holistic patient-centric implementation of those practices in the elderly during the post-COVID era.

Key message

Mind-body interventions can be used in a holistic patient-centric manner to prevent infectious diseases, and post-infection consequences. Further, it enhances immunomodulation along with mental health in the elderly.
Relationship Between Social Media and Tourist Satisfaction: Destination Attributes as a Mediator
Authors: Utapao Kanyapat , James Danty , Suvanno Sawitree , Nunez Gina Masbad
Published: January 2025

Social media plays a vital role in enhancing tourist satisfaction due to its ability to create pre- and post-travel experiences. As tourist destinations in Southeast Asia become more competitive, Thai tourism stakeholders mainly depend on various social media platforms to promote different destinations within the country. As destination attributes also play a role in tourist satisfaction, the attributes of a destination as a mediator between social media and tourism satisfaction have not been extensively studied in the Thai context; therefore, this study aims to examine the causal relationship between social media and tourist satisfaction. Through purposive sampling, a total of 418 tourists who had spent more than 3 days in Bangkok were selected for the study. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to assess the suitability of the measurement model, and the latent variables were tested using the structural equation modelling (SEM) in order to identify the relationship. The ANOVA technique was used to compare between the genders, and the SEM technique was used to test the hypothesis. The study found that social media, destination attributes, and tourist satisfaction did not differ among different gender groups (male, female, LGBTQ+, not specific). The findings also showed that social media had an effect on tourist satisfaction (β = 0.34) and destination attributes (β = 0.31); moreover, destination attributes had an effect on tourist satisfaction (β = 0.34), and finally, social media had an effect on tourist satisfaction mediated by destination attributes (IE = 0.11). These findings underscore the importance of each dimension in capturing and representing various facets effectively.
Neocolonialism: A Discussion of US Activities in the Horn of Africa
Authors: Tegegne Yalemzewd Dessie
Published: January 2025

Neocolonialism is considered by many writers to be a strategy of the former colonial powers and the new superpowers to implement various socio-economic and political strategies in developing countries. The Horn of Africa, as a parcel of a lower middle income region, is recognised as a piece of the ‘grand chessboard’ of world geopolitics. In particular, US neocolonialism has become an invisible government in almost all countries in the Horn of Africa. Therefore, the main objective of this article is to examine and write about the origin, discourses, concealment (mask), normative agents and potential perils of American neocolonialism in the Horn of Africa. Indeed, the article also answers the question of whether the United States is a straightforward ally or a neocolonialist in the Horn of Africa. To document this, the article would be limited to primary sources such as letters, reports and published secondary texts that have been available to this writer to date.
The Relationship Between School Connectedness and Bullying in U.S. High School Students
Authors: McCabe Ellen , Grunin Laura , Yu Gary , Strauss Shiela M.
Published: January 2025

The relationship between school connectedness and bullying among a cohort of American high school students in the COVID and post-COVID eras has yet to be studied. Data from the 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey were analyzed to gain insight into this association. Weighted percentages were calculated, and multivariable logistic regression was conducted. More female, 9th and 10th grade and White participants reported being bullied at school (55.5%, 57.4%, 60.5%, respectively) and electronically (63.2%, 54.4%, 60.2%, respectively) compared to their counterparts. The regression model indicated that sex, grade, race/ethnicity, and school closeness were significantly associated with being bullied. Taking sex, grade, and race/ethnicity into account, the more strongly high schoolers agreed with feelings of school closeness, the less likely they were to report being bullied, both at school and electronically. Findings can be used to inform programs to improve school connectedness and address bullying, aiming to enhance the wellbeing of adolescents.
Case Report of a Traumatic Arthrotomy of the Knee Diagnosed by Ultrasound
Authors: Heronemus Marc , Tomberg Spencer
Published: January 2025

In this case report we describe evaluating a patient for a traumatic knee arthrotomy using ultrasound in a resource-limited medical clinic at the base of a ski area. A 23-y-old female presented with a laceration superior to the patella of the left leg. On examination, the wound tracked deep, and providers had concern for traumatic arthrotomy. Lacerations around the knee have the highest risk for traumatic arthrotomy of any joint. This risk is due to the joint capsule of the knee extending up to 12 cm proximally from the joint line of the knee, making suprapatellar lacerations a risk. Although surgical evaluation is the gold standard for diagnosing a traumatic arthrotomy, computed tomography scan has been shown to be more sensitive than the saline-load test for identifying open traumatic arthrotomies. However, computed tomography scan was not available at the ski area clinic, and the authors have found the saline-load test to be extremely painful for patients. In this case, a novel technique using ultrasound to visualize a sterile cotton swab being inserted into the wound until it contacted the knee's joint line successfully identified a traumatic arthrotomy in a proximal knee laceration. The patient was transferred to a trauma center, where she had a surgical washout of her left knee joint. In conclusion, providers should be aware of the risk of traumatic arthrotomy in wounds that are proximal/superior to the patella. In this case, an ultrasound was used to confirm that the wound entered the proximal knee joint.
Targeted Educational Interventions to Enhance Competency in Managing Patients Living with Mental Health Conditions in the Home Health Setting: A Systematic Review
Authors: Nettingham Marcia , Frye Sara Kate , Engle Pamela J. , Watkins Amanda
Published: January 2025

The purpose of this systematic review is to identify targeted educational interventions to educate home health clinicians in caring for people living with mental health conditions in the home. Persons living with a mental health condition face health disparities including higher rates of chronic health conditions and reduced life expectancy. Clinicians report a lack of knowledge and discomfort managing patients with mental health conditions, who may have unpredictable behaviors. Clinicians need targeted educational interventions to enhance competency in managing patients living with mental health conditions. A systematic review of peer-reviewed literature using PRISMA guidelines was conducted. Electronic database searches limited to Medline (PubMed), CINAHL, and Google Scholar databases were completed. Key terms included, “Mental illness* OR illnesses OR health OR behaviors* OR disorders, OR diseases or psychiatric illness/s OR diseases OR disorders OR disruptive behaviors and behavioral healthcare competence, targeted education interventions and PT OR physical therapist OR RN OR nurse OR LPN OR licensed practical nurses OR SLP OR speech language pathologist OR speech therapist OR OT OR occupational therapist.” There is a gap in the literature on what type of education intervention is effective in enhancing home health clinicians’ competency to manage patients living with mental health conditions. Due to the lack of evidence on educational programs to support home health clinicians in caring for people living with mental health conditions, research is needed on training formats, pedagogical approaches, and learning assessment tools to provide education to clinicians in the home health setting.