bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stephen Perez: Bringing optimism and answers to Chico State
Authors: D’Orio Wayne
Published: August 2024

Stephen Perez is an optimistic person. But even the president of California State University, Chico, admits there are dark clouds threatening the future of not just his university but all of higher education.
Recurrent nerve damage following thyroid surgery: What can I do?
Authors: Testa Domenico , Del Vecchio Lucia , Motta Sergio , Castagna Ludovica , Conzo Giovanni , Carandente Vincenza , Docimo Giovanni , Lombardo Nicola , Conzo Alessandra , Motta Giovanni , Docimo Ludovico
Published: August 2024

Objectives

Bilateral recurrent nerve damage still represents one of the main complications following thyroid surgery, even though the nerve intraoperative monitoring has allowed the decrease of this injury. This observational retrospective study aims to define the onset modalities and the recovery time of different clinical conditions that may occurs after thyroidectomy.

Methods

From a total of 1417 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy for benign tumors between 2017 and 2022 in ENT Unit of University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli,” this study involved 30 patients with bilateral vocal folds motility deficit. These patients (28 F, 2 M), aged from 24 to 78 years old (average age 51.7), presented a bilateral vocal fold motility deficit. Five patients of the study developed an acute respiratory failure upon the awakening that required a nasotracheal prolonged safe extubation. The other 25 patients underwent 9 months diagnostic and therapeutic process, which started approximately 30 days after thyroid surgery.

Results

Indeed, there are several outcomes of these complications, like functional laryngeal defects, which are mainly related to respiratory and phonatory activities. These clinical manifestations can evolve in different ways within a context of a wide range of possibilities, from the spontaneous bilateral or monolateral recovery to the necessity of a functional or surgical restoration.

Conclusion

This study allowed the acquisition of useful information about prognostic indications and an adequate therapeutic process, based on the specific clinical characteristics.
Analogues of GinUE Statistical Properties for GinOE
Authors: Byun Sung-Soo , Forrester Peter J.
Published: August 2024

A fundamental property of GinOE is that away from the real axis its statistical properties coincide with GinUE. In keeping with this, the limiting variance formula is found to the be the same as for GinUE. Also, the Coulomb gas interpretation of the eigenvalue PDF for GinOE implies, that as for GinOE, screening sum rules linking correlation functions hold true. The singular values and eigenvectors both permit studies analogous to those for GinUE, although in the case of the eigenvectors, there is now an advantage in considering the joint probability distribution of the position of the eigenvalue (assumed real) and the invariant overlap.
Erratum to: Force-free higher derivative Einstein-Maxwell theory and multi-centered black hole solutions
Authors: Hu Peng-Ju , Pang Yi
Published: August 2024

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/JHEP09(2023)139
Chemical potential and charge in quantum black holes
Authors: Climent Ana , Emparan Roberto , Hennigar Robie A.
Published: August 2024

Abstract

We study systems in 2 + 1 dimensions consisting of defects that source an electric charge, or a magnetic flux, of a U(1) field, and we use holography to compute their effects on quantum conformal fields. We can also hide the defects inside the horizon of a black hole, where they continue to affect the quantum fields outside. By extending the solutions to braneworld holography, we find the non-linear backreaction of the quantum fields on the defect and black hole backgrounds. This gives quantum charged point particles and black holes. The charged quantum black holes markedly differ from classically charged BTZ black holes, since the quantum-induced electromagnetic field in 2 + 1 dimensions has a better asymptotic behavior than its classical counterpart. The construction also gives a new class of (near-)extremal charged quantum black holes with AdS2 throats.
A new Monte Carlo generator for BSM physics in B → K*ℓ+ℓ− decays with an application to lepton non-universality in angular distributions
Authors: Sibidanov Alexei , Browder Thomas E. , Dubey Shawn , Kohani Shahab , Mandal Rusa , Sandilya Saurabh , Sinha Rahul , Vahsen Sven E.
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Within the widely used EvtGen framework, we have added a new event generator model for B → K*ℓ+ℓ− with improved standard model (SM) decay amplitudes and possible BSM physics contributions, which are implemented in the operator product expansion in terms of Wilson coefficients. This event generator can then be used to estimate the statistical sensitivity of a simulated experiment to the most general BSM signal resulting from dimension-six operators. We describe the advantages and potential of the newly developed ‘Sibidanov Physics Generator’ in improving the experimental sensitivity of searches for lepton non-universal BSM physics and clarifying signatures. The new generator can properly simulate BSM scenarios, interference between SM and BSM amplitudes, and correlations between different BSM observables as well as acceptance bias. We show that exploiting such correlations substantially improves experimental sensitivity. As a demonstration of the utility of the MC generator, we examine the prospects for improved measurements of lepton non-universality in angular distributions for B → K*ℓ+ℓ− decays from the expected 50 ab−1 data set of the Belle II experiment, using a four-dimensional unbinned maximum likelihood fit. We describe promising experimental signatures and correlations between observables. The use of lepton-universality violating ∆-observables significantly reduces uncertainties in the SM expectations due to QCD and resonance effects and is ideally suited for Belle II with the large data sets expected in the next decade. Thanks to the clean experimental environment of an e+e− machine, Belle II should be able to probe BSM physics in the Wilson coefficients C7 and $$ {C}_7^{\prime } $$

C
7
′

, which appear at low q2 in the di-electron channel.
Ultrasound innovations in abdominal radiology: multiparametic imaging in liver transplantation
Authors: Chau Samantha S. , Beutler Bryce D. , Grant Edward G. , Tchelepi Hisham
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Ultrasound plays a central role in liver transplant evaluation. Acute, subacute, and chronic complications can be readily identified using grayscale and color Doppler ultrasound. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound adds a new dimension to liver transplant evaluation, depicting vascular and parenchymal processes with exquisite detail. In addition, emerging evidence suggests that contrast-enhanced ultrasound may allow for localization of biliary leak in select patients. We aimed to assess the use of multiparametric ultrasound—including grayscale, color and spectral Doppler, and contrast-enhanced ultrasound—in the setting of liver transplantation.

Methods

A literature review was performed using the MEDLINE bibliographic database through the National Library of Medicine. The following terms were searched and relevant citations assessed: “abdominal ultrasound,” “contrast-enhanced ultrasound,” “liver transplant,” and “ultrasound.”

Results

Grayscale and color Doppler ultrasound represent the mainstay imaging modalities for postoperative liver transplant evaluation. The addition of contrast enhancement plays a complementary role and can provide valuable information related to the allograft vasculature, parenchyma, and biliary tree. The appropriate implementation of grayscale, color Doppler, and contrast-enhanced ultrasound can optimize sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for the detection of liver transplantation complications, including hepatic artery stenosis, biliary leakage, and infection.

Conclusion

Multimodal sonographic evaluation is essential to identify postoperative complications in liver transplant recipients. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound may be of value in challenging cases, providing excellent anatomic delineation and reducing the risk of false-positive and false-negative diagnoses. A broad familiarity with appropriate applications of both nonenhanced and contrast-enhanced ultrasound may help radiologists optimize allograft assessment and improve patient outcomes.
Voltage-frequency dependence of the complex dielectric and electric modulus and the determination of the interface-state density distribution from the capacitance-frequency measurements of Al/p-Si/Al and Al/V2O5/p-Si/Al structures
Authors: Şenarslan Elvan , Sağlam Mustafa
Published: August 2024

The energy distribution of the interface states (Nss) and relaxation time (τ) are calculated from the capacitance-frequency (C-f) characteristics for Al/p-type Si/Al metal-semiconductor and Al/V2O5/p-type Si/Al metal–interfacial layer–semiconductor diodes with and without anodic surface passivation. The experimental results show that the density of the interface states and the relaxation times increase almost exponentially with the bias from the top of the valence band to the center of the gap for each diode produced. At the same time, using the C-f characteristics, the dielectric properties such as the dielectric constant (ε′), dielectric loss (ε″), dielectric loss tangent (tanδ), real and imaginary portions of the electric modulus (M’ and M″) and ac electrical conductivity (σac) are investigated in this study. The analysis was performed at room temperature, in the frequency range from 1 kHz to 10 MHz, and the voltage range from 0 to 0.24 V. The experimental results show that the ε′, ε″ and tanδ values decrease with increasing frequency while σac, M′ and M″ values increase. This results will show that dielectric parameters are strongly frequency dependent.
One-year outcome of robotical vs. manual percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: von zur Mühlen Constantin , Jeuck Marvin , Heidt Timo , Maulhardt Thomas , Hartikainen Tau , Supady Alexander , Hilgendorf Ingo , Wolf Dennis , Kaier Klaus , Westermann Dirk , Rilinger Jonathan
Published: August 2024

Background

Robotic-assisted percutaneous coronary intervention (R-PCI) is a promising technology for optimizing the treatment of patients with coronary heart disease. For a better understanding of the potential of R-PCI in clinical routine compared to conventional manual PCI (M-PCI) both initial treatment success of the index procedure and long-term outcome have to be analysed.

Methods

Prospective evaluation from the FRiK (DRKS00023868) registry of all R-PCI cases with the CorPath GRX Cardiology by Siemens Healthineers and Corindus in the Freiburg University Heart Center between 04/2022 and 03/2023. Index procedure success and safety, radiation dose of patients and personnel, and 1-year outcome will be reported. Findings will be compared to a prospective control group of M-PCI patients treated by the same team of interventionalists during the same observation period.

Results

Seventy patients received R-PCI and were included in the registry. PCI success rate was 100%, with 19% requiring manual assistance. No complications (MACE—major adverse cardiovascular events) occurred. Compared with 70 matched-pair M-PCI patients, there was a higher median procedural time (103 min vs. 67 min, p < 0.001) and fluoroscopy time (18 min vs. 15 min, p = 0.002), and more contrast volume was used (180 ml vs. 160 ml, p = 0.041) in R-PCI vs. M-PCI patients. However, there was no significant difference of the dose-area product (4062 vs. 3242 cGycm2, p = 0.361). One year after the intervention, there was no difference in mortality, rehospitalisation, unscheduled PCI or target vessel failure. Health-related quality of life evaluation 6 and 12 months after the index procedure (NYHA, CCS, SAQ7 and EQ-5D-5L) was similar in both groups.

Conclusion

R-PCI is feasible and safe. Compared to M-PCI, index procedure success rate is high, safety profile is favourable, and manual assistance was required in only few cases. At 1-year follow-up results for R-PCI vs. M-PCI considering mortality, rehospitalisation, morbidity and target vessel failure were equal.
An attempt to identify brain tumour tissue in neurosurgery by mechanical indentation measurements
Authors: Skambath Isabelle , Kren Jessica , Kuppler Patrick , Buschschlueter Steffen , Bonsanto Matteo Mario
Published: August 2024

Background

The intraoperative differentiation between tumour tissue, healthy brain tissue, and any sensitive structure of the central nervous system is carried out in modern neurosurgery using various multimodal technologies such as neuronavigation, fluorescent dyes, intraoperative ultrasound or the use of intraoperative MRI, but also the haptic experience of the neurosurgeon. Supporting the surgeon by developing instruments with integrated haptics could provide a further objective dimension in the intraoperative recognition of healthy and diseased tissue.

Methods

In this study, we describe intraoperative mechanical indentation measurements of human brain tissue samples of different tumours taken during neurosurgical operation and measured directly in the operating theatre, in a time frame of maximum five minutes. We present an overview of the Young’s modulus for the different brain tumour entities and potentially differentiation between them.

Results

We examined 238 samples of 75 tumour removals. Neither a clear distinction of tumour tissue against healthy brain tissue, nor differentiation of different tumour entities was possible on solely the Young’s modulus. Correlation between the stiffness grading of the surgeon and our measurements could be found.

Conclusion

The mechanical behaviour of brain tumours given by the measured Young’s modulus corresponds well to the stiffness assessment of the neurosurgeon and can be a great tool for further information on mechanical characteristics of brain tumour tissue. Nevertheless, our findings imply that the information gained through indentation is limited.
Exploring the diabesity characteristics and associated all-cause mortality at a population level: results from a small European island state
Authors: Cuschieri Sarah , Cuschieri Andrea , Grech Elizabeth , Coleiro Amber Marie , Carabott Amy , Tonna Axel , Borg Dalton , Sant Desiree , Sultana Elissa , Ellul Kathleen , Scerri Kristina Marie , Psaila Kylie , Magro Grazia , Attard Nicole , Borg Ylenia
Published: August 2024

Aim

Diabesity, the co-occurrence of diabetes and obesity, presents a global health crisis. Understanding its prevalence, associated risk factors, and mortality outcomes is crucial for effective public health interventions. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of diabesity and diabetes, assess associated risk factors, and analyze mortality outcomes over a 7-year period in the diabetogenic country of Malta.

Subject and methods

A nationwide health examination survey (2014–16) was conducted involving 3947 adults aged 18–70 years. Sociodemographic data, anthropometric measurements, and blood samples were collected. Relationships between different adiposity indices were explored. Mortality data was obtained by cross-referencing with the national mortality register. Statistical analyses included chi-square tests, logistic regression, and Cox proportional hazard models.

Results

Prevalence of obesity was 34.08%, diabetes 10.31%, and diabesity 5.78%. Sociodemographic characteristics were similar across all three cohorts. Multivariable regression identified increasing age (OR 1.10 CI95% 1.07–1.12; p≤ 0.001), male gender (OR 0.53 CI95% 0.30–0.93; p = 0.03), and low educational level (OR 2.19 CI95% 1.39–3.45; p = 0.001) as significant predictors of diabesity. Only diabetes showed a significant increase in mortality risk (HR 3.15 CI95% 1.31–7.62; p = 0.02) after adjustment, with gender (HR 3.17 CI95% 1.20–8.37) and body adiposity index (HR 1.08 CI95% 1.01–1.16) also significant (p ≤ 0.05).

Conclusion

Diabesity represents a substantial public health challenge in Malta, with implications for mortality outcomes. Targeted interventions addressing sociodemographic disparities and promoting healthy lifestyles are essential to mitigate its impact. The findings underscore the need for comprehensive healthcare strategies and policy initiatives to combat diabesity and reduce associated mortality rates.
The emergence of microbiological inputs and the challenging laboratorisation of agriculture: lessons from Brazil and Mexico
Authors: Goulet Frédéric , Fonteyne Simon , Ridaura Santiago López , Niederle Paulo , Odjo Sylvanus , Schneider Sergio , Verhulst Nele , Van Loon Jelle
Published: August 2024

In this article, we analyse the tensions associated with the emergence of microorganism-based agricultural inputs in two Latin American countries, Brazil and Mexico. More specifically, we examine the ways in which these technologies, which are based on the use of living organisms, leave public microbiology research laboratories and are further developed by manufacturers or farmers. To this end, we draw on the concept of the ‘laboratorisation’ of society, part of the actor-network theory. We show that the emergence of these technologies is currently facing a number of challenges, due to the risks associated with their biological nature and the difficulty involved in establishing production processes as reliable as those used in reference laboratories. Whether produced by companies or on farms, the quality and safety of the practices and of these products are the subject of debate, as well as the focus of scientific, economic and political scrutiny. These microbiological inputs are evidence for the transformation of the relationship between science, industry, users and politics that is taking place around the emergence of alternatives to synthetic chemical inputs in agriculture, and more broadly, about the use of microbiological resources in agriculture.
Faraday effect of light caused by plane gravitational wave
Authors: Shoom Andrey A.
Published: August 2024

A gravitational field can cause a rotation of the polarisation vector of light. This phenomenon is known as the gravitational Faraday effect. We study the gravitational Faraday effect of linearly polarised light propagating in the gravitational field of a weak plane gravitational wave (GW) with “$$+$$+", “$$\times $$×", and elliptical polarisation modes. The corresponding gravitational Faraday rotation angle is proportional to the GW amplitude and to the squared distance traveled by the light and inversely proportional to the GW squared wavelength. The Faraday rotation is maximal if the light propagates along directions perpendicular to the GW propagation and tilted by$$\pi /4$$π/4to the directions of its polarisation. There is no a gravitational Faraday rotation when light and a GW propagate along the same directions, or when light propagates along directions of a GW polarisation. Helicity of an elliptically polarised GW gives cubic order contribution to the Faraday rotation.
Managerial Performance and Economic Performance in the Technology Sector
Authors: Ratigan R. David , Zaleski Peter A.
Published: August 2024

The technology (tech) sector outperformed all other sector stock price averages in 2023. This paper addresses two issues regarding the tech sector. First, relative to other firms, are there any managerial areas in which the tech sector outperforms to explain their superior performance relative to all other firms? Second, within the tech sector, what managerial practices lead to higher profits? Four areas of managerial performance are considered: customer satisfaction, employee engagement and development, innovation, and social responsibility. This paper utilizes Bloomberg data and takes the novel approach of utilizing the Drucker Institute Indexes to assess performance in the tech sector. The Drucker Institute has computed a Corporate Effectiveness Index since 2017. The overall effectiveness index is based on performance regarding five dimensions: customer satisfaction, employee engagement and development, innovation, social responsibility, and financial strength. The firms they track are United States companies whose shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange or Nasdaq Stock Market and meet certain size requirements. Among the four dimensions tested, customer satisfaction is the one dimension that is positive and significant when comparing across tech firms. Second, employee engagement is more important for tech firms than for other firms. The major contribution of this paper’s findings is that while innovation may be the hallmark feature of tech firms, innovation for its own sake does not drive firm performance. A focus on people (customers and employees) is the key to earning higher profits in the tech sector.
Integrating effects of overheating on human health into buildings’ life cycle assessment
Authors: Monnier Robin , Schalbart Patrick , Roux Charlotte , Peuportier Bruno
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Due to climate change, the severity and length of heat waves are increasing, and this trend is likely to continue while mitigation efforts are insufficient. These climatic events cause overheating inside buildings, which increases mortality. Adaptation measures reduce overheating but induce environmental impacts, including on human health. This study aims to integrate the overheating-related effects on human health in building LCA to provide a design aid combining mitigation and adaptation.

Methods

In a novel approach, an existing building LCA tool is utilised to evaluate life cycle impacts, including damage to human health expressed in DALYs. The overheating risk is then evaluated using an existing dynamic thermal simulation (DTS) tool and prospective climatic data. Overheating is expressed as a degree-hour (DH) indicator, which integrates both the severity (temperature degrees over a comfort threshold) and the duration (hours). By assuming proportionality between DALYs and DH × area in a first step, the 2003 heat wave mortality data, 2003 climatic data, and a simplified model of the national residential building stock were used to identify a characterisation factor, which can then be used to evaluate DALYs corresponding to any building using DH obtained by thermal simulation.

Results

The proposed overheating model not only allows to derive a characterisation factor for overheating to be used in building LCA but also provides practical insights. The first estimation of the characterisation factor is 1.35E-8DALY. DH-1.m-2. The method was tested in a case study corresponding to a social housing apartment building in France built in 1969 without insulation. The thickness of insulation implemented in the renovation works was varied. For this specific case study, the contribution of overheating is significant, ranging from 1.1E-5DALY.m-2.y-1 to 2.2E-5DALY.m-2.y-1, comparable to the contribution of heating. DTS and LCA results found an optimal thickness, minimising the human health indicator in DALYs. This underscores the potential of active cooling to reduce human health impacts, especially if it consumes electricity produced by a photovoltaic system integrated in the building.

Conclusion

Combining DTS and LCA makes it possible to evaluate damage indicators on human health, including building life cycles (e.g., material and energy) and overheating-related impacts. An application on a case study shows this method’s feasibility and gives a first order of magnitude of overheating health impacts induced by buildings. A more sophisticated model could replace the assumed proportionality between DALYs and DH.
Schlafbezogene Metakognitionen im transdiagnostischen Kontext
Authors: Meyer Paula Theresa , Specht Markus B. , Wessolowski Nino
Published: August 2024

Theorie

Schlafbezogene Metakognitionen sind Überzeugungen über eigene Gedanken und kognitive Schemata, die sich mit schlafbezogenen Inhalten befassen. Sie werden mit Insomnie und schlechter Schlafqualität in Verbindung gebracht. In der Theorie finden sich Hinweise für Assoziationen mit Depressionen und Rumination. Aus der bestehenden Literatur wurde ein Strukturgleichungsmodell zu den Zusammenhängen von schlafbezogenen Metakognitionen, Insomnie, Depressionen, Schlafqualität und Rumination abgeleitet. Ziel der Untersuchung war die Erörterung möglicher Zusammenhänge.

Methode

Die Konstrukte wurden mittels Metacognition Questionnaire-Insomnia (MCQ-I), Insomnie-Schweregrad-Index (ISI), Beck-Depressions-Inventar (BDI-II), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) und Response Styles Questionnaire (RSQ-D) an einer Stichprobe aus einem schlafmedizinischen Zentrum erhoben. Die Daten wurden deskriptiv und faktorenanalytisch ausgewertet. Mittels Maximum-Likelihood-Estimation wurde das theoriebasierte Strukturgleichungsmodell überprüft und anhand von Fit-Indizes hinsichtlich des globalen Modellfits beurteilt.

Ergebnisse

Die Stichprobe umfasste n = 415 Personen. Das Strukturgleichungsmodell weist einen akzeptablen bis guten Fit auf. Für die Konstrukte schlafbezogene Metakognitionen, Insomnie, Depressionen, Schlafqualität und Rumination wurden mittlere bis starke Korrelationskoeffizienten zwischen r = 0,44 und 0,97 (p < 0,001) erreicht.

Diskussion

Die Ergebnisse des Strukturgleichungsmodells bestätigen Größe und Richtung bisheriger Ergebnisse. Die Arbeit zeigt den globalen Zusammenhang von schlafbezogenen Metakognitionen, Insomnie, Depression, Schlafqualität und Rumination. Sie unterstützt damit eine tageszeitübergreifende Betrachtung von psychischen Störungen und die Betrachtung metakognitiver Überzeugungen bei der Behandlung von Insomnie und Depression.
Brain Proteome Profiling Reveals Common and Divergent Signatures in Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple System Atrophy, and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
Authors: Dick Fiona , Johanson Gard Aasmund Skulstad , Tysnes Ole-Bjørn , Alves Guido , Dölle Christian , Tzoulis Charalampos
Published: August 2024

The molecular pathogenesis of degenerative parkinsonisms, including Parkinson’s disease (PD), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), and Multiple system atrophy (MSA), remains largely unknown. To gain novel insight into molecular processes associated with these diseases, we conducted a proteome-wide expression study in prefrontal cortex tissue from a cohort of 181 individuals, comprising PD (N = 73), PSP (N = 18), MSA (N = 17) and healthy control (N = 73). Using marker gene profiles, we first assess the cellular composition of the samples and, subsequently, identify distinct protein signatures for each disease, while correcting for cell composition. Our findings indicate that all three diseases are characterized by a structural and/or functional loss of deep cortical neurons, while PD exhibits an additional decrease in somatostatin-expressing interneurons, as well as in endothelial cells. Differential protein expression analysis identified multiple proteins and pathways with disease-specific expression, some of which have previously been associated with parkinsonism or neurodegeneration in general. Notably, we observed a strong mitochondrial signature which was present in both PD and PSP, albeit of a different composition and most pronounced in PSP, but not in MSA where immunological/inflammation-related pathways dominated. Additionally, we identified protein signatures associated with the severity of α-synuclein pathology in PD and showed that these are highly enriched in an upregulation of mitochondrial processes, specifically related to oxidative phosphorylation and in particular respiratory complexes I and IV. We identify multiple novel signatures of protein expression, associated with PD, PSP, and MSA, as well as with the severity of α-synuclein pathology in the PD brain.
Discrimination and Racial Inequities in Self-reported Mental Health Among Immigrants and Canadian-Born Individuals in a Large, Nationally Representative Canadian Survey
Authors: Kenny Kathleen S. , Wanigaratne Susitha , Merry Lisa , Siddiqi Arjumand , Urquia Marcelo L.
Published: August 2024

We examined the link between discrimination and self-rated mental health (SRMH) among immigrants and Canadian-born individuals, stratified according to an individual’s identification as racialized or white. Using data from Canada’s General Social Survey (2014) (weighted N = 27,575,000) with a novel oversample of immigrants, we estimated the association of perceived discrimination with SRMH separately among immigrants and Canadian-born individuals and stratified by racialized status. Among immigrants, we also investigated whether age-at-arrival attenuated or strengthened associations. The prevalence of discrimination was higher among racialized compared to white immigrants (18.9% versus 11.8%), and among racialized compared to white non-immigrants (20.0% versus 10.5%). In the adjusted model with immigrants, where white immigrants not reporting discrimination were the referent group, both white (adjusted prevalence odds ratio [aPOR] 6.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.08, 12.12) and racialized immigrants (aPOR 2.28, 95% CI 1.29, 4.04) who experienced discrimination reported poorer SRMH. The associations were weaker among immigrants who immigrated in adulthood. In the adjusted model with non-immigrants, compared to unexposed white respondents, Canadian-born white respondents who experienced discrimination reported poorer SRMH (aPOR 3.62, 95% CI 2.99, 4.40) while no statistically significant association was detected among racialized respondents (aPOR 2.24, 95% CI 0.90, 5.58). Racialized respondents experienced significant levels of discrimination compared to white respondents irrespective of immigrant status. Discrimination was associated with poor SRMH among all immigrants, with some evidence of a stronger association for white immigrants and immigrants who migrated at a younger age. For Canadian-born individuals, discrimination was associated with poor SRMH among white respondents only.
Healthcare Professionals’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices in Providing Care to Southeast Asian Immigrants with Cardiometabolic Syndrome: A Scoping Review
Authors: Gargya Diane , Nguyen Kathy , Stupans Ieva , Thrimawithana Thilini , Chan Vincent , Livesay Karen , de Courten Barbora , Lim Chiao Xin
Published: August 2024

Objective

There is a growing emphasis on healthcare professionals’ (HCPs) role in managing cardiometabolic risk factors to reduce health disparity for immigrants in developed countries. This scoping review aimed to analyse evidence about HCPs’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of managing cardiometabolic risk factors among Southeast Asian (SEA) immigrants in developed countries.

Design

Primary studies from inception to July 17, 2023, from four databases: PubMed/Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, and CINAHL were included. This review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) scoping review methodology and reported in line with PRISMA-ScR.

Results

Of 619 identified studies, seven met the inclusion criteria. All studies discussed HCPs’ knowledge, six explored attitudes, and three described practices specific to SEA immigrants. The extracted data were analysed using descriptive qualitative content analysis and classified into barriers and facilitators. Barriers included cultural discordance and acculturation challenges (patient level); gaps in cultural understanding, communication and clinical skills (healthcare team level); limited immigrant-specific resources (organisation level); and funding constraints (environment level). Facilitators included community and provider support (patient level), awareness and desires to provide immigrant-specific care (healthcare team level), availability of culturally appropriate services (organisation level), and multicultural agendas and policies (environment level).

Conclusion

The barriers and facilitators faced by HCPs caring for SEA immigrants with cardiometabolic syndromes share similarities with other immigrant groups. Future research focused on co-production involving immigrant patients, their communities, and HCPs in healthcare service design is required to support HCPs in providing culturally appropriate care and promoting health equity regardless of ethnic, cultural, or linguistic backgrounds.
Ogden R. Lindsley: I Followed the Idea of the Missoula Smokejumpers
Authors: Heward William L. , Eshleman John W. , Kimball Jonathan W.
Published: August 2024

In 1990, Ogden R. Lindsley served as guest faculty for Ohio State University’s Teleconference on applied behavior analysis. He captivated students and faculty with tales of his personal journey from experiences during World War II to studying under B. F. Skinner, and his development of precision teaching (PT) to preserve rate of response measurement in educational applications. Derived from an audio cassette recording of that seminar session, this article captures highlights of those stories and Dr. Lindsley’s discussion of topics ranging from his opinion of the open classroom movement to critiques of Sesame Street and errorless learning.
Weather window analysis for the deployment, operation, and maintenance of marine renewable energy devices in Irish coastal waters
Authors: Moore Dylan , Eftekhari Alireza , Nash Stephen
Published: August 2024

This study presents a detailed analysis of weather window accessibility for marine renewable energy (MRE) sites along Ireland's coast, utilizing a robust 12 year met-ocean dataset. The research focuses on key test sites—the atlantic marine energy test site (AMETS), the galway bay test site (GBTS), and the Westwave Demonstration Site—and expands to a broader spatial analysis of Irish coastal waters. By integrating significant wave height and wind data, the study evaluates site accessibility, emphasizing the paramount role of wave height in determining access. Findings reveal substantial spatial variability in accessibility, with high-resource areas like AMETS facing greater access challenges due to harsher conditions, as opposed to the more accessible GBTS. The study underscores the need for a nuanced, region-specific approach to MRE development in Ireland, highlighting how strategic planning and technological advancements are crucial in exploiting the country's significant MRE potential. The results also stress the importance of long-term data for accurate environmental variability assessment, offering vital insights for future MRE site viability and strategy development.
Review on Methods for Assessing and Predicting Leaching of PFAS from Solid Matrices
Authors: Navarro Divina A. , Kabiri Shervin S. , Bowles Karl , Knight Emma R. , Braeunig Jennifer , Srivastava Prashant , Boxall Naomi J. , Douglas Grant , Mueller Jochen , McLaughlin Mike J. , Williams Mike , Kookana Rai S.
Published: August 2024

Purpose of Review

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are prevalent environmental contaminants detected in materials such as soils, biosolids, and wastes. Understanding PFAS leaching is crucial for assessing risks associated with leaving impacted material in place, reuse, or disposal. However, there is limited guidance on laboratory methods to measure extent and rate of leaching. This review aims to identify the best methods for assessing PFAS leaching that are reflective of relevant release scenarios.

Recent Findings

Various methods have been applied to assess PFAS leaching from contaminated materials. The most common are batch leaching methods that simulate particular conditions (e.g. rainfall, landfill), with the intention of providing conservative estimates (worst-case scenarios) of cumulative PFAS release over time. Columns, static leaching, and rainfall simulators are also used to simulate less aggressive field-like conditions. While less common, pan and suction lysimeters have been used to measure PFAS leaching in situ. Most methods use saturated conditions that do not account for the possible influence of air–water interface accumulation and wetting–drying cycles on leaching. A notable gap is the scarcity of data benchmarking laboratory-leached concentrations with real-world PFAS concentrations. Establishing this relationship is crucial for reliable laboratory protocols.

This article reviews methods for estimating leaching of PFAS from contaminated materials. Given the variety of methods, selecting those that best simulate assessment objectives is essential. Specific scenarios requiring PFAS leaching assessment, such as leaving materials in place, reuse, and disposal, are discussed. The knowledge gaps presented could be used to improve existing leaching methods for better predictions and understanding of PFAS leachability.

Graphical Abstract
An improved digital soil mapping approach to predict total N by combining machine learning algorithms and open environmental data
Authors: Auzzas Alessandro , Capra Gian Franco , Jani Arun Dilipkumar , Ganga Antonio
Published: August 2024

Digital Soil Mapping (DSM) is fundamental for soil monitoring, as it is limited and strategic for human activities. The availability of high temporal and spatial resolution data and robust algorithms is essential to map and predict soil properties and characteristics with adequate accuracy, especially at a time when the scientific community, legislators and land managers are increasingly interested in the protection and rational management of soil.

Proximity and remote sensing, efficient data sampling and open public environmental data allow the use of innovative tools to create spatial databases and digital soil maps with high spatial and temporal accuracy. Applying machine learning (ML) to soil data prediction can improve the accuracy of maps, especially at scales where geostatistics may be inefficient. The aim of this research was to map the nitrogen (N) levels in the soils of the Nurra sub-region (north-western Sardinia, Italy), testing the performance of the Ranger, Random Forest Regression (RFR) and Support Vector Regression (SVR) models, using only open source and open access data. According to the literature, the models include soil chemical-physical characteristics, environmental and topographic parameters as independent variables. Our results showed that predictive models are reliable tools for mapping N in soils, with an accuracy in line with the literature. The average accuracy of the models is high (R2 = 0.76) and the highest accuracy in predicting N content in surface horizons was obtained with RFR (R2 = 0.79; RMSE = 0.32; MAE = 0.18). Among the predictors, SOM has the highest importance. Our results show that predictive models are reliable tools in mapping N in soils, with an accuracy in line with the literature. The results obtained could encourage the integration of this type of approach in the policy and decision-making process carried out at regional scale for land management.
Board Responsibility for Irresponsibility: The Link Between Board Structure and Corporate Scandals
Authors: Dorfleitner Gregor , Kreuzer Christian
Published: August 2024

Based on an international data set that comprises over 6,100 companies located in 44 countries in the years 2002–2018, this paper analyzes the relation between corporate scandals and board structures besides further firm-related, political, nation-level economic, and cultural variables. We identify board structure variables that are positively associated with a firm’s corporate scandals, namely high CSR efforts and busy board members. There are also variables that are negatively associated with this kind of behavior, namely qualified and skilled boards. No clear evidence can be determined from a board’s gender diversity, independent board members, and board size.
On the influence of parents and peers on occupational aspirations in Germany under special regard of secondary school track interactions
Authors: Bittmann Felix
Published: August 2024

International research has established that significant others, such as parents and peers, can influence a student’s educational or occupational aspirations. However, this research also reveals that influences differ by educational system, and the effects of peers are strongest in systems with low levels of stratification. For a long time, it was assumed that these effects were weaker in highly stratified systems, such as in Germany. However, our results using large-scale data (N > 11,000) indicate that the situation is more complex and parents and peers have different influences, depending on the secondary school track a student attends. Occupational aspirations are lower, on average, in non-academic tracks yet more diverse than in the academic track. Parents strongly influence students’ occupational aspirations in the academic track, while peers are more relevant in non-academic tracks, where no parental effects are detectable. These results suggest that the influence of significant others is not uniform but rather complex as school track interactions are present. Reporting uniform effects in systems with strong tracking is problematic and needs to be reconsidered.
‘It wasn’t me’: the impact of social responsibility and social dominance attitudes on AI programmers’ moral imagination (intention to correct bias)
Authors: Román Almánzar Arlette Danielle , Grüning David Joachim , Edinger-Schons Laura Marie
Published: August 2024

A plethora of research has shed light on AI’s perpetuation of biases, and the primary focus has been on technological fixes or biased data. However, there is deafening silence regarding the key role of programmers in mitigating bias in AI. A significant gap exists in the understanding of how a programmer’s personal characteristics may influence their professional design choices. This study addresses this gap by exploring the link between programmers’ sense of social responsibility and their moral imagination in AI, i.e., intentions to correct bias in AI, particularly against marginalized populations. Furthermore, it is unexplored how a programmer’s preference for hierarchy between groups, social dominance orientation-egalitarianism (SDO-E), influences this relationship. We conducted a between-subject online experiment with 263 programmers based in the United States. They were randomly assigned to conditions that mimic narratives about agency reflected in technology determinism (low responsibility) and technology instrumentalism (high responsibility). The findings reveal that high social responsibility significantly boosts programmers’ moral imagination concerning their intentions to correct bias in AI, and it is especially effective for high SDO-E programmers. In contrast, low SDO-E programmers exhibit consistently high levels of moral imagination in AI, regardless of the condition, as they are highly empathetic, allowing the perspective-taking needed for moral imagination, and are naturally motivated to equalize groups. This study underscores the need to cultivate social responsibility among programmers to enhance fairness and ethics in the development of artificial intelligence. The findings have important theoretical and practical implications for AI ethics, algorithmic fairness, etc.
Yarning and knitting words: a cross-cultural thought experiment on writing beyond school
Authors: McKnight Lucinda , Yunkaporta Tyson
Published: August 2024

This article provides an account of a yarn between a First Nations Australian researcher and an Anglo-Celtic Australian researcher about the future of writing curriculum in subject English education, if school in its current settler-colonial form were to be abolished and completely re-imagined. Yarning is an Indigenous research method evolving from Indigenous cultures and ways of knowing; it is a form of knowledge production. The original yarn, on which this further creative dialogue is based, takes the form of a recorded podcast conversation between the authors, who are academic colleagues at the same university and former English teachers. The research focus of the conversation was what a post-Treaty, post-school writing education might be. However, rather than providing ready answers, our relational thinking foregrounds the challenges in asking this question, and in non-Indigenous Australians expecting Indigenous Australians to provide fixes for the problems engendered by the ongoing injustices of colonisation.
The Food Media Content Gratifications Scale Conceptualization, Development, and Validation
Authors: Teunissen Lauranna , Decorte Paulien , Cuykx Isabelle
Published: August 2024

Abstract: This article conceptualized, developed, and validated the Food Media Content Gratifications (FMCG) Scale: a quantitative measure to discern what people seek (Gratifications Sought; GS) and find (Gratifications Obtained; GO) in food media content. Five studies comprised exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, measurement invariance, convergent and discriminant validity, and test–retest reliability. Results showed a reliable and valid seven-factor scale with 32 GS & 32 GO items relating to (1 ) entertainment & relaxation, (2) social food connections & identity, (3) body gazing, (4) food porn, and information on (5) food cultures, (6) food & health, and (7) cooking convenience. The FMCG Scale is unique in quantitively discerning GS and GO in food media content, enabling audiences to differentiate between expected and (unintentionally) fulfilled gratifications. This robust research tool helps understand audiences’ psychological processes when consuming food media content, a critical part of understanding this media consumption process that impacts food decision-making.
The Influence of Stratospheric Hydration From the Hunga Eruption on Chemical Processing in the 2023 Antarctic Vortex
Authors: Santee M. L. , Manney G. L. , Lambert A. , Millán L. F. , Livesey N. J. , Pitts M. C. , Froidevaux L. , Read W. G. , Fuller R. A.
Published: August 2024

We use measurements of trace gases from the Microwave Limb Sounder and polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) from the Cloud‐Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization to investigate how the extraordinary stratospheric water vapor enhancement from the 2022 Hunga eruption affected polar processing during the 2023 Antarctic winter. Although the dynamical characteristics of the vortex itself were generally unexceptional, the excess moisture initially raised PSC formation threshold temperatures above typical values. Cold conditions, especially in early July, prompted ice PSC formation and unusually severe irreversible dehydration at higher levels (500–700 K), while atypical hydration occurred at lower levels (380–460 K). Heterogeneous chemical processing was more extensive, both vertically (up to 750–800 K) and temporally (earlier in the season), than in prior Antarctic winters. The resultant HCl depletion and ClO enhancement redefined their previously observed ranges at and above 600 K. Albeit unmatched in the satellite record, the early‐winter upper‐level chlorine activation was insufficient to induce substantial ozone loss. Chlorine activation, denitrification, and dehydration processes ran to completion by July/August, with trace gas evolution mostly following the climatological mean thereafter, but with chlorine deactivation starting slightly later than usual. While cumulative ozone losses at 410–550 K were relatively large, probably because of the delayed chlorine deactivation, they were not unprecedented. Thus, ozone depletion was unremarkable throughout the lower stratosphere. Although Hunga enhanced PSC formation and chemical processing in early winter, saturation of lower stratospheric denitrification, dehydration, and chlorine activation (as is typical in the Antarctic) prevented an exceptionally severe ozone hole in 2023.