bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reifying, Disorienting and Restoring Gender Binaries in Dialogic Literature Discussions
Authors: Orner Aviv , Netz Hadar , Lefstein Adam
Published: February 2024

Dialogic pedagogy aims to bring multiple voices and perspectives into conversation, to create a classroom environment inclusive of multiple student identities, and to challenge hegemonic approaches to knowledge. As such, it seems particularly well‐suited for interrogating gender binaries and enhancing gender equity. Through micro‐ethnographic discourse analysis of video‐recorded literacy lessons, this study examines how traditional gender categories were reified and/or disrupted in literacy discussions in four Israeli elementary school classrooms experimenting with dialogic pedagogy. We found students and teachers frequently relying upon gender stereotypes in the participant examples they offered and in their interpretations of the story, “Fly, Eagle, Fly,” in class discussions. Originally framed as a parable of transformation and growth, the story unexpectedly provided an avenue to explore topics such as gender, transgenderism, and transsexuality. Sporadic instances arose in the discussion in which students subverted traditional binary gender constructs. These fleeting moments of disorientation underscored dialogic pedagogy's capacity to challenge gender norms. However, students and teachers treated transgenderism as taboo, and the topic's explicit consideration generated anxiety, with the teachers and some of the students trying to silence non‐heteronormative voices. Ultimately, teachers reinforced interpretations that allowed the gender order to be restored and seemed relieved when they were able to move on from the gender trouble episode. The study highlights the potential of dialogic pedagogy to challenge the heterosexual matrix and promote gender equity. However, it also demonstrates the importance of paying greater attention to gender issues in the development of dialogic pedagogy.
Mitigation of Exciton Quenching Sites in All‐Metal‐Oxide‐Based Transparent Photovoltaic
Authors: Kumar Naveen , Choi Chanhyuk , Lee Junghyun , Patel Malkeshkumar , Anderson Wayne A. , Yun Ju‐Hyung , Yi Junsin , Kim Joondong
Published: February 2024

Transparent photovoltaic (TPV) devices offer the potential to generate power without being visible to the human eye, making them ideal for use in building integrated photovoltaic applications. TPV devices based on inorganic materials offer eco‐friendly frameworks with stable performances. However, their low power conversion efficiency and incapacity to produce onsite power for real‐time practical applications limit their widespread deployment. Mitigation of exciton quenching by reducing the interface and bulk recombination can significantly improve the performance of TPVs. To address this, the present study investigates the effect of passivation layers (PLs) in all‐metal‐oxide TiO2/Cu2O TPV. The TiO2/Cu2O TPV interface is passivated by depositing thin Al2O3 and Ga2O3 films. The study comprehensively analyzes how passivation controls the interfacial and bulk defects. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy are used to elucidate exciton quenching mechanisms. The results show that the insertion of a thin PL on top of TiO2 effectively mitigates exciton quenching by suppressing hydroxyl ions, Ti2+, and Ti3+ bulk states. Ga2O3 PL, in particular, leads to a substantial enhancement in short‐circuit current density (12.4 mA cm−2) and open‐circuit voltage (669 mV). The study also demonstrates the real‐time onsite energy production and its utilization through the operation of an electric fan.
Quantitative Dynamic AFM Hydration‐Adsorption Design for Hygroscopic and Bio‐Compatible Polymeric Nanofibers
Authors: Menacho Willy , Catalan Karina N. , Corrales Tomas P. , Guzman Horacio V.
Published: February 2024

Nanomechanical properties of bio‐compatible polymers play crucial roles in tissue engineering scaffolds and filtration devices. The hygro‐mechanical properties of those fibers have been mostly studied from a very coarse perspective, reaching a micrometer‐scale. However, at the nanoscale the mechanical response of polymeric fibers becomes more challenging due to both experimental‐theoretical limitations. In particular, the environment‐mediated mechanical response of polymer‐fibers demands advanced models that consider sub‐nanometric changes in the local structure of water‐intercalated with single‐polymer‐chains. Herein, atomic force‐microscopy (AFM) experiments, analytical theory, and simulations are combined to determine the elastic properties of the nanofibers as a function of relative humidity. The effect of morphological changes from the adsorbed water‐layer, and an ensemble of inter‐chain interaction strength and morphological changes at peak‐forces are explored. For the polyvinyl‐alcohol (PVA) nanofibers, considerable differences are found, which are strongly dependent on the molecular signatures of hydration‐adsorption at a polymer‐chain level. Here, the semi‐empirical model plays a key role in properly interpreting experiments by evaluating only a few observables, the height, phase (dissipation), and alternatively the force‐distance curves. Beyond the semi‐empirical model, an analytical approach to calculate the peak‐forces of hygroscopic materials is featured, which enables on‐the‐fly characterization of the samples, and thus the interactive adjustment of operational‐parameters.
CRISPR/Cas12a‐loaded intelligent DNA hydrogel for universal and ultrasensitive exosome assay
Authors: Luo Jie , Wang Binpan , Tang Xiaoqi , Huang Ping , Yang Sha , Zhao Shuang , Xie Shuang , Li Qiaofeng , Chang Kai , Chen Ming
Published: February 2024

Tumor‐derived exosomes are crucial for early non‐invasive and accurate tumor diagnosis in clinical diagnostics. The development of highly sensitive, simple, and intuitive exosome assays has sparked a research upsurge in clinical diagnostics. Here, we develop a bio‐responsive intelligent DNA hydrogel loaded with CRISPR/Cas12a for universal and ultrasensitive detection of the exosomes. The aptamer serves as the target response unit and switch, competitively disintegrating the region of the DNA linkers and then Cas12a/crRNA was released and activated, resulting in a high fluorescent intensity for exosome detection at the detection limit of 119 particles/μL. Moreover, a constructed colorimetric tube is made by loading a colorimetric filter membrane on the tube lid and intelligent DNA hydrogel on the tube bottom, which enables one‐pot portable colorimetric detection. Without the need for laboratory instruments and professionals, this strategy allows for naked eye detection with limit of detection as low as 104 particles/μL, and shows great applicability in distinguishing between healthy individuals, pretreatment patients, and post‐treatment patients after obtaining a testable analyte. In this study, an ultrasensitive detection platform for exosomes that enables one‐step sensing and dual signal output was introduced. The findings here suggest that this platform is a promising tool for the application of liquid biopsy based on exosomes in clinical diagnosis.
The Black and white differential in income and consumption dynamics
Authors: De Giorgi Giacomo , Gambetti Luca , Naguib Costanza
Published: February 2024

With 20 years of PSID data, we document persistent racial differentials in consumption dynamics. Starting from similar positions in the consumption distribution Blacks end up in lower percentiles than Whites. Education, income, and wealth are three key drivers of these different dynamics. Blacks tend to save less, and hence have less buffer than the Whites to prevent them from falling in the lower part of the consumption distribution.
Environmental Perception of Solid Waste Management in the Hurtado Balneary, Colombia
Authors: Vargas Nataylde Gutiérrez , Bodah Brian William , Caballero Brayan , Ochoa Esteban , Salas Karen Muñoz , Neckel Alcindo , de Vargas Mores Giana , Moro Leila Dal , Palma Hugo Hernández , Ramos Claudete Gindri
Published: February 2024

Environmental perception serves as a powerful tool for identifying community needs and potential within their surroundings. This study assessed tourists’ environmental perception regarding solid waste and its impact on the Hurtado Balneary, located in Valledupar, Colombia. The investigation delved into the environmental attitudes and behaviors of 769 balneary users by employing a combination of observation, photographic documentation, and a comprehensive 21-question online survey. The findings are 98.8% of participants acknowledged the adverse effects of solid waste on the environment, with 98% demonstrating a willingness to participate in waste management efforts. Furthermore, 42.13% exhibited limited awareness regarding waste management practices, reflecting a concerning lack of public interest and commitment (41.61%). Statistically significant disparities (p > 0.05) emerged 59% of waste items were not appropriately disposed of in designated receptacles. Reasons for this included a lack of a sense of belonging (50.2%) and inadequate environmental education (45.6%). Ninety-six percent expressed the need for river conservation signage, while 59.8% did not undertake any form of environmental training. The study’s implications extend beyond the Hurtado Balneary, potentially informing solid waste management strategies in other aquatic environments. This investigation aligns with three Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 12, emphasizing responsible consumption and production; SDG 13, addressing climate action; and SDG 15, advocating for life on land and below water.
Characterizing the Relationship Between Arterial Carbon Dioxide Trajectory and Serial Brain Biomarkers with Central Nervous System Injury During Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Thiara Sonny , Stukas Sophie , Hoiland Ryan , Wellington Cheryl , Tymko Mike , Isac George , Finlayson Gordon , Kanji Hussein , Romano Kali , Hirsch-Reinshagen Veronica , Sekhon Mypinder , Griesdale Donald
Published: February 2024

Background

Central nervous system (CNS) injury following initiation of veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) is common. An acute decrease in partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) following VV-ECMO initiation has been suggested as an etiological factor, but the challenges of diagnosing CNS injuries has made discerning a relationship between PaCO2 and CNS injury difficult.

Methods

We conducted a prospective cohort study of adult patients undergoing VV-ECMO for acute respiratory failure. Arterial blood gas measurements were obtained prior to initiation of VV-ECMO, and at every 2–4 h for the first 24 h. Neuroimaging was conducted within the first 7–14 days in patients who were suspected of having neurological injury or unable to be examined because of sedation. We collected blood biospecimens to measure brain biomarkers [neurofilament light (NF-L); glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP); and phosphorylated-tau 181] in the first 7 days following initiation of VV-ECMO. We assessed the relationship between both PaCO2 over the first 24 h and brain biomarkers with CNS injury using mixed methods linear regression. Finally, we explored the effects of absolute change of PaCO2 on serum levels of neurological biomarkers by separate mixed methods linear regression for each biomarker using three PaCO2 exposures hypothesized to result in CNS injury.

Results

In our cohort, 12 of 59 (20%) patients had overt CNS injury identified on head computed tomography. The PaCO2 decrease with VV-ECMO initiation was steeper in patients who developed a CNS injury (− 0.32%, 95% confidence interval − 0.25 to − 0.39) compared with those without (− 0.18%, 95% confidence interval − 0.14 to − 0.21, P interaction < 0.001). The mean concentration of NF-L increased over time and was higher in those with a CNS injury (464 [739]) compared with those without (127 [257]; P = 0.001). GFAP was higher in those with a CNS injury (4278 [11,653] pg/ml) compared with those without (116 [108] pg/ml; P < 0.001). The mean NF-L, GFAP, and tau over time in patients stratified by the three thresholds of absolute change of PaCO2 showed no differences and had no significant interaction for time.

Conclusions

Although rapid decreases in PaCO2 following initiation of VV-ECMO were slightly greater in patients who had CNS injuries versus those without, data overlap and absence of relationships between PaCO2 and brain biomarkers suggests other pathophysiologic variables are likely at play.
Twitter’s pulse on hydrogen energy in 280 characters: a data perspective
Authors: Uniyal Deepak , Nayak Richi
Published: February 2024

Uncovering the public discourse on hydrogen energy is essential for understanding public behaviour and the evolving nature of conversations over time and across different regions. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of a large multilingual dataset pertaining to hydrogen energy collected from Twitter spanning a decade (2013–2022) using selected keywords. The analysis aims to explore various aspects, including the temporal and spatial dimensions of the discourse, factors influencing Twitter engagement, user engagement patterns, and the interpretation of conversations through hashtags and ngrams. By delving into these aspects, this study offers valuable insights into the dynamics of public discourse surrounding hydrogen energy and the perceptions of social media users.
Numerical Modeling for Collapse Analysis of Cable-Stayed Bridges using the Improved Applied Element Method
Authors: Abdelaziz Mohamed Magdi , El-Ghazaly Hany Ahmed , Gomaa Mohamed Sayed
Published: February 2024

This work presents a novel numerical simulation of the collapse process of cable-stayed bridges based on the improved applied element method, which was originally developed as an effective numerical tool for large-scale framed structures under severe loading circumstances. For that, a straight spring element type is utilized for modeling the stay-cable with an equivalent modulus of elasticity that combines the effects of material and geometric deformation of the bridge cables. Moreover, the advantage of the multi-layered element type, which allows for the modeling of various rectangular or non-rectangular RC and composite sections without any complications, is utilized for modeling the pylon and the deck. The pretension forces in the cables are applied by adding an initial loading procedure in which the stay-cable is exposed to an initial strain to consider the effect of prestressing. The mass matrix is modified to include the stay-cable mass, which is lumped at the centroid of the elements connected by the stay-cable. The proposed modeling approach takes material and geometric nonlinearities into account for both the multi-layered element and the stay-cable. Verification examples are provided to examine the capability of the model. The comparison between the results of the proposed modeling technique and the finite element results has shown good agreement, highlighting the reliability of the proposed modeling technique. In addition, the developed tool is used to carry out collapse analysis of a cable-stayed bridge under a cable-loss scenario to examine the capability of the proposed technique.
Lattice Boltzmann Method Simulation of Nanofluid Natural Convection Heat Transfer in a Square Cavity with Constant Heat Flux at Walls
Authors: Khalili Reza , Tavousi Ebrahim , Kazerooni Reza Bahoosh , Noghrehabadi Aminreza , Taheripour Sara
Published: February 2024

In this study, for the first time, a nanofluid's natural convection heat transfer in a two-dimensional square cavity has been numerically investigated by use of the lattice Boltzmann method with the constant heat flux boundary condition. The horizontal walls of the cavity are insulated, and the vertical walls are kept at a constant heat flux. The diameters of the nanoparticles inside the cavity are the same and have a homogeneous distribution, and there is no chemical reaction between the particles. The flow is also assumed to be the steady state and two-dimensional. Constant temperature, streamlines, velocity, and average Nusselt have been investigated for different nanoparticle volume fractions and Rayleigh numbers. The results showed that the lattice Boltzmann method efficiently analyzes the natural heat transfer of nanofluids; moreover, by use of nanofluid in the cavity increases the heat transfer rate. With the increase in the nanoparticle volume fraction, the average Nusselt number on the right wall of the cavity increased. For a volume fraction of 20% with Grashof number 105, the average Nusselt number increased by almost 50% compared to the base fluid at the same Grashof number. It has been observed that as the volume fraction of nanoparticles in the fluid increases, the fluid’s viscosity also increases; consequently, the velocity of the fluid is found to decrease.
Photographer-guided attributes for underwater image aesthetics
Authors: Emberton Simon , Simons Christopher
Published: February 2024

Automated aesthetic assessment of photographs is an active research area with applications in image editing and retrieval. There are many suggestions on the various factors of importance in making an image ‘good’ or ‘aesthetically pleasing’. However, there is no consensus in the literature on a definitive set of attributes that contribute to image aesthetics for underwater images, which include features specific to an aquatic environment. In this research we interview underwater photographers and apply thematic analysis to their responses with the aim of determining which attributes are important for an aesthetically-pleasing underwater image. The results define a set of nine key attributes (i.e. Aesthetics, Aquatic features, Colour, Composition, Image precision, Lighting, Novelty, Subject(s), and Technical competence). These findings will guide future work in automated assessment of underwater image aesthetics.
Nubian Levallois Technology During MIS 5: Refitted Lithic Sequences and OSL Ages of Dimona South, Israel, and Their Broader Implications
Authors: Oron Maya , Hovers Erella , Porat Naomi , Roskin Joel , Abulafia Talia
Published: February 2024

The site of Dimona South is a knapping locality in the Negev desert of Israel, situated at the raw material source. A test excavation followed by a salvage excavation conducted during 2020 revealed a partly buried archaeological layer that was exposed over an area of ~ 40 m2 and yielded a well-preserved lithic assemblage. Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) ages of sediments within and above the archaeological layer fall within MIS 5. With a lithic assemblage dominated by Nubian Levallois technology, this site provides a rare opportunity for analysis of a well-dated, in situ Nubian assemblage. A refitting study in combination with an attribute analysis of the whole assemblage allowed the reconstruction of the Nubian reduction sequence. Our analyses indicate that a specifically pre-planned Nubian point production system existed at the site. It is characterized by the early preparation of an acute distal ridge and its careful maintenance throughout the reduction process until the cores were exhausted. These characteristics stand out from most Levantine Middle Paleolithic assemblages.

The discovery of Dimona South allows us to revisit some of the technological issues at the heart of debates about Levallois Nubian technology that could not be addressed from analyses of partial surface assemblages. These new data from a secure and dated context are crucial to the inter-site and regional technological comparisons, informing our views of the Nubian technology and its role in the Middle Paleolithic world of eastern Africa, Arabia and the Levant.
The ART of Readiness: A Practical Tool for Implementation Tailoring at the Activity Level
Authors: Scott Victoria C. , LaMarca Tara Kenworthy , Hamm Debra , Tolley Annalise J. , Rachel Sharon A. , Wandersman Abraham
Published: February 2024

The field of implementation science has made notable strides to enhance the practice of tailoring through the development of implementation strategy taxonomies (e.g., Expert Recommendations for Implementation Change; Waltz et al., In Implement Sci 10:109, 2015) and numerous tailoring methodologies (e.g., concept mapping, conjoint analysis, group model building, and intervention mapping; Powell et al., In J Behav Health Serv Res 44:177–194, 2017). However, there is growing concern about a widening gap between implementation science research and what is practical in real-world settings, given resource and time constraints (Beidas et al., In Implement Sci 17:55, 2022; Lewis et al., In Implement Sci 13:68, 2018). Overly complex implementation strategies and misalignment with practitioner priorities threaten progress in the field of implementation science. As solutions to the burgeoning threats, implementation science thought leaders have suggested using rapid approaches to contextual inquiry; developing practical approaches to implementation strategy design, selection, and tailoring; and embracing an embedded implementation science researcher model that prioritizes partner needs over researcher interests (Beidas et al., In Implement Sci 17:55, 2022). Aligned with these recommendations, we introduce the Activity Readiness Tool (ART)—a brief, practitioner-friendly survey that assesses discrete determinants of practice through an implementation readiness lens. We illustrate how the tool can be used as a rapid approach to facilitate implementation efforts in a case example involving a national integrated care initiative. The ART can serve as a quick, user-friendly companion to an array of existing evidence-based tailoring methods and tools.
Brain-computer interface based generative design framework: an empirical multi-domain application exploration based on human-factors and form-generation interactive mechanisms
Authors: Guo Zhe , Zhang Zihuan , Li Zao , Hu Yi , Qian Yuandi , Cheng Nengming , Yuan Philip F.
Published: February 2024

Human experience in an architectural space is defined as the state of mind that is reflected on their physiological, emotional, and cognitive statuses. Ergonomic data, as an objective manifestation of quantifiable signals generated by the human body during specific spatial perception processes, serves as a vital foundation for spatial evaluation and guidance for optimization. Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals, as quantifiable sensory indicators directly arising from the interaction between individuals and external stimuli, hold substantial potential as a data-driven force and as a means of optimization assessment in the study of generative design. Although existing research has effectively established a unidirectional relationship between EEG and spatial-environment assessment, there is still a notable deficiency in addressing the creation of a two-way, mutually informative feedback mechanism. This study investigates the applicability of EEG signals as a data-driven basis for generative design across universal methods. It delves into various scales and scenarios of digital design, from the microscopic to the macroscopic, encompassing planar and volumetric visual elements, the design of architectural spatial environmental characteristics, and urban space design grounded in human perceptual sightlines. The research examines the viability and appropriateness of an interactive generative design method based on form generation, predicated on human-factor physiological data exemplified by EEG signals. This paper initially conducts a methodological and tool-based examination of current research in ergonomics-driven design and the use of EEG for design assessment, thereby discussing the objective feasibility of employing EEG in interactive generative design. Subsequently, the study establishes an integrated data flow system encompassing multiple hardware and software components to form a comprehensive workflow. Following this setup, empirical studies based on this method are conducted at different scales of application, yielding corresponding form-generative outcomes. Finally, this paper substantiates the rationality and feasibility of this framework in multi environment design domains.
A national survey of sedation practice and clinicians’ attitudes regarding sedation-related research in the UK paediatric intensive care units
Authors: Mitting Rebecca , Tume Lyvonne N. , Ramnarayan Padmanabhan ,   on behalf of the Paediatric Critical Care Society Study Group (PCCS-SG)
Published: February 2024

Aims

Research involving analgo-sedation is a priority for parents and professionals in paediatric intensive care, and current guidelines are based on low-quality evidence. Future research will require an understanding of current practice and research priorities of healthcare professionals. This survey aimed to identify perceived barriers to research, describe the current UK analgo-sedation practice and assess outcome priorities for future research.

Methods

A 26-question web-based survey was emailed to all Paediatric Critical Care Society members (n=1000) in April/May 2021. Responses were analysed either by ‘unit’ or at the individual respondent level. Questions related to four patient categories: ‘infant (< 3 months of age) ‘paediatric’ > 3 months of age, ‘cardiac’ and ‘non-cardiac’.

Results

Two hundred sixteen healthcare professionals responded and responses were available from 100% of the UK paediatric intensive care units (n=29) for all questions. Most units (96%, 28/29) routinely use scoring systems for sedation adequacy but few routinely screen for delirium (24%, 7/29). The most highly prioritised outcome measure was the duration of mechanical ventilation. Respondents were most likely to agree to randomise paediatric general intensive care patients to trials comparing two different alpha agonists and least likely to randomise neonatal cardiac patients to trials comparing benzodiazepines with alpha agonists. The most common perceived barrier to research was unit familiarity with a particular regimen, followed by the perception that parents would not provide consent.

Conclusions

This study provides a snapshot of the UK analgo-sedation practice and highlights the importance of public involvement in planning future trials, as well as consultation work across the spectrum of stakeholder clinicians to maximise the acceptability of study design.
Artin algebraization for pairs with applications to the local structure of stacks and Ferrand pushouts
Authors: Alper Jarod , Hall Jack , Halpern-Leistner Daniel , Rydh David
Published: February 2024

We give a variant of Artin algebraization along closed subschemes and closed substacks. Our main application is the existence of étale, smooth or syntomic neighborhoods of closed subschemes and closed substacks. In particular, we prove local structure theorems for stacks and their derived counterparts and the existence of henselizations along linearly fundamental closed substacks. These results establish the existence of Ferrand pushouts, which answers positively a question of Temkin–Tyomkin.
The Agreement Under the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation & Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction
Authors: Khng Nathaniel Yong-Ern
Published: February 2024

On June 19, 2023, the Intergovernmental Conference on an international legally binding instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ Intergovernmental Conference) adopted, by consensus, the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine BioLogical Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement or Agreement). The Agreement, which is grounded in and builds on the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), specifically addresses issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of the marine biodiversity of the high seas. The adoption of the Agreement was the culmination of nearly two decades of work under the auspices of the UN General Assembly.
Armed group formation in civil war: ‘Movement’, ‘insurgent’, and ‘state splinter’ origins
Authors: Shesterinina Anastasia , Livesey Michael
Published: February 2024

How do non-state armed groups form in intra-state armed conflicts? Researchers have started to disaggregate armed groups, but we still know little about how armed groups emerge in different ways. Drawing on the literature on social movements, civil wars, and civil–military relations, we generate a typology of ‘movement’, ‘insurgent’, and ‘state splinter’ origins of armed groups. We argue that fundamentally different dynamics of conflict shape armed group origins in the context of broad-based mobilisation, peripheral challenges to the state, and intra-regime fragmentation. Armed groups that emerge in these contexts in general differ in their initial membership and leadership, the basic organisational dimensions that we focus on. We demonstrate the utility of our typology by mapping different origins of armed groups onto existing cross-national data and charting type narratives in illustrative cases. This discussion advances recent efforts to understand the importance of armed group emergence for outcomes of interest to conflict scholars by moving beyond either separate types of origins or highly disaggregated organisational analyses to broader conflict dynamics through which armed groups form, with implications for how these groups act. Future research should consider different origins which we identify in comparison through an in-depth analysis of armed groups’ complex histories.
Direct and indirect associations of experience of racial discrimination, dietary patterns and obesity in adults from southern Brazil
Authors: Fanton Marcos , Rodrigues Ylana Elias , Schuch Ilaine , de Lima Cunha Caroline Marques , Pattussi Marcos Pascoal , Canuto Raquel
Published: February 2024

Objective:

To analyse the direct and indirect associations of experience of racial discrimination on dietary patterns (DP), obesity and abdominal obesity.

Design:

This is a cross-sectional population-based study. The main exposure was self-reported experiences of racial discrimination (Experiences of Discrimination scale). The mediator variables were the DP: healthy, Brazilian traditional, sugar and carbohydrates, and fast food. The outcomes were obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) and abdominal obesity (waist circumference ≥ 88 cm for women; ≥ 102 cm for men). Structural equation modelling was applied.

Setting:

Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Participants:

Totally, 400 adults aged between 20 and 70 years were participated.

Results:

The mean age of participants was 47·2 years (sd = 13·9), and 75 % were women. Experiencing racial discrimination had a positive direct effect on obesity (healthy DP: β = 0·153, P < 0·05; Brazilian DP: β = 0·156, P < 0·05; sugar and carbohydrates DP: β = 0·156, P < 0·05; and fast-food DP: β = 0·153, P < 0·05) and abdominal obesity (healthy DP: β = 0·206, P < 0·01; Brazilian DP: β = 0·210, P < 0·01; sugar and carbohydrates DP: β = 0·204, P < 0·01; and fast-food DP: β = 0·204, P < 0·01). The experience of racial discrimination did not have a direct effect on DP, nor did it exert an indirect effect on obesity and abdominal obesity through any DP.

Conclusions:

A higher experience of racial discrimination is associated with obesity and abdominal obesity, independent of diet.
CHARACTERIZATION OF THE REDUCED PERIPHERAL SYSTEM OF LINKS
Authors: Audoux Benjamin , Meilhan Jean-Baptiste
Published: February 2024

The reduced peripheral system was introduced by Milnor [18] in the 1950s for the study of links up to link-homotopy, that is, up to homotopies leaving distinct components disjoint; this invariant, however, fails to classify links up to link-homotopy for links of four or more components. The purpose of this paper is to show that the topological information which is detected by Milnor’s reduced peripheral system is actually 4-dimensional. The main result gives indeed a complete characterization of links having the same reduced peripheral system, in terms of ribbon solid tori in 4–space up to ribbon link-homotopy. The proof relies on an intermediate characterization given in terms of welded diagrams up to self-virtualization, hence providing a purely topological application of the combinatorial theory of welded links.
Langweilige Gesundheitspolitik in der Pflegeausbildung?
Authors: Shamsul Bettina
Published: February 2024

Zusammenfassung: Auszubildende sind beim Thema Gesundheitssystem/-politik oft skeptisch. Bei der Begleitung demenziell Erkrankter, bei Körperpflege-Unterstützung oder Wundversorgungen spielt das Thema keine Rolle. Warum sollte ein Einblick in das Gesundheitssystems dennoch Platz in der Pflegeausbildung finden?
Utopien
Authors: von Gahlen-Hoops Wolfgang , Gutknecht Konstanze
Published: February 2024

Zusammenfassung: Die aktuellen berufs- sowie gesellschaftspolitischen Herausforderungen als Lerngegenstand im Pflegeunterricht nicht nur zu thematisieren, sondern in konstruktive Gestaltungsräume zu überführen, ermöglicht der Rückgriff auf Utopien. Utopisches Denken eröffnet mitunter entscheidende Gestaltungshorizonte, die sich durch Kreativität und Fantasie auszeichnen.
Ausstieg noch vor dem Examen?
Authors: Rudat Lena
Published: February 2024

Zusammenfassung: Vorzeitige Vertragslösungen betreffen den gesamten dualen Ausbildungsmarkt – aber wie sieht es eigentlich in der Pflegeausbildung aus? Rund ein Drittel der Pflegeauszubildenden löst seinen Vertrag noch vor dem Examen ohne Abschluss wieder auf. Warum revidieren angehende Pflegekräfte ihre Berufswahl und ist die Pflege stärker betroffen als andere Ausbildungsberufe?
Zielgerichtete Projektinformationen kompakt vermitteln
Authors: Mannebach Thomas , Krüger Lars , Lohmeier Sarah , Rinsche Nicole , Beyer Denis , y Soto André Ramos , Wittemeier Christine , Siegling Christian , Mertins Esther , Langer Gero
Published: February 2024

Zusammenfassung: Die frühzeitige und enge Einbindung von Angehörigen in die Versorgung kritisch kranker Menschen ist obligat und wird seit Jahren hervorgehoben. Im Rahmen der Entwicklung von prozessverantwortlicher Pflege auf einer Pilot-Intensivstation eines Universitätsklinikums wurde ein Flyer für Angehörige entwickelt, welcher gezielt zum Projekt informieren soll.
Ozone Concentration Estimation and Meteorological Impact Quantification in the Beijing‐Tianjin‐Hebei Region Based on Machine Learning Models
Authors: Luo Zheng , Lu Peilan , Chen Zhen , Liu Run
Published: February 2024

Accurate estimation of ozone (O3) concentrations and quantitative meteorological contribution are crucial for effective control of O3 pollution. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in leveraging machine learning for O3 pollution research due to its advantages, such as high accuracy, strong generalization, and ease of use. In this study, we utilized meteorological parameters obtained from european center for medium—range weather forecasts (EMCWF) Reanalysis v5 data as input and employed five distinct machine learning methods to estimate values of maximum daily 8‐hr average (MDA8) O3 concentrations and analyze meteorological contributions. To improve the accuracy and generalization capabilities of the estimation, we employed Grid SearchCV techniques to select optimal parameters and mitigate the risk of overfitting. Additionally, we incorporated meteorological normalization and the SHAP model to quantify the influence of various parameters. Among the models evaluated, the Extreme Gradient Boost model exhibited exceptional performance from 2015 to 2022, yielding determination coefficients of 0.85 and 0.80 for the training and test data sets, respectively. The outcomes of meteorological normalization revealed that meteorological parameters accounted for 87.7% of the impacts in 2018, while emission‐related factors constituted 80.8% of the impacts in 2021. Over the period spanning 2015–2022, 2 m temperature emerged as the most influential parameter affecting daily MDA8 O3 concentration, with an average contribution of 9.4 μg m−3.
OneHealth, Climate Change, and Infectious Microbes
Authors: Jutla Antarpreet , Filippelli Gabriel , McMahon Katherine , Tringe Susannah , Colwell Rita , Nguyen Helen , Imperiale Michael
Published: February 2024

AGU and ASM welcome submissions to a joint special collection focusing on the impacts of climate change and microbes on human well-being.
Electrified Soil Powers Plant Growth
Authors: Bolakhe Saugat
Published: February 2024

Five days of low-power electricity directed to the roots of young plants boosted their growth by more than 50%.
Programmable directional color dynamics using plasmonics
Authors: Kim Gyurin , Kim Doeun , Ko Soeun , Han Jang-Hwan , Kim Juhwan , Ko Joo Hwan , Song Young Min , Jeong Hyeon-Ho
Published: February 2024

Adaptive multicolor filters have emerged as key components for ensuring color accuracy and resolution in outdoor visual devices. However, the current state of this technology is still in its infancy and largely reliant on liquid crystal devices that require high voltage and bulky structural designs. Here, we present a multicolor nanofilter consisting of multilayered ‘active’ plasmonic nanocomposites, wherein metallic nanoparticles are embedded within a conductive polymer nanofilm. These nanocomposites are fabricated with a total thickness below 100 nm using a ‘lithography-free’ method at the wafer level, and they inherently exhibit three prominent optical modes, accompanying scattering phenomena that produce distinct dichroic reflection and transmission colors. Here, a pivotal achievement is that all these colors are electrically manipulated with an applied external voltage of less than 1 V with 3.5 s of switching speed, encompassing the entire visible spectrum. Furthermore, this electrically programmable multicolor function enables the effective and dynamic modulation of the color temperature of white light across the warm-to-cool spectrum (3250 K–6250 K). This transformative capability is exceptionally valuable for enhancing the performance of outdoor optical devices that are independent of factors such as the sun’s elevation and prevailing weather conditions.
Long-term effects of lumbar flexion versus extension exercises for chronic axial low back pain: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Park Chul-Hyun , Beom Jaewon , Chung Chun Kee , Kim Chi Heon , Lee Mi Yeon , Park Myung Woo , Kim Keewon , Chung Sun Gun
Published: February 2024

This study aimed to compare the long-term effects of flexion- and extension-based lumbar exercises on chronic axial low back pain (LBP). This was a 1-year follow-up of a prospective, assessor-blind, randomized controlled trial. Patients with axial LBP (intensity ≥ 5/10) for > 6 months allocated to the flexion or extension exercise group. Patients underwent four sessions of a supervised treatment program and were required to perform their assigned exercises daily at home. Clinical outcomes were obtained at baseline, 1, 3, 6 months, and 1-year. A total of 56 patients (age, 54.3 years) were included, with 27 and 29 in the flexion and extension groups, respectively. Baseline pain and functional scales were similar between both groups. The mean (± standard deviation) baseline average back pain was 6.00 ± 1.00 and 5.83 ± 1.20 in the flexion and extension groups, respectively. At 1-year, the average pain was 3.78 ± 1.40 and 2.26 ± 2.62 (mean between-group difference, 1.52; 95% confidence interval 0.56–2.47; p = 0.002), favoring extension exercise. The extension group tended to have more improvements in current pain, least pain, and pain interference than the flexion group at 1-year. However, there was no group difference in worst pain and functional scales. In this controlled trial involving patients with chronic axial LBP, extension-based lumbar exercise was more effective in reducing pain than flexion-based exercises at 1-year, advocating lumbar extension movement pattern as a component for therapeutic exercise for chronic LBP.

Clinical Trial Registration No.: NCT02938689 (Registered on www.clinicaltrial.gov; first registration date was 19/10/2016).
Elicitation and aggregation of multimodal estimates improve wisdom of crowd effects on ordering tasks
Authors: Yoo Yeawon , Escobedo Adolfo R. , Kemmer Ryan , Chiou Erin
Published: February 2024

We present a wisdom of crowds study where participants are asked to order a small set of images based on the number of dots they contain and then to guess the respective number of dots in each image. We test two input elicitation interfaces—one elicits the two modalities of estimates jointly and the other independently. We show that the latter interface yields higher quality estimates, even though the multimodal estimates tend to be more self-contradictory. The inputs are aggregated via optimization and voting-rule based methods to estimate the true ordering of a larger universal set of images. We demonstrate that the quality of collective estimates from the simpler yet more computationally-efficient voting methods is comparable to that achieved by the more complex optimization model. Lastly, we find that using multiple modalities of estimates from one group yields better collective estimates compared to mixing numerical estimates from one group with the ordinal estimates from a different group.
Structural characteristics and influencing factors of a spatial correlation network for tourism environmental efficiency in China
Authors: Liao Zhenjie , Zhang Lijuan , Wang Xuanfei , Liang Shan
Published: February 2024

The tourism industry in China presents uneven tourism efficiency but deepening spatial associations; thus, tourism resources must be more rationally allocated. In this study, the highly efficient SBM model was used to measure the tourism environmental efficiency of 31 provinces in China. A spatial correlation network is then constructed based on the gravity model, and the structural characteristics and influencing factors of the network are analyzed. The results show that (1) the overall tourism environmental efficiency in China presents a fluctuating growth trend, with significantly higher values observed in the eastern region than in the central and western regions; moreover, the growth in efficiency in the eastern region has been relatively stable in recent years, that in the central region has increased, while that in the western region has significantly declined. (2) A spatially linked network with a stable tourism environmental efficiency structure has been formed in China. The number of network relations and density of the network fluctuate and increase, while the network efficiency continues to decrease; however, a strong small-world nature is observed. (3) An obvious network core–edge structure is observed, with Shanghai, Beijing, Zhejiang, and Jiangsu at the center showing a significant intermediary role and remote provinces such as Tibet, Xinjiang, Ningxia, and Inner Mongolia at the edge showing fewer connections. (4) The four major plates of China based on the CONCOR algorithm are sparsely connected internally and show strong inter-plate connections and spillover effects. (5) The industry support capacity difference matrix, technological development level difference matrix, transportation accessibility difference matrix, and environmental regulation level difference matrix significantly and positively affect spatial associations, while the geographical distance matrix significantly and negatively affect spatial association relationship establishment. These findings have important theoretical and practical significance for the sustainable development of tourism in China's provinces and cities.
Pan-cortical electrophysiologic changes underlying attention
Authors: Lesser Ronald P. , Webber W. R. S. , Miglioretti Diana L.
Published: February 2024

We previously reported that pan-cortical effects occur when cognitive tasks end afterdischarges. For this report, we analyzed wavelet cross-coherence changes during cognitive tasks used to terminate afterdischarges studying multiple time segments and multiple groups of inter-electrode-con distances. We studied 12 patients with intractable epilepsy, with 970 implanted electrode contacts, and 39,871 electrode contact combinations. When cognitive tasks ended afterdischarges, coherence varied similarly across the cortex throughout the tasks, but there were gradations with time, distance, and frequency: (1) They tended to progressively decrease relative to baseline with time and then to increase toward baseline when afterdischarges ended. (2) During most time segments, decreases from baseline were largest for the closest inter-contact distances, moderate for intermediate inter-contact distances, and smallest for the greatest inter-contact distances. With respect to our patients’ intractable epilepsy, the changes found suggest that future therapies might treat regions beyond those closest to regions of seizure onset and treat later in a seizure’s evolution. Similar considerations might apply to other disorders. Our findings also suggest that cognitive tasks can result in pan-cortical coherence changes that participate in underlying attention, perhaps complementing the better-known regional mechanisms.
Subtomographic imaging of a polarisation sensitive phase pattern localised in phase space
Authors: Kaur Manpreet , Saxena Sheenam , Singh Mandip
Published: February 2024

A transparent polarisation-sensitive phase pattern changes the phase of transmitted light without absorption, whereas this change of phase depends on the polarisation of incident light. A position-localised polarisation-dependent phase pattern is imprinted onto the phase-space of atoms by using atomic state dependent velocity-selective hole burning. A phase-space localised pattern is a higher dimensional generalisation of patterns localised in the position-space. Such a pattern cannot be imaged with a lens. The imprinted pattern is localised in a unique three-dimensional subspace of the six-dimensional phase-space of atoms. The phase-space localised pattern transforms the polarisation of light transmitting through it. This pattern is tomographically imaged at room temperature by measuring the intensity of the transmitted imaging laser beam of variable frequency with a camera after its polarisation analysis. Two sub-tomographs of the imprinted phase-space localised pattern are constructed. This paper presents a concept and experiment of imprinting and imaging of a polarisation-sensitive phase pattern localised in the phase-space.