bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving survey quality using paradata: Lessons from a field survey in India
Authors: Goel Deepti , Abraham Rosa
Published: November 2024

Motivation

When collecting evidence from the field, the quality of the data determines the reliability of the analysis. When data are collected in the field by enumerators, the latter's performance needs to be monitored to avoid errant behaviour that could compromise data quality.

Purpose

We show how paradata on the process of data collection itself can improve enumerator performance, using a household survey in India as a case study.

Approach and methods

We conducted action research to improve data quality in the India Working Study conducted in early 2020 in Karnataka and Rajasthan. We designed indicators (flags) from the paradata to mark potential deviant enumerator behaviour in the early stages of the survey. Flagged enumerators were contacted by supervisors who provided constructive feedback. We then measured the performance of the flagged enumerators over the remainder of the survey.

We were able to benchmark specific groups of enumerators facing similar field conditions, namely location and gender of respondents. This allowed us to compare enumerators to a subset of their peers, rather than the entire set of enumerators.

Findings

Our feedback improved enumerator behaviour in the field: flagged enumerators subsequently spent more time on a core module of the questionnaire.

Policy implications

In any survey, two objectives compete: completing a fixed number of interviews per day to reduce costs versus enumerators spending enough time with each respondent to collect meaningful data. To strike a balance between these competing demands, we recommend tracking three paradata indicators: count of completed interviews; average time per completed interview; and ratio of completed to initiated interviews.

We recommend using paradata to improve the quality of data when surveying, thereby reducing standard errors for estimates based on the data and leading to more reliable analysis.
Diagnostic Window Prior to a Haematological Cancer Diagnosis and the Association With Patient Pathways: A Nationwide Register‐Based Cohort Study on Healthcare Utilization in Denmark
Authors: Virgilsen Line Flytkjær , Vedsted Peter , Jensen Henry , Frederiksen Henrik , El‐Galaly Tarec Christoffer , Rasmussen Linda Aagaard
Published: November 2024

Objectives

This study investigated healthcare utilisation in general practice and hospitals in the 2 years preceding a diagnosis of haematological cancer and the association with patient pathways.

Methods

The nationwide register‐based cohort study included 12 994 patients diagnosed with leukaemia, multiple myeloma and lymphoma in 2014–2018 and 10 matched references. Patient pathways were analysed in unplanned routes (acute admission up to 1 month's prior diagnosis) and elective routes (other routes, e.g., cancer patient pathways).

Results

Female patients in unplanned diagnostic pathways had more contacts to general practice from 19 months before the diagnosis compared to their matched references; with IRR increasing from 1.14 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05–1.24) to 2.27 (95% CI 2.13–2.41) at 30–60 days before the diagnosis. Female patients had more point‐of‐care tests, hospital contacts and radiological investigations at 17, 24 and 17 months, respectively, before diagnosis compared to their references. Similar patterns were seen for male patients, although with a later onset of increase. No healthcare use variations were seen between patients diagnosed in unplanned versus elective pathways.

Conclusions

Increased healthcare utilisation was seen in general practice and hospitals up to 24 months preceding a diagnosis, which may indicate a diagnostic window for detecting haematological cancer earlier.
High‐dose folic acid use and cancer risk in women who have given birth: A register‐based cohort study
Authors: Vegrim Håkon Magne , Dreier Julie Werenberg , Igland Jannicke , Alvestad Silje , Gilhus Nils Erik , Gissler Mika , Leinonen Maarit K. , Tomson Torbjörn , Zoega Helga , Christensen Jakob , Bjørk Marte‐Helene
Published: November 2024

Objective

This study was undertaken to study whether high‐dose folic acid (>1 mg daily) use is associated with an increased risk of cancer in all women who have given birth and in women with epilepsy. High‐dose folic acid supplementation during pregnancy has been linked to increased cancer risk in children born to mothers with epilepsy.

Methods

We identified women with their first pregnancy in Denmark (1997–2017), Norway (2005–2017), and Sweden (2006–2017) using medical birth registers, linking individual data across nationwide health registers and statistical agencies. Exposure was defined as filled prescriptions for high‐dose folic acid, considered time‐varyingly. The primary outcome was the first malignant cancer diagnosis. Hazard ratios (HRs) of cancer after high‐dose folic acid exposure were estimated using Cox proportional hazard models with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusted for confounders including antiseizure medication (ASM) use, and stratified by maternal epilepsy diagnosis. A 6‐month time lag was applied, as cancer is unlikely to develop immediately.

Results

With up to 21 years of follow‐up, we identified 1 465 785 women who gave birth, including 64 485 (4.4%) exposed to high‐dose folic acid. In the exposed group, 755 cancer cases were observed (208 per 100 000 person‐years, 95% CI = 193.8–223.5), compared with 18 702 cases in the unexposed group (164 per 100 000 person‐years, 95% CI = 161.5–166.2), yielding a 20% increased cancer risk overall (adjusted HR = 1.2, 95% CI = 1.1–1.2). This risk was attenuated after the 6‐month lag analysis (adjusted HR = 1.1, 95% CI = 1.04–1.2). The risk for non‐Hodgkin lymphoma was increased in all analyses (n = 28, adjusted HR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.3–2.9). The association between high‐dose folic acid use and overall cancer risk was similar in those with epilepsy regardless of ASM use (adjusted HR = 1.3, 95% CI = 1.0–1.8).

Significance

High‐dose folic acid use was associated with increased overall cancer risk in women who have given birth, with a consistent association with non‐Hodgkin lymphoma, including those with epilepsy, regardless of ASM use.
A Social Group Chatbot System by Multiple Topics Tracking and Atkinson‐Shiffrin Memory Model Using AI Agents Collaboration
Authors: Zhang Guoshuai , Wu Jiaji , Jeon Gwanggil , Wang Penghui
Published: November 2024

The widespread use of Internet has accelerated the explosive growth of data, which in turn leads to information overload and information confusion. This makes it difficult for us to communicate effectively in social groups, thereby intensifying the demands for emotional companionship. Therefore, we propose a novel social group chatting framework based on Large Language Model (LLM) powered multiple autonomous agents collaboration in this article. Specifically, BERTopic is used to extract topics from history chatting content for each social group everyday, and then multiple topics tracking is realised through multi‐level association by adaptive time sliding‐window mechanism and optimal matching. Furthermore, we use topic tracking architecture and prompts to design and implement an AI Chatbot system with different characters that can conduct natural language conversations with users in online social group. LLM, as the controller and coordinator of the whole AI Chatbot for sub‐tasks, allows different AI Agents to autonomously decide whether to participate in current topic, how to generate response, and whether to propose a new topic. Each AI Agent has their own multi‐store memory system based on the Atkinson‐Shiffrin model. Finally, we construct a verification environment based on online game that is consistent with real society. Subjective and objective evaluation methods were deployed to perform qualitative and quantitative analyses to demonstrate the performance of our AI Chatbot system.
Dragon Boat Optimization: A Meta‐Heuristic for Intelligent Systems
Authors: Li Xiang , Lan Long , Lahza Husam , Yang Shaowu , Wang Shuihua , Yang Wenjing , Liu Hengzhu , Zhang Yudong
Published: November 2024

Dragon boat racing, a popular aquatic folklore team sport, is traditionally held during the Dragon Boat Festival. Inspired by this event, we propose a novel human‐based meta‐heuristic algorithm called dragon boat optimization (DBO) in this paper. It models the unique behaviours of each crew member on the dragon boat during the race by introducing social psychology mechanisms (social loafing, social incentive). Throughout this process, the focus is on the interaction and collaboration among the crew members, as well as their decision‐making in various situations. During each iteration, DBO implements different state updating strategies. By accurately modelling the crew's behaviour and employing adaptive state update strategies, DBO consistently achieves high optimization performance, as validated by comprehensive testing on 29 benchmark functions and 2 structural design problems. Experimental results indicate that DBO outperforms 7 and 16 state‐of‐the‐art meta‐heuristic algorithms across these test functions and problems, respectively.
Enhancing Psychologists' Understanding Through Explainable Deep Learning Framework for ADHD Diagnosis
Authors: Rehman Abdul , Lin Jerry Chun‐Wei , Heldal Ilona
Published: November 2024

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is challenging to diagnose and requires advanced approaches for reliable and transparent identification and classification. It is characterised by a pattern of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that is more severe and more frequent than in individuals with a comparable level of development. In this paper, an explainable framework based on a fine‐tuned hybrid Deep Neural Network (DNN) and Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) called HyExDNN‐RNN model is proposed for ADHD detection, multi‐class categorization and decision interpretation. This framework not only detects ADHD but also provides interpretable insights into the diagnostic process so that psychologists can better understand and trust the results of the diagnosis. We use the Pearson correlation coefficient for optimal feature selection and machine and deep learning models for experimental analysis and comparison. We use a standardised technique for feature reduction, model selection and interpretation to accurately determine the diagnosis rate and ensure the interpretability of the proposed framework. Our framework provided excellent results on binary classification, with HyExDNN‐RNN achieving an F1‐score of 99% and 94.2% on multi‐class categorization. XAI approaches, in particular SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) and Permutation Feature Importance (PFI), provided important insights into the importance of features and the decision logic of models. By combining AI with human expertise, we aim to bridge the gap between advanced computational techniques and practical psychological applications. These results demonstrate the potential of our framework to assist in ADHD diagnosis and interpretation.
Well‐being of grandparent kinship caregivers: An umbrella review
Authors: Bentum Hajara , Banham Vicki , Adusei‐Asante Kwadwo
Published: November 2024

Objective

This umbrella review sought to develop a comprehensive evidence base of the well‐being of grandparent kinship caregivers in order to inform targeted intervention.

Background

Despite acknowledging that grandparents constitute the majority of kinship caregivers globally, practical measures to promote the well‐being of grandparent kinship caregivers has not received the required attention in family studies literature.

Method

Four databases were searched (CINAHL, Scopus, PsycINFO, and Embase) for systematic reviews published between 2012 to 2022. Seven systematic review articles that met the inclusion criteria were synthesized thematically.

Results

Results revealed that grandparent kinship caregivers reported poor outcomes on two crucial domains of well‐being: (a) health and mental health, and (b) social limitations, compared to noncaregivers. The negative outcomes were more profound among custodial grandparents, grandmothers, and those providing intensive care (>40 hours per week). In contrast, custodial grandparents reported better physical well‐being than noncaregivers, and custodial grandparents in some rural contexts reported better cognitive function and mental well‐being. Education, health, and social group interventions were found to be effective in improving the well‐being of grandparent kinship caregivers.

Conclusions

In this study we provided comprehensive evidence on the well‐being of grandparent kinship caregivers. Findings revealed key adverse physical and health outcomes for grandparent kinship caregivers as well as variations based on grandparents' gender, nature of kinship care arrangement, and intensity of the care.

Implications

The findings suggest the need for health and social group interventions, such as nurse–social worker home visitation programs, to improve the well‐being of custodial grandparents.
Endodontic treatment modifies circulatory inflammatory mediator levels: A systematic review with meta‐analysis
Authors: Jakovljevic Aleksandar , Fransson Helena , Bakhsh Abdulaziz , Jacimovic Jelena , Lazic Ema Krdzovic , Ivanovic Katarina Beljic , Lemic Aleksandra Milic , Cotti Elisabetta , Duncan Henry Fergus
Published: November 2024

Background

There is limited and conflicting data on the reduction of circulatory inflammatory mediators in patients with apical periodontitis (AP) following endodontic treatment.

Objective

To answer the following research question: in adult healthy patients with AP [Population (P)], is there a difference before [Comparator (C)] and after various endodontic treatments (nonsurgical, surgical or retreatment) [Intervention (I)] on systemic levels of inflammatory biomarkers [Outcome (O)] in the follow‐up period [Time (T)]?

Methods

An electronic literature search was conducted in the databases Scopus, PubMed, Clarivate Analytics' Web of Science, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and Grey literature from inception to July 2024 with no language restrictions. Observational studies examining changes in serum levels of inflammatory mediators were included. Two independent reviewers selected studies, extracted data and critically appraised the included studies. Qualitative and quantitative (meta‐analysis) data synthesis methods were employed. The Newcastle–Ottawa Scale was used to assess the quality of the included studies.

Results

Sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria, of which six were included in the meta‐analysis. These studies were published between 1992 and 2024, involving a total of 596 patients (54% females) aged between 16 and 75 years. The meta‐analysis of pooled data showed a significant decrease in high‐sensitive C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) levels in the serum of patients with AP 6 months after treatment [2.26 ± 1.76 versus 1.28 ± 1.06 mg/L, (Z = 2.03, p = .04)] and a decrease in interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) levels 12 months after treatment [13.01 ± 5.95 versus 10.86 ± 3.52 pg/mL, (Z = 3.72, p < .01)]. One study was assessed as poor quality, while all others were considered high quality.

Discussion

Despite the differences in methodologies across the included studies, it has been established that effective endodontic treatment leads to a reduction in systemic inflammatory biomarkers in the body.

Conclusion

Following effective endodontic treatment in patients with AP, the systemic levels of hs‐CRP and IL‐1β exhibit a significant reduction at 6 and 12 months, respectively. Further clinical studies should investigate whether effective endodontic treatment and reduced levels of investigated biomarkers may change the clinical presentation of systemic diseases.

Registration

PROSPERO database (CRD42024559271).
Nurse Managers' Experiences in Organisational Adaptation During Public Health Emergencies: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Wang Xiyi , Lian Jiaqi , Ji Mengting , Lee Geraldine , Hu Yun
Published: November 2024

Aim

To elucidate strategies for improving organisational adaptation during public health emergencies from the perspectives of nurse managers.

Design

This study utilised a qualitative approach, incorporating complex adaptive system theory within a phenomenological tradition.

Methods

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted from May 2022 to June 2022. Participants included core members of the Shanghai Public Health Emergency Teams‐Nursing from 12 tertiary hospitals in Shanghai, all of whom had substantial experience as nurse leaders impacting health systems. Data obtained were coded and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Results

Seventeen frontline nurse managers participated, leading to the emergence of three key themes related to complex organisational adaptation: seeking institutional support for environmental adaptation, building intrateam support for structural adaptation and activating individual support for behavioural adaptation. A conceptual framework of organisational adaptation was proposed, displaying the interconnections among these themes.

Conclusions

The study provides valuable insights into managing nursing teams involved in public health emergency preparedness and response as an adaptive system. Identified managerial strategies offer guidance to ensure effective organisational assembly and optimal utilisation of the nursing workforce within the healthcare system.

Implications for the Profession

Recognising the crucial role of nurses in managerial positions, who leverage leadership, adaptability and decision‐making skills to coordinate frontline teams, is vital for effective public health emergency response. Their involvement in administrative roles underscores the importance of nursing perspectives in strategic planning, organisational adaptation and enhancing health system resilience during crises.

Impact

The organisational adaptation strategies effectively adopted by nurse managers provide a reference for international scholars seeking to enhance the function and performance of nursing staff in healthcare system during public health emergencies.

Reporting Method

Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) checklist.

Patient or Public Contributions

No Patient or Public Contributions.
Does Windbreak Enhancement With Floral Resources Increase Pollinator Communities in Citrus Orchards?
Authors: Chuang Angela , Exilien Romain , Blaauw Brett , Liesenfelt Tracy , Malfa Kathi , Mallinger Rachel , Martini Xavier , Diepenbrock Lauren
Published: November 2024

Agricultural practices and landscape simplification contribute to the ongoing global decline in wildlife. A more integrated approach such as cultivating flowering plants by agricultural fields can enhance wildlife habitat, especially for beneficial arthropods like pollinators. In Florida, citrus orchards are commonly bordered by living windbreaks, single lines of trees designed to buffer orchards from weather extremes as well as pest and pathogen movement. Although these windbreaks act as alternative habitats for residential arthropods, they can be improved with additional floral resources and vegetational complexity. In this study, we explored whether enhancing these field margins by planting flowering herbs, vines and shrubs would lead to higher pollinator abundance and diversity in citrus orchards in north and central Florida. We also investigated the role of naturally occurring wildflowers in attracting pollinators. We found that floral plantings by citrus orchard edges were utilised by pollinators. Cultivated blanketflower (Gaillardia pulchella) was particularly attractive to various wild bees, while commercially managed honey bees were primarily found on a common weedy flowering plant, Spanish needles (Bidens alba). We ultimately found differing patterns of pollinator activity in the adjacent citrus orchards across regions; while more bees, including honey bees, were found within the enhanced orchard compared to control orchard in central Florida, this was not true in north Florida. This study highlights the pollinator resources provided by wild flowers in and around orchards in addition to the conservation potential of cultivated, pollinator‐friendly plants.
Counting fish at night using artificial light: transect survey of common bream Abramis brama and northern pike Esox lucius abundance as an example
Authors: Turunen Aatu , Lappalainen Niko , Huuskonen Hannu , Vainikka Anssi
Published: November 2024

Visual transect counting of large‐bodied fish using artificial light at night in a shallow littoral zone (<1 m water depth) is introduced as a complementary survey method for fishes such as common bream Abramis brama and northern pike Esox lucius that are under‐represented in standard gillnet surveys. The results suggest that transect counting at night and applying necessary corrections for environmental variables could provide a simple and repeatable method to assess the presence and abundance of large‐bodied fishes in lakes with satisfactory water clarity.
Preparation, Characterization, and In Vivo Anti‐Fatigue Evaluation of Octacosanol Nanoemulsions
Authors: Wang Mian , Li Huihua , Yang Jinlan , Hu Wei , Wang Jianyi
Published: November 2024

Octacosanol (OCT) is a natural aliphatic alcohol with multiple activities, but the poor solubility limited its wide applications. In this study, OCT nanoemulsions were prepared by a low‐energy emulsification method. The particle size, polydispersity index, and Zeta potential of OCT nanoemulsions were 12.59 nm, 0.131, and −10.54 mV, respectively. OCT nanoemulsions could keep stable up to 180 days at 4°C with particle size ranging from 12.61 to 16.57 nm. In addition, OCT nanoemulsions could remain stable upon exposure to autoclaving, acid–base (pH 2–8), freeze–thaw, ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, and low concentrations of ions. The grid test time and exhaustive swimming time of the OCT nanoemulsions group increased by 70% and 40% compared with the exercise control group, indicating that OCT nanoemulsions could enhance the muscle strength and endurance performance of mice. Compared with the exercise control group, the muscle glycogen, liver glycogen, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) levels of the OCT nanoemulsions group increased by 97%, 45%, 62%, and 20%, while the blood lactic acid and lactate dehydrogenase levels of the OCT nanoemulsions group decreased by 33% and 22%, respectively, suggesting that OCT nanoemulsions had the anti‐fatigue effect. Hematoxylin and eosin staining showed that OCT nanoemulsions could repair muscle damages induced by excessive exercise. These findings could pave the way for the development of OCT nanoemulsions with high stability and anti‐fatigue potential.
Microencapsulation of Ferrous Sulfate in Lipid Matrices Produced by Spray Chilling: Characterization, Controlled Release, and In Vitro Gastric Behavior
Authors: da Silva Yasmim Fernanda , de Figueiredo Jayne de Abreu , Norcino Laís Bruno , de Oliveira Cassiano Rodrigues , Borges Soraia Vilela , Botrel Diego Alvarenga
Published: November 2024

Iron deficiency is a global nutritional concern, and food fortification is a strategy to address it. However, direct iron fortification can negatively impact sensory attributes. Spray chilling microencapsulation offers a solution while enhancing iron bioavailability. This study aimed to produce iron‐containing microparticles using spray chilling with varying ratios of beeswax and cocoa butter. The ratios had minimal impact on overall yield (73%–75%). The microparticles exhibited β and β′ polymorphic forms, and the inclusion of cocoa butter led to a more amorphous and heterogeneous matrix, resulting in more complex thermal behavior. Higher cocoa butter content improved iron retention (79%–81%) compared with higher beeswax concentrations (69%–70%). LPMs with greater cocoa butter content exhibited reduced iron release, with release kinetics following diffusion and relaxation mechanisms. Iron release across different temperatures ranged from 0.11 to 0.42 mg L−1, influenced by the lipid matrix, particle distribution, and size. The highest release was attributed to smaller, more homogeneous particles containing only one lipid in the matrix. LMPs effectively protected iron release under simulated gastric conditions, allowing significant release in simulated intestinal conditions (36.1%–56.3%). These iron microparticles show potential for use in the food industry, particularly for fortifying various food products, including infant formulas and supplements.
Evaluation of the Efficacy of Focal Vibration Therapy—Novafon as an Assistive Therapeutic Tool for Children With Feeding and Swallowing Disorders
Authors: Georgiou Rafaella , Voniati Louiza , Gryparis Alexandros , Papaleontiou Andri , Ziavra Nafsika , Tafiadis Dionysios
Published: November 2024

Background

Paediatric dysphagia refers to any feeding and/or swallowing problem that affects nutritional or liquid intake safety or adequacy. There is a prominent lack of available evidence‐based effective therapeutic tools to facilitate the rehabilitation of feeding and/or swallowing disorders in children.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of focal vibration therapy—Novafon as an assistive therapeutic intervention for children with feeding and swallowing difficulties.

Methods

The study involved 122 children with dysphagia who were divided into two groups: (1) 61 children who received conventional dysphagia therapy (cCDTh) and (2) 61 children who received conventional dysphagia therapy in combination with Novafon therapy (cCDTh+NTh). All children were evaluated for pre‐, mid‐ and post‐dysphagia therapy with the Gugging Swallowing Screen (GUSS) and Pediatric Eating Assessment Tool‐10 (PEDI‐EAT‐10) in different Cypriot school and health settings.

Results

PEDI‐EAT‐10 total scores for both groups observed that the cCDTh+NTh group had a significant decrease in the overall median between pre‐ and post‐dysphagia therapy total score (Median = 3.00) compared to the cTDTh score (Median = 7.00). GUSS total scores between the two groups showed an increase in overall medians but the cCDTh+NTh group (Median of pre‐therapy = 16.50, mid–therapy = 19.00 and post‐therapy = 20.00) noted a higher increase in medians compared to the cCDTh group (Median of pre‐therapy = 15.00, mid‐therapy = 16.00 and post‐therapy = 17.00).

Conclusion

The present study highlights that focal vibration therapy using Novafon may serve as an effective and supportive approach within conventional dysphagia therapy for children. Further research is necessary to enhance the evidence‐based literature on the use of Novafon in paediatric dysphagia.
Association of edentulism and obstructive sleep apnea: A systematic review
Authors: Pachiou Aspasia , Roulias Panagiotis , Steiropoulos Paschalis , Halazonetis Demetrios J. , Kourtis Stefanos
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Sleep apnea is a common and underdiagnosed sleep‐related breathing disorder. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the scientific evidence regarding the association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and edentulism.

Methods

An electronic search was conducted through PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus, and Cochrane Library, up to January 2024. A systematic approach was followed according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta‐Analyses) statement guidelines. The literature search intended to retrieve all relevant clinical studies about any possible association between OSA and edentulism. Only publications in the English language were selected, and animal studies, in vitro studies, case reports, case series, technique presentation articles, and expert opinions were excluded.

Results

A total of 23 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in this systematic review. They were published between 1999 and 2023 and were all clinical studies. These studies examined a possible association between OSA and edentulism and all of them agreed on their positive relation. Tooth loss favors anatomic alterations that deteriorate breathing. The severity of OSA was related to the extent and duration of edentulism. Mean Apnea‐Hypopnea Index (AHI) scores in edentulous patients were found to be two to three times higher in comparison to dentate individuals, although the statistical data about it are scarce. No agreement was reached, however, about the use of dentures during sleep time, since the data are controversial.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that there is a plausible association between edentulism and OSA. Tooth loss impairs significant anatomic alterations and increases the risk for OSA. However, clinical data are limited and heterogeneous so more clinical studies should be encouraged for more robust conclusions.
Understanding Parenting Stress in Adoptive Parents: A Longitudinal Multilevel Study of Parents' Self‐Criticism, Child Negative Emotionality, and Child Age at Placement
Authors: Fiore Simon , Luyten Patrick , Vliegen Nicole , Soenens Bart
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Research on parenting stress in adoptive parents during the early years post‐placement reveals significant variability, yet few studies examine both parent‐ and child‐related factors. This study investigates the role of the personality dimension of self‐criticism and perceived negative child emotionality in relation to parenting stress during the first four years after transnational adoption. Additionally, it explores the moderating effect of child age at placement, a key factor associated with early adversity.

Methods

Drawing upon a longitudinal five‐wave dataset in the first 4 years after the child arrived in the adoptive family, this study used multi‐informant data of 96 adoptive mothers and fathers of transnationally adopted children (mean child age at placement = 13.48 months). Data were analyzed using a multilevel structural equation modeling approach.

Results

Parents' self‐criticism was positively associated with parenting stress at the between‐parent level. At the within‐parent level, year‐to‐year fluctuations in both parents' self‐criticism and perceived child's negative emotionality were positively associated with corresponding fluctuations in parenting stress. Child age at placement did not moderate any of these associations.

Conclusions

Overall, this study yielded convincing evidence for the dynamic nature of parenting stress in the first years after child placement, the role of parental self‐criticism, and the child's perceived negative emotionality herein.
Single‐Center Survey of Prevalence of Viruses in Pediatric Liver Explants
Authors: Domenick Bryanna , Perez Adriana , Wood Phoebe , Savage Zachary J. , Vaccaro Olivia , Wilkins Ben , Rand Elizabeth B.
Published: November 2024

Background

Adenovirus has been implicated as a cause of acute liver failure (ALF) following a global outbreak of adenovirus‐associated ALF in 2021. To understand any association between viral infection and ALF, it is important to know the baseline prevalence of that virus in children undergoing liver transplant for acute and chronic liver disease (CLD). Our objective was to perform retrospective evaluation of prevalence of common hepatotropic viruses among children who underwent liver transplant at our center.

Methods

We studied 33 stored frozen hepatic explant samples (originally collected between 2004 and 2021 as part of a liver repository) which fell into three categories: ALF (n = 18), acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF, n = 7), and CLD (n = 8). DNA was extracted from the samples, and viral PCR testing was performed for adenovirus, EBV, CMV, and HHV‐6.

Results

Adenovirus was detected in a single case of indeterminate ALF transplanted in 2019. CMV was detected in two cases, and there were no EBV positive specimens in any group. HHV‐6 was more prevalent with 21 of 33 specimens testing positive including ALF, ACLF, and CLD cases.

Conclusion

This retrospective study of common childhood virus prevalence in liver explants provides important baseline information for studying potential viral etiologies of ALF. We did not identify any clusters of infections. The most frequently occurring virus and only virus found in all categories was HHV‐6, underscoring the high prevalence in this heterogenous group. Adenovirus was identified in 1 out of 18 of ALF samples, but likely was not a hepatic pathogen.
The spillover effect of global uncertainty through input–output linkage
Authors: Park Soonchan , Park Innwon
Published: November 2024

This study examines the cross‐country spillover effects of global uncertainty on domestic value‐added by introducing indices for input‐ and output‐linked uncertainty. Employing a panel fixed‐effect regression model, the analysis covers 70 countries from 1995 to 2019, using the World Uncertainty Index and the OECD Inter‐Country Input–Output Table. Our findings reveal that input‐linked uncertainty from procuring foreign intermediate goods has the most significant negative impact on domestic value‐added. The effects of domestic uncertainty and output‐linked uncertainty from foreign product sales follow this. Additionally, these negative effects exhibit a dynamic cumulative impact over time, rather than being confined to a specific period. Considering both the magnitude and duration of these impacts, the primary transmission pathway of global uncertainty on a country's domestic production activity is through its input linkage. Furthermore, the study identifies country‐specific variations in the ripple effects of global uncertainty. Analysing specific cases such as Korea and China affirms the empirical relevance of our findings to their economic contexts.
Banded or striped? Significant colour dimorphism of a bridal snake in Borneo
Authors: Fukuyama Ibuki , Hossman Mohamad Yazid , Fuke Yusuke , Gumal Melvin , Nishikawa Kanto
Published: November 2024

Stripes and bands are common colour patterns in snakes. Some species are known to exhibit colour polymorphism and that includes expressing it in the bands and stripes. Bridal snake, Dryocalamus is a medium‐sized arboreal snake in South to Southeast Asia and most species of the genus are banded, but including two striped species. In Borneo, banded D. subannulatus and striped D. tristrigatus occur sympatrically and the two species are similar morphologically except for their colour patterns. We hypothesized the two species in Borneo exhibit a significant colour dimorphism of one species and conducted morphological and genetical analysis to test the hypothesis. Morphological examinations revealed that D. subannulatus and D. tristrigatus are not distinguishable in Borneo by scalation. Mitochondrial phylogenetic analysis and nuclear SNP analysis showed D. subannulatus and D. tristrigatus from Borneo formed clades or clusters by region not by species. Dryocalamus subannulatus and D. tristrigatus in Borneo are morphologically and genetically indistinguishable and Bornean D. subannulatus should be treated as a colour morph of D. tristrigatus. This is a rare example of sympatrically distinct banded/striped dimorphism in snakes. Relative abundance of banded/striped morph of the genus is probably different depending on region, and any ecological factor may contribute to it.
Strain as an Indicator for Stress Fractures in Racehorses
Authors: Soysa Ramesha I. , Munro Deborah
Published: November 2024

The horse racing industry, despite its financial significance, grapples with significant welfare issues, particularly stress fractures in racehorses due to rigorous training and competition. Third metacarpal (MC3) bone fractures, constituting about one-third of all limb fractures, severely impact horse health, performance, and welfare. The frequent occurrence of condylar fractures in the MC3, often resulting in bone comminution and complex fragmentation, poses high risks—sometimes necessitating euthanasia, and complicates the management and recovery processes for the rest. There is a lack of comprehensive methods for quantitatively determining fracture risks in horses, with strain measurements on the MC3 bone during racing conditions showing promise as an indicator of high loads and potential fracture risks. The primary long-term objective of this research is to develop implantable sensing technologies that can identify early indicators of potential failure, allowing for proactive management of horse health and minimizing fracture risks. This study investigated the mechanical properties of MC3 bones under high compressive loads using a fixture that secured the bone and mimicked natural conditions. Six MC3 bones from euthanized horses were instrumented with 350 Ω strain gauge rosettes at four key locations: Lateral Condyle (CondL), Medial Condyle (CondM), Dorsal DistoLateral (DisL), and Dorsal DistoMedial (DisM). Each bone underwent a preloading phase and five cycles of 12 kN sinusoidal loading to replicate galloping forces. Strain patterns were observed before and after introducing an artificial slot in the lateral condylar groove to simulate a fatigue crack. A strong correlation was found between load and minimum principal strain in both intact and fatigue crack-induced (FCI) bones, with R-squared values over 0.99. Post-FCI, 83% of bones exhibited an increase in the minimum principal strain-load response slope, indicating uniform changes in material behavior. Additionally, a rise in post-FCI y-intercept values across MC3 locations indicated higher initial strain and possible changes in bone properties.
Research on Optimizing the Propagation Path Search of Individualized Products With Multi-Source Design Changes
Authors: Yang Qin , Ke Dandan , Liu Jiahui , Zheng Jiufeng , Yu Daoyang
Published: November 2024

The individualization and diversification of customer requirements are gradually affecting the product design and manufacturing process, and the production mode of enterprises is evolving toward customer-oriented mass individualized customization. The change in customer requirements is inevitable in the process of individualized product design, which is the key factor leading to the change in product design. This paper establishes the correlation matrix of individualized product parts and components by mining correlation rules and constructs a correlation network model of these parts based on complex network theory. By comprehensively considering the influence of part nodes and their association relationships within the complex network, the intensity of change propagation is calculated using node importance and the probability of change propagation. The search for multi-source design change propagation paths is conducted through an improved ant colony algorithm, and the impact of customer requirement changes is evaluated using the network change rate as an index. This approach helps enterprises make informed decisions regarding customer requirements.
A Proposed Extension to the Functional Basis for AI/ML-Enabled Cyber-Physical Systems
Authors: Valmyr Doreen , Valencia-Romero Ambrosio , McComb Christopher
Published: November 2024

Modern engineering projects increasingly require designers to use tools to manage complexity. One such tool, functional decomposition, uses the functional basis to aid designers in developing a structured and consistent description of a product or system in terms of functional requirements and desired behavior. However, cyber-physical systems (CPS) that increasingly integrate artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) cannot be represented with the necessary degree of nuance and flexibility through the current functional basis. This is an inconvenience to designers especially in an age where the use of machine learning and artificial intelligence is becoming widespread. This paper proposes an extension to the functional basis that includes new flows and functions to better describe the intricacies of AI/ML systems. While this extension provides a significant advancement in representing AI/ML systems within the functional basis, the rapidly evolving nature of AI/ML technologies presents opportunities for further enhancements and expansions of this framework in the future. By creating a more comprehensive representation of cyber-physical systems with AI/ML capabilities, designers can better conceptualize and design these complex systems, facilitating a more consistent, structured, and descriptive functional model.
Reliability Analysis of SAC Solder Under Thermal Fatigue for Encapsulated GaN Packages
Authors: Gandikota Ibaad , Bharamgonda Aniket , Dasgupta Abhijit , McCluskey Patrick
Published: November 2024

A single-stage dual-active-bridge DC-AC microinverter prototype board with Gallium Nitride (GaN) primary switching devices was designed and assembled for environmental reliability testing. An unpowered temperature cycling test was conducted with an amplitude ranging from −40 to 105°C at a ramp rate of 5°C/min. The electrical testing revealed a failure in the board between 800 and 1000 hours, which was located at the primary devices. Non-destructive failure analysis was performed on the board to determine the failure modes and mechanisms. Using a Confocal Scanning Acoustic Microscope (C-SAM) with a 75MHz transducer, it was determined that failure was located at the solder bumps, and the scans revealed that two of four primary devices, EPC2001C, experienced a solder bump delamination at the gate, source, and drain pads. Hence, it is concluded that the delamination occurred due to coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch between substrate and die.

To understand the failure mechanism and predict the fatigue life of the assembled GaNFET, Finite Element Analysis (FEA) simulation was performed using ANSYS structural models, where the sub-modeling feature was used to track the location of the GaN device on the board, and a total of five temperature cycles were simulated to determine the average strain energy of the critical solder joint. The Garofalo creep model was used to capture the creep deformation during thermal cycling. Syed’s Energy-based fatigue model for SAC305 solder was used to determine the life of the land grid array package assembly of the EPC2001C, and the model constants were calibrated using the experimental failure time. Furthermore, this study was extended to examine the effects of encapsulation materials on the life of the primary switching devices. The encapsulation materials were studied in three distinct configurations: solely potting, solely underfill, and a hybrid combination of potting and underfill. The results reveal that the encapsulation materials significantly increase the fatigue life of the GaNFET.
Mitigation of Boiling-Induced Thermal Degradation Using Microporous Nickel Inverse Opal (NiIOs) Structures
Authors: Jiang Kaiying , Kong Daeyoung , Narumanchi Sreekant , Palko James , Dede Ercan M. , Ahn Chulmin , Lee Hyoungsoon , Asheghi Mehdi , Goodson Kenneth E.
Published: November 2024

Engineered microporous structures have received much attention in high-heat-flux electronics cooling due to their high thermal conductivity and permeability, and large surface area for heat transfer, but are susceptible to boiling-induced thermal degradation. This study investigates the efficacy of nickel inverse opals (NiIOs) in mitigating structural degradation caused by corrosion-assisted erosion during pool boiling with water as working fluids. First, we compared the reliability of NiIOs to copper inverse opals (CuIOs), for a 3-day pool boiling test at constant heat flux. The NiIOs demonstrated superior resistance to thermal degradation due to their inherent corrosion resistance and mechanical strength. Only partial oxidation was observed on NiIOs surface while CuIOs structures were completely diminished after 3 days. Subsequently, we conducted a more controlled experiment to show the effect of heat flux and bubble dynamics on the degradation of the NiIOs. To exclude the effect of temperature variations, pool boiling reliability tests of 20-μm-thickness NiIOs covering ∼10 × 10 mm2 with a 2.5 × 2.5 mm2 heater at the center were conducted at heat flux levels of 20%, 40%, and 60% of the critical heat flux (CHF) for 3 days. The NiIOs subjected to heat flux levels of 20% and 40% CHF showed minimal degradation while the top surface of the NiIOs subjected to 60% CHF underwent some erosion, possibly due to a higher bubble formation and departure rate. These results show the potential of NiIOs as a promising solution for long-term thermal management in high-power electronic devices, although design considerations for maximum allowable heat flux are necessary for reliable operation. The next step is to repeat the reliability tests for > 30 days while monitoring the changes in surface temperature, NiIOs structure, and bubble dynamics over a longer period.
Water-Based Inks and Low-Temperature Interconnects for Direct-Write Fabrication of Flexible Electronics Under Thermal Cycling
Authors: Lall Pradeep , Musa Fatahi , Miller Scott
Published: November 2024

The utilization of water-based silver ink in flexible hybrid electronics (FHE) holds significant potential as a viable approach to fostering environmental sustainability. The ink has ecologically friendly characteristics, offers cost-effectiveness, and demonstrates exceptional electrical conductivity properties. A gap exists in the holistic evaluation and development of bonding materials that are compatible with the broad range of substrates and conductive materials used in flexible hybrid electronics, ensuring optimal performance across all necessary parameters. While existing studies have showcased various properties and applications of bonding materials, there is a absence of detailed comparative assessments that specifically address the performance distinctions between high and low ECAs in the context of their mechanical stability, electrical conductivity, and compatibility with different substrate materials and component types used in flexible hybrid electronics. An additional and significant gap lies in the scarcity of comprehensive performance and reliability testing of these bonding materials, particularly in terms of their long-term durability when subjected to aging and thermal cycling conditions. Such stressors include repeated bending, temperature fluctuations, and prolonged exposure to environmental conditions, all of which could potentially degrade the electrical and mechanical integrity of the bonds over time.
Extreme wind events responsible for an outsized role in shelf-basin exchange around the southern tip of Greenland
Authors: Coquereau Arthur , Foukal Nicholas P. , Våge Kjetil
Published: November 2024

The coastal circulation around Southern Greenland transports fresh, buoyant water masses from the Arctic and Greenland Ice Sheet near regions of convection, sinking, and deep-water formation in the Irminger and Labrador Seas. Here, we track the pathways and fate of these fresh water masses by initializing synthetic particles in the East Greenland Coastal Current on the Southeast Greenland shelf and running them through altimetry-derived surface currents from 1993 to 2021. We report that the majority of waters (83%) remain on the shelf around the southern tip of Greenland. Variability in the shelf-basin exchange of the remaining particles closely follows the number of tip jet wind events on seasonal and interannual timescales. The probability of a particle exiting the shelf increases almost fivefold during a tip jet event. These results indicate that the number of tip jets is a close proxy of the shelf-basin exchange around Southern Greenland.