bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Espaços do samba no filme O Pai da Rita
Authors: Paiva Samuel
Published: January 2024

Este texto pretende contribuir para o campo dos estudos sobre intermidialidade, partindo de uma reflexão sobre a obra do cineasta Joel Zito Araújo, com foco maior de interesse em seu filme O pai de Rita (2021). A narrativa cinematográfica em questão é construída sobre personagens relacionados ao samba, entre outros, sambistas da Escola de Samba Vai-Vai, em São Paulo, e o próprio Chico Buarque de Hollanda, compositor da canção “A Rita”, implicada já no título do filme. Além da própria intermidialidade entre cinema e música, o método empreendido na análise também articula conceitos do geógrafo Milton Santos, tendo em vista, sobretudo, a discussão sobre “espaço” no âmbito da cultura negra no Brasil.
Democracia, informação e mídia local para superar os desertos de notícias: entrevista com Penny Abernathy
Authors: Moreira Sonia Virgínia , Deolindo Jacqueline da Silva
Published: January 2024

Especialista e mestre em Jornalismo com intensa experiência editorial e de gestão de mídia, Penny Abernathy tornou-se referência entre os pesquisadores brasileiros da área ao desenvolver o conceito de “desertos de notícias”. Os relatórios liderados por Abernathy entre 2016-2020 no Centro de Inovação e Sustentabilidade em Mídia Local da Universidade da Carolina do Norte mostraram que muitos dos problemase desafios revelados por sua pesquisa eram semelhantes aos achados de pesquisas brasileiras em diferentes regiões. Nesta entrevista à Comunicação e Educação, a pesquisadora fala sobre a escassez de produção de notícias, a falta de acessibilidade digital e de políticas públicas de apoio ao jornalismo local, especialmente em cidades onde características demográficas e econômicas impedem o acesso de seus moradores a notícias e informações.
Afeto, diálogo e crítica em leituras sobre as diversidades: relato de um exercício
Authors: Assis Francisco de
Published: January 2024

O artigo relata uma experiência didática denominada “Literaturas das Diversidades”. Apoiados nos pressupostos de Paulo Freire e de Cremilda Medina, que nos estimularam a adotar o afeto como elemento pedagógico fundamental, propusemos a estudantes de comunicação e de áreas afins uma atividade de leitura crítica de obras que versam sobre o amplo conjunto das diversidades, compreendendo todo e qualquer grupo minorizado e sub-representado. O trabalho se mostrou criativo porque não se resumiu a análises individuais dos livros escolhidos, mas incorporou a partilha das percepções entre colegas, momento em que, dialogicamente, puderam exercer lugares de fala e de escuta. Entendemos tal proposta como apreciação bivalente, isto é, do texto e da própria existência – e/ou da existência de outrem –, combinados como forma de repensar a situação de quem é historicamente lançado à margem do mundo social.
Slender Man’s Face: the Religious Foundation of an Online Mythology
Authors: Asimos Vivian
Published: January 2024

In 2009, the internet gave birth to a monster. The Slender Man, like many other forms of online storytelling, is a product of mass communal storytelling. What has led to the Slender Man’s unique long-lasting position online is in part due to the way the community initially dealt with the issues which arose in mass communal storytelling. These issues are primarily found in two modes: 1) the inconsistency of the narrative, which is typically related to the creative freedom given to every member of a community, which was solved using apophatic theology; and 2) the reality of the scare, which begins to lose traction when the narrative is online and thus easily searchable, solved through the notion of the Tulpa. Participants play with knowledge and religious conceptions, through which mimetic excess occurs (Taussig, 1993), leading to a crossing of boundaries between reality and fiction.
Leptochilus brevipes (Polypodiaceae), a new fern species from southeastern Yunnan, China based on morphological and molecular evidence
Authors: YU ZHI-YONG , LIANG ZHEN-LONG , HU YU-PING , LIANG ZONG-LI , HE HAI-LONG , LI JIAN-HONG , ZHANG LIANG
Published: January 2024

A new fern species, Leptochilus brevipes, is described and illustrated from southeastern Yunnan, China. Morphologically, L. brevipes is most similar to L. decurrens, but differs from the latter in having short petioles and lanceolate and narrower laminae, being the widest at the middle. A phylogenetic analysis based on six plastid markers confirmed the recognition of the new species and resolved it in the Yunnan subclade of the Colysis clade.
Influence of Tropical Easterly Waves on the ChocoJet during the 2019 OTREC Campaign
Authors: Valencia Juliana , Yepes Johanna , Mejía John F. , Builes-Jaramillo Alejandro , Salas Hernán D.
Published: January 2024

This study investigates how convectively coupled tropical easterly waves (TEWs) affect the Choco low-level jet (ChocoJet) as they move across the western Caribbean. The ChocoJet is a low-level flow over the eastern Pacific (EPAC) that modulates precipitation patterns over the tropical eastern Pacific and northwestern South America. By combining data from the Organization of Tropical East Pacific Convection (OTREC; August–September 2019), ERA5 reanalysis products, and satellite data, we analyze precipitation and circulation patterns during convectively coupled and nonconvectively coupled TEWs, comparing them to non-TEW days. During convectively coupled TEWs days, the ChocoJet strengthens and becomes more southerly, while the ITCZ moves northward, leading to enhanced precipitation over the western Caribbean and drier conditions over the northern part of the Colombian Pacific. In contrast, nonconvectively coupled TEW days exhibit reduced precipitation and precipitable water over the Caribbean and far EPAC, with a layer of northeasterly flow centered at 850 hPa flowing over a shallower, weaker, and more westerly ChocoJet. Additionally, convectively coupled TEWs are associated with a weaker western Caribbean and far eastern Pacific pressure gradient compared to nonconvective TEWs. These observable and predictable synoptic-scale circulation–precipitation relationships contribute to a better understanding of hydrometeorological variability in the region.

Significance Statement

Tropical easterly waves and related convective organization traversing the Caribbean Sea are important sources of synoptic-scale precipitation–circulation variability in the far eastern Pacific and Colombian Pacific. This eastern tropical Pacific study aims to identify precipitation–circulation relationships that enhance the understanding of synoptic-scale meteorological phenomena.
Wave Spectra Analysis on the Spatiotemporal Variability of Sea States under Distinct Typhoon Tracks in a Semienclosed Sea
Authors: Peng Jie , Mao Miaohua , Xia Meng
Published: January 2024

The dynamics of typhoon-induced waves in semienclosed seas become an interesting topic with the increase of typhoon intensity. Based on the calibrated Simulating Waves Nearshore (SWAN) model, wave dynamics were investigated under distinct typhoon tracks [e.g., Matmo (2014), Rumbia (2018), and Lekima (2019)] in the Bohai Sea. Distributions of significant wave heights (SWHs) are affected by the typhoon wind fields and are directly related to the typhoon tracks. The classical JONSWAP wave spectra were adopted for the analysis of sea states (e.g., wind seas or swells) to further explain variations in wave heights. Results indicate that the dominant sea state with higher energy experiences significant spatiotemporal variability under distinct tracks. For typhoons passing through the central part of the Bohai Sea (e.g., Rumbia), high-energy waves are observed under swell-dominated and mixed sea states, which are subjected to the fetch limitation in the semienclosed sea and rapid changes in typhoon winds. The high energy waves induced by other typhoons passing along the edges of the Bohai Sea correspond to the wind-sea-dominated sea state. Spatiotemporal variability of the sea state exhibits a high correlation with its position relative to the typhoon center. Therefore, a reference frame based on the radius of the maximum wind speed was established to discuss the sea states in this semienclosed sea. Further investigations reveal that swells (wind seas) dominate the regions within the radius of the maximum wind speed (elsewhere), and the double-peaked wave spectra tend to appear in the left quadrants.
The Suppression and Liberation of Malcolm’s Personal Agency: Malcolm X and His Religio-Racial Understanding of White People
Authors: Butts Jimmy
Published: January 2024

Although the canonical interpretation by scholars of the life and thought of Malcolm X suggest that he would experience a major shift in his views on race, this author contends that Malcolm’s post-Hajj declarations about the white race were his beliefs about white people all along. It is not denied that Malcolm himself assisted in the construction of his Hajj experience being understood as an epiphany moment in regard to his views on race. However, a postcolonial studies reading that aims to uncover the agency of subaltern subjects provides a lens for a critical look at his words and actions throughout his life and provides a different explanation. Engaging with Judith Weisenfeld’s religio-racial theory, it is argued that Malcolm conceded to the Nation of Islam’s beliefs about race through suppressing his personal beliefs because of his acceptance of the overall mission of the group.
Copy Number Alterations Predict Development of OSCC from Oral Leukoplakia
Authors: Cai X. , Zhang J. , Li L. , Liu L. , Tang M. , Zhou X. , Peng C. , Li X. , Chen X. , Xu M. , Zhang H. , Wang J. , Huang Y. , Li T.
Published: January 2024

Oral leukoplakia (OLK) is a common type of potentially malignant disorder. Early identification of the malignancy potential leads to a better management of OLK and prediction of development of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, there has been no effective biomarker to assess the risk of malignancy in OLK. Genomic copy number alteration (CNA) is a complex chromosomal structural variation in the genome and has been identified as a potential biomarker in multiple cancers. This study aimed to develop a predictive model for the malignant transformation risk of OLK by copy number analysis. A total of 431 OLK samples with long-term follow-up (median follow-up of 67 mo) from multiple academic centers were analyzed for CNAs. CNA events increased with the severity of hyperplasia, mild dysplasia, moderate dysplasia, and severe dysplasia. More CNA events were present in patients with OLK who later developed OSCC than in those with OLK who did not. By multivariate Cox regression analysis, the OLK of the CNA scorehigh group showed an increased risk of malignant transformation than the CNA scorelow group ( P < 0.001). A CNA score model was developed to accurately predict the prognosis (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC] = 0.879; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.799–0.959) and was validated using data from 2 external centers (AUC = 0.836, 95% CI, 0.683–0.989; AUC = 0.876, 95% CI, 0.682–1.000), and all of them showed better prediction performances than histopathological grade in assessing the transformation risk of OLK. Furthermore, we performed CNA models among 4 subgroups of OLK with hyperplasia, mild dysplasia, moderate dysplasia, and severe dysplasia and found that CNA score can accurately predict malignant transformation of different subgroups. CNA score may be a useful biomarker to predict malignant transformation of OLK. Subtyping of OLK by the CNA score could contribute to better management of OLK and predicting development of OSCC.
The international cooperation of the populist radical right: building counter-hegemony in international relations
Authors: Wojczewski Thorsten
Published: January 2024

This article analyses the international cooperation of the radical right and the role of populism in forging cross-border ties between different political projects. Drawing on the Laclauian-Mouffian poststructuralist discourse theory, it conceptualises this cross-border collaboration as an attempt to build an international counter-hegemonic project and sheds light on its discursive formation and content. Through the discourse analysis of primary textual data drawn from Europe and the United States, it examines how the discourses of the populist radical right construct collective meanings and identities that enable these actors to cooperate with each other and pursue a common political cause. The article demonstrates that this cross-border collaboration has been made possible and promoted by shared – populist, nationalist and reactionary – political logics of articulation that interpellate and construct subjects as members of an endangered and decaying ethnocultural nation who can only restore their identity through the reversal of political, economic and cultural globalisation and the re-assertation of the ‘native people’ against ‘globalists’, ‘foreigners’, ‘immigrants’ and ‘minorities’. While the transatlantic counter-hegemonic coalition-building has ultimately remained limited, Europe’s radical right has successfully broadened its international cooperation and forged a joint counter-hegemonic project that promotes the cultural-racist and supremacist notion of an ‘ethnopluralist Europe of nations’.
Incorporating Machine Learning into Sociological Model-Building
Authors: Verhagen Mark D.
Published: January 2024

Quantitative sociologists frequently use simple linear functional forms to estimate associations among variables. However, there is little guidance on whether such simple functional forms correctly reflect the underlying data-generating process. Incorrect model specification can lead to misspecification bias, and a lack of scrutiny of functional forms fosters interference of researcher degrees of freedom in sociological work. In this article, I propose a framework that uses flexible machine learning (ML) methods to provide an indication of the fit potential in a dataset containing the exact same covariates as a researcher’s hypothesized model. When this ML-based fit potential strongly outperforms the researcher’s self-hypothesized functional form, it implies a lack of complexity in the latter. Advances in the field of explainable AI, like the increasingly popular Shapley values, can be used to generate understanding into the ML model such that the researcher’s original functional form can be improved accordingly. The proposed framework aims to use ML beyond solely predictive questions, helping sociologists exploit the potential of ML to identify intricate patterns in data to specify better-fitting, interpretable models. I illustrate the proposed framework using a simulation and real-world examples.
Examining linguistic and discourse features in oral text production and their dimensionality
Authors: Cho Minkyung , Kim Young-Suk Grace
Published: January 2024

Examining the dimensionality of oral discourse language skills in early childhood is crucial in informing theories of language and literacy development. This study examined the factor structure of linguistic and discourse features in oral text production for second graders. A total of 330 English-speaking second graders ( Mage = 7.33, 53% boys, 55% White) described three pictures in two discourse conditions. Children’s picture descriptions were transcribed verbatim and coded for a total of nine linguistic (e.g. elaborated noun phrase, clausal density) and discourse features (e.g. proper character introduction, perspective taking). Results from confirmatory factor analysis showed that a two-factor structure consisting of linguistic and discourse features factors provided the best fit to the data. Findings suggested that various linguistic and discourse features in oral text production can be best described as having two related but distinct factors.
Comparing Test-Taking Effort Between Paper-Based and Computer-Based Tests
Authors: Weirich Sebastian , Sachse Karoline A. , Henschel Sofie , Schnitzler Carola
Published: January 2024

The article compares the trajectories of students’ self-reported test-taking effort during a 120 minutes low-stakes large-scale assessment of English comprehension between a paper-and-pencil (PPA) and a computer-based assessment (CBA). Test-taking effort was measured four times during the test. Using a within-subject design, each of the N = 2,676 German ninth-grade students completed half of the test in PPA and half in CBA mode, where the sequence of modes was balanced between students. Overall, students’ test-taking effort decreased considerably during the course of the test. On average, effort was lower in CBA than in PPA. While on average, effort was lower in CBA than in PPA, the decline did not vary between both modes during the test. That is, students’ self-reported effort was higher if the items were easier (compared to students’ abilities). The consequences of these results concerning the further development of CBA tests and large-scale assessments in general are discussed.
Neuropsychiatric manifestations of tuberous sclerosis in a young man in a psychiatric hospital in Botswana: a case report
Authors: Chabalala Wame T. , Bojosi Kagiso , Maphane Tseleng , Olashore Anthony A.
Published: January 2024

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), first described in 1880, is a disorder that affects multiple systems. Its symptoms include seizures, intellectual disability, and angiofibromas. TSC is caused by mutations in the TSC1 and TSC2 genes and is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. The present report describes the case of a patient with an unusual psychological presentation who was evaluated in a psychiatric hospital. A man with poorly managed epilepsy was brought to Botswana’s only psychiatric hospital. After clinical assessment, a diagnosis of tuberous sclerosis complex was made, which was later confirmed through neuroimaging and genetic tests. Some of the patient’s relatives also showed similar neuropsychiatric symptoms. Given that psychiatry may be the first medical contact for TSC patients, especially in low-resource settings, clinicians need to be knowledgeable of various neuropsychiatric conditions and be aware of the possibility of TSC in patients that present with neurocutaneous manifestations. A multidisciplinary team approach is vital for the investigation and management of such cases.
Influence of the human body odor compound HMHA on face perception
Authors: Ferdenzi Camille , Fournel Arnaud , Baldovini Nicolas , Poupon Daphnée , Ligout Déborah , Thévenet Marc , Bouet Romain , Bensafi Moustafa
Published: January 2024

Body odors convey information about the individuals, but the mechanisms are not fully understood yet. As far as human reproduction is concerned, molecules that are produced in sexually dimorphic amounts could be possible chemosignals. 3-hydroxy-3-methylhexanoic acid (HMHA) is one of them—more typical of men. Here, we investigated the possibility that the perception of gender and attractiveness in human faces could be implicitly influenced by this compound. Clearly feminine, ambiguous and clearly masculine faces were primed with an odor of HMHA, a control odor or air. Based on 100-ms face presentation, 40 raters had to identify the face's gender as quickly as possible and provide attractiveness evaluations. 3-hydroxy-3-methylhexanoic acid tended to be perceived as less pleasant and induced lower sniff duration in women compared with men. As to the effects of HMHA on face perception (vs. control conditions), we found that gender identification and the associated response time were unaffected by HMHA. Attractiveness of the faces, however, increased in presence of HMHA, but not in a sex-specific manner and only for unattractive faces with ambiguous gender. In sum, this study found no evidence in favor of a possible role of this sexually dimorphic compound in intrasexual competition nor in intersexual attraction.
Improving Traffic Accident Severity Prediction Using Convoluted Features and Decision-Level Fusion of Models
Authors: Abuzinadah Nihal , Aljrees Turki , Chen Xiaoyuan , Umer Muhammad , Ibrahim Aboulola Omar , Tahir Saba , Abdulmajid Eshmawi Ala’ , Alnowaiser Khaled , Ashraf Imran
Published: January 2024

Although there have been improvements in traffic safety measures, the frequency of traffic accidents continues to persist. Developing countries experience a significant impact from traffic accidents with respect to fatalities and property damage. Traffic accidents happen for multiple reasons, involving traffic conditions, driving violations, driver misjudgments, and so forth. Severe casualties may lead to fatalities; therefore, accident severity prediction might help reduce the chances of fatalities. This research makes use of a U.S. road accident dataset that contains the most relevant 32 factors related to accidents. For obtaining accurate prediction of traffic accident severity, this research proposes a solution based on an ensemble of random forest and support vector classifiers that is trained using deep convoluted features. Features are extracted from the road accident dataset using a convolutional neural network (CNN). The performance of models using original features and CNN features is analyzed that shows the superiority of convoluted features. Experimental results involving the use of several well-known machine learning models indicate that the proposed model can obtain an accuracy of 99.99% for traffic accident severity prediction. The efficacy of the proposed model is validated against existing state-of-the-art approaches.
Modeling Telecommuting and Teleshopping Preferences in the Post-Pandemic Era
Authors: Khaddar Shivam , Rahman Fatmi Mahmudur
Published: January 2024

COVID-19 mitigation measures triggered a sharp increase in the adoption of teleshopping and telecommuting activities. However, there is a need to understand the extent to which past frequencies and experiences will affect post-pandemic teleactivity behavior. Moreover, teleshopping and telecommuting are interconnected, and a relationship may exist between them in the post-pandemic world. This study investigates post-pandemic preferences toward online grocery shopping, online food ordering, and working from home by using a multivariate ordered probit (MVOP) model. The data come from a web-based survey conducted for the Central Okanagan region of Canada. Model results confirm the presence of unobserved factors influencing telecommuting and teleshopping choices. Looking at endogeneity, working from home after the pandemic revealed a positive effect on online grocery shopping. However, results were not the same for post-pandemic online food ordering. Model results also confirm the significant impact of past teleactivity frequencies and experiences on post-pandemic preferences. Overall, the findings provide important insights into post-pandemic activity and travel patterns which can be used for robust policymaking.
Crashworthiness investigations for 3D printed multi-layer multi-topology carbon fiber nylon lattice materials
Authors: Bernard Autumn R. , Yalcin Muhammet Muaz , ElSayed Mostafa S.A.
Published: January 2024

Cellular solids have superior energy absorption capabilities as compared to monolithic materials. Within this category of materials, lattice materials are of particular interest since their periodicity offers repeatable – and thus predictable – behavior. In combination with the advancements in additive manufacturing technologies, these lattice materials can be highly customized for a desired response. In this paper, the crashworthiness of unique multi-layer, multi-topology (MLMT) lattices is investigated. First, the nylon-carbon fiber composite material properties within a developed numerical model were tuned based on strut orientation. Then, the response of single-layer and three-layer cubic and octet lattices was investigated, where all lattices were designed with a relative density of 30%. Following the characterization of single-topology lattices, the response of MLMT lattices were investigated. Stress-strain, efficiency-strain, and multiple crashworthiness parameter data was collected for all lattices to facilitate in the comparison of those lattices. It was found that, experimentally, the unique MLMT lattices did not absorb more energy than their constituent layers combined, though modifications to the interface between layers could increase the energy absorption capability; the prediction of energy absorption of the MLMT lattices based on constituent layers was similar to actual numerical results. As all lattices were designed at the same relative density, the mass-specific energy absorption of the cubic-octet-cubic MLMT lattice (1.56 x103 J/kg) outperforms the single-topology octet lattice by 19% to 36% (1.15–1.31 x103 J/kg). While the octet-cubic-octet MLMT lattice (0.71 x103 J/kg) is outperformed by the single-topology cubic lattices (1.69–3.76 x103 J/kg), they see an increase of 59% to 77% in plateau stress (5.1–9.2 MPa) as compared to the MLMT lattice (2.1 MPa).
Exploring Black and Latinx Adolescents’ Beliefs About Achievement, Resistance, and Activism
Authors: Diaz Brianna , Edwards Elianny C. , Seider Scott
Published: January 2024

This mixed methods study investigates the beliefs about achievement, resistance, and activism of Black and Latinx adolescents attending six charter high schools in five U.S. cities. We report on both OLS regression analyses of survey data ( n = 344) and thematic analysis of interview data ( n = 26) collected during participants’ final year of high school. Quantitative analyses revealed that youths’ belief that their academic achievement represents a form of resistance against racism (“achievement-as-resistance”) significantly predicted their commitment to activism, and this relationship was moderated by participants’ school type. Youth attending “no-excuses” schools demonstrated a stronger relationship between their achievement-as-resistance beliefs and commitment to activism than their peers attending “progressive” schools. Explanatory qualitative analyses of interview data demonstrated that youth at no-excuses schools received strong messaging from their educators that achievement was the best way for Black and Latinx youth to resist racism. Youth also reported that their no-excuses schools did not engage students in activism and in some cases, responded negatively to student-led activism. Findings suggest that Black and Latinx youths’ achievement-as-resistance beliefs may have supported their commitment to activism, but this relationship may have been strengthened by youths’ desire to push beyond their schools’ narrow messaging about resistance.
Correlates of COVID-19 Information Overload and Information Seeking: Evidence from a Community Survey
Authors: Yamamoto Masahiro , Krishnan Archana , Golden Annis , Owen Gregory , Schell Lawrence M. , Mata Olivia , Holdsworth Elizabeth A.
Published: January 2024

Purpose

To examine the relationships among health literacy, risk perceptions, COVID-19 information overload, health information seeking, and race/ethnicity.

Design

A cross-sectional non-probability community survey conducted between December 2020 and January 2021. A questionnaire was developed in collaboration with a local minority health task force.

Setting

Albany, New York, USA.

Sample

331 adults residing in Albany, NY and neighboring areas (80.3% completion rate).

Measures

Multi-item scales were used to measure health literacy, perceived severity, perceived susceptibility, information overload, and health information seeking frequency and types.

Analysis

We conducted multivariate regression analysis.

Results

Health literacy (standardized β = −.33, P < .001) and perceived severity (β = −.23, P < .001) were negatively associated with information overload. Information overload was negatively associated with health information seeking frequency (β = −.16, P < .05) and types (β = −.19, P < .01). A further analysis shows several factors, including information overload and race (African Americans), were negatively related to seeking specific types of information.

Conclusion

We find that low health literacy and perceived severity contribute to information overload and that information overload adversely affects health information seeking. Black individuals are less likely to search for certain types of information. The cross-sectional study design limits our ability to determine causality. Future research should employ panel data to determine the directionality of the observed relationships.
Quantitative EEG in the Differential Diagnosis of Dementia Subtypes
Authors: Olğun Yeşim , Aksoy Poyraz Cana , Bozluolçay Melda , Poyraz Burç Çağrı
Published: January 2024

Objective

Most neurodegenerative dementias present with substantial overlap in clinical features. Therefore, differential diagnosis is often a challenging task necessitating costly and sometimes invasive diagnostic procedures. A promising, non-invasive and cost-effective method is the widely available electroencephalography (EEG).

Methods

Twenty-three subjects with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), 28 subjects with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), 15 subjects with frontotemporal dementias (FTDs), and 22 healthy controls (HC) were enrolled. Nineteen channel computerized EEG recordings were acquired. Mean relative powers were calculated using the standard frequency bands. Theta/alpha ratio (TAR), theta/beta ratio (TBR), a spectral index of (alpha + beta)/(theta + delta) and an alpha reactivity index (alpha in eyes-open condition/alpha in eyes-closed condition) were also calculated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed to assess diagnostic accuracy.

Results

For the comparison of EEG measures across groups, we performed a multivariate ANOVA followed by univariate ANOVAs controlling for the effects of age, with post hoc tests. Theta power and TBR were increased in DLB compared to other groups. Alpha power was decreased in DLB compared to HC and FTD; and in AD compared to FTD. Beta power was decreased in DLB compared to AD and HC. Furthermore, regional analyses demonstrated a unique pattern of theta power increase in DLB; affecting frontal, central, parietal, occipital, and temporal regions. In AD, theta power increased compared to HC in parietal, occipital, and right temporal regions. TAR was increased in DLB compared to other groups; and in AD compared to HC. Finally, alpha reactivity index was higher in DLB compared to HC and FTD. In AD, EEG slowing was associated with cognitive impairment, while in DLB, this was associated with higher DLB characteristics. In the ROC analyses to distinguish DLB from FTD and AD, measures of EEG slowing yielded high area under curve values, with good specificities. Also, decreased alpha reactivity could distinguish DLB from FTD with good specificity. EEG slowing in DLB showed a diffuse pattern compared to AD, where a posterior and temporal slowing predominated.

Conclusion

We showed that EEG slowing was satisfactory in distinguishing DLB patients from AD and FTD patients. Notably, this slowing was a characteristic finding in DLB patients, even at early stages, while it paralleled disease progression in AD. Furthermore, EEG slowing in DLB showed a diffuse pattern compared to AD, where a posterior and temporal slowing predominated. These findings align with the previous evidence of the diencephalic dysfunction in DLB.
Characteristics and improvement of the double-pass electro-chemical discharge machining
Authors: Elhami Joosheghan Sadegh , Rezvani Pargol , Reza Razfar Mohammad
Published: January 2024

Glass and ceramics have broad applications in modern industries; however, unique properties such as brittleness, and low machinability limit their fabrication processes. This way, electro-chemical discharge machining (ECDM) is a new method that can shape hard, brittle, and non-conductive materials. ECDM improvement is the subject of recent investigations through the application of chemical and physical phenomena. Current research studies the accuracy and surface integrity (cracks and HAZ) aspects of the double-pass ECDM process (DP) which is a new and straightforward method. During the double-pass process, two sequential passes are employed to shape the final geometry. In addition, the variable voltage technique is studied to achieve higher machining efficiency in DP. Results showed that in the diameter difference of 100 µm, the double-pass process reduced overcut by up to 21% compared to the typical ECDM process. Also, the size and number of cracks and the extent of HAZ were significantly decreased. Finally, in the diameter difference larger than 300 μm (the constant voltage of 32 V), the enhancement modification (variable voltage) reduced the overcut by more than 80%. At the same time, depth results remained close (less than 5% difference) to the simple ECDM process.
Microhardness measurement optimization in green derived silica/polyester composites using response surface methodology
Authors: Vuksanović Marija M , Mladenović Ivana O , Stupar Stevan , Marinković Aleksandar , Heinemann Radmila Jančić
Published: January 2024

Polymer composites based on unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) and reinforced with particles based on unmodified/modified plant provenance biosilica particles were synthesized and characterized. An unsaturated polyester resin was obtained from waste poly (ethylene terephthalate (PET). Biosilaca particles are made from rice husk biomass. The surface of the produced silica particles was modified using three different silanes: 3-trimethoxysilylpropyl methacrylate (MEMO), trimethoxyvinylsilane (TMEVS), and 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS). The microhardness test method was used to investigate the mechanical properties of synthesized composite material with variations in dwell times and applied loads. Optimization of composite microhardness value prediction in function of synthesized parameters (type of modification of silica particles) and measurement parameters (applied loads and dwell times) was done using the method of response surface methodology (RSM) regression analysis. The maximal microhardness values (0.459 GPa) were obtained of type modification of silica particles with vinyl with 80% confidence for 120 experimental variables. This method can be used to choose the optimal dwell time and load for comparison of measurements between different composite materials and to enable the choice of the material in terms of optimization of the quality of reinforcement and quality of interphase determined by surface modification.
The Short Executive Function Scale
Authors: Karr Justin E.
Published: January 2024

This study involved a psychometric evaluation of the Short Executive Function Scale (SEFS), a new 15-item self-report questionnaire measuring five constructs: Planning, Inhibition, Working Memory, Shifting, and Emotional Control. Participants included 717 U.S. undergraduate students ( M = 18.9 years old, SD = 1.9; 78.8% cisgender female, 81.7% White) who completed the SEFS. A subset of 156 participants ( M = 18.8 years old, SD = 0.9; 79.5% cisgender female, 83.3% White) completed the SEFS again at 2- to 3-month retest along with the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult (BRIEF-A) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8). The five-factor model fit well (CFI = 0.941, RMSEA = 0.079) and each scale had acceptable internal consistency ( ω range: .68–.81) and test–retest reliability (ICC range: .75–.89). Apart from Shifting, all SEFS scales had significantly larger convergent validity coefficients with their respective BRIEF-A scales ( r range: −.25 to −.70) than discriminant validity coefficients with the PHQ-8 ( r range: −.06 to −.28). These findings provide preliminary psychometric support for the SEFS.
With God We Distrust! The Impact of Values in Conspiracy Theory Beliefs About Migration in Serbia
Authors: Nefes Türkay Salim , Milošević Đorđević Jasna , Vdović Milica
Published: January 2024

Immigrants are a popular target of conspiracy theories. Despite the urgent relevance of the topic all around the world today, the number of studies on conspiracy theories about migrants and immigration is limited. Helping to fill this important gap in the academic literature, the research analyses conspiracy theory beliefs about migrants and immigration in contemporary Serbia through survey data from a nationally representative sample (N = 1199). Expanding on the Weberian theory of rationality, the study proposes that people’s values about national sovereignty, social conservatism, and religiosity influence their predispositions to believe in conspiracy theories about migrants and immigration. The findings corroborate the argument by showing a statistically significant link between people’s political, social, and religious values and responses to conspiracy theories. The article concludes that values could play a significant role in people’s adoption of conspiracy theories.
The effect of asymmetric grammatical gender systems on second language processing: Evidence from ERPs
Authors: Saldaña Mara Pimentel , Corona-Dzul Beerelim , Carrasco-Ortiz Haydee
Published: January 2024

Aims and objectives: This study examined the effect of the first language (L1) grammatical gender (GG) system on the second language (L2) gender agreement processing, particularly when L1 and L2 are asymmetric in their number of gender values such as in Spanish and German languages. Methodology: Behavioral and brain responses (ERPs) were registered while German native-speakers (16) and Spanish-German bilinguals (24) read sentences for comprehension. We manipulated gender agreement between the determiner and the noun: Der/*die Ring, “themasc/*thefem ringmasc.” The nouns were either of similar or opposite gender across languages or unique in L2 (neuter gender). Data and analysis: Behavioral responses measured participants’ ability to discriminate grammatical from ungrammatical sentences. For ERPs, N400 and P600 components were analyzed by means of a linear mixed-effect model. Findings/conclusion: Behavioral data showed that German native-speakers discriminated gender agreement violations better than Spanish-German bilinguals, irrespective of lexical gender overlap across languages. Native speakers showed a P600 effect to gender agreement violations, whereas bilinguals showed an N400-like effect to gender mismatches that involved same-gender nouns across languages and neuter gender nouns. Interestingly, opposite gender nouns between L1 and L2 that agreed in gender with the determiner were processed as incorrect for the bilinguals. These results suggest transfer effects from L2 learners’ L1 GG system that facilitate L2 gender agreement processing for similar and neuter gender nouns or hinder it for opposite gender nouns across languages. Originality: This study used ERPs to demonstrate how asymmetries in terms of the number of lexical gender categories between L1 and L2 GG systems can affect L2 learners’ ability to process L2 gender agreement in a native-like manner. Significance/implications: These findings elucidate the challenges L2 learners face when learning a three-gender value system in L2, including a great number of gender incongruences between L1 and L2 nouns and a new neuter gender category.
GoogleNet transfer learning with improved gorilla optimized kernel extreme learning machine for accurate detection of asphalt pavement cracks
Authors: Lin Hanlei
Published: January 2024

Asphalt cracks are the initial indication and major pavement structural distress in the field of civil engineering because it might potentially intimidate road traffic and highway safety. Managing and maintaining pavement structures are the two crucial issues faced eventually by road administrators. It is essential to take immediate action regarding pavement structural damages to prevent its severity. In recent times, there established numerous deep learning-based image processing methods to detect pavement cracks, but due to the presence of interference factors such as noises and road markings in the images, those methods failed to provide high accuracy and efficiency. Therefore, with the aim to yield high accuracy of crack detection, this article designs a novel asphalt pavement crack identification system “GoogleNet transfer learning with improved gorilla optimized kernel extreme learning machine” (GNet TL with IGT-KELM). The road crack images used for perusal are acquired from NHA12D dataset, in which it consists of 40 asphalt pavement images with two different viewpoints. For the purpose of data balancing, some non-crack images are gathered by field survey. The images with large noise distortions and unwanted background information influence crack detection performance so that the preprocessing steps are executed before applying it to the prediction system. The most significant crack and non-crack features from the images are extracted using GNet TL model. With the extracted features, the KELM is well-trained to detect cracks and non-cracks separately. To increase crack detection performance of the classifier, an improved gorilla troop optimizer is introduced to optimize the KELM parameters. The experimental finding reveals that the proposed detection mechanism achieves crack recognition accuracy of about 98.93%, which is considerably greater than compared baseline approaches.
Semi-supervised learning for concrete defect segmentation from images
Authors: Wang Wenjun , Su Chao , Han Guohui , Hu Shaopei
Published: January 2024

Deep learning-based concrete defect detection has emerged as a promising technology to overcome the limitations of manual visual inspection, which is often subjective, laborious, and time-consuming. However, most existing methods rely heavily on manual labels and adopt a fully supervised learning approach, which hinders their practical application in engineering. To tackle these concerns, we proposed a semi-supervised learning model, termed Semi-SegDefect. Our proposal utilizes a mean teacher architecture to assign pseudo-labels to the pixels of unlabeled images and performs pixel-level contrastive learning on a sparse set of hard negative pixels to achieve segmentation boundaries with the highest possible accuracy. Test results demonstrate that Semi-SegDefect outperforms fully supervised models significantly, especially when trained with limited labeled data. This method shows great promise for enhancing the accuracy and scalability of concrete defect segmentation and can contribute to the advancement of the construction industry.
The design methods meshwork: Activating the Design Methods Group Newsletter through digital history
Authors: Vardouli Theodora , Leblanc Maxime , Pertigkiozoglou Eliza
Published: January 2024

This article elaborates a computationally enabled approach to the study of design methods in 1960s North America. This entails the construction, visualization, and analysis of a digital database built from entries of the Design Methods Group Newsletter, a periodical published monthly between 1966-71. The article proposes a workflow that combines methods such as topic modeling and network visualization to activate the Newsletter as a source of anecdotal and informal knowledge, and to enable histories of connectivity and transaction that may elude archival investigations on singular actors or institutions. In doing so, the article contributes arguments and techniques for the study of design methods as a complex social, technical, and intellectual meshwork. The meshwork brings discursive themes, techniques, actors, and institutions at the same level of investigation and allows for layered cartographies of the field that advanced the systematic study of design and ushered in the development of early computer applications.
Trust in Medical Research: A Comparative Study among Patients at a Regional Referral Hospital and Community Members in Lira District, Northern Uganda
Authors: Pulle Jafesi , Loue Sana , Kiwanuka Gertrude N. , Francis Bajunirwe
Published: January 2024

Events such as the Tuskegee syphilis study shaped how the public perceives and trusts medical research globally. However, few studies have examined trust in medical research in developing countries. We tested the hypothesis that levels of trust may be lower among community members compared to hospitalized persons in Uganda. We enrolled 296 participants in rural northern Uganda, and 148(50%) were from the community, 192(65%) were female. Mean level of trust for medical research was higher among hospitalized persons compared to community members (p = 0.0001). Previous research participation (p = 0.03), and willingness to participate in future research (p = 0.001) were positively associated with trust. Medical personnel should engage more with the communities in which they practice fostering trust in medical research.
Socio-ecological regime shifts in New England (USA), 1620–2020
Authors: Sedalia Peters James
Published: January 2024

Relationships between nature and society are made manifest in the production of landscapes. Consequently, landscape changes indicate changes in the relationships between nature and society. Forged at regional scales over long periods of time, nature/society relationships, like natural and social systems, exhibit periods of equilibrium, stability, and incremental change that eventually give way to new periods of equilibrium, stability, and incremental change in which causal relationships have changed. The paper presents a landscape changebased, grounded theory periodization of the New England (USA) region’s Anthropocene history. Its intent is to provide temporal boundaries within which processes, events, records, and artifacts can be examined within shared socio-ecological frames of reference, a first step in the development of new socio-ecologically-based historical narratives. Locating the “inaugural moment” of New England’s Anthropocene epoch at the establishment of Plymouth Colony in 1620, the beginning of England’s colonialization of this forested North American region, the paper presents and interprets regularity analyses of population density, land-use/land cover, and other data related to landscape shaping processes, identifying socio-ecological regime shifts from the aboriginal Late Woodlands regime to the English Colonial regime and subsequent shifts to the American Industrial regime in 1830 and the American Post-Industrial regime in 1970 along with their nested, subsidiary regimes. Previous periodizations of the region’s history are discussed, and a narrative of the region’s Anthropocene history is outlined based on the paper’s periodization. It is observed that displacements of a socio-ecological regime serve as resources for the next regime, that ghosts of past regimes are present in today’s environmental challenges, but that socio-ecological regime shifts are difficult to forecast.
Assessing the Impact of Asset-Based Community Development Approach on Rural Poverty Alleviation in Ghana: The Moderating Role of Government Policies
Authors: Chen Hao , Xu Yaying , Agba Tackie Evelyn , Ahakwa Isaac
Published: January 2024

This paper investigates the effects of the asset-based community development (ABCD) approach, thus, local resources, asset mobilization, and citizens’ participation on rural poverty alleviation in the northern part of Ghana by employing the moderating role of government policies. A total of five hundred fifty (550) questionnaires were administered in three (3) regions of the northern part of Ghana (Upper West, Upper East, and Northern); however, five hundred twenty-two (522) accurately filled responses were retrieved and used for the analysis. More robust structural equation modeling techniques are used to uncover accurate and reliable results. The results prove that local resources, asset mobilization, and citizen participation boost rural poverty alleviation. Also, the moderation role of government policies between asset mobilization and rural poverty alleviation is positive and significant. However, the moderation role of government policies on local resources and rural poverty alleviation nexus, and citizens’ participation and rural poverty alleviation nexus are statistically insignificant. Based on the study’s findings, policy recommendations applicable in Ghana and other developing regions have been proposed.