bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimization of the Non-Linear Diffussion Equations
Authors: Fwamba Rukia , Chepkwony Isaac , Fwamba Wekulo
Published: April 2024

Partial Differential Equations are used in smoothening of images. Under partial differential equations an image is termed as a function; f(x, y), XÎR2. The pixel flux is referred to as an edge stopping function since it ensures that diffusion occurs within the image region but zero at the boundaries; ux(0, y, t) = ux(p, y, t) = uy(x, 0, t) = uy(x, q, t). Nonlinear PDEs tend to adjust the quality of the image, thus giving images desirable outlooks. In the digital world there is need for images to be smoothened for broadcast purposes, medical display of internal organs i.e MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), study of the galaxy, CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) among others. This model inputs optimization in the smoothening of images. The solutions of the diffusion equations were obtained using iterative algorithms i.e. Alternating Direction Implicit (ADI) method, Two-point Explicit Group Successive Over-Relaxation (2-EGSOR) and a successive implementation of these two approaches. These schemes were executed in MATLAB (Matrix Laboratory) subject to an initial condition of a noisy images characterized by pepper noise, Gaussian noise, Brownian noise, Poisson noise etc. As the algorithms were implemented in MATLAB, the smoothing effect reduced at places with possibilities of being boundaries, the parameters Cv (pixel flux), Cf (coefficient of the forcing term), b (the threshold parameter) alongside time t were estimated through optimization. Parameter b maintained the highest value, while Cv exhibited the lowest value implying that diffusion of pixels within the various images i.e. CCTV, MRI & Galaxy was limited to enhance smoothening. On the other hand the threshold parameter (b) took an escalated value across the images translating to a high level of the force responsible for smoothening.
CPV Monitoring - Optimization of Control Chart Design by Reducing the False Alarm Rate and Nuisance Signal
Authors: Muralidharan Naveenganesh , Johnson Thatsinee , Rose Leyla , Davis Mark
Published: April 2024

The Food and Drug Administration’s 2011 Process Validation Guidance and International Council for Harmonization Quality Guidelines recommend continued process verification (CPV) as a mandatory requirement for pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, and other regulated industries. As a part of product life cycle management, after process characterization in stage 1 and process qualification and validation in stage-2, CPV is performed as stage-3 validation during commercial manufacturing. CPV ensures that the process continues to remain within a validated state. CPV requires the collection and analysis of data related to critical quality attributes, critical material attributes, and critical process parameters on a minimum basis. Data is then used to elucidate process control regarding the capability to meet predefined specifications and stability via statistical process control (SPC) tools. In SPC, the control charts and Nelson rules are commonly used throughout the industry to monitor and trend data to ensure that a process remains in control. However, basic control charts are susceptible to false alarms and nuisance alarms. Therefore, it is imperative to understand the assumptions behind control charts and the inherent false alarm rates for different Nelson rules. In this article, the authors have detailed the assumptions behind the usage of control charts, the rate of false alarms for different Nelson rules, the impact of skewness and kurtosis of a data distribution on the false alarm rate, and methods for optimizing control chart design by reducing false alarm rates and nuisance signals.
Surgical Management Outcome of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Gebremichael Niyat , Abdissa Michael , Amtataw Wondwossen , Endazenaw Getabalew
Published: April 2024

Background: Bladder outlet obstruction, common in older men, shows increased detrusor pressure and reduced urine flow during voiding. Diagnosis typically involves studying flow-rate and detrusor pressure values. Transvesical prostatectomy is a common treatment for significant prostatic enlargement, but real-world outcome data are scarce. Objective: To assess symptomatic improvement, changes in urinary incontinence and complications after transvesical prostatectomy for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Methods: Prospective cross-sectional study design was used and SPSS statistical software version 25 was used for data entry and analysis. Results: The mean age of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia was 64.73±8.7 years. Preoperative international prostate symptoms score (IPSS) was 27.6±3.08. At 3 months, IPSS declined significantly to 8.13±2.86 (p<0.001). Preoperative incontinence completely resolved in 30% and partially improved in 70% of patients. New onset incontinence occurred in 13.5%. At 6 months, IPSS was 5.67±2.31. Of those with new postoperative incontinence, 42.9% completely resolved and 57.1% improved. For preoperative incontinence, 71.4% completely resolved and 28.6% partially improved. Erectile function failed to improve. Conclusion: The study showed trans-vesical prostatectomy results promising results in lower urinary tract symptoms improvement. Post-op incontinence got better for most, but erectile function didn't return to normal.
Prevalence of Alcohol Consumption in Mozambique: Analysis Based on Household Budget Survey (IOF 2022)
Authors: Macia Sandre , Filimone Carlos , Humulane Américo
Published: April 2024

Worldwide the excessive consumption of alcohol in 2016 was considered as responsible for 5% of deaths and more than 200 illnesses and injuries. There are several studies conducted around the world to understand the prevalence of alcohol consumption. However, in Mozambique, there are few studies conducted to determine the prevalence of alcohol consumption, as well as, to characterize the consumers, using data from nationally representative surveys. The current study, identify the prevalence of alcohol consumption in Mozambique, according to socio-demographic characteristics of population using data from the Household Budget Survey (IOF 2022) carried out by the National Statistics Institute in 2022. The analysis of data was based in descriptive statistics. The study results revel that the prevalence of alcohol consumption in Mozambique is 24.6%, higher among men (27%), compared to woman (23%). The prevalence is high among people between 18 - 65 years old (26%) and people with higher education (34%). Around 17% of teenagers, between 15 and 17 years old, in both sexes, purchased and consumed alcoholic beverages, despite the prohibition of Mozambican legislation. The provinces of Tete (37.2%), Maputo (32.3%) and Zambézia (30.3%) have the highest prevalence of alcoholic beverages consumption and the province of Niassa (3.7%) has the lowest prevalence. Beer (46%) is the most consumed alcoholic beverage in Mozambique, followed by traditional alcoholic beverages (44%).
ICESat-2 Shows Sea Ice Leads Have Little Overall Effects on the Arctic Cloudiness in Cold Months
Authors: Liu Zheng , Schweiger Axel
Published: April 2024

The effect of leads in Arctic sea ice on clouds is a potentially important climate feedback. We use observations of clouds and leads from the Ice, Cloud and Land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2) to study the effects of leads on clouds. Both leads and clouds are strongly forced by synoptic weather conditions, with more clouds over both leads and sea ice at lower sea level pressure. Contrary to previous studies, we find that the overall lead effect on low-level cloud cover is −0.02, a weak cloud dissipating effect in cold months, after the synoptic forcing influence is removed. This is due to compensating contributions from the cloud dissipating effect by newly frozen leads under high pressure systems and the cloud enhancing effect by newly open leads under low pressure system. The lack of proper representation of lead effect on clouds in current climate models and reanalyses may impact their performance in winter months, such as in sea ice growth and Arctic cyclone development.
Impact of Straight Stomach Reconstruction on Delayed Gastric Emptying and Nutritional Recovery After Pancreaticoduodenectomy
Authors: Iwanaga Naoki , Ito Yuzuru , Miyano Shozo , Machida Michio , Watanobe Ikuo , Sugo Hiroyuki
Published: April 2024

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a modified reconstruction technique—anchored straight stomach reconstruction—in reducing the incidence of delayed gastric emptying (DGE) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) and its impact on postoperative nutritional recovery.

Methods

A case series analysis of 125 consecutive PD patients was conducted: 104 of them had undergone anchored straight stomach reconstruction (SSR group) and the remaining 21 without (Non-SSR group). The incidence of DGE and the change in postoperative nutritional status (body weight and serum albumin level during 12 months post-surgery) were compared.

Results

The incidence of DGE in the SSR group (13%) was significantly lower than that in the Non-SSR group (33%) ( P = .018); further the significant DGE (grade B or C) was only 5%. Comparison of nutritional status showed that SSR facilitated a prompt recovery of body weight and serum albumin level at 6 months after PD. At 12 months after surgery, body weight gain was significantly better in the SSR group than in the Non-SSR group ( P = .006), and albumin level tended to be higher in the SSR group ( P = .071).

Conclusion

Straight stomach reconstruction is able to reduce DGE in patients after PD and also improves their postoperative nutritional recovery.
The Anvil, the Ascent, and Enoch
Authors: Richter Amy E.
Published: April 2024

First Enoch, a pseudepigraphical work from the Second Temple period, contains visions of the natural and supernatural world that cause the visionary, Enoch, to understand anew the beyond-human world. Written during a time of environmental devastation, 1 Enoch can be a resource for helping today’s readers rewild our religious imaginations, our understanding of worship, and our relationship with nonhuman creation. This essay offers a reflection on how the Book of the Watchers in 1 Enoch and the author’s failed attempts to reach a mountain peak helped the author better understand the unseating of humanity as the center of creation as an experience of grace.
Dynamic modeling and contraction metric-based tube model predictive control for mineral hydraulic collection
Authors: Jiang Min , Lu Xinjiang , Wu Hongyun , Chen Binzheng
Published: April 2024

Efficient mineral hydraulic collection is a key issue in the mining of deep-sea minerals, where the collection efficiency is related to the lifted fluid velocity and the mineral particle velocity. In this paper, a robust control contraction metric (RCCM)-based tube model predictive control (Tube-MPC) for efficient mineral hydraulic collection is proposed. Firstly, a simplified control model is designed with empirical formula of hydrodynamic forces to avoid the computational burden in solution of the fluid equations. Secondly, a nonlinear programing problem (NLP) for efficiency optimization is formulated to calculate the nominal control law and the optimal state. To address external disturbance and model mismatch from the simplified model, a robust control contraction metric is utilized to calculate the feedback control law to track the optimal state. Finally, numerical simulations and experiments are conducted to verify the mineral hydraulic collection performance of the control strategy.
Resilient or declining? An institutional analysis of employer associations and their implications for companies in the European Union
Authors: Sánchez-Mosquera Marcial , Gutiérrez González Pablo
Published: April 2024

Institutional transformations in recent decades have limited the weight and power of collective actors. Notwithstanding this, literature on employer associations (EAs) has argued a resilient performance in terms of affiliation. In this paper, we use comparative institutional analysis to evaluate the actual scope of these associations in terms of membership and the share of workforce employed by their members. Moreover, by utilising a logistic regression approach we delve into the drivers of the choice to join these organisations. Our results show a general decline of EAs, and point to large manufacturing companies as the great reservoirs of affiliation. However, institutional variations across Europe cause significant differences between countries. We thus demonstrate how membership is strongly influenced by the institutional framework, the relevance of the variables related to the provision of collective goods as a counterbalance to trade union activity and adherence to collective bargaining schemes.
Perceived Power Polarizes Moral Evaluations
Authors: Roberts Russell , Koch Alex
Published: April 2024

We show an interactive effect of perceiver-target similarity in ideological beliefs and target power on impressions of target morality. Consistent with prior research, perceivers rated targets with dissimilar ideologies as less moral than targets with similar ideologies, but this difference in ratings was magnified for powerful targets relative to less powerful targets. We argue that these results emerged because perceivers expected similar-ideology, powerful (vs. powerless) targets to help the self more, and expected dissimilar-ideology, powerful (vs. powerless) targets to hurt the self more. We establish this effect when people evaluate politicians (Study 1), groups, and individuals (Studies 2a-2b); demonstrate its predictive power over other kinds of interpersonal similarity; and show that it affects morality judgments uniquely when compared with other consequential dimensions of social evaluation. Finally, we manipulated power experimentally and showed the interaction when the difference between high- and low-power manipulations was controlled over just $1 (Studies 3-4).
Continuous Shear Wave Elastography for Liver Using Frame-to-Frame Equalization of Complex Amplitude
Authors: Tano Naoki , Koda Ren , Tanigawa Shunichiro , Kamiyama Naohisa , Yamakoshi Yoshiki , Tabaru Marie
Published: April 2024

This study addresses a crucial necessity in the field of noninvasive liver fibrosis diagnosis by introducing the concept of continuous shear wave elastography (C-SWE), utilizing an external vibration source and color Doppler imaging. However, an application of C-SWE to assess liver elasticity, a deep region within the human body, arises an issue of signal instability in the obtained data. To tackle this challenge, this work proposes a method involving the acquisition of multiple frames of datasets, which are subsequently compressed. Furthermore, the proposed frame-to-frame equalization method compensates discrepancies in the initial phase that might exist among multiple-frame datasets, thereby significantly enhancing signal stability. The experimental validation of this approach encompasses both phantom tests and in vivo experiments. In the phantom tests, the proposed technique is validated through a comparison with the established shear wave elastography (SWE) technique. The results demonstrate a remarkable agreement, with an error in shear wave velocity of less than 4.2%. Additionally, the efficacy of the proposed method is confirmed through in vivo tests. As a result, the stabilization of observed shear waves using the frame-to-frame equalization technique exhibits promising potential for accurately assessing human liver elasticity. These findings collectively underscore the viability of C-SWE as a potential diagnostic instrument for liver fibrosis.
Industry comparative advantage and support for redistribution: A cross-country cross-industry analysis of the political economy of trade
Authors: van Hoorn André
Published: April 2024

A fundamental insight of various trade theories is that trade does not have a universally negative effect on different business activities in different countries. Rather, trade’s impact varies concomitantly with the specific country and activity considered. This empirical note expands prior work linking trade to redistribution preferences by using sectoral comparative advantage to incorporate the notion that trade may hurt the prospects of a specific group in one country (e.g. workers in a highly tradeable or offshorable industry) but will simultaneously benefit this same group in another country. We expect that individuals in industries with a weaker (stronger) comparative advantage suffer (benefit) more from trade and are therefore more (less) in favour of redistribution. Empirical results confirm this expected effect of comparative advantage on redistribution preferences. We conclude that considering countries’ comparative (dis)advantage in certain activities provides a deeper and more general understanding of the political consequences of trade.
Rehabilitation for adult patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Authors: Polastri Massimiliano , Eden Allaina , Swol Justyna
Published: April 2024

Background and purpose

Current information on the latest rehabilitative practices is limited, with previous reviews only covering data up to October 2021, and some considering only patients on awake ECMO or with COVID-19. This review aims to present a concise overview of the latest findings on rehabilitation and highlight emerging trends for patients undergoing ECMO support.

Methods

This integrative review was conducted by searching the National Library of Medicine – PubMed database. Two different search strings “extracorporeal membrane oxygenation” AND “rehabilitation” and “extracorporeal membrane oxygenation” AND “physiotherapy” were used to search the published literature. Articles that did not describe rehabilitation techniques, editorials, conference proceedings, letters to editor, reviews and research protocols were excluded. Studies conducted on pediatric populations were also excluded. The search process was completed in December 2023.

Results

Thirteen articles were included in the final analysis. Eight hundred and thirty-nine patients aged between 27 and 63 years were included; 428 were men (51%). In 31% of the included studies, patients had COVID-19; nevertheless, rehabilitative activities did not differ from non-COVID-19 patients. In most studies, rehabilitation commenced within the first 48–96 h and consisted of progressive exercise and out-of-bed activities such as sitting, standing and walking.

Conclusion

Current practice focuses on rehabilitative protocols that incorporate exercise routines with progressive intensity, greater emphasis on out-of-bed activities, and a multidisciplinary approach to patient mobilization.
Spiralling Engagement Experiences of Creativity (SEEC): A process of research-led arts creation for facilitating experiences of flourishing in participants’ lives
Authors: Ballantyne Julie , Klein Eve
Published: April 2024

Research in the area of Positive Psychology typically investigates positive psychological interventions and their impact on the lives of participants, positive psychology as an approach to enhance the lives of participants, or investigations of particular populations in search of evidence of flourishing. This paper presents a research process of embodied, creative engagement to facilitate the exploration of research phenomena within community contexts. Entitled Spiralling Engagement Experiences of Creativity (SEEC), the process adapts concepts from Poetic Inquiry as the basis for exploring a phenomenon and extending participants’ engagement with that phenomenon through the facilitation of creative activities. This pilot study focused on the phenomenon of flourishing, using preliminary participant conversations to generate poetry/lyrics that tell individual, personal stories. Participants repeatedly engaged with their own positive personal stories to create an artwork that they could use to remind themselves of ways to interpret their lives. The benefit of this research process is that it prioritises participants making sense of their own lives in creative ways while exploring a phenomenon of interest. The SEEC process has the potential for use in varied contexts where the intersection of a deliberate research and arts-making framework would be helpful for exploring a phenomenon of inquiry.
Basophil activation test in the diagnostic workup of perioperative anaphylaxis due to neuromuscular blocking agents: A case series and implications for practice
Authors: Baig Mahanoor , Nanjappa Nagesh C , Perkins Griffith B , Di Lernia Rachel , Thiruvenkatarajan Venkatesan , Hissaria Pravin
Published: April 2024

In Australia, neuromuscular blocking agents are the leading cause of perioperative anaphylaxis. Current investigation of suspected anaphylaxis includes tryptase levels, serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, and skin testing, including intradermal testing and skin prick testing. The gold standard for the diagnosis of a hypersensitivity reaction is a challenge test, but this poses a risk to patient safety. An alternative test, known as the basophil activation test (BAT) is a form of cellular in vitro testing using flow cytometry to measure the degree of basophil degranulation within a sample of blood following exposure to an allergen. This acts as a surrogate marker for mast cell and basophil activation, thereby identifying IgE-mediated allergy. It is most commonly used to supplement equivocal findings from initial in vitro testing to assist in confirming the diagnosis of a hypersensitivity reaction and identify the causative agent. We present a case series in which five patients with suspected anaphylaxis underwent a BAT, demonstrating its role and limitations in allergy testing within Australia.
Trainee anaesthetist self-assessment using an entrustment scale in workplace-based assessment
Authors: Castanelli Damian J , Woods Jennifer B , Chander Anusha R , Weller Jennifer M
Published: April 2024

The role of self-assessment in workplace-based assessment remains contested. However, anaesthesia trainees need to learn to judge the quality of their own work. Entrustment scales have facilitated a shared understanding of performance standards among supervisors by aligning assessment ratings with everyday clinical supervisory decisions. We hypothesised that if the entrustment scale similarly helped trainees in their self-assessment, there would be substantial agreement between supervisor and trainee ratings. We collected separate mini-clinical evaluation exercises forms from 113 anaesthesia trainee-supervisor pairs from three hospitals in Australia and New Zealand. We calculated the agreement between trainee and supervisor ratings using Pearson and intraclass correlation coefficients. We also tested for associations with demographic variables and examined narrative comments for factors influencing rating. We found ratings agreed in 32% of cases, with 66% of trainee ratings within one point of the supervisor rating on a nine-point scale. The correlation between trainee and supervisor ratings was 0.71, and the degree of agreement measured by the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.67. With higher supervisor ratings, trainee ratings better correlated with supervisor ratings. We found no strong association with demographic variables. Possible explanations of divergent ratings included one party being unaware of a vital aspect of the performance and different interpretations of the prospective nature of the scale. The substantial concordance between trainee and supervisor ratings supports the contention that the entrustment scale helped produce a shared understanding of the desired performance standard. Discussion between trainees and supervisors on the reasoning underlying their respective judgements would provide further opportunities to enhance this shared understanding.
Examining Congestion Pricing Scheme Effectiveness Using the Travel Time Congestion Index
Authors: Marazi Naveed Farooz , Majumdar Bandhan Bandhu , Sahu Prasanta K.
Published: April 2024

This study investigated the effectiveness of congestion pricing (CP) using the travel time congestion index (TTCI), a congestion assessment tool, in Hyderabad, India. Initially, a set of hypothetical mode choice scenarios under the CP scheme were designed to collect car users’ perceptions based on a stated preference (SP) experiment. Based on the SP survey data, discrete travel behavior models were developed to estimate the probable modal trade-off among cars, two-wheelers, and public buses under the generated CP scenarios. Using the existing traffic, geometric, and land-use data from the most congested corridors of the study city, TTCI values were estimated for the base and future conditions, followed by commuter volume estimation for the different conditions using vehicle occupancy factors. Further, the commuter volume derived from modal trade-off under CP scenarios was converted into traffic volume for the identified congested corridors. Finally, the TTCI values were re-estimated using the final traffic volume and compared across worst, best-worst (intermediate), and best case CP scenarios for the base and future years. An annual average growth of 5% in traffic volume was considered. The results show a significant improvement in TTCI values across all identified corridors under CP implementation, indicating its effectiveness toward congestion alleviation. Such demonstration of CP effectiveness could play a major role in making CP a successful travel demand management measure for cities burdened with congestion.
Evaluation of Effect of Structural Condition on Surface Deterioration for Flexible Pavements Using Traffic Speed Deflection Device
Authors: Jia Xiaoyang , Zhu Di
Published: April 2024

With the introduction of traffic speed deflection devices (TSDD), collecting network-level surface deflection data becomes more efficient and convenient. State highway agencies (SHAs) are paying more attention to the incorporation of structural information into pavement management systems to support maintenance and rehabilitation (M&R) analysis. For those SHAs who conduct M&R analysis based solely on surface condition data, it is crucial to understand how the inclusion of structural condition data may affect the performance model, which structural indices may be well-suited for their needs, and where these indices may be placed in their current flowchart of M&R analysis. To address these issues, in this study, the effects of eight structural indices obtained from TSDD on surface condition deterioration were investigated using TSDD data and surface condition data collected in Tennessee. The effects of structural indices on surface deterioration were evaluated using multiple regression, classification and regression tree analysis, and 1-year deterioration curve analysis. Surface curvature index, SCI_12, was found to be a significant factor influencing surface deteriorations. Structural indices representing condition of base layers and subgrade were less sensitive to the surface deterioration. To facilitate implementation, a flowchart of how to incorporate structural indices into M&R analysis procedure was proposed.
Laboratory and Field Performance Evaluation of Cracking of Airfield Warm Mix Asphalt with Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement at the National Airport Pavement and Materials Research Center
Authors: Alvarez Dario Batioja , Kazmee Hasan , Garg Navneet
Published: April 2024

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration is exploring initiatives to decrease transportation greenhouse gas emissions by developing carbon reduction strategies, including using low-embodied carbon materials, such as reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP), in airport pavement construction. However, verifying RAP’s viability for airfield pavements with laboratory and field performance measures is essential. This study compared the cracking susceptibility of a P-401 hot mix asphalt and warm mix asphalt (WMA)+RAP airfield mixes using laboratory performance tests and conducted a preliminary evaluation of pavement responses from accelerated pavement testing (APT) fatigue tests. The observations and outcomes presented in this paper found that adding 20% of recycled materials with WMA additives had a decreasing impact in mix performance but did not overly affect the asphalt mix properties, as cracking properties from the different test procedures were found with comparable outcomes. Additional observations from strain gauges and temperature probes in the National Airport Pavement and Materials Research Center test cycle 2 APT fatigue test sections showed that the maximum tensile strains in the WMA surface lane 5 south section were consistently higher than those in the WMA+RAP lane 6 south section, which may be because of the higher load level that it was exposed. Additionally, the hardened or aged RAP binder in the entire lane 6 south section may have increased its stiffness, resulting in lower strain levels than in the lane 5 south section. Notably, both sections showed an increase in tensile strains with an increase in asphalt concrete temperature, which confirmed the temperature dependency behavior of asphalt concrete.
Medical photography and the reconstructive urologist: A 6-month prospective study
Authors: Pina Ines M , Omar Ahmad M , Floyd Michael S
Published: April 2024

Medical photography has multiple, important roles. The education of medical practitioners, documentation of disease, response to treatment, research, publication, intraoperative recording and trauma documentation all rely on medical photography. Additionally, there are important medicolegal implications pertaining to medical photography across many medical disciplines. Other than specific image use to document cases, there remains a paucity of urological literature regarding the use of medical photography in Urology. The aims of this 6-month study were to document the use of medical photography by a Reconstructive Urological Service in a tertiary referral centre and to assess the range of urological conditions photographed. A secondary aim was to specifically document intraoperative use of the medical photography.
A comprehensive review on the integration of geographic information systems and artificial intelligence for landfill site selection: A systematic mapping perspective
Authors: Kuhaneswaran Banujan , Chamanee Gayathri , Kumara Banage Thenna Gedara Samantha
Published: April 2024

Properly selecting landfill sites for waste disposal is crucial for mitigating environmental and public health risks. Geographic Information Systems (GISs) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques have emerged as valuable tools for identifying suitable landfill locations. This study presents a systematic mapping study (SMS) that investigates the usage of GIS and AI in landfill site selection. We searched six databases (IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library, Science Direct, Emerald Insight, Taylor & Francis Online and Web of Science) using predefined keywords related to landfills, GIS and AI. From 858 initially retrieved articles, we selected 48 relevant articles for in-depth analysis. Our research aimed to answer various questions, such as publication trends, the geographic distribution of case studies, criteria for assessing landfill suitability, tools and techniques employed, preliminary site screening methods, decision-making processes, limitations and future research directions. We used bubble charts, bar charts and tables to visualize the results. The findings of our study highlight the growing interest in using GIS and AI for landfill site selection and emphasize the importance of incorporating multi-criteria decision-making techniques. Furthermore, the results reveal the need for developing more advanced AI models, addressing the limitations of current approaches and exploring novel visualization techniques for enhancing landfill site selection processes. This study provides valuable insights for researchers and practitioners in waste management, environmental science and geoinformatics. It sets the groundwork for future research on improving GIS- and AI-based landfill site selection methodologies.
The Entangled Emergencies of COVID-19
Authors: Decoteau Claire Laurier
Published: April 2024

City of Chicago officials adopted a “racial equity” approach to mitigate the disproportionate racial impact of COVID-19, yet according to interviews with racially and socioeconomically marginalized Chicagoans, this approach failed to address core vulnerabilities associated with health, housing, mental health, and welfare. This article argues that COVID-19 represents and reifies the convergence of three sets of emergencies. First, federal and local governments governed through emergency, enacting temporally bounded governmental strategies that presumed scarcity, triaged care, and naturalized structural inequality by delinking the effects of racism from its causes. This response was spectacular and anticipatory—designed to safeguard the status quo until “normalcy” could be restored. This approach exacerbated two existing endemic emergencies: (1) the slow emergencies racially marginalized populations have faced for decades due to neoliberal restructuring and fragmented care infrastructure and (2) the sacrifice of lower-income frontline workers to premature death to safeguard the economy and protect the middle class.
Preparing Special Educators and School Principals in Special Education Law: An Undervalued Area of Professional Training?
Authors: Casale Ellen G. , Green Alysia F. , Goldman Samantha E. , Burke Meghan M. , Hodapp Robert M.
Published: April 2024

Although special education legal knowledge is central to educating students with disabilities, how two critical school professionals—special educators and school principals—garner such knowledge is unclear. This study identified gaps in the professional training for special educators and school principals by examining professional standards and common textbooks. After identifying 32 special education legal concepts, we used content analysis to determine the extent to which each concept was mentioned in professional standards and preservice textbooks (five in special education, six in principal preparation, and four in school law). Compared with special education textbooks (in which 68%–84% of special education legal concepts were mentioned), preservice principals received less information on special education law in their general textbooks (3%–13% of concepts mentioned), although gaps narrowed when examining school law textbooks (63%–81%). Special education and school law texts consistently included concepts related to the six pillars of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA), as well as more specific concepts, such as discipline/behavior and related services. Rarely mentioned concepts were extended school year, resolution meetings, and compensatory services. We discuss training, research, and policy implications.
Experimental and numerical study on configuration, shape, distance and angle of attack in film cooling implementing vortex generator
Authors: Halder Nirmal
Published: April 2024

The impact of vortex generator configuration, shape, angle of attack and distance between vortex generator and film cooling hole has been studied using both experimental and numerical methods for enhancing the gas turbine blade’s film cooling efficiency. Infrared (IR) thermography technique has been used for investigating the temperature field. In order to obtain the velocity field ANSYS FLUENT has been implemented. The diameter of the film cooling hole and the cross-flow velocity are used to calculate the Reynolds number, which is set at 2369. The blowing ratio of the jet to the cross-flow has been changed to 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5. Effect of CFU and common flow down configuration has been investigated. The angle of attack has been varied as 35° and 45°. It is observed that common flow down configuration of vortex generator performs better than Common Flow Up configuration. Common flow down configuration as well as lower distance between vortex generator and film cooling hole enhance the film cooling effectiveness due to generation of secondary longitudinal vortices which decrease the strength of the counter rotating vortex structures. Among all the shape (triangular, rectangular and trapezoidal) rectangular vortex generator performs better. Growths of shear layer vortices are modified due to the inclusion of vortex generator. Overall, Vortex Generator with common flow down configuration and 35° angle of attack performs better than Common Flow Up configuration due to generation of secondary longitudinal vortices which annihilates the counter rotating vortex structures due to having rotational tendency opposite to Counter rotating vortex pair.
Persistent Cytopenia After CD19 CAR T Therapy in Relapsed/Refractory DLBCL Patients Could Be a Predictor of Efficacy and Side Effects
Authors: Li Jingyi , Mu Juan , Wang Jia , Li Xin , Li Qing , Jiang Yili , Cui Rui , Deng Qi
Published: April 2024

Hematological toxicity is a severe adverse event (AE) in anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy for relapsed/refractory (R/R) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). However, the pathophysiological mechanism underlying prolonged cytopenia and the relationship between persistent cytopenia, efficacy, and AEs after anti-CD19 CAR T cell therapy are unknown. Therefore, this study explored whether persistent cytopenia after anti-CD19 CAR T cell therapy in patients with R/R DLBCL can predict therapeutic efficacy and AEs. Thirty-eight patients with R/R DLBCL were enrolled in an anti-CD19 CAR T cell therapy clinical trial. Patients received lymphodepleting chemotherapy with fludarabine and cyclophosphamide before CAR T cell therapy. The degree and duration of cytopenia, clinical response, proportion of CAR T cells, interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels, AEs, and follow-up were observed after therapy. Grades 3–4 persistent cytopenia occurred in 14 patients with R/R DLBCL, who recovered 8–18 weeks after CAR T cell infusion. These patients achieved an objective response rate (ORR) for anti-CD19 CAR T cell therapy. In patients who achieved ORR, the incidence of Grades 3–4 persistent cytopenia was higher in patients with a high tumor load than in those without a high tumor load. The mean peaks of IL-6 and anti-CD19 CAR T cells and the cytokine release syndrome grade in patients with Grades 3–4 persistent cytopenia were higher than those in patients without persistent cytopenia. Anti-CD19 CAR T cells were observed 21 and 28 days after infusion, and patients had Grades 3–4 persistent cytopenia. Progression-free and overall survival were higher in patients with Grades 3–4 persistent cytopenia than in those without cytopenia. Therefore, persistent cytopenia after anti-CD19 CAR T cell therapy in patients with R/R DLBCL can predict therapeutic efficacy and AEs, allowing clinicians to determine the efficiency of CD-19 CAR T cell therapy and the associated AEs.
A Developmental and Life-Course Approach to Further Understanding of the Nature and Causes of Intimate Partner Violence and Femicide
Authors: Narvey Chelsey S. , Kaukinen Catherine , Piquero Nicole Leeper , Piquero Alex R.
Published: April 2024

The current paper explores the theoretical and empirical capacity of developmental and life-course criminology (DLC) to further our understanding of non-lethal intimate partner violence (IPV) and femicide. Drawing on Sampson and Laub’s age-graded theory and Moffitt’s dual taxonomy, the paper delves into empirical research that has identified and examined the overlap between general offending and IPV, highlighting how these DLC theoretical frameworks could provide insight into non-lethal IPV and femicide. We also outline the ways in which these DLC perspectives are challenged to fully address the gendered nature of IPV and less able to provide an empirical and theoretical understanding of the role of power and control by men over their women partners. We then place these frameworks within the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on gender-based violence, including femicide. While the COVID-19 lockdowns increased vulnerability to IPV and increased homicide in the United States, the expected rise in femicide did not materialize—at least within the United States, prompting questions about the extent to which existing criminological theories are able to provide a framework for these types of crime trends during unprecedented events. We examine the way non-lethal and lethal IPV are shaped by different factors as outlined in Moffitt’s dual taxonomy. The pandemic for example did not create increased psychopathy (i.e., affective and personality disorders) associated with the risk for femicide, but the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns did create increased economic and family stressors, which placed many at-risk women and children in further social isolation, and reduced access to victim services. We conclude a need for further theoretical development surrounding femicide, integrating developmental and life-course perspectives, thereby emphasizing the need for refined frameworks to address the intricate dynamics of violence against women globally.
From Graphic Surface to Continuous Surface
Authors: Capomaggi Julia
Published: April 2024

The interior spaces we inhabit every day are defined by a system of cultural and symbolic references manifest in surfaces, objects, furniture, and art pieces that colonize and design our everyday spaces. For this research, the author aims to develop a theory concerning the shaping of interior space by the surface, informed by domestic interiors published in the magazine Domus during Gio Ponti’s second tenure as editor-in-chief (1948–1978). Domus helped to build a design culture in Italy and Europe by publishing domestic interiors understood as a field where the efforts of artists, architects, and designers coalesced, and the room became the place where disciplinary specificities dissolved.
Challenges to Laboratory Monitoring of Direct Oral Anticoagulants
Authors: Qiao Jesse , Tran Minh-Ha
Published: April 2024

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) exert anticoagulation effect by directly inhibiting Factor Xa (rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban) or thrombin (dabigatran). Though DOACs are characterized by fixed-dose prescribing and generally do not require routine laboratory drug-level monitoring (DLM), circumstances may arise where the DLM may aid in clinical decision-making, including DOAC dose adjustment, anticoagulant class change, or decisions to withhold or administer reversal agents. We review the current literature that describes high-risk patient groups in which DLM may be beneficial for improved patient anticoagulation management and stewardship. The review also summarizes the limitations of conventional coagulation testing and discuss the emerging utility of quantitative methods for routine and rapid emergent evaluation of DOAC drug levels—in particular, the Anti-Xa activity to detect Factor Xa Inhibitors (rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban). Both technical and regulatory barriers to widespread DLM implementation are limiting factors to further clinical research that must be overcome, in order to propose universal DOAC DLM strategies and provide clinical-laboratory correlation to formally classify high-risk patient groups.
Using Epistemic Injustice to Examine Scholarship About Sexual Violence Among Students With Minoritized Identities
Authors: Linder Chris , Caradonna Cydney Y. , Hodges Quentin , Moore Allie
Published: April 2024

We engaged in a content analysis of 10 years of scholarship about students of color, students with disabilities, and queer and/or trans students and sexual violence (SV). Our findings indicate that most of the scholarship centering students with minoritized identities focuses on prevalence and risk factors associated with SV and lacks theoretical frameworks relevant to the populations being studied. Employing epistemic injustice as a framework, we argue the implications of excluding students with minoritized identities in the scholarship about SV results in ineffective research and practice, which ultimately results in continued high rates of SV for all students.
“I Had to Allow Myself to Heal”: How Survivors of Sex Trafficking Have Experienced Healing From Trauma Bonding
Authors: Casassa Kaitlin , England Gwen , Karandikar Sharvari
Published: April 2024

Among the many issues facing sex trafficking survivors, the trauma bonds they develop with their perpetrators are one of the most complex and least understood concerns. This community-based participatory research phenomenological study explored this phenomenon by asking: How have survivors of sex trafficking experienced healing from trauma bonding? The sample consisted of 19 female survivors who were all participants in or graduates of a human trafficking specialty docket. Three themes emerged: survivors shared that (a) building trusting and honest relationships, (b) their relationships with themselves, and (c) education all played a pivotal role in the healing they had experienced.
Antibody drug conjugates: Design implications for clinicians
Authors: Pang Stephanie , Duong Arianne , Siu Chloe , Indorf Amy
Published: April 2024

Objective

There are currently 11 antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) that are FDA approved for use in oncologic disease states, with many more in the pipeline. The authors aim to review the pharmacokinetic profiles of the components of ADCs to engage pharmacist practitioners in practical considerations in the care of patients. This article provides an overview on the use of ADCs in the setting of organ dysfunction, drug–drug interactions, and management of on- and off-target adverse effects.

Data Sources

A systematic search of the literature on ADCs through September 2023 was conducted. Clinical trials as well as articles on ADC design and functional components, adverse effects, and pharmacokinetics were reviewed. Reviewed literature included prescribing information as well as tertiary sources and primary literature.

Data Summary

A total of 11 ADCs were reviewed for the purpose of this article. A description of the mechanism of action and structure of ADCs is outlined, and a table containing description of each currently FDA-approved ADC is included. Various mechanisms of ADC toxicity are reviewed, including how ADC structure may be implicated.

Conclusion

It is imperative that pharmacist clinicians understand the design and function of each component of an ADC to continue to assess new approvals for use in oncology patients. Understanding the design of the ADC can help a pharmacy practitioner compare and contrast adverse effect profiles to support their multidisciplinary teams and to engage patients in education and management of their care.
The Relationship Between Social Anxiety Disorder and ADHD in Adolescents and Adults: A Systematic Review
Authors: Jakobsson Støre Siri , Van Zalk Nejra , Granander Schwartz Wilma , Nilsson Victoria , Tillfors Maria
Published: April 2024

Objective:

This review aimed to systematically gather empirical data on the link between social anxiety disorder and ADHD in both clinical and non-clinical populations among adolescents and adults.

Method:

Literature searches were conducted in PsycInfo, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, resulting in 1,739 articles. After screening, 41 articles were included. Results were summarized using a narrative approach.

Results:

The prevalence of ADHD in adolescents and adults with SAD ranged from 1.1% to 72.3%, while the prevalence of SAD in those with ADHD ranged from 0.04% to 49.5%. Studies indicate that individuals with both SAD and ADHD exhibit greater impairments. All studies were judged to be of weak quality, except for two studies which were rated moderate quality.

Discussion:

Individuals with SAD should be screened for ADHD and vice versa, to identify this common comorbidity earlier. Further research is needed to better understand the prevalence of comorbid ADHD and SAD in adolescents.