bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chancen und Herausforderungen der redaktionellen Umsetzung von Audience Engagement – eine Fallstudie am Beispiel des Projektes #unserWasser
Authors: Uth Bernadette
Published: February 2024

Redaktionen müssen angesichts einer zunehmend fragmentierten Publikumsbeziehung neue Wege finden, ihre Rezipierenden an sich zu binden. Eine in diesem Kontext oftmals diskutierte Strategie ist die des Audience-Engagements. Im Rahmen einer Fallstudie untersucht dieser Beitrag Chancen und Herausforderung der redaktionellen Umsetzung von Audience-Engagement anhand eines Projekts einer öffentlich-rechtlichen Rundfunkanstalt. In der qualitativen Analyse zeigen sich klare Chancen des Audience-Engagements: der Aufbau von Legitimität, Relevanzgewinn, Repräsentation, neue Finanzierungsmöglichkeiten sowie Vertrauensbildung und Beziehungspflege. Zugleich zeigen sich jedoch auch einige Herausforderungen, die es bei der Planung und Umsetzung derartiger Projekte zu berücksichtigen gilt: Der hohe Organisations- und Koordinationsaufwand, redaktionelle Selbstverpflichtung, Themen- und Formatauswahl, Erwartungsmanagement sowie ethische und datenschutzrechtliche Aspekte stellen sich als Erfolgsfaktoren für die Durchführung von Audience-Engagement-Projekten heraus. Daraus lassen sich diverse Implikationen für die Umsetzung von Audience-Engagement-Projekten ableiten – zentral wird insbesondere die Institutionalisierung sein. Die Ergebnisse bieten sowohl für die Forschung als auch für die journalistische Praxis vielfältige Anknüpfungspunkte.
Energy recovery and waste valorization in a frozen food processing facility: a case study from Lazio, Italy
Authors: Di Fraia Simona , Di Meglio Armando , Massarotti Nicola , Vanoli Laura , Bentivoglio Riccardo , Volpecina Valerio
Published: February 2024

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimates that food, beverage, and tobacco sector is currently responsible for about 30% of total world energy consumption and approximately the same percentage of food is wasted during its industrial transformation. Improving the sustainability of food processing is fundamental to reduce the environmental impact of this sector as well as to lower the disposal cost of industrial waste. The objective of this work is to propose an efficient and technically feasible solution for the management and energy recovery of residual biomasses and industrial processing by-products, such as sewage sludge produced by industrial wastewater treatment. The above solution is developed for a real frozen food factory operating in Lazio region (Italy) introducing a sewage sludge dryer and a gasifier to produce syngas. The software Aspen Plus is adopted to numerically simulate the gasification process, using a literature validated model, while the dryer and the already present combined heat and power (CHP) plant are dynamically modelled in TRNSYS environment. The results demonstrate that the proposed solution is feasible and attractive from both an environmental and an economic perspective. The Simple Pay Back of the investment is less than 3 years, while the Net Present Value stands at about 2.4 M€. Furthermore, the CO2 proposed system allows to save 179 t of equivalent CO2 emissions compared to the current system.
The mediating effect of growth mindset in the relationship between adolescents’ optimism and grit
Authors: Pyo Dasol , Kwak Keumjoo , Kim Yeonsoo
Published: February 2024

This study investigated the relationship between optimism, growth mindset, and grit among adolescents. In particular, we explored the mediating effect of growth mindset on the relationship between optimism and grit. Based on a cross-sectional study, participants were 647 Korean adolescents from age 12 to 16 years (M = 14.3 years). The main findings were as follows. First, adolescents’ optimism significantly predicted grit. Second, growth mindset significantly predicted grit. Finally, growth mindset partially and significantly mediated the relationship between optimism and grit. Additionally, we analyzed the two components of grit, consistency of interest and perseverance of effort, respectively. The results showed that growth mindset partially mediated the association between optimism and perseverance of effort, while consistency of interest did not. The empirical findings in this study provided a psychological mechanism on the path from optimism to grit by demonstrating the mediating effect of growth mindset. To our knowledge, this study is the first empirical study to investigate the mediating effect of growth mindset on the relationship between optimism and grit in Korean adolescents.
On linearisation and existence of preduals
Authors: Kruse Karsten
Published: February 2024

We study the problem of existence of preduals of locally convex Hausdorff spaces. We derive necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of a predual with certain properties of a bornological locally convex Hausdorff space X. Then we turn to the case that $$X=\mathcal {F}(\Omega )$$

X
=
F
(
Ω
)

is a space of scalar-valued functions on a non-empty set $$\Omega $$
Ω
and characterise those among them which admit a special predual, namely a strong linearisation, i.e. there are a locally convex Hausdorff space Y, a map $$\delta :\Omega \rightarrow Y$$

δ
:
Ω
→
Y

and a topological isomorphism $$T:\mathcal {F}(\Omega )\rightarrow Y_{b}'$$

T
:
F

(
Ω
)

→

Y

b

′

such that $$T(f)\circ \delta = f$$

T
(
f
)
∘
δ
=
f

for all $$f\in \mathcal {F}(\Omega )$$

f
∈
F
(
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)

.
Nonparametric efficiency measurement of undergraduate teaching by university size
Authors: Salas-Velasco Manuel
Published: February 2024

Conventional data envelopment analysis (DEA) models assume that all decision-making units (DMUs) are homogenous. While higher education institutions (HEIs) of very different sizes challenge the homogeneity of DMUs, DEA studies have paid relatively little attention to university size when assessing the performance of HEIs. This article proposes novel, effective methods for evaluating university performance and identifying useful benchmarks for improving the operations of inefficient performers. Specifically, DEA and cluster analysis (CA) are applied for the evaluation of the performance of traditional Spanish public universities. DEA is utilized to examine the relative performance of these universities in terms of undergraduate teaching output. CA is applied to find similar-in-scale universities prior to the DEA to facilitate peer-groupings. The advantage of this method is that when DMUs are clustered based on their size, one can obtain homogenous groups of units with comparable operating environments. Furthermore, using the meta-frontier framework, this research finds significant evidence that there is an efficiency advantage for medium- and large-sized universities over small ones in providing undergraduate teaching. A bootstrapped, non-parametric meta-frontier approach also verifies this latter result. Some of the factors that contribute to the differences in the relative efficiencies are identified as well.
Exploring the Role of Sociability, Ownership, and Affinity for Technology in Shaping Acceptance and Intention to Use Personal Assistance Robots.
Authors: Roesler Eileen , Rudolph Sophie , Siebert Felix Wilhelm
Published: February 2024

Personal assistance robots are making inroads into our private and public life. At the same time, most humans are still unfamiliar with this technology and hesitate to accept and use it for daily tasks. Fortunately, the designs of robots can be adjusted to yield greater acceptance, subsequently enabling their utilization across various tasks. Using a scenario-based online experiment, we explored how sociability (low vs. high), ownership (private vs. public), and affinity for technology influence the acceptance and intention to use a robot for grocery shopping. Moreover, to assess users’ preference for robots’ morphology, participants were asked to choose a robot (technical vs. anthropomorphic design) that they would prefer to use in a supermarket. We found that low sociability of the service robot and a higher affective affinity for technology led to a higher level of acceptance. For more sociable robots, higher levels of anthropomorphism were preferred. Our results point to the importance of task-specific robot design that exceeds functional considerations.
Delineating the role of nuclear receptors in colorectal cancer, a focused review
Authors: Manickasamy Mukesh Kumar , Jayaprakash Sujitha , Girisa Sosmitha , Kumar Aviral , Lam Hiu Yan , Okina Elena , Eng Huiyan , Alqahtani Mohammed S. , Abbas Mohamed , Sethi Gautam , Kumar Alan Prem , Kunnumakkara Ajaikumar B.
Published: February 2024

Colorectal cancer (CRC) stands as one of the most prevalent form of cancer globally, causing a significant number of deaths, surpassing 0.9 million in the year 2020. According to GLOBOCAN 2020, CRC ranks third in incidence and second in mortality in both males and females. Despite extensive studies over the years, there is still a need to establish novel therapeutic targets to enhance the patients’ survival rate in CRC. Nuclear receptors (NRs) are ligand-activated transcription factors (TFs) that regulate numerous essential biological processes such as differentiation, development, physiology, reproduction, and cellular metabolism. Dysregulation and anomalous expression of different NRs has led to multiple alterations, such as impaired signaling cascades, mutations, and epigenetic changes, leading to various diseases, including cancer. It has been observed that differential expression of various NRs might lead to the initiation and progression of CRC, and are correlated with poor survival outcomes in CRC patients. Despite numerous studies on the mechanism and role of NRs in this cancer, it remains of significant scientific interest primarily due to the diverse functions that various NRs exhibit in regulating key hallmarks of this cancer. Thus, modulating the expression of NRs with their agonists and antagonists, based on their expression levels, holds an immense prospect in the diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutical modalities of CRC. In this review, we primarily focus on the role and mechanism of NRs in the pathogenesis of CRC and emphasized the significance of targeting these NRs using a variety of agents, which may represent a novel and effective strategy for the prevention and treatment of this cancer.

Graphical Abstract
Evaluation of the effect of sagging correction calibration errors in radiotherapy software on image matching
Authors: Yamazawa Yumi , Osaka Akitane , Fujii Yasushi , Nakayama Takahiro , Nishioka Kunio , Tanabe Yoshinori
Published: February 2024

To investigate the impact of sagging correction calibration errors in radiotherapy software on image matching. Three software applications were used, with and without a polymethyl methacrylate rod supporting the ball bearings (BB). The calibration error for sagging correction across nine flex maps (FMs) was determined by shifting the BB positions along the Left–Right (LR), Gun–Target (GT), and Up–Down (UD) directions from the reference point. Lucy and pelvic phantom cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images underwent auto-matching after modifying each FM. Image deformation was assessed in orthogonal CBCT planes, and the correlations among BB shift magnitude, deformation vector value, and differences in auto-matching were analyzed. The average difference in analysis results among the three softwares for the Winston–Lutz test was within 0.1 mm. The determination coefficients (R2) between the BB shift amount and Lucy phantom matching error in each FM were 0.99, 0.99, and 1.00 in the LR-, GT-, and UD-directions, respectively. The pelvis phantom demonstrated no cross-correlation in the GT direction during auto-matching error evaluation using each FM. The correlation coefficient (r) between the BB shift and the deformation vector value was 0.95 on average for all image planes. Slight differences were observed among software in the evaluation of the Winston–Lutz test. The sagging correction calibration error in the radiotherapy imaging system was caused by an auto-matching error of the phantom and deformation of CBCT images.
Factors Impacting Participatory Post-Disaster Relocation and Housing Reconstruction: The Case of Tsholotsho District, Zimbabwe
Authors: Ngulube Nombulelo Kitsepile , Tatano Hirokazu , Samaddar Subhajyoti
Published: February 2024

Relocation is not typically considered the best planning option for post-disaster reconstruction and rehabilitation, but it may be necessary if the site has suffered severe damage or is at imminent risk. There is a growing recognition that strong community participation is necessary in the post-disaster relocation decision-making process since relocation can have detrimental effects on a community’s livelihood, cultural system, and way of life, among others. However, the realization of this still needs to be improved. As of yet, few studies have examined a comprehensive account of meaningful community engagement in post-disaster relocation and reconstruction, particularly in developing countries. This study investigated what factors influenced local communities’ participation in post-disaster relocation and reconstruction works after the 2017 Cyclone Dineo flood disaster in the Tsholotsho District of Zimbabwe. Qualitative research methods such as face-to-face interviews, observations, and focus groups were used to collect qualitative data from a purposive sample of 25 community members and 6 stakeholders. This empirical investigation showed that despite the fact that the relocation project was conceived as a community-centered project, there was no meaningful community engagement, due to the absence of a participatory framework or planning guidelines for stakeholder engagement, as well as the lack of political willingness among government officials. The study concluded that the lack of community involvement led to local communities abandoning the reconstruction sites because relocation projects failed to accommodate the cultural beliefs, place attachments, and livelihood concerns of local communities. This study suggested that it is imperative to enhance the awareness of government officials and other stakeholders about the importance of community participation for the effective implementation of post-disaster relocation works. Meaningful community participation can also provide avenues for incorporating local needs and concerns, cultural beliefs, and alternative and sustainable livelihood restoration, which are essential for effective reconstruction after disasters. This research aimed to enrich the academic discourse by providing valuable insights into the intricacies of post-disaster recovery initiatives in the country.
Estimate and needs of the transgender adult population: the SPoT study
Authors: Fisher A. D. , Marconi M. , Castellini G. , Safer J. D. , D’Arienzo S. , Levi M. , Brogonzoli L. , Iardino R. , Cocchetti C. , Romani A. , Mazzoli F. , Matarrese P. , Ricca V. , Vignozzi L. , Maggi M. , Pierdominici M. , Ristori J.
Published: February 2024

Background

Despite the increasing interest in transgender health research, to date little is known about the size of the transgender and gender diverse (TGD) population.

Methods

A web-based questionnaire survey was developed, including a collection of socio-demographic characteristics and disseminated online through social media. Gender incongruence was evaluated by using a 2-item approach assessing gender recorded at birth and gender identity. The primary objective of the present population-based study was to estimate the proportion of TGD people across ages among a large sample of people who answered a web-based survey. The secondary endpoints were to identify gender-affirming needs and possible barriers to healthcare access.

Results

A total of 19,572 individuals participated in the survey, of whom 7.7% reported a gender identity different from the sex recorded at birth. A significantly higher proportion of TGD people was observed in the youngest group of participants compared with older ones. Among TGD people who participated in the study, 58.4% were nonbinary, and 49.1% experienced discrimination in accessing health care services. Nonbinary TGD participants reported both the need for legal name and gender change, along with hormonal and surgical interventions less frequently compared to binary persons.

Conclusions

Being TGD is not a marginal condition In Italy. A large proportion of TGD persons may not need medical and surgical treatments. TGD people often experience barriers to healthcare access relating to gender identity.
Dual-Atom Nanozyme Eye Drops Attenuate Inflammation and Break the Vicious Cycle in Dry Eye Disease
Authors: Chu Dandan , Zhao Mengyang , Rong Shisong , Jhe Wonho , Cai Xiaolu , Xiao Yi , Zhang Wei , Geng Xingchen , Li Zhanrong , Zhang Xingcai , Li Jingguo
Published: February 2024

Dry eye disease (DED) is a major ocular pathology worldwide, causing serious ocular discomfort and even visual impairment. The incidence of DED is gradually increasing with the high-frequency use of electronic products. Although inflammation is core cause of the DED vicious cycle, reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a pivotal role in the vicious cycle by regulating inflammation from upstream. Therefore, current therapies merely targeting inflammation show the failure of DED treatment. Here, a novel dual-atom nanozymes (DAN)-based eye drops are developed. The antioxidative DAN is successfully prepared by embedding Fe and Mn bimetallic single-atoms in N-doped carbon material and modifying it with a hydrophilic polymer. The in vitro and in vivo results demonstrate the DAN is endowed with superior biological activity in scavenging excessive ROS, inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation, decreasing proinflammatory cytokines expression, and suppressing cell apoptosis. Consequently, the DAN effectively alleviate ocular inflammation, promote corneal epithelial repair, recover goblet cell density and tear secretion, thus breaking the DED vicious cycle. Our findings open an avenue to make the DAN as an intervention form to DED and ROS-mediated inflammatory diseases.
Quantitative investigation of rock dynamic failure using Voronoi-based discontinuous deformation analysis
Authors: Zhang Kaiyu , Zhang Lei , Liu Feng , Yu Yuchao , Wang Shuai
Published: February 2024

Dynamic failure widely exists in rock engineering, such as excavation, blasting, and rockburst. However, the quantitative measurement of the dynamic damage process using experimental methods remains a challenge. In this study, a SHPB modeling technique is established based on Voronoi-based DDA to study the damage evolution of Fangshan granite under dynamic loading. The assessment of cracking along the artificial joints among Voronoi sub-blocks is conducted using the modified contact constitutive law. A calibration procedure has been implemented to investigate the rock dynamic properties quantitatively. The dispersion and damping effect can be effectively eliminated by regular discretization in SHPB bars, based on which the dynamic stress equilibrium can be satisfied. To reproduce the loading rate effect of the dynamic compressive strength, which has been observed in the experiment, a modification strategy considering the influence of the rate effect on the strength meso-parameters is proposed. Using this strategy, the peak stresses of the transmitted waves predicted by DDA match well with those obtained from experiments conducted at different loading rates. The simulation results show that more microcracks are generated and the proportion of tensile cracks decreases as the loading rate increases. Furthermore, the dynamic mechanical behavior and fracturing process have also been discussed and compared with the experiments. The results show that the established SHPB system is a powerful tool for quantitative analysis of rock dynamics problems and can handle more complex problems in the future.
Blue-Green Horizons: Redefining Alginate Bioplastics with Spirulina Dyes
Authors: Delgado Carolina , Forman Gabriela , Apolinário Arlete
Published: February 2024

This study introduces a novel, eco-friendly approach for the extraction and application of Spirulina (Sp.) pigments in alginate bioplastics, representing a significant advancement over traditional dyeing methods. The research explores a zero waste model process in a Fab Lab setting, involving three stages, liquid dye preparation, fibre dyeing, and bioplastic dyeing, with a focus on utilizing all by-products sustainably. In the liquid dye preparation phase, vibrant blue-green pigments were successfully extracted from Spirulina powder. The colour depth depended on the Spirulina concentration and the precipitation method used, with pH playing a critical role in achieving a range of green–blue hues. The fibre dyeing phase tested Spirulina dyes on various natural fibres, examining the impact of alum mordant pre-treatment on colour absorption and stability. Optimal dyeing results were obtained with a 1:1 ratio of Spirulina-filtered powder suspension to alum acid precipitation solution at a pH of 4. The techniques optimized were then applied to alginate bioplastics, including bio-yarns and bio-films, yielding a wide spectrum from green to blue. Bio-yarns showed better colour retention compared to bio-films, possibly due to residual alum. However, challenges in long-term colour stability and structural integrity against environmental factors like oxidation and humidity were observed. The study contributes valuable insights into the application of natural dyes in bioplastics, particularly in achieving blue and green shades with a Spirulina zero waste model. This work is significant for future sustainable material science research and emphasizes the importance of balancing aesthetic, functional, and environmental factors in circular design.

Graphical Abstract
Exploring the crossroads between digital servitization and sustainability from a business marketing perspective
Authors: Tabacco Raffaella , Chiarvesio Maria , Romanello Rubina
Published: February 2024

In this study, we explored the contingency effects of digital servitization enabled by Industry 4.0 technologies and sustainability from the perspective of business-to-business marketing relationships. Our in-depth analysis of an Italian company showed the extent to which digital servitization can improve customers’ sustainability profiles and could be a lever to address the servitization paradox. However, to capture this sustainability value, companies must transform their supplier–customer relationships. Customer relationship management emerged as a critical element in this sense, especially when highly innovative services were offered.
E-coaching systems and social justice: ethical concerns about inequality, coercion, and stigmatization
Authors: Kamphorst B. A. , Anderson J. H.
Published: February 2024

Poor self-regulation has been linked to various behaviors that contribute to pressing societal issues, including rising household debt, inefficient use of sustainable resources, and increasing healthcare demands. In light of this observation, the prospect of individuals receiving automated, tailored support by “e-coaching systems” to scaffold and improve their self-regulation is thought to hold promise for making society-wide progress in addressing such issues. Though there may be legitimate reasons for promoting the use of such systems, and individuals might welcome the support, our aim in the present article is to contribute to the ethics of e-coaching by showing how societal pressures towards the widespread adoption of automated e-coaching systems raise concerns in relation to three distinct aspects of social justice. We argue that societal inequalities may be introduced or exacerbated by (1) unequal access to the technologies, (2) unequally distributed restrictions to liberty and subjection to coercion, and (3) the potentially disparate impact of the use of e-coaching technologies on (self-)stigmatizing perceptions of competence. The article offers a research agenda for studying and addressing these concerns.
Unveiling the ethical positions of conversational AIs: a study on OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Bard
Authors: McGrath Quintin P.
Published: February 2024

In an era where conversational AIs (CAIs) like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google's Bard are becoming integral to daily life, understanding their ethical positions is paramount. This research delves into the expressed moral values of these CAIs, exploring how their pre-training influences their ethical stances. The study aims to assess the articulated ethical positions of ChatGPT and Bard, uncovering whether these systems align with particular moral values. By understanding their ethical positions, the research seeks to provide insights into how these CAIs might respond to prompts and guide users in their selection and utilization. Utilizing O’Boyle and Forsyth’s Ethical Position Questionnaire (EPQ-5), the research evaluated the CAIs’ levels of idealism and relativism. The study also involved a third CAI, Anthropic’s Claude and an online human panel, to analyze the reasoning behind the responses, providing a more nuanced understanding of the ethical positions. The initial findings revealed that ChatGPT aligns more with an ‘absolutist’ position, endorsing strict adherence to moral principles, while Bard leans towards a ‘situationist’ stance, valuing flexibility and situational considerations. However, further analysis by Claude and humans suggested a more complex categorization, with ChatGPT fitting the 'exceptionist' categorization and Bard aligning with ‘absolutism.’ The research underscores the significance of recognizing the trained-in ethical positions of CAIs, as they are not neutral but reflect particular ethical leanings. Understanding these positions is vital for interpreting CAI outputs and using these systems effectively and ethically. The study calls for further exploration into how these ethical positions might influence real-world applications of CAIs.
Nicotine in electronic cigarettes
Authors: Althakfi Sara H. , Hameed Ahmed M.
Published: February 2024

Electronic cigarettes (ECs) are battery-powered gadgets that heat liquid to produce an aerosol. Nicotine is a primary ingredient in some e-liquids; however, due to a lack of quality control regulations, the nicotine may become tainted, or the measured and labelled values may not correspond. To avoid such issues, it is essential to identify the components that contribute to erroneous nicotine quantification. Herein, the differences between free-base nicotine and nicotine salts are discussed, highlighting the lower volatility of nicotine salts and their longer persistence in the body. Discrepancies were noted in the concentration of nicotine salts in some e-liquid samples, with labelled and measured values of 48 and 68.8 mg/mL, respectively, in one sample, and 24 and 33.1 mg/mL, respectively, in another. Inconsistencies were also observed in e-liquids labelled as nicotine-free: one sample had a nicotine concentration of 21.80 mg/cartridge, while another had a concentration of 23.91 mg/mL. The review also covers differences in the potency, flavour, and storage of nicotine under various conditions. Additionally, the literature suggests that the components in ECs are separated into the liquid and vapour phases; thus, phase selection should be considered to ensure optimal experimental outcomes. For instance, the vapour phase comprises the greatest quantities of volatile organic compounds, even though nicotine has been detected in all phases. Finally, the role of ECs in smoking cessation is discussed. The reviewed findings underscore the need for further research on e-liquids, particularly regarding their long-term clinical effects.
Determinants of adoption of climate smart agricultural technologies in wheat production in Arsi Zone, Oromia Region of Ethiopia
Authors: Geda Mustefa Bati , Haji Jema , Jemal Kedir , Zeleke Fresenbet
Published: February 2024

Climate-resilient crop production requires the use of crop technology that can sustainably increase productivity, build resilience to climate change, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Despite countrywide initiatives that promote climate-smart agricultural technology (CSAT) adoption, the rate of adoption has been extremely low. Therefore, this study aims to identify factors that affect the adoption of CSATs in wheat production in the Arsi zone of the Oromia region of Ethiopia. Towards this, plot-level primary data were gathered from 628 plots that were managed by 422 randomly selected wheat-producing smallholder farmers in three selected districts of the Zone. Descriptive statistics and multivariate probit (MVP) model were used to analyze data. The major CSATs adopted for wheat production in the study area were improved wheat varieties (95%), integrated soil fertility management (85%), and irrigation (19%). The result of the MVP model revealed that farmers with higher levels of education, farming experience, and contact with extension workers, have credit access, have access to market information, have greater annual total income, and are closer to the nearest market center are more likely to adopt CSATs in wheat production. Therefore, it is recommended that to enhance the adoption of CSATs in wheat production, policymakers and other development partners should concentrate on the identified factors that were significantly associated with the decisions to adopt CSATs.
Multi-scale Convolutional Feature Fusion Network Based on Attention Mechanism for IoT Traffic Classification
Authors: Liao Niandong , Guan Jiayu
Published: February 2024

The Internet of Things (IoT) has been extensively utilized in domains such as smart homes, healthcare, and other industries. With the exponential growth of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, they have become prime targets for malicious cyber-attacks. Effective classification of IoT traffic is, therefore, imperative to enable robust intrusion detection systems. However, IoT traffic data contain intricate spatial relationships and topological information, which traditional methods for traffic identification lack the capability to fully extract features and capture crucial characteristics. We propose a multi-scale convolutional feature fusion network augmented with a Convolutional Block Attention Module (MCF-CBAM) for accurate IoT traffic classification. The network incorporates three critical innovations: (1) Parallel convolution extracts multi-scale spatial features from traffic data. The 1 × 1 convolution operation reduces the amount of parameters and calculations of the network, thereby improving work efficiency. (2) The attention module suppresses less informative features while highlighting the most discriminative ones, enabling focused learning on decisive features. (3) Cross-scale connections with channel jumps reuse features from prior layers to enhance generalization. We evaluate the method extensively on three widely adopted public datasets. Quantitative results demonstrate MCF-CBAM establishes new state-of-the-art performance benchmarks for IoT traffic classification, surpassing existing methods by a significant margin. Qualitative visualizations of the learned attention weights provide intuitive insights into how the network automatically discovers the most decisive spatial features for identification. With its strong empirical performance and interpretable attention mechanisms, this work presents a promising deep learning solution to augment real-world IoT intrusion detection systems against growing cybersecurity threats.
Nursing Interventions to Improve the Sleep Quality of Hospitalized Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Ashghab Akbar , Vahedian-Azimi Amir , Vafadar Zohreh , Mollahadi Mohsen , Sepandi Mojtaba
Published: February 2024

Background

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of nursing interventions on sleep quality in hospitalized patients.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was conducted, encompassing databases such as PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, ProQuest, Science Direct, and Cochrane Library, with publications up until September 2022 being considered. A random-effects model was utilized to calculate standardized mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for continuous outcomes.

Results

A total of 77 studies involving 7771 participants were included in the systematic review. Among these, 18 studies met the inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis, involving a total of 1153 participants. The meta-analysis results indicated a positive effect of nursing interventions on sleep quality, as measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score (SMD = −4.21, 95% CI = −5.75 to −2.67, P < 0.001), and the St. Mary’s Hospital Sleep Questionnaire (SMHSQ) (SMD = −1.87, 95% CI = −2.77 to −0.98, P < 0.001). However, there was substantial heterogeneity observed among the studies (I2 = 97.8%, P < 0.001 and I2 = 93.5%, P < 0.001, respectively). While a significant number of individual studies demonstrated that nursing interventions improved both sleep quantity and quality in hospitalized patients.

Conclusions

The meta-analysis identified three specific interventions; relaxation, music therapy, and the use of earplugs/eye masks, that had a positive impact on sleep quantity and quality. It is important to acknowledge that due to variations in methodological quality and heterogeneity among the included studies, drawing definitive conclusions regarding the effectiveness of different interventions is challenging, and interpreting the results with caution is necessary.
Impact of Evidence-Based Standardized Training on Competencies in Critical Care Nurses: A Quasi-Experimental Study Series Protocol on the Behalf of International Developing Standardized Learning Curve Team
Authors: Pandian Vinciya , Rahimi-Bashar Farshid , Gohari-Moghadam Keivan , Senol Celik Sevilay , Ait Hssain Ali , Vahedian-Azimi Amir
Published: February 2024

Background

Critical care nurses are vital in the care of patients with life-threatening illnesses in intensive care units. To optimize their effectiveness, it is crucial to enhance their proficiency in professional care techniques. Implementing evidence-based training standards can improve nurses' knowledge, skills, and attitudes, ultimately enhancing healthcare services for patients.

Aim/purpose

The aim of this study protocol is to outline a series of quasi-experimental, non-randomized, single-group studies that assess the impact of standardized training courses on the development of competencies in diverse care techniques for critical care nurses.

Methodology

A comprehensive checklist will be created to evaluate nurses' professional qualifications in the specific care techniques under investigation. This checklist will be used during three expert panel sessions for each study. Nurses will then undergo theoretical and practical training to enhance their competence in implementing these techniques. To assess the training effectiveness, each nurse's competency level will be evaluated before, during, and after the training using a checklist to track their learning curve.

Results

This study will use the learning curve model to determine the optimal number of repetitions required for novice intensive care unit nurses to attain a satisfactory level of competence in each targeted care technique after training.

Conclusion

These findings could standardize nursing education practices and optimize skill practice frequency, leading to improved quality of education in the field.

Trial registration

This study is also registered at U.S. National Library of Medicine under "Clinicaltrials.gov" identifier NCT02830971, https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02830971, first date registered 13/07/2016 and last updated on 15/04/2021.
Ecological niche modelling of Indigofera oblongifolia (Forssk.): a global machine learning assessment using climatic and non-climatic predictors
Authors: Mathur Manish , Mathur Preet
Published: February 2024

Climate change and other extinction facilitators have caused significant shifts in the distribution patterns of many species during the past few decades. Restoring and protecting lesser-known species may be more challenging without adequate biogeographical information. To address this knowledge gap, the current study set out to determine the global spatial distribution patterns of Indigofera oblongifolia (Forssk) a relatively lesser-known leguminous species. This was accomplished by utilizing three distinct bioclimatic temporal frames (current, 2050, and 2070) and four greenhouse gas scenarios (RCPs 2.6, 4.5, 6.0, and 8.5), in addition to non-climatic predictors such as global livestock population, human modification of terrestrial ecosystems, and global fertilizers application (nitrogen and phosphorus). Furthermore, we evaluate the degree of indigenousness using the geographical area, habitat suitability categories, and number of polygons. This research reveals that climatic predictors outperform non-climatic predictors in terms of improving model quality. Precipitation Seasonality is one of the most important factors influencing this species' optimum habitat suitability up to 150 mm for the current, 2050 RCP 8.5 and 2070-RCPs 2.6, 4.5, and 8.5. Our ellipsoid niche modelling extends the range of precipitation during the wettest quarter and maximum temperature during the warmest month to 637 mm and 26.5–31.80 degrees Celsius, respectively. India has a higher indigenous score in the optimal class than the African region. This findings suggest that the species in question tends to occupy contiguous regions in Africa, while in India, it is dispersed into several smaller meta-populations.
A Pediatric-Focused Self-Assessment Tool on Vulnerabilities to Aid Regional Disaster Planning
Authors: Pintea Michelle , Dahl Grove Deanna
Published: February 2024

Objective:

A significant number of disaster and emergency victims are children. Yet, many hospitals are ill-prepared to care for these patients during disasters, as identified by the National Pediatric Readiness Project’s survey of hospital pediatric disaster plans. The Region V for Kids Center of Excellence created a self-assessment tool to help regions identify vulnerabilities and ways to enhance care for vulnerable children and families.

Methods:

Region V for Kids identified 9 key domains (eg, infrastructures and support mechanisms) that are important to safeguard children’s and families’ care during disasters. A self-assessment tool to assess these domains was distributed to 24 regional health care coalitions along with a 9-question usefulness survey. The self-assessment tool addressed 3 of the original domains, which have regional or national open-source databases and datapoints that health care coalitions can access for their responses.

Results:

The survey received a 50% response rate. Approximately 40% of respondents indicated they were “somewhat likely” to make changes based on data gathered by the tool. The original self-assessment tool was revised to create an expanded web-based version.

Conclusions:

Health care coalitions and localities can use this tool to evaluate pediatric preparedness, identify needed improvements, and improve outcomes for children, families, and communities.
On denseness of horospheres in higher rank homogeneous spaces
Authors: LANDESBERG OR , OH HEE
Published: February 2024

Let
$ G $
be a connected semisimple real algebraic group and
$\Gamma <G$
be a Zariski dense discrete subgroup. Let N denote a maximal horospherical subgroup of G, and
$P=MAN$
the minimal parabolic subgroup which is the normalizer of N. Let
$\mathcal E$
denote the unique P-minimal subset of
$\Gamma \backslash G$
and let
$\mathcal E_0$
be a
$P^\circ $
-minimal subset. We consider a notion of a horospherical limit point in the Furstenberg boundary
$ G/P $
and show that the following are equivalent for any
$[g]\in \mathcal E_0$
:

(1)

$gP\in G/P$
is a horospherical limit point;

(2)

$[g]NM$
is dense in
$\mathcal E$
;

(3)

$[g]N$
is dense in
$\mathcal E_0$
.

The equivalence of items (1) and (2) is due to Dal’bo in the rank one case. We also show that unlike convex cocompact groups of rank one Lie groups, the
$NM$
-minimality of
$\mathcal E$
does not hold in a general Anosov homogeneous space.
The Brussels Side-Effect: How the AI Act Can Reduce the Global Reach of EU Policy
Authors: Almada Marco , Radu Anca
Published: February 2024

Over the last few years, artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have become embedded in various domains of social life, prompting legislative efforts at both national and international levels. In the European Union (EU), this drive for legislation has been reflected in various legal instruments, notably the proposed AI Act, which is expected to become a global standard through the “Brussels Effect.” This Article argues that while the AI Act will likely produce a Brussels Effect of its own, such an outcome will be accompanied by a side effect that undermines the EU’s ambition to spread legislative text and values in AI governance. Since the AI Act follows EU product safety legislation, its provisions supply limited protection to some of the values the EU policy intends to protect, such as the protection of fundamental rights. These shortcomings are compounded by the EU’s active efforts to shape alternative instruments, such as the Council of Europe’s proposed convention on AI along the lines of the AI Act. As a result, the diffusion of the AI Act as a global standard will have consequences for the EU policy agenda on AI and the conceptualization of the Brussels Effect.
The impact of faecal diversion on the gut microbiome: a systematic review
Authors: Sam Shien Wenn , Hafeez Bilal , Ong Hwa Ian , Gill Sonia , Smibert Olivia , Lavelle Aonghus , Burgess Adele , Proud David , Mohan Helen
Published: February 2024

Diversion of the faecal stream is associated with diversion colitis (DC). Preliminary studies indicate that microbiome dysbiosis contributes to its development and potentially treatment. This review aims to characterise these changes in the context of faecal diversion and identify their clinical impact. A systematic search was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL databases using a predefined search strategy identifying studies investigating changes in microbiome following diversion. Findings reported according to PRISMA guidelines. Of 743 results, 6 met inclusion criteria. Five reported significantly decreased microbiome diversity in the diverted colon. At phylum level, decreases in Bacillota with a concomitant increase in Pseudomonadota were observed, consistent with dysbiosis. At genus level, studies reported decreases in beneficial lactic acid bacteria which produce short-chain fatty acid (SCFA), which inversely correlated with disease severity. Significant losses in commensals were also noted. These changes were seen to be partially reversible with restoration of bowel continuity. Changes within the microbiome were reflected by histopathological findings suggestive of intestinal dysfunction. Faecal diversion is associated with dysbiosis in the diverted colon which may have clinical implications. This is reflected in loss of microbiome diversity, increases in potentially pathogenic-associated phyla and reduction in SCFA-producing and commensal bacteria.
Nonlinear travelling periodic waves for the Euler equations in three-layer flows
Authors: Guan Xin , Doak Alex , Milewski Paul , Vanden-Broeck Jean-Marc
Published: February 2024

In this paper, we investigate periodic travelling waves in a three-layer system with the rigid-lid assumption. Solutions are recovered numerically using a boundary integral method. We consider the case where the density difference between the layers is small (i.e. a weakly stratified fluid). We consider the system both with and without the Boussinesq assumption to explore the effect the assumption has on the solution space. Periodic solutions of both mode-1 and mode-2 are found, and their bifurcation structure and limiting configurations are described in detail. Similarities are found with the two-layer case, where large-amplitude solutions are found to overhang with an internal angle of

$120^{\circ }$

. However, the addition of a second interface results in a richer bifurcation space, in part due to the existence of mode-2 waves and their resonance with mode-1 waves. New limiting profiles are found.
Global dynamics and topology of two-phase mixing layer flow through simultaneous gas and liquid velocity measurements
Authors: Della Pia Alessandro , Michelis Theodoros , Chiatto Matteo , Kotsonis Marios , de Luca Luigi
Published: February 2024

This study reports the first time-resolved particle image velocimetry characterization of a planar two-phase mixing layer flow, whose velocity field is measured simultaneously in gas and liquid streams. Two parallel air and water flows meet downstream of a splitter plate, giving rise to an initially spanwise invariant configuration. The aim is to elucidate further the mechanisms leading to the flow breakup in gas-assisted atomization. The complete experimental characterization of the velocity field represents a database that could be used in data-driven reduced-order models to investigate the global behaviour of the flow system. After the analysis of a selected reference case, a parametric study of the flow behaviour is performed by varying the liquid (

$Re_l$

) and gas (

$Re_g$

) Reynolds numbers, and as a consequence also the gas-to-liquid dynamic pressure ratio (

$M$

), shedding light on both time-averaged (mean) and unsteady velocity fields. In the reference case, it is shown that the mean flow exhibits a wake region just downstream of the splitter plate, followed by the development of a mixing layer. By increasing both

$Re_l$

and

$Re_g$

, the streamwise extent of the wake decreases and eventually vanishes, the flow resulting in a pure mixing layer regime. The spectral analysis of the normal-to-flow velocity fluctuations outlines different flow regimes by variation of the governing parameters, giving more insights into the global characteristics of the flow field. As a major result, it is found that at high

$Re_g$

and

$M$

values, the velocity fluctuations are characterized by low-frequency temporal oscillations synchronized in several locations within the flow field, which suggest the presence of a global mode of instability. The proper orthogonal decomposition of velocity fluctuations, performed in both gas and liquid phases, reveals finally that the synchronized oscillations are associated with a low-frequency dominant flapping mode of the gas–liquid interface. Higher-order modes correspond to interfacial wave structures travelling with the so-called Dimotakis velocity. For lower gas Reynolds numbers, the leading modes describe higher frequency fingers shedding at the interface.
Working with a Mask: How and When Workplace Mask Wearing Decreases Employee Emotional Exhaustion
Authors: Bai Yang , Liu Wenxing , Guo Li
Published: February 2024

Despite the salutary effects of mask wearing broadly recognized during the COVID-19 pandemic, little is known about the consequences of wearing masks in the workplace. The current research raises the question of whether and how mask wearing may impact employees' emotional well-being at work. Drawing on emotion regulation theory (e.g., Gross, 1998, 2015), we propose that mask wearing enables employees to adopt more authentic emotional displays, which in turn decreases emotional exhaustion. Furthermore, guided by the social interaction model of emotion regulation (Coté, 2005), we further posit that for employees whose work requires more frequent face-to-face interaction, the positive impact of mask wearing on emotional exhaustion becomes more significant. Across a pilot study and a three-wave field survey, we find support for this hypothesized model. Implications of these findings for future theorizing and research on mask wearing are discussed.