bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Response of seawater sea sand coral aggregate concrete columns reinforced with hybrid glass fiber reinforced polymer and stainless steel bars under axial compression
Authors: Cao Qi , Jia Zongke , Wu Zhimin , Ma Zhongguo J
Published: August 2024

The potential application prospects for concrete structure in island engineering and marine structures are increasing through the utilization of concrete composed of seawater, sea sand and coral aggregates (SSCC) combined with hybrid reinforcement. This innovative approach effectively addresses the diminishing availability of freshwater and river sand resources, as well as steel corrosion. This study explores the axial load carrying capacity and ductility of columns reinforced with combination of stainless steel bars and GFRP bars. The study conducted tests on 36 columns, varying in strengths (30 MPa, 40 MPa, 50 MPa), reinforcement types (GFRP bars (G group), stainless steel bars (S group), GFRP bars-stainless steel bars (GS group)), and reinforcement ratios (1.01%, 1.56%, 2.26%). The results exhibit positive correlation between the axial load carrying capacity of the column and both the strength grade and reinforcement ratio. In general, SSCC columns reinforced with stainless steel bars (S-SSCC) exhibit the highest axial load carrying capacity, followed by those reinforced with combination of GFRP bars and stainless steel bars (GS-SSCC), and SSCC columns reinforced with GFRP bars (G-SSCC) exhibit the lowest axial load carrying capacity. Furthermore, the axial load carrying capacity was determined utilizing ACI 440, CSA S806 and the finite element software ABAQUS. The results derived from the analytical model exhibited strong agreement with those obtained experimentally. Ductility analysis results suggest that columns with hybrid reinforcement can significantly improve ductility compared to those with only GFRP bars.
Supporting Older Adults’ Mental Health Against Suspected Mental Health Problems: The Moderating Role of an Age-Friendly Neighborhood
Authors: Leung Dara Kiu Yi , Yiu Eric Kwok Lun , Liu Tianyin , Zhang Wen , Kwok Wai-Wai , Sze Lesley Cai Yin , Wong Gloria Hoi Yan , Lum Terry Yat Sang
Published: August 2024

This study examined how compensatory and enabling domains of an Age-Friendly City (AFC) moderate the relationship between suspected mental health problems and depressive and anxiety symptoms among older adults. Four thousand six hundred and twenty-five Hong Kong Chinese aged ≥60 years completed a telephone survey between April and July 2022, including PHQ-2 and GAD-2. AFC indices sourced from prior territory-wide study. Linear mixed models showed that enabling AFC domains, namely, social participation, respect and social inclusion, and civic participation and employment, alleviated the effects of suspected mental health problems on respondents’ depressive and anxiety symptoms (b = −0.40 to −0.56). Three-way interaction models revealed that the protective effects of all compensatory and enabling AFCC domains (b = −1.23 to −6.18), except civic participation and employment, were stronger in old-old (70–79 years) and oldest-old (≥80 years) than young-old (60–69 years). AFCC-based interventions should focus on compensatory and enabling domains to support older adults’ mental health.
‘A dangerous and exhausting struggle’: Hunting the devil fish of coastal North and South Carolina from the colonial era to the early decades of the 1900s
Authors: Harris Lynn B.
Published: August 2024

Scientists, hunters and business entrepreneurs in the Carolinas all had mutual interests in giant manta rays ( Mobula birostris) during the early decades of the 1900s. Eastern-seaboard coastal communities called them devil fish, because of the horn-shaped fins on their head. Although the Ocean Leather Company in Morehead City primarily processed shark-skin leather, it also experimented with the skins of rays and other sea animals for the manufacture of a great variety of consumer products. Articles were written for scientific journals and ray specimens were contributed to national institutions like the American Museum of Natural History. Local fishermen, along with celebrities like the US president, Teddy Roosevelt, harpooned devil fish in Cape Lookout while marvelling at their grace and strength, breaching up to six feet above the water's surface. Beaufort planter William Elliott presented many accounts of this fantastic sea creature, with vivid stories of enslaved African harpooners jumping off boats onto the backs of giant manta rays. This research combines historical accounts and images, newspaper advertisements and talks at local explorer clubs to illustrate case studies of the community's obsession with collecting, cooking, hunting and conquering rays as an important component of maritime leisure and environmental history. It concludes by addressing international examples of subsistence, recreational and industrial fishing, and its impacts on manta rays.
Artificial Intelligence-Based Models for Prediction of Mortality in ICU Patients: A Scoping Review
Authors: Olang Orkideh , Mohseni Sana , Shahabinezhad Ali , Hamidianshirazi Yasaman , Goli Amireza , Abolghasemian Mansour , Shafiee Mohammad Ali , Aarabi Mehdi , Alavinia Mohammad , Shaker Pouyan
Published: August 2024

Background and Objective

Healthcare professionals may be able to anticipate more accurately a patient's timing of death and assess their possibility of recovery by implementing a real-time clinical decision support system. Using such a tool, the healthcare system can better understand a patient's condition and make more informed judgements about distributing limited resources. This scoping review aimed to analyze various death prediction AI (Artificial Intelligence) algorithms that have been used in ICU (Intensive Care Unit) patient populations.

Methods

The search strategy of this study involved keyword combinations of outcome and patient setting such as mortality, survival, ICU, terminal care. These terms were used to perform database searches in MEDLINE, Embase, and PubMed up to July 2022. The variables, characteristics, and performance of the identified predictive models were summarized. The accuracy of the models was compared using their Area Under the Curve (AUC) values.

Results

Databases search yielded an initial pool of 8271 articles. A two-step screening process was then applied: first, titles and abstracts were reviewed for relevance, reducing the pool to 429 articles. Next, a full-text review was conducted, further narrowing down the selection to 400 key studies. Out of 400 studies on different tools or models for prediction of mortality in ICUs, 16 papers focused on AI-based models which were ultimately included in this study that have deployed different AI-based and machine learning models to make a prediction about negative patient outcome. The accuracy and performance of the different models varied depending on the patient populations and medical conditions. It was found that AI models compared with traditional tools like SAP3 or APACHE IV score were more accurate in death prediction, with some models achieving an AUC of up to 92.9%. The overall mortality rate ranged from 5% to more than 60% in different studies.

Conclusion

We found that AI-based models exhibit varying performance across different patient populations. To enhance the accuracy of mortality prediction, we recommend customizing models for specific patient groups and medical contexts. By doing so, healthcare professionals may more effectively assess mortality risk and tailor treatments accordingly. Additionally, incorporating additional variables—such as genetic information—into new models can further improve their accuracy.
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene/multi-walled carbon nanotubes nanocomposite foams for electromagnetic interference shielding with optimized performance
Authors: Azerang Bashar , Azdast Taher , Doniavi Ali , Hasanzadeh Rezgar
Published: August 2024

The advancement of polymeric nanocomposite foams for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding can be credited to two main factors: the multiple deflections of the incoming electromagnetic waves within the shield and the formation of conductive pathways by the nanofillers. In this research, chemical foaming is employed in injection molding machine to create foams made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). By incorporating a 1 wt% concentration of MWCNT, applying a pressure time of 2 s, and allowing for a cooling time of 60 s, foamed nanocomposite samples demonstrated a remarkable total EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) of SET = 16.25 dB. This SE value surpassed the EMI SE values of the remaining samples across the X-band frequency range. Upon comparing foamed samples of pure and nanocomposite materials with identical cell density, it was observed that the enhancement of SET for the nanocomposite foamed sample reached 21.2% in contrast to the pure foamed sample operating at 11.52 GHz. The research revealed that incorporating a microcellular structure had a notable impact on the electrical conductivity, relative permittivity, dielectric loss, relative permeability, and magnetic loss in ABS/MWCNT nanocomposites. Furthermore, the nanocomposite foams demonstrated significantly greater EMI SE in comparison to their solid counterparts.
Agents of Discord: Modeling the Impact of Political Bots on Opinion Polarization in Social Networks
Authors: Lu Hsiu-Chi , Lee Hsuan-wei
Published: August 2024

The pervasive presence and influence of political bots have become the subject of extensive research in recent years. Studies have revealed that a significant percentage of active accounts are bots, contributing to the polarization of public sentiment online. This study employs an agent-based model in conducting computer simulations of complex social networks, to elucidate how bots, representing diverse ideological perspectives, exacerbate societal divisions. To investigate the dynamics of opinion diffusion and shed light on the phenomenon of polarization caused by the activities of political bots, we introduced bots into a bounded-confidence opinion dynamic model for different social networks, whereby the effects of bots on other agents were studied to provide a comprehensive understanding of their influence on opinion dynamics. The simulations showed that the symmetrical deployment of bots on both sides of the opinion spectrum intensifies polarization. These effects were observed within specific tolerance and homophily ranges, with low and high user tolerances slowing down polarization. Moreover, the average path length of the network and the centrality of the bots had a significant impact on the result. Finally, polarization tends to be lower when humans exhibit reduced confidence in bots. This research not only offers valuable insights into the implications of bot activities on the polarization of public opinion and current state of digital society but also provides suggestions to mitigate bot-driven polarization.
A Systematic Review of Breathing Exercise Interventions: An Integrative Complementary Approach for Anxiety and Stress in Adult Populations
Authors: Morgan Sandra P. , Lengacher Cecile A. , Seo Yaewon
Published: August 2024

Aim: Nurses are well-qualified to deliver integrative complementary therapy interventions, a holistic approach to assist individuals experiencing anxiety and stress. Self-regulated, controlled breathing exercises (a clinical approach) are reported to decrease anxiety and increase stress tolerance. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the effectiveness of breathing exercise interventions on the psychological and physiologic outcomes of anxiety and stress among adults and assess the state of the science in the post-COVID-19 population. Methods: A systematic review was conducted, and four scientific databases were searched: PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, and Web of Science. Inclusion criteria included: (1) peer-reviewed studies, (2) adults over 18, (3) breathing exercise interventions, and (4) anxiety or stress as outcomes. Results: Out of 309 studies identified, 19 were included. Twelve reported significant improvements in anxiety and nine reported significant improvements in stress following varying breathing exercise interventions ( p < .05). No adverse events were reported. Conclusions: Breathing exercises were found to be effective in reducing anxiety and stress in adults, however, there continues to be limited evidence that includes large randomized controlled trials. Breathing exercises are a holistic care approach that can be safely implemented by nurses to decrease symptomatology among adults, including the post-COVID population.
Contours of a research programme for the study of the relationship of religion and public administration
Authors: Ongaro Edoardo , Tantardini Michele
Published: August 2024

This is the introductory article to the special issue ‘Religion as an explanatory factor in public administration: Directions for research’. We make the argument that religion matters for understanding public administration, and that the manifold relationships between religion and public administration deserve more systematic investigation. We present and critically consider the papers of this special issue with the goal of delineating the contours of a proposed research programme for advancing the study of the relationships between religion and public administration. We also notice the risks associated with the study of the influence of religion on public administration, and we argue for an ethics of responsibility in engaging with this important field of scholarly inquiry.
Development of a novel quadruped hybrid wheeled-legged mobile robot with telescopic legs
Authors: Mohamed Shuaiby , Im YoungWoo , Shin HyeonSang , Kim Youngshik , Shin Buhyun
Published: August 2024

This paper presents a novel design of a quadruped hybrid leg-wheel mobile robot comprising two DOFs (a prismatic joint and a revolute joint) for the legs and one rotational joint for the wheel. The study begins by detailing the design of the structure and mechanism of the proposed system. We created the dynamic model of the proposed robot using MATLAB Simscape Multibody. The legged mode gait is developed using three supporting legs and one transferring leg. We developed a walking algorithm for the quadruped robot that comprises six motion steps. The simulation and experimental results demonstrate that our proposed robot has the ability to successfully traverse both flat surfaces and rough terrain. The robot’s design also enables it to perform various modes of movement, including normal vertical and horizontal driving, rotation around the robot’s centre of gravity, rotation in a large arc, and walking on flat terrain.
Developing and validating a clinical risk score to predict losses in the PISCIS cohort of people with HIV
Authors: Palacio-Vieira Jorge , Díaz Yesika , Moreno-Fornés Sergio , Bruguera Andreu , Nomah Daniel K. , Llibre Josep M. , Knobel Hernando , Chivite Iván , Miró José M. , Suanzes Paula , Fanjul Francisco , Navarro Gemma , Macorigh Lizza , Homar Borràs Francesc , Vilaró López Ingrid , Orti Llaveria Amat Joaquim , Casabona Jordi , Imaz Arkaitz , Reyes-Urueña Juliana ,   PISCIS Study Group
Published: August 2024

Background

People lost to follow-up (LTFU) from HIV care have an increased risk of worse health. The objective of this study is to create and validate a risk score to predict LTFU among PLWH in Catalonia and the Balearic Islands.

Methods

6661 PLWH were included. LTFU were those without contact with HIV care for 12 months or more. Logistic regression models were used to assess the role of independent factors on LTFU. The validation included a 10-fold iteration to predict the performance of the regression model and the Area under the ROC Curve (AUC). Regression coefficients were rounded and summed to construct the score.

Results

Determinants of LTFU included being younger than 34 years (OR: 1.80, CI, 1.44–2.23), not having been born in Spain (OR: 1.32, 1.11–1.58), men who inject drugs (OR: 2.10, 1.38–3.19), having a detectable viral load (OR: 3.14, 2.47–3.99), and ≤2.5 years since HIV diagnosis (OR: 3.84, 3.10–4.75). The validation of determinants resulted in a mean AUC of 0.69 and the risk-score revealed that 28.8% had a medium and 3.4% a high risk of LTFU respectively.

Conclusions

Findings can be used to prevent LTFU in HIV care.
Treatment patterns in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in New Zealand
Authors: Lao Chunhuan , Dantzig Philippa Van , Tugnet Nikki , Lawrenson Ross , White Douglas
Published: August 2024

Objectives

This study aims to explore the treatment pattern of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Methods

SLE patients were linked to the pharmaceutical dispensing data. The use of publicly funded anti-malarials, immunomodulators, biologics, glucocorticoids and bisphosphonates were compared by gender, ethnicity, age group, socioeconomic status and year of SLE identification. Adherence to hydroxychloroquine was examined using the medication possession ratio (MPR), with a MPR of ≥0.8 considered as high adherence.

Results

Of the 2631 SLE patients, 73.8% used hydroxychloroquine, 64.1% used immunomodulators/biologics and 68.0% used 5 mg or more prednisone daily for at least 90 days. Women were more likely to use hydroxychloroquine than men. Asian patients had a different treatment pattern than other ethnic groups, and Māori were less likely to use hydroxychloroquine. The proportions of patients using different treatments decreased with age. Of the patients using hydroxychloroquine, 54.5% had high adherence. For patients over 40 years old and on long term prednisone, 47.3% had bisphosphonates and this figure was 17.8% for patients under the age of 40 years old. Patients with better socioeconomic status had a higher probability of using bisphosphonates than patients with lower socioeconomic status.

Conclusions

Adherence to hydroxychloroquine in these patients varied and was lower in men and in Māori. Prednisone is commonly prescribed and used long term. Half of those over the age of 40 years old co-administered bisphosphonate. Further research is needed to identify the reasons for these discrepancies on SLE treatments by gender, ethnicity, age and socioeconomic status.
Utility of pan-immune-inflammation value as a predictor of the prognosis of childhood lupus
Authors: Alasmari Ali , Aldakhil Haifa , Almutairi Abdulaziz , Nashawi Mohammed , Basahl Emtenan , Abushhaiwia Awatif , Hashad Soad , Etayari Hala , Elfawires Yusra , Khawaja Khulood Walid , Bakry Reima , Akbar Lujayn , De Vol Edward , AlSaleem Alhanouf , Al-Mayouf Sulaiman M
Published: August 2024

Background

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory multisystemic disease. Monitoring disease activity thoughtout the disease course is important for effective management and assessment of disease outcome.

Objective

To assess whether the pan-immune inflammation value (PIIV) at diagnosis could predict organ involvement and disease activity in childhood SLE (cSLE) patients after 12 months of disease onst.

Methods

This is an observational retrospective multicenter study that comprised cSLE patients seen and followed at the participating centers between January 2010 and December 2022. All patients met the EULAR/ACR-19 criteria, were immunosuppressive drug-naïve at the time of SLE diagnosis and had a minimal follow-up period of 12 months. The data included clinical and laboratory findings and disease activity using the SLEDAI-2K. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were employed to determine the optimal cut-off value of PIIV and assess its predictive potential for disease activity, and organ involvement.

Results

A total of 125 patients (104 female) with a median age of 16.0 (IQR 5.6) years, a median age at disease onset of 10.9 (IQR 3.0) years, and a median disease duration of 4.8 (IQR 5.3) years were included. The most frequent involved organs at diagnosis were hematological (89.6%), musculoskeletal (68.8%), mucocutaneous (63.2%), and renal (58.4%). However, at a 12-month follow-up visit, the most frequent involved organs were renal (40.0%), hematological (39.2%), musculoskeletal (15.2%), and mucocutaneous (10.4%). The median PIIV at diagnosis was 139 (IQR 229.6), while the median SLEDAI was 12 (IQR 6.5) and 3.5 (IQR 7.0) at diagnosis and 12 months, respectively. An optimal PIIV cut-off of 250 was found to be a predicative for disease activity, with a sensitivity of 45% and a specificity of 86%. The study revealed that the PIIV successfully predicted four systems in our cohort of patients.

Conclusion

Our work suggests the PIIV might be a reasonable predictor for organ involvement and disease activity in newly diagnosed cSLE, though further research, particularly larger studies, is required to validate these findings, especially regarding organ involvement.
Temporal volumes and dimensional friction in a coral core laboratory
Authors: McKean Cameron Allan
Published: August 2024

In the 20th century, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef emerged as a political battleground when governing bodies planned to turn its coral territories into a vast mining zone. But in the 21st century, as the temporalisation of the Reef exerts increasing influence on the governance, securitisation and anticipation of planetary futures, coral time has emerged as a new site of political and imaginative conflict. Responding to this shift from territory to temporality, how can we pay closer attention to those skilfully making coral time? In this article, I introduce ‘dimensional friction’ as a tool for considering how the temporal structure of corals intersects with the temporal structure of global climate science in a coring laboratory. Based on my fieldwork at the Australian Institute of Marine Science, I analyse simultaneously discursive, technical, and imaginative problems that emerge when scientists transform the mineral skeletons of corals into time data. Dimensional friction appears whenever this skeletal matter is manipulated, surfacing the lab-based production of vertical time-depth but also suggesting other ways of temporalising (and corporally appropriating) coral time. Viewed in this way, coral cores might be better understood as ‘temporal volumes’ rather than chronostratigraphic records amenable to linear timelines and trajectories.
The development of maxillofacial surgery in East Germany: From a municipal hospital to specialised department at the medical academy Dresden
Authors: Marschner Felix
Published: August 2024

The transition of the Stomatology Clinic into the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery at the Medical Academy Carl Gustav Carus in Dresden shows how healthcare evolved in East Germany after the Second World War. Founded in 1954 to tackle medical staff shortages, the department grew and specialised over time, becoming a key hub for surgical dentistry in Saxony. Through structural changes, it became a semi-autonomous unit, emphasising patient care and research. By 1983, it evolved into a full Section of Stomatology, streamlining care and training, enhancing expertise and promoting collaboration. Overall, this transformation reflects a significant shift in dental healthcare and academic leadership, shaping surgical dentistry in the region.
Wilhelm Keller MD (1818–1877) and the emergence of xenobiochemistry
Authors: Mitchell Stephen , Waring Rosemary
Published: August 2024

Although there had been many previous inklings, the field of xenobiotic metabolism (as we know it today) began with an experiment reported in the 1841 literature proclaiming that the ingestion of benzoic acid led to the subsequent excretion of hippuric acid in human urine. A metabolic transformation undertaken by a living organism. One worker involved in the early stages of this discovery was Wilhelm Keller, although very little information about him is readily available. Hopefully, this article will go some way to counter this dearth and also highlight Keller's pioneering contribution in the development of the fields of drug metabolism and xenobiochemistry.
Book review: Mustafa Suleyman and Michael Bhaskar, The Coming Wave: AI, Power and the Twenty-first Century’s Greatest Dilemma
Authors: Bose Himadri
Published: August 2024

Mustafa Suleyman and Michael Bhaskar, The Coming Wave: AI, Power and the Twenty-first Century’s Greatest Dilemma (London: Bodley Head, 2023), 352 pp. £25.00, ISBN: 978-18-4792-748-4 (Paperback).
Biomechanical effects of femoral prosthesis misalignment on the structure of the lateral compartment during medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty in osteoporotic patients
Authors: Liu Mengfei , Jiang Kan , Ju Xiaochen
Published: August 2024

Background

This study aims to investigate the impact of varying coronal alignments of femoral prostheses on stress and strain distributions within the lateral compartment following unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) in patients with normal bone density and osteoporosis using finite element analysis. Additionally, it examines the relationship between osteoporosis and the progression of osteoarthritis in the lateral compartment postoperatively.

Methods

UKA models were developed for both normal bone and osteoporotic conditions using a validated finite element model of the knee. Seven alignment conditions for the femoral prosthesis were simulated: 0° (neutral alignment), varus angles of 3°, 6°, and 9°, and valgus angles of 3°, 6°, and 9°, resulting in a total of 14 scenarios. Stress and strain distributions in the meniscus, tibial cartilage, and femoral cartilage of the lateral compartment were evaluated.

Results

The results indicated that stress and strain in the meniscus, tibial cartilage, and femoral cartilage of the lateral compartment increased with greater varus alignment and decreased with greater valgus alignment in both normal and osteoporotic models. At equivalent alignment angles, stress and strain were consistently higher in the osteoporotic model (M2) compared to the normal bone model (M1), although the peak equivalent stress in the tibial cartilage was lower in the M2 model than in the M1 model.

Conclusions

In patients with osteoporosis undergoing fixed-bearing medial UKA, varus malalignment of the femoral prosthesis can lead to increased stress and strain in the lateral compartment’s meniscus, tibial cartilage, and femoral cartilage. These findings suggest that osteoporosis may contribute to abnormal stress and strain distributions in the lateral compartment following UKA, potentially accelerating the progression of osteoarthritis in this region postoperatively.
Translating Open-Ended Questions in Cross-Cultural Qualitative Research: A Comprehensive Framework
Authors: de Jesús-Espinosa Tania , Solís-Báez Solymar , Valencia-Molina Claudia P. , Triana Orrego Juan Camilo , Benítez Duque Joas , Phillips J. Craig , Schnall Rebecca , Cuca Yvette P. , Chen Wei-Ti , Shaibu Sheila , Sabone Motshedisi , Wang Tongyao , Iwu Emilia , Horvat Davey Christine , Murphey Christina , Palmieri Patrick , Chaiphibalsarisdi Puangtip , Corless Inge B. , Makhado Lufuno , Santa Maria Diane , Dawson-Rose Carol
Published: August 2024

Introduction:

Globalization has increased the importance of multicultural research to address health disparities and improve healthcare outcomes for underrepresented communities. The International Nursing Network for HIV Research (The Network) serves as a platform for researchers to collaborate on cross-cultural and cross-national HIV studies. This article discusses the Network’s approach to overcoming barriers in multicultural and multinational research in a qualitative context.

Methods:

The network created a protocol to guide decision-making throughout the translation process of qualitative data collected from participants in their native languages. The protocol includes aspects of why, when, what, who, how, where, and by what means the translation is completed.

Results:

The protocol has allowed researchers to enhance the validity, reliability, and cultural sensitivity of translation process, ensuring the clarity and impact of their research findings.

Discussion:

Rigorous translation practices promote cross-cultural understanding and respect for participants’ perspectives, fostering global collaborations and knowledge exchange.
Profiling the Roles and Responsibilities of Professionals and Non-Professionals Providing Speech Language Services for Individuals with CLP in Resource-Limited Regions
Authors: Subramaniyan B. , Sell Debbie , Pereira Valerie , Sweeney Triona , Nagarajan Roopa , Bostock Erika , Young Selena Ee-Li , Goldschmied Karen , Prathanee Benjamas , Jayathilake Malka , Takei Yoshiko , Jahan Nargis , Yu Veronica
Published: August 2024

Fourteen Speech and Language Therapists/Pathologists (SLT/Ps) from 13 countries across 5 continents made up the International Confederation of Cleft Lip and Palate and Related Craniofacial Anomalies (ICCPCA) CLEFT 2022 Speech Taskforce. Following a group consensus activity led by an external facilitator using Lightning Design Thinking principles, “task-shifting” was identified as the topic for this Taskforce. Absence and scarcity of SLT/Ps in many parts of the world have led to non-SLT/Ps delivering speech and language therapy services to individuals with cleft lip +/− palate. This narrative is the first known attempt to develop a framework, describing the different types of providers and their scope of practice.
The Efficacy of Child–Parent Relationship Therapy Among Child-Welfare Involved Families: A Pilot Study
Authors: Russell Bethany , Frawley Caitlin , Wilson Niko , Dillman Taylor Dalena , Cypret Amanda
Published: August 2024

Due to the significant increase of children moving through the child welfare system more families have been mandated, through a pilot program, to participate in Child–Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT). Child–Parent Relationship Therapy, an evidence-based intervention, empowers primary caregivers to understand and support their children, but the efficacy is unknown when mandated. To address this gap, researchers collected data from a community setting to assess the efficacy of mandated CPRT participation compared to voluntary participation. Through data analysis, researchers found that both groups reported a statistically significant decrease in their child's observed behaviors. Furthermore, when comparing the two groups, researchers found that there was no statistical difference in the efficacy of CPRT when comparing the adjusted means. These preliminary findings provide evidence to support that CPRT is equally supportive to those seeking support as to those who are mandated.
Developing a Deliberative-Delphi Method for Informing National Conservation Capacity Development Strategies
Authors: Alberts R. C. , Hauptfleisch M. , Retief F. P. , Roos C. , Cilliers D. P. , Atuyma J. , Moolman H. J. , Liebenberg L. , Haingura G. K. , Bond A. J.
Published: August 2024

Conservation governance requires inter-disciplinary approaches aimed at bridging science, management, and policy divides, which introduces capacity development challenges in developing countries. In particular, there is a need to establish how best to direct capacity development efforts in order to achieve long-term conservation benefits. To help meet this challenge, a deliberative-Delphi method was developed and tested in Namibia based on an integrated Delphi and workshop-based approach. Deliberative-Delphi involves rapid responses to questions followed by consensus workshops to agree emerging themes. The method was applied to researchers in the fields of conservation ecology, conservation governance, and futures thinking (FT) identifying and prioritising ten conservation themes over a two-day period. These themes were then aligned with Namibian conservation policy and explicated through literature review, providing a roadmap for capacity development interventions (through setting university curricula, research agendas, and future policy changes). The approach can be applied elsewhere to focus conservation capacity development interventions.
The incidence of the thrombophilic SNPs rs6025, rs1799963, rs2066865, rs2289252, and rs8176719 in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Kvasnička Jan , Jansa Pavel , Cífková Renata , Dušková Daniela , Bobčíková Petra , Ševčík Martin , Zenáhlíková Zuzana , Kvasnička Tomáš
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) and venous thromboembolism (VTE) are thought to share many common risk factors. Our study aimed to determine the frequencies of 5 thrombosis-related gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with VTE in patients with CTEPH (n 129) compared with a control group of healthy individuals without a history of VTE (n 2637).

Methods

The SNPs of the following genes were investigated: F5 (F V Leiden, rs6025), F2 prothrombin (rs1799963), fibrinogen gamma (FGG, rs2066865), F11 (rs2289252) and ABO (non-O, rs8176719) in both groups.

Results

The study found that the rs1799963 variant was more common in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) compared to the control group (p < .0001). The GA heterozygous variant showed a significant increase with an odds ratio (OR) of 4.480 (95% CI: 2.344-8.562) or a finding by maximum likelihood analysis (MLA) with p < .0001. Additionally, there was a notable increase in the rs8176719 variant with p < .0001 in CTEPH patients. Both the homozygous G/G variant and the heterozygous -/G variant also showed an increase, with OR of 4.2317 (95% CI: 2.45571-7.2919) and 2.4324 (95% CI: 1.46435-4.0403) respectively, or MLA (p < .0001 and p .0006). The study also revealed a higher prevalence of the heterozygous C/T variant of rs2289252 in CTEPH patients, with an OR of 1.5543 (95% CI: 1.02503-2.3568) or MLA (p .0379).

Conclusion

The study suggests that the observed gene polymorphisms F2 (rs1799963), ABO (rs8176719), and F11 (rs2289252) may play a role as independent heritable risk factors in the development of CTEPH.
Mobile Content: Understanding Drivers of Engagement by Screen
Authors: Chae Myoung-Jin , Rodriguez-Vila Omar , Bharadwaj Sundar
Published: August 2024

Brand messages are now being delivered across multiple screens, including smartphones and PCs. While researchers have explored various marketing-related dynamics of mobile phone use, relatively little is known about the unique effects of different screens on the engagement outcomes of branded messages. In this research, the authors draw on construal level theory and propose that messages are construed at lower levels on mobile phone (vs. PC) screens, due to a closer psychological distance to those devices. Using a combination of four studies including lab experiments and an analysis with a unique dataset of branded social media messages consumed across mobile phone and PC screens, they show that immediate (i.e., closer temporal distance) social media messages are more engaging on mobile phones than PCs and that the effects are driven by low levels of construal. The findings suggest that there is a screen effect on content effectiveness, and therefore marketers need to not only consider the differences in format (e.g., screen size) of messages but also specifically configure content design for mobile consumption to enhance consumer engagement.
Pigmented paravenous retinochoroidal atrophy and retinitis pigmentosa-like phenotype in the same patient: A case series
Authors: Colombo Leonardo , Martella Salvatore , Rissotto Roberta , Romano Simona , Maltese Paolo Enrico , Bonetti Gabriele , Bertelli Matteo , Rossetti Luca
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Concomitant manifestation of PPRCA in one eye and RP-like retinopathy in the fellow eye is a rare clinical entity, with limited published descriptions to date. The aim of this study is to describe comprehensive clinical evaluations and long-term follow-up of three patients affected by this clinical picture.

Methods

Three patients with concurrent PPRCA and RP-like retinopathy were prospectively re-evaluated and comprehensive assessments were performed. The progression of disease was assessed by comparing best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and ellipsoid zone (EZ) width with data available from each patient's medical charts and previous SD-OCT scans. Blood samples were collected and tested to rule out autoimmune or infectious ocular diseases, for testing anti-retinal autoantibodies (ARAs) and for genetic analysis.

Results

Reduction in BCVA and a progressive concentric loss of the EZ band over time were detected in the eye with RP-like phenotype in all three patients, while in the eye with PPRCA none of the patients showed significant changes in BCVA and only one patient showed a progressive reduction of the EZ width. No clear etiology has been identified. Two or more ARAs subtypes were detected in two out of three patients.

Conclusions

PPRCA was demonstrated to be a non-progressive or slowly progressive disease, instead the eye with RP-like phenotype showed a progressive visual impairment, highlighting the importance of shedding light on this condition. Its etiology remains unclear: a genetic trait with different phenotype between the two eyes is conceivable, as well as a potential role of ARAs.
Electroencephalography as a tool for assessing delirium in hospitalized patients: A single-center tertiary hospital experience
Authors: Mohamad Faizal Nur Shairah , Tan Juen Kiem , Tan Michelle Maryanne , Khoo Ching Soong , Sahibulddin Siti Zaleha , Zolkafli Nursyazwana , Hod Rozita , Tan Hui Jan
Published: August 2024

Background

Delirium is a prevalent yet underdiagnosed disorder characterized by acute cognitive impairment. Various screening tools are available, including the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) and 4 A’s test (4AT). However, the results of these assessments may vary among raters. Therefore, we investigated the objective use of electroencephalography (EEG) in delirium and its clinical associations and predictive value.

Method

This cross-sectional observational study was conducted at Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz, Universiti Kebangsaan, Malaysia, from April 2021 to April 2023. This study included patients aged ≥18 years with a preliminary diagnosis of delirium. Demographic and clinical data were collected along with EEG recordings evaluated by certified neurologists to classify abnormalities and compare the associated factors between patients with delirium with or without EEG abnormalities.

Results

One hundred and twenty patients were recruited, with 80.0% displaying EEG abnormalities, mostly generalized slowing (moderate to severe) and primarily generalized slowing (mild to severe), and were characterized by theta activity. Age was significantly associated with EEG abnormalities, with patients aged 75 and older demonstrating the highest incidence (88.2%). The CAM scores were strongly correlated with EEG abnormalities (r = 0.639, P < 0.001) and was a predictor of EEG abnormalities ( P < 0.012), indicating that EEG can complement clinical assessments for delirium. The Richmond Agitation and Sedation Scale (RASS) scores (r = −0.452, P < 0.001) and Barthel index (BI) (r = −0.582, P < 0.001) were negatively correlated with EEG abnormalities. Additionally, a longer hospitalization duration was associated with EEG abnormalities (r = 0.250, P = 0.006) and emerged as a predictor of such changes ( P = 0.030).

Conclusion

EEG abnormalities are prevalent in patients with delirium, particularly in elderly patients. CAM scores and the duration of hospitalization are valuable predictors of EEG abnormalities. EEG can be an objective tool for enhancing delirium diagnosis and prognosis, thereby facilitating timely interventions.
Influence of austenitising temperature on micro-scale abrasive wear of Ni-modified ferritic stainless steel
Authors: Labiapari Wilian S , Teles Vinícius C , Pagani Vitor , de Alcântara Cláudio M , Ishizaki Neto Iwao , Fialho Rafael L , da Silva Washington M , de Mello Jose Daniel B
Published: August 2024

The biofuel industry seeks materials that can reduce maintenance costs and enhance product quality. Low alloy ferritic stainless steel, specifically P410D with 11%wt Cr, 0.01%wt C, and 0.3%wt Ni, shows promise due to its superior wear-corrosion resistance compared to structural carbon steel. Maintaining corrosion resistance while improving mechanical strength is crucial for this sector. This study investigates the impact of austenitising temperature on the abrasive wear resistance of P410D ferritic stainless steel + nickel. Austenitising temperatures from 850°C to 1050°C were tested, followed by air quenching. Additionally, the annealed and 1050°C austenitised samples were field-tested in a biofuel industrial setting to observe real-world wear micromechanisms. Alongside laboratory evaluations using a fixed-ball micro-scale abrasive wear test, were conducted. SEM images revealed grooving as the predominant wear micromechanism due to abrasive particle sliding. Samples austenitised below 950°C exhibited a biphasic microstructure of martensite and ferrite, with properties dependent on martensite fraction. Temperatures above 950°C resulted in a fully martensitic microstructure. The heat treatment increased hardness by 78%, yield strength by 117%, and decreased ductility by 169%. The sample austenitised at 1050°C showed the lowest wear rate in both field and laboratory tests, with a 77% increase in abrasion resistance. Laboratory tests confirmed a positive correlation between wear resistance and austenitising temperature. Optimizing austenitising temperature thus enhances the abrasive wear resistance of P410D ferritic stainless steel, making it a viable material for the biofuel industry.
Investigation on lubrication characteristics and deformation control of hydrostatic bearing workbench
Authors: Yu Xiaodong , Shao Mingjuan , Yang Xinyi , Li Lu , Lin Yanlong , Lan Zhiyuan , Li Enzhao , Dai Ruichun , Jia Wentao , Wang Junfeng , Jiao Jianhua , Jiang Hui
Published: August 2024

Hydrostatic bearings are widely exploited in precision machining and high-end equipment. Nonetheless, in scenarios involving high-speed and heavy-duty operations, the oil film possesses excessive heat generation due to shear and extrusion, leading to deformation of the hydrostatic bearing workbench, which affects machining accuracy and thermal stability. In view of the problem, this paper proposes a modification method to reduce the deformation. Hydrostatic bearing workbench under common working conditions is taken as the research object. Considering the viscosity-temperature effect, the variable viscosity fluid simulation of hydrostatic bearing oil film is carried out to investigate the lubrication characteristics. Based on the fluid-solid-thermal interaction method, the deformation characteristics of the hydrostatic bearing workbench are analyzed. According to the anti deformation principle, the guideway surface is modified to control the deformation of the hydrostatic bearing workbench. Finally, the interaction simulation analysis of the workbench after the structural modification shows that the structure modification achieves the expected effect. The oil film temperature is decreased and the bearing capacity is increased. The deformation of hydrostatic bearing workbench is significantly reduced.
Why do voters support niche parties?
Authors: Stiers Dieter
Published: August 2024

Niche parties have gained substantial political ground in many liberal democracies. While party behaviour scholars have examined which strategies these parties can use to increase their electoral success, less is known about the individual-level determinants of support for niche parties. In this study, I investigate why voters support niche parties. Building on previous research, I hypothesise that niche voting can be driven both by ideological considerations and by voter discontent. Analyses on 61 elections in 28 countries show that voters support niche parties mostly because of policy considerations – such as their ideological position and core issues – and less because of dissatisfaction with mainstream parties. These results show that a niche vote is in the first place a policy-driven vote and not a sign of protest with mainstream politics, and this finding holds important implications for our understanding of electoral results.
Depressive symptom clusters and biomarkers of monocyte activation, inflammation, and coagulation in people with HIV and depression
Authors: Crawford Christopher A , Polanka Brittanny M , Wu Wei , MacDonald Krysha L , Gupta Samir K , Stewart Jesse C
Published: August 2024

We assess associations of somatic and cognitive/affective depressive symptom clusters with monocyte activation (soluble (s)CD14, sCD163), systemic inflammation (interleukin-6 (IL-6), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP)), and coagulation (D-dimer, fibrinogen) in people with HIV (PWH) on suppressive antiretroviral therapy with depression. Utilizing baseline data from a randomized controlled trial, we found no significant associations in linear regression models examining individual depressive symptom clusters; however, models examining both clusters simultaneously showed that the somatic cluster was positively associated with inflammation biomarkers, while the cognitive/affective cluster was negatively associated with inflammation and coagulation biomarkers (suggesting a cooperative suppression effect). Our findings indicate a differential association with depressive symptom clusters and biological mechanisms underlying cardiovascular disease (CVD) in HIV, which may be driven by unique components of each depressive symptom cluster. This line of research could identify subgroups of PWH with depression at elevated CVD risk needing early CVD prevention approaches. Supported by R01 HL126557.
Study on the crystallisation of amorphous alloy–titanium alloy joints during different welding processes
Authors: Chen Minghua , Li Ke , Xin Lijun , Wu Fufa
Published: August 2024

In this study, continuous laser beam welding (CLBW) and tungsten-inert-gas (TIG) welding were employed to weld β-Ti dendrite-toughened metal glass composite with TC4 titanium alloy. The microstructure, element distribution, and mechanical properties of the welded joints were studied. The influence of the welding heat source state and welding speed on the crystallisation of the joints was analysed. The results revealed that at the interface between the fusion zone (FZ) and the Ti alloy, columnar crystals of β-Ti grew positively and extended from the Ti alloy into the FZ. The development of β-Ti grains was more pronounced during TIG welding than during CLBW owing to the lower cooling rate of the liquid pool in TIG welding. The hardness in the FZ of the TIG-welded sample was lower than that of the CLBW sample.
Effect of Ti content on weld formation and mechanical properties of welded joints of TA2/Q235 bimetallic sheets
Authors: Liu Dejia , Ma Zhe , Xue Nianlong , Wang Weixiong , Han Shanguo
Published: August 2024

Due to the issue of brittle Ti-Fe intermetallic compounds, a challenge for the welding of Ti/steel bimetallic sheets is presented. In this study, four types of multi-principal powders of Fe25-xCo25Ni25Cu25Tix were designed based on eutectic high-entropy alloys (HEAs), which were used as filler materials for laser welding of TA2/Q235 bimetallic sheets. The impact of Ti content in the filler powders on weld formation and mechanical properties was investigated. It is found that with an increase in the Ti content, the hardness values of the weld zones generally increased, whereas the tensile strengths decreased. The maximum tensile strength of ∼298.4 MPa was achieved in the joint using Fe20Co25Ni25Cu25Ti5 filler powders, in which the weld metal met the definition of an HEA.