bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on Deformation Response Law of Surrounding Rock in Solid Backfill Mining Stope
Authors: Lai Xingping , Wu Longquan , Cao Jiantao , Tu Yuhang
Published: January 2024

To fully control the roof and surface and reduce the ecological damage caused by mining, it is necessary to understand the deformation response law of the surrounding rock in solid backfill mining. The similarities and differences of overburden movement characteristics between natural caving method and solid backfill method are analyzed and compared by means of on‐site investigation and monitoring, theoretical derivation and analysis, numerical simulation and effect verification. The control mechanism of backfill mining on the roof is clarified, and the relationship between stope roof displacement and support pressure of backfill body is established. Furthermore, the mechanical conditions of immediate roof in equilibrium state during backfill mining are established. The FLAC3D simulation indicates that the solid backfill mining face has a concentrated stress peak located 15 m ahead of the coal wall. Within the range from 0 to 5 m, the abutment pressure is reduced gradually. However, within the range from 5 to 15 m, the abutment pressure is increased evidently. The stress concentration is located 35 m behind the working face. With continuous backfilling of the goaf, the maximum displacement occurs in the backfill body near the working face. The total deformation of the surrounding rock in the goaf is reduced by 58%. The total deformation of coal wall is reduced by ∼37.5%. The subsidence coefficient is reduced from 0.59 to 0.013 by using the backfill mining technology. The research results provide theoretical guidance and reference for roof control and ecological protection of backfill mining.
NRAS Mutant Dictates AHCYL1-Governed ER Calcium Homeostasis for Melanoma Tumor Growth
Authors: Cai Chufan , Tu Jiayi , Najarro Jeronimo , Zhang Rukang , Fan Hao , Zhang Freya Q. , Li Jiacheng , Xie Zhicheng , Su Rui , Dong Lei , Arellano Nicole , Ciboddo Michele , Elf Shannon E. , Gao Xue , Chen Jing , Wu Rong
Published: January 2024

Calcium homeostasis is critical for cell proliferation, and emerging evidence shows that cancer cells exhibit altered calcium signals to fulfill their need for proliferation. However, it remains unclear whether there are oncogene-specific calcium homeostasis regulations that can expose novel therapeutic targets. Here, from RNAi screen, we report that adenosylhomocysteinase like protein 1 (AHCYL1), a suppressor of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) calcium channel protein inositol trisphosphate receptor (IP3R), is selectively upregulated and critical for cell proliferation and tumor growth potential of human NRAS-mutated melanoma, but not for melanoma expressing BRAF V600E. Mechanistically, AHCYL1 deficiency results in decreased ER calcium levels, activates the unfolded protein response (UPR), and triggers downstream apoptosis. In addition, we show that AHCYL1 transcription is regulated by activating transcription factor 2 (ATF2) in NRAS-mutated melanoma. Our work provides evidence for oncogene-specific calcium regulations and suggests AHCYL1 as a novel therapeutic target for RAS mutant-expressing human cancers, including melanoma.

Implications:

Our findings suggest that targeting the AHCYL1–IP3R axis presents a novel therapeutic approach for NRAS-mutated melanomas, with potential applicability to all cancers harboring RAS mutations, such as KRAS-mutated human colorectal cancers.
A novel fuzzy-logic controller-MDsUPQC topology for power quality improvement in multi-feeder distribution system
Authors: Mudhavath Sriramulu Naik , Rao Lingineni Shanmukha , Sharma Pidatala Prabhakara , Latha Sangu Bala Pushpa
Published: January 2024

In the current situation, the significant usage of massive non-linear functioned power electronic loads has been increased in domestic and industrial applications. The main problem of power-quality (PQ) deterioration in both voltage quality and current quality from nominal values and also damaging the single/multi feeder distribution systems. The major contribution is to alleviate the PQ issues by employing novel multi-devices unified power-quality conditioner (MDsUPQC) topology in a multi-feeder distribution system. This MDsUPQC comprises multiple voltage source inverter (VSI) devices connected with a common direct current-link (DC-link) capacitor which is controlled by a proportional-integral (PI) controller. However, this controller has some technical issues that are not suited for the regulation of common DC voltage at the desired level because of improper selection of gain values. The contribution of this work is proposing an intelligent fuzzy-logic (FL) DC-link controller-driven MDsUPQC device which evidences the intelligent knowledge base for better regulation of PQ issues. The technique and performance of the suggested strategy for PQ improvement, load sharing between feeders, and simulation results are presented with comparative analysis utilizing the MATLAB/Simulink software tool.
Enrichment of microscopic photographs by utilizing CNN regarding soil-transmitted helminths identification
Authors: Malik Rio Andika , Frimadani Marta Riri , Putra Dwipa Junika
Published: January 2024

Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infection remains a significant global health challenge, affecting millions of people, particularly in developing countries. A convolutional neural network (CNN) approach to optimize the detection of STH infections in microscopic images. The study aims to assess the effectiveness of the CNN model in identifying and classifying STH worm eggs accurately. The research employs MATLAB as the primary tool for conducting experiments and validation tests. By implementing image preprocessing techniques to enhance image quality and applying precise segmentation methods, the CNN model is trained on a dataset of microscopic images to learn and classify STH infections effectively. The validation test results demonstrate that the CNN model achieved a high accuracy rate of 92.31% in classifying STH infections. This accuracy surpasses traditional methods, which are time-consuming and susceptible to human errors. This study underscores the importance of integrating artificial intelligence, particularly CNN, into the healthcare domain to support detecting and diagnosing diseases requiring specialized expertise, such as STH infections. The findings of this research can serve as a valuable reference for researchers, medical practitioners, and data scientists in leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance the quality of healthcare services, leading to positive impacts on society worldwide.
Detecting facial image forgeries with transfer learning techniques
Authors: Zanje Nishigandha N. , Bongale Anupkumar M , Dharrao Deepak
Published: January 2024

Digital images have become ubiquitous in our daily lives, appearing on our smartphone screens and online websites. They are widely used in numerous industries, including media, forensic and criminal investigations, medicine, and more. The ease of access to consumer photo editing tools has made it simple to manipulate images. However, such altered images pose a serious risk in fields where image authenticity is crucial, making it challenging to confirm the reliability of digital images. Digital image fraud involves altering an image's meaning without leaving any obvious signs. In this study, we present three convolutional neural network-based transfer learning techniques “CNN” classification of facial image forgeries, using VGG-19, InceptionV3, and DenseNet201. Among these methods, DenseNet201 achieved the highest accuracy of 99%, followed by InceptionV3 at 94% and VGG-19 at 84%.
Sustainable Practices Amid the Covid-19 Pandemic of A Construction Company in Cebu, Philippines
Authors: Neri Rico Serafin B. , Polinar Mark Anthony N.
Published: January 2024

The construction industry in Cebu City is growing, but sustainability is essential, especially during times of crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic. Some businesses have not enhanced their sustainable practices to survive the new normal. The main objective of this study is to explore the triple bottom line of a construction company in Cebu City, Philippines. The study employed a descriptive-correlational research design, and the sample comprised 58 rank-and-file employees selected through a simple random sampling method. The collected data were analyzed, tabulated, and interpreted using various statistical techniques, namely weighted mean, and Pearson correlation coefficient. The study found that the organization placed a high level of importance on social and economic sustainability, while environmental sustainability was considered moderately significant. The relationship between these three variables was examined, and it was determined that they were positively correlated. The study's conclusion emphasized that balancing economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental preservation is crucial for long-term sustainability. Therefore, prioritizing these aspects can improve a company's performance and contribute to its long-term sustainability.
The Influence of Politics, Existing Regulations and Knowledge on Street Vendors’ Perception on the Legal Status of Street Vending
Authors: Kirumirah Mubarack Hamidu , Kayunze Kim , Ringo Justin
Published: January 2024

In the absence of a comprehensive policy regarding the operations of street vending, the presence of contradicting regulations and stances between politicians and government officials on the legal status of vendors, it has been easy for vendors to build various perceptions regarding their legality which at last have led them to clash with urban authorities. For this paper, the researchers determined the influence of politics, existing regulations and vendors’ knowledge vendors’ perception on the legality of street vending operations in Dar es Salaam and Mwanza Cities, Tanzania. The paper is based on a study in which a quantitative approach with a cross-sectional survey design was used to collect data from 371 respondents who were selected using proportionate stratified sampling. A questionnaire was used to collect data which were then analysed descriptively by computing descriptive statistics and inferentially by multiple regression. The findings revealed that there was a positive relationship between politics, existing regulations and street vendors’ knowledge and the perception of street vendors regarding their legality. It is concluded that continuous contradictions in law creation and implementation contribute to more problems than solutions regarding street vending activities in urban settings. It is also concluded that politics and associated actions, existing regulations and their implementation, and street vendors’ knowledge positively influence street vendors’ perception regarding the legal status of street vending operations.  It is recommended that urban authorities and politicians should set a plain ground on which operations of street vending activities will run.
Factors Contributing to Business Failure and Eventual Exit among Selected Tutorial Service Centers
Authors: Crisologo Ma Louise Gena D. , Sarreal Emilina R. , Tanpoco Manuel R.
Published: January 2024

ess failure and exit are concomitants of business discontinuance which must be extensively studied as businesses such as tutorial centers can experience unfavorable events. This paper investigated the internal (i.e., owner/founder orientations) and external (i.e., compliance with government policies) antecedents leading to business failure and the eventual exit in the shadow education industry in 2013, particularly of Philippine privately owned tutorial centers which are divided into non-registered and registered services. Using the multiple case study approach, empirical findings showed that business failure is primarily caused by internal factors specifically the owner/founder orientations, while non-compliance with government regulations is secondary. The owner/founder orientations were comprised of motivation, characteristics/behavior, skill managerial deficiencies, capabilities, and financial knowledge shortcomings. Non-registered tutorial centers asserted that only skill/managerial deficiencies and capabilities lead to failure while registered tutorial services perceived all as reasons for business failure. Not complying with government policies can affect more the registered tutorial services than the non-registered centers. Business exit was chosen by all the owners of tutorial centers as a viable option in case of business failure. Future studies can consider obtaining more participants and comprehensively investigating tutorial centers from different countries to enrich cross-country research in shadow education.
The Effect of Morphological Awareness on Lexical Knowledge of Grade 7 Learners
Authors: Cabe Alphil Christian , Isla Norman Ralph B.
Published: January 2024

There have been studies attesting that morphological awareness could develop vocabulary; yet several articles argued that lexis is a more encompassing linguistic feature than vocabulary. Hence, this quasi-experimental study sought to investigate the effect of morphological awareness on lexical knowledge of Grade 7 learners in a government high school in City of Koronadal, South Cotabato. Two groups with 45 learners each were selected to form the control and experimental groups. The two groups had a satisfactory performance and showed no significant difference in their scores in the beginning of the study. Then, they received the same 12-hour intervention within two weeks. Through dependent samples t-test, the result indicated that there was a significant difference between their scores in the beginning and end of the intervention. Moreover, through independent samples t-test, the result indicated that there was a significant difference between the scores of control and experimental groups in the end of the intervention. The experimental group that received the treatment showed a higher level of lexical knowledge than the control group. Thus, the study concluded that morphological awareness was effective on developing lexical knowledge among Grade 7 learners.
Role of Protein Kinase C in Metabolic Regulation of Coronary Endothelial Small Conductance Calcium‐Activated Potassium Channels
Authors: Xing Hang , Sabe Sharif A. , Shi Guangbin , Harris Dwight D. , Liu Yuhong , Sellke Frank W. , Feng Jun
Published: January 2024

Background

Small conductance calcium‐activated potassium (SK) channels are largely responsible for endothelium‐dependent coronary arteriolar relaxation. Endothelial SK channels are downregulated by the reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), which is increased in the setting of diabetes, yet the mechanisms of these changes are unclear. PKC (protein kinase C) is an important mediator of diabetes‐induced coronary endothelial dysfunction. Thus, we aimed to determine whether NADH signaling downregulates endothelial SK channel function via PKC.

Methods and Results

SK channel currents of human coronary artery endothelial cells were measured by whole cell patch clamp method in the presence/absence of NADH, PKC activator phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate, PKC inhibitors, or endothelial PKC
α
/PKC
β
knockdown by using small interfering RNA. Human coronary arteriolar reactivity in response to the selective SK activator NS309 was measured by vessel myography in the presence of NADH and PKC
β
inhibitor LY333531. NADH (30–300 μmol/L) or PKC activator phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (30–300 nmol/L) reduced endothelial SK current density, whereas the selective PKC
ᵦ
inhibitor LY333531 significantly reversed the NADH‐induced SK channel inhibition. PKC
β
small interfering RNA, but not PKC
α
small interfering RNA, significantly prevented the NADH‐ and phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate–induced SK inhibition. Incubation of human coronary artery endothelial cells with NADH significantly increased endothelial PKC activity and PKC
β
expression and activation. Treating vessels with NADH decreased coronary arteriolar relaxation in response to the selective SK activator NS309, and this inhibitive effect was blocked by coadministration with PKC
β
inhibitor LY333531.

Conclusions

NADH‐induced inhibition of endothelial SK channel function is mediated via PKC
β
. These findings may provide insight into novel therapeutic strategies to preserve coronary microvascular function in patients with metabolic syndrome and coronary disease.
Aspirin and Cardiovascular Risk in Individuals With Elevated Lipoprotein(a): The Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Bhatia Harpreet S. , Trainor Patrick , Carlisle Samantha , Tsai Michael Y. , Criqui Michael H. , DeFilippis Andrew , Tsimikas Sotirios
Published: January 2024

Background

Effective therapies for reducing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in people with elevated lipoprotein(a) are lacking, especially for primary prevention. Because of the potential association of lipoprotein(a) with thrombosis, we evaluated the relationship between aspirin use and CVD events in people with elevated lipoprotein(a).

Methods and Results

We used data from the MESA (Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis), a prospective cohort study of individuals free of baseline cardiovascular disease. Due to potential confounding by indication, we matched aspirin users to nonusers using a propensity score based on CVD risk factors. We then evaluated the association between aspirin use and coronary heart disease (CHD) events (CHD death, nonfatal myocardial infarction) stratified by baseline lipoprotein(a) level (threshold of 50 mg/dL) using Cox proportional hazards models with adjustment for CVD risk factors. After propensity matching, the study cohort included 2183 participants, including 1234 (57%) with baseline aspirin use and 423 (19%) with lipoprotein(a) >50 mg/dL. Participants with lipoprotein(a) >50 mg/dL had a higher burden of CVD risk factors, more frequent aspirin use (61.7% versus 55.3%,
P
=0.02), and higher rate of incident CHD events (13.7% versus 8.9%,
P
<0.01). Aspirin was associated with a significant reduction in CHD events among those with elevated lipoprotein(a) (hazard ratio, 0.54 [95% CI, 0.32–0.94];
P
=0.03). Those with lipoprotein(a) >50 mg/dL and aspirin use had similar CHD risk as those with lipoprotein(a) ≤50 mg/dL regardless of aspirin use.

Conclusions

Aspirin use was associated with a significantly lower risk for CHD events in participants with lipoprotein(a) >50 mg/dL without baseline CVD. The results of this observational propensity‐matched study require confirmation in studies with randomization of aspirin use.
Das Amt des Jerusalemer Hohepriesters im Licht biblischer und außerbiblischer Quellen der hellenistischen Zeit
Authors: Schulz Sarah
Published: January 2024

This article focuses on the Hellenistic period as a transformative phase in the development of the Jerusalem high priestly office from a merely cultic into a political leadership office and thus as a formative phase for the establishment of hierocratic ideals and structures in emerging Judaism. An overview of the literary history of Zech 3:1–9 and Zech 6:9–14 is the starting point. The ideas of the high priest’s office contained in these passages are then historically contextualised. This is done, firstly, by comparing texts from the Book of Sirach, which show close parallels to Zech 3 and Zech 6, especially Sir 50. Additionally, apocryphal and extra-biblical sources are consulted which shed light on the political situation of the Jerusalem high priestly office around the time the texts were composed, at the beginning of the Seleucid period: namely the Tobiad romance (Ant. 12:158–236) and 2 Macc 3.
A Whirling Tempest
Authors: Hildebrandt Samuel
Published: January 2024

In comparison to research on the Psalms, Isaiah, and other prophetic books, the mythic portrayal of YHWH’s combat of chaotic opposition has received little attention in the study of Jeremiah. By drawing up a holistic profile of Jeremiah’s Chaoskampf, my article demonstrates that this theme is more central to this prophetic book than the scholarly landscape might suggest. Divine mastery of various manifestations of chaos plays a key role in how the book presents YHWH’s work in creation (past), YHWH’s judgment on Israel (present), and YHWH’s defeat of Israel’s enemies and the people’s restoration (future). In conversation with myth and trauma theory, I will argue that the tension between YHWH’s unleashing and quenching of chaotic forces is rooted in the flexible character of the combat myth and that it contributes to the book’s efforts of explaining the crisis of 587 BCE.
Modulated Trends in Arctic Surface Air Temperature Extremes as a Fingerprint of Climate Change
Authors: Polyakov Igor V. , Ballinger Thomas J. , Lader Rick , Zhang Xiangdong
Published: January 2024

Strengthened by polar amplification, Arctic warming provides direct evidence for global climate change. This analysis shows how Arctic surface air temperature (SAT) extremes have changed throughout time. Using ERA5, we demonstrate a pan-Arctic (>60°N) significant upward SAT trend of +0.62°C decade−1 since 1979. Due to this warming, the warmest days of each month in the 1980s to 1990s would be considered average today, while the present coldest days would be regarded as normal in the 1980s to 1990s. Over 1979–2021, there was a 2°C (or 7%) reduction of pan-Arctic SAT seasonal cycle, which resulted in warming of the cold SAT extremes by a factor of 2 relative to the SAT trend and dampened trends of the warm SAT extremes by roughly 25%. Since 1979, autumn has seen the strongest increasing trends in daily maximum and minimum temperatures, as well as counts of days with SAT above the 90th percentile and decreasing trends in counts of days with SAT below the 10th percentile, consistent with rapid Arctic sea ice decline and enhanced air–ocean heat fluxes. The modulated SAT seasonal signal has a significant impact on the timing of extremely strong monthly cold and warm spells. The dampening of the SAT seasonal fluctuations is likely to continue to increase as more sea ice melts and upper-ocean warming persists. As a result, the Arctic winter cold SAT extremes may continue to exhibit a faster rate of change than that of the summer warm SAT extremes as the Arctic continues to warm.

Significance Statement

As a result of global warming, the Arctic Ocean’s sea ice is receding, exposing more and more areas to air–sea interactions. This reduces the range of seasonal changes in Arctic surface air temperatures (SAT). Since 1979, the reduced seasonal SAT signal has decreased the trend of warm SAT extremes by 25% over the background warming trend and doubled the trend of cold SAT extremes relative to SAT trends. A substantial number of warm and cold spells would not have been identified as exceptional if the reduction of the Arctic SAT seasonal amplitudes had not been taken into account. As the Arctic continues to warm and sea ice continues to diminish, seasonal SAT fluctuations will become more dampened, with the rate of decreasing winter SAT extremes exceeding the rate of increasing summer SAT extremes.
Deep-Cycle Turbulence in the Upper Pacific Equatorial Ocean: Characterization by LES and Heat Flux Parameterization
Authors: Pham Hieu T. , Sarkar Sutanu , Smyth William D. , Moum James N. , Warner Sally J.
Published: January 2024

Observations in the Pacific Equatorial Undercurrents (EUC) show that the nighttime deep-cycle turbulence (DCT) in the marginal-instability (MI) layer of the EUC exhibits seasonal variability that can modulate heat transport and sea surface temperature. Large-eddy simulations (LES), spanning a wide range of control parameters, are performed to identify the key processes that influence the turbulent heat flux at multiple time scales ranging from turbulent (minutes to hours) to daily to seasonal. The control parameters include wind stress, convective surface heat flux, shear magnitude, and thickness of the MI layer. In the LES, DCT occurs in discrete bursts during the night, exhibits high temporal variability within a burst, and modulates the mixed layer depth. At the daily time scale, turbulent heat flux generally increases with increasing wind stress, MI-layer shear, or nighttime convection. Convection is found to be important to mixing under weak wind, weak shear conditions. A parameterization for the daily averaged turbulent heat flux is developed from the LES suite to infer the variability of heat flux at the seasonal time scale. The LES-based parameterized heat flux, which takes into account the effects of all control parameters, exhibits a seasonal variability that is similar to the observed heat flux from the χ-pods.
Evaluation of Four Validated Risk Scores to Predict Outcomes in Hispanic Patients With Acute Pulmonary Embolism
Authors: Murguia Adrian Rojas , Segovia Fernando , Ayvali Fatih , Brockman Michael , Prakash Swathi , Singh Vishwajeet , Dwivedi Alok Kumar , Rajachandran Manu , Mukherjee Debabrata , Nickel Nils P.
Published: January 2024

Risk stratification plays an essential role in the management of acute pulmonary embolism (PE). Several risk scores have been studied to support risk stratification and management. While ethnic differences in acute PE risk factors exist, current risk scores lack validation for Hispanic patients. Therefore, the present study retrospectively investigated the performance of the pulmonary embolism severity index (PESI), simplified PESI (sPESI), the European Society of Cardiology risk assessment (ESC), and the Bova score, to predict 30-day mortality in Hispanic patients presenting with an acute PE. Among 437 patients admitted with acute PE, 30-day mortality was 10.8%; 30-day mortality in low-risk groups ranged from 0% (sPESI, ESC) to 0.2% (PESI, Bova), and 3.0% (Bova) to 5.7% (PESI) in the highest risk groups, respectively. All four scores produced statistically significant discrimination between different risk strata. However, no single scoring system was able to identify all patients with 30-day mortality. The findings of the present study suggest that PESI, sPESI, ESC, and Bova scores provide important information about 30-day mortality in Hispanic in-patients presenting with acute PE. However, additional clinical information could further improve predictability that is not provided by a single scoring system.
The Fibrosis-5 Index Predicts Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Chen Senjiang , Zhu Bouwei , Luo Zan , Wang Yinchao , Hu Qingqing , Zhou Liang
Published: January 2024

This study aimed to evaluate the fibrosis-5 (FIB-5) index as a marker of liver fibrosis for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A total of 406 STEMI patients were enrolled in the study. Over an average follow-up of 27 months, 143 of the patients developed MACE. The patients were subgrouped into tertiles based on the FIB-5 index and Kaplan–Meier survival (MACE-free) curves were plotted, showing statistically significant differences (log-rank test, P < .001). In the adjusted Cox regression model, the hazard ratio (HR) of MACE was 1.95 (95% CI 1.21–3.13; P = .006) in tertile 3 and 0.98 (95% CI 0.97–1.00; P = .013) for per unit increase in the FIB-5 index. The area under the curve (AUC) of the FIB-5 index predicting the occurrence of MACE in STEMI patients after PCI was 0.645 (95% CI 0.590–0.701; P < .001). Low FIB-5 may be a useful predictor of MACE in STEMI patients undergoing PCI.
“The State of Your Psyche”: Black Conceptualizations of Mental Health
Authors: Kerney Monyae A. , Hargons Candice N. , Peterson Rayven , Cannon Brittany , Stevens-Watkins Danelle , Burnett Camille , Higgins-Hord Lisa
Published: January 2024

Using structured-tabular thematic analysis, this study examines Black people’s conceptualizations of mental health in response to the following question: What is mental health? Sixty participants reported an array of interrelated characteristics pertaining to mental health. Five themes were identified across participant responses, including: (a) Overarching Orientation to Mental Health, (b) Integrated Parts of a Whole, (c) Dynamic Balance, (d) Existentialism, and (e) Locus of Control. Implications influence how researchers and mental health practitioners may better address mental health with Black clients.
Police Shootings in Canada: An Empirical Analysis and Call for Data
Authors: Simpson Rylan , Nix Justin
Published: January 2024

We analyzed police shootings in Canada (except Québec) between 2017 and 2019. Drawing upon media reports and information provided by police oversight agencies, we attempted to identify all incidents where on-duty police officers discharged their firearm with the intent to strike a person. Findings indicated that such incidents occurred an average of 58 times per year. Approximately 39% of police shootings were fatal, 48% were non-fatal, and 12% were non-injurious. Most occurred in public spaces and were initiated by civilian requests for police service, typically for crime-related reasons. We discuss our findings with respect to both research and practice. We also call for official, incident-level data regarding police shootings to address concerns that otherwise exist about these incidents among civilians, practitioners, researchers, and policymakers.
The Relative Impacts of Peer Disapproval, Parental Disapproval, and Perceptions of Risk on Adolescent Marijuana Use
Authors: Varano Sean P. , Kelley Pamela , Becker Laurie
Published: January 2024

Adolescent drug use has consistently been a concern for researchers and policymakers for decades as its early onset and continued use can lead to a variety of negative life outcomes. Concerns related to marijuana use have emerged in recent years as states have begun to change laws regarding recreational cannabis use. The current study uses data from a cohort of students in Massachusetts to understand how these changes may impact marijuana use. Findings from this study suggest that nearly three years after the first recreational marijuana retail center opened, the protective features of parental norms toward marijuana use may no longer be relevant in protecting young people from early experimentation with drugs. Policy implications are discussed.
Unpacking the Mechanisms Connecting: Internal and External Procedural Fairness
Authors: Tyler David H. F.
Published: January 2024

Studies of the effects of internal procedural fairness within police departments have consistently shown that officers who report experiencing procedural fairness within their departments also support procedurally fair policing practices. In this article, I compare two theories put forth to explain this connection: the Fair Policing from the Inside Out model and the Group Engagement Model. Using a national survey of police officers, I estimate a series of nested structural equation models based on the propositions of the two models, finding that the GEM provides a better explanation for the relationship between internal and external procedural fairness, and that several of the mechanisms identified in the FPIO model are not significant factors once GEM variables are included.
A multi-setpoint cooling control approach for air-cooled data centers using the deep Q-network algorithm
Authors: Chen Yaohua , Guo Weipeng , Liu Jinwen , Shen Songyu , Lin Jianpeng , Cui Delong
Published: January 2024

Cooling systems provide a safe thermal environment for the reliable operation of IT equipment in data centers (DCs) while generating significant energy consumption. Therefore, to achieve energy savings in cooling system control under dynamic thermal distribution in DCs, this paper proposes a multi-setpoint cooling control approach based on deep reinforcement learning (DRL). Firstly, a thermal model based on the XGBoost algorithm is constructed to precisely evaluate the thermal distribution in the rack room to guide real-time cooling control. Secondly, a multi-set point cooling control approach based on the deep Q-network algorithm (DQN-MSP) is designed to finely regulate the supply air temperature of each air conditioner by capturing the thermal fluctuations to ensure the dynamic balance of cooling supply and demand. Finally, we adopt the extended CloudSimPy simulation tool and the real workload trace of the PlanetLab system to evaluate the effectiveness and performance of the proposed approach. The simulation results show that the proposed control solution effectively reduces the cooling energy consumption by over 2.4% by raising the average air supply temperature of the air conditioner while satisfying the thermal constraints.
The Adversarial Lawyer and the Client's Best Interest: Failures With Pre-Charge Engagement
Authors: Johnston Ed
Published: January 2024

The role of the defence lawyer is one of a zealous advocate, acting in the best interests of their client. However, a substantial body of evidence suggests that lawyers often operate as components within a procedural machinery that primarily processes the guilt or innocence of defendants. This phenomenon has led to the gradual erosion of the concept of zealous advocacy and adversarialism. Over the last 30 years, the adversarial process in England and Wales has experienced a steady transformation through incremental adjustments to the criminal justice system. The advent of the Criminal Procedure Rules 2003 (CrimPR) marked a notable shift in the handling of criminal cases, ushering in a culture of cooperation where both prosecution and defense cooperate with the shared objective of upholding the CrimPR's Overriding Objective: to deal with cases justly. This transformation has steered the criminal justice process away from its adversarial origins and toward a more managerial and process-driven framework. An additional manifestation of this managerial culture emerged with the introduction of Pre-Charge Engagement (PCE) in 2021. PCE sought to divert cases trial by initiating a dialogue between defense lawyers and the police. If effectively employed, PCE could help reduce the backlog of cases in the criminal courts and expedite resolutions for complainants, suspects, and witnesses. However, it is concerning that PCE is underutilised. This article contends that defense lawyers, by not fully embracing PCE, may not be acting in the best interests of their clients and certainly deviate from the conventional conception of a defense lawyer's role.
Exploring the Nature of Near-Death Experiences in Iranian Experiencers: A Case Study of the Participants in the Life after Life TV Series
Authors: Mohammad Sadeghipour Somayeh , Rostami Nasab Abbasali , Alavi Hamid Reza , Yari Dehnavi Morad , Mowzoon Abbas
Published: January 2024

Near-death experiences (NDEs) are complex and challenging. The development of research on NDEs helps to understand and recognize this complex human phenomenon more effectively. The present study sought to explore the nature of NDEs in the lived experiences of Iranian who experienced near-death incidents (NDErs) using a qualitative phenomenological approach. The participants were 34 persons selected from Iranian NDErs. The collected data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s seven-step content analysis with MAXQDA software (version 2021). The data revealed 11 semantic codes about the nature of NDEs reported by Iranian NDErs. Overall, the results showed that the components of NDEs in many cases are similar to the nature of NDEs of the world. However, the type and quality of the positive and negative NDEs reported by Iranian people are different in terms of the feedback of actions and the return to the body compared to other NDEs reported by people in other countries.
Myopia: Its Status and Environmental Correlations Among School Students in Fushun, China
Authors: Huo Ming-Zhu , Liu Jia-Xin , Shao Hong-Ning , Li Wen-Hui
Published: January 2024

Our objective was to investigate the status and influence of myopia among primary school students in Fushun, Liaoning Province, China. We aimed to provide a theoretical and epistemological basis for implementing myopia prevention initiatives. We employed cluster sampling and surveyed 5216 primary school students from grades 1–6 across eight primary schools in Fushun City. Our participants included 2606 males and 2610 females whose average age was 9.25 ( SD = 1.76) years. The rate of myopia among these primary school students was 29.54%, with statistically significant differences among students of different genders and grades. Logistic regression analysis further identified several possible protective factors, including appropriate reading distance, adequate home lighting, regular breaks between classes, conscientious eye exercises, and daily outdoor physical activity. Conversely, the associated risk factors were being female, being in a higher grade level, spending more than 4 hours on homework, occasionally reading while lying down, and having one or both parents with myopia. Overall, our results indicated a high incidence of myopia, highlighting the need for scientifically controlled interventions to manage and mitigate the occurrence and progression of myopia in this population.
Adaptive hybrid reasoning for agent-based digital twins of distributed multi-robot systems
Authors: Marah Hussein , Challenger Moharram
Published: January 2024

The digital twin (DT) mainly acts as a virtual exemplification of a real-world entity, system, or process via multiphysical and logical models, allowing the capture and synchronization of its functions and attributes. The bridge between the actual system and the digital realm can be utilized to optimize the system’s performance, and forecast and predict its behavior. Incorporating intelligent and adaptive reasoning mechanisms into DTs is crucial to enable them to reason, adapt, and take efficacious actions in complex and dynamic environments. To this end, we introduce an approach for deploying agent-based DTs for cyber-physical systems. The foundation pillars of this approach are (1) integrating the concepts, entities, and relations of Zeigler’s modeling and simulation framework from the perspective of agent-based DTs; (2) utilizing an expandable and scalable architecture for designing and materializing these twins, which handily enables extending and scaling physical and digital assets of the system; and finally (3) a two-tier reasoning strategy; reactive and rational models are conceptually redefined in the context of the modeling and simulation framework of agent-based DTs and technically deployed to boost the adaptive reasoning and decision-making function of DTs. As a result, an implemented simulation and control platform for a multi-robot system demonstrates the approach’s applicability and feasibility, manifesting its usability and efficiency. The platform represents physical entities as autonomous agents, creates their DTs, and assigns adequate reasoning capability to promote adaptive planning, autonomous resource management, and flexible logical decision-making to handle different situations and scenarios.
Unspeakable Joy: Anti-Black Constraint, Loopholes of Retreat, and the Practice of Black Joy
Authors: Okello Wilson Kwamogi
Published: January 2024

This manuscript thinks with Harriet Jacobs; I am concerned with the otherwise worlds, the productions of Black Joy that Black people devise while in the crawlspace, understood here as higher education contexts. Whereas the condition of Black life is in an antagonistic relationship with society, I ask, what is the sound, look, and feeling of Black Joy? Unspeakable joy, or what I define as the praxes of interior elaboration, cramped creation, and otherwise imagining, are loopholes for Black people to extricate the self from untenable antagonisms and harboring spaces to plot, envision, and realize fuller lives on their terms.
Unveiling the Attitudes of University Students Toward Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Hajam Khalid Bashir , Gahir Sanjib
Published: January 2024

The research seeks to delve into and comprehend the attitudes of university students regarding artificial intelligence (AI) and to identify potential factors influencing these attitudes. The research employs a descriptive research design with a quantitative approach. A sample of 240 university students, including both males and females, was selected using simple random sampling. The AI Attitude scale (AIAS-4) developed by Grassini in 2023 was used to collect the data. Statistical techniques, such as “descriptive analysis,” “independent sample t-test,” “one-way ANOVA,” and “post hoc” test were used to analyze the data. The findings indicate that there was no statistically significant difference in attitudes toward AI between male and female university students. Furthermore, our research has substantiated a significant difference in attitudes toward AI among university students specializing in the fields of arts, science, and commerce. The findings of this study suggest that science students displayed a significantly more positive attitude toward AI when compared to their counterparts in the Arts and Commerce streams. Moreover, we examined the impact of educational level on AI attitudes and found no significant difference in attitudes across different educational levels among university students.
Centering the Learner Within Instructional Design: The Evolution of Learning Design and the Emergence of Learning Experience Design (LXD) in Workforce Training and Development
Authors: Hickey Sean , Correia Ana-Paula
Published: January 2024

Evolving from its instructional design origins and directly related to contemporary learning experience design (LXD), learning design has emerged as a movement within the field of workplace learning and development that seeks to shift the focus of training and education from the content to the learner. The origins of this learner focus can be traced to the development of instructional design theories and the emergence of learning sciences in the late 20th century, along with the expansion of competencies required of the modern instructional designer. Advances in our understanding of how people learn and changes in sociocultural aspects related to learning have led designers to structure experiences for learners that increase their autonomy and seek to meet each learner's unique needs.
Impact of Family Interaction on Future Adult Child-Parent Travel Intention: Implementing the McMaster Model of Family Functioning
Authors: Hu Jiajing , Ou Chuchu , Xu Xiaowei , Chen Chen , Cao Xingping
Published: January 2024

Adult child-parent travel is a prevalent, but understudied, phenomenon in Confucian Asian countries. To better understand how adult children evaluate such tourism experiences, this research re-conceptualizes dimensions of family interaction and examines their impacts on future adult child-parent travel intention within the mainland China context using a mixed-method approach. Guided by the McMaster model of Family Functioning, qualitative findings suggest that family interaction includes three dimensions: Communication, Affective Interaction, and Problem Solving. Additionally, analysis of data collected from 451 Chinese adult children who traveled with their parents reveals that family interaction positively influences future adult child-parent travel intention through enhanced family intimacy and increased tourist engagement. This study contributes not only to the existing literature on family travel but also provides guidance for fostering positive adult child-parent interactions, aiming to ensure the sustainable development of adult child-parent travel.
Residents’ Perceived Benefits of Host-Guest Interaction: Scale Development and Validation
Authors: Shi Fangfang , Han Xing , Samaniego-Chávez Carla Estefanía
Published: January 2024

The amiability of residents is an essential element of destination competitiveness. Pleasant host-guest interactions (HGIs) can create a memorable experience for tourists. Limited attention has been paid to the benefits of HGIs from the residents’ perspective. This research aims to construct a scale that measures this. Based on an extensive literature review, 52 in-depth interviews, and two surveys with residents in tourist cities, a residents’ perceived benefits scale (RPBS) is established and validated. The scale has five dimensions: emotional lift, local pride, altruism, destination attraction, and self-development. A positive link between residents’ perceived benefits and interaction intention with tourists was confirmed. The RPBS offers multidimensional insight into residents’ evaluation of HGI and serves as an instrument to predict residents’ attitudes toward tourism and support for the tourism industry. It provides a framework for practitioners to design strategies to encourage host-guest communication to enhance visitors’ experience and destination competitiveness.
Communicating Destination Social Responsibility Through Social Media: The Roles of Tourists’ Social Engagement, Citizenship Behaviors, and Emotions
Authors: Martínez García de Leaniz Patricia , Herrero Ángel , García de los Salmones María del Mar
Published: January 2024

Social media is a particularly useful tool to promote sustainable tourism destinations. However, little is known about consumer engagement with social media communication in a destination social responsibility (DSR) context within the tourism industry. Grounded in the Stimulus-Organism-Response model, this study examines the factors that influence the intention to generate electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) on DSR issues through a specific social networking site. This research includes tourists’ social engagement, citizenship behaviors, perceived DSR, emotional responses to perceived DSR, and emotions toward a post as explanatory variables to investigate a specific behavioral intention as the outcome. The authors designed a study based on an online survey of Spanish Facebook users. Empirical testing confirmed most of the hypothesized effects except the influence of tourists’ helping behaviors on the intention to share the post.
What Makes You Palpitate With Excitement? The Differentiation Effect and Mechanism of Message Appeal in Tourism Short Videos
Authors: Tang Yu-Ting , Ruan Wen-Qi , Zhang Shu-Ning , Li Xi , Zhou Yan
Published: January 2024

How destinations use tourism short videos to stand out in the fierce digital market is crucial. Based on the “cognitive-affective-conative” theoretical model, this study investigates the differential effects and mechanisms of tourism short video message appeal on users’ travel intention by conducting three experiments. The findings show that: emotional appeal (vs. rational appeal) is more likely to stimulate users’ travel intention, and telepresence, interest arousal and attitude toward the destination play the mediating roles. Moreover, high-narrative tourism short videos have stronger emotional appeal effects on users’ telepresence and travel intention. However, there was no significant difference in the effect of the two message appeals in low-narrative tourism short videos. This study reveals the differential influences of various message appeals, highlights the synergistic and complementary effects of interest arousal and attitude toward the destination, and provides practical insights to design attractive tourism videos.