bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efeitos da pandemia de Covid-19 na dinâmica territorial do turismo nos municípios paulistas de relevância patrimonial
Authors: Cifelli Gabrielle
Published: April 2024

The Covid-19 pandemic significantly affected tourism activity resulting in changes in the intensity of tourist flows and the territorial dynamics of the activity in potentially attractive tourist destinations such as the Tourist Resorts of the State of São Paulo with representative Cultural and Natural Heritage. This research aims to analyze the characteristics of tourism during the pandemic period, in its various phases, in the municipalities of São Paulo that have patrimonial relevance in order to investigate the changes that occurred in the territorial dynamics of the activity in relation to the intensity, purposes and destination of tourist flows. The data and information collected were mainly based on semi-structured interviews with the managers of the Tourism and Culture area of the municipalities surveyed, resulting in the finding of the increase in proximity tourism, mainly in the interior destinations, and the workcation in the coastal destinations.
Editorial
Authors: Antas Junior Ricardo Mendes
Published: April 2024

Editorial.
Parques, populações locais e serviços ecossistêmicos culturais
Authors: Sancho-Pivoto Altair , Raimundo Sidnei
Published: April 2024

Le présent travail vise à comprendre les caractéristiques des connexions/relations établies par les communautés de Catuçaba (São Luiz do Paraitinga) et Vargem Grande (Ntividade da Serra) avec le Parc d'État de Serra do Mar (PESM) - Núcleo Santa Virgínia, avec un œil attentif aux perceptions sur les contributions de cette aire protégée à la santé et au bien-être de ses résidents. La recherche qualitative a consisté en une enquête bibliographique et documentaire, des entretiens avec le responsable du PESM et des habitants des deux communes. Les résultats indiquent que de nombreuses personnes interrogées reconnaissent que le PESM fournit divers services écosystémiques, bien qu'aucune d'entre elles ne déclare avoir l'habitude de fréquenter le parc, notamment en raison d'exigences telles que la programmation et la présence d'un moniteur sur la plupart des sentiers, ce qui renforce l'éloignement par rapport au parc et compromettent les pratiques traditionnelles de loisirs des communautés et leurs perceptions des bienfaits de cette aire protégée pour la santé et le bien-être.
Espaço urbano e plataformas digitais: deslocamentos e condições de trabalho dos cicloentregadores da metrópole de São Paulo
Authors: Fioravanti Lívia Maschio
Published: April 2024

Este artigo examina a imbricação entre o espaço urbano e o trabalho por meio de plataformas digitais na metrópole de São Paulo. Com ênfase nos deslocamentos e nas condições de trabalho dos entregadores do iFood que utilizam bicicletas elétricas, adotam-se como técnicas de pesquisa o levantamento bibliográfico e documental, entrevistas e trabalhos de campo entre janeiro e abril de 2022. Como resultado, revelam-se os deslocamentos, em longas distâncias percorridas com significativo dispêndio de tempo, realizados por esses trabalhadores entre as diversas periferias da metrópole e algumas centralidades com alta potencialidade para realizar entregas. Despontam também as formas pelas quais a desigualdade espacial se manifesta e se reproduz nos deslocamentos dos entregadores, reafirmando a relação centro-periferia. Ao destacar as condições de trabalho e de moradia dos entregadores que utilizam bicicleta como meio de trabalho, explicita-se a articulação entre as formas ultraprecarizadas de engajamento laboral pelas plataformas digitais de entrega e o espaço urbano.
Errata
Authors: Editor Editor
Published: April 2024

ERRATARevista: Geologia USP – Série Científica, V. 15 n. 2, p. 57 (referências)Curto, J. B., Vidotti, R. M., Fuck, R. A. R., Blakely, J., Alvarenga, C. J. S., Dantas, E. L. (2014). The tectonic evolution of the Transbrasiliano Lineament in northern Paraná Basin, Brazil, as inferred from aeromagnetic data. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 119, p. 1544-1562, doi: 10.1002/2001JB0105093
Prognostic Implication of Right Ventricular Free Wall Longitudinal Strain and Right Atrial Pressure Estimated By Echocardiography in Patients With Severe Functional Tricuspid Regurgitation
Authors: Ogawa Mana , Kuwajima Ken , Yamane Takafumi , Hasegawa Hiroko , Yagi Nobuichiro , Shiota Takahiro
Published: April 2024

Background

The interaction between right ventricular (RV) function and pulmonary hypertension is crucial for prognosis of patients with severe functional tricuspid regurgitation. RV free wall longitudinal strain (RVFWLS) has been reported to detect RV systolic dysfunction earlier than other conventional parameters. Although pulmonary artery systolic pressure measured by Doppler echocardiography is often underestimated in severe functional tricuspid regurgitation, right atrial pressure (RAP) estimated by echocardiography may be viewed as a prognostic factor. Impact of RAP and RVFWLS on outcome in patients with severe functional tricuspid regurgitation remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate prognostic implication of RAP, RVFWLS, and their combination in this population.

Methods and Results

We retrospectively examined 377 patients with severe functional tricuspid regurgitation. RAP, pulmonary artery systolic pressure, RV fractional area change, and RVFWLS were analyzed. RAP of 15 mm Hg was classified as elevated RAP. All‐cause death at 2‐year follow‐up was defined as the primary end point. RVFWLS provided better prognostic information than RV fractional area change by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. In the multivariable Cox regression analysis, elevated RAP and RVFWLS of ≤18% were independent predictors of clinical outcome. Patients with RVFWLS of ≤18% had higher risk of all‐cause death than those without by Kaplan–Meier curve analysis. Furthermore, when patients were stratified into 4 groups by RAP and RVFWLS, the group with elevated RAP and RVFWLS of ≤18% had the worst outcome.

Conclusions

Elevated RAP and RVFWLS of ≤18% were independent predictors of all‐cause death. The combination of elevated RAP and RVFWLS effectively stratified the all‐cause death.
Her class and his class: Does social class matter for fertility?
Authors: Albertini Marco , Maksimovic Teodora , Mencarini Letizia , Piccitto Giorgio
Published: April 2024

This work explores the association between fertility behaviour and occupational social classes, over and above educational and income resources. We use European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC) data, pooling the longitudinal component for fourteen countries between 2005 and 2017. We compare the effect of the female partner's social class with that of the male partner on the likelihood of having a child, distinguishing between the effect on the first and the second child. We find consistent evidence that, vis-à-vis income and education, occupational social class does play an additional role in fertility behaviour. However, it does so differently depending on the sex of the partner and the different parities considered. Our findings indicate that when her partner is employed, the occupational social class she belongs to becomes a more significant factor and plays a pivotal role in influencing fertility behaviour.
The Impact of Insufficient Effort Responses on the Order of Category Thresholds in the Polytomous Rasch Model
Authors: Jin Kuan-Yu , Eckes Thomas
Published: April 2024

Insufficient effort responding (IER) refers to a lack of effort when answering survey or questionnaire items. Such items typically offer more than two ordered response categories, with Likert-type scales as the most prominent example. The underlying assumption is that the successive categories reflect increasing levels of the latent variable assessed. This research investigates how IER affects the intended category order of Likert-type scales, focusing on the category thresholds in the polytomous Rasch model. In a simulation study, we examined several IER patterns in datasets generated from the mixture model for IER (MMIER). The key findings were (a) random responding and overusing the non-extreme categories of a five-category scale were each associated with high frequencies of disordered category thresholds; (b) raising the IER rate from 5% to 10% led to a substantial increase in threshold disordering, particularly among easy and difficult items; (c) narrow distances between adjacent categories (0.5 logits) were associated with more frequent disordering, compared with wide distances (1.0 logits). Two real-data examples highlighted the efficiency and utility of the MMIER for detecting latent classes of respondents exhibiting different forms of IER. Under the MMIER, the frequency of disordered thresholds was reduced substantially in both examples. The discussion focuses on the practical implications of using the MMIER in survey research and points to directions for future research.
The Experience of Stress-Related Growth Associated With COVID-19 Among Older Korean Immigrants
Authors: Kim Junhyoung , Kim Yongseop , Cho Seunghyun , Lee Jooah
Published: April 2024

While some studies have investigated stress-related growth (SRG) during the COVID-19 pandemic, little research has been conducted to explore the positive psychological changes associated with COVID-19 among older Asian immigrants. Thus, we aimed to identify perceived positive changes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic based on the SRG framework. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 11 participants using a purposeful criterion sampling strategy. Both content mapping and content mining questions were used. Data were analyzed qualitatively using the constant comparative method. Challenges and stressors associated with the pandemic such as fears of physical or verbal attack, COVID-19 infection, strict COVID-19 regulations and mandates, and limited opportunities to interact with others were identified based on the statements of participants. We identified three salient themes that were characterized as SRG components: (a) increasing leisure-time physical activity participation, (b) developing a closer relationship with others, and (c) improving resilience. The findings of this study present qualitative evidence that older Korean immigrants to the United States experienced positive changes associated with the pandemic such as being more physically active, developing closer relationships, and improving resilience. These changes are associated with the main elements of SRG, and it appears that the pandemic may have resulted in older Korean immigrants experiencing SRG.
Push, pull, dance: Approaches to address labour abuse in public health supply chains
Authors: Martin-Ortega Olga , Trusgnach Martina , Berman Cindy
Published: April 2024

The response to COVID-19 generated an unprecedented global demand for medical equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE). This article explores how states have exercised their leverage and used regulatory tools to address human and labour rights violations, mainly forced labour, when procuring PPE. In particular, it analyses three tools used before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: trade import restrictions, transparency in supply chain regulation and public procurement processes. These tools are explored in relation to three states: the US, the UK and Sweden. This article argues that no single system currently provides a comprehensive and adequate response to human rights abuses in public supply chains, but that a combination of all of them in some form could provide the basis for a more effective and resilient approach – not only during a crisis, but also in the longer term, and may prove more capable to address systemic abuse.
Collaboration networks in agricultural research in Uruguay: An exploration based on social network analysis
Authors: Bianco Bozzo Mariela , Tomassini Cecilia
Published: April 2024

Scientific collaboration networks connect researchers across institutions and academic disciplines. Agricultural research involves multiple stakeholders and academic disciplines to address increasingly complex and diverse research agendas. However, the dynamics of collaboration and the patterns of interaction in the agricultural sciences have been little investigated. Uruguay has a rich tradition in agricultural research, but little is known about the ways in which institutional and interdisciplinary collaboration occur and have evolved recently. This article uses relational data from projects documented in researchers’ vitas (CVs) to examine patterns of collaboration in agricultural research in Uruguay during the period 2000–2017. Collaboration networks were explored with social network analysis (SNA) resulting in networks involving varied institutions and academic disciplines. An inter-institutional network with a center and periphery structure is revealed with long-standing science and technology centers as the fundamental nodes. Interdisciplinary collaborations show diversification over time with more academic fields involved in research projects in the agricultural sciences. Joint research between agricultural sciences and other academic fields to address complex current phenomena could benefit from increasing connections with multiple fields in the environmental, social, and health sciences. The study shows the usefulness of SNA and research project data to improve the understanding of collaboration patterns in agricultural research.
Mediating educational technologies: Edtech brokering between schools, academia, governance, and industry
Authors: Ortegón Carlos , Decuypere Mathias , Williamson Ben
Published: April 2024

The use of educational technologies in schools is being reshaped by a new kind of intermediary organization that brokers relations between schools, academia, governance, and industry. In this article we define and examine ‘edtech brokers’ as organizations that operate between the edtech industry, public schools, research centers and governments, guiding schools in the procurement and pedagogical use of edtech. Edtech brokers have remained mostly unexplored despite their potential to redraw the boundaries between public education and the global edtech market. We claim that edtech brokers have become increasingly relevant in the past years, embedding new types of professionalities into education, and taking an active role in co-creating and updating schools’ digital infrastructures, the evidence-making mechanisms around edtech, and the pedagogical practices around edtech. The article proposes three distinct categories of edtech brokers – ambassador, search engine, and data brokers – and explores their practices of mediation. By doing so, we outline the potential effects that brokers can have on schools and edtech markets, and we disentangle their specific imaginaries of the future of education they promote, often aligned with wider policy desires for reform.
Renewable energy investments in South Africa: Potentials and challenges for a sustainable transition - a review
Authors: Smarte Anekwe Ifeanyi Michael , Akpasi Stephen Okiemute , Mkhize Mphathesithe Mzwandile , Zhou Helper , Moyo Ranganai Tawanda , Gaza Luke
Published: April 2024

The Republic of South Africa is one of the leading investors in renewable energy in Africa, despite the widespread perception that the country is trapped in the carbon age due to its high dependence on fossil fuels. Renewable energy, rooted in sustainable development, requires the creation of an appropriate framework and environmentally friendly technologies to support growth. Renewable energy sources are considered more environmentally friendly than fossil fuels, which most energy processes rely on. For this reason, the scope of this article has been narrowed to focus on the motivation for renewable energy and its potential in South Africa. Furthermore, the current developments in the South African renewable energy sector, as well as the challenges and prospects for a sustainable transition to a bioeconomy, were discussed. This study shows that a sustainable energy system can only promote the integration of renewable energy into the energy mix with the help of technology, policy, and infrastructure.
Quantum projections on conceptual subspaces: A deeper dive into methodological challenges and opportunities
Authors: Martínez-Mingo Alejandro , Martínez-Huertas Jose Ángel , Olmos Ricardo , Jorge-Botana Guillermo
Published: April 2024

In alignment with the distributional hypothesis of language, the work “Quantum Projections on Conceptual Subspaces” (Martínez-Mingo A, Jorge-Botana G, Martinez-Huertas JÁ, et al. Quantum projections on conceptual subspaces. Cogn Syst Res 2023; 82: 101154) proposed a methodology for generating conceptual subspaces from textual information based on previous work (Martinez-Mingo A, Jorge-Botana G and Olmos R. Quantum approach for similarity evaluation in LSA vector space models. 2020). These subspaces enable the utilization of the quantum model of similarity put forth by Pothos and Busemeyer (Pothos E, Busemeyer J. A quantum probability explanation for violations of symmetry in similarity judgments. In Proceedings of the annual meeting of the cognitive science society, 2011, Vol. 33, No. 33), allowing for the empirical examination of the violations of assumptions concerning symmetry and triangular inequality (Tversky A. Features of similarity. Psychol Rev 1977; 84: 327–352; Yearsley JM, Barque-Duran A, Scerrati E, et al. The triangle inequality constraint in similarity judgments. Prog Biophys Mol Biol 2017; 130: 26–32), as well as the diagnosticity effect (Tversky A. Features of similarity. Psychol Rev 1977; 84: 327–352; Yearsley JM, Pothos EM, Barque-Duran A, et al. Context effects in similarity judgments. J Exp Psychol Gen 2022; 151: 711–717), within a data-driven environment. These psychological biases, deeply studied by authors such as Tversky and Kahneman, inform us about the limitations of modeling psychological similarity measures using tools from classical geometry. This commentary aims to offer methodological clarifications, discuss theoretical and practical implications, and speculate on future directions in this field of research. Concretely, it aims to propose the use of different contours (conceptual or contextual) to generate the subspaces, which lead to subspaces of terms or contexts. Once these contours are defined, a differentiation is proposed between Aggregated Terms Subspaces (ATSs), Aggregated Contexts Subspaces (ACSs), and Aggregated Features Subspaces (AFSs) depending on whether we define the subspaces by grouping the terms or contexts within the contour, or from the latent dimensions of the semantic space obtained in the contour window. Finally, new data is provided on the violation of the triangular inequality assumption through the application of the quantum similarity model to ATSs.
Understanding behavioral and cognitive dispositions as subsystem topologies within cognitive models: A proposal
Authors: Hölken Alexander
Published: April 2024

In our 2023 paper, entitled “Modeling interactions between the embodied and the narrative self: Dynamics of the self-pattern within LIDA,” Kugele, Newen, Franklin, and I propose a functional description and implementation of a central element of Gallagher & Newen's pattern theory of self, which identifies an agent's self with a dynamic pattern of so-called cognitive aspects which govern their thought and behavior (Gallagher, 2013; Newen, 2018; Gallagher & Daly, 2018). The pattern theory explicitly rejects the traditional conceptualization of the self as a unitary entity with certain properties that resides within agents, with the idea of a pattern of aspects being central to its ability to account for the dynamic, yet relatively stable development of most natural agents’ selves. Implementing the pattern theory within Learning Intelligent Distribution Agent revealed that, in order for a cognitive architecture to account for both the dynamic and stable nature of an agent's self-pattern, aspects of that pattern had to be realized by dispositions of the agent to either think or act in a certain way. In this commentary, I argue that this fundamental role of dispositions extends to cognitive processes in general and that cognitive systems should be understood in terms of the dynamical interactions of dispositions over time. In order to facilitate such an understanding, dispositions will have to be identified with topologies of cognitive (sub)systems. I provide an example of such a topology by reference to informational topologies in neuronal systems.
Investigation of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy potential in cotton fiber micronaire measurement and distribution
Authors: Liu Yongliang , Delhom Christopher D
Published: April 2024

Cotton micronaire is an essential fiber quality attribute that characterizes both fiber maturity and fineness components. Micronaire and other attributes are measured on fiber lint routinely in laboratories under controlled environmental conditions following a well-established high-volume instrument protocol. In this study, the attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, characterizing fundamental group vibrations in fiber cellulose from 4000 to 400 cm−1, and using an attenuated total reflection device, was explored for fiber micronaire assessment, especially for seed cotton locule fibers that were mingled with nonlint materials, and varied in fiber maturity within a naturally variable sample. Partial least squares multivariate regression models and the algorithmic infrared maturity approach were developed and then applied to predict micronaire values of validation samples and independent seed cotton samples for comparison. Unlike partial least squares models that showed worse in the coefficient of determination, bias, and percentage of samples within the 95% agreement range for independent samples than for validation samples, the algorithmic infrared maturity approach indicated a similarity in the coefficient of determination, bias, and percentage of samples within the 95% agreement range between the validation samples and independent samples. In particular, the algorithmic infrared maturity approach avoided the need to re-calibrate the model with new samples. Therefore, the development of a robust and effective Fourier transform infrared technique combined with the infrared maturity approach for rapid laboratory micronaire assessment and distribution demonstrated a great potential for its extension to the early micronaire testing in remote/breeding locations, and also to regular cotton fibers, processed cotton yarns and fabrics.
Another Civil War in America? Comparing the Social Psychology of the United States of the 1850s to Today
Authors: Van Wart Montgomery , Hall Jeremy L. , Barber Cary M. , McIntyre Miranda
Published: April 2024

Scholars warn that another American civil war is increasingly plausible, if still unlikely; professional political commentators express greater concerns. This study examines the likelihood of another U.S. civil war by comparing perspectives of the 1850s with those of today by using a negative social capital framework as the analytic lens. The analysis finds striking similarities between the two periods. Yet, civil war is a relatively rare phenomenon in developed countries, and the analysis also points to contemporary mitigating examples. At least for the foreseeable future, more likely are trajectories moving toward other types of social unrest short of civil war: ongoing civil strife, additional insurrections, decades-long intraregional political gridlock causing widespread administrative dysfunction, and even a failure to relinquish power. The negative social psychology has already had an extraordinary impact on public administration and is unlikely to decrease in the near term; it may yet increase exponentially as it did in the 1860s.
Finite-time consensus control of second-order multi-agent systems with input saturation constraint
Authors: Zhao Bin , Zhang Mengyuan , Huang Xiaoyang , Guo Yaohua
Published: April 2024

A novel finite-time consensus technique is derived for second-order linear multi-agent systems with input saturation constraints. The hyperbolic tangent–based saturation function is presented for achieving input saturation while reducing the chattering issue of classical saturation functions. The leader-following consensus controller with a single saturation function is constructed to address the issue of saturation level partition between position feedback and velocity feedback. Theoretically, the property of finite-time consensus, bounded input, and smoothness of a closed-form system are proved by the Lyapunov theory in detail. Numerical simulations are conducted to exhibit the effectiveness of the proposed method fully.
A fixed-time nonsingular terminal sliding mode control based on radial basis function neural network for vehicle active front steering system
Authors: Chen Yilun , Mei Keqi , Liu Lu , Chang Yafei , Ding Shihong , Wang Jun , Ge Qunhui
Published: April 2024

In our work, a novel fixed-time nonsingular terminal sliding mode controller is developed to improve the control performance for the active front steering system of electric vehicles. First, the sliding mode surface and the sliding mode convergence law are constructed so that the sliding variable can be stabilized to zero at a fixed time. Moreover, the radial basis function neural network is introduced to estimate the systematic uncertainties, which can make the system have stronger anti-disturbance ability. The Lyapunov analysis also is given to verify the fixed-time stability of the whole system. The presented control scheme possesses two appealing advantages, including the strong robustness to perturbations and the fixed-time convergence to zero. Notably, the settling time is independent of the initial value while only related to the controller parameters. Through the joint simulation of CarSim and MATLAB, the given controller is compared with the conventional sliding mode controller and nonsingular terminal sliding mode controller to demonstrate the plausibility and validity of the presented control strategy.
Intelligent fault diagnosis based on improved convolutional neural network for small sample and imbalanced bearing data
Authors: Liu Xuetao , Yang Hongyan
Published: April 2024

The failure of bearings is a prevalent cause of machinery breakdowns. The rapid development of intelligent technology has significantly promoted the use of deep learning techniques for identifying problems with machinery bearings. To achieve accuracy, deep learning-based diagnostic techniques require a substantial and uniformly diversified amount of training data. However, obtaining artificial labels for bearing fault data poses a major obstacle in engineering practice. This paper proposes an intelligent fault diagnosis method for bearings based on an improved convolutional neural network (CNN) to address the challenges of small training data and imbalanced distribution. To enable intelligent diagnosis of bearings with a small sample and imbalanced distribution, a clustering loss layer is introduced into the CNN. Furthermore, we optimize the parameters of the CNN by utilizing back-propagation of both the clustering loss function and the cross-entropy loss function. This optimization process improves the accuracy of fault diagnosis. Finally, the proposed method is applied to diagnose bearing faults and analyze the simulation results. The simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the method in handling small data volumes and imbalanced data distributions, as well as its strong generalization performance.
Trajectory tracking of binocular vision system for picking robot based on fast non-singular terminal sliding mode control
Authors: Chen Yujin , Liu Xu , Cheng Mengmeng , Wu Yaoguang , Zhu Jihong , Meng Yanmei
Published: April 2024

This paper proposes a non-singular fast terminal sliding mode control method for a binocular active vision platform of a picking robot with unknown dynamics. The method uses radial basis function (RBF) neural networks to achieve trajectory tracking accuracy and enhance robustness against external interference. A non-singular fast terminal sliding mode controller is designed for the system’s convergence within a limited time. An adaptive neural network approximates the unknown nonlinear function of the dynamic model. Stability and finite-time convergence of the closed-loop system are established using Lyapunov theory. Experimental verification on the binocular vision platform demonstrates position and speed errors converging to the desired trajectory within 2 and 1 second, respectively. Moreover, when subjected to external interference, the position and velocity errors converge within 0.1 seconds. Simulation experiments confirm the method’s effectiveness in improving convergence speed, trajectory tracking accuracy, and robustness against external interference, while reducing system chattering.
The role of teachers’ social and emotional competence in implementing social and emotional learning (SEL) curriculum in Malawi
Authors: Lee Jeongmin
Published: April 2024

Social and emotional learning (SEL) enhances children's academic and life achievements when implemented well. While previous studies explored factors influencing teachers’ implementation of SEL, limited attention has been given to the role of their social and emotional competence (SEC). To address this gap, this study analyzed surveys from 434 primary school teachers in Malawi using hierarchical linear modeling. The findings reveal a positive relationship between teachers’ SEC, specifically in emotion regulation and relationship management, and their integration of SEL in daily classroom instruction. Notably, teachers serve as behavioral role models through socialization, communication, and emotional conduct. Strengthening teachers’ SEC, in conjunction with SEL pedagogy training, could help foster SEL-rich school environments for learners in Malawi and similar contexts.
Ostracism, school engagement, and academic achievement: Examining a mediation model among senior high school students
Authors: Wang Lin , Jiang Shan , Tan Shilin , Wan Yangyang , Fei Wanyan
Published: April 2024

Ostracism and school engagement have important implications for adolescents’ academic perseverance and success. However, limited previous studies have investigated the mediating effects of school engagement on the association between ostracism and academic achievement in the Chinese cultural context. The present study fills in this research gap by examining the mediating effects of emotional engagement, cognitive engagement, and behavioral engagement on the association between ostracism and adolescents’ academic achievement. Clustered random sampling was employed, and a total of 728 adolescents (52.6% female) were recruited as participants. The results showed that ostracism was negatively associated with academic achievement. Ostracism was negatively associated with emotional engagement and cognitive engagement, which in turn were related to worse academic achievement. Notably, within the Chinese cultural context, behavioral engagement did not exhibit a mediating effect between ostracism and academic achievement. The findings of the present research have theoretical and practical implications for curtailing ostracism and improving adolescents’ academic achievement.
CIBSE TM54 energy projections II: A case study using dynamic simulation with template systems modelling
Authors: Jain Nishesh , Burman Esfand , Mumovic Dejan
Published: April 2024

CIBSE TM54 was recently revised and covers best practice methods to evaluate the operational energy use of buildings. TM54 is a guidance document on performance evaluation at every stage of the design and construction process, and during the occupied stage, to ensure that long-term operational performance is in line with the design intent. The main performance evaluation principles in TM54 are a step-by-step modelling approach and scenario testing, to improve the robustness of the design proposal calculations. The latest version brings an updated perspective to the modelling approaches, including dynamic simulation with Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems. It also incorporates more detailed guidance around risks, target setting, scenario testing and sensitivity analysis. A case study approach is used to explore some of the important aspects described in TM54. TM54 recommends three modelling approaches (aka implementation routes) that a project can follow depending on its scale and complexity: using quasi-steady state tools; using dynamic simulation with template HVAC system; and using dynamic simulation with detailed HVAC system modelling. As part of a series of three, this case study provides an application of the second implementation route: using dynamic simulation with template HVAC.

This case study provides detailed guidance on undertaking CIBSE TM54 modelling and projecting design stage building performance. The study covers the interpretation and clarifications of how TM54 can be applied, through the dynamic modelling tools using template HVAC systems.
Narcissism at the CEO–TMT Interface: Measuring Executive Narcissism and Testing Its Effects on TMT Composition
Authors: Junge Sebastian , Graf-Vlachy Lorenz , Hagen Moritz , Schlichte Franziska
Published: April 2024

Extant strategic leadership literature has established the substantial and nuanced implications of narcissism in chief executive officers (CEOs) for firm outcomes, and psychological research on narcissism in groups highlights the importance of narcissism for interpersonal dynamics. However, there is little research on strategic leaders’ narcissism and the CEO–top management team (TMT) interface, especially related to its configuration by way of TMT composition. In this article, we therefore study two issues. First, we examine how CEO narcissism directly affects two aspects of TMT composition—the narcissism of newly appointed TMT members and TMT turnover. Second, we consider the moderating effect of TMT narcissism on the relationship between CEO narcissism and TMT turnover. To be able to test our theory, we develop and extensively validate a novel measure based on LinkedIn profiles that allows us to capture the narcissism of non-CEO executives. We find substantial support for our predictions in a large sample of executives of S&P 1500 corporations across a 5-year time frame. We discuss the contributions and implications of our findings for the literatures on executive narcissism, TMT composition, and the CEO–TMT interface.
A Qualitative Exploration of Rural Older Adults’ Experiences With Pain From Chronic Illnesses and Its Treatment
Authors: Noh Hyunjin , Suntai Zainab , Won Chorong , Jeong Haelim , Lee Lewis H.
Published: April 2024

Pain is one of the most common concerns among chronically ill older adults. However, access to pain management is not equitable among certain populations, including rural residents. This qualitative study explored rural older adults’ experiences with pain and its treatment. Eighteen participants were recruited from rural counties of Alabama, who were age 60+, cognitively intact, community-dwelling, had one or more chronic/serious illnesses, and experienced pain. Open-ended questions were asked in individual interviews, and inductive, thematic analysis was used for data analysis. Findings revealed the impact of pain (physical limitations, psychological distress, and coping strategies), the impact of COVID-19 (physical/mental health and pain management), challenges in pain management in rural areas (lack of provider and healthcare resources, transportation-related issues, mistrust, and limited insurance coverage) and suggestions to address these challenges. Program and policy-level interventions are crucial in improving the resources and education/training needed for effective pain management for rural older adults.
Black U.S. Military Affiliated Perspectives on Sport Media's Coverage of Racial Representation and Athlete Activism
Authors: Crowe Patrick , Love Adam , Harrison Guy
Published: April 2024

Black U.S. military affiliated sport fans hold a unique place in society, as their multiple identities (i.e., racial and career) may possess conflicting elements. Militarism preaches nationalism, meritocracy, and bootstrapism, whereas Black sport activism questions if these “American” values extend to people of color. The current study interviewed Black military affiliated individuals ( N = 10) to understand their perceptions on nationalism and racism within the landscape of contemporary sport activism. The protests initiated by Colin Kaepernick of the National Football League, who took a knee during the pregame national anthem, was a focal point for discussion with the participants. Three main themes were identified in the interviews: (a) protectors of the first amendment, (b) the “right” and “wrong” way to protest, and (c) new racism and color blindness in sport. This study allows a group that is not often studied to voice their perceptions of nationalism and racism in the context of sport activism.
Electromagnetic economies of worth: Repurposing a radio dish and debating technoscientific modernity at the equator
Authors: Merron James , Lamoureaux Siri
Published: April 2024

In 2017, an old satellite dish in Ghana was repurposed into a radio telescope. While highly celebrated in public, complications surrounding this conversion resulted in criticism in the African astronomy community. While ‘repurposing’ has been optimistically embraced in recent Science and Technology Studies literature, we challenge ‘repurposing’s’ seemingly natural alignment with the common good, defined here as the path towards technoscientific modernity in Ghana. Instituting a distinction between a project of ‘repurposing’ for capacity development and building a new radio observatory in South Africa for global science presupposes a difference between real ‘inspired’ science and technology that serves a ‘civic’ orientation. In postcolonial societies, we cannot speak of singular ‘orders of worth’, but inevitably multiple orientations towards technoscientific modernity and visions for the ‘common good’. We locate a converted radio telescope and its digital infrastructure within such contested visions through phases of materially inscribed ‘orders of worth’. Over time, successive ‘worths’ are materially inscribed Ghanaian ground station as a site for 1) global telecommunications, 2) capacity building, 3) satellite data transfer. We present the material politics at work between various stakeholders: astronomers, government, the private sector and residents living near the observatory.
Digital skills of and for lives marked by vulnerability: Being young, refugee, and connected in Europe
Authors: Georgiou Myria , d’Haenens Leen , Zaki Alia , Donoso Verónica , Bossens Emilie
Published: April 2024

This article examines how teenage refugees in Europe develop digital skills in and through conditions of vulnerability. We argue that recognising vulnerability as a productive force, rather than merely as context, is crucial if we are to fully understand the emergence, limits and lack of skills among young people experiencing perpetual marginality. Drawing on 96 interviews and five creative workshops with teenage refugees in the cities of Athens, Brussels and London, we discuss three ways in which vulnerability and digital skills become entangled: (i) (dis-)connection, especially in conditions of scarce, interrupted and unsafe digital connectivity; (ii) learning, especially in contexts where digital and transnational literacies co-exist, compete or compensate for educational inequalities; and (iii) digital bordering, especially as this relates to restrictive regimes of mobility control that prolong risks for young refugees’ wellbeing and even life itself.
Pressure and stiffness of a new air-inflated compression wrap
Authors: Mosti Giovanni , Gasparis Antonios , Oropallo Alisha , Labropoulos Nicos
Published: April 2024

Objective

To report pressure and stiffness, in healthy volunteers, of a new compression device with an air bladder inflated by a pump to regulate pressure.

Methods

The device was applied to 60 legs of 30 volunteers and set to exert different pressures of 20–50 mmHg. The exerted pressure was measured in supine and standing positions and during simple physical exercises; static stiffness index, dynamic stiffness index, and walking pressure amplitudes were calculated.

Results

The exerted pressure showed a good correlation with the expected pressure at each pressure range. The stiffness indices were >10 mmHg in the range of inelastic materials. The device was considered very easy to apply and use by the testing researchers.

Conclusions

The device stiffness is in the same range as the inelastic bandages. Consequently, similar hemodynamic effectiveness could be expected but must be proved. Unlike inelastic bandages, this device was easy to apply and use.
Experiences with advance care planning in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Qualitative longitudinal study with people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and their family carers
Authors: Vandenbogaerde Isabel , Van den Block Lieve , Deliens Luc , Carduff Emma , van der Heide Agnes , De Bleecker Jan , De Vleminck Aline
Published: April 2024

Background:

It is unclear when people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and their family carers think about their future, what they would prefer in terms of care, and how their ideas change over time.

Aim:

Understanding experiences with advance care planning of persons with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and their family carers—and if, when, how, and why these experiences change over time.

Design:

A qualitative longitudinal interview study. Analysis involved content analysis, followed by a two-step timeline method to describe changes in advance care planning experiences within and across participants.

Setting/participants:

Nine persons with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and nine family carers who were interviewed three times over a 9-month period.

Results:

All participants thought about future care, but few talked about it. Over time, advance care planning experiences were influenced by intertwined elements: (1) experienced physical decline and related future care needs; (2) how persons with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis identify themselves as patients; (3) obtaining information about diagnosis and prognosis; (4) professionals initiating conversations about medical aspects of end-of-life decisions; (5) balancing between hope to remain stable and worry about the future; and (6) protecting themselves and each other from worries about the future.

Conclusion:

This study emphasizes how factors such as coping with the disease and relational dynamics shape individuals’ thoughts about future care over time and how psychological, social, and medical factors are interwoven in advance care planning. The findings advocate for a process-oriented perspective, portraying advance care planning as an ongoing dialog, encompassing the needs, concerns, and emotions of both people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and their family carers.
Comparison of MRI findings of hypothalamic-optic chiasmatic gliomas and craniopharyngiomas
Authors: Karaman Ahmet Kursat , Özgen Kerime Hatun , Korkmazer Bora , Hamid Rauf , Kübra Yıldırım Hatice , Kemerdere Rahşan , Çomunoğlu Nil , Tanrıöver Necmettin , Arslan Serdar , Kızılkılıç Osman
Published: April 2024

Background

Differential diagnosis of hypothalamic-optic chiasmatic gliomas (HOCGs) and craniopharyngiomas on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be quite challenging.

Purpose

To compare the MRI features of HOCGs and cranipharyngiomas.

Material and Methods

Patients diagnosed with HOCG or craniopharyngioma in histopathological evaluation between 2012 and 2022 and who underwent preoperative contrast-enhanced brain MRI were included. Various MRI features were retrospectively evaluated for each lesion: T2-weighted imaging and fluid attenuation inversion recovery hyperintensity, calcification, cystic change, T1-weighted (T1W) imaging hyperintensity of the cystic component, hemorrhage, involvement of sellar, suprasellar or other adjacent structures, lobulated appearance, presence of hydrocephalus, and contrast enhancement pattern. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were also evaluated and compared.

Results

Among 38 patients included, 13 (34%) had HOCG and 25 (66%) had craniopharyngioma. Craniopharyngiomas had a significantly higher rate of cystic changes, calcification, and T1W imaging hyperintensity of the cystic component than HOCGs ( P <0.05). Of HOCGs, 92% had chiasm involvement, 23% had optic nerve involvement, and 31% had brain stem involvement. On the other hand, chiasm involvement was observed in 8% of craniopharyngiomas, but none had optic nerve and/or brain stem involvement ( P <0.05). While 62% (8/13) of HOCGs had diffuse homogeneous enhancement, 80% (20/25) of craniopharyngiomas had a diffuse heterogeneous enhancement pattern. Mean ADC values were significantly higher in craniopharyngiomas compared to HOCGs (2.1 vs. 1.6 ×10−3mm2/s, P <0.05).

Conclusion

Although some neuroimaging findings may overlap, features such as presence of cyst and calcification, brain stem and optic pathway involvement, different enhancement patterns, and ADC values may be helpful in the differential diagnosis of HOCGs and craniopharyngiomas.
Chest CT radiomics is feasible in evaluating bone changes in chronic kidney diseases
Authors: Wu Gang , Yang Yongli , Liu Liangjin
Published: April 2024

Background

Non-invasive imaging methods are still lacking for evaluating bone changes in chronic kidney diseases (CKD).

Purpose

To investigate the feasibility of chest CT radiomics in evaluating bone changes caused by CKD.

Material and Methods

In total, 75 patients with stage 1 CKD (CKD1) and 75 with stage 5 CKD (CKD5) were assessed using the chest CT radiomics method. Radiomics features of bone were obtained using 3D Slicer software and were then compared between CKD1 and CKD5 cases. The methods of maximum correlation minimum redundancy (mRMR) and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) were used to establish a prediction model to determine CKD. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the performance of the model.

Results

Cases of CKD1 and CKD5 differed in 40 radiomics features ( P <0.05). Using the mRMR and LASSO methods, five features were finally selected to establish a predication model. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the model in the determination of CKD1 and CKD5 was 0.903 and 0.854, respectively, for the training and validation cohorts.

Conclusion

Chest CT radiomics is feasible in evaluating bone changes caused by CKD.