bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Framework of Foreseen and Unforeseen Harms in Transformative Service Systems
Authors: Polonsky Michael J. , Weber Virginia , Ozanne Lucie , Robertson Nichola
Published: September 2024

Transformative service systems (TSSs) are designed to uplift human well-being. Yet, paradoxically, by necessity and in design, TSSs can also generate unintended harms for system actors. Our conceptual paper builds on recent service literature, as well as that on unintended consequences from a range of fields, to advance an integrative framework of harms in TSSs. Through the enabling theory of the doctrine of double effect, our framework organizes harms in the transformative service context, identifying that unintended harms can be both foreseen and unforeseen. Additionally, we find that the mechanism underlying these harms is system emergence. Emergence arises from the relative complexity of the service system and the relative dynamism of the issue the TSS aims to address. Our framework demonstrates that greater service system complexity increases the likelihood of foreseen harms, while greater relative dynamism increases the likelihood of unforeseen harms arising. Furthermore, we show how these two factors combine to promulgate the emergence of harms. We find that in instances where harm arises, greater service system adaption is required to mitigate such harms. However, some TSS harms are an inevitable and unfortunate secondary outcome of doing good, and these harms necessitate acknowledgment and acceptance by service designers.
Teaching Sustainable Advertising: A Trialogue Course-Project Using the SHIFT Framework
Authors: Mishra Karen E. , Tuten Tracy L. , Mishra Aneil K.
Published: September 2024

Organizations are building sustainable practices due to newer regulations and a commitment to the greater good. They are targeting the majority of consumers who want to live a sustainable lifestyle. As a result, universities have an opportunity to integrate sustainability topics into their coursework. This study addresses a curriculum gap that exists by introducing a project-based assignment using the SHIFT framework by White, Habib, and Hardisty (2019a), which outlines the triggers associated with influencing sustainable behaviors among consumers, namely, social influence, habit formation, individual self, feelings and cognition, and tangibility. We explain the relevance of the project via a literature review on the growing importance of sustainability to consumers, outline the project requirements and recommendations for execution, and share our experiences and those of our students using the project.
Atrial Fibrillation and Associated Factors Among Hyperthyroidism Patients Attending at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Tefera Elias Manaye , Tefera Yibekal Manaye , Yimer Mekonnen , Mulat Worku Biruk , Ayele Eleni , Zewdu Asmare Bedilu , Abebe Gebrehana Deresse , Nega Godana Tilahun
Published: September 2024

Background:

The most prevalent heart symptom of hyperthyroidism is atrial fibrillation. Other than sinus tachycardia, which occurs with hyperthyroidism, atrial fibrillation is the most prevalent cardiac arrhythmia. Hyperthyroidism results in excess mortality from increased incidence of circulatory diseases and dysrhythmias. The aims of the study was prevalence and associated factors of atrial fibrillation among hyperthyroidism adult patients attending the University of Gondar Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia

Objective:

This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of atrial fibrillation among adult hyperthyroid patients attending the University Of Gondar Referral Hospital, Ethiopia.

Methods:

Using a consecutive sampling technique, 228 patients with hyperthyroidism participated in an institution-based cross-sectional study. A standardized questionnaire that had been pretested was used to gather the data that was designed to include socio-demographic data, clinical presentation, biochemical profile, and electrocardiography findings through chart review and interviews. The data were manually curated

Result:

Atrial fibrillation was present in 32 (14%) patients, with a 95% CI of 9.6 to 19.2. The identified predictor variables were age >61 years (Adjusted Odd Ratio = 4.2, 95% CI = 1.5-11.7), female sex (Adjusted Odd Ratio = 4.0, 95% CI = 1.4-12.0), and high serum FT4 >23.9 pmol/l (Adjusted Odd Ratio = 8.0, 95% CI = 2.1-30.0).

Conclusion:

The prevalence of atrial fibrillation among hyperthyroidism patients was 14%. Being female, being older, and having high serum FT4 levels were significantly associated with AF in hyperthyroid patients.
No one deserves professional annihilation: Learning from women’s experiences of leadership work-caused trauma
Authors: Mavin Sharon
Published: September 2024

The article advances critical perspectives of leadership and leadership learning through a feminist study exploring experiences of leadership work-caused trauma. The study explores why trauma appears for those in leadership and how this is experienced. It illustrates the harm done to those in leadership. Ten women’s experiences are explored through the following four themes: (a) Malicious, Avoidable, Morally Indefensible; (b) Suffering: Completely Shocked, Deeply Distressed, Frightened; (c) Loss; and (d) Feeling Obliterated and Fearing Eradication. The study demonstrates organizational leadership as a dangerous “enough” context for trauma research. Analysis highlights how actions associated with leadership cause psychological and emotional damage and how those in leadership suffer trauma, severely injured and diminished. The article conceptualizes leadership work-caused trauma and theorizes women leaders’ experiences as professional annihilation, where they are fundamentally destroyed. This new knowledge prompts relational dialogic reflexivity, provides opportunities for leadership learning and development, and contributes new avenues for future research.
Glymphatic dysfunction in multiple sclerosis and its association with disease pathology and disability
Authors: Bayoumi Ahmed , Hasan Khader M , Thomas Joseph A , Yazdani Akram , Lincoln John A
Published: September 2024

Background:

The role of the glymphatic system in multiple sclerosis (MS)-related disability remains underexplored. Diffusion-tensor image analysis along the perivascular space (DTI-ALPS) offers a non-invasive method to assess glymphatic function.

Objective:

To evaluate glymphatic function in MS patients with lower and higher disability.

Methods:

This study included 118 MS patients who underwent structural, diffusion-weighted imaging, and clinical assessment. The participants were divided into lower (MS-L, n = 57) and higher disability (MS-H, n = 61) subgroups. Brain parenchymal fraction (BPF), lesion load (LL), and DTI-ALPS index were measured. Subgroup differences and correlations between DTI-ALPS index and other measures were explored. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate BPF, LL, and DTI-ALPS index in classifying lower and higher disability patients.

Results:

Significant differences in DTI-ALPS index between MS-H and MS-L ( d = −0.71, false discovery rate-corrected p-value ( p-FDR) = 0.001) were found. The DTI-ALPS index correlated significantly with disease duration ( rp = −0.29, p-FDR = 0.002) and EDSS ( rsp = −0.35, p-FDR = 0.0002). It also showed significant correlations with BPF and LL. DTI-ALPS index and LL were significant predictors of disability subgroup (DTI-ALPS: odds ratio (OR) = 1.77, p = 0.04, LL: OR = 0.94, p = 0.02).

Conclusion:

Our findings highlight DTI-ALPS index as an imaging biomarker in MS, suggesting the involvement of glymphatic impairment in MS pathology, although further research is needed to elucidate its role in contributing to MS-related disability.
In the gray zone: How representational deficit moderates the effect of openness on protest participation
Authors: Aksoy Faruk , Tosun Yasemin
Published: September 2024

This article investigates how the governmental status quo alters the effect of individuals’ openness as a predisposition for protest participation. We define the governmental status quo as individuals’ standing or position within the political system, contingent upon their party’s current status in government. Based on this, we clasify voters into three groups: Opposition voters, junior coalition partners’ voters (JCPV), and senior coalition partners’ voters (SCPV) or single-party government voters (SPGV). SCPV and SPGV are expected to have lower protest motivation due to their substantial governmental representation, whereas opposition voters, with lacking any governmental representation, are more likely to be motivated to protest. Nevertheless, given their fuzzy position that alleviates the effect of the representational deficit on their protest behavior, we argue that the protest participation of JCPV is more likely to be driven by their basic values belonging to the openness dimension. Statistical analyses based on data from the European Social Survey support our hypothesis, highlighting the stronger effect of stimulation, one of the components of the openness dimensions in Schwart's basic human values, for the JCPV compared to other voter categories.
High levels of Patient Self Advocacy may confound clinical research in understudied patient populations
Authors: Rabinowitz Emily P , Ripley Grant H , Lemek Chase , Allen Philip A , Delahanty Douglas L
Published: September 2024

Objective:

To examine the levels of patient self-advocacy in a sample of participants with Chiari Malformation (CM) and to explore how they relate to clinical outcomes.

Methods:

As part of a larger clinical trial addressing chronic pain in patients with CM, 111 participants completed the Patient Self Advocacy Scale (PSAS), the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), and the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI).

Results:

PSAS scores indicated a moderately high level of patient self-advocacy (Mean = 3.86 SD = 0.50). The PSAS was not related to depression, anxiety, stress, pain intensity, or pain interference. There were no differences in PSAS according to surgical status ( t(61.25) = 0.44, p = 0.66) or use of pain medication ( t(109) = 1.05, p = .29).

Discussion:

Participants in a clinical trial for CM have high levels of pre-existing patient self-advocacy. Research is needed to understand how patient self-advocacy contributes to the management of CM and how it could impact research of individuals with understudied conditions.

Clinical Trials Registration:

NCT05581472
Towards a processual understanding of trust: A study of trust-building strategies of constructive journalists
Authors: Garusi Diego , Leonhardt Birte
Published: September 2024

Trust in news media is a hot topic in media research, and although several attempts have been made to explore it, the concept has commonly been viewed as a matter of audiences’ reception of news products. In contrast, we conceptualize trust as an integral part of all stages of the news production process and focus on the journalists’ perspective. Based on semi-structured interviews with Austrian constructive journalists, we investigate which strategies they use to improve the perception of their trustworthiness among audiences and what they want to achieve by being trusted. Trust-building strategies are identified across various stages of news production, with a notable emphasis on traditional journalistic values like objectivity, particularly in the context of separating facts from opinions to enhance audiences’ trust. Objectivity is sought through reliance on scientific sources, which are considered objective in their own right. This approach contrasts with conventional notions of objectivity in journalistic and academic discourse on constructive journalism. The findings reveal a focus on fostering trust to promote a solution-oriented approach to public issues, facilitating a more vibrant and constructive public discourse.
Does workplace fun reduce job stress? Role of work engagement and job autonomy in the hospitality industry
Authors: Islam Md Asadul , Alam Mohammad Nurul
Published: September 2024

Drawing on job demand-resource theory and social exchange theory, this study investigates how work engagement mediates the impact of workplace fun on job stress through moderating role of job autonomy in the hospitality industry context. Survey data collected from 384 employees was analyzed using SmartPLS 4.0 to test the hypotheses of the study. The analysis revealed that workplace fun has a negative relationship with the job stress of employees, while work engagement has partial mediation in this relationship. Moreover, job autonomy was found to be a significant moderator in the relationship between workplace fun and employee engagement. The implications for theories and practices, followed by limitations and future directions and concluding remarks, are discussed.
Red Backgrounds Enhance Dominance in Human Faces and Shapes
Authors: Chen Na , Yang Yidie , Kobayashi Maiko , Nakamura Koyo , Watanabe Katsumi
Published: September 2024

Red color signals dominance in both animals and humans. This study investigated whether a red background color influences the perception of dominance in human faces and geometric shapes. The facial stimuli consisted of computer-generated faces, quantitatively morphed into nine levels of dominance, ranging from less dominant to more dominant. This included East-Asian female faces in Experiment 1 and male faces in Experiment 2. The face stimuli were presented against three background colors: red, green, and gray. Participants were instructed to categorize the faces as either obedient or dominant by pressing the corresponding labeled keys. The results showed that faces were more likely to be perceived as dominant when presented against a red background than against green or gray backgrounds, for both female and male faces. Additionally, two questionnaire surveys showed that the perception of dominance also increased for shapes presented against a red background. However the effect of red diminished in the absence of the actual perception of the color red. These results suggest that the perception of dominance in both human faces and objects is enhanced by the presence of red, possibly due to evolutionary factors related to the perception of red.
Unlocking the diagnostic riddle: Beyond arthritis in DIP joint deception
Authors: Chinnadurai Saranya , Mahadevan Sabarinath , Bhawarlal PadamKumar
Published: September 2024

Glomus tumour is a rare benign neoplasm arising from specialized neuromyoarterial plexus situated in the subungual region. Here, we present a 36-year-old male who had severe pain in the distal part of left third finger mimicking distal interphalangeal joint arthritis (DIP). On evaluation, he was found to have severe tenderness just distal to the DIP joint line. Also, he had positive cold sensitivity test. MRI showed high-signal intensity lesion in the dorsal aspect of left third digit. Glomus tumour was suspected based on these findings. Surgical excision was done followed by histopathological examination, confirmed the diagnosis. We present this case to raise awareness about this rare condition and the possibility of misinterpreting distal pain as DIP arthritis.
Parental Resilience in Contexts of Political Violence: A Systematic Scoping Review of 45 Years of Research
Authors: Sousa Cindy A. , Akesson Bree , Siddiqi Manahil
Published: September 2024

Families suffer in particular ways during the violence and targeted deprivation of freedom and resources within political violence (PV), which includes wars, armed conflicts, and military occupations. While evidence is accumulating about the disproportionate impacts of PV on parents and children, we lack a clear, globally integrated understanding of how families suffer—and survive—PV. There is an urgent need to synthesize existing work to refine our understanding of parental experiences within PV—with particular attention to both how PV creates suffering for parents, and how parents strategize, caring for their families within the most horrendous of circumstances. In this systematic scoping review, authors explore how political violence impacts parenting. Using predetermined search strategies and inclusion criteria (peer-reviewed, empirical articles, published in English), searches within multiple databases, and tests of interrater reliability, 112 articles (quantitative, qualitative, and mixed method) were identified. Authors organized and coded findings, determined common themes, and built a conceptual model connecting and integrating findings. Findings point to two crucial areas of parenting within PV: parenting efficacy and parenting practices, demonstrating how these are simultaneously compromised by and amplified within PV. Results uncover how much parenting within PV is intertwined with parental psychological and social well-being, and that parents cope with a variety of internal and external resources, including culture, community, religion, activism, flight, and emotional and logistical reconfiguration. Implications include that, within and after PV, interventions must focus on parental well-being, as well as the social and political situatedness of parents.
Supporting Research Staff Working With People Experiencing Homelessness: Integrating Trauma-Informed and Resilience-Building Approaches Into Community-Engaged Research Studies
Authors: Alway Jessica , Gomez Jesus Omar , Lee Phoebe , Cuby Jordan , Chakravarty Deepalika , Vijayaraghavan Maya
Published: September 2024

Traumatic experiences are highly prevalent among people experiencing homelessness who face structural inequities, which may impact engagement in research. Research staff (“staff”) working with people experiencing homelessness are under-equipped to cope with structural inequities and the trauma present in participants’ lives, even if they are well-trained in the regulatory aspects of the research process. Six staff involved in tobacco cessation intervention research with people experiencing homelessness described their experiences and highlighted areas of training to integrate trauma-informed and resilience-building approaches to support field staff and people experiencing homelessness. We identified three themes: (a) impact of trauma on the research process; (b) the importance of engagement with community partners and participants; and (b) the need for a field worker’s guide. Staff described being the bearers of participants’ traumas, while also coping with their own vicarious traumatization. Staff believed they would benefit from a fieldworker’s guide that includes best practices for engagement with community partners as well as trauma-informed approaches like training in trauma-informed care and tools to address vicarious traumatization. Resilience-building approaches include real-time debriefing to celebrate successes and troubleshoot problems in the field. Training in resilience-building can be integrated as part of the general training required of all research staff prior to conducting intervention research studies with people experiencing homelessness. These approaches may need institutional support to be integrated into standard research workflows. In doing so, they may not only safeguard research staff and participants but also promote research as a means to dismantle inequities by being inclusive, safe, and empowering.
Bolstering Access to HIV-Related Health care in Zimbabwe Among Young Mothers Living With HIV: Lessons Learned on HIV Health Promotion From Zvandiri’s Young Mentor Mother Program
Authors: Tailor Lauren S. , Angell Jonathan , Hasan Syeda , Low Sharon , Willis Nicola , Mutsinze Abigail , Chitiyo Vivian , Kuchocha Peggy , Logie Carmen H.
Published: September 2024

HIV disproportionately affects adolescent girls and young women living in Southern Africa. Rates of perinatal HIV transmission are high in this population, emphasizing the need for targeted health promotion and public health programming to improve the health of young mothers living with HIV. Zvandiri, a non-profit organization in Zimbabwe, created the Young Mentor Mother (YMM) program in response to this issue. This health promotion program uses peer-led service delivery conducted by trained young mothers living with HIV, called YMMs. We conducted semi-structured virtual interviews (N = 29) among Zvandiri staff and YMMs to identify benefits and challenges, and to inform future program scaling. We applied thematic analyses to the transcriptions. Participant narratives revealed several themes, including three key benefits from the YMM program: (1) peer support, (2) holistic care, and (3) women’s empowerment. Participants also shared barriers to the success of the program, reflecting two overarching dimensions: (1) barriers related to scaling up the YMM program and (2) challenges related to addressing socio-structural factors. Barriers to scale-up included limited funds and resources, and food insecurity. Socio-structural challenges included HIV-related stigma, cultural and geographic differences, and intimate partner violence (IPV). These challenges align with the social-ecological model, whereby structural factors (lack of funding, food insecurity), community factors (HIV-related stigma, socio-cultural differences in accepting HIV care), and interpersonal factors (IPV) affect the implementation and scale-up of the program. We recommend future adopters of the YMM program to tailor the model for their community, prioritize peer supporter’s well-being, foster women’s empowerment, and adopt a holistic care approach.
Rural Caregiver Perceptions on the Content and Receipt of a Diabetes Management Telehealth Occupation-Based Coaching Intervention
Authors: Jewell Vanessa D. , Funk Katie J. , Currie Alexis , Shin Julia , Knezevich Emily L. , Valdez Andrea , Bunsness Maggie
Published: September 2024

Background:

Type 1 diabetes management for young children requires caregiver involvement to prevent serious health complications. Objectives: Explore the lived experience of rural caregivers’ health management routines and perceptions of an occupation-based coaching (OBC) intervention.

Methodology:

Following a 12-week, OBC telehealth intervention designed to promote diabetes management and caregiver psychosocial well-being, researchers interviewed eight rural caregivers to explore their perceived quality of life utilizing a phenomenological approach.

Findings:

Three themes emerged related to caregivers’ OBC intervention needs: occupational deprivation and decreased well-being; longing for connection with social supports; and desire for knowledgeable, relatable, and accessible providers. Two themes emerged related to their experiences postintervention: satisfaction with diabetes management and psychosocial support and renewed hope for childhood normalcy.

Conclusion:

Despite drastic shift in family routines after a child’s T1D diagnosis, caregivers reported acceptability of OBC for improving health management routines in a rural community following OBC intervention.
Eagle Syndrome: Case Report, Literature Review, Proposed Classification, and Role of Ultrasound in its Diagnosis and Management
Authors: Williams David M. , Wooster Elizabeth M. , Stonerock Charles E. , Wooster Douglas L.
Published: September 2024

Eagle syndrome is defined by a spectrum of clinical presentations related to an elongated styloid process or calcified stylohyoid ligament, in the neck, which impinges on the adjacent nerves, arteries, or veins. It is an uncommon finding but one that should be considered in clinical and imaging practice. A variety of symptoms can result. The diagnosis is often delayed, particularly if it is not considered. Although the elongated styloid process may be seen on plain X-ray, contrast-enhanced computerized tomographic angiography (CTA) is considered the diagnostic test of choice. There is, however, a role for ultrasound in both the diagnosis and consideration of the differential diagnosis of Eagle syndrome. Vascular ultrasound specialists should be aware of this entity and be prepared to characterize the findings with ultrasound. Although medical management or endovascular approaches have been described, generally, surgical excision of the styloid process is recommended. Outcomes from such treatment tend to be excellent. Most reports describe a single patient or small series, and the role of duplex scanning has not been discussed. This patient is presented to allow a review of Eagle syndrome, classify the types, and introduce the details of modern high-resolution color duplex scanning in its management.
IpsiHand Brain–Computer Interface Therapy Induces Broad Upper Extremity Motor Rehabilitation in Chronic Stroke
Authors: Rustamov Nabi , Souders Lauren , Sheehan Lauren , Carter Alexandre , Leuthardt Eric C.
Published: September 2024

Background

Chronic hemiparetic stroke patients have very limited benefits from current therapies. Brain–computer interface (BCI) engaging the unaffected hemisphere has emerged as a promising novel therapeutic approach for chronic stroke rehabilitation.

Objectives

This study investigated the effectiveness of contralesionally-controlled BCI therapy in chronic stroke patients with impaired upper extremity motor function. We further explored neurophysiological features of motor recovery driven by BCI. We hypothesized that BCI therapy would induce a broad motor recovery in the upper extremity, and there would be corresponding changes in baseline theta and gamma oscillations, which have been shown to be associated with motor recovery.

Methods

Twenty-six prospectively enrolled chronic hemiparetic stroke patients performed a therapeutic BCI task for 12 weeks. Motor function assessment data and resting state electroencephalogram signals were acquired before initiating BCI therapy and across BCI therapy sessions. The Upper Extremity Fugl-Meyer assessment served as a primary motor outcome assessment tool. Theta–gamma cross-frequency coupling (CFC) was computed and correlated with motor recovery.

Results

Chronic stroke patients achieved significant motor improvement in both proximal and distal upper extremity with BCI therapy. Motor function improvement was independent of Botox application. Theta–gamma CFC enhanced bilaterally over the C3/C4 motor electrodes and positively correlated with motor recovery across BCI therapy sessions.

Conclusions

BCI therapy resulted in significant motor function improvement across the proximal and distal upper extremities of patients, which significantly correlated with theta–gamma CFC increases in the motor regions. This may represent rhythm-specific cortical oscillatory mechanism for BCI-driven rehabilitation in chronic stroke patients.

Trial Registration:

Advarra Study: https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04338971 and Washington University Study: https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03611855 .
Understanding Children’s Experiences of Care in Their School Lives Through Participatory Research Methods: A Comparative Analysis of Focus Group Discussions and Photovoice
Authors: Gleasure Seán , Devine Dympna , Martinez Sainz Gabriela , Sloan Seaneen , Symonds Jennifer
Published: September 2024

The theoretical development of the ‘new sociology of childhood,’ coinciding with the recognition of children’s right to express their voice and have it heard on matters affecting them, has inspired the proliferation of participatory methods in research with and by children. This paper addresses a gap in the methodological literature by comparing two such participatory methods, focus group discussions and photovoice, in an exploration of care in children’s school lives. Drawing on the narratives of 49 Second Class children (typically aged eight to nine years) participating in Ireland’s national longitudinal study of primary schooling, Children School Lives ( https://www.cslstudy.ie ), the paper details the data collection, processing, and analysis associated with each method, as well as the emergent themes arising from each. We draw on our exploration of care in children’s school lives in order to illustrate the comparison of the two participatory methods. Our comparative analysis underscores the greater complexity associated with the data collection, processing, and analysis for photovoice. In addition, emergent themes suggest two distinct discourses on care arising from each method. While narratives from focus group discussions offer descriptive accounts of children’s experiences, photovoice data provide a more personal, emotive, and in-depth account of care in children’s school lives. Methodological decisions taken in this study and implications for future research which employs participatory methods with children are discussed and positioned within the wider literature.
A novel spike detection model for dynamic stress monitoring of bogie frame
Authors: Zhao Guang Wei , Li Nan , Sun Yu Xin
Published: September 2024

The fatigue evaluation of the bogie frame is an important part of the structural health monitoring of the vehicle. During the dynamic stress monitoring, some signal spikes, which are much larger than the normal fluctuation range due to the interference of the complex electromagnetic environment, affect the accuracy of the structural damage assessment and need to be accurately detected and replaced. Aiming at the drawbacks of traditional detection methods that are overly dependent on engineering experience and not universal, a novel spike detection model is proposed in this paper. By the process of data transformation, spike region features are effectively separated. Based on the isolation forest algorithm, the normalized anomaly score of each point is calculated, and the threshold is determined adaptively. The spike detection rate and damage sensitivity are proposed as the evaluation indices of the detection effect of the method. The results show that the spike detection rate is improved by 7.86% on average, and the damage sensitivity is improved by 15.59% on average. The spike detection model in this paper is significantly improved compared to the existing methods.
Multiobjective optimization of collaborative robotic task sequence assignment problems under collision-free constraints
Authors: Chen Chiu-Hung , Chi-Kuang Li , Chou Fu-I
Published: September 2024

This paper proposes a multiobjective optimization approach to address the challenge of collaborative manufacturing with multiple robot arms. Given the necessity for multiple robot arms to work together, the potential for collisions between robotic motions is a significant concern, and the automated task sequence assignment for robots becomes increasingly complex. Previous research has either simplified the collision-free conditions in a limited working area, or employed a master-slave approach to obtain only a local solution. Consequently, we propose a unified global optimization approach for simultaneously addressing various collaborative manufacturing issues, including robotic task sequence assignment (RTSA), multiple inverse kinematics (IK) selection, joint-space collision-free operations and multiple manufacturing objectives. As the optimal collaborative RTSA problem is a combinatorial optimization problem with non-deterministic polynomial-time hard (NP-hard) complexity, this paper presents a hybrid nondominated sorting genetic algorithm III (NSGA-III) method that integrates a Hamming-distance-based method and a greedy strategy within NSGA-III to improve population diversity and solution quality. To validate the efficacy of the proposed approach, simulation experiments were conducted on cooperative manufacturing scenarios, with two objectives: task completion time and task load balancing. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed approach is effective in obtaining collision-free Pareto solutions. Furthermore, the proposed hybrid NSGA-III method obtains superior solutions compared to the original method in the studied problem, as measured by two performance indices.
Research on optimization of the vehicle handling stability considering flexibility of the front subframe
Authors: Gao Jin , Du Mingyang
Published: September 2024

The elastic deformation of the front subframe during vehicle traveling affects the vehicle handling stability. The static equilibrium equations of the suspension and subframe system and the kinematics equations of the three-degree-of-freedom vehicle are established to illustrate the principle of the influence of the flexible front subframe on the handling stability. The front subframe is flexibly processed to establish a rigid-flexible coupled vehicle model. Simulations of the suspension kinematic and compliance alongside sine swept steering simulation of the vehicle are performed. The front subframe bushing stiffness, which has a greater impact on the handling stability, is selected as a design variable through parametric test design, and the NSGA-II algorithm is used for multi-objective optimization with the vehicle handling stability evaluation index as the optimization target. The simulation results show that the flexible front subframe will make the bushing force change to affect the suspension kinematic and compliance characteristics and then affect the vehicle handling stability, the gain of vehicle yaw rate and the delay time of lateral acceleration decrease, while the gain of roll angle increases. The optimization results show that the optimized vehicle exhibits improvements in the yaw rate gain, delay time of lateral acceleration, and roll angle gain.
Integrating an incident dataset with a question and answering language model to assist hazard identification: Comparison of an extractive and generative model
Authors: Ricketts Jon , Guo Weisi , Pelham Jonathan , Barry David
Published: September 2024

Robust hazard identification (HAZID) relies upon extensive knowledge of the system being analysed, the technical aspects, and how it will be used operationally. Typically, this knowledge is held by human participants who can draw out answers in natural language to hazard related questions based upon their own experience. However, several threats exist to this, such as high staff turnover, a poor learning from incidents capability or even insufficient Information Technology resources. Alternatively, incident databases hold vast amounts of hazard information that can be transformed into a source of knowledge. As mitigation to the aforementioned issues, this paper presents a Question and Answering (Q&A) Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT) language model trained upon aviation incidents and a unique Q&A dataset. The model can extract answers to typical HAZID questions, based upon factual incident reports. Alongside this extractive approach, the paper also explores the use of a generative Large Language Model combined with an incident dataset. Both models proved a useful addition to HAZID activities based upon the Structured What If Technique (SWIFT), answering safety-themed questions based upon a retrieved context of incident reports that semantically matched the query. For the purposes of HAZID, it was suggested that the generative option is preferable based upon its ease of implementation, lower resource requirements and quality of responses. Additionally, it is shown that it is possible for organisations to train and create their own custom models for HAZID purposes. Future work may wish to consider the application of models that can hypothesize scenarios based upon incident reports, building further understanding to the relationships between causes, hazards and consequences.
The nexus of scam and fake news: An exploratory study of cases of fake news-scams in Singapore
Authors: Chen Xingyu Ken , Diong Siew Maan , Leong Bethany , Tan Rong Hui , Ng Shannon Su Yan , Chan Stephanie
Published: September 2024

The increasing prevalence of fake news as well as scams has been a cause for concern for authorities in Singapore in recent years. In particular, the concurrent rise in fake news and online scams has shown signs of convergence in the form of fake news-scams, where false information is manipulated and employed in scams. However, literature examining this emerging phenomenon is scarce. As such, this study aims to deepen our understanding of this novel issue by exploring how scammers employ fake news in terms of type, channels of transmission, and persuasion techniques. Drawing from local case studies ( n = 90) collected from 2016 to 2021, it was found that authority appeals were the most common theme employed in fake news-scams, and persuasion cues of authority were the most prevalent. In addition, Facebook was identified as the most common channel of transmission in the spread of fake news-scams. These findings serve to inform anti-scam prevention measures by local authorities and suggestions are made as to how various stakeholders (e.g. authorities, companies, and individuals) can be involved in dealing with fake news-scams.
Bronchial thermoplasty for severe asthma: potential mechanisms and response markers
Authors: ChunXiao Li , Xin Hou , Yun Li , BoWen Liu , KunLu Shen , JiangTao Lin
Published: September 2024

Severe asthma (SA) poses a significant challenge to management and treatment, leading to a reduced quality of life and a heavy burden on society and healthcare resources. Bronchial thermoplasty (BT) has emerged as a non-pharmacological intervention for SA, demonstrating its efficacy and safety in improving patients’ quality of life and reducing exacerbation rates for over a decade. In particular, BT encounters various obstacles in its clinical application. Since asthma is characterized by high heterogeneity, not all patients derive effective outcomes from BT. Furthermore, current knowledge of markers that indicate response to BT remains limited. Recent research has shed light on the intricate mechanism of action of BT, which extends beyond simple smooth muscle ablation. Therefore, to enhance the clinical practice and implementation of BT, this paper aims to elucidate the mechanism of action and identify potential markers associated with BT response.
Heaven Holds a Place for Those Who Pray: Instrumentalizing Religion and Disinformation the 2022 Brazilian and 2023 Turkish Presidential Campaigns
Authors: Fitzgerald James , Lokmanoglu Ayse D. , Salles Debora , Santini Rose Marie
Published: September 2024

This comparative study examines the interplay of religious messaging and disinformation in the election campaign material of Jair Bolsonaro and Recep Tayyip Erdogan for the 2022 Brazilian and 2023 Turkish presidential elections. We employ a mixed-methods approach, combining computational keyword filtering and content analysis with qualitative discourse analysis and applied to a corpus of 10,519 posts across seven social media platforms. The analysis informs two key findings. First, in both Bolsonaro and Erdogan’s presidential campaigns, religious rhetoric and symbolism is used to bolster personal authority and in-group support to consolidate the idea of (presiding over) a majority bloc. Second, while disinformation interfaces with religious messaging in both presidential campaigns, we find that religion is overwhelmingly instrumentalized as a vector for political disinformation—thus, we did not identify any significant presence of “religious disinformation,” classically understood. Ultimately, our article creates space for further comparative and region-specific scholarship to explore how religion, politics, and disinformation intersect with authoritarian populism in modern elections and beyond, while also contributing to the conceptual refinement of “religious disinformation.”
Multinational and Multimodal Character Framing of Political Candidates in Online News: Do Political and Media System Classifications Matter?
Authors: Steffan Dennis , Grabe Maria Elizabeth , Famulari Umberto
Published: September 2024

An evolving body of research generally referred to as visual politics has brought the heavy research focus on linguistic modalities of political communication closer to parity with visual emphasis. The study reported here transcends this schism by joining momentum toward multimodality as an ontological departure point for research. We expanded an existing visual instrument into a multimodal one and provided evidence that it reliably captures character framing of political candidates (stateliness, compassion, mass appeal, ordinariness, and sure loser) in German, Polish, and United States commercial online news. We focused on election coverage in these countries because they represent three distinct political and media systems (democratic-corporatist, polarized-pluralist, and hybrid) of the Global North. The quantitative content analysis sample we used spans 2,688 online news stories with seven political candidates identified in 6,560 cases across six modalities (still images, moving images, frozen video images, text, audio, and superimposed text). We found support for the hypothesis that political and media system latencies affect how news media frame the character traits of political candidates in both visual and linguistic modalities. Specifically, the competitive tendencies of majoritarian democracies manifested more clearly as candidate-centered, simplistic, and polarizing character framing in US media content than in journalistic output of multiparty consensus democracies. For example, US news media were more consistent in their portrayal of election winners and losers than German and Polish news media, emphasizing stateliness, compassion, and ordinariness in the winner while unambiguously assigning the negative sure loser frame to the election loser.
CONNECT: Coordinating Options for Neurovascular Patients Needing Electrophysiology Consults and Treatments
Authors: Mortin Melissa , Shifflett Ben , Meyer Dawn M. , Hailey Lovella , Yoakum Stephanie , Hsu Jonathan C. , Meyer Brett C.
Published: September 2024

Background and Purpose

Though Event Monitors (EM) and Implantable Loop Recorders (ILR) are prevalent in stroke workups, complex processes to obtain placement of these device might result in delays. Our aim was to determine if the CONNECT (Coordinating Options for Neurovascular patients Needing Electrophysiology Consults and Treatments) pathway could improve Stroke-to-Electrophysiology (EP) communications, increase EM and ILR device placements prior to discharge, shorten placement time, and preserve satisfaction.

Methods

We assessed device placements when an EP consult was obtained [Pre-CONNECT (5/1/21-4/30/22), CONNECT (5/1/22-4/30/23)] for patients with stroke. In the Pre- period, consults were sent via EPIC electronic medical record (EMR), with additional direct communication when desired. In the CONNECT period, the pathway and module allowed for immediate communication between services. Outcomes included case rate, times, length of stay, and satisfaction. Hospital reports detailed Order to Activation (O-A) days. EM report review was used to obtain O-A time. Clinician satisfaction was assessed using Qualtrics survey. Patient satisfaction was assessed with Hospital Consumer Assessment of Health care Clinicians and Systems (HCAHPS) survey. Man-Whitney U test was used.

Results

78 patients were included (30EM(38.5%), 48ILR(61.5%)). Age was 68 years ( P = 0.58). For ILRs, inpatient placements prior to discharge increased (3Pre vs 51 CONNECT; P < 0.0001) as did outpatient placements (5 vs 16; P = 0.02). Order to Activation (O-A) time savings were significant for ILR overall (32 days vs 1 day; P = 0.03) and for Inpatient EM (13 days vs 3 days; P = 0.003). Time for consultant to view was 4 min and to respond was 6 min. Devices were placed at a median 6 hrs 32 min (EM: 4 hrs 19 min; ILR:7 hrs36 min). All (12/12) clinicians preferred the technique. Patient satisfaction improved on 13/19 (68%) questions.

Conclusions

There was a 1600% increase in ILR placements prior to discharge that was associated with the time period that the CONNECT process was in place. The robust improvement in ILR placements prior to discharge, high satisfaction, ease of use, closed loop communication, and respect for autonomy allowing more organic parallel discussions with patients improved clinician workflow which could potentially improve future risk reduction strategies.
Future needs for continuing innovation in hemophilia: improving outcomes for individuals of all severities, including women and those in resource-constrained regions
Authors: Blatný Jan , Astermark Jan , Catarino Cristina , Dolan Gerry , Fijnvandraat Karin , Hermans Cédric , Holstein Katharina , Jiménez-Yuste Víctor , Klamroth Robert , Lavin Michelle , Lenting Peter J. , Lobet Sébastien , Mancuso Maria Elisa , Motwani Jayashree , O’Donnell James S. , Königs Christoph
Published: September 2024

Over recent decades, management of people with hemophilia (PwH) has been greatly improved by scientific advances that have resulted in a rich and varied therapeutic landscape. Nevertheless, treatment limitations continue to drive innovation, and emerging options have the potential to realize further improvement. We advocate four general principles to optimize benefits from innovation: individualizing the treatment approach, targeting ‘normal,’ making the most of available resources, and considering treatment affordability. Ultimately, all PwH—men and women, of all ages and severities, and worldwide—should have access to treatment that fully prevents bleeding, while allowing personal, social, family, and professional lives of choice. Clearly, we are not there yet, but developing goals/milestones based on the principles we describe may help to achieve this.
Discovery of bioactive peptides as therapeutic agents for skin wound repair
Authors: Md Fadilah Nur Izzah , Shahabudin Nurul Aqilah , Mohd Razif Raniya Adiba , Sanyal Arka , Ghosh Anushikha , Baharin Khairul Idzwan , Ahmad Haslina , Maarof Manira , Motta Antonella , Fauzi Mh Busra
Published: September 2024

Short sequences of amino acids called peptides have a wide range of biological functions and the potential to treat a number of diseases. Bioactive peptides can be derived from different sources, including marine organisms, and synthetic design, making them versatile candidates for production of therapeutic agents. Their therapeutic effects span across areas such as antimicrobial activity, cells proliferation and migration, synthesis of collagen, and more. This current review explores the fascinating realm of bioactive peptides as promising therapeutic agents for skin wound healing. This review focuses on the multifaceted biological effects of specific peptides, shedding light on their potential to revolutionize the field of dermatology and regenerative medicine. It delves into how these peptides stimulate collagen synthesis, inhibit inflammation, and accelerate tissue regeneration, ultimately contributing to the effective repair of skin wounds. The findings underscore the significant role several types of bioactive peptides can play in enhancing wound healing processes and offer promising insights for improving the quality of life for individuals with skin injuries and dermatological conditions. The versatility of peptides allows for the development of tailored treatments catering to specific wound types and patient needs. As continuing to delve deeper into the realm of bioactive peptides, there is immense potential for further exploration and innovation. Future endeavors may involve the optimization of peptide formulations, elucidation of underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms.