bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of Stakeholders in Sustainable Management of an Urban Waterbody and Wetland
Authors: Rao Ritu , Kansal Arun , Tarannum Fawzia
Published: June 2024

Waterbodies and wetlands in urban areas face fragmentation due to multiple administrative boundaries, necessitating collaboration among various stakeholders. To enhance stakeholder involvement in social-ecological systems (SES), participatory tools have been employed. This article aims to identify factors affecting the sustainability of Najafgarh Lake and Wetland in Northern India, by identifying relevant stakeholders, examining their perceptions about the current state of the lake using a problem analysis participatory tool (PAST), and presenting the findings along the four subsystems of Ostrom’s (2007) general framework for analyzing the sustainability of SES. An analysis of stakeholders’ perceptions reveals the factors affecting Najafgarh Lake’s sustainability and highlights two competing and conflicting interests: reducing water inflow into the lake and constructing an embankment, versus designating the lake as a wetland. Balancing the two competing issues namely immediate gains from draining the lake and the long-term benefits arising from its preservation is crucial. These insights can guide policymakers in developing a sustainable lake and wetland management plan.
Financing and Farm-Gate Pricing Strategies for Agricultural Cooperatives With Cash-Constrained Farmers
Authors: Qian Xiaoyan , Zhou Quan , Olsen Tava Lennon
Published: June 2024

Equity investment in agricultural cooperatives (co-ops) is typically limited to farmer-members; yet farmers are usually cash-constrained. In addition to the common stock that is held by farmer-members, many co-ops are changing their financial structure by raising equity from external investors. This helps co-ops to collect capital, but also brings to the fore the conflicting benefits of farmers and external investors. In this paper, we develop a two-stage game-theoretic model to examine a start-up co-op’s farm-gate pricing and financing strategies, considering two types of external fund: preferred stock that bears a fixed return rate and outside stock that shares the net profit (in proportion to equity) with common stock. We characterize the co-op’s strategies in different scenarios and generate the following insights. First, while both types of external equity outperform the case with common stock only, the preferred stock generally outperforms outside stock due to its lower financial cost, higher tolerance for fund size limits, and flexibility in setting farm-gate prices. However, outside stock can outperform preferred stock if it allows a higher fund size limit. Second, the co-op’s financial strategy exhibits a similar structure in equilibrium regardless of whether it is preferred stock or outside stock, despite their distinct financial terms. Finally, farm-gate pricing has a unique role in co-ops affecting the returns to farmers and external investors, which also highlights the conflicting roles of farmers as both patrons and investors when external equity is used.
Giving Organization Stakeholders Better Help: A Taxonomy for Making Sense of Workplace Mental Health Offerings
Authors: Thomas Benjamin J. , Follmer Kayla B. , Meglich Patricia
Published: June 2024

Mental health has grown increasingly important as an aspect of employee well-being, with organizations expected to address these needs through offerings to support employee mental health. Broad societal forces like stigma and low levels of literacy surrounding mental health make it challenging for many people to understand these offerings. As the marketplace for these offerings grows to meet this demand, employees, HR professionals, and business leaders need better resources to understand, organize, and distinguish among their choices. The current research offers a 3-dimensional taxonomy for organizing these offerings, distinguishing them according to their (a). Primary Purpose-To Restore or Enrich; (b). Delivery Agent Location-External or Internal; (c). Latitude in Providing-Legally Required or Voluntary Provided. We provide theoretical approaches for scholars to consider these offerings’ impact in workplaces, and briefly demonstrate the taxonomy’s value in organizing some of the commonly available offerings in many modern workplaces. Finally, we provide two attainable research avenues for researchers to explore to inform organizational stakeholders on the (1). prevalence, costs, outcomes of these offerings in the workforce and (2). helpers and hurdles to employees' using these offerings.
A study to quantify knowledge obtained during the British Oncology Pharmacy Association (BOPA) Introduction to Oncology (ITO) Course
Authors: Cracknell Netty , Parbutt Catherine , Wong Clayton , Ganijee Tasneem
Published: June 2024

Introduction

The British Oncology Pharmacy Association (BOPA) Introduction to Oncology (ITO) course has run for over 20 years. The ITO course is provided free of charge to BOPA PAID members, and there was an increase in cost moving to a two-day event in 2023. The BOPA Education and Training (E&T) subcommittee and BOPA Executive Committee wanted to validate that the course was meeting its objective of improving the baseline knowledge of the pharmacists and pharmacy technicians attending, and therefore justifying the increased cost to BOPA and employing organisations.

Method

During the ITO course in November 2023, quantitative data was collected using a questionnaire-based survey with 5-point Likert scales. This was administered to delegates at the start of each respective day to assess baseline knowledge level. Another survey was administered at the end of each respective day to re-assess knowledge level.

Results

There is a positive overall change for all sessions. This ranged from a + 0.92 to +1.76 improvement across the board. This was applicable regardless of profession. For all responders the greatest improvement of knowledge was seen in A. ‘Extravasation of SACT’ session (+1.76), ‘Oncological Emergencies’ (+1.51) and ‘The cancer patient pathway’ (+1.51) B. those with less than 6 months experience (+1.54).

Conclusion

This study has demonstrated that overall the ITO course improved the baseline knowledge of the delegates attending the course (+1.21). The delegates were also more confident in verifying SACT prescriptions after the course.
Development and validation of a quantitative wipe sampling method to determine platinum contamination from antineoplastic drugs on surfaces in workplaces at Swedish hospitals
Authors: Leeman Mats , Wetterling Maria , Kåredal Monica , Hedmer Maria
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Antineoplastic drugs (ADs) are frequently used pharmaceuticals in the healthcare, and healthcare workers can be occupationally exposed to ADs. Monitoring of surface contamination is a common way to assess occupational exposure to ADs. The objective was to develop and validate a sensitive and quantitative monitoring method to determine surface contaminations of Pt as a marker for Pt-containing ADs. The surface contaminations of Pt-containing ADs were monitored at four Swedish hospital workplaces.

Methods

An analytical method was developed based on inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The wipe sampling procedure was validated regarding different surface materials. The stability of collected wipe samples was investigated. Workplace surfaces were monitored by wipe sampling to determine contaminations of Pt-containing ADs.

Results

A wipe sampling and analytical method with a limit of detection of 0.1 pg Pt/cm2 was developed. Pt was detected in 67% of the wipe samples collected from four workplaces, and the concentrations ranged from <0.10 to 21100 pg/cm2. In 4% of samples, the detected surface contaminations of Pt in three hospital wards were above proposed hygienic guidance value (HGV) of Pt. In the hospital pharmacy, 9% of the detected surface contaminations of Pt were above lowest proposed HGV.

Conclusions

A user-friendly, specific, and sensitive method for determination of surface contaminations of Pt from ADs in work environments was developed and validated. A large variation of contaminations was observed between detected surface contaminations of Pt in samples collected in wards, and it likely reflects differences in amounts handled and work practices between the wards.
Fab Antivenom Reversal of Neurotoxicity Caused by a Juvenile Crotalus horridus Lacking Canebrake Toxin
Authors: Musick Stefanie , Mann Nathaniel , Margres Mark J. , Solis Solis Shantal S. , Parkinson Chris
Published: June 2024

We present a case of neurotoxic effects in a pediatric patient after envenomation by a timber rattlesnake ( Crotalus horridus) in the Appalachian upstate of South Carolina. Though some members of this species are capable of primarily neurotoxic envenomation, there is heterogeneity in venom composition, and neurotoxic timber rattlesnakes are not endemic to the Appalachian region. However, neurotoxic effects caused by C horridus species lacking typical neurotoxins have been suspected, though not previously confirmed in the medical literature. This case presents a patient who was envenomated by a genotypically confirmed non-neurotoxic C horridus but who nevertheless presented with symptoms consistent with primary neurotoxicity. Neurotoxic effects can be variable in their response to traditional antivenom, though this patient demonstrated rapid response to treatment, representing a novel case in the literature of neurotoxic effects from a snake lacking typical neurotoxins with documented improvement with traditional antivenom.
Rethinking Travel Companionship: An Alternative Conceptual Model and Future Research Agenda
Authors: Liu Biqiang , Moyle Brent , Kralj Anna , Vada Sera , Chang Lu , Lu Siqi Emily
Published: June 2024

Travel companionship is commonplace across tourism industries, with existing discourse exclusively emphasizing positive downstream outcomes. However, limited studies have provided a potential counterpoint to the positive outcomes embedded in scholarly work associated with travel companionship. This research, building on interdisciplinary insights, aims to create a comprehensive perspective on travel companionship, elucidating the conditions where travel companionship can trigger negative evaluations of shared tourism experiences. Emergent findings from a systematic narrative review identified three core research streams that focused on the characteristics of decision makers, relationships between companion and decision makers, and experience type. Drawing on self-construal theory, impression management theory, and the experience economy paradigm, three theoretically justifiable caveats were developed to illuminate the underlying psychological mechanisms of negative companionship-induced outcomes. An alternative model of travel companionship underpinned by testable research propositions is proposed. Future research should move towards the articulation of a theory of travel companionship.
The Gut Microbiome and Symptom Burden After Kidney Transplantation: An Overview and Research Opportunities
Authors: Lockwood Mark B. , Sung Choa , Alvernaz Suzanne A. , Lee John R. , Chin Jennifer L. , Nayebpour Mehdi , Bernabé Beatriz Peñalver , Tussing-Humphreys Lisa M. , Li Hongjin , Spaggiari Mario , Martinino Alessandro , Park Chang G. , Chlipala George E. , Doorenbos Ardith Z. , Green Stefan J.
Published: June 2024

Many kidney transplant recipients continue to experience high symptom burden despite restoration of kidney function. High symptom burden is a significant driver of quality of life. In the post-transplant setting, high symptom burden has been linked to negative outcomes including medication non-adherence, allograft rejection, graft loss, and even mortality. Symbiotic bacteria (microbiota) in the human gastrointestinal tract critically interact with the immune, endocrine, and neurological systems to maintain homeostasis of the host. The gut microbiome has been proposed as an underlying mechanism mediating symptoms in several chronic medical conditions including irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and psychoneurological disorders via the gut-brain-microbiota axis, a bidirectional signaling pathway between the enteric and central nervous system. Post-transplant exposure to antibiotics, antivirals, and immunosuppressant medications results in significant alterations in gut microbiota community composition and function, which in turn alter these commensal microorganisms’ protective effects. This overview will discuss the current state of the science on the effects of the gut microbiome on symptom burden in kidney transplantation and future directions to guide this field of study.
Stripping the catheter: A new device for an old technique
Authors: Phillips Alice , Cascella Tommaso , Amato Gaetano Valerio Davide , Saggiante Lorenzo , Spreafico Carlo , Lanocita Rodolfo
Published: June 2024

Fibroblastic sleeve is a common pathophysiological phenomenon characterized by the formation of a mixed fibrous-collagen tissue encasing the outside of venous access devices. Although it nearly always presents asymptomatically, this catheter-related complication represents one of the leading culprits of venous catheters malfunction. Several techniques have been described for the management of dysfunctional catheters secondary to fibroblastic sleeve, including medical therapy, catheter exchange, balloon angioplasty, and percutaneous stripping. However, there is no common consensus for the treatment management in patients who present contraindications to surgical port removal. This report illustrates the case of a port catheter malfunction due to a fibroblastic sleeve in an oncological patient with a high risk of bleeding. This was effectively treated with a minimally invasive stripping technique using an off-label device for mechanical thrombectomy, namely the ClotTriever system (Inari Medical, Irvine, CA).
Serial angiography and angioscopy of late lumen enlargement after drug-coated balloon for dysfunctional arteriovenous fistula
Authors: Taguchi Hidehiko , Yamauchi Takashi , Takahama Junko , Ichikawa Minoru
Published: June 2024

The use of a drug-coated balloon (DCB) to treat dysfunctional arteriovenous fistula (AVF) has shown promising results. After percutaneous coronary intervention with DCB, late lumen enlargement (LLE) often develops in the early follow-up phase, but questions regarding the natural history of changes in lesions after DCB angioplasty have not been clearly elucidated. Here, we reported on a patient in whom angiography and angioscopy were performed immediately and 4 months after DCB angioplasty to treat cephalic vein stenosis of the dysfunctional AVF. Immediately after DCB application, angiography showed good dilatation and blood flow and mild vascular dissection that did not affect blood flow. Angioscopy showed that although the balloon had damaged the intima and the paclitaxel particles had adhered to the vessel wall. Four months after DCB treatment, follow-up angiography and angioscopy were performed. Angiography showed LLE in the cephalic vein of the AVF that had been treated by DCB angioplasty. Angioscopy showed that the intima of the vessel had almost completely healed, and the paclitaxel particles had disappeared. LLE might occur when DCB is used for AVF.
Predicting Time to Return to Cannabis Use After a Cessation Attempt: Impact of Cumulated Exposure to Nicotine-Containing Products
Authors: Poliakova Natalia , Shrier Lydia A. , Harris Sion Kim , Bélanger Richard E.
Published: June 2024

Objective: Cannabis is frequently co-used with tobacco/nicotine products, especially among young adults. Little is known about the effects of this co-use on cannabis cessation outcomes. Within a sample of young adults using cannabis frequently (current use of ≥5 days/week in the past 3 months), this study aimed to (a) document sources of exposure to tobacco/nicotine products, whether used simultaneously with cannabis or on different occasions, (b) examine if the level of cumulated exposure to tobacco/nicotine (self-reported or from biochemical testing) could predict time to cannabis lapse during a cannabis abstinence period, and (c) explore the relationship between nicotine/tobacco exposure and time to cannabis lapse according to tobacco cigarette smoking status. Method: Urine cotinine measures and self-reported data on use of different tobacco/nicotine products, collected from 32 participants (aged 19 to 23), were analyzed to predict time to lapse during a 2-week period of attempted abstinence from cannabis, controlling for cannabis dependence and sex. Results: Half of participants (56.3%) used at least one tobacco/nicotine product. Higher urine cotinine, representing higher cumulated tobacco/nicotine exposure, was related to a higher risk of lapsing (Hazard Ratio [HR] = 1.64; 95%CI [1.04, 2.58]). The risk of lapsing was even higher ([HR] = 3.46; 95%CI [1.17, 10.25]) among heavily tobacco/nicotine exposed (>600 ng/mL, urine cotinine) participants than among unexposed (<50 ng/mL) or lightly/moderately exposed (50-600 ng/mL) participants. Among those smoking cigarettes (solely or in combination with other products), there was no relation between cotinine level and time to lapse, likely due to a reduced variability in abstinence probability and a high likelihood of lapse observed for higher cotinine levels, mainly achieved by cigarette use. Conclusions: With a rapidly changing landscape of tobacco/nicotine use, our results underscore the need to consider all sources of tobacco/nicotine exposure to fully understand the specific and cumulative contributions of tobacco/nicotine to cannabis cessation outcomes.
Inextricably tied: Nonbinary autistic individuals’ views on how their gender identity and autism are connected
Authors: Voltaire Samuelle , Steinberg Hillary , Garfield Tamara , Chvasta Kyle , Ardeleanu Katherine , Brown Maci , Shea Lindsay
Published: June 2024

This study explores the experiences and identities of nonbinary autistic people, an under-researched population. While past studies have posited a co-occurrence of autism and transgender identity, little research focuses specifically on nonbinary autistic adults. This community-based study draws on interview data from 44 nonbinary participants. Participants expressed nuanced and informed understandings of their gender identities, highlighting fluidity and a rejection traditional binary gender roles. Participants discussed the connection of their autistic and nonbinary identities and how their identity is shaped by external forces such as politics, community, and interpersonal relationships. Findings highlight the need for the inclusion of nonbinary autistic people in autism research and for autism services and programming to be affirming of various gender identities.

Lay abstract

This study explores the experiences and identities of nonbinary autistic people. The relationship between autistic and nonbinary identities has not been researched in detail. Few studies focus specifically on nonbinary autistic adults. We interviewed 44 nonbinary individuals for this study. Participants had thought-out opinions on gender identity and emphasized identifying with fluidity rather than traditional gender roles. Participants discussed the connection of their autistic and nonbinary identities and how it affected how people saw them and how they saw themselves. We have recommendations for programming, policy, and research from these findings.
Effect of integration of prescription drug monitoring program data in the electronic health record on queries by primary care providers
Authors: Hartung Daniel M , Kassakian Steven Z , Hendricks Michelle A
Published: June 2024

Objective: To evaluate the impact of PDMP integration in the EHR on provider query rates within twelve primary care clinics in one academic medical center. Methods: Using linked data from the EHR and state PDMP program, we evaluated changes in PDMP query rates using a stepped-wedge observational design where integration was implemented in three waves (four clinics per wave) over a five-month period (May, July, September 2019). Multivariable negative binomial general estimating equations (GEE) models assessed changes in PDMP query rates, overall and across several provider and clinic-level subgroups. Results: Among 206 providers in PDMP integrated clinics, the average number of queries per provider per month increased significantly from 1.43 (95% CI 1.07 – 1.91) pre-integration to 3.94 (95% CI 2.96 – 5.24) post-integration, a 2.74-fold increase (95% CI 2.11 to 3.59; p < .0001). Those in the lowest quartile of PDMP use pre-integration increased 36.8-fold (95% CI 16.91 – 79.95) after integration, significantly more than other pre-integration PDMP use quartiles. Conclusions: Integration of the PDMP in the EHR significantly increased the use of the PDMP overall and across all studied subgroups. PDMP use increased to a greater degree among providers with lower PDMP use pre-integration.
From farm to fork? Brexit and the International Plant Protection Convention
Authors: Holden Laura
Published: June 2024

Import and export controls ensure plant pests and diseases harmful to food production, the plants across our landscape, and ecosystem services, are not moved during trade. The ‘International Plant Protection Convention’ (IPPC) provides the framework for applying preventive measures where they are technically justified, and stipulates controls are not to be used as arbitrary restrictions on international trade. This article examines the aims of the Brexit trade agreements and reviews their alignment with the IPPC and other World Trade Organisation agreements. It argues that unjustified controls have been applied under the guise of protective requirements (contributing to EU-GB trade disruption) and identifies a divergence at the point of regulatory implementation of these laws and treaties by official bodies on both sides. The article reviews the position of Northern Ireland, which, to avoid a ‘hard border’ on the island of Ireland, remains under the European Union (EU)'s plant health (phytosanitary) regime. Reflecting on legislative options available to bring the application of plant health regulations into alignment with the IPPC (such as dispute resolution), these options remain unused. However, the possibility of utilising ‘import authorisations’ would leave neither Great Britain nor EU Member States exposed to any greater environmental risk than that under the single market.
Aerodynamic and aeroacoustic characteristics of rocket sled under strong ground effect
Authors: Qian Hongjun , Niu Yusen , Jiang Yi , Yan Peize
Published: June 2024

Rocket sled test avoids boundary effects in wind tunnel test and inconvenience of flight test, which is one of the feasible options for future single-stage-to-orbit. To analyze potential safety issues during payload separation and optimize the arrangement of testing sensors, different structural layouts and operating speeds of the rocket sled are conducted based on computational fluid dynamics and computational aeroacoustics. The hypersonic winged standard model is utilized as the load for these simulations. The analysis encompasses the evolution of shock waves, the forces exerted on the payload and noise propagation. Variations in flow field and aeroacoustic characteristics of rocket sled are analysed, revealing underlying physical mechanisms. It is observed that placing the payload in front of the thruster can reduce the head pressure, excessive wingspan may have an impact on the structural safety of the wingtip, and the regions of high sound pressure levels mainly exists in the middle and rear sections of the rocket sled. Moreover, as the Mach number increases, the characteristic frequency initially rises and then declines. These researches can serve as a valuable reference for the development of ground test systems and single-stage-to-orbit.
Prediction of the aerodynamic noise of an airfoil via the hybrid methods of aeroacoustics
Authors: Matouk Rabea
Published: June 2024

The accurate prediction of the trailing-edge noise and the determination of its sources are essential to reduce fans and propellers noise. This noise component is due to the scattering of the turbulent boundary layer into acoustic waves by the trailing edge. In this paper, the noise emanating from a CD (Controlled-Diffusion) airfoil is simulated and computed via the hybrid methods of aeroacoustics. In these methods, the aerodynamic and acoustic fields are computed separately. The flow data are obtained using the in-house LES solver SFELES. ACTRAN acoustic solver has been used to solve the acoustics and to provide the near and far fields propagation via Lighthill’s analogy. Curle’s analogy is applied as well in its integral compact formulation which takes the presence of walls into account. Curle’s formulation is applied proposing an approach where the volume and surface integrals have been implemented in SFELES to be calculated simultaneously with the flow in order to avoid the storage of noise sources which requires a huge space. In Lighthill’s analogy, sources and near field maps show that the turbulent boundary layer and wake are the more efficient sources and the center of radiation is the trailing edge. The comparison of the numerical results with the experimental measurements, performed by Moreau and Roger and Moreau et al. , shows an overall excellent agreement confirming the capability of SFELES (LES sources) combined with ACTRAN (Lighthill’s analogy) to predict correctly the noise generated by turbulent flows around airfoils. The acoustic spectrum presents an overprediction up to 5 dB at the frequencies 300 Hz and 550 Hz and an underprediction about 5 dB at the frequencies 1100 Hz and 1750 Hz. The sound pressure level (SPL) obtained using the proposed approach of Curle’s analogy matches very well the experimental results. Thus, Curle’s analogy can be used to obtain a fast, approximated and acceptable results about the noise radiation of airfoils avoiding the storage of noise sources which requires a huge space and time.
Practical application of a heuristic model for swim coaches to optimize training
Authors: Ganzevles Sander , Beek Peter Jan , Daanen Hein , Truijens Martin
Published: June 2024

Swim coaches routinely monitor the performance and performance determining variables of their athletes to optimize training programs in an individual-specific manner with the ultimate aim to swim faster and win races. To interpret the collected data, they require a suitable, and practically useful, conceptual framework, which can be found in the power balance of swimming. For coaches a heuristic model for training and performance optimization based on the power balance has been proposed. We build on this model and illustrate how it can be employed in the training practice using data of an exemplary sub-elite swimmer (700 FINA points), which was collected continuously during two training sessions. Variables that are used in daily swim training practice, such as heart rate (HR), stroke count (SC), stroke rate (SR), and lap time (LT), were measured. By combining external load variables (e.g. LT) and internal load variables (e.g. HR) with technical variables (e.g. SR), the degree to which the swimmer complies with the training program can be determined. The measured values of these variables are presented using a traffic light feedback system indicating the degree of compliance. The traffic light system enables coaches to adjust the program if deemed necessary. It is thus shown how the model and commonly measured variables can assist swim coaches in the design and evaluation of training sessions in their pursuit of personal performance improvement leading to greater athletic success.
Shouldering the load: A scoping review of incidence, types, and risk factors of shoulder injuries in weight-lifting athletes
Authors: Daher Mohammad , Jabre Stephane , Casey Jack C , Fares Mohamad Y , Boufadel Peter , Lopez Ryan , Lawand Jad , Mansour Jad , Abboud Joseph A
Published: June 2024

Lifestyles advocating for proper health and fitness have been trending in recent years, and as such, sports like weightlifting have become very popular worldwide. While these sports improve physical fitness and cardiovascular health, they carry an inherent risk for physical injuries, mainly to the shoulder. In this review, we aimed to explore the epidemiology of shoulder injuries in weightlifting using a systematic search of the literature. The databases PubMed, Google Scholar (pages 1–20), Embase, and SPORTDiscus were queried using relevant search terms to extrapolate all studies pertaining to shoulder injuries in these two sports. Shoulder injuries turned out to be common in both sports with varying incidence rates and were shown to occur to athletes independent of gender and age. Anterior instability and overuse injuries were the most common injury types, and presentation varied with regards to symptoms and severity. Both intrinsic and extrinsic factors can contribute to shoulder injuries in the setting of these two sports, including incorrect implementation of techniques, age, vulnerable positioning of the shoulder during the lift, and overtraining which leads to overuse injuries.
AI as super-controversy: Eliciting AI and society controversies with an extended expert community in the UK
Authors: Marres Noortje , Castelle Michael , Gobbo Beatrice , Poletti Chiara , Tripp James
Published: June 2024

Following the release of large language models in the late 2010s, the backers of this new type of artificial intelligence (AI) publicly affirmed that the technology is controversial and harmful to society. This situation sets contemporary AI apart from 20th-century controversies about technnoscience, such as nuclear power and genetically modified (GM) foods, and disrupts established assumptions concerning public controversies as occasions for technological democracy. In particular, it challenges the idea that such controversies enable inclusion and collective processes of problem definition (‘problematisation’) across societal domains. In this paper, we show how social research can contribute to addressing this challenge of AI controversies by adopting a distinctive methodology of controversy analysis: controversy elicitation. This approach actively selects, qualifies and evaluates controversies in terms of their capacity to problematise AI across the science and non-science binary. We describe our implementation of this approach in a participatory study of recent AI controversies, conducted through consultation with UK experts in AI and society. Combining an online questionnaire, social media analysis and a participatory workshop, our study suggests that civil society actors have developed distinctive strategies of problematisation that counter the strategic affirmation of AI’s controversiality by its proponents and which centre on the public mobilisation of AI-related incidents: demonstrations of bias, accidents and walkouts. Crucially, this emphasis on ‘AI frictions’ does not result in the fragmentation of AI controversies, but rather enables the articulation of AI as a ‘super-controversy’: the explication of connections between technical propositions, situated troubles and structural problems in society (discrimination, inequalities and corporate power).
Text mining analysis of scientific literature on digital intraoral scanners in dentistry: Bibliometric analysis
Authors: Saini Ravinder S , Alshadidi Abdulkhaliq Ali F , Rakhra Jaismeen , Aldosari Lujain Ibrahim N , Hassan Saeed Awod Bin , Quadri Syed Altafuddin , Madhav V.N.V , Avetisyan Anna , Heboyan Artak
Published: June 2024

Objective

This study aimed to provide valuable insights into the current research status and gaps in digital intraoral scanner literature in dentistry.

Methodology

Scopus Search Query TITLE-ABS-KEY (intraoral AND scanners AND (dentistry OR digital AND dentistry)). The search query used in Scopus for the bibliometric analysis was “TITLE-ABS-KEY (intraoral AND scanners AND (dentistry OR digital AND dentistry)).” This query indicates that the analysis focused on documents in which the title, abstract, or keywords contained the terms “intraoral,” “scanners,” and either “dentistry” or “digital dentistry.”

Results

The analysis covers a timespan from 1998 to 2023 and includes 331 documents sourced from 136 publications. The annual growth rate of research in this field is reported to be 15.9%, indicating a steady increase over time. Among the top sources, the “Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry” and the “Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry” have the highest number of articles, indicating their significance in the field. Some notable authors and their corresponding statistics include WÖSTMANN B, with 15 articles and a fractionalized value of 3.16, and SCHLENZ MA, with 14 articles and a fractionalized value of 2.91. The United States has the highest number of articles, indicating a significant presence in research publications. Germany closely follows this, demonstrating a notable contribution to the scientific community.

Conclusions

This bibliometric analysis of intraoral scanners used in dentistry provided valuable insights into the current state of research and scholarly publications in this field. This analysis sheds light on the trends, patterns, and advancements in the use of these scanners in dental practice.
Promoting the spirit of Chinese scientists: The role and functions of Chinese STM journals
Authors: Zhao Ji , Li Xiang
Published: June 2024

Since China released the Opinions on Further Promoting the Spirit of Scientists and Enhancing Work and Study Styles in 2019, the spirit of scientists has gradually become an integral part of the socialist spirit, and a high degree of attention has been devoted by the Chinese government to promoting scientists’ spirit. Through a historical review and comparative analysis, particularly of the evolving role played by Chinese STM journals (science, technology and medical journals), we propose that STM journals are an important venue for promoting the spirit of scientists. On this basis, and in view of the problems and challenges faced by STM journals under the new requirements in the new era, we suggest conceptual upgrades and mindset shifts that Chinese STM journals need to make to further promote scientists’ spirit. Finally, we introduce specific measures to implement these concepts.
Exploring the Pathways to Psychological Well-Being: Residential Mobility, Parental Sensitivity, and Adjustment in Emerging Adults
Authors: Yilmaz Cansu , Er-Vargün Gamze , Gummerum Michaela
Published: June 2024

This study investigated the impact of parental sensitivity on emerging adults' psychological well-being. Using a moderated mediation model, it explored how adjustment (prosocial and aggressive behavior) mediates the association between perceived parental sensitivity and psychological well-being of emerging adults. Additionally, residential mobility was examined as a moderator in the relationship between parental sensitivity and adjustment. A sample of 445 emerging adults ( M age = 21.46, SDage = 2.33) reported the number of their past moves and rated their parents’ sensitivity, their adjustment, and their psychological well-being. Results revealed that high maternal sensitivity positively predicted psychological well-being through increased prosocial behavior. This indirect relationship was significant only among individuals with lower levels of residential mobility. This pattern was not observed with paternal sensitivity, and the model yielded insignificant results for aggressive behavior. These findings highlight the significance of early maternal sensitivity in influencing the adjustment and psychological well-being of emerging adults.
Developing an Evidence-Based Ethics Education Program for Surgical Residents in Guatemala
Authors: Aguilera Arévalo Maria Lorena , Martínez Seikavizza Sergio Nicolás , Rodriguez Ery Mario , Siguantay Miguel Angel , Solares Ovalle Jorge Fernando , Talé Rosales Luis Fernando , Barchi Francis
Published: June 2024

OBJECTIVE

This study assessed 2 modalities for teaching responsible conduct of research and human subjects protection (RCR/HSP) to surgical residents in Guatemala—an “off the shelf” online curriculum and a new in-person curriculum specific to the local context.

METHODS

In 2018, 160 surgical residents in 3 large urban hospitals in Guatemala City completed 2 online programs in RCR/HSP. Residents in the intervention arm also completed 7 weeks of in-person training. Pre- and post-assessments tested awareness of key concepts with particular attention to international and Guatemalan research regulations. Group differences in matched (pre- and post-) mean scores were analyzed using t-tests.

RESULTS

One hundred forty residents completed pre- and post-training assessments and were included in the analytic sample. Overall mean scores improved modestly from 52.7 to 58.7 points out of 100. Intervention-arm trainees reported greater confidence in recognizing ethical issues, understanding legal and ethical requirements for research, and identifying, reporting and avoiding scientific misconduct than control-arm trainees.

CONCLUSION

Given the limited availability of RCR/HSP faculty, financial resources, and time in the surgical training schedule, the investigators recommend that academic authorities in Guatemala consider online training programs in RCR/HSP in all surgical residency programs as an affordable and scalable strategy to build ethical research skills in its surgical workforce. Investment in human resources to support in-person ethics education as a way to build self-efficacy in ethical decision-making should be considered.
Functional Domains of Substance Use and their Implications to Trauma: A Systematic Review of Neuroimaging Studies
Authors: Hinojosa Cecilia A. , Sitar Siara I. , Zhao Joshua C. , Barbosa Joshua D. , Hien Denise A. , Welsh Justine W. , Fani Negar , van Rooij Sanne J.H.
Published: June 2024

Substance use disorder (SUD) is a significant health problem, and trauma exposure is a known risk factor for the escalation of substance use. However, the shared neural mechanisms through which trauma is associated with substance use are still unknown. Therefore, we systematically review neuroimaging studies focusing on three domains that may contribute to the overlapping mechanisms of SUD and trauma—reward salience, negative emotionality, and inhibition. Using PRISMA guidelines, we identified 45 studies utilizing tasks measuring these domains in alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use groups. Greater reward, lesser regulation of inhibitory processes, and mixed findings of negative emotionality processes in individuals who use substances versus controls were found. Specifically, greater orbitofrontal cortex, ventral tegmental area, striatum, amygdala, and hippocampal activation was found in response to reward-related tasks, and reduced activation was found in the inferior frontal gyrus and hippocampus in response to inhibition-related tasks. Importantly, no studies in trauma-exposed individuals met our review criteria. Future studies examining the role of trauma-related factors are needed, and more studies should explore inhibition- and negative-emotionality domains in individuals who use substances to uncover clinically significant alterations in these domains that place an individual at greater risk for developing a SUD.
Placing animals in the Plantationocene: The plantation after/lives of nutria in Eastern Germany
Authors: Adolphi Lukas , Fleischmann Larissa
Published: June 2024

Nutria ( Myocastor coypus), also known as coypu or ‘river rats’, are big semi-aquatic rodents that originate from South America and were shipped to Europe for fur production in the late 1800s. Today, the animals live in wild populations in many places around the globe. One of these places is the Eastern German city of Halle is where they have been able to establish themselves in large populations along the river Saale. This article situates the history and presence of nutria in Eastern Germany in the Plantationocene. The Plantationocene concept regards the plantation as a structuring feature of our present. In the plantation, humans and nonhumans are separated, hierarchically ordered and exploited along different power axes, so that standardised, scalable production becomes possible. In this sense, we argue that the nutria farms of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) followed plantation logics that resembled that of ‘actual’ plantations and that exploited their forced animal labour for fur production. With German reunification, however, nutria lost their economic value and, in many cases, were simply released to save on ‘disposal costs’. Outside the nutria farms, they developed plantation afterlives, where similar logics continued to exert violence on their bodies, such as in their recent classification as ‘invasive alien species’, but were also challenged in a number of ways. Taking cue from recent discussions on the Plantationocene, this article can be considered as an intervention and invitation to move beyond the plantation in the literal sense of the term, so as to study how the Plantationocene works across different species, spaces and times, while being attentive to its limitations.
The utilization of wood samples from xylarium in historical wooden statues: improving the separation accuracy non-destructive measurement for using several algorithms
Authors: Kurata Y. , Horiuchi S. , Kojima M. , Watanabe K. , Iwasa M. , Abe H.
Published: June 2024

There are numerous wooden historical artifacts in Kyoto and other parts of Japan, including Buddhist statues or Shinto deities. The identification of wood species in these historical artifact is desirable for both repair and maintenance purposes. The most common method of identifying wood species involves examining samples taken from the artifacts. However, intentional sampling from old cultural artifacts is prohibited in Japan. As a result, we attempted to determine the wood species of old statues non-destructively using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). In this article, we developed the softwood and hardwood separation model using NIRS to compare the prediction accuracy for few algorithms. The model was created based on wood samples stored in the xylarium of the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute (TWTw). We then applied this model to old Buddhist statues in order to classify them as either softwood or hardwood. These Buddhist statues were housed in Nazenji temple and are believed to have been carved during the Heian period (8th–12th century). For the near-infrared (NIR) measurements, we collected diffuse reflectance spectra from TWTw sample and Buddhist statues using same spectrometer. Initially, we used the soft independent modeling of class analogy method (SIMCA), partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS_DA), and support vector machine to analyze the NIR spectra obtained from the TWTw wood samples. Subsequently, we applied the NIR spectra obtained from several Buddhist statues in Nazenji temple to the aforementioned separation model and determined whether spectra data were classified as the softwood or hardwood. Finally, wood specimens detached naturally from the Buddhist statues over time were observed under microscopic analysis to identify the wood species. As comparing the prediction accuracy of few algorithms, SIMCA had a poor result, but PLS_DA had a good result. PLS_DA had better discrimination because it performed calculations to improve regression from both explanatory variables and objective variables.
Endogenous fungal endophthalmitis caused by Cladophialophora devriesii: report of a case and literature review
Authors: Krohn Jørgen , Power Øystein A. , Mylvaganam Haima , Askim Andreas J. , Arnes Jarle B. , Blomberg Bjørn
Published: June 2024

Purpose

To report a case of endogenous endophthalmitis caused by the dematiaceous fungus Cladophialophora devriesii.

Methods

Observational case report and literature review.

Case presentation

A 73-year-old female with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease presented with a red and painful left eye. Examination revealed anterior segment inflammation and vitritis, indicative of endophthalmitis. She underwent core vitrectomy and intravitreal injection of vancomycin and amphotericin B. The vitreous sample showed inflammatory cells and fungal hyphae, and systemic amphotericin B and itraconazole were commenced for fungal endophthalmitis. Targeted amplification of the sample for bacterial DNA (V2-V3 region of 16 S rDNA) was negative, but fungal DNA targets (ITS1 and ITS2) were present, and their sequences were consistent with Cladophialophora devriesii. Phenotypic characterisation and sequencing of ITS1 and ITS2, carried out on cultured fungus from the sample, also revealed Cladophialophora devriesii. She received repeated intravitreal injections of voriconazole, and based on the antifungal susceptibility results, her systemic medication was changed to posaconazole. After 12 months, the eye showed no signs of inflammation, and posaconazole therapy was discontinued. After 3 months without antifungal medication, the inflammation recurred, and she was restarted on antifungal therapy for an additional 20 months. Another recurrence occurred 3 months after discontinuation of treatment, and a repeat vitreous sample confirmed the presence of Cladophialophora devriesii. She was started on isavuconazole, but developed seclusio pupillae and painful secondary glaucoma. Due to the duration and severity of the infection, the eye was enucleated. Histopathology revealed persistent fungal elements at the ciliary processes and the posterior lens surface.

Conclusions

This second reported case of endogenous endophthalmitis caused by Cladophialophora devriesii illustrates the role of vitreous sampling and molecular methods in diagnosis and treatment of fungal endophthalmitis. Despite early diagnosis and prolonged local and systemic antifungal therapy, it was not possible to achieve long-term control of the fungal infection.
A high-density linkage map and sex-determination loci in Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)
Authors: Garcia Baltasar F. , Mastrochirico-Filho Vito A. , Gallardo-Hidalgo Jousepth , Campos-Montes Gabriel R. , Medrano-Mendoza Thania , Rivero-Martínez Psique Victoria , Caballero-Zamora Alejandra , Hashimoto Diogo T. , Yáñez José M.
Published: June 2024

Background

Expansion of genomic resources for the Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei), such as the construction of dense genetic linkage maps, is crucial for the application of genomic tools in order to improve economically relevant traits. Sexual dimorphism exists in Pacific white shrimp, and the mapping of the sex-determination region in this species may help in future reproductive applications. We have constructed male, female, and sex-averaged high-density genetic maps using a 50 K single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array, followed by a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify genomic regions associated with sex in white shrimp.

Results

The genetic map yielded 15,256 SNPs assigned to 44 linkage groups (LG). The lengths of the male, female, and sex-averaged maps were 5,741.36, 5,461.20 and 5,525.26 cM, respectively. LG18 was found to be the largest for both sexes, whereas LG44 was the shortest for males and LG31 for females. A sex-determining region was found in LG31 with 21 statistically significant SNPs. The most important SNP was previously identified as a sex-linked marker and was able to identify 99% of the males and 88% of the females. Although other significant markers had a lower ability to determine sex, putative genes were intercepted or close to them. The oplophorus-luciferin 2-monooxygenase, serine/arginine repetitive matrix protein and spermine oxidase genes were identified as candidates with possible participation in important processes of sexual differentiation in shrimp.

Conclusions

Our results provide novel genomic resources for shrimp, including a high-density linkage map and new insights into the sex-determining region in L. vannamei, which may be usefulfor future genetics and reproduction applications.