bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Blast furnace hearth erosion modelling based on the dataset approach
Authors: Wang Jianfeng , Wang Yici , Guo Hongwei , Yan Bingji
Published: December 2024

To monitor and diagnose the erosion status of the blast furnace hearth lining during operation, this study utilises the high precision and rapid processing capabilities of ANSYS finite element software for secondary development. It integrates temperature data from various thermocouples at the blast furnace hearth bottom with samples for erosion thickness calculation, developing a model based on extensive datasets of erosion status. This model can display isotherms for any user-specified temperature and combines calculated longitudinal profile data to create a three-dimensional representation of the hearth bottom through the secondary development of Solidworks 3D modeling software. This flexibility allows for an arbitrary view of the blast furnace's erosion state. This method significantly enhances both the speed and accuracy of calculations compared to other erosion models. It addresses the challenge of constructing a reliable heat transfer model for the furnace hearth and bottom when numerous thermocouples fail in the later stages of furnace operation. By improving the model's applicability throughout the entire lifecycle of the blast furnace, it ensures real-time feedback to users by continuously calculating the erosion status.
Enhancing engineering education through a combined flipped classroom and team-based learning approach with team leaders
Authors: Nguyen Trieu Khoa , Truong Van Chinh
Published: December 2024

This paper presents a novel approach to engineering education that integrates the Flipped Classroom (FC) model with Team-Based Learning (TBL) and leverages team leaders to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes. The combined approach addresses the challenges of large class sizes and fosters deeper understanding of complex engineering concepts. The problem of large student numbers is common in developing countries where there is a shortage of lecturers and facilities that do not meet training needs but have not received much research attention. Through a structured process that includes pre-class preparation, team-based activities, and focused communication with group leaders, this method promotes active learning, collaboration, and accountability among students. The study outlines the implementation of this approach in engineering courses, evaluates its effectiveness, and discusses potential benefits and challenges. The results from two Design of Experiment and Introduction to Engineering courses showed that this newly method had good effectiveness. Therefore, the proposed method has the potential to be applied to technology training, especially in developing countries.
Competition, capital accumulation, and the geographical organization of production in the North Atlantic offshore wind energy industry
Authors: Westgard-Cruice William
Published: December 2024

As offshore wind energy development expands throughout the advanced industrial world, the wind turbine manufacturing industry has been passing through a process of organizational and geographical restructuring. In terms of the dynamics of industrial organization, highly concentrated industrial conglomerates have gained a stronger position within the industry as the ownership of capital has been centralized through bankruptcies, mergers and acquisitions. Geographically, some regions are maintaining their pre-eminence within the international division of labour while other longstanding industrial clusters are being dismantled as production processes are being fragmented, transformed and dispersed to new regions. This article illuminates these dynamics of geographical organization through an analysis of (offshore) wind turbine manufacturing in Europe for deployment in Europe and the United States, advancing a unified approach to understanding changing modes of industrial organization and the development of the spatial division of labour. This unified approach is rooted in the examination of material transformations in the process of production, with attention to the specificities of wind energy as a natural resource. Taking up scientific advances made by Marx, radical industrial geographers and contemporary critics of political economy, the article demonstrates that the centralization of capital and the simultaneous spatial consolidation and dispersal of production have been necessary concrete forms of the development of the productive forces of social labour. The article concludes by reflecting on some of the barriers to the increasing fragmentation of wind turbine manufacturing and the potentialities for working-class organization borne by the centralization of capital and the consolidation of production.
Use of CRP/lymphocyte ratio as a predictor of treatment selection and mortality in COVID-19 patients in the intensive care unit
Authors: Guzel Efraim , Mete Burak , Baydar Toprak Oya , Ates Ayhan Nazire , Firat Ahmet , Bulut Yurdaer , Bayrakci Sinem , Ozel Yesilyurt Aysun , Ozyilmaz Ezgi
Published: December 2024

This study primarily aimed to examine the significance of the C-reactive protein to lymphocyte ratio (CLR), a key marker of inflammation, in relation to the disease progression and management of COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). A total of 464 patients aged 18 years or older, diagnosed with COVID-19 and admitted to the ICU between April 1, 2021, and February 1, 2022, were included in the study. Sociodemographic, laboratory, radiological, and clinical data were collected for each patient. The cohort was then divided into two groups—those who survived and those who did not—and analyzed accordingly. Among the patients included in the study, 58.2% were male, and the mean age was 62.39 ± 15.65 years. The mortality rate was 42%. The analysis revealed that the need for high-flow oxygen and mechanical ventilation increased the risk of death by 9.64 times. Furthermore, for each 1-point increase in the SOFA Score, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and Nutric Score, the risk of death increased by 1.27, 1.18, and 1.40 times, respectively. Intravenous immunoglobulin, administered to a select group of patients, reduced the risk of death by 23.8 times. The optimal threshold value for CLR was identified as 103.05, with values above this increasing the risk of death by 1.84 times. Critically ill patients with CLR values exceeding the identified threshold should receive more intensive monitoring and timely adjustments in treatment. Given that CLR is a simple, accessible, and cost-effective marker, it holds particular value in managing aggressive diseases like COVID-19.
Social Media Use and Life Satisfaction Among Chinese Older Adults: A Moderated Mediation Model
Authors: Li Yingcong , Zhang Xinyu , Chen Zhihu , Ma Libo , Wang Zhi , Shao Jingjin
Published: December 2024

Accumulating evidence indicates that social media use (SMU) enhances life satisfaction among older adults, yet further research remains necessary to elucidate its underlying mechanisms. This study investigated whether SMU affects older adults’ life satisfaction through online and offline social connectedness and whether loneliness and functional disability moderate these pathways. 232 Chinese older adults ( M = 65.28, SD = 6.77) completed questionnaires assessing SMU, online and offline social connectedness, loneliness, functional disability, and life satisfaction. Results showed: (1) online and offline social connectedness played mediating roles between SMU and life satisfaction; (2) loneliness moderated the association between SMU and online social connectedness, with the mediation effect significant only for older adults experiencing higher loneliness; and (3) functional disability moderated the link between SMU and offline social connectedness, with the mediation effect significant only for those with greater functional disability. These findings could inform targeted interventions to advance successful aging.
Shaping who we are: Linking narratives to identity processes during the university-to-work transition
Authors: Den Boer Liselotte , De Moor Elisabeth L. , Reitz Anne K.
Published: December 2024

Young adulthood is characterized by major life transitions that may trigger identity development, yet little is known about the specific change trajectories and individual and transitional factors that drive identity change during the transition to work. First, we examined mean-level changes and individual differences in exploration and commitment processes. Second, we linked the subjective impact of the transition and narrative agency and self-event connections of a previous turning point to individual differences in exploration and commitment processes. We assessed identity formation across 5 waves spaced across 2 years in 298 Dutch young adults aged 24.6 years (SD = 2.5). We found mean-level decreases in ruminative exploration. Individuals differed significantly in change in commitment making and exploration in depth, which was not predicted by the subjective impact of the transition or self-event connections. Initial levels of narrative agency were positively associated with initial levels of commitment making and exploration in depth. Results indicate that young adults ruminate less about their future plans as the transition to working life proceeds. Moreover, narrative agency in a previous turning point is associated with how young adults make commitments and explore career choices before making the university-to-work transition.
Performance evaluation of evaporative cooling systems for mitigating post-harvest losses in Ethiopian horticultural crops
Authors: Yeneneh Kumlachew , Walle Menelik
Published: December 2024

This study investigates the design, development, and evaluation of an integrated evaporative cooling system to mitigate post-harvest losses of horticultural crops in Ethiopia. The system combines direct and indirect evaporative cooling techniques to improve efficiency and adaptability in various climatic conditions, particularly in hot and arid regions. The experimental setup was tested under different environmental conditions, with ambient temperatures ranging from 35°C to 42°C. The results indicate that the integrated system can reduce the temperature inside the storage unit by up to 10°C below the ambient temperature, achieving relative humidity levels of approximately 90%. This creates an optimal environment for preserving perishable goods. In field tests, the system significantly extended the shelf life of tomatoes, one of the primary focus crops. After 6 days of storage, tomatoes kept in the evaporative cooler experienced only a 5% weight loss, compared to an 80% weight loss for tomatoes stored under traditional open-market conditions. These results highlight the system’s effectiveness in maintaining the quality of perishable produce. The study also compares the performance of the integrated system with a direct evaporative cooling system. While the integrated system shows a slight performance advantage under optimal conditions, it is particularly beneficial in more extreme environments, such as Ethiopia’s lowland regions, where pre-cooling the air substantially enhances cooling efficiency. The findings suggest that this integrated evaporative cooling system offers a viable and energy-efficient alternative to conventional refrigeration, particularly in developing countries.
Preliminary findings for self-talk with self-management to support a female autistic adult with anxiety-type behaviors at their jobsite
Authors: Wheeler Katherine , Hamrick Jennifer , Favela Alexis , Hilbert Sam
Published: December 2024

Background:

Autistic individuals are often more susceptible to co-occurring anxiety disorders. Self-management, as a behavior analytic strategy, has been found to be an effective tool for individuals to monitor one's own behavior and increase prosocial behavior. Cognitive behavioral strategies include the use of self-instructional strategies to prompt and support behaviors for an individual by changing their thought processes and their self-talk. Self-talk (e.g., inner speech or self-statements) is embedded within cognitive behavioral strategies and contributes to effective self-regulation and self-control.

Objective:

The current study sought to combine aspects of cognitive behavioral strategies in self-talk and self-management, respectively. The goal was to provide a manageable, non-intrusive intervention that incorporated the participant in a manner that targeted their self-identified vocational goals (i.e., reduction in reassurance seeking).

Method:

A reversal design was used to determine the impact of positive self-talk, measured through collected self-management data, on anxiety-type behaviors, in the form of reassurance-seeking statements, in one autistic young adult at their vocational site.

Results:

Results from analysis revealed a significant difference between data in the baseline and reversal phases and the intervention phases, with the Tau-U effect size being −0.984 ( p = 0.001).

Conclusion:

Preliminary results indicate that behavior analytic strategies used to facilitate cognitive behavioral supports decreased the frequency of reassurance-seeking statements for this individual at their vocational site in a socially valid manner.
‘Heartbreak Gives Way to Hope After Grieving’: A Critical Analysis of Personal Stories of Pregnancy Loss in the UK Press
Authors: Kuberska Karolina , Turner Sarah
Published: December 2024

Pregnancy loss continues to occupy an uncomfortable space in public discourse. This article analyses articles in the UK press published between 2013 and 2023 referencing the Baby Loss Awareness Week (BLAW) that focus on narratives of personal experience of pregnancy loss. These narratives sit between the personal and the public, and constitute examples of public grieving that serve a range of purposes, from the expression of continuing bonds with the miscarried or stillborn baby, the desire to share one's experience of loss, and often to the wish to translate this experience into something positive. We draw on Finch's concept of ‘displaying families’, considering how they construct an identity for the baby who never lived and demonstrate continuing bonds with them. By analysing how this ‘identity work’ is made public, we explore how pregnancy loss is presented in public media as a transformative teleological experience for parents.
Craniosynostosis: Epidemiology and Pattern at a Tertiary Referral Institute in Oman 2004 to 2023
Authors: Al Jadeedi Sondus , Al Alawi Khalifa Mohammed , Al Bulushi Taimoor
Published: December 2024

Objective

To date, there are no published studies From the Sultanate of Oman on the incidence or characteristics of craniosynostosis (CS). This is a population-based epidemiological study of the incidence of CS.

Methods

The prospective registry of the craniofacial surgery unit in Khoula Hospital was used to retrieve data on all individuals with CS treated between 2004 and 2023. The cohort was divided into four 5-year groups based on year of birth: 2004 to 2008, 2009 to 2013, 2014 to 2018, and 2019 to 2023.

Results

We identified 312 individuals with CS. The incidence increased significantly during the study period and was 2.5 per 10 000 live births in the last 5-year period. There was a male preponderance (male/female ratio 1.5:1). Our study findings reveal a notable diversity in the trend of suture involvement, we observed a higher frequency of complex CS within our study population 35.9%. Half of the study population was nonsyndromic, accounting for 51.6%. The nonsyndromic population exhibits a higher proportion of midline suture involvement.

Conclusions

The incidence of CS increased during the study period. The majority of cases were identified as nonsyndromic. We found that multiple sutures CS were the most prevalent overall in our population. It is imperative to intensify efforts aimed at raising awareness among the general population regarding these deformities.
Metastatic Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma to the Pancreas: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Gautam Prabesh , Patil Deepa T. , Shalaby Akram
Published: December 2024

Although more than 90% of pancreatic tumors represent primary tumors, specifically ductal adenocarcinomas, metastatic tumors are not infrequent at this site. Metastasis of salivary gland tumors to the pancreas is exceedingly rare, with only a few cases reported in the English-language medical literature. Here, we report a patient with metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma to the pancreas, 24 months following the initial diagnosis, and review the available literature on secondary tumors located in the pancreas with an emphasis on tumors of salivary gland origin.
Oligoastrocytoma: The Vanishing Entity With True Dual Genotype, a Report, its Molecular Profiles and Review of Literature
Authors: Das Sumanta , Ahlawat Sunita , Sarangi Jayati , Gupta Rakesh Kumar , Jain Priti , Kate Ushang , Gogi Ramana , Patir Rana
Published: December 2024

Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutant gliomas are classified as astrocytoma or oligodendroglioma based on the recent application of ATRX mutation, TP53 mutation, and 1p/19q co-deletion. Astrocytomas classically show ATRX and TP53 mutations, whereas oligodendrogliomas are defined by 1p/19q co-deletion. However, there are reports of gliomas that harbor both astrocytoma and oligodendroglioma morphologically and molecularly. Here we present a patient of a 29-year-old woman who presented with a headache and underwent gross total excision. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a right frontal space-occupying lesion with T2 fluid-attenuated inversion recovery mismatch. Histology showed 2 distinct areas of morphology compatible with oligodendroglioma and astrocytoma. Immunohistochemistry showed both components being positive for IDH R132H. Alpha thalassemia/mental retardation syndrome X-linked (ATRX) showed loss of nuclear expression and p53 was strongly positive in the morphologic astrocytoma component, whereas ATRX was retained and p53 was negative in the morphologic oligodendroglioma component. Fluorescence in situ hybridization showed 1p/19q co-deletion in the oligodendroglioma component while co-deletion was absent in the astrocytoma component. TERT mutation was present in the oligodendroglioma component, whereas it was absent in the astrocytoma component. Although rare, gliomas harboring both oligodendroglioma and astrocytoma components in a single tumor exist and show genetically distinct areas.
Analysing the use of particle verbs in German as a foreign language: Unproductive particle separation and a proposal for a data-driven learning intervention
Authors: Jach Daniel , Zeng Jing
Published: December 2024

This study addresses the long-observed phenomenon of foreign language learners avoiding particle verbs from a novel perspective. Departing from the decades-old debate about the uncertain grammatical status of particle verbs, recent studies have proposed to reconceptualize particle verbs not as words or phrases but as constructions. Constructions are holistic form–meaning representations of usage regularities, which emerge from lexical patterns in language use. In accordance with this understanding, we analyse the use of particle verbs in a corpus of native and non-native German and compare lexical distributions across speaker groups, proficiency levels, and linguistic contexts. Of particular importance is the comparison of contexts of joint particle–verb conjunction (e.g. an-lächeln ‘to smile at’) with those of syntactic particle separation (e.g. lächelt an ‘smiles at’), as these contexts appear to be primarily responsible for learning difficulties and avoidance behaviors. Our findings reveal that contexts of particle separation tend to be lexically sparse and formulaic, contrasting with the more lexically diverse joint contexts. We argue that the joint construction emerges as the default for particle verb usage, ‘crowding out’ the less productive separate construction which becomes confined to specific lexical contexts in non-native language use. Building upon these findings, we use corpus material to develop data-driven learning activities that aim to prevent learners from becoming entrenched in fossilized lexical patterns and to facilitate the acquisition of productive constructions.
A systematic review of ecological momentary assessment in autism research
Authors: Chen Yixin , Xi Zhenyang , Greene Talya , Mandy Will
Published: December 2024

Ecological momentary assessment has been increasingly used in autism studies over the last decade to capture and understand autistic people’s behaviours, thoughts, feelings and daily experiences. This systematic review synthesised previous autism ecological momentary assessment studies to learn about the feasibility of ecological momentary assessment with autistic people and derive ideas to optimise the applicability of ecological momentary assessment in autism studies. Five databases (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, EMBASE and CINAHL) were searched, covering the time between January 1990 and October 2024, for studies using ecological momentary assessment with autistic participants. We identified 32 studies with 930 autistic participants. These studies supported the acceptability and feasibility of ecological momentary assessment with young and middle-aged autistic adults with average or above-average intelligence and language skills. Previous researchers and autistic participants in the reviewed literature suggested considering adaptations in the design of sampling schedules, ecological momentary assessment questionnaires and the implementation of incentive strategies, to improve the applicability of ecological momentary assessment with the autistic population. Future ecological momentary assessment studies could address the limitations in the extant literature, for example, lack of evidence from youth and older autistic people and a wider range of study topics.

Lay abstract

Ecological momentary assessments assess people’s in-the-moment thoughts and behaviours in their daily lives in natural environments. The number of ecological momentary assessment studies with autistic people has increased over the last decade. For the first time, this review (1) summarises how well ecological momentary assessment works for allowing autistic people to describe and express their thoughts, emotions and experiences, and (2) provides suggestions for the design of ecological momentary assessment to make this research method more accessible to future autistic participants. In total, we synthesised participation experiences from 930 autistic people. Overall, ecological momentary assessment is generally acceptable for autistic adults aged from 18 to 60 and with average or above-average intelligence and language. We also identified several issues in the ecological momentary assessment procedure and suggested researchers consider these when designing future ecological momentary assessment studies with autistic people. The findings of this review provide evidence that ecological momentary assessment can be used to investigate many different questions with autistic people and suggest a wider application of ecological momentary assessment in future studies with autistic people.
Exploratory study of French healthcare workers’ experiences of anosognosia in Alzheimer's disease and related disorders
Authors: Vignolo Julie , Jacus Jean-Pierre , Darnaud Thierry , Cuervo-Lombard Christine Vanessa
Published: December 2024

Background

Anosognosia or lack of insight is a common feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and associated disorders. It is an impairment in the ability to recognize the disease and related symptoms. Anosognosia is associated among patients with poor compensatory strategies, behavioral disorders, apathy and caregiver burden. Therefore, its early identification by healthcare workers is a major challenge in order to provide support for both patients and caregivers.

Objective

To explore the knowledge, attitudes and experiences of French healthcare workers relating to anosognosia in AD and related disorders.

Methods

An online self-completed questionnaire was created for the study. It was anonymous and divided into three dimensions: general knowledge, confidence, and subjective experiences of anosognosia. One hundred and eleven healthcare workers completed the questionnaire. Mann Whitney and Kruskal Wallis tests were used to determine the variables associated with the total knowledge and confidence scores. Ordinal logistic regressions were performed to explore the associations between subjective experiences and demographics.

Results

The participants had moderate knowledge. Knowledge scores were influenced by their experience in the geriatric field, type of profession, workplaces and training. The areas where knowledge was poorest were anosognosia assessment and management. The participants with the lowest knowledge levels were those interacting the most with patients, especially at home. Overall, they identified difficulties related to anosognosia and did not seem confident about their ability to deal with this condition.

Conclusions

This study determines specific areas for training on anosognosia, such as identification, assessment and management of this condition.
Nextdoor use and support for aggressive policing
Authors: Hopp Toby , Ferrucci Pat , Reeves Hunter
Published: December 2024

This study developed and tested a model interrelating Nextdoor use and support for aggressive policing. The results of an online survey ( n=1806) suggested that Nextdoor use is positively associated with crime concern; that crime concern is positively associated with support for aggressive policing; and that Nextdoor use is both indirectly and directly associated with support for aggressive policing. The results also indicated that social trust may play a complex role in the relationship between Nextdoor use and support for aggressive policing.
TikTok and the algorithmic transformation of social media publics: From social networks to social interest clusters
Authors: Gerbaudo Paolo
Published: December 2024

The rise of TikTok has sparked a debate on the consequences of algorithmic content curation for social experience. My thesis is that TikTok represents a second generation of social media, which differs from first-generation social media in the way users are exposed to content. While first-generation social media revolved around ‘networked publics’ formed by explicit interpersonal connections, second-generation social media introduces ‘clustered publics’. These are statistically constructed ‘neighbourhoods’ of users, in which people are brought together based on their past online behaviour and their similarity in interest and taste. Clustering users around shared interests has proven very effective in driving online engagement, leading other platforms to mimic TikTok, in what can be described as ‘TikTokification’. However, this transformation of online publics carries a series of problematic implications: the depersonalisation of online experience; a growing opacity of the structures of online communication; and the further subcultural fragmentation of an already divided digital public sphere.
Spatio-temporal hierarchical clustering of interval time series with application to suicide rates in Europe
Authors: Mattera Raffaele , Franses Philip Hans
Published: December 2024

In this paper, we investigate similarities of suicide rates in Europe, which are available as interval time series. For this aim, a novel spatio-temporal hierarchical clustering algorithm for interval time-series data is proposed. The spatial dimension is included in the clustering process to account for possible relevant information such as weather conditions, sunlight hours and socio-cultural factors. Our results indicate the presence of six main clusters in Europe, which almost overlap with the sunlight hours distribution. Differences between male and female suicide rates are also investigated.
Potential of D-Dimer as a Tool to Rule Out Sac Expansion in Patients With Persistent Type 2 Endoleaks After Endovascular Aneurysm Repair
Authors: Sugimoto Masayuki , Lee Changi , Ikeda Shuta , Kawai Yohei , Niimi Kiyoaki , Banno Hiroshi
Published: December 2024

Purpose:

In managing type 2 endoleak (T2EL) following endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR), an indication for reintervention is aneurysm enlargement (AnE). A previous study found that low D-dimer levels (DDLs) at 1 year were associated with reduced AnE risk in patients with persistent T2ELs (pT2ELs). This study analyzed patients with pT2ELs to determine the correlation between DDLs at annual follow-ups and AnE and proposed a follow-up protocol incorporating DDL monitoring.

Methods:

A retrospective review of elective EVAR cases between June 2007 and January 2021 identified “persistent” T2EL as confirmed at both 6- and 12-month contrast-enhanced CT studies. “Isolated” T2EL referred to cases without other endoleak types within 12 months. Inclusion criteria comprised >2 years of follow-up, isolated pT2ELs at 1 year, and DDL data at any annual follow-up over 5 years. The association between DDL and AnE, defined as ≥5 mm expansion within 5 years, was analyzed.

Results:

A total of 109 patients with DDL data at 288 time points were enrolled. During a median follow-up of 49 months [31-60, IQR], 43 AnE were observed. In patients without AnE and with DDL data at 1 and 2 years (N=77 and 56), lower DDLs were associated with a reduced AnE risk (p=0.03 and 0.01). Optimal cutoff points were 5.4 and 5.3 µg/mL (AUC=0.651 and 0.702) with high negative predictive values (86.9% and 93.8%). Cox regression analyses confirmed that DDLs surpassing the cutoff values correlated significantly with AnE (p=0.042 and p=0.038). Our simulated protocol for omitting imaging studies in patients with stable aneurysms and low DDL might have overlooked one AnE but could have saved 28 imaging studies over 3 years if implemented on our patients.

Conclusion:

Low DDLs at the 1- and 2-year follow-ups can potentially exclude AnE in pT2EL patients, suggesting DDL monitoring as a resource-saving approach.

Clinical Impact

The management of type 2 endoleaks in post-EVAR patients has been a topic of debate. This retrospective single-center study, featuring strict inclusion criteria, included 109 patients with persistent type 2 endoleaks. The findings indicate that patients with lower D-dimer levels at 1- and 2-year follow-ups are unlikely to experience sac enlargement ≥5 mm within 5 years, even in the presence of type 2 endoleaks. This study suggests that D-dimer monitoring has the potential to reduce reliance on imaging studies for the follow-up of patients with type 2 endoleaks, leading to significant savings in medical resources.
Francesco Spampinato, Art vs. TV: A Brief History of Contemporary Artists’ Responses to Television (Bloomsbury Publishing, New York-London-Dublin, 2022, pp. 352)
Authors: Lazzari Lorenzo
Published: December 2024

In “Art vs. TV: A Brief History of Contemporary Artists’ Responses to Television,” Francesco Spampinato examines how contemporary artists from the 1950s to the 2010s challenged the unidirectional communication of television by creating works that critique its hegemonic structures. The book explores various artists, highlighting the political dimension of their works and allows the reader to view them within the contextualised history of conflict between artistic innovation and mass communication, in this case specifically with television.
Electromagnetic shielding efficiency of hybrid knitted fabrics treated with mxene
Authors: Mohammadi Mofarah Hamed , Abulikemu Mutalifu , Tabrizi Bita E. A. , Choi Hyung Woo , Jabbour Ghassan E.
Published: December 2024

This study details the fabrication of a hybrid fabric structure achieved through the utilization of copper-cotton core-spun yarns and a streamlined dip-coating method for the coating of MXene sheets. This fabrication approach results in a substantial enhancement in electromagnetic interference shielding efficiency (EMI SE) in the X-band frequency (8.2-12.4 GHz) while significantly reducing the required number of MXene coating steps. The textile samples fabricated with 0.08 mm diameter copper core filaments and a knitting density of 12 gauge (needle/inch) exhibit a peak EMI SE of 43.9 dB following three MXene coating cycles, utilizing a 1×1 Rib knit pattern. In comparison, employing a Full Milano knit pattern results in an improved EMI SE, reaching up to 45.2 dB. These findings elucidate the substantial impact of knit structure and the effective MXene coating process on improving the EMI SE for hybrid textiles.
Innovative heat assisted solution blow spinning: PVA mats with enhanced thermal stabilization and antimicrobial efficacy
Authors: Scaffaro Roberto , Settanni Luca , Gulino Emmanuel Fortunato
Published: December 2024

Solution Blow Spinning (SBS) has garnered significant attention for its rapid production of fibers from polymeric solutions. However, its efficacy is hindered by the low evaporation rates of aqueous solvents. In a groundbreaking development, we introduce the Heat Assisted Solution Blow Spinning (HA-SBS) system, which, for the first time, enables the one-step production of crosslinked Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers from an aqueous solution. By incorporating chlorhexidine (CHX) and/or graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) into the starting solution, we formulated four distinct variations. Our results reveal that all HA-SBS-produced systems maintain robust structural integrity and fibrous architecture after water immersion. The inclusion of GNP nanofillers not only enhances the crosslinking level but also significantly boosts mechanical performance. Release tests indicate that HA-SBS membranes effectively decelerate CHX release, providing controlled and sustained antimicrobial efficacy. Notably, CHX-containing membranes exhibit potent antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. This innovative approach holds great promise for advancing the production of functional fibrous membranes, with broad implications for various applications.
Cultural Defaults in the Time of COVID: Lessons for the Future
Authors: Markus Hazel Rose , Tsai Jeanne L. , Uchida Yukiko , Yang Angela M. , Maitreyi Amrita
Published: December 2024

Five years after the beginning of the COVID pandemic, one thing is clear: The East Asian countries of Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea outperformed the United States in responding to and controlling the outbreak of the deadly virus. Although multiple factors likely contributed to this disparity, we propose that the culturally linked psychological defaults (“cultural defaults”) that pervade these contexts also played a role. Cultural defaults are commonsense, rational, taken-for-granted ways of thinking, feeling, and acting. In the United States, these cultural defaults include optimism and uniqueness, single cause, high arousal, influence and control, personal choice and self-regulation, and promotion. In Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea, these defaults include realism and similarity, multiple causes, low arousal, waiting and adjusting, social choice and social regulation, and prevention. In this article, we (a) synthesize decades of empirical research supporting these unmarked defaults; (b) illustrate how they were evident in the announcements and speeches of high-level government and organizational decision makers as they addressed the existential questions posed by the pandemic, including “Will it happen to me/us?” “What is happening?” “What should I/we do?” and “How should I/we live now?”; and (c) show the similarities between these cultural defaults and different national responses to the pandemic. The goal is to integrate some of the voluminous literature in psychology on cultural variation between the United States and East Asia particularly relevant to the pandemic and to emphasize the crucial and practical significance of meaning-making in behavior during this crisis. We provide guidelines for how decision makers might take cultural defaults into account as they design policies to address current and future novel and complex threats, including pandemics, emerging technologies, and climate change.
Errorless Learning for Everyday Functioning in Adults With Brain Injury: A Scoping Review
Authors: Chui Adora , Mcleod-Maenpaa Jerryd , Zhang Alan , Rotenberg Shlomit , Vasquez Brandon
Published: December 2024

Background

Errorless learning is an intervention technique used in acquired brain injury (ABI) rehabilitation. To support the use of this intervention within occupational therapy practice, it is important to know how errorless learning has been applied to (re)train daily functions.

Objectives

To describe the empirical literature on errorless learning applied to everyday functioning in adults with ABI.

Method

A scoping review was conducted with systematic searching of four databases (i.e., AMED, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO) and screening by independent reviewers.

Findings

41 experiments from 34 papers met eligibility criteria. Errorless learning has been heterogeneously delineated, described, and applied. Operationalization of everyday functioning has been poorly reported, and mostly applied to technology use and instrumental activities of daily living.

Implications

Greater clarity and detail of errorless learning interventions are required, and more research is needed on its applications to everyday functioning.
Research on identification of wool and cashmere by ANN based on hyperspectral imaging technology
Authors: Qiu Yingjie , Jin Xiaoke , Tian Wei , Zhang Huifang , Shao Lingda , Feng XuHuang , Zhu Chengyan
Published: December 2024

In the textile industry, distinguishing between wool and cashmere can be a challenging task. Extensive research based on the microscopic images of the two has achieved very good results. However, the microscopic slide preparation process required for this approach is time-consuming and labor-intensive, limiting its practical application. To address this challenge, this paper proposes a new method that integrates artificial neural networks and hyperspectral imaging technology. The novelty of this approach lies in the fact that it does not require sample preparation, and is more simple, fast, and nondestructive. Firstly, a total of 225 wool samples and 160 cashmere samples were selected from the acquired hyperspectral images. The spectral curves (range 900–2500 nm) of these samples were extracted using the Region of Interest (ROI) tool in the ENVI software, and their characteristics were analyzed. Subsequently, due to the similarities and strong correlation between their spectral curves, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was employed to reduce the dimensionality of the data. A single-layer neural network and a multi-layer neural network were developed using the LR (Logistic Regression) and MLP (Multilayer Perceptron) models, respectively, with a training-to-validation set ratio of 7:3. The model trained with LR achieved an accuracy of 90.3% on the training set and 81.0% on the validation set, suggesting underfitting. The MLP model performed best with five principal components, attaining a training set accuracy of 94.1% and a validation set accuracy of 92.2%. Precision, recall, and F1-score were used to evaluate the two models, and comparison of the classification performance of the two models revealed that the MLP significantly outperformed the LR model. Therefore, the application of hyperspectral imaging technology enables rapid and non-destructive identification of wool and cashmere.
Defining and Practicing Reciprocity in Hazards and Disaster Research
Authors: Austin Jessica , Evans Candace M. , West Jocelyn , Champeau Heather , Peek Lori , Adams Rachel M.
Published: December 2024

There is growing recognition of the importance of reciprocity between researchers and those involved in or affected by research, especially in sensitive field contexts such as disaster settings. Minimal applied guidance exists for researchers about how to practice reciprocity, however, resulting in several questions that have yet to be explored: What are the key considerations for practicing reciprocity in research? What potential unintended consequences should researchers be aware of when engaging in reciprocity? What practical strategies can help prepare researchers to engage in reciprocity and address challenges as they arise? Based on a systematic literature review—reflecting the shift of recent conceptions of reciprocity from transactional to more relational approaches—we offer a new, unifying definition of reciprocity as “an ongoing practice of critical reflection, relationship building, and exchange in which researchers are obligated to strive to produce mutual benefits for the people involved in or affected by the research process.” To motivate the practice of reciprocity, we highlight three key benefits: cultivating trust, addressing power imbalances, and improving research relevance. Additionally, through qualitative analysis of 53 research reports, we develop a typology of reciprocity in hazards and disaster research that clarifies six specific forms reciprocity can take, including: (1) centering participants and communities; (2) being empathetic and mindful of participant diversity; (3) sharing research results; (4) improving research and research team processes; (5) supporting learning, career development, or institutions; and (6) offering compensation. Finally, we outline potential challenges to practicing reciprocity and conclude with practical strategies for enhanced ethical grounding and effectiveness.
Multi-physical modeling and analysis on UAV launching system
Authors: Lee Chin-Fa , Tsai Jhy-Cherng , Kuo Cheng-Hsiung
Published: December 2024

For UAVs unable to take off vertically, a launch device is essential, and accurate launch velocity prediction is crucial. This study develops two mathematical models for both the mechanical and the pneumatic subsystems of the launching system of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and solves these coupled, highly nonlinear ordinary differential equations by the fourth-order Runge-Kutta method. By applying this multi-physical model to the launching systems of UAVs, the trend with time of the shuttle displacement, velocity, and acceleration, as well as the tank and cylinder pressures in the mathematical results, are similar to those observed in real experiments. Using MATLAB as the platform, this multi-physical model accurately predicts the velocity of the launching system (or dummy), with a maximum error of 9.0% and a minimum error of 4.3% compared to the experimental results. Additionally, this multi-physical model reveals a linear relationship between the frictional force and pull force of the shuttle, which is consistent with the co-simulation results. Overall, these models not only offer the greatest design flexibility to understand and meet the required launching system’s performance, it will also save the cost and time for the efficient R&D procedure of future UAVs’ applications.
Mining method for cutting force coefficient with the impact of tool vibration and machine tool system
Authors: Chen Xi , Wang Qi , Chen Wengang , Sun Jianzhe , He Yafeng , Guo Hun
Published: December 2024

The cutting characteristics observed in machining processes are significantly influenced by a combination of various dynamic parameters as well as the overall machine tool system in use. This paper introduces a cutting force coefficient mining method that considers the impact of tool vibration and machine tool system. Firstly, a basic cutting model was established based on orthogonal cutting. Obtained the cutting force coefficient for orthogonal cutting. Subsequently, the dynamic undeformed chip thickness data was integrated to reflect the influence of tool vibration during the machining process. Additionally, due to the replacement of the machine tool, correction factors have been introduced to consider the impact of the machine tool system. Finally, a comparative analysis was conducted with other methods for calibrating cutting force coefficients. The prediction accuracy of the proposed model has been validated, demonstrating its effectiveness in accurately predicting dynamic cutting forces.
Preoperative hemoglobin level and anemia frequency among patients admitted for diabetic lower extremity amputation
Authors: Yammine Kaissar , Abou Orm Ghadi , Honeine Mohamad Omar , Assi Chahine
Published: December 2024

Objectives

Anemia is known to be prevalent in patients with diabetic foot ulcers, but such was not documented in those who required lower extremity amputations (LEAs). In this high-risk population, preoperative anemia could be an additional risk factor for postoperative morbidity and mortality. This study attempts to address the knowledge gap related to the preoperative hemoglobin (Hg) level and anemia prevalence in patients admitted for diabetic LEA.

Methods

Using a cross-sectional design, the primary outcomes were defined as the mean preoperative Hg level and anemia frequency. Mean differences and sex-based results were calculated and compared between three categories: major, midfoot, and forefoot amputation groups. Correlation between Hg level and serum creatinine was set as a secondary outcome.

Results

A total of 141 patients comprising 192 amputation cases were included. The mean Hg value for the whole sample was 10.6 ± 1.8 g/dl. Only 18 patients (9.7%) had a normal Hg level and 174 (90.3%) were anemic: 90 cases (46.8%) with mild anemia, 76 (40.8%) with moderate anemia, and 8 cases (4.3%) with severe anemia. No significance was found between mean Hg values of the three groups or between sex groups. A significant negative correlation between the levels of serum creatinine and Hg was found ( p = .037).

Conclusions

An overwhelming majority of patients admitted for diabetic LEA were anemic. Since anemia could impede limb perfusion and induce higher postoperative mortality rate, adjusting this confounder could be justified. Future research should aim to evaluate the impact of preoperative blood component transfusion on postoperative complications following diabetic LEA.