bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Elevated muscle pain induced by a hypertonic saline injection reduces power output independent of physiological changes during fixed perceived effort cycling
Authors: O’Malley Callum A. , Norbury Ryan , Smith Samuel A. , Fullerton Christopher L. , Mauger Alexis R.
Published: May 2024

This study identifies that elevated muscle pain through a hypertonic saline injection causes significantly lower power output when pain is experienced but does not seem to affect exercise behavior in a residual manner. Results provide some evidence that pain operates on a psychophysiological level to alter the self-regulation of exercise behavior due to differences between conditions in cerebral deoxyhemoglobin and other perceptual parameters.
Sensory and Nutritional Characterization of Six Different Types of Croatian Traditional Meat Product Characterization of Croatian Traditional Meat Products
Authors: Kudumija Nina , Kos Ivica , Lešić Tina , Vahčić Nada , Vulić Ana , Polak Tomaž , Krešić Greta , Vnučec Ivan , Bendelja Ljoljić Darija , Škrivanko Mario , Bogdanović Tanja , Pleadin Jelka
Published: May 2024

The aim of this study was to determine quality parameters of Croatian traditional meat products (TMPs) via the analysis of their sensory and nutritive parameters, including physicochemical properties, fatty acid profile, mineral content, and amino acid composition. Over 2020 and 2021, a diverse collection of 242 dry-fermented sausages and dry-cured TMPs from various rural households was assessed. Sensory evaluations highlighted their satisfactory qualities, with moderate salinity and a unique taste profile characterized by a slight bitterness, with low sweetness and sourness levels. Detailed analyses revealed significant differences (p<0.05) across samples in key parameters such as water activity, pH, moisture, ash, fat, protein, carbohydrate, and NaCl content, as well as in the fatty acid profile and mineral content, underscoring the diversity and richness of these products. Amino acids such as alanine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, and proline were present in high amounts in all samples, largely varying in their content within the same product type. The findings underscore the high quality and distinctiveness of Croatian TMPs, attributed to varied recipes and production techniques across different regions, suggesting the potential for standardization and further quality enhancement. Despite the presence of saturated fats and salt, the nutritional value of these TMPs, marked by high protein content and essential minerals, aligns with health-conscious consumer trends, presenting an opportunity for increased global appreciation of these artisanal products. The positive results from the sensory analysis underscore the TMPs' ability to align with consumer taste preferences, thereby affirming their reputation as a national delicacy. This could represent a promising direction for future research, focusing on the refinement of production and marketing strategies to attract a global audience, especially those with a preference for health-conscious and traditional culinary options.
Ultrasound-Guided Quantitative Fluorescence Molecular Endoscopy for Monitoring Response in Patients with Esophageal Cancer Following Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Schmidt Iris , Zhao Xiaojuan , van der Waaij Anne M. , Meersma Gert Jan , Dijkstra Frederieke A. , Haveman Jan Willem , van Etten Boudewijn , Robinson Dominic J. , Kats-Ugurlu Gursah , Nagengast Wouter B.
Published: May 2024

Purpose:

The ability to identify residual tumor tissues in patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) is essential for monitoring the treatment response. Using the fluorescent tracer bevacizumab-800CW, we evaluated whether ultrasound-guided quantitative fluorescent molecular endoscopy (US-qFME), which combines quantitative fluorescence molecular endoscopy (qFME) with ultrasound-guided needle biopsy/single-fiber fluorescence (USNB/SFF), can be used to identify residual tumor tissues in patients following nCRT.

Experimental Design:

Twenty patients received an additional endoscopy procedure the day before surgery. qFME was performed at the primary tumor site (PTS) and in healthy tissue to first establish the optimal tracer dose. USNB/SFF was then used to measure intrinsic fluorescence in the deeper PTS layers and lymph nodes (LN) suspected for metastasis. Finally, the intrinsic fluorescence and the tissue optical properties—specifically, the absorption and reduced scattering coefficients—were combined into a new parameter called omega.

Results:

First, a 25-mg bevacizumab-800CW dose allowed for clear differentiation between the PTS and healthy tissue, with a target-to-background ratio (TBR) of 2.98 (IQR, 1.86–3.03). Moreover, we found a clear difference between the deeper esophageal PTS layers and suspected LN compared to healthy tissues, with TBR values of 2.18 and 2.17, respectively. Finally, our new parameter, omega, further improved the ability to differentiate between the PTS and healthy tissue.

Conclusions:

Combining bevacizumab-800CW with US-qFME may serve as a viable strategy for monitoring the response to nCRT in esophageal cancer and may help stratify patients regarding active surveillance versus surgery.
FIGURE 2 from Pan-Cancer Interrogation of B7-H3 (CD276) as an Actionable Therapeutic Target Across Human Malignancies
Authors: Miller Carly D. , Lozada John R. , Zorko Nicholas A. , Elliott Andrew , Makovec Allison , Radovich Milan , Heath Elisabeth I. , Agarwal Neeraj , Mckay Rana R. , Garje Rohan , Bastos Bruno R. , Hoon Dave S.B. , Orme Jacob J. , Sartor Oliver , VanderWalde Ari , Nabhan Chadi , Sledge George , Shenderov Eugene , Dehm Scott M. , Lou Emil , Miller Jeffrey S. , Hwang Justin H. , Antonarakis Emmanuel S.
Published: May 2024

Tumor profile association with OS. A, Association of OS in tumors with the top 75th percentile of B7-H3 expression (relative to all cancers) across 50 tumor types. *, q < 0.05; **, q < 0.01; ***, q < 0.001. B, OS of patients with high B7-H3 expression compared with low B7-H3 expression (stratified on the basis of medians) for the top six cancers where CD276-high expression is associated with poor OS. Cox proportional HRs were calculated for each comparison group with significance determined as P values of <0.05 using log-rank statistics. C, OS of patients with high B7-H3 expression compared with low B7-H3 expression (stratification based on quartiles) from the start of pembrolizumab treatment for patients with colorectal cancer with microsatellite instability (CRC-MSI-H), NSCLC-adenocarcinoma (NSCLC-Ad) that is PD-L1–positive/EGFR wildtype/ALK wildtype, and NSCLC-squamous (NSCLC-Sq) cell carcinoma that is PD-L1 positive.
Consumption of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages before 2 Years of Age and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Authors: Kim Sejin , Shin Jeewon , Cha Hye Ryeong , Ha Eun Kyo , Kim Ju Hee , Han Man Yong
Published: May 2024

Introduction: This study examined the association between sugar-sweetened beverage consumption before the first 24 months of life and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods: A population administrative cohort study was conducted in Korea (2008–2019) using linked national insurance data and a health screening survey. The cohort included 25,305 children in the exposed group with high sugar-sweetened beverage drinks (≥200 mL) and 339,931 in the reference groups (<200 mL) at 24 months of age. The primary outcome was the development of ADHD based on the International Classification of Disease (ICD) codes. Cox proportional model was used to identify the association between sugar-sweetened beverage consumption during early childhood and the later development of ADHD while controlling for multiple risk factors. Results: Over a mean follow-up period of 9.2 years, the incidence rates of ADHD were 29.6 and 23.8 per 10,000 person-years in the exposed and reference groups, respectively. Compared with the reference group, children consuming high-sugar drinks were at an increased risk of ADHD (adjusted hazard ratio 1.17, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08–1.27). These associations remained significant even after applying alternative ADHD definitions or adjusting for confounding variables. Conclusion: Children who consume sweetened beverages during early childhood are at increased risk of developing ADHD later in life.
Paradoxical kinesia induced by nightmare: unique case report and insights regarding the neural mechanism based on human and rat studies
Authors: Tostes Jorge Gelvane , Fabbro Mateus Dal , Pedrosa David J. , Coimbra Norberto Cysne , Schwarting Rainer , Melo-Thomas Liana
Published: May 2024

In this report, we discuss a patient who is suffering from advanced Parkinson's disease. The patient has severe motor limitations, including difficulty rising from bed and walking, as well as cognitive decline and visual impairment. However, an interesting occurrence took place during a nightmare episode. Surprisingly, the patient was able to get out of bed and quickly run away from the perceived threat within the nightmare, without any assistance. This phenomenon, known as paradoxical kinesia, raises questions about the neurological mechanisms involved, which are still not fully understood. In our discussion, we will explore potential explanations based on existing research conducted on both animal and human subjects.
Atrial Natriuretic Peptide Alleviates Motion Sickness Potentially through Regulating Endolymph Volume in the Inner Ear Increased by Arginine Vasopressin
Authors: Xu Li-Hua , Ge Jian-Gang , Xiao Shui-Feng , Lu Qian-Cheng , Ji Wei , Ma Yong-Qin , Song Jia-Yun , Zhang Xiao-Yi , Cai Ming-Liang , Li Xia , Zhou Xin , Jiang Zheng-Lin
Published: May 2024

Introduction: Dimenhydrinate and scopolamine are frequently used drugs, but they cause drowsiness and performance decrement. Therefore, it is crucial to find peripheral targets and develop new drugs without central side effects. This study aimed to investigate the anti-motion sickness action and inner ear-related mechanisms of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). Methods: Endolymph volume in the inner ear was measured with magnetic resonance imaging and expression of AQP2 and p-AQP2 was detected with Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence method. Results: Both rotational stimulus and intraperitoneal arginine vasopressin (AVP) injection induced conditioned taste aversion (CTA) to 0.15% sodium saccharin solution and an increase in the endolymph volume of the inner ear. However, intraperitoneal injection of ANP effectively alleviated the CTA behaviour and reduced the increase in the endolymph volume after rotational stimulus. Intratympanic injection of ANP also inhibited rotational stimulus-induced CTA behaviour, but anantin peptide, an inhibitor of ANP receptor A (NPR-A), blocked this inhibitory effect of ANP. Both rotational stimulus and intraperitoneal AVP injection increased the expression of AQP2 and p-AQP2 in the inner ear of rats, but these increases were blunted by ANP injection. In in vitro experiments, ANP addition decreased AVP-induced increases in the expression and phosphorylation of AQP2 in cultured endolymphatic sac epithelial cells. Conclusion: Therefore, the present study suggests that ANP could alleviate motion sickness through regulating endolymph volume of the inner ear increased by AVP, and this action of ANP is potentially mediated by activating NPR-A and antagonising the increasing effect of AVP on AQP2 expression and phosphorylation.
The performance of Brazilian economic journals and departments according to publications and citations received in Brazil
Authors: Azzoni Carlos Roberto
Published: May 2024

The paper assesses the performance of the Brazilian departments and journals of Economics. The assessment of journal impacts is based on citations received in Brazilian journals in the five-year period following publication. The assessment of department performance is based on the volume of papers published in Brazil and the impact of the journals in which they were published. The results indicate the most important journals and departments in Brazil in the period 1970-1998.
Glutamatergic neurotransmission in schizophrenia: A systematic review and quantitative synthesis of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies across schizophrenia spectrum disorders
Authors: Lopes Jamie J , Carruthers Sean P , Meyer Denny , Dean Brian , Rossell Susan L
Published: May 2024

Objective:

Studies using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy reveal substantial inconsistencies in the levels of brain glutamate, glutamine and glutamate + glutamine across schizophrenia spectrum disorders. This systematic review employs qualitative and quantitative methods to analyse the patterns and relationships between glutamatergic metabolites, schizophrenia spectrum disorders and brain regions.

Methods:

A literature search was conducted using various databases with keywords including glutamate, glutamine, schizophrenia, psychosis and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Inclusion criteria were limited to case-control studies that reported glutamatergic metabolite levels in adult patients with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder diagnosis – i.e. first-episode psychosis, schizophrenia, treatment-resistant schizophrenia and/or ultra-treatment-resistant schizophrenia – using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy at 3 T or above. Pooled study data were synthesized and analysed.

Results:

A total of 92 studies met the inclusion criteria, including 2721 healthy controls and 2822 schizophrenia spectrum disorder participants. Glu levels were higher in the basal ganglia, frontal cortex and medial prefrontal of first-episode psychosis participants, contrasting overall lower levels in schizophrenia participants. For Gln, strong differences in metabolite levels were evident in the basal ganglia, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and frontal cortex, with first-episode psychosis showing significantly higher levels in the basal ganglia. In glutamate + glutamine, higher metabolite levels were found across schizophrenia spectrum disorder groups, particularly in the basal ganglia and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of treatment-resistant schizophrenia participants. Significant relationships were found between metabolite levels and medication status, clinical measures and methodological variables.

Conclusion:

The review highlights abnormal glutamatergic metabolite levels throughout schizophrenia spectrum disorders and in specific brain regions. The review underscores the importance of standardized future research assessing glutamatergic metabolites using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy due to considerable literature heterogeneity.
Enhancing the Detection of Social Desirability Bias Using Machine Learning: A Novel Application of Person-Fit Indices
Authors: Nazari Sanaz , Leite Walter L. , Huggins-Manley A. Corinne
Published: May 2024

Social desirability bias (SDB) is a common threat to the validity of conclusions from responses to a scale or survey. There is a wide range of person-fit statistics in the literature that can be employed to detect SDB. In addition, machine learning classifiers, such as logistic regression and random forest, have the potential to distinguish between biased and unbiased responses. This study proposes a new application of these classifiers to detect SDB by considering several person-fit indices as features or predictors in the machine learning methods. The results of a Monte Carlo simulation study showed that for a single feature, applying person-fit indices directly and logistic regression led to similar classification results. However, the random forest classifier improved the classification of biased and unbiased responses substantially. Classification was improved in both logistic regression and random forest by considering multiple features simultaneously. Moreover, cross-validation indicated stable area under the curves (AUCs) across machine learning classifiers. A didactical illustration of applying random forest to detect SDB is presented.
Agile, continuous building energy modeling and simulation
Authors: Zech Philipp , Jäger Alexandra , Fröch Georg , Pfluger Rainer , Breu Ruth
Published: May 2024

Digital twins have emerged as highly valuable tools for model-based planning, simulation and optimization over the last couple of years, thereby demonstrating considerable potential for application within the construction industry. The introduction of building information modeling (BIM) has effectively established a standardized approach to representing building models. However, in practice, many of these models currently exhibit limitations as to their quality, specifically concerning the level of detail they encompass. In addition, BIM models too often are locked inside a specific vendor’s tool which readily implies a lack of platform independence, or interoperability, which, however, is essential for facilitating single and regressive, i.e., after a design change, model-based building performance simulations. Model-based engineering has effectively addressed comparable challenges within the domain of software engineering over the past decades by facilitating the integration and interoperability of models from various origins, by capitalizing on model-based tool integration. Prompted by these advantages, this study introduces a model-based tool environment that addresses the aforesaid challenges concerning BIM model quality and interoperability. Taking advantage of our proposed model-based tool environment, we implement an agile, continuous planning process for regressive, model-based building performance simulations, thereby enhancing building energy efficiency planning.
Model development and parameter calibration of a combined-cycle power generation unit via metaheuristic optimization techniques
Authors: Al-Kloub Osaid , Mohamed Omar , Elhaija Wejdan Abu
Published: May 2024

Mathematical modeling of combined-cycle units has produced a variety of valuable results, primarily significant advances in their energy efficiency and education of power plant operators. These positive results motivate the need for more complex modeling and simulation techniques with the goal of greater accuracy and accessibility. This study presents a simplified and enhanced version of a gas turbine model for dynamic performance simulation. The theoretical improvements have been proved through modeling philosophy and simulation accuracy attained by metaheuristic optimization techniques. The model has been constructed using thermodynamic and mathematical concepts, with parameter optimization and calibration performed using metaheuristic optimizers. The suggested model’s resilience has been demonstrated by simulation results.
‘Another conspiracy about a royalty-free song’: Library music in contemporary political discourse
Authors: Durand Júlia , Huelin Toby
Published: May 2024

In 2022, US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faced public scrutiny over the background music used in official videos promoting their political agenda. Press articles and social media users claimed that the library (or ‘stock’) music heard in the videos consisted of so-called ‘soundalikes’, and questioned whether this choice was a public endorsement of problematic individuals or groups connected with the tracks in question: namely, conspiracy-theory movement QAnon, and convicted rock singer Gary Glitter. This article explores how library music is used strategically in these videos, highlighting the urgency of inquiring into its fundamental role in the construction and dissemination of political messages in media today, with moral and ethical implications that remain underresearched. Departing from these cases, the article also examines how library music, a once unseen musical practice, is now reaching the foreground of public attention, gaining unprecedented visibility due partly to its use in politically motivated videos. This allows us to rethink longstanding notions of library music as something that lacks a public existence, and to focus instead on what happens when it gains media coverage – prompting misunderstandings that reveal how unfamiliar the wider public is with the workings of this industry.
Investigating competition of strong interfacial interaction and chain scission in PBAT/EVOH/GO composite by rheological measurements
Authors: Elhamnia Mehdi , Dadashi Parsa , Motlagh Ghodratollah Hashemi
Published: May 2024

The blends of poly(butylene-adipate-co-terephthalate)/poly(ethylene-vinyl alcohol) (PBAT/EVOH) with varying amounts of graphene oxide (GO) were prepared by melt mixing. The localization of GO in PBAT and at the interface was confirmed by morphological evaluation. The dual effect of GO in degradation of PBAT phase and interface improvement of PBAT/EVOH was examined by rheological measurements and models. The results showed that the improved interfacial interaction induced by GO dominates its degradation effect in PBAT. Rheological analysis revealed that the interfacial elasticity originating from GO dominates the total elasticity of the system, resulting in an increase in the final elasticity. Generalized Fractional Zener (GFZ) model was used to analyze elasticity of the polymer blend and its nanocomposites with a well fit to the experimental results. Also, the Lee–Park model was used to distinguish the effects of particle interactions as well as interface strengthening from deterioration of matrix modulus due to PBAT degradation by GO. The increased elasticity of the interface showed that the strengthening effect of GO at the interface overcomes its degradation effect. Also, the application of Coran model to analyze phase homogeneity revealed a linear increase in interfacial interaction with GO concentration.
Contextualized and Personalized Math Word Problem Generation in Authentic Contexts Using Generative Pre-trained Transformer and Its Influences on Geometry Learning
Authors: Utami Ika Qutsiati , Hwang Wu-Yuin , Hariyanti Uun
Published: May 2024

Recently, automatic question generation (AQG) has been researched extensively for educational purposes. Existing approaches generally lack relevant information on the authentic context and problem diversity with various difficulty levels, so we proposed a new AQG system for generating contextualized and personalized mathematic word problems (MWP) in authentic contexts using the Generative Pre-trained Transformers (GPT). Our proposed system comprises (1) authentic contextual information acquisition through image recognition by TensorFlow and augmented reality (AR) measurement by AR Core, (2) a personalized mechanism based on instructional prompts to generate three different difficulty levels for learners’ different needs, and (3) MWP generation through GPT with authentic contextual information and personalized needs. We conducted a quasi-experiment with the participation of 52 students to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed system on geometry learning performance. Further, the learning behaviors were analyzed in the aspects of authentic context, mathematics, and reflective behavior. The findings showed better results in geometry learning performances from students who learned with contextualized and personalized MWPs than those who were taught without contextualization and personalization on MWPs. Moreover, it was found that student’s ability to comprehend the practical situation or scenario presented in a problem (problem context understanding) and students’ ability to recognize relevant information from the problem context (identifying contextual information) significantly improved their learning performance. Moreover, students’ ability to apply math concepts and solve medium-level MWP also contributes to the improvement of learning performance. Meanwhile, learners showed positive perceptions toward the proposed system in facilitating geometry learning. Therefore, it is useful to promote an authentic context setting for mathematical problem-solving.
How High Is Too High? An Experimental Analysis of Donors’ Aversion to Nonprofit Overhead
Authors: Hung ChiaKo , Berrett Jessica L. , Ma Ji
Published: May 2024

Despite the abundance of literature related to nonprofit overhead, the following questions remain unclear: (a) How high is too high for individual donors when considering an organization’s overhead? (b) Is there a difference between nonprofit subsectors in individual donors’ aversion to nonprofit overhead? Moreover, (c) Does trust play a role in individual donors’ overhead aversion? This study used a survey experiment and randomly assigned participants to one of four overhead ratio conditions (5%, 20%, 35%, and 50%). We find that individuals’ donations to human service nonprofits substantially decrease when the overhead reaches 35%. In contrast, their donations to health care nonprofits do not decrease until the ratio reaches 50%. In addition, we find that donors lose trust in nonprofits when overhead costs are higher, leading to decreased donations. The findings contribute to the theoretical understanding of donors’ giving behavior, offering practical implications for promoting sustainable giving.
A Longitudinal Investigation of Nasolabial Changes With and Without Revision Surgery in Patients with Non-Syndromic Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate
Authors: Dabbagh Wasna , Groff Destin , Stauffer Lexi , Newland Mary , Lo Alexis , Hiller Andrea , Long Ross E
Published: May 2024

Objective

To determine a baseline of anticipated change in nasolabial appearance following primary repair of unilateral cleft lip/palate and evaluate the degree to which revision surgery improves nasolabial appearance.

Design

Retrospective chart review.

Setting

Patients treated at the Lancaster Cleft Palate Clinic interdisciplinary clinic.

Patients

Twenty-three patients with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate who underwent primary surgical repair and 19 additional patients who underwent subsequent revision surgery were included.

Interventions

Patients in the non-revision group underwent a Tennison-Randall triangular flap lip repair at 3mo. Patients in the revision group underwent a modification of the Nakajima straight-line repair after primary Tennison-Randall triangular flap lip repair at an average age of 141mo.

Main Outcome Measures

A modification of the Asher-McDade Aesthetic Index was utilized to evaluate Nasolabial Frontal (NLF), Nasolabial Profile (NLP), Vermillion Border (VB), and total change in appearance. Scores for patients in the revision group were evaluated before and after revision while appearance for patients without revision was evaluated at 3 distinct ages. Scores were averaged across time-points and inter-rater reliability was assessed.

Results

Nasolabial appearance in the non-revision sample did not change significantly over time, except for nasal profile. Scores improved after revision surgery – NLP: 3.48 to 2.97, (p = 0.001); NLF: 3.50 to 2.95 (p = 0.001); and Total Nasolabial Score: 3.29 to 3.01 (p = 0.004), with no significant change in VB.

Conclusion

Decisions regarding need for nasolabial revision surgery may be made as early as 5yo with successful outcomes following secondary surgery improving appearance except for vermillion border appearance.
The impact of political party control and economic forces on redistributive state wage policies since 1968
Authors: Dennis Christopher , Hayes Thomas J. , Papadopoulos Stavros , Widestrom Amy
Published: May 2024

This study examines how partisan control of state government influences three important state wage policies over the 1968 – 2018 period: minimum wage laws, prevailing wage laws, and right-to-work laws. Using time series fixed-effects regression and probit event history analysis we find that Unified Democratic control of a state’s government results in more egalitarian wage policies while Unified Republican control leads to less egalitarian wage policies.
Circular economy in tourism and hospitality: A micro-meso-macro framework for inter-disciplinary research
Authors: Tomassini L , Baggio R , Cavagnaro E , Farsari I , Fuchs M , Sørensen F
Published: May 2024

This contribution elaborates on the theoretical and practical implications of the circular economy in tourism and hospitality through an inter-disciplinary approach advancing novel possibilities for future research. Acknowledging the literature gap on circular economy in tourism and hospitality as an under-researched and under-theorised area of research, this contribution identifies a set of theoretical lenses that can help to elaborate the notion of circular economy and unpack it through an inter-disciplinary approach for future research. It does so by discussing the notion of circular economy through a micro-meso-macro framework combining practice theory, network theory, complexity theory, and the spatial and mobilities turn in social sciences. The originality of this work lies in its inter-disciplinary approach based on a micro-meso-macro theoretical framework offering novel opportunities to discuss, envision, and operationalize circular regenerative processes in tourism futures in terms of multidimensional, networked, complex, practice-based, and localised processes and operations.
A three-stage approach based on 1D-CNNs for AE source localisation on historic fibrous plaster ceilings
Authors: Zuo Jiaxu , Sheil Brian , Acikgoz Sinan
Published: May 2024

Fibrous plaster (FP) ceilings were commonly used in historic buildings throughout the UK during the 19th and 20th centuries. These ceilings are typically supported by hanger elements called wads, which are made of woven jute fabric embedded in plaster of Paris (POP). Recent collapses of several FP ceilings have raised concerns on our ability to detect and localise damage in wads before they fail. To address this issue, we propose a novel acoustic emission (AE)-based system for non-invasive failure detection and localisation. In particular, we develop a three-stage approach that employs 1D convolutional neural networks (1D-CNNs) to analyse AE waveform data produced by pencil-lead break sources for 2D AE source localisation. The approach involves training and fine-tuning four 1D-CNN models with varying architectures, followed by an ensemble learning method to improve localisation accuracy. AE waveform data is recorded using several sensor cluster geometries, with four sensors arranged in a square cluster. Two AE sensor spacing configurations (50 mm and 30 mm) are investigated. The approach also considers the scenario when only three waveforms are available. Experimental results indicate that for input data containing four waveforms, more than 90% of the source location estimations have an error less than 20 mm regardless of the spacing. When only three waveforms are available, 88% of the source location estimations have an error less than 20 mm. The results show that the proposed approach accurately localises source without prior knowledge of wave propagation velocities in the structure. The results are benchmarked with the beamforming method. The proposed approach provides computational simplicity, improved positioning accuracy and fewer constraints related to sensor locations. This approach may facilitate non-invasive damage detection and localisation in the wads of historic FP ceilings by conducting AE measurements on the underside of ceilings. This approach can also be applied to other anisotropic plate-like structures.
Modeling and designing of a phased array comprising piezoelectric stack transducer for ultrasonic Lamb wave-based damage detection
Authors: Yang Zhengyan , Xu Rui , Yang Hongjuan , Ma Jitong , Yang Lei , Guo Hongfei , Zhang Hongpeng , Wu Zhanjun
Published: May 2024

With rapid damage diagnosis, long detection range, and high damage sensitivity, the ultrasonic Lamb wave-based technique has been regarded as an effective tool to detect damage in large engineering structures. In recent years, the phased array detection method has been extensively investigated, while the development of a reliable phased array transducer for addressing the wave energy attenuation problem is still in the exploration phase. In this article, a novel type of piezoelectric stack phased array transducer is designed and proposed for the first time, capable of easily providing high guided wave excitation energy for damage detection in large-scale structures. For detection frequency selection, a semianalytical finite-element method is developed for different excitation and sensing model with d-31- and d-33-type piezoelectric transducers. At the selected frequency, a detailed parametric study of the piezoelectric transducer has been conducted for high-energy excitation, validated by the results of a comparative experiment. Finally, utilizing a phased array beamforming approach, the designed piezoelectric stack phased array transducer proves highly effective in identifying damage in plate-like structures. The piezoelectric stack phased array transducer, comprising one piezoelectric stack transducer and nine piezoelectric sensors, possesses excellent excitation and sensing capabilities for damage detection, as confirmed by experimental results. This work introduces a novel approach for effectively detecting damage in large-scale engineering structures.
A Qualitative Investigation of Factors Influencing the Integration of Complementary and Integrative Healthcare Recommendations in the Daily Lives of Patients with Cancer
Authors: Dürsch Helena , Boltenhagen Ursula , Mahler Cornelia , Joos Stefanie , Joachim Szecsenyi , Klafke Nadja
Published: May 2024

Background:

Many patients diagnosed with cancer use complementary and integrative healthcare (CIH) approaches to manage their cancer- and treatment-related symptoms and improve their well-being. Evidence suggests that counseling on CIH can improve health outcomes and decrease healthcare costs by increasing patient activation. This qualitative study explores the experiences of cancer patients who underwent interprofessional counseling on CIH to gain insights into how these patients were able to integrate recommended CIH measures into their daily lives while undergoing conventional cancer treatment.

Methods:

Forty semi-structured interviews were conducted with cancer patients participating in the CCC-Integrativ study and its process evaluation. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using content analysis following Kuckartz and Rädiker. A purposeful sampling strategy was used to achieve a balanced sample regarding gender, age, cancer diagnosis, and treatment approach.

Results:

Most patients with cancer reported largely implementing the CIH recommendations. Participants acknowledged the efficacy of CIH recommendations in managing their symptoms. They felt strengthened and empowered to actively take part in their healthcare decisions. However, the patients encountered obstacles in incorporating the recommended CIH applications into their daily routines. These challenges encompassed the effort required for treatment application (e.g., baths, compresses), limitations imposed by the cancer disease (e.g., fatigue, pain), difficulties acquiring necessary materials, associated costs, and lack of infrastructure for CIH. Facilitators of CIH implementation included the availability of easily manageable CIH measures (e.g., herbal teas), informative materials on their application, distribution of samples, family support, and a high level of self-efficacy. The patient-centered approach and strong patient-provider partnership within the counseling context were perceived as empowering. Participants expressed a desire for a consistent point of contact to address their CIH concerns.

Conclusions:

The findings underscore the benefits of CIH counseling for cancer patients’ symptom management and overall well-being. Healthcare professionals providing CIH counseling to patients with cancer may recognize the barriers identified to better support their patients in the regular use of CIH.
An analysis of the attacks on Christian clergy in north-central and southern Nigeria
Authors: Uroko Favour Chukwuemeka
Published: May 2024

While previous studies have focused on the increasing insecurity bedeviling Nigerians, there is a dearth of knowledge on the endangered status of the Christian clergy in north-central and southern Nigeria. The aim of this study is to analyze the reasons for the kidnapping and killing of the Christian clergy by terrorist groups such as Jihadists, bandits, and herdsmen in north-central and southern Nigeria. This qualitative study was conducted with a phenomenological approach. Data was gathered from oral interviews and extant literature. Its findings reveal that terrorist groups have an agenda to instill fear in the citizens of north-central and southern Nigeria. Also, the terrorist groups used the kidnapping of priests to show their ability to achieve their plans. Recommendations are proposed.
Entrepreneurial Podcasting: A Linguistic Ethnographic Perspective
Authors: Jacobs Geert
Published: May 2024

This article sets out to address a gap in the business communication literature by focusing on entrepreneurs’ use of podcasts. I will first report on the business communication research that has been done so far on podcasts and will then go on to expand the scope and explore the literature on podcasts in the wider communication field. This will lead me to propose a set of four key characteristics of the genre, which I will use as the basis for a qualitative study of a single six-episode podcast series launched by an entrepreneur in a North Western European country. Drawing on a linguistic ethnographically inspired analysis I will investigate the hybrid nature of the entrepreneurial podcast (featuring personal transparency and storytelling, but no process transparency or interactivity) and I will argue that it is opening up new opportunities for leadership communication. I will conclude by reflecting on how the analysis presented here can be seen to index the genre’s transition from a homespun to a corporate medium, echoing the notion of media re-colonization and tying in with concerns about leadership branding voiced in the critical management literature.
Effort-reward imbalance and common mental disorders among public sector employees of Iran: a cross-sectional analysis
Authors: Nasirpour Nastaran , Shalbafan Mohammadreza , Savari Ebtesam , Pirani Ahmad , Baradaran Hamid Reza , Motevalian Abbas
Published: May 2024

Background

The effort-reward imbalance (ERI) model is a widely used theoretical model to measure stress in the workplace. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between ERI and three common mental disorders: major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Methods

In this cross-sectional analysis, the study sample consisted of 4453 baseline participants of the Employees’ Health Cohort Study of Iran (EHCSIR). Trained psychologists utilized the Persian version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI-2.1) during the baseline assessment to identify common mental disorders. Additionally, the validated Persian version of the 23-item ERI questionnaire was employed to assess effort, reward, overcommitment, and effort-reward ratio. To examine the association of ERI components with three common mental disorders (MDD, GAD, and OCD) over the past twelve months, multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted.

Results

The prevalence of effort-reward imbalance in the study sample was 47.1%. Higher ERI score was significantly associated with MDD (OR: 3.43, 95% CI: 2.30–5.13), GAD (OR: 2.42, 95% CI: 1.27–4.63), and OCD (OR: 2.23, 95% CI:1.19–4.19). The study participants who reported higher scores on work overcommitment had a higher likelihood of having MDD (OR: 1.16, 95% CI:1.10–1.23), GAD (OR: 1.07, 95% CI: 1.01–1.14), and OCD (OR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.09–1.29).

Conclusions

According to the study’s findings, work-related stress, as determined by the ERI model, is a significant factor in the development of common mental disorders among employees in the public sector.
Barriers and outcomes of therapeutic communication between nurses and patients in Africa: a scoping review
Authors: Abraham Susanna Aba , Nsatimba Frederick , Agyare Dorcas Frempomaa , Agyeiwaa Joyce , Opoku-Danso Rita , Ninnoni Jerry Paul , Doe Patience Fakornam , Kuffour Benjamin Osei , Anumel Benjamin Kofi , Berchie Gifty Osei , Boso Christian Makafui , Druye Andrews Agyei , Okantey Christiana , Owusu Gifty , Obeng Paul , Amoadu Mustapha , Commey Isaac Tetteh
Published: May 2024

Background

Therapeutic communication (TC) promotes effective patient care, emotional wellbeing, and improves patient outcomes. The purpose of this review was to synthesise evidence on barriers and outcomes of TC between nurses and patients in Africa and to inform future studies and systematic reviews.

Methods

Search for the records was done in four major databases including PubMed, Science Direct, PubMed CENTRAL, and JSTOR. Additional searches were done in Google Scholar and Google. Results and findings from published studies and grey literature were included. A total of 16 articles met the eligibility criteria and were included in the review. This scoping review followed the guidelines by Askey and O’Malley.

Results

Barriers associated with TC were grouped under five main themes: sociodemographic factors, patient-related factors, nurse-related factors, environmental and health service-related. Age, and religious beliefs were the main sociodemographic factors that hindered TC while stress and inadequate knowledge and skills were identified among the nurse-related barriers to TC. Extreme weather conditions and mosquito infestation were environmental factors while lack of access to TC educational programmes on TC was a health service-related factor that interfered with TC. Both positive and negative outcomes of TC were also identified.

Conclusion

Continuous professional development on TC is necessary to improve nurses’ attitudes and update their skills to enable them to render culturally competent nursing care to patients.
Person-centred care and the work-related health and job satisfaction of health and social care professionals: protocol for a prospective longitudinal cohort study combined with qualitative studies (the PCC@Work project)
Authors: van Diepen Cornelia , Lood Qarin , Gustavsson Kristoffer , Axelsson Malin , Bertilsson Monica , Hensing Gunnel , Fors Andreas
Published: May 2024

Background

The interplay of ethical stress, heavy workloads, and job dissatisfaction poses challenges to both the recruitment and retention of health and social care professionals. Person-centred care, rooted in ethical principles, involves collaborative care, and is expected to improve care and job satisfaction. However, prior research on the impact of person-centred care practices on professionals’ work-related health and job satisfaction has yielded mixed results, and most studies emanate from residential care. Understanding how person-centred care practices influence health and social care professionals across different care settings thus requires further exploration through rigorous methodology. The overall aim of PCC@Work is to follow, describe, assess, and explore the impact of person-centred care practices in hospital wards, primary care centres and municipal care on health and social care professionals’ work-related health and job satisfaction.

Methods

PCC@Work is designed as a prospective, longitudinal cohort study combined with qualitative studies. A web-based questionnaire will be distributed on five occasions within two years to health and social care professionals in the three care settings. In addition, focus groups and interviews will be conducted with a selection of health and social care professionals to explore their experiences of work-related health and job satisfaction in relation to person-centred practices.

Discussion

PCC@Work will highlight some of the knowledge gaps on the impact of person-centred care practices regarding work-related health and job satisfaction of health and social care professionals. The uniqueness of the project lies in the multi-method design, combining a prospective longitudinal cohort study with qualitative studies, and the involvement of various professions and settings. This means we will be able to provide a comprehensive and representative understanding of person-centred care practices as a critical component for effective change in the working conditions of health and social care.
msBERT-Promoter: a multi-scale ensemble predictor based on BERT pre-trained model for the two-stage prediction of DNA promoters and their strengths
Authors: Li Yazi , Wei Xiaoman , Yang Qinglin , Xiong An , Li Xingfeng , Zou Quan , Cui Feifei , Zhang Zilong
Published: May 2024

Background

A promoter is a specific sequence in DNA that has transcriptional regulatory functions, playing a role in initiating gene expression. Identifying promoters and their strengths can provide valuable information related to human diseases. In recent years, computational methods have gained prominence as an effective means for identifying promoter, offering a more efficient alternative to labor-intensive biological approaches.

Results

In this study, a two-stage integrated predictor called “msBERT-Promoter” is proposed for identifying promoters and predicting their strengths. The model incorporates multi-scale sequence information through a tokenization strategy and fine-tunes the DNABERT model. Soft voting is then used to fuse the multi-scale information, effectively addressing the issue of insufficient DNA sequence information extraction in traditional models. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time an integrated approach has been used in the DNABERT model for promoter identification and strength prediction. Our model achieves accuracy rates of 96.2% for promoter identification and 79.8% for promoter strength prediction, significantly outperforming existing methods. Furthermore, through attention mechanism analysis, we demonstrate that our model can effectively combine local and global sequence information, enhancing its interpretability.

Conclusions

msBERT-Promoter provides an effective tool that successfully captures sequence-related attributes of DNA promoters and can accurately identify promoters and predict their strengths. This work paves a new path for the application of artificial intelligence in traditional biology.
Extensive remodeling of sugar metabolism through gene loss and horizontal gene transfer in a eukaryotic lineage
Authors: Pontes Ana , Paraíso Francisca , Silva Margarida , Lagoas Catarina , Aires Andreia , Brito Patrícia H. , Rosa Carlos A. , Lachance Marc-André , Sampaio José Paulo , Gonçalves Carla , Gonçalves Paula
Published: May 2024

Background

In yeasts belonging to the subphylum Saccharomycotina, genes encoding components of the main metabolic pathways, like alcoholic fermentation, are usually conserved. However, in fructophilic species belonging to the floralWickerhamiellaandStarmerellagenera (W/S clade), alcoholic fermentation was uniquely shaped by events of gene loss and horizontal gene transfer (HGT).

Results

Because HGT and gene losses were first identified when only eight W/S-clade genomes were available, we collected publicly available genome data and sequenced the genomes of 36 additional species. A total of 63 genomes, representing most of the species described in the clade, were included in the analyses. Firstly, we inferred the phylogenomic tree of the clade and inspected the genomes for the presence of HGT-derived genes involved in fructophily and alcoholic fermentation. We predicted nine independent HGT events and several instances of secondary loss pertaining to both pathways. To investigate the possible links between gene loss and acquisition events and evolution of sugar metabolism, we conducted phenotypic characterization of 42 W/S-clade species including estimates of sugar consumption rates and fermentation byproduct formation. In some instances, the reconciliation of genotypes and phenotypes yielded unexpected results, such as the discovery of fructophily in the absence of the cornerstone gene (FFZ1) and robust alcoholic fermentation in the absence of the respective canonical pathway.

Conclusions

These observations suggest that reinstatement of alcoholic fermentation in the W/S clade triggered a surge of innovation that goes beyond the utilization of xenologous enzymes, with fructose metabolism playing a key role.