bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Meaning of ACR-TIRADS recommendation in favor of follow-up rather than FNAC in thyroid nodules
Authors: Leoncini Andrea , Curti Marco , Ruinelli Lorenzo , Trimboli Pierpaolo
Published: May 2024

Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data Systems (TIRADSs) have been largely diffused for their high accuracy in risk stratification of thyroid nodules (TNs) and their selection for fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). The most popular TIRADSs are ACR-, EU-, and K-TIRADS, with some discrepancies each other. One major difference is that ACR-TIRADS includes a recommendation in favor of follow-up in TNs having a major diameter insufficient to indicate FNAC. The present study aimed to explore prevalence and significance of this recommendation. EU- and K-TIRADS were used as comparator. A retrospective series of thyroidectomies was searched according to a pre-defined protocol. The study period was 2019–2023. Preoperative ultrasound images were reviewed by radiologists blinded of clinical data. Matching of TIRADS and histology was performed later. Histology was the gold standard. The study series included 39 TNs classified as category 3, 4, or 5 and assessed for follow-up according to ACR-TIRADS. The overall cancer frequency was 25.6%, being 13% in category 3, 20% in category 4, and 83.3% in category 5. The category assessment according to ACR-, EU-, and K-TIRADS was not significantly different. EU-TIRADS indicated FNAC in 10 TNs of which two cancers and eight benign lesions. K-TIRADS recommended FNAC in 32 TNs of which seven cancers and 25 benign lesions. TNs assessed for follow-up according to ACR-TIRADS are cancer in one-fourth of cases. EU- and, especially, K-TIRADS allow us to select for FNAC cancers, with the burden of non-negligible frequency of unnecessary FNACs.
Removal of reactive black 5 in water using adsorption and electrochemical oxidation technology: kinetics, isotherms and mechanisms
Authors: Ganthavee V. , Trzcinski A. P.
Published: May 2024

In this work, a novel graphite intercalation compound (GIC) particle electrode was used to investigate the adsorption of Reactive Black 5 (RB5) and the electrochemical regeneration in a three-dimensional (3D) electrochemical reactor to recover its adsorptive capacity. Various adsorption kinetics and isotherm models were used to characterise the adsorption behaviour of GIC. Several adsorption kinetics were modelled using linearised and non-linearised rate laws to evaluate the viability of the sorption process. Studies on the selective removal of RB5 dyes from binary mixture in solution were evaluated. RSM optimisation studies were integrated with ANOVA analysis to provide insight into the significance of selectivity reversal from the salting effect of textile dye solution on GIC adsorbent. A unique range of adsorption kinetics and isotherms were used to evaluate the adsorption process. Non-linear models best simulated the kinetic data in the order: Elovich > Bangham > Pseudo-second-order > Pseudo-first-order. The Redlich–Peterson isotherm was calculated to have a dye loading capacity of 0.7316 mg/g by non-linear regression analysis. An error function analysis with ERRSQ/SSE of 0.1390 confirmed the accuracy of dye loading capacity predicted by Redlich–Peterson isotherm using non-linear regression analysis. The results showed that Redlich–Peterson and SIPS isotherm models yielded better fitness to experimental data than the Langmuir type. The best dye removal efficiency achieved was ~ 93% using a current density of 45.14 mA/cm2, whereas the highest TOC removal efficiency achieved was 67%.
Anesthesia for Drug Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE)
Authors: Schwartz Daniel , Schall Cory , Harders Maureen , Tollinche Luis , Tanios Marianne , Alter Jonathan , Weidenbecher Mark
Published: May 2024

Purpose of Review

Drug-induced sleep endoscopy is a technique in which fiberoptic examination of the upper airway is performed under deep sedation and used to elucidate potential therapies. The most often utilized agents are propofol, midazolam, and dexmedetomidine.

Recent Findings

We propose a protocol for Drug-induced sleep endoscopy using propofol and review its beneficial characteristics compared to midazolam and dexmedetomidine. Propofol has an ideal pharmacokinetic profile and provides adequate sedation that closely enough mimics the upper airway tone and respiratory pattern of natural sleep.

Drug-induced sleep endoscopy is performed to determine anatomically where sleep-disordered breathing takes place. There are several different anesthetic agents that can be utilized for this procedure, each with their own unique set of characteristics. Nevertheless, we believe that propofol is the agent that best simulates natural sleep to elucidate the site of obstruction.
Identification of Lightning Strike Damage Severity Using Pulse Thermography Through Integration of Thermal Data
Authors: Harrell T. M. , Dulieu-Barton J. M. , Thomsen O. T.
Published: May 2024

Carbon fibre reinforced polymers (CFRP) structures, e.g., wind turbine blades, are suspectable to direct lightning strikes due to their semiconductive nature and ability to conduct current. It is critical to identify and evaluate lightning damage as it can cause premature failure of the primary load carrying components. Direct strike lightning damage has been traditionally identified and assessed by ultrasonic (UT) inspection, which is time consuming, usually requires contact, and does not directly provide a measure of damage severity. An appealing alternative to UT is pulsed thermography (PT), which takes minutes to conduct rather than hours and does not require a couplant. The aim of this work is to explore the application of pulse thermography to identify and evaluate the damage state of CFRP panels damaged by simulated lightning strike. A new analysis technique is presented that provides a damage severity metric which allows damage to be categorized, separated, and quantified.
A Learning-based Control Framework for Fast and Accurate Manipulation of a Flexible Object
Authors: Wang Junyi , Xiong Xiaofeng , Tolu Silvia , Gorb Stanislav N.
Published: May 2024

This paper presents a learning-based control framework for fast (< 1.5 s) and accurate manipulation of a flexible object, i.e., whip targeting. The framework consists of a motion planner learned or optimized by an algorithm, Online Impedance Adaptation Control (OIAC), a sim2real mechanism, and a visual feedback component. The experimental results show that a soft actor-critic algorithm outperforms three Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL), a nonlinear optimization, and a genetic algorithm in learning generalization of motion planning. It can greatly reduce average learning trials (to < 20$$\%$$
%
of others) and maximize average rewards (to > 3 times of others). Besides, motion tracking errors are greatly reduced to 13.29$$\%$$
%
and 22.36$$\%$$
%
of constant impedance control by the OIAC of the proposed framework. In addition, the trajectory similarity between simulated and physical whips is 89.09$$\%$$
%
. The presented framework provides a new method integrating data-driven and physics-based algorithms for controlling fast and accurate arm manipulation of a flexible object.
A deep learning based approach for image retrieval extraction in mobile edge computing
Authors: Alasadi Jamal , Bati Ghassan F. , Al Hilli Ahmed
Published: May 2024

Deep learning has been widely explored in 5G applications, including computer vision, the Internet of Things (IoT), and intermedia classification. However, applying the deep learning approach in limited-resource mobile devices is one of the most challenging issues. At the same time, users’ experience in terms of Quality of Service (QoS) (e.g., service latency, outcome accuracy, and achievable data rate) performs poorly while interacting with machine learning applications. Mobile edge computing (MEC) has been introduced as a cooperative approach to bring computation resources in proximity to end-user devices to overcome these limitations. This article aims to design a novel image reiterative extraction algorithm based on convolution neural network (CNN) learning and computational task offloading to support machine learning-based mobile applications in resource-limited and uncertain environments. Accordingly, we leverage the framework of image retrieval extraction and introduce three approaches. First, privacy preservation is strict and aims to protect personal data. Second, network traffic reduction. Third, minimizing feature matching time. Our simulation results associated with real-time experiments on a small-scale MEC server have shown the effectiveness of the proposed deep learning-based approach over existing schemes. The source code is available here: https://github.com/jamalalasadi/CNN_Image_retrieval.
LLM potentiality and awareness: a position paper from the perspective of trustworthy and responsible AI modeling
Authors: Sarker Iqbal H.
Published: May 2024

Large language models (LLMs) are an exciting breakthrough in the rapidly growing field of artificial intelligence (AI), offering unparalleled potential in a variety of application domains such as finance, business, healthcare, cybersecurity, and so on. However, concerns regarding their trustworthiness and ethical implications have become increasingly prominent as these models are considered black-box and continue to progress. This position paper explores the potentiality of LLM from diverse perspectives as well as the associated risk factors with awareness. Towards this, we highlight not only the technical challenges but also the ethical implications and societal impacts associated with LLM deployment emphasizing fairness, transparency, explainability, trust and accountability. We conclude this paper by summarizing potential research scopes with direction. Overall, the purpose of this position paper is to contribute to the ongoing discussion of LLM potentiality and awareness from the perspective of trustworthiness and responsibility in AI.
A Hybrid CNN-TransXNet Approach for Advanced Glomerular Segmentation in Renal Histology Imaging
Authors: Liu Yangtao
Published: May 2024

In the specialized field of renal histology, precise segmentation of glomeruli in microscopic images is crucial for accurate clinical diagnosis and pathological analysis. Facing the challenge of discerning complex visual features, such as shape, texture, and size within these images, we introduce a novel segmentation model that innovatively combines convolutional neural networks (CNNs) with the advanced TransXNet block, specifically tailored for glomerular segmentation. This innovative model is designed to capture the intricate details and broader contextual features within the images, ensuring a comprehensive and precise segmentation process. The model's architecture unfolds in two primary phases: the down-sampling phase, which utilizes CNNs structures within the TransXNet block for meticulous extraction of detailed features, and the up-sampling phase, which employs CNNs deconvolution techniques to restore spatial resolution and enhance macroscopic feature representation. A critical innovation in our model is the implementation of residual connections between these two phases, which facilitate the seamless integration of features and minimize loss of precision during image reconstruction. Experimental results demonstrate a significant improvement in our model’s performance compared to existing medical image segmentation methods. We report enhancements in mean Pixel Accuracy (mPA) and mean Intersection over Union (mIoU), with increases of approximately 3–5% and 3–8%, respectively. Additionally, the segmented outputs exhibit higher subjective visual quality with fewer noise artifacts. These findings suggest that our model offers promising applications in the segmentation of medical microscopic images, marking a significant contribution to the domain.
Exploration of the Changes in Facial Microbiota of Maskne Patients and Healthy Controls Before and After Wearing Masks Using 16 S rRNA Analysis
Authors: Deng Kexin , Tong Xiaofei , Chen Shuyue , Wu Guojun , Shi Ke , Chen Hao , Tan Yurong , Liao Junlin , Zhou Jianda , Zhao Junxiang
Published: May 2024

Whether in the field of medical care, or in people’s daily life and health protection, the importance of masks has been paid more and more attention. Acne, the most common complication after wearing masks, which is also called maskne, has been successfully introduced into the common language as a common topic of dermatologist consultations. This study aims to study the changes of microflora in maskne patients and healthy controls before and after wearing masks. In the summer of 2023, we collected a total of 50 samples from 15 maskne patients and 10 healthy controls before and after wearing surgical masks for a long time. 16 S ribosomal DNA sequencing and identification technology with V3-V4 variable region were adopted to explore the microbiome changes caused by mask wearing, analyze the changes in microbial diversity, and make interaction network. LDA effect size analysis was used to identify which bacteria showed significant changes in their relative abundance from phylum to genus. After wearing a mask, the microbiome of the maskne patients changed significantly more than that of the healthy controls, with both α diversity and β diversity lower than those of maskne patients before wearing masks and those of healthy controls after wearing masks. Co-occurrence network analysis showed that compared with other groups, the network of maskne patients after wearing masks for a long time had the lowest connectivity and complexity, but the highest clustering property, while the opposite was true for healthy controls. Many microbes that are potentially beneficial to the skin decreased significantly after wearing a mask. There was almost no difference in healthy controls before and after wearing a mask.
Accelerometer-Measured Physical Activity, Fitness and Indicators of Cardiometabolic Risk among Rural Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study at 15-Year Follow-up of the MINIMat Cohort
Authors: Islam Mohammad Redwanul , Nyström Christine Delisle , Kippler Maria , Kajantie Eero , Löf Marie , Rahman Syed Moshfiqur , Ekström Eva-Charlotte
Published: May 2024

Background

Little is known about the relationship of physical activity (PA) and fitness with cardiometabolic risk among rural adolescents in low- and middle-income countries. Thus, we examined the associations of PA and fitness with selected cardiometabolic indicators along with potential gender-based differences in a birth cohort of rural adolescents from southeast Bangladesh.

Methods

We utilized data from the 15-year follow-up of Maternal and Infant Nutrition Interventions in Matlab (MINIMat) cohort (n = 2253). Wrist-worn ActiGraph wGT3x-BT accelerometers were used to estimate sedentary time (ST) and PA. Fitness was assessed using: handgrip strength, standing long jump, and Chester Step Test. Anthropometric parameters, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and fasting lipid, insulin and glucose levels were measured. We calculated insulin resistance using the Homeostasis Model Assessment equation (HOMA-IR). Linear regression and isotemporal substitution models were fitted.

Results

The adolescents spent 64 min/day (inter-quartile range: 50–81) in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). A 10-minute-per-day higher vigorous PA (VPA) was associated with: 4.9% (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.9–6.8%) lower waist circumference (WC), 3.2 mmHg (95% CI: 1.5–4.8) lower SBP, 10.4% (95% CI: 2.9–17.3%) lower TG, and 24.4% (95% CI: 11.3–34.9%) lower HOMA-IR. MVPA showed similar associations of notably smaller magnitude. Except for WC, the associations were more pronounced among the boys. Substituting ST with VPA of equal duration was associated with lower WC, SBP, triglyceride and HOMA-IR. Grip strength was favorably associated with all indicators, displaying considerably large effect sizes.

Conclusion

Our findings indicated beneficial roles of PA– particularly VPA– and muscular fitness in shaping cardiometabolic profile in mid-adolescence. VPA and grip strength may represent potential targets for preventive strategies tailored to adolescents in resource-limited settings.
Multiple Solutions for a Class of Biharmonic Nonlocal Elliptic Systems
Authors: Khaleghi Ali , Razani Abdolrahman
Published: May 2024

We prove the existence of three distinct solutions for a biharmonic nonlocal elliptic system with singular terms under the Navier boundary conditions, by using variational methods and the theory of the variable exponent Sobolev space.
Paediatric surgery in Uganda: current challenges and opportunities
Authors: Alberti Piero , Kisa Phyllis
Published: May 2024

Over half of the Ugandan population is under 18-years-old. Surgical care is provided by district general hospitals, whose activity is coordinated by fourteen regional referral hospitals. Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala is the main tertiary centre for paediatric surgery. The paediatric surgical need is vast and unmet, with around 15% of Ugandan children having an untreated surgical condition. Most paediatric surgical procedures are performed for neonatal emergencies and trauma, with widespread task-sharing of anaesthesia services. Facilities face shortages of staff, drugs, theatre equipment, and basic amenities. Surgical treatment is delayed by the combination of delays in seeking care due to factors such as financial constraints, gender inequality and reliance on community healers, delays in reaching care due to long distances, and delays in receiving care due to overcrowding of wards and the sharing of resources with other specialties. Nonetheless, initiatives by the Ugandan paediatric surgical community over the last decade have led to major improvements. These include an increase in capacity thanks to the opening of dedicated paediatric theatres at Mulago and in regional hospitals, the start of a paediatric surgical fellowship at Mulago by the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA) and development of surgical camps and courses on management of paediatric surgical emergencies to improve delivery of paediatric surgical care in rural areas.
The effectiveness of a green default nudge in achieving resource conservation
Authors: González-Ramírez Jimena
Published: May 2024

Green nudges are used to promote conservation and pro-environmental behavior. This study examines the lasting effectiveness of a green default nudge in paper conservation, where price incentives are absent. At a private college in New York City, the default print setting was changed from single-sided to double-sided in Spring 2019, accompanied by a salient pop-up window that asked students to print double-sided. Analyzing student-level data over four semesters (Spring 2018 and Fall 2018 as control, Spring 2019 and Fall 2019 as treatment), this research contributes to the literature as it studies the effect of the nudge in the absence of pecuniary incentives. The findings support the hypothesis that this green default nudge was effective in promoting paper conservation and increasing resource efficiency. Results show that double-sided printing increased while single-sided printing decreased, leading to an overall reduction in paper usage. Employing a panel regression model with student fixed effects, this study finds that the nudge had a statistically significant effect in reducing the sheets per page ratio, and it improved the efficient use of paper by 19 percent. This inexpensive behavioral intervention proves successful in promoting environmental behavior and reducing paper consumption, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
Why are some people in the UK reluctant to seek support for their pets?
Authors: Muldoon Janine C , Williams Joanne M
Published: May 2024

Drawing upon data from a study examining experiences of accessing support for pets from the UK animal welfare charity Blue Cross, this paper illuminates reasons why people might not seek support when they need it. This applies to those who are struggling financially and are eligible for, but do not take, free/reduced cost veterinary care, or are having other problems (e.g. the animal’s disruptive behaviour or ill health, struggling to care for the pet due to changing circumstances or health problems, or coping with pet loss). Twenty Blue Cross service users (15 female, five male, age 29–67) took part in individual online interviews using a semi-guided narrative approach, where they were encouraged to share their experiences of reaching out. They were also asked to reflect upon why others may not do the same, and if they had any recommendations for organisations to help them reach these people. Findings echo other studies that highlight a fear of being judged, disclosure and stigma. Guilt, shame, lack of awareness, financial concerns, and wanting to manage independently, all play important roles. These factors have implications for the way support services are advertised and delivered to ensure animals receive the care needed. We describe these reflections and recommendations and identify three broader ideological narratives underpinning participants’ stories: ‘giving back’; ‘equity’, and ‘sacrifice’. These reveal how wider societal attitudes and values shape identities and behaviours. It is vital that support on offer is reframed to explicitly counteract these influences to ensure optimal animal and human welfare.
Characteristics of healthcare personnel with SARS-CoV-2 infection: 10 emerging infections program sites in the United States, April 2020–December 2021
Authors: Chea Nora , Eure Taniece , Alkis Ramirez Rebecca , Zlotorzynska Maria , Blazek Gregory T. , Nadle Joelle , Lee Jane , Czaja Christopher A. , Johnston Helen , Barter Devra , Kellogg Melissa , Emanuel Catherine , Meek James , Brackney Monica , Carswell Stacy , Thomas Stepy , Fridkin Scott K. , Wilson Lucy E. , Perlmutter Rebecca , Marceaux-Galli Kaytlynn , Fell Ashley , Lovett Sara , Lim Sarah , Lynfield Ruth , Shrum Davis Sarah , Phipps Erin C. , Sievers Marla , Dumyati Ghinwa , Myers Christopher , Hurley Christine , Licherdell Erin , Pierce Rebecca , Ocampo Valerie L. S. , Hall Eric W. , Wilson Christopher , Adre Cullen , Kirtz Erika , Markus Tiffanie M. , Billings Kathryn , Plumb Ian D , Abedi Glen R. , James-Gist Jade , Magill Shelley S. , Grigg Cheri T.
Published: May 2024

Background:

Understanding characteristics of healthcare personnel (HCP) with SARS-CoV-2 infection supports the development and prioritization of interventions to protect this important workforce. We report detailed characteristics of HCP who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 from April 20, 2020 through December 31, 2021.

Methods:

CDC collaborated with Emerging Infections Program sites in 10 states to interview HCP with SARS-CoV-2 infection (case-HCP) about their demographics, underlying medical conditions, healthcare roles, exposures, personal protective equipment (PPE) use, and COVID-19 vaccination status. We grouped case-HCP by healthcare role. To describe residential social vulnerability, we merged geocoded HCP residential addresses with CDC/ATSDR Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) values at the census tract level. We defined highest and lowest SVI quartiles as high and low social vulnerability, respectively.

Results:

Our analysis included 7,531 case-HCP. Most case-HCP with roles as certified nursing assistant (CNA) (444, 61.3%), medical assistant (252, 65.3%), or home healthcare worker (HHW) (225, 59.5%) reported their race and ethnicity as either non-Hispanic Black or Hispanic. More than one third of HHWs (166, 45.2%), CNAs (283, 41.7%), and medical assistants (138, 37.9%) reported a residential address in the high social vulnerability category. The proportion of case-HCP who reported using recommended PPE at all times when caring for patients with COVID-19 was lowest among HHWs compared with other roles.

Conclusions:

To mitigate SARS-CoV-2 infection risk in healthcare settings, infection prevention, and control interventions should be specific to HCP roles and educational backgrounds. Additional interventions are needed to address high social vulnerability among HHWs, CNAs, and medical assistants.
Comparative analysis of sampling and detection methods for fungal contamination on common healthcare environment surface materials
Authors: Warren Bobby G. , Graves Amanda , Barrett Aaron , Nelson Alicia , Stiegel Matthew , Smith Becky , Schwartz Ilan , Anderson Deverick J.
Published: May 2024

We evaluated sampling and detection methods for fungal contamination on healthcare surface materials, comparing the efficacy of foam sponges, flocked swabs, and Replicate Organism Detection And Counting (RODAC) plates alongside culture-based quantification and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Findings indicate that sponge sampling and qPCR detection performed best, suggesting a foundation for future studies aiming to surveillance practices for fungi.
Effect of thermal fluctuations on spectra and predictability in compressible decaying isotropic turbulence
Authors: Ma Qihan , Yang Chunxin , Chen Song , Feng Kaikai , Cui Ziqi , Zhang Jun
Published: May 2024

This study investigates the impact of molecular thermal fluctuations on compressible decaying isotropic turbulence using the unified stochastic particle (USP) method, encompassing both two-dimensional (2-D) and three-dimensional (3-D) scenarios. The findings reveal that the turbulent spectra of velocity and thermodynamic variables follow the wavenumber (k) scaling law of

${k}^{(d-1)}$

for different spatial dimensions

$d$

within the high wavenumber range, indicating the impact of thermal fluctuations on small-scale turbulent statistics. With the application of Helmholtz decomposition, it is found that the thermal fluctuation spectra of solenoidal and compressible velocity components (

${\boldsymbol {u}}_{s}$

and

${\boldsymbol {u}}_{c}$

) follow an energy ratio of 1 : 1 for 2-D cases, while the ratio changes to 2 : 1 for 3-D cases. Comparisons between 3-D turbulent spectra obtained through USP simulations and direct numerical simulations of the Navier–Stokes equations demonstrate that thermal fluctuations dominate the spectra at length scales comparable to the Kolmogorov length scale. Additionally, the effect of thermal fluctuations on the spectrum of

${\boldsymbol {u}}_{c}$

is significantly influenced by variations in the turbulent Mach number. We further study the impact of thermal fluctuations on the predictability of turbulence. With initial differences caused by thermal fluctuations, different flow realizations display significant disparities in velocity and thermodynamic fields at larger scales after a certain period of time, which can be characterized by ‘inverse error cascades’. Moreover, the results suggest a strong correlation between the predictabilities of thermodynamic fields and the predictability of

${\boldsymbol {u}}_{c}$

.
Spanwise unsteadiness in the sidewall-confined shock-wave/boundary-layer interaction
Authors: Liu Xu , Chen Liang , Zhang Yue , Tan Huijun , Liu Yingzheng , Peng Di
Published: May 2024

Three-dimensional effects of sidewalls on the low-frequency unsteadiness of the shock-wave/boundary-layer interaction (SBLI) are of academic and practical importance but not yet well understood. Considerable attention has been paid to the viscous effect of sidewalls, whereas the potential inviscid confinement effect of sidewalls has received little attention. The present work provides experimental evidence of multiscale spanwise travelling waves crossing the separation front under the confinement of sidewalls. Global pressure measurements were made for a sidewall-confined 24

$^\circ$

compression ramp interaction in Mach-2.83 flow using fast-responding pressure-sensitive paint. The unsteady pressure in a statistically two-dimensional intermittent region suggests that in addition to the canonical streamwise oscillation, the separation front exhibits significant low-frequency, multiscale spanwise distortion. Modal analysis further reveals that multiscale spanwise unsteadiness has higher intensity and frequency than the streamwise oscillation. Such strong spanwise unsteadiness calls attention to the low-frequency unsteadiness in previous sidewall-confined SBLI experiments and encourages further study on the mechanism of the confinement effect.
Lexicographic Preferences in Candidate Choice. How Party Affiliation Dominates Gender and Race
Authors: Hjortskov Morten , Andersen Simon Calmar
Published: May 2024

Understanding which political candidates are elected for office is fundamental to democracy and political science. Whereas there is much agreement that party affiliation is one of the most important candidate characteristics to voters, evidence regarding the gender and race of the candidate is mixed. We suggest voters have lexicographic preferences, meaning they rank their preferences and focus primarily on the candidate's party affiliation. Second-order preferences such as gender and race are mostly necessary when there is a tie in first-order preferences when voters choose between two same-party candidates or have no party information. We show how conjoint experiments can be used to test for lexicographic preferences and use data from a US-representative sample and a pre-registered replication to confirm that in the United States, gender and race are second-order preferences. Lexicographic preferences provide a theoretical lens explaining some of the mixed results of gender and race in the candidate literature.
Mitigating dengue incidence through advanced Aedes larval surveillance and control: A successful experience from Pakistan
Authors: Abbas Sohail , Abbas Muneer , Alam Aleena , Hussain Niaz , Irshad Muhammad , Khaliq Mudassar , Han Xiao , Hafeez Faisal , Romano Donato , Chen Ri Zhao
Published: May 2024

Dengue fever is a viral disease caused by one of four dengue stereotypes (Flavivirus: Flaviviridae) that are primarily transmitted by Aedes albopictus (Skuse) and Aedes aegypti (L.). To safeguard public health, it is crucial to conduct surveys that examine the factors favouring the presence of these species. Our study surveyed 42 councils across four towns within the Bhakkar district of Punjab Province, by inspecting man-made or natural habitats containing standing water. First, door-to-door surveillance teams from the district health department were assigned to each council to surveillance Aedes species and dengue cases. Second, data collection through surveillance efforts, and validation procedures were implemented, and the verified data was uploaded onto the Dengue Tracking System by Third Party Validation teams. Third, data were analysed to identify factors influencing dengue fever cases. The findings demonstrated the following: (1) Predominantly, instances were discerned among individuals who had a documented history of having travelled beyond the confines of the province. (2) Containers associated with evaporative air coolers and tyre shops were responsible for approximately 30% of the Aedes developmental sites. (4) Variability in temperature was responsible for approximately 45% of the observed differences in the quantity of recorded Aedes mosquito developmental sites. (5) Implementation of dengue prevention initiatives precipitated a 50% reduction in Aedes-positive containers, alongside a notable 70% decline in reported cases of dengue fever during the period spanning 2019 to 2020, while the majority of reported cases were of external origin. Aedes control measures substantially curtailed mosquito populations and lowered vector-virus interactions. Notably, local dengue transmission was eliminated through advanced and effective Aedes control efforts, emphasising the need for persistent surveillance and eradication of larval habitats in affected regions.
Leaving the Enclave: Historical Evidence on Immigrant Mobility from the Industrial Removal Office
Authors: Abramitzky Ran , Boustan Leah , Connor Dylan Shane
Published: May 2024

The Industrial Removal Office funded 39,000 Jewish households to leave enclave neighborhoods in New York City from 1900 to 1922. Compared to neighbors with the same baseline occupation, program participants earned 4 percent more ten years after relocation. These gains persisted to the next generation. Benefits increased with more years spent outside of an enclave. Participants were more likely to speak English, and married spouses with less Jewish names. More Jewishly-identified men (as measured by own names) were more likely to return to the city. We contextualize these results with new national evidence on Jewish economic and cultural assimilation.
Opinion formation on evolving network: the DPA method applied to a nonlocal cross-diffusion PDE-ODE system
Authors: Fagioli Simone , Favre Gianluca
Published: May 2024

We study a system of nonlocal aggregation cross-diffusion PDEs that describe the evolution of opinion densities on a network. The PDEs are coupled with a system of ODEs that describe the time evolution of the agents on the network. Firstly, we apply the Deterministic Particle Approximation (DPA) method to the aforementioned system in order to prove the existence of solutions under suitable assumptions on the interactions between agents. Later on, we present an explicit model for opinion formation on an evolving network. The opinions evolve based on both the distance between the agents on the network and the ’attitude areas’, which depend on the distance between the agents’ opinions. The position of the agents on the network evolves based on the distance between the agents’ opinions. The goal is to study radicalisation, polarisation and fragmentation of the population while changing its open-mindedness and the radius of interaction.
Tradition counts. The boom in the Spanish broiler chicken and pork sectors, 1955–2020
Authors: Clar Ernesto
Published: May 2024

The economic success of the intensive poultry and pork sectors is a milestone in the Spanish economic history of the past seven decades. This work analyses the boom in the chicken and pork businesses in Spain, verifying the strengths and weaknesses of both livestock models, and drawing conclusions in relation to the agribusiness system. The influence of chicken and pork in the booming Spanish meat sector is analysed from the perspectives of livestock farming and agroindustry, followed by the impact of both forms of intensive livestock farming on Spain’s domestic consumption and foreign trade. The similarities and differences in their evolution are identified from the perspective of two food supply models: a predominance of economies of scale until the 1980s, and of so-called economies of scope since that time. While the development of mass production in both intensive livestock businesses followed a similar pattern, the progressive segmentation of the market towards higher quality, more artisanal and sustainable products has greatly favoured the sector more deeply rooted in rural tradition: pork.
Movement ecology of pre-adult Cinereous Vultures Aegypius monachus: insights from a reintroduced population
Authors: Tobajas Jorge , Iglesias-Lebrija Juan José , Delepoulle Émilie , Álvarez Ernesto , Oliva-Vidal Pilar , Margalida Antoni
Published: May 2024

Understanding the movement ecology of threatened species is fundamental to improving management and conservation actions for their protection, mainly during the pre-adult stage and particularly when a species is subject to population reinforcement or reintroduction projects. An example is the case of the Cinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus on the Iberian Peninsula, an endangered species that has been reintroduced in different regions during the last two decades. Here, we explore differences between the spatial ecology of reintroduced pre-adult Cinereous Vultures, according to age-class, sex, and season (breeding and non-breeding). We used GPS-tag data from 51 pre-adult individuals reintroduced into Catalonia (north-east Spain) to describe their use of space, i.e. home-range size, core area, and minimum convex polygon (MCP) and movement patterns, i.e. cumulative distance, maximum displacement, maximum daily dispersal, and maximum annual dispersal. Our study showed significant variation in the use of space and movement patterns among pre-adult birds and the influences of age, sex, and season. Age was the most influential factor, determining range areas and movement patterns. Similar to other vulture species, home range and core areas increase with age, with subadult vultures exhibiting larger ranges than young first year, juveniles, and immature birds, but the MCP measures were larger for juveniles. Movement patterns were also influenced by age-class, with juveniles making longer movements, followed by immatures and subadults (with similar values), and shorter movements for birds during their first year of life. Overall, males made shorter movements and explored smaller foraging areas than females. Season had an important effect on movement patterns, and the daily and dispersal movements were longer during the breeding period (February–August). Our findings fill a knowledge gap regarding the dispersal behaviours of Cinereous Vultures, information that will enable the improvement of management and conservation decisions.
Bonus-Malus Scale premiums for Tweedie’s compound Poisson models
Authors: Boucher Jean-Philippe , Coulibaly Raïssa
Published: May 2024

Based on the recent papers, two distributions for the total claims amount (loss cost) are considered: compound Poisson-gamma and Tweedie. Each is used as an underlying distribution in the Bonus-Malus Scale (BMS) model. The BMS model links the premium of an insurance contract to a function of the insurance experience of the related policy. In other words, the idea is to model the increase and the decrease in premiums for insureds who do or do not file claims. We applied our approach to a sample of data from a major insurance company in Canada. Data fit and predictability were analyzed. We showed that the studied models are exciting alternatives to consider from a practical point of view, and that predictive ratemaking models can address some important practical considerations.
Widening the gap of political inequality? The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on political engagement
Authors: Belchior Ana Maria
Published: May 2024

There is extensive evidence that the COVID-19 pandemic has mostly affected the less well-off in society, boosting economic inequality. In contrast, little is known about how much such rising economic disparities affected the involvement of individuals in politics, thereby enhancing political inequality. Extending the research on political inequality to a key and somewhat neglected dimension of citizens’ involvement with politics - political engagement - this article claims that the COVID-19 depressed engagement and promoted political inequality. The analysis relies on a comparative European approach and on data before and after the emergence of the pandemic. Besides generally finding an overall socioeconomic gap with regard to political engagement, results also suggest that the pandemic somewhat lessened engagement, increasing the gap between the more and less socioeconomically advantaged. Generally, this is not strictly due to a tendency to decrease engagement among the latter but also to increase engagement among the former.
Evaluating Population-Level Interventions and Exposures for Suicide Prevention
Authors: Spittal Matthew J. , Gunnell David , Sinyor Mark , Clapperton Angela , Roberts Leo , Pirkis Jane , Niederkrotenthaler Thomas
Published: May 2024

Abstract: Evaluations of interventions targeting the population level are an essential component of the policy development cycle. Pre–post designs are widespread in suicide prevention research but have several significant limitations. To inform future evaluations, our aim is to explore the three most frequently used approaches for assessing the association between population-level interventions or exposures and suicide – the pre–post design, the difference-in-difference design, and Poisson regression approaches. The pre–post design and the difference-in-difference design will only produce unbiased estimates of an association if there are no underlying time trends in the data and there is no additional confounding from other sources. Poisson regression approaches with covariates for time can control for underlying time trends as well as the effects of other confounding factors. Our recommendation is that the default position should be to model the effects of population-level interventions or exposures using regression methods that account for time effects. The other designs should be seen as fall-back positions when insufficient data are available to use methods that control for time effects.
Characterizing Natural Hydrogen Occurrences in the Paris Basin From Historical Drilling Records
Authors: Lefeuvre Nicolas , Thomas Eric , Truche Laurent , Donzé Frédéric‐Victor , Cros Thibault , Dupuy Johann , Pinzon‐Rincon Laura , Rigollet Christophe
Published: May 2024

This study investigates natural hydrogen (H2) occurrences in the Paris Basin, using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology to analyze an extensive, yet underexploited, database that contains historic drilling records. The potential of natural hydrogen has been largely unexplored in conventional oil and gas wells. Utilizing the in‐house CVAGeoDB database based on public well data, which includes well logs, mudlogs, and End Drilling Reports (EDRs) in PDF image format, we applied the Tesseract‐OCR Engine to convert these documents into searchable formats for efficient data analysis. Our analysis revealed several H2‐bearing wells across French sedimentary basins. The hydrogen occurrences in the Aquitaine Basin may be explained by the geological context and in particular the presence of a mantle body at shallow depth. On the contrary, the detection of H2 in the Paris Basin cannot be explained in a straightforward manner as the presence of ultramafic or U‐rich rocks is poorly documented so far. In the Paris Basin, H2 has been detected in four main formations: the Lusitanian, the Dogger, and Triassic aquifers as well as in the basement. The highest hydrogen concentration (52 vol%) was measured in the Dogger aquifer. These wells are primarily located along the Bray Fault, indicating at least a structural influence on H2 distribution. Finaly, the presence of serpentinzed dunite from the Lizard complex associated with the bedrock may have played the role as a source for H2. This research demonstrates the effectiveness of OCR in reassessing historical drilling data for natural hydrogen exploration, highlighting the need for comprehensive exploration methodologies in this emerging field.
Life-course neighbourhood deprivation and brain structure in older adults: the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936
Authors: Baranyi Gergő , Buchanan Colin R. , Conole Eleanor L. S. , Backhouse Ellen V. , Maniega Susana Muñoz , Valdés Hernández María del C. , Bastin Mark E. , Wardlaw Joanna , Deary Ian J. , Cox Simon R. , Pearce Jamie
Published: May 2024

Neighbourhood disadvantage may be associated with brain health but the importance of exposure at different stages of the life course is poorly understood. Utilising the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936, we explored the relationship between residential neighbourhood deprivation from birth to late adulthood, and global and local neuroimaging measures at age 73. A total of 689 participants had at least one valid brain measures (53% male); to maximise the sample size structural equation models with full information maximum likelihood were conducted. Residing in disadvantaged neighbourhoods in mid- to late adulthood was associated with smaller total brain (β = −0.06; SE = 0.02; sample size[N] = 658; number of pairwise complete observations[n]=390), grey matter (β = −0.11; SE = 0.03; N = 658; n = 390), and normal-appearing white matter volumes (β = −0.07; SE = 0.03; N = 658; n = 390), thinner cortex (β = −0.14; SE = 0.06; N = 636; n = 379), and lower general white matter fractional anisotropy (β = −0.19; SE = 0.06; N = 665; n = 388). We also found some evidence on the accumulating impact of neighbourhood deprivation from birth to late adulthood on age 73 total brain (β = −0.06; SE = 0.02; N = 658; n = 276) and grey matter volumes (β = −0.10; SE = 0.04; N = 658; n = 276). Local analysis identified affected focal cortical areas and specific white matter tracts. Among individuals belonging to lower social classes, the brain-neighbourhood associations were particularly strong, with the impact of neighbourhood deprivation on total brain and grey matter volumes, and general white matter fractional anisotropy accumulating across the life course. Our findings suggest that living in deprived neighbourhoods across the life course, but especially in mid- to late adulthood, is associated with adverse brain morphologies, with lower social class amplifying the vulnerability.
Massive, long-lived electrostatic potentials in a rotating mirror plasma
Authors: Kolmes E. J. , Ochs I. E. , Rax J.-M. , Fisch N. J.
Published: May 2024

Hot plasma is highly conductive in the direction parallel to a magnetic field. This often means that the electrical potential will be nearly constant along any given field line. When this is the case, the cross-field voltage drops in open-field-line magnetic confinement devices are limited by the tolerances of the solid materials wherever the field lines impinge on the plasma-facing components. To circumvent this voltage limitation, it is proposed to arrange large voltage drops in the interior of a device, but coexist with much smaller drops on the boundaries. To avoid prohibitively large dissipation requires both preventing substantial drift-flow shear within flux surfaces and preventing large parallel electric fields from driving large parallel currents. It is demonstrated here that both requirements can be met simultaneously, which opens up the possibility for magnetized plasma tolerating steady-state voltage drops far larger than what might be tolerated in material media.
Modulate stress distribution with bio-inspired irregular architected materials towards optimal tissue support
Authors: Jia Yingqi , Liu Ke , Zhang Xiaojia Shelly
Published: May 2024

Natural materials typically exhibit irregular and non-periodic architectures, endowing them with compelling functionalities such as body protection, camouflage, and mechanical stress modulation. Among these functionalities, mechanical stress modulation is crucial for homeostasis regulation and tissue remodeling. Here, we uncover the relationship between stress modulation functionality and the irregularity of bio-inspired architected materials by a generative computational framework. This framework optimizes the spatial distribution of a limited set of basic building blocks and uses these blocks to assemble irregular materials with heterogeneous, disordered microstructures. Despite being irregular and non-periodic, the assembled materials display spatially varying properties that precisely modulate stress distribution towards target values in various control regions and load cases, echoing the robust stress modulation capability of natural materials. The performance of the generated irregular architected materials is experimentally validated with 3D printed physical samples — a good agreement with target stress distribution is observed. Owing to its capability to redirect loads while keeping a proper amount of stress to stimulate bone repair, we demonstrate the potential application of the stress-programmable architected materials as support in orthopedic femur restoration.