bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Motivation, Process, and Barriers for Replication of a Special Education Advocacy Program
Authors: Burke Meghan M. , Goldman Samantha
Published: May 2024

Special education advocacy programs educate and empower individuals to become advocates for families of school-aged children with disabilities. Although special education advocacy programs are becoming more common across the globe, replication and wide scale implementation are needed to determine their credibility. The purpose of this study was to explore the replication of a special education advocacy program, the Volunteer Advoacy Project (VAP), to understand the motivation, process, and barriers to replication for community-based agencies. Participants included the staff of ten community-based agencies that submitted a proposal to replicate the VAP but did not receive funding to support the replication process. Applications, transcripts, emails, and field-notes were used to conduct qualitative data analysis and determine themes. Findings showed common motivations and a cyclical replication process. Common barriers related to limited: capacity and funding. Implications for research, policy, and practice are discussed.
Numerical Analysis of the Plateau Problem by the Method of Fundamental Solutions
Authors: Sakakibara Koya , Shimizu Yuuki
Published: May 2024

Toward identifying the number of minimal surfaces sharing the same boundary from the geometry of the boundary, we propose a numerical scheme with high speed and high accuracy. Our numerical scheme is based on the method of fundamental solutions. We establish the convergence analysis for Dirichlet energy and$$L^\infty $$L∞-error analysis for mean curvature. Each of the approximate solutions in our scheme is a smooth surface, a significant difference from previous studies that required mesh generation.
Efficient information reconciliation for high-dimensional quantum key distribution
Authors: Mueller Ronny , Ribezzo Domenico , Zahidy Mujtaba , Oxenløwe Leif Katsuo , Bacco Davide , Forchhammer Søren
Published: May 2024

The information reconciliation phase in quantum key distribution has significant impact on the range and throughput of any QKD system. We explore this stage for high-dimensional QKD implementations and introduce two novel methods for reconciliation. The methods are based on nonbinary LDPC codes and the Cascade algorithm, respectively, and achieve efficiencies close the Slepian–Wolf bound on q-ary symmetric channels.
Semiempty collaborative concept mapping in history education: students’ engagement in historical reasoning and coconstruction
Authors: Lucero Manuel , Montanero Manuel , van Boxtel Carla
Published: May 2024

There is abundant research on the use of concept maps in education. However, the most notable efforts have focused on learning outcomes as a consequence of individually constructed concept mapping for science concept learning. In the less explored field of history, some studies have found positive effects of collaborative concept mapping. However, student interaction has not been analyzed. This study employed quantitative and qualitative methods based on classroom discourse analysis to examine the extent to which students engage in historical reasoning and transactive interaction when they collaboratively complete a semiempty concept map, versus when they collaboratively write a summary, about 19th-century Western imperialism.

The participants were 20 secondary education students from two history classes with an average age of 16 years. Within each class, the students were randomly assigned to the different conditions: collaborative concept mapping and collaborative summary writing. Student interaction was analyzed at two different levels: the content level and modes of co-construction. The results show that the students in the semiempty concept mapping condition engaged significantly more in causal explanation and argumentation and used more historical and metahistorical concepts in their reasoning than the students in the summary writing condition. Interaction in the semiempty concept mapping condition included a much higher percentage of utterances which denoted the convergence and integration of the knowledge contributed by the partners in the dyad. This kind of transactive interaction not only reflected co-construction but also historical reasoning.
Sum-rate maximization for a distributed space-time block code-aided cooperative NOMA with energy harvesting
Authors: Alamu Olumide , Olwal Thomas O. , Djouani Karim
Published: May 2024

In this paper, we exploit the spatial and transmission diversities in cooperative non-orthogonal multiple access (C-NOMA) networks to improve the system sum-rate. To achieve this, we propose a user-pairing scheme where near-field user pairs serve as relays for user pairs in the far-field region. Based on this pairing scheme, we incorporate a space-time block code transmission technique at the near-field user pairs to maximize the transmission diversity in the cooperative phase. Moreover, we consider a non-linear energy harvesting model at the near-field user pair to alleviate the problem of energy consumption during the cooperative transmission phase. Further to this, we formulate a sum-rate maximization problem that is addressed from the viewpoint of joint power allocation factor and power splitting ratio optimization. We develop a low-computational iterative algorithm based on the concepts of the Stackelberg game and the Nash bargaining solution. We benchmark our findings with different scenarios, such as energy harvesting C-NOMA with a fixed power allocation factor and power splitting ratio, energy harvesting C-NOMA without STBC, non-cooperative NOMA, and orthogonal multiple access. The results obtained via simulations outperform the benchmark schemes.
Mesoporous TiO2 and Fe-containing TiO2 prepared by solution combustion synthesis as catalysts for the photodegradation of paracetamol
Authors: Grifasi Nadia , Deorsola Fabio Alessandro , Fino Debora , Piumetti Marco
Published: May 2024

Water pollution due to emerging contaminants, e.g., pharmaceuticals, is one of the most frequently discussed issues. Among them, paracetamol received great attention due to its physico-chemical properties, persistence, and adverse environmental effects. Different techniques were employed for its degradation and, among them, photodegradation is considered one of the most suitable to pursue the aim. This work aimed to synthesize mesoporous TiO2, even with the presence of iron, through a one-pot method, with an enhanced ability to abate paracetamol. Precisely, pure and iron-containing (3.5 wt%) TiO2 were successfully obtained employing an uncommon procedure for this kind of material, mainly solution combustion synthesis (SCS). Moreover, a traditional hydrothermal method and a commercial Degussa P25 were also investigated for comparison purposes. The samples were characterized through N2-physisorption at − 196 °C, XRD, XPS, EDX, DR UV-Vis, and FESEM analysis. The catalytic activity was investigated for the abatement of 10 ppm of paracetamol, under UV irradiation in acidic conditions (pH = 3) and in the presence of H2O2. As a whole, the best-performing catalysts were those obtained through the SCS procedure, highlighting a complete removal of the organic pollutant after 1 h in the case of Fe/TiO2_SCS, thanks to its highly defective structure and the presence of metal Fe. To better investigate the performance of both pure and Fe-containing SCS samples, further oxidation tests were performed at pH = 7 and in the absence of H2O2. Noteworthy, in these conditions, the two samples exhibited different behaviors, highlighting different mechanisms depending on the presence or absence of iron in the structure. Finally, a kinetic study was conducted, demonstrating that a first order is suitable for its abatement.

Graphical abstract
Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Efficacy and Effectiveness of the Unified Protocol for Emotional Disorders in Group Format for Adults
Authors: Ayuso-Bartol Antonio , Gómez-Martínez María Ángeles , Riesco-Matías Pablo , Yela-Bernabé José Ramón , Crego Antonio , Buz José
Published: May 2024

Little is known about the efficacy and effectiveness of the Unified Protocol for Emotional Disorders in group format. A systematic review of the research of this intervention (UP) was conducted, and a meta-analysis of the efficacy and effectiveness was made. We searched for studies in the databases Web of Science, PubMed, PsycInfo, PSICODOC, Scholar Google, EBSCOhost, SpringerLink, and Sage Publications. We used a fixed effects model. Effect sizes were measured using Hedges’ g (adjusted), and heterogeneity was calculated using Cochran’s Q and I2. The psychological variables on which we assessed the effect of the intervention were anxiety and depressive symptoms, positive and negative affect, quality of life, and social adjustment. We located 115 studies that applied the UP, including 7 studies for the efficacy analysis (randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies) and 24 for the effectiveness analysis (RCT and non-RCT studies). The analyses suggest that the UP presents high efficacy reducing anxiety (1.29) and depressive (1.54) symptoms, as well as high effectiveness in decreasing negative affect (0.78), anxiety (1.08), and depressive (1.02) symptoms and increasing quality of life (1.01), social adjustment (0.62), and positive affect (0.59). We found heterogeneity in the analyses performed. This heterogeneity could be explained by the differences between the heterogeneous studies and the rest of the studies. The UP in group format for adults represents a highly effective and efficient alternative for treating emotional problems.
Functional impairment and quality of life in newly diagnosed adults attending a tertiary ADHD clinic in Ireland
Authors: Adamis Dimitrios , West Sam , Singh Jasmin , Hanley Liadan , Coada Iulian , McCarthy Geraldine , Langan Natasha , Gavin Blánaid , McNicholas Fiona
Published: May 2024

Background

Attention Deficit-Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, often persisting into adulthood.

Aims

To investigate the levels of functionality and quality of life (QoL) in adult patients newly diagnosed with ADHD and to compare with those without an ADHD diagnosis.

Methods

Consecutive patients who were referred to and assessed in a tertiary adult ADHD clinic enrolled in the study. Diagnosis of ADHD was based on DSM-5 criteria. Functionality was measured using the Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale (WFIRS) and the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF). QoL was assessed with the Adult ADHD Quality of Life Questionnaire (AAQoL).

Results

Three-hundred and forty participants were recruited, 177 (52.1%) females. Of them 293 (86.2%) were newly diagnosed with ADHD. Those with ADHD had significant lower functionality as it was measured with the WFIRS and GAF, and worse QoL (AAQoL) compared to those without. In addition, a significant correlation between GAF and WFIRS was found.

Conclusions

The results show that adults with ADHD have decreased functionality and worse QoL when compared against those presenting with a similar symptomatology, but no ADHD diagnosis. ADHD is not just a behavioural disorder in childhood, but a lifelong condition with accumulating problems that can lead to lower QoL and impaired functioning throughout adulthood.
Faculty-student rapport, student engagement, and approaches to collegiate learning: exploring a mediational model
Authors: Mattanah Jonathan , Holt Laura , Feinn Richard , Bowley Olivia , Marszalek Katherine , Albert Elianna , Abduljalil Mohammed , Daramola Damilola , Gim Jasmine , Visalli Tom , Boarman Ryan , Katzenberg Courtney
Published: May 2024

Students value a close, supportive relationship with their professors, which has been shown to enhance their learning in higher education. However, more needs to be known about how quality faculty-student relationships shape students’ engagement and approaches to learning in higher education. In a diverse sample of 966 undergraduates from two different institutions of higher education, the current study explored the relationship between faculty-student rapport, student engagement, and deep and surface approaches to learning. Faculty-student rapport was positively correlated with student engagement (r = .50) and deep learning (r = .30), and negatively correlated with surface learning (r = -.21). Student engagement was positively correlated with deep learning (r = .70) and negatively with surface learning (r = -.32). Using multilevel modelling with students nested within classrooms, engagement was shown to mediate the effects of rapport on greater levels of deep learning (β = .31) and lower levels of surface learning (β = -.12). Although results held up across a range of demographic characteristics, some differences were noted for rapport-building among Asian American students and engagement across men versus women. These results have important implications for how faculty can engage students in the learning process by developing close, supportive relationships with their students and by extending their relationship with their students outside the classroom.
How Do Psychedelics Reduce Fear of Death?
Authors: Letheby Chris
Published: May 2024

Increasing evidence suggests that psychedelic experiences, undergone in controlled conditions, can have various durable psychological benefits. One such benefit is reductions in fear of death, which have been attested in both psychiatric patients and healthy people. This paper addresses the question: how, exactly, do psychedelic experiences reduce fear of death? It argues, against some prominent proposals, that they do so mainly by promoting non-physicalist metaphysical beliefs. This conclusion has implications for two broader debates: one about the mechanisms of psychedelic therapy, and one about the potential non-medical uses of psychedelics for the alleviation of existential angst in psychiatrically healthy people. On the first count, the paper argues that the role of metaphysical belief change in fear of death supports the “Relaxed Beliefs Under Psychedelics” (REBUS) model of psychedelic therapy over alternative accounts. On the second count, the paper argues that the role of metaphysical belief change undermines the proposed use of psychedelics in the “neuroexistentialist” project of naturalizing spirituality. The best available evidence suggests that when psychedelic experiences reduce existential angst and restore a sense of meaning in life, they do so primarily by persuading people of the falsity of a broadly naturalistic worldview, and thus do not help reconcile people to the truth of such a worldview.
A good life with spina bifida: experimental evidence on how question order influences outcomes when asking about quality of life
Authors: Tempel Tobias , Schneider Lisa
Published: May 2024

Question-order effects can considerably bias responses in surveys. Yet, question order is largely neglected in survey design. Most scales use one fixed sequence and do not consider how different sequences might affect the measure. We examined the impact of question-order effects on measures of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and life satisfaction in a sample of participants with spina bifida and a comparison group. Participants responded to an online questionnaire. They were randomly assigned to one of four versions of that questionnaire, manipulating the positions of an item asking about spina bifida and an item asking about global health. A question-order effect occurred for participants with spina bifida: participants who were asked about having spina bifida before rating HRQOL rated it to be higher than participants that were asked about having spina bifida after rating HRQOL. The comparison group was unaffected by the position of the item asking about spina bifida. The measure of life satisfaction was not affected by question order, nor did it differ between the two groups. Measures of HRQOL depend on when a specific diagnosis has to be indicated. Question order effects must be taken into account for the development of survey instruments and their interpretation.
Interactive visualization tool to understand and monitor health disparities in diabetes care and outcomes
Authors: German Jashalynn C. , Stirling Andrew , Gorgone Patti , Brucker Amanda R. , Huang Angel , Dash Shwetha , Halpern David J. , Bhavsar Nrupen A. , McPeek Hinz Eugenia R. , Shannon Richard P. , Spratt Susan E. , Goldstein Benjamin A.
Published: May 2024

Objective:

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) poses a significant public health challenge, with pronounced disparities in control and outcomes. Social determinants of health (SDoH) significantly contribute to these disparities, affecting healthcare access, neighborhood environments, and social context. We discuss the design, development, and use of an innovative web-based application integrating real-world data (electronic health record and geospatial files), to enhance comprehension of the impact of SDoH on T2 DM health disparities.

Methods:

We identified a patient cohort with diabetes from the institutional Diabetes Registry (N = 67,699) within the Duke University Health System. Patient-level information (demographics, comorbidities, service utilization, laboratory results, and medications) was extracted to Tableau. Neighborhood-level socioeconomic status was assessed via the Area Deprivation Index (ADI), and geospatial files incorporated additional data related to points of interest (i.e., parks/green space). Interactive Tableau dashboards were developed to understand risk and contextual factors affecting diabetes management at the individual, group, neighborhood, and population levels.

Results:

The Tableau-powered digital health tool offers dynamic visualizations, identifying T2DM-related disparities. The dashboard allows for the exploration of contextual factors affecting diabetes management (e.g., food insecurity, built environment) and possesses capabilities to generate targeted patient lists for personalized diabetes care planning.

Conclusion:

As part of a broader health equity initiative, this application meets the needs of a diverse range of users. The interactive dashboard, incorporating clinical, sociodemographic, and environmental factors, enhances understanding at various levels and facilitates targeted interventions to address disparities in diabetes care and outcomes. Ultimately, this transformative approach aims to manage SDoH and improve patient care.
Modelling the far-field effect of drag-induced dissipation in wave–structure interaction: a numerical and experimental study
Authors: Mérigaud Alexis , Thiria Benjamin , Godoy-Diana Ramiro , Perret Gaële
Published: May 2024

In the interaction of water waves with marine structures, the interplay between wave diffraction and drag-induced dissipation is seldom, if ever, considered. In particular, linear hydrodynamic models, and extensions thereof through the addition of a quadratic force term, do not represent the change in amplitude of the waves diffracted and radiated to the far field, which should result from local energy dissipation in the vicinity of the structure. In this work, a series of wave flume experiments is carried out, whereby waves of increasing amplitude impinge upon a vertical barrier, extending partway through the flume width. As the wave amplitude increases, the effect of drag – which is known to increase quadratically with the flow velocity – is enhanced, thus allowing the examination of the far-field effect of drag-induced dissipation, in terms of wave reflection and transmission. A potential flow model is proposed, with a simple quadratic pressure drop condition through a virtual porous surface, located on the sides of the barrier (where dissipation occurs). Experimental results confirm that drag-induced dissipation has a marked effect on the diffracted flow, i.e. on wave reflection and transmission, which is appropriately captured in the proposed model. Conversely, when diffraction becomes dominant as the barrier width becomes comparable to the incoming wavelength, the diffracted flow must be accounted for in predicting drag-induced forces and dissipation.
Surface tension and wetting at free surfaces in smoothed particle hydrodynamics
Authors: Blank Michael , Nair Prapanch , Pöschel Thorsten
Published: May 2024

Surface tension and wetting are dominating physical effects in microscale and nanoscale flows. We present an efficient and reliable model of surface tension and equilibrium contact angles in smoothed particle hydrodynamics for free-surface problems. We demonstrate its robustness and accuracy by simulating several three-dimensional free-surface flow problems driven by interfacial tension.
Updated chronology for Peoria Silt (loess) accumulation in Illinois and western Indiana from radiocarbon dating of terrestrial gastropod shells
Authors: Grimley David A. , Loope Henry M. , Jacobs Peter M. , Nash T. Andrew , Dendy Sarah N. , Conroy Jessica L. , Curry B. Brandon
Published: May 2024

Based on calibrated radiocarbon ages of terrestrial gastropod shells (Succineidae,Discus,Stenotrema,Webbhelix), the chronology of Peoria Silt (loess) deposition in the Central Lowlands is updated. These taxa provide reliable ages (within ~0.2 ka), based on historical shell dating, shell-organic age comparisons, and stratigraphic consistency. A compilation of 53 new and 36 published Peoria Silt shell ages (calibrated), from 12 localities, date from 30.0 to 17.4 ka. Proximal (fossiliferous) loess from 10 sections had mean loess accumulation rates of 0.6–2.2 mm/yr. Study sites along the upper Mississippi, Illinois, to mid-Mississippi, and Ohio-Wabash Valleys suggest Peoria loess accumulated from ~27 to 15 ka, ~29 to 18 ka, and ~30 to 18 ka, respectively. The cessation age for Peoria Silt, based on surface extrapolations, is ~1–6 ka earlier than some prior Illinois estimates, even assuming slower loess accumulation in the modern solum. Younger loess in northwestern Illinois likely reflects, in part, Superior and Des Moines Lobe glacial-meltwater sediment, and Iowan Erosion Surface inputs to the upper Mississippi Valley, after the Lake Michigan Lobe receded. Furthermore, stronger winds, drier conditions, and reduced vegetation cover in valley deflation areas may have favored higher accumulation rates and later loess deposition in northwestern relative to southeastern areas.
IN PURSUIT OF A TREATY'S SOUL: A STUDY OF THE OBJECT AND PURPOSE OF THE FOURTH GENEVA CONVENTION
Authors: Mačák Kubo , Policinski Ellen
Published: May 2024

The Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War provides a practical and effective framework for the protection of civilians in international armed conflicts that has retained its relevance for 75 years since its adoption. As with all treaties, its ‘object and purpose’ has a concrete impact on how its terms are interpreted, giving insights into the ordinary meaning of the text and allowing the aim of the Convention to be fully realized. This article asks and answers a series of questions to elucidate the role of the object and purpose in treaty interpretation and how to identify the object and purpose of a given treaty before focusing on the specificities of international humanitarian law treaties. On that basis, it determines that the overall ‘object and purpose’ of the Convention is to protect civilians during armed conflict, including in circumstances where they are subject to permissible measures of control and security. The article then demonstrates how that ‘object and purpose’ assists with the resolution of specific, well-known interpretive dilemmas including the determination of protected status under the Convention and the application of provisions premised on the existence of a Protecting Power.
Parallel expansion of a fuel pellet plasmoid
Authors: Arnold Alistair M. , Aleynikov Pavel , Breizman Boris N.
Published: May 2024

The problem of the assimilation of a cryogenic fuel pellet injected into a hot plasma is considered. Due to the transparency to ambient particles of the plasmoid, the localised region of high-density plasma created by ionisation of the ablated pellet material, electrons reach a ‘quasiequilibrium’ (QE) state which is characterised by a steady-state on the fastest collisional time scale. The simplified electron kinetic equation of the QE state is solved. Taking a velocity moment of the higher-order electron kinetic equation, which is valid on the expansion time scale, permits a fluid closure, yielding an evolution equation for the macroscopic parameters describing the QE distribution function. In contrast to the Braginskii equations, the closure does not require that electrons have a short mean free path compared with the size of density perturbations, and permits an anisotropic and highly non-Maxwellian distribution function. As the QE distribution function accounts for both trapped and passing electrons, the self-consistent electric potential that causes the expansion can be properly described, in contrast to earlier models of pellet plasmoid expansion with an unbounded potential. The plasmoid expansion is simulated using both a Vlasov model and a cold-fluid model for the ions. During the expansion plasmoid ions and electrons obtain nearly equal amounts of energy; as hot ambient electrons provide this energy in the form of collisional heating of plasmoid electrons, the expansion of a pellet plasmoid is expected to be a potent mechanism for the transfer of energy from electrons to ions on a time scale shorter than that of ion–electron thermalisation.
Elastic overtaking collisions of large-amplitude ion-acoustic solitons
Authors: Olivier Carel P.
Published: May 2024

Overtaking collisions of large-amplitude solitons are investigated via fluid simulations for a plasma consisting of cold ions and Boltzmann-distributed electrons. To achieve this, a new fluid simulation code is presented. In addition, a novel approach to construct soliton initial conditions is developed. Using these ideas, initial conditions are combined that allows the simulation of overtaking collisions. It is shown that, in the small-amplitude regime, simulation results agree well with the two-soliton solution obtained from reductive perturbation theory. Interestingly, in the large amplitude regime, both the slow and fast solitons re-emerge after the collision with no significant change, showing that the collisions remain elastic. A comparison between reductive perturbation analysis and the simulations show that the only significant effect of higher order nonlinearities on overtaking collisions is a reduction in the magnitude of the phase shifts of both solitons.
Chinese Immigrant Caregivers: Understanding Their Unmet Needs and the Co-Design of an mHealth App
Authors: Yu Kexin , Jiang Haojun , Liu Mandong , Wu Shinyi , Jordan-Marsh Maryalice , Chi Iris
Published: May 2024

Background

Immigrant caregivers support the aging population, yet their own needs are often neglected. Mobile technology-facilitated interventions can promote caregiver health by providing easy access to self-care materials.

Objective

This study employed a design thinking framework to examine Chinese immigrant caregivers’ (CICs) unmet self-care needs and co-design an app for promoting self-care with CICs.

Methods

Nineteen semi-structured interviews were conducted in conceptual design and prototype co-design phases.

Findings

Participants reported unmet self-care needs influenced by psychological and social barriers, immigrant status, and caregiving tasks. They expressed the need to learn to keep healthy boundaries with the care recipient and respond to emergencies. Gaining knowledge was the main benefit that drew CICs’ interest in using the self-care app. However, potential barriers to use included issues of curriculum design, technology anxiety, limited free time, and caregiving burdens.

Discussion

The co-design process appears to be beneficial in having participants voice both barriers and preferences.
A novel intelligent fault diagnosis method of bearing based on multi-head self-attention convolutional neural network
Authors: Ren Hang , Liu Shaogang , Qiu Bo , Guo Hong , Zhao Dan
Published: May 2024

Deep learning (DL) has been widely used in bearing fault diagnosis. In particular, convolutional neural networks (CNNs) improve diagnosis accuracy by extracting excellent fault features. However, CNN lacks an explicit learning mechanism to distinguish between different fault characteristics in the input signal to the diagnosis results. This article presents a new end-to-end depth framework called multi-head self-attention convolution neural network (MSA-CNN) for bearing fault diagnosis. Firstly, we adopt a data pre-processing method that directly converts one-dimensional (1D) original signals into two-dimensional (2D) grayscale images, which is simple to implement and preserves the complete information of the original signal. Secondly, multi-head self-attention (MSA) is first constructed to aggregate the global information and adaptively assign weights to the input signal's features. Thirdly, the CNN with small-scale kernels extracted detailed local features. Finally, the learned high-level representations are fed into the full connect (FC) layer for fault diagnosis. The performance of the MSA-CNN is validated on different datasets. The results show that the proposed MSA-CNN can significantly improve fault diagnosis accuracy compared with the other state-of-the-art methods and has excellent noise immunity performance.
Lifetime alcohol use disorder and gambling disorder: clinical profile and treatment response
Authors: Chamberlain Samuel R. , Ioannidis Konstantinos , Grant Jon E.
Published: May 2024

Objectives

Gambling disorder affects 0.5–2.4% of the population and shows strong associations with lifetime alcohol use disorder. Very little is known regarding whether lifetime alcohol use disorder can impact the clinical presentation or outcome trajectory of gambling disorder.

Methods

Data were pooled from previous clinical trials conducted on people with gambling disorder, none of whom had current alcohol use disorder. Demographic and clinical variables were compared between those who did versus did not have lifetime alcohol use disorder.

Results

Of the 621 participants in the clinical trials, 103 (16.6%) had a lifetime history of alcohol use disorder. History of alcohol use disorder was significantly associated with male gender (relative risk [RR] = 1.42), greater body weight (Cohen’s D = 0.27), family history of alcohol use disorder in first-degree relative(s) (RR = 1.46), occurrence of previous hospitalization due to psychiatric illness (RR = 2.68), and higher gambling-related legal problems (RR = 1.50). History of alcohol use disorder was not significantly associated with other variables that were examined, such as severity of gambling disorder or extent of functional disability. Lifetime alcohol use disorder was not significantly associated with the extent of clinical improvement in gambling disorder symptoms during the subsequent clinical trials.

Conclusions

These data highlight that lifetime alcohol use disorder is an important clinical variable to be considered when assessing gambling disorder because it is associated with several untoward features (especially gambling-related legal problems and prior psychiatric hospitalization). The study design enabled these associations to be disambiguated from current or recent alcohol use disorder.
ARCHIMEDEAN NEWFORM THEORY FOR
$\operatorname {\mathrm {GL}}_n$
Authors: Humphries Peter
Published: May 2024

We introduce a new invariant, the conductor exponent, of a generic irreducible Casselman–Wallach representation of
$\operatorname {\mathrm {GL}}_n(F)$
, where F is an archimedean local field, that quantifies the extent to which this representation may be ramified. We also determine a distinguished vector, the newform, occurring with multiplicity one in this representation, with the complexity of this vector measured in a natural way by the conductor exponent. Finally, we show that the newform is a test vector for
$\operatorname {\mathrm {GL}}_n \times \operatorname {\mathrm {GL}}_n$
and
$\operatorname {\mathrm {GL}}_n \times \operatorname {\mathrm {GL}}_{n - 1}$
Rankin–Selberg integrals when the second representation is unramified. This theory parallels an analogous nonarchimedean theory due to Jacquet, Piatetski-Shapiro, and Shalika; combined, this completes a global theory of newforms for automorphic representations of
$\operatorname {\mathrm {GL}}_n$
over number fields. By-products of the proofs include new proofs of Stade’s formulæ and a new resolution of the test vector problem for archimedean Godement–Jacquet zeta integrals.
Vermittelt Lehrkraftfeedback den Zusammenhang von Verhaltensproblemen und sozialer Akzeptanz in der Primarstufe?
Authors: Nicolay Philipp , Weber Simone , Huber Christian , Spilles Markus
Published: May 2024

Zusammenfassung: Ausgehend von der sozialen Referenzierungstheorie zeigen sowohl experimentelle als auch längsschnittliche Studien, dass öffentliches Lehrkraftfeedback ein zentraler Einflussfaktor für die soziale Akzeptanz von Schülerinnen und Schülern ist. Da Kinder mit Verhaltensprobleme sowohl häufig negatives und selten positives Feedback erhalten als auch schlechter von ihren Peers sozial akzeptiert werden, untersucht die vorliegende Studie, inwiefern der Zusammenhang von Verhaltensproblemen und sozialer Akzeptanz über das von Peers wahrgenommene positive und negative Lehrkraftfeedback vermittelt wird. Zusätzlich wurde überprüft, ob die Stärke der Zusammenhänge zwischen Verhaltensproblemen und erhaltenem Lehrkraftfeedback bzw. zwischen erhaltenem Lehrkraftfeedback und sozialer Akzeptanz durch die individuelle Bezugsnormorientierung der Lehrkraft moderiert wird. Hierzu wurde eine Querschnittserhebung in dritten und vierten Klassen mit N = 852 Schülerinnen und Schülern durchgeführt. Die Ergebnisse von Mehrebenen-Pfadmodellen bestätigen bisherige Befunde zum Zusammenhang von Lehrkraftfeedback und sozialer Akzeptanz und legen nah, dass der Zusammenhang von Verhaltensproblemen und sozialer Akzeptanz auch durch Lehrkraftfeedback vermittelt wird. Ein Einfluss der individuellen Bezugsnormorientierung von Lehrkräften konnte nicht nachgewiesen werden.
Why Do CO2 Quadrupling Simulations Warm More Than Twice as Much as CO2 Doubling Simulations in CMIP6?
Authors: Poletti A. N. , Frierson D. M. W. , Armour K. C.
Published: May 2024

We compare abrupt CO2‐quadrupling (abrupt‐4xCO2) and ‐doubling (abrupt‐2xCO2) simulations across 10 CMIP6 models. Two models (CESM2 and MRI‐ESM2‐0) warm substantially more than twice as much under abrupt‐4xCO2 than abrupt‐2xCO2, which cannot be explained by the non‐logarithmic scaling of CO2 forcing. Using an energy balance model, we show that increased warming rates within these two models are driven by both less‐negative radiative feedbacks and smaller global effective heat capacity under abrupt‐4xCO2. These differences are caused by a decrease in low cloud cover and shallower ocean heat storage, respectively; both are linked to smaller fractional declines in the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) under abrupt‐4xCO2 (relative to abrupt‐2xCO2). On a global scale, higher climate sensitivity under larger forcing can be explained by a feedback‐temperature dependence; however, we find that forcing‐dependent spatial warming patterns due to AMOC decline are an important physical mechanism which reduces warming in a way that is not captured by a global‐mean framework.
Unveiling the Distinct Structure of the Upper Mantle Beneath the Canary and Madeira Hotspots, as Depicted by the 660, 410, and X Discontinuities
Authors: Bonatto Luciana , Schlaphorst David , Silveira Graça , Mata João , Civiero Chiara , Piromallo Claudia , Schimmel Martin
Published: May 2024

The Canary and Madeira Islands are two distinct hotspots in the Central‐East Atlantic that are close to each other. Their volcanism is generally attributed to underlying mantle plumes, but the detailed structure of these plumes is still not well understood. The thermal and compositional structure of the plume introduces complexities in the phase transitions of the mantle, which impact the depth and magnitude of seismic discontinuities. We use 1,268 high‐quality receiver functions from stations located at the two hotspots to detect P‐to‐s converted phases through a common‐conversion point stacking approach and conduct a detailed analysis of mantle seismic discontinuities. The results show that both hotspots are characterized by a thin mantle transition zone (MTZ), with sharp 410 and 660 discontinuities at depths of 428–421 km and 647–664 km, beneath the Canaries and Madeira respectively. The results indicate that the Canary plume crosses the MTZ, whereas the Madeira plume mainly influences the upper portion of the MTZ. Furthermore, we find reliable detections of a sharp X discontinuity beneath the Canaries at 287 km. Its presence suggests the accumulation of silica‐rich recycled eclogite at these depths. We also use the amplitudes of P410s and PXs to derive velocity jumps at corresponding discontinuities. Based on these measurements, we estimate that the basalt proportion is 60%–80%, with accumulation being more significant in the Canaries than in Madeira. The MTZ thickness, the presence of the X discontinuity, and the high basalt proportion provide compelling evidence for a deep‐rooted thermochemical plume beneath the study area.
Simultaneously Interactions of Ultra‐Low‐Frequency Waves and Whistler Waves, and Whistler Waves and Quasi‐Electrostatic Whistler Harmonics in the Earth's Magnetosheath
Authors: Xu S. B. , Huang S. Y. , Yuan Z. G. , Jiang K. , Wu H. H. , Deng D. , Xiong Q. Y. , Lin R. T. , Wang Z. , Zhang J.
Published: May 2024

Identifying how different wave modes interaction with each other is an important topic in space physics. Using measurements from the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission, we report an event in the Earth's magnetosheath where ultra‐low‐frequency (ULF) waves, whistler waves, and quasi‐electrostatic whistler harmonics were observed simultaneously. Specifically, our analyses show that the parallel components of ULF waves modulate the electron butterfly distributions which provide the free energy to the excitation of the observed whistler waves. Meanwhile, quasi‐electrostatic waves sharing frequencies that are nearly integral multiples of the frequency of the observed whistlers are identified as nonlinear harmonics of whistler waves. The close correlations between the whistler waves and the electric field harmonics, as well as the high bicoherence indexes within the frequency ranges of the whistlers and harmonics, suggest the significant nonlinear couplings between the whistler waves and quasi‐electrostatic whistler harmonics. Our work provides new insights to the interactions between waves at different frequency bands.
Point-of-care human milk concentration by passive osmosis: comprehensive analysis of fresh human milk samples
Authors: Schinkel Elizabeth R. , Nelson Elizabeth R. , Kim Jae H. , Perrin Maryanne T. , Dyer Roger , Elango Rajavel , Bode Lars , Dallas David C. , Lueangsakulthai Jiraporn , Briere Carrie-Ellen , Taylor Sarah N.
Published: May 2024

Objective

Preterm infants need enrichment of human milk (HM) for optimal growth. This study evaluated a novel, point-of-care human milk concentration (HMC) process for water removal from fresh HM samples by passive osmotic concentration.

Study design

Nineteen fresh HM samples were concentrated by incubation with the HMC devices for 3 h at 4 °C. Pre- and post-concentration HM samples were compared by HM properties for: pH, osmolality, macronutrients, enzyme activity, bioactive, and total cell viability.

Results

Passive osmotic concentration reduced HM volume by an average of 16.3% ± 3.8% without a significant effect on pH or cell viability. Ten of the 41 HM components did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) between pre- and post-concentration samples. Twenty-three increased within the expected range by volume reduction. Six increased more than expected, two less than expected, and none decreased significantly.

Conclusion

Passive osmotic concentration of fresh HM can concentrate HM components by selective removal of water. HM osmolality and pH remained within neonatal feeding parameters.
The association between tumour heterogeneity and immune evasion mechanisms in hepatocellular carcinoma and its clinical implications
Authors: Chen Kaina , Shuen Timothy W. H. , Chow Pierce K. H.
Published: May 2024

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. The emergence of combination therapy, atezolizumab (anti-PDL1, immune checkpoint inhibitor) and bevacizumab (anti-VEGF) has revolutionised the management of HCC. Despite this breakthrough, the best overall response rate with first-line systemic therapy is only about 30%, owing to intra-tumoural heterogeneity, complex tumour microenvironment and the lack of predictive biomarkers. Many groups have attempted to classify HCC based on the immune microenvironment and have consistently observed better outcomes in immunologically “hot” HCC. We summarised possible mechanisms of tumour immune evasion based on the latest literature and the rationale for combination/sequential therapy to improve treatment response. Lastly, we proposed future strategies and therapies to overcome HCC immune evasion to further improve treatment outcomes of HCC.
Ventricular Netrin-1 deficiency leads to defective pyramidal decussation and mirror movement in mice
Authors: Hu Ling , Liu Xi-Yue , Zhao Li , Hu Zhi-Bin , Li Ze-Xuan , Liu Wei-Tang , Song Ning-Ning , Hu Yun-Qing , Jiang Luo-Peng , Zhang Lei , Tao Yun-Chao , Zhang Qiong , Chen Jia-Yin , Lang Bing , Wang Yu-Bing , Yue Lei , Ding Yu-Qiang
Published: May 2024

The corticospinal tract (CST) is the principal neural pathway responsible for conducting voluntary movement in the vertebrate nervous system. Netrin-1 is a well-known guidance molecule for midline crossing of commissural axons during embryonic development. Families with inherited Netrin-1 mutations display congenital mirror movements (CMM), which are associated with malformations of pyramidal decussation in most cases. Here, we investigated the role of Netrin-1 in CST formation by generating conditional knockout (CKO) mice using a Gfap-driven Cre line. A large proportion of CST axons spread laterally in the ventral medulla oblongata, failed to decussate and descended in the ipsilateral spinal white matter of Ntn1Gfap CKO mice. Netrin-1 mRNA was expressed in the ventral ventricular zone (VZ) and midline, while Netrin-1 protein was transported by radial glial cells to the ventral medulla, through which CST axons pass. The level of transported Netrin-1 protein was significantly reduced in Ntn1Gfap CKO mice. In addition, Ntn1Gfap CKO mice displayed increased symmetric movements. Our findings indicate that VZ-derived Netrin-1 deletion leads to an abnormal trajectory of the CST in the spinal cord due to the failure of CST midline crossing and provides novel evidence supporting the idea that the Netrin-1 signalling pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of CMM.
Sustained-release drug delivery systems
Authors: Williams Rachel , Cauldbeck Helen , Kearns Victoria
Published: May 2024

The design and development of a sustained-release drug delivery system targeting the administration of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) to the eye could overcome the limitations of topically administered eye drops. Understanding how to modify or design new materials with specific functional properties that promote the attachment and release of specific drugs over longer time periods, alongside understanding clinical needs, can lead to new strategic opportunities to improve treatment options. In this paper we discuss two approaches to the design or modification of materials to produce a sustained therapeutic effect. Firstly, we discuss how the synthesis of a peptide hydrogel from a naturally-derived antimicrobial material led to the design of a bandage contact lens which may be able to be used prophylactically to reduce post-surgery infection. Secondly, we discuss how silicone oil tamponade agents used to treat retinal detachments can have adjunctive behaviour to enhance the solubility of the anti-proliferative drug retinoic acid and produce a sustained release over several weeks. These studies are the result of close partnerships between clinical ophthalmologists, materials scientists, and chemists, and illustrate how these partnerships can lead to comprehensive understandings that have the potential to change patient outcomes.
Temporal trends in clinical features of patients with primary aldosteronism over 20 years
Authors: Park Seung Shin , Ahn Chang Ho , Kim Sang Wan , Koh Jung-Min , Lee Seung Hun , Kim Jung Hee
Published: May 2024

Primary aldosteronism (PA) accounts for approximately 5-10% of hypertension cases. Over the past 20 years, the reported incidence of PA has increased due to widespread screening for secondary hypertension and imaging studies. We aimed to evaluate the temporal trends in the clinical characteristics and subtypes of PA. A total of 1064 patients with PA in two tertiary hospitals between 2000 and 2021 were categorized into three groups according to the year of diagnosis: 2000–2009, 2010–2015, and 2016–2021. The clinical characteristics of the patients over the three time periods were compared using a trend analysis. The age at diagnosis and sex of patients with PA did not change over 20 years. The proportion of patients with bilateral hyperaldosteronism (BHA) increased (11%, 25%, and 40%, P for trend <0.001). The proportion of hypokalemia (87%, 61%, and 40%) and plasma aldosterone concentration (36.0, 30.8, and 26.6 ng/dL) decreased (all P for trend <0.001). There was a trend toward an increased proportion of incidentally detected patients compared to clinically symptomatic patients (36%, 55%, and 61%, P for trend <0.001). The concordance rate of imaging and adrenal venous sampling results decreased (91%, 70%, and 57% P for trend <0.001). However, the proportion of patients with resistant hypertension and comorbidities did not differ. In conclusion, among patients with PA, patients with BHA and incidental detection have increased over 20 years, and more patients are likely to present with milder clinical symptoms and biochemical profiles.
Pudendal nerve block decreases narcotic requirements and time spent in post-anesthesia care units in patients undergoing primary inflatable penile prosthesis implantation
Authors: Zhu Michael , Labagnara Kevin , Loloi Justin , Babar Mustufa , Harandi Arshia Aalami , Salami Azizou , Bernstein Ari , Davila Jonathan , Davuluri Meenakshi , Chalouhy Charbel , Maria Pedro
Published: May 2024

Efforts to minimize narcotic usage following inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) implantation are vital, considering the current opioid epidemic in the United States. We aimed to determine whether pudendal nerve block (PNB) utilization in a multiethnic population undergoing primary IPP implantation can decrease rates of post-operative opiate usage. A single-institution, retrospective study was conducted on patients who underwent primary IPP implantation between December 2015 and June 2022. PNB usage and intra- and post-operative outcomes were analyzed using multivariate binary logistic regression. 449 patients were included, with 373 (83.1%) in the PNB group. Median time (minutes) spent in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) (1499 [119–198] vs. 235 [169–322], p < 0.001) was significantly lower in the PNB group. There were no significant differences in intra-operative and PACU morphine milligram equivalents or post-operative safety outcomes between groups. However, fewer patients in the PNB group called for pain medications post-operatively (10.2% vs 19.7%, p = 0.019). Multivariate analysis revealed a significantly decreased operative time (B −6.23; 95%CI −11.28, −1.17; p = 0.016) and decreased time in recovery (B: −81.62; 95%CI: −106.49, −56.76, p < 0.001) in the PNB group. PNB decreases post-operative opioid analgesic requirements and time spent in PACU in patients undergoing a primary IPP implantation and thus may represent an attractive, non-opioid adjunct.