bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Scaffolding practices for modelling instruction in STEM-related contexts: insights from expert and novice teachers
Authors: Siller Hans-Stefan , Nitzan-Tamar Ortal , Kohen Zehavit
Published: October 2023

Mathematical modelling (MM) plays a pivotal role in the integration of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) into school studies. This current empirical study suggests using a four-step solution plan as a scaffolding tool during the instruction of MM tasks in a STEM context in formal school mathematics. The study goals are twofold; first to recognise MM-oriented scaffolding practices of teachers during observations of their instruction of MM tasks. Second, to explore the differences in type and quantity of the recognised scaffolding practices, while comparing MM task instruction in a STEM context of expert and novice teachers. Using a multiple case study design, we conducted an in-depth study of MM scaffolding practices implemented during instruction of three MM tasks in a STEM context (the ‘Mobileye’, ‘Gamma correction’, and ‘GPS’ MM tasks) taught by three expert teachers and five novice teachers, in a total of five lessons for each group. Findings revealed three types of practices to support a particular solution plan step, enact the transition between solution plan steps, and motivate students' MM learning. A similar distribution of practices between expert and novice teachers was revealed, while support in each step of the solution plan was evident to all, especially during the mathematical search step. The study provides a perspective on the necessary practices that may take place in modelling instruction in a STEM context.
Anti-HER2 Drugs for the Treatment of Advanced HER2 Positive Breast Cancer
Authors: Stanowicka-Grada Malwina , Senkus Elżbieta
Published: October 2023

Opinion statement

Approximately 15–20% of breast cancers (BC) demonstrate HER2 overexpression/gene amplification. Historically, before the era of HER2-directed therapies, this subtype was associated with poor prognosis. Anti-HER2 agents dramatically changed the natural course of disease and significantly prolonged patients’ survival. In recent years, a number of new anti-HER2 therapies have been developed, and their approvals offer new therapeutic options for patients with advanced HER2-positive breast cancer. At present, HER2 pathway blocking drugs used in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer worldwide include trastuzumab and pertuzumab in the first-line treatment; trastuzumab deruxtecan and trastuzumab emtansine in the second line; and tucatinib, neratinib, lapatinib, and margetuximab in further lines of treatment of advanced HER2 positive breast cancer. Additionally, there are many clinical trials underway evaluating drugs blocking the HER2 pathway in advanced disease setting. This article presents new treatment options, discussing the most important findings from clinical trials and real-world reports, clinical benefits and risks of treatment, as well as efficacy of re-treatment with trastuzumab in metastatic breast cancer. New data challenge the current standards, and a number of questions arise regarding the optimal sequence of anti-HER2 targeted therapies, the optimal combination, including endocrine agents in luminal HER2 positive tumors and treatment of special patient population such as patients with brain metastases (BM).
Effects of Feed Moisture Content on the Physical and Nutritional Quality Attributes of Sunflower Meal-based High-Moisture Meat Analogues
Authors: Singh Ravinder , Sá Amanda Gomes Almeida , Sharma Shubham , Nadimi Mohammad , Paliwal Jitendra , House James D. , Koksel Filiz
Published: October 2023

Adding value to food industry by-products, like sunflower meal (SFM), through their utilization as ingredients in new food products can improve sustainability of food systems. This research investigated extrusion cooking to produce high-moisture meat analogues (HMMAs) made from blends of soy protein isolate and expeller-pressed SFM. The effects of feed moisture content [FMC] (60, 65, and 70%, wet basis) and SFM concentration (37.5, 50, and 62.5%, total blend weight basis) on physical and protein nutritional quality attributes of HMMAs were investigated. The processing temperatures (including cooling die), screw speed and feed rate were kept constant at 60-80-115-125-50-25 °C (from feeder to the die end), 200 rpm and 0.5 kg/h (dry basis), respectively. An increase in SFM concentration and FMC significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the mechanical energy requirements for extrusion. Cutting strength and texture profile analysis of HMMAs indicated softer texture with increases in SFM and FMC. X-ray microcomputed tomography analysis revealed that the microstructure of the HMMAs at the centre and towards the surface was different and affected by SFM concentration and FMC. The in vitro–protein digestibility corrected amino acid score of the HMMAs ranged between 85 and 91% and did not show significant (p < 0.05) changes as a function of FMC or SFM concentration. HMMAs produced from 37.5% SFM at 70% FMC showed no deficiency in essential amino acids for all age categories except for infants, suggesting the high potential of SFM and soy protein blends for creating nutritious meat alternative products. Overall, this work provided valuable insights regarding the effects of soy protein replacement by SFM on the textural, microstructural and nutritional quality of HMMA applications, paving the way for value-addition to this underutilized food industry by-product.
Playing Brains: The Ethical Challenges Posed by Silicon Sentience and Hybrid Intelligence in DishBrain
Authors: Milford Stephen R. , Shaw David , Starke Georg
Published: October 2023

The convergence of human and artificial intelligence is currently receiving considerable scholarly attention. Much debate about the resulting Hybrid Minds focuses on the integration of artificial intelligence into the human brain through intelligent brain-computer interfaces as they enter clinical use. In this contribution we discuss a complementary development: the integration of a functional in vitro network of human neurons into an in silico computing environment.

To do so, we draw on a recent experiment reporting the creation of silico-biological intelligence as a case study (Kagan et al., 2022b). In this experiment, multielectrode arrays were plated with stem cell-derived human neurons, creating a system which the authors call DishBrain. By embedding the system into a virtual game-world, neural clusters were able to receive electrical input signals from the game-world and to respond appropriately with output signals from pre-assigned motor regions. Using this design, the authors demonstrate how the DishBrain self-organises and successfully learns to play the computer game ‘Pong’, exhibiting ‘sentient’ and intelligent behaviour in its virtual environment.

The creation of such hybrid, silico-biological intelligence raises numerous ethical challenges. Following the neuroscientific framework embraced by the authors themselves, we discuss the arising ethical challenges in the context of Karl Friston’s Free Energy Principle, focusing on the risk of creating synthetic phenomenology. Following the DishBrain’s creator’s neuroscientific assumptions, we highlight how DishBrain’s design may risk bringing about artificial suffering and argue for a congruently cautious approach to such synthetic biological intelligence.
Th17 Cells and IL-17A in Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Wang Jingjing , Gao Yuxiao , Yuan Yujia , Wang Huan , Wang Zhao , Zhang Xiangjian
Published: October 2023

The neurological injury and repair mechanisms after ischemic stroke are complex. The inflammatory response is present throughout stroke onset and functional recovery, in which CD4 + T helper(Th) cells play a non-negligible role. Th17 cells, differentiated from CD4 + Th cells, are regulated by various extracellular signals, transcription factors, RNA, and post-translational modifications. Th17 cells specifically produce interleukin-17A(IL-17A), which has been reported to have pro-inflammatory effects in many studies. Recently, experimental researches showed that Th17 cells and IL-17A play an important role in promoting stroke pathogenesis (atherosclerosis), inducing secondary damage after stroke, and regulating post-stroke repair. This makes Th17 and IL-17A a possible target for the treatment of stroke. In this paper, we review the mechanism of action of Th17 cells and IL-17A in ischemic stroke and the progress of research on targeted therapy.
Tales of creation: advocacy coalitions, beliefs and paths to policy change on the ‘energy efficiency first’ principle in EU
Authors: von Malmborg Fredrik
Published: October 2023

The co-legislators of the EU adopted in July 2023 a revised version of the Energy Efficiency Directive, implying that the ‘energy efficiency first’ (EE1) principle is made legally binding for member states, to apply in policy, planning and investment decisions exceeding euro 100 million each and euro 175 million for transport infrastructure projects. The EE1 principle complements two other guiding principles of EU energy and climate policy: cost-effectiveness and consumer protection. This article analyses the policy process and politics leading to the adoption of the EE1 principle as a legal institute in EU energy and climate policy. Policy core and secondary beliefs of four different advocacy coalitions are identified, and explained what are the paths to policy change. Lines of dispute among the coalitions related to (i) the purpose and meaning of energy efficiency policy, (ii) the size of projects covered (all projects or only very large projects) and (iii) which sectors to be covered (the public sector or both the public and private sectors). The adoption of the EE1 principle as a binding provision follows an ‘external shock’ to the political subsystem of energy efficiency, namely the Paris Agreement and the subsequent adoption of an EU climate law strengthening the EU climate targets for 2030 and 2050. In addition, it is a ‘negotiated agreement’ between the Council and the Parliament, undertaken as a deliberative problem-solving exercise rather than bargaining. The deliberative nature of the negotiations opened for ‘policy-oriented learning’ across belief systems in the subsystem.
Pädagogische Lai_innen im Ganztag
Authors: Danner Annalena , Sauerwein Markus
Published: October 2023

Im schulischen Ganztag ist pädagogisch nicht qualifiziertes Personal, so genannte Pädagogische Lai_innen, tätig. Das Spektrum dieser Personalkategorie reicht von sich in Qualifizierung befindlichen Studierenden über für den Ganztag spezifisch Weitergebildete (ohne pädagogische Berufsausbildung und/oder Studium) bis hin zu Personal, das keinerlei Zertifikate vorweisen kann. Das Argument, dass diese Personalkategorie Alltagsbildung in den Ganztag bringt (beispielsweise die Tischlerin, die eine AG zum Möbelbau anbietet) ist empirisch nicht haltbar.
Sexual Fluidity, BDSM and Gender: An Exploratory Study on Portuguese BDSM Practitioners
Authors: Marujo Catarina , Cardoso Daniel , Oliveira Alexandra
Published: October 2023

BDSM constitutes a stigmatized form of sexuality in which sexual fluidity may arise. Noting the scarcity of research on these themes in Portugal, we sought to explore and understand sexual fluidity in people who identified themselves as BDSM practitioners, both in the context of so-called ‘vanilla’ sex and BDSM practice. Using a qualitative methodology, we prepared an online questionnaire disseminated on platforms used by BDSM practitioners, having obtained 54 participants. The data were subjected to content analysis and simple statistical analysis. Three themes emerged from the analysis: the importance of gender in both forms of sexuality, the perception and knowledge about sexual fluidity, and the experience of sexual fluidity. It was found that BDSM practitioners are relatively sexually fluid and demonstrate various sexual behaviors discordant with their romantic and sexual attractions. In addition to this, there were multiple justifications regarding the importance of gender when it comes to their attractions. It was also found that men, regardless of sexual identity, are more sexually fluid than women. This study contributes to the knowledge about BDSM and the deconstruction of categories related to gender and sexual identity, and finally, to the normalization of non-normative sexual practices.
Predisposing Factors Connected with Willingness to Intervene in Cases of Intimate Partner Violence: A Study in the Chinese, Italian, and Ethiopian Context
Authors: D’Urso Giulio , Pagliaro Stefano , Preti Emanuele , Asnake Mulat , Lionetti Francesca , Mao Yanhui , Minaye Abebaw , Ayele Moges , Pacilli Giuseppina Maria , Tsega Tigist Wuhib , Fasolo Mirco , Spinelli Maria
Published: October 2023

The focus of this study is bystanders’ behavior and their willingness to intervene in cases of intimate partner violence (IPV) in three different countries (China, Italy, and Ethiopia), considering individual and social factors (i.e., right-wing Authoritarianism, masculinity ideology, and gender). The Italian sample was made up of 192 participants (56% male). The Chinese sample was made up of 274 participants (66% female). The Ethiopian sample was made up of 161 participants (53.3% female). Participants completed the Male Role Norms Inventory–Short Form, the Right-wing Authoritarianism Scale, and the Willingness to intervene in cases of IPVAW. The Chinese model suggested how masculinity ideology is negatively associated with “reporting the incident to the authorities” factor, and positively with “not my business” factor. Right-wing authoritarianism is positively associated with “reporting the incident to the authorities” factor. The Italian model suggested how masculinity ideology was positively related to the “reporting the incident to the authorities” factor, and gender was negatively related to “not my business” factor, and positively related to “personal involvement” factor. The Ethiopian model suggested how masculinity ideology is positively associated with “personal involvement in the case” factor and gender is positively associated with the “reporting the incident to the authorities” factor. Masculine ideologies, authoritarian personality characteristics, and gender are predisposing factors toward bystander attitudes when confronted with cases of intimate partner violence. Our findings highlight key areas of focus to help raise awareness related to IPV cases, and policy aimed at promoting prosocial society.
Stable PbS colloidal quantum dot inks enable blade-coating infrared solar cells
Authors: Zhao Xinzhao , Li Mingyu , Ma Tianjun , Yan Jun , Khalaf Gomaa Mohamed Gomaa , Chen Chao , Hsu Hsien-Yi , Song Haisheng , Tang Jiang
Published: October 2023

Infrared solar cells are more effective than normal bandgap solar cells at reducing the spectral loss in the near-infrared region, thus also at broadening the absorption spectra and improving power conversion efficiency. PbS colloidal quantum dots (QDs) with tunable bandgap are ideal infrared photovoltaic materials. However, QD solar cell production suffers from small-area-based spin-coating fabrication methods and unstable QD ink. Herein, the QD ink stability mechanism was fully investigated according to Lewis acid–base theory and colloid stability theory. We further studied a mixed solvent system using dimethylformamide and butylamine, compatible with the scalable manufacture of method-blade coating. Based on the ink system, 100 cm2 of uniform and dense near-infrared PbS QDs (~ 0.96 eV) film was successfully prepared by blade coating. The average efficiencies of above absorber-based devices reached 11.14% under AM1.5G illumination, and the 800 nm-filtered efficiency achieved 4.28%. Both were the top values among blade coating method based devices. The newly developed ink showed excellent stability, and the device performance based on the ink stored for 7 h was similar to that of fresh ink. The matched solvent system for stable PbS QD ink represents a crucial step toward large area blade coating photoelectric devices.

Graphical Abstract
Identifying Key Crop Growth Models for Rain-Fed Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Production Systems in Atlantic Canada: A Review with a Working Example
Authors: Islam Mohammad , Li Sheng
Published: October 2023

The selective use of potato crop models is a key factor in increasing potato production. This requires a better understanding of the synergies and trade-off of crop management while accounting for the controlling effects of potato genetic and agro-climatic factors. Over the years, crop modeling for potato has relied on historical data and traditional management approaches. Improved modeling techniques have recently been exploited to target specific yield goals based on historical climatic records, future climate uncertainties and weather forecasts. However, climate change and new sources of information motivate better modeling strategies that might take advantage of the vast sources of information in the spectrum of actual, optimal and potential yield and potato management methodologies in a more systematic way. In this connection, two questions warrant interest: (i) how to deal with the variability of crop models relevant to their structure, data requirement and crop-soil-environmental factors, (ii) how to provide robustness to the selection process of a model for specific applications under unexpected change of their structure, data requirement and climatic factors. In this review, the different stages of potato model development are described. Thirty-three crop growth models are reviewed and their usage and characteristics are summarized. An overview of the literature is given, and a specific example is worked out for illustration purposes to identity key models suitable for potato management in the Atlantic provinces of Canada. Based on a categorical principal component analysis (CatPCA) procedure three potato models representing three principal components (PCs) were identified which will be useful for future potato production and yield simulation in this geographic area.
Ulnar Distribution Pattern May Be Predominant in Upper Extremity Lymphatic Malformations
Authors: Arredondo Montero Javier , Delgado-Miguel Carlos , Muñoz Serrano Antonio Jesús , Martín-Calvo Nerea , López-Gutiérrez Juan Carlos
Published: October 2023

The locoregional distribution patterns of lymphatic malformations (LM) in the upper extremity have not been described in the scientific literature. Twelve patients were diagnosed with a LM in their upper extremities between 1998 and 2021 at our center. In all cases, these were isolated malformations. Nine patients (75%) presented an ulnar distribution pattern of the LM, two (16.7%) presented a radial distribution pattern, and one (8.3%) presented involvement of both territories. We found no statistically significant differences in any sociodemographic or clinical variable between patients with ulnar or radial LM distribution patterns. In this work, we found that the ulnar distribution pattern was more frequent than the radial distribution pattern in upper extremity LM. Furthermore, we observed that LM in the radial territory appeared as lesions limited to the distal segment of the upper limb (thumb and distal radius). This is a small retrospective case series and therefore, these findings should be interpreted with caution. Larger sample size studies are necessary to validate and characterize this finding.
Urinary Insulin-Like Growth Factor-Binding Protein 7 (IGFBp7), Urinary Tissue Inhibitor of Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 (TIMP2), and Serum Transgelin as Novel Biomarkers of Kidney Injury in Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Shoeib Sarah M. , Hassan Asmaa , Habeeb Eman , Ragab Rasha Abdallah , Elakshar Sara , Sherief Dalia
Published: October 2023

Renal dysfunction is a common complication of MM and is associated with poor prognosis, particularly when progressive. Early identification of renal dysfunction is essential for prompt treatment for disease control and restoration of renal function. Urinary insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 (IGFBP-7), urinary tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (TIMP-2), and serum transgelin levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and evaluated as biomarkers for the prediction of renal impairment in patients with multiple myeloma. U IGFBP-7/creatinine ratio, U TIMP2/creatinine ratio, and serum transgelin levels were higher in patients with MM than healthy controls, and predicted renal insufficiency in MM. Serum transgelin, urinary IGFBp7, and TIMP2 levels may have utility as biomarkers of renal tubular injury and predict future renal impairment in patients with MM.
Measuring School Staff Confidence and Worries to Deliver Mental Health Content: An Examination of the Psychometric Properties of Two Measures in a Sample of Secondary School Staff
Authors: Dwan-O’Reilly Maeve , Walsh Laura , Booth Ailbhe , Heary Caroline , Hennessy Eilis
Published: October 2023

Secondary school staff are often tasked with delivering mental health content to students, yet there has been little research on staff confidence to do so. Given the responsibility placed on staff to support student mental health, reliable and valid measures are needed to facilitate assessment of teacher confidence in the classroom and evaluation of the impact of interventions designed to enhance teacher confidence and ultimately support the delivery of mental health interventions in schools. This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Teacher Confidence Scale for Delivering Mental Health Content (TCS-MH) and the What Worries Me Scale (WWMS), both developed by Linden and Stuart (2019) and previously tested on a sample of elementary school teachers. Within this paper we examine the factor structure, reliability, and validity of these measures in a large sample (N = 644) of secondary school staff. Exploratory factor analysis suggested that each scale had a single factor structure with all original items retained. This was further supported with confirmatory factor analysis. Examination of the reliability of both scales found that they had good internal consistency. Finally, through correlation analyses, both measures demonstrated satisfactory convergent and discriminant validity from mental health knowledge, mental health stigma, general anxiety, and teacher efficacy. Both the TCS-MH and the WWMS show great promise as measures of secondary school staff confidence to deliver mental health content.
Analysis of using the modified centring plates with eccentric points for geodetic measurements
Authors: Kwinta Andrzej , Gargula Tadeusz
Published: October 2023

Many engineering structures require high measurement accuracy. Their displacement and deformation are determined from the results of special measurements. For the measurements to be accurate, a properly constructed and marked survey network is necessary. The long-term stability of survey points can be ensured by marking (installing) them on solid rock or special triangulation pillars. Accurate and repeatable instrument positioning and premarking over the points is ensured by centring plates. Centring plates with eccentric points can be used when a survey involves several instruments. The article presents the results of measurements and computations done using centring plates with eccentric points. The measurements were conducted in a metrology laboratory. The sought points were premarked with prisms and reflective targets. The measuring methods were angular intersection, linear intersection, and linear-angular measurements. We computed coordinates for the measured points, and the results were compared to their known directory values. The results demonstrate that centring plates with eccentric points can be employed in engineering surveys.
Floral Diversity of South Karanpura Basin, Jharkhand, India and their Palaeoclimatic Implication with Special Reference to Palaeoenvironment
Authors: Pradhan Sanghamitra , Goswami Shreerup , Pradhan Siddharth Shekhar , Das Subhransu Bhusan
Published: October 2023

The palaeofloristic study of Gondwana sediments recovered from Religara area, South Karanpura Basin illustrates the macrofloral diversity in the area. Three distinct megafloral assemblages I, II, III are reported from freshly exposed coaly shale and carbonaceous shale layers of lower Barakar, upper Barakar and Raniganj formations of the basin. The assemblage comprises 72 species and thirteen genera of which 28 are newly reported species, which clearly exemplifies the macrofloral diversity over Permian Period in the studied area. The retrieved floral assemblages justified the existence of two interrelated ecosystems i.e., terrestrial and marshy. A gradual shifting of leaf morphology in reticulate leaves of order Glossopteridales illustrates biostratigraphic age as well as the shifting of climate during the deposition of sediments. The dominance of narrow mesh Glossopteris flora with the presence of typical Karharbari flora in the lowermost fossil horizon, illustrating the biostratigraphic age as late Artinskian (lower Barakar Formation). Likewise, the middle and upper floristic zones are dominated by Glossopteris of intermediate mesh form and broad mesh form suggesting biostratigraphic age as Kungurian (upper Barakar) and Wordian-Changhsingian (Raniganj) respectively. Deposition of in-situ Vertebraria depicts the autochthonous coal deposits and existence of some patches of palaeosol in the investigated location. The present investigation aims to infer the biostratigraphy, palaeoclimate, palaeoenvironment, palaeovegetational reconstruction of the basin during late Artinskian –Kungurian and Wordian- Changhsingian times.
Acoustic emission with machine learning in fracture of composites: preliminary study
Authors: Smolnicki M. , Duda Sz. , Stabla P. , Zielonka P. , Lesiuk G.
Published: October 2023

In this paper, preliminary studies on the failure analysis of hybrid composite materials utilizing acoustic emission and machine learning are presented. The main purpose of this study was to analyze the possibilities of using machine learning techniques as a way to better cluster the data obtained from acoustic emission. In this paper, we focus on data preparation, feature extraction (Laplacian score), determination of cluster number (Caliński–Harabasz, Silhouette, and Davies–Bouldin), and testing three clustering techniques, namely K-means, fuzzy C-means, and spectral clustering. The dataset was obtained by testing fiber metal laminates—composites consisting of metal and composite layers. Two experimental tests were realized on pre-cracked rectangular specimens—one with loading in mode I and one with loading in mode II (DCB—double cantilever beam and ENF—end-notch flexural test). Elastic waves were recorded during these tests via an acoustic emission system. Preliminary studies show that the proposed method can be used successfully to cluster data obtained in this way. The obtained dataset was split into 3 clusters (for the ENF test) and 5 clusters (DCB test). In the next stages of the research campaign, based on the presented results, we intend to change the approach to semi-supervised by running additional single-cause damage tests to enhance the achieved results and enable easier damage recognition.
A dual-path instance segmentation network based on nuclei contour in histology image
Authors: Li Jiangqi , Li Xiang , Li Minglei , Yan Pengfei
Published: October 2023

Accurate segmentation of nuclei in histology images is essential for digital pathology. However, previous work should have considered integrating nuclei contour information into network learning. The main problems are (1) nuclei contour information needs to be fully considered, resulting in inaccurate spatial location of nuclei. (2) Small nuclei in dense regions or irregularly shaped nuclei cannot be segmented. (3) Mainstream networks consider more long-distance semantic information and larger receptive fields and do not consider the fusion of feature maps with different semantics. To solve the above problems, we have proposed a contour-based dual-path instance segmentation network. Firstly we reconstructed the nuclei contour information using algorithms and morphological manipulations. Provide input for subsequent contouring networks. Then we designed a dual-path network. It can extract nuclei features and contour features independently in the encoding stage and fuse the feature maps at different scales in the decoding stage. In the decoding stage, we use the attention module with a newly designed fusion mechanism, which allows us to fuse different semantics of feature maps for simple and efficient fusion. Finally, using the watershed algorithm, we use the network segmentation results to get the instance segmentation results of the nuclei. We used four publicly available datasets, including Kumar, CPM-15, CPM-17, and TNBC, which contain the nuclei of many organs and different forms of nuclei in the human body. Compared with the mainstream methods, we obtained the best AJI metrics, which are 0.656,0.717, and 0.602. In conclocess can effectively improve the performance of the nuclei instance segmentation network. It can accurately locate the scattered nuclei in space with small segmented nuclei in dense regions.
Financial integration and economic growth: directional heterogeneity and threshold effect
Authors: Chen Chao , Kim Yoonbai
Published: October 2023

Despite voluminous studies, the growth effects of international financial integration remain unresolved. Recent studies have shown that the effects depend on a wide variety of factors including the level of economic and financial development, the type of financial flows (debt or equity), the direction of flows (inflows or outflows), and the existence of the investment or saving constraint with the economy. In this paper, we implement a model that embodies double threshold effects where the thresholds are defined in terms of (i) per capita GDP and (ii) the economic growth rate. The results support the single threshold of the growth rate, which is expected to capture the existence of the investment or saving constraint with the economy. We find that developed and slowly developing economies are likely to benefit from capital outflows for higher investment incomes whereas emerging economies with growth rate higher than 3.4—5.7 percent can successfully take advantage of financial integration and resulting capital inflows. The findings are robust to changes in variable definition, model specification and data selection.
Are Online Simulations for Radiation Emergency Medical Preparedness Less Effective in Teaching Than Face-to-Face Simulations?
Authors: Tomisawa Toshiko , Hosokawa Shota , Kudo Hiromi , Osanai Minoru , Ota Kazuki , In Naoya , Ohgino Ayako , Tsujiguchi Takakiyo , Takamagi Shizuka , Tsuchiya Ryoko , Kitajima Maiko , Terashima Shingo , Yamaguchi Masaru , Saga Ryo , Mikami Kasumi , Urushizaka Mayumi , Sakai Mioko , Aizu Keiko , Hosokawa Yoichiro , Hanada Hiroyuki
Published: October 2023

Objective:

The study clarified differences in understanding and satisfaction between face-to-face and online training on radiation emergency medical preparedness (REMP) training.

Methods:

The training was held at Hirosaki University between 2018 and 2022, with 46 face-to-face participants and 25 online participants.

Results:

Face-to-face training was significantly more understandable than online for the use of the Geiger counter (P < 0.05), but the educational effect of virtual reality (VR) was not significantly different from the actual practice. For the team exercise of taking care of the victims, online resulted in a significantly higher understanding (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

Interactive exercises can be done online with equipment sent to learners, and VR is also as effective. The use of videos was more effective for first-timers to learn the practical process from a bird’s-eye view, especially for team-based medical procedures.
SHEA NICU white paper series: Practical approaches for the prevention of viral respiratory infections
Authors: Thampi Nisha , Guzman-Cottrill Judith , Bartlett Allison H. , Berg Wendy , Cantey Joseph B. , Kitt Eimear , Ravin Karen , Zangwill Kenneth M. , Elward Alexis
Published: October 2023

This white paper provides clinicians and hospital leaders with practical guidance on the prevention and control of viral respiratory infections in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This document serves as a companion to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC)’s “Prophylaxis and Screening for Prevention of Viral Respiratory Infections in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Patients: A Systematic Review.” It provides practical, expert opinion and/or evidence-based answers to frequently asked questions about viral respiratory detection and prevention in the NICU. It was developed by a writing panel of pediatric and pathogen-specific experts who collaborated with members of the HICPAC systematic review writing panel and the SHEA Pediatric Leadership Council to identify questions that should be addressed. The document has been endorsed by SHEA, the American Hospital Association (AHA), The Joint Commission, the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS), the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), and the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN).
Reduction of airborne and surface-borne bacteria in a medical center burn intensive care unit using active, upper-room, germicidal ultraviolet (GUV) disinfection
Authors: Lee Linda D. , Lie Louise , Bauer Michael , Bolanos Berenice , Olmsted Russell N. , Varma Jay K. , Parada Jorge P.
Published: October 2023

Objective:

To determine the effectiveness of active, upper-room, germicidal ultraviolet (GUV) devices in reducing bacterial contamination in patient rooms in air and on surfaces as a supplement to the central heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) air handling unit (AHU) with MERV 14 filters and UV-C disinfection.

Methods:

This study was conducted in an academic medical center, burn intensive care unit (BICU), for 4 months in 2022. Room occupancy was monitored and recorded. In total, 402 preinstallation and postinstallation bacterial air and non–high-touch surface samples were obtained from 10 BICU patient rooms. Airborne particle counts were measured in the rooms, and bacterial air samples were obtained from the patient-room supply air vents and outdoor air, before and after the intervention. After preintervention samples were obtained, an active, upper-room, GUV air disinfection system was deployed in each of the patient rooms in the BICU.

Results:

The average levels of airborne bacteria of 395 CFU/m3 before GUV device installation and 37 CFU/m3 after installation indicated an 89% overall decrease (P < .0001). Levels of surface-borne bacteria were associated with a 69% decrease (P < .0001) after GUV device installation. Outdoor levels of airborne bacteria averaged 341 CFU/m3 in March before installation and 676 CFU/m3 in June after installation, but this increase was not significant (P = .517).

Conclusions:

Significant reductions in air and surface contamination occurred in all rooms and areas and were not associated with variations in outdoor air concentrations of bacteria. The significant decrease of surface bacteria is an unexpected benefit associated with in-room GUV air disinfection, which can potentially reduce overall bioburden.
Effects of integral length scale variations on the stall characteristics of a wing at high free-stream turbulence conditions
Authors: Thompson C. , Biler H. , Symon S. , Ganapathisubramani B.
Published: October 2023

The effect of variations in the integral length scale of incoming free-stream turbulence on a NACA0012 wing is investigated with the use of force, moment and particle image velocimetry measurements. At a chord-based Reynolds number (

$Re = U_\infty c/\nu$

where c is the chord length,

$U_\infty$

is the free-stream velocity and

$\nu$

is the kinematic viscosity) of

$2\times 10^5$

, an active grid generates turbulence intensities of 15 % at normalised integral length scales ranging from 0.5

$c$

to 1

$c$

. The introduction of turbulence improves the time-averaged performance characteristics of the wing by delaying stall and increasing the peak lift coefficient. It is found that for half-chord integral length scales, the magnitude of the fluctuations in forces and moments is larger than that of full-chord integral length scales, as the former amplifies the naturally occurring unsteadiness in the flow (when there is no free-stream turbulence). The increase in magnitude is ascribed to a larger density of smaller-scale vortices within the separated flow and wake region of the wing.
Cross-Cultural Perceptions of Technology and Magic in the Ghost Dance, Boxer Uprising, and Maji Maji Rebellion
Authors: McEnroe Sean F.
Published: October 2023

This article explores the widespread phenomenon of anti-colonial movements that relied on magical rituals for protection against European weapons. It examines both the beliefs of the magical practitioners themselves, and those of colonizing observers whose fascination with stories of “primitive magic” contributed to their contrasting self-representations as superior beings in possession of technological wonders. North America’s Ghost Dance movement, China’s Boxer Rebellion, and East Africa’s Maji Maji uprising took place on three different continents but occurred almost simultaneously. The cases come from a narrow period of time, roughly 1890 to 1910, during a peak of colonial violence all over the world.
A “wild man” from the island of Soqotra: a new text in its comparative setting
Authors: Belozerova Anastasia , Kharitonova Anna , al-Da‘arhi Ahmad ‘Isa
Published: October 2023

The article presents an annotated edition of a newly recorded Soqotri text about a wild man. The authors attempt to locate the story within a wide range of “wild/feral” men narratives. The protagonist of the Soqotri story displays a set of features cross-culturally ascribed to wild men, and the narrative pattern of the account demonstrates a sequence of plot elements and motifs characteristic of this tale-type. The article includes a comparison of the Soqotri tale to the Enkidu narrative known from the Akkadian Epic of Gilgameš. Although both focus on the contact between human society and a wild outsider, the two stories develop the subject differently: while Enkidu loses his wild traits and becomes “civilized”, the Soqotri hero dies unable either to join the human community or to preserve his wild nature once people have interfered with his life.
Public support for Antarctic science: lessons from a national survey of Australians
Authors: Tranter Bruce , Leane Elizabeth
Published: October 2023

With the Antarctic region featuring more and more in discourse around anthropogenic climate change, understanding public support for research in the region is increasingly important. We examine public support for Antarctic science in Australia, drawing on findings from a nationally representative survey of just over 1000 adults conducted in 2021–2022. Key results reinforce earlier findings in other national contexts - for example, that older people and men are more likely to support Antarctic scientific research than younger people and women. They also reveal new information, including a correlation between particular sources of media coverage and support for Antarctic research. Our data have implications for where and how the public engagement efforts of government agencies and non-governmental organizations could most usefully be applied. While the survey is focused on Australia, it points to complexities around public support for Antarctic research that could be productively investigated in other national and in international contexts.
The Gender Gap in Issue Attention and Language Use within a Legislative Setting: An Application to the Italian Parliament (1948–2020)
Authors: Curini Luigi , Decadri Silvia , Ferrara Alfio , Montanelli Stefano , Negri Fedra , Periti Francesco
Published: October 2023

We investigate the gender gap in issue attention among members of parliament (MPs) by applying automated text analytic techniques to a novel data set on Italian parliamentary speeches over a remarkably long period (1948–2020). We detect a gendered specialization across issues that tends to disappear as women’s shares in parliamentary groups increase. We then investigate whether women’s access to previously male-owned issues brings with it a different agenda, operationalized as a different vocabulary. We detect a U-shaped pattern: language gender specificity is high when female MPs are tokens in parliamentary groups with a large preponderance of men; it decreases when their shares start increasing and grows again when they constitute a considerable minority. We argue that this pattern is consistent with the theory of tokenism, and it is produced by the interlinkage of commitment to shared norms and the distribution of “activation thresholds” among female MPs.
Aerodynamic Aspects of Helicopter Design
Authors: Roberts H
Published: October 2023

The CHAIRMAN, in introducing the Author, said that Dr ROBERTS was very well known by everybody in the helicopter field m this country and abroad He had taken his B Sc Engineering Degree at Queen Mary College and his Ph D at Imperial College He had served with General Aircraft Ltd, and had also been a lecturer at Imperial College Subsequent to this appointment he had been with Saunders-Roe as Chief Project Engineer (Helicopters), and was now on the staff of Fairey Aviation where initially he had been Chief Aerodynamicist and was now Chief Project Engineer Dr Roberts was a Founder Member and a member of the Council of the Association
Problems Associated with the Strength Assessment of Rotor Blades
Authors: Rogers V A B
Published: October 2023

The Chairman, in introducing the Author, described the subject of his paper as one of paramount importance to all who were concerned in the design and operation of helicopters Mr Rogers was an indentured aeronautical engineer apprentice at the Fairey Aviation Company from 1940 to 1946, during which time he obtained the Ordinary and Higher National Certificates in Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering He was awarded an S B A C scholarship to the College of Aeronautics in 1946 and obtained a diploma with distinction in Aircraft Design
On the Wind Tunnel Testing of Helicopter Models
Authors: Hooper M S
Published: October 2023

The CHAIRMAN, in introducing the Author, said that Mr HOOPER was presenting to the Association its first lecture on the subject of wind tunnel testing of helicopter models Mr Hooper had a long experience of wind tunnel techniques and had also been able to apply some of these techniques recently in investigating the aerodynamic features of one of the latest rotary-wing prototypes—namely, the Rotodyne

Mr Hooper had been engaged on aerodynamic testing for many years, and next year would be his thirtieth year with the Fairey Aviation Company He had investigated a wide range of subjects such as the aerodynamics of sails for application to racing yachts and had also been concerned with the attainment of flight speeds greater than Mach 1 Thus it was not surprising that he had taken the wind tunnel testing of helicopter models in his stride and was tonight able to give an authoritative assessment of the value of this work
The Oscillations of a Mass-Spring System with Multi-Step Friction Damping
Authors: Jones J P
Published: October 2023

An analysis is made of the free and forced oscillations of a single degree of freedom system damped by a multi-step friction damper It is shown that in free oscillation the decay is similar to that obtained with viscous damping, but in this case the frequency increases as the friction increases

In forced oscillation the exact solution is little different from that obtained using an equivalent viscous damper if the ratio (natural frequency/forcing frequency) is less than 1 37 For higher values the mass will remain at rest during some part of the cycle if the friction is large enough, when the above ratio is 3, 5, 7, etc, “stops” occur, however small the friction The variation of phase angle is unusual, under certain conditions the displacement leads the exciting force

On the basis of the results a criterion for the use of the equivalent viscous damper in ground resonance calculations is suggested
Is Man-powered Rotating Wing Flight a Future Possibility
Authors: Naylor C H
Published: October 2023

Attempts at human flight go a long way back into history First success did not come by use of man’s own power for propulsion but by the use of balloons for lifting Later gliders were made for descending flight It was only when a much greater source of power than man’s own was developed that flight with heavier than air machines became really successful It was not until the 1930s that much serious attention was given to man-powered aircraft flight With the aeronautical knowledge that was then available successful man-powered aeroplanes were developed and built which flew a few hundred yards Little attention appears to have been given to the possibility of a manpowered helicopter, possibly because it did not appear to be as promising a line of development as the aeroplane
Man-powered Helicopters
Authors: Shenstone B S , Whitby R H
Published: October 2023

The present interest in man-powered flight has led to the consideration of whether man-powered flight can be accomplished by rotary wings If this could be done, it would be extremely convenient and in many ways much more attractive than man-powered flight by fixed wings or even semi-fixed flapping wings Support in the air by a rotor enables the forward speed to be as small as zero and, one would hope, as fast as a bicycle Not only it is attractive from this point of view, but such a machine could be small and compact and it is initially imagined as something on the lines of the small one-man helicopters under development in the U S A and France and possibly in other countries

Study of the problem involves two basic considerations Firstly, it must be made clear exactly what power can be made available from the human body to drive the rotor Secondly, it must be discovered how this power can best be applied in order to get the most out of it, in the hope that it will be sufficient for free flight by man-power
Inversion of Geomagnetic Anomalies Caused by Ore Masses Using Hunger Games Search Algorithm
Authors: Ai Hanbing , Ekinci Yunus Levent , Balkaya Çağlayan , Essa Khalid S.
Published: October 2023

Geomagnetic anomaly interpretation through inversion procedures often yields useful results in determining the key details of ore masses. However, the problem is complicated due to the known ambiguous phenomena of the inversion process. Thus, details such as location, depth and shape can only be estimated using an efficient algorithm. To this end, we presented here a novel global optimization algorithm called Hunger Games Search (HGS) for the inversion of geomagnetic anomalies caused by ore masses. HGS is a well‐organized metaheuristic inspired by the hunger‐driven instincts and social behavioral decisions of animals. This is the first work in the literature to introduce this optimizer for the inversion of geophysical anomalies. We revealed the model parameter dependencies and the optimum control parameter values of the algorithm by performing some modal analyses and parameter tuning studies, respectively. The capability of HGS was demonstrated on synthetically produced geomagnetic responses and on three real anomalies obtained from some exploration fields in India and the USA. Uncertainty appraisal studies showed the solidity of the outputs of the algorithm. Moreover, some comparative studies with the fine‐tuned standard Particle Swarm Optimization, a commonly used tool for the inversion of geophysical anomalies, indicated that HGS algorithm provides better results in terms of convergence characteristics and solution stabilities in the presented inverse problem. We therefore recommend the use of this metaheuristic in model parameter estimation studies when dealing with this kind of geophysical potential field problems.