bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparation of Ordered Ag@Au Hybrid Nanotubes Arrays and their Fluorescence Enhancement of Poly(3-Hexylthiophene)
Authors: Wang Jianchao , Wu Ziqi , Peng Huayong
Published: August 2024

Ordered Ag@Au hybrid nanotube arrays were prepared by a galvanic replacement reaction and subsequently evaluated for their effectiveness as substrates for enhancing the fluorescence of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT). Ordered AgNWs arrays were assembled using a three-phase interface method, and ordered Ag@Au hybrid nanotube arrays were successfully prepared by a galvanic replacement reaction between a HAuCl4 solution and ordered AgNWs arrays. The morphology of the ordered silver nanowires (AgNWs) arrays and Ag@Au nanotube arrays, as well as the influence of reaction time on the galvanic replacement reaction, were investigated. The fluorescence and laser-Raman properties of the conjugated polymer P3HT on various ordered Ag@Au nanotubes were analyzed. Gold (Au) particles grow on the surface of AgNWs, the diameter of the nanotubes gradually increases, and the ordered Ag@Au hybrid nanotubes form gradually. The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peaks of Ag@Au hybrid nanotube arrays redshift and become wider as the reaction proceeds compared to AgNW arrays. The fluorescence properties of P3HT films on various ordered Ag@Au hybrid nanotubes were much higher than those on bare silicon substrates, but compared to the gold nanowire array, there is a decrease. As the galvanic displacement reaction progresses, the degree of reduction in fluorescence intensity increases. The unique aspect of this work was that the plasmon resonance wavelength of the ordered Ag@Au hybrid nanotube arrays showed a substantial redshift and broadening, which is much closer to biological samples. The ordered Ag@Au hybrid nanotube arrays can be used as ultra-sensitive fluorescence sensing platforms.
Sensitivity Analysis for Sisko Nanofluid Flow Through Stretching Surface Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Upreti Himanshu , Uddin Ziya , Pandey Alok Kumar , Joshi Navneet
Published: August 2024

In this research, the influences of quadratic Boussinesq approximation and quadratic thermal radiation on the heat transfer analysis of magnetized Sisko nanofluid flow with Cattaneo–Christov heat flux through stretching surfaces are studied. The formulated mathematical model is solved by the finite difference technique, and heat transfer rate and skin friction coefficients are computed for acting parameters, i.e., magnetic field, Eckert number, Forchheimer parameter, thermal relaxation parameter, radiation parameter, porosity parameter and Biot number. For sensitivity analysis, the response surface method (RSM) with a face-centered central composite design is utilized. The RSM is elucidated by applying nonlinear regression, analysis of variance and goodness of fit. The results indicate that the friction coefficient and Nusselt number have positive sensitivities for the Forchheimer parameter. The heat transfer rate decreases with an increase in magnetic field, Biot number and thermal relaxation parameter values for shear thickening [Formula: see text] and shear thinning [Formula: see text]. Further for [Formula: see text], a one unit increase in [Formula: see text] leads to a 33% drop in SFC and 48% in LNN; and an increase of 8 units in [Formula: see text] leads to a 67.18% rise in LNN.
The Optoelectronic Properties of AS-Doped 1d Germanene for Potential Applications
Authors: Van Ngoc Hoang , Thuy Huynh Thi Phuong , Lam Dinh Hai
Published: August 2024

The advancement of science and technology is essential for the progress of nanotechnology, which plays a pivotal role in the development of miniaturized and energy-efficient devices. This investigation delves into the As-doped structures within one-dimensional germanene nanoribbons. Utilizing Density Functional Theory (DFT) in conjunction with the Vienna Ab initio Simulation Package (VASP), the study explores the electro-optical properties of the material influenced by As doping, examining both the doping position and density’s effects. Results indicate As significantly alters the electro-optical characteristics, with the semiconductor structure transitioning to metals in top and valley configurations, while meta and para configurations retain semiconductor properties with an indirect band gap. Analysis of bond length, bond angle, magnetism, formation energy and charge density difference elucidates As’ impact on hexagonal structure stability and electromagnetism properties of the system. Furthermore, a comprehensive investigation of optical properties not only offers insights into material systems but also highlights potential applications in optical communications and sensing technologies.
Forecasts of China Mainland New Energy Index Prices through Gaussian Process Regressions
Authors: Jin Bingzi , Xu Xiaojie
Published: August 2024

Energy index price forecasting has long been a crucial undertaking for investors and regulators. This study examines the daily price predicting problem for the new energy index on the Chinese mainland market from January 4, 2016 to December 31, 2020 as insufficient attention has been paid to price forecasting in the literature for this crucial financial metric. Gaussian process regressions facilitate our analysis, and training procedures of the models make use of cross-validation and Bayesian optimizations. From January 2, 2020 to December 31, 2020, the price was properly projected by the created models, with an out-of-sample relative root mean square error of 1.8837%. The developed models may be utilized in investors’ and policymakers’ policy analysis and decision-making processes. Because the forecasting results provide reference information about price patterns indicated by the models, they may also be useful in building of similar energy indices.
Accurate Sampling-Based Cardinality Estimation for Complex Graph Queries
Authors: Hu Pan , Motik Boris
Published: August 2024

Accurately estimating the cardinality (i.e., the number of answers) of complex queries plays a central role in database systems. This problem is particularly difficult in graph databases, where queries often involve a large number of joins and self-joins. Recently, Park et al. [55] surveyed seven state-of-the-art cardinality estimation approaches for graph queries. The results of their extensive empirical evaluation show that a sampling method based on theWanderJoinonline aggregation algorithm [47] consistently offers superior accuracy.

We extended the framework by Park et al. [55] with three additional datasets and repeated their experiments. Our results showed that WanderJoin is indeed very accurate, but it can often take a large number of samples and thus be very slow. Moreover, when queries are complex and data distributions are skewed, it often fails to find valid samples and estimates the cardinality as zero. Finally, complex graph queries often go beyond simple graph matching and involve arbitrary nesting of relational operators such as disjunction, difference, and duplicate elimination. Neither of the methods considered by Park et al. [55] is applicable to such queries.

In this article, we present a novel approach for estimating the cardinality of complex graph queries. Our approach is inspired by WanderJoin, but, unlike all approaches known to us, it can process complex queries with arbitrary operator nesting. Our estimator is strongly consistent, meaning that the average of repeated estimates converges with probability one to the actual cardinality. We present optimisations of the basic algorithm that aim to reduce the chance of producing zero estimates and improve accuracy. We show empirically that our approach is both accurate and quick on complex queries and large datasets. Finally, we discuss how to integrate our approach into a simple dynamic programming query planner, and we confirm empirically that our planner produces high-quality plans that can significantly reduce end-to-end query evaluation times.
CoNST: Code Generator for Sparse Tensor Networks
Authors: Raje Saurabh , Xu Yufan , Rountev Atanas , Valeev Edward F. , Sadayappan P.
Published: August 2024

Sparse tensor networks represent contractions over multiple sparse tensors. Tensor contractions are higher-order analogs of matrix multiplication. Tensor networks arise commonly in many domains of scientific computing and data science. Such networks are typically computed using a tree of binary contractions. Several critical inter-dependent aspects must be considered in the generation of efficient code for a contraction tree, including sparse tensor layout mode order, loop fusion to reduce intermediate tensors, and the mutual dependence of loop order, mode order, and contraction order. We propose CoNST, a novel approach that considers these factors in an integrated manner using a single formulation. Our approach creates a constraint system that encodes these decisions and their interdependence, while aiming to produce reduced-order intermediate tensors via fusion. The constraint system is solved by the Z3 SMT solver and the result is used to create the desired fused loop structure and tensor mode layouts for the entire contraction tree. This structure is lowered to the IR of the TACO compiler, which is then used to generate executable code. Our experimental evaluation demonstrates significant performance improvements over current state-of-the-art sparse tensor compiler/library alternatives.
Design of an Online Adaptive Fractional‐Order Proportional‐Integral‐Derivative Controller to Reduce the Seismic Response of the 20‐Story Benchmark Building Equipped with an Active Control System
Authors: Jafarzadeh Ommegolsoum , Mousavi Ghasemi Seyyed Arash , Zahrai Seyed Mehdi , Sabetahd Rasoul , Mohammadzadeh Ardashir , Vafaei Poursorkhabi Ramin
Published: August 2024

The objective of the present investigation is to introduce a novel adaptive fractional‐order proportional‐integral‐derivative controller, which is characterized by the online tuning of its parameters by utilizing five distinct multilayer perceptron neural networks employing the extended Kalman filter. Utilizing the backpropagation algorithm in training a multilayer perceptron neural network is deemed effective in identifying the structural system and estimating the plant. The controller is applied using the Jacobian derived from the online estimated model. The utilization of adaptive interval type‐2 fuzzy neural networks in conjunction with the extended Kalman filter tuning method and feedback error learning strategy results in enhanced stability and robustness of the controller in the face of estimation error, seismic disturbances, and unknown nonlinear functions. The study aims to validate the efficacy of the proposed controller by examining its performance on a 20‐story nonlinear building. The numerical results show that including a compensator enhances the performance of the adaptive fractional‐order proportional‐integral‐derivative controller. The results show that the proposed adaptive fractional‐order proportional‐integral‐derivative controller has a better performance than other controllers and that the interstory drift ratio criterion under the El Centro earthquake with a magnitude of 1.5 times experienced an improvement of up to 65% compared to other controllers, and this amount in the Kobe earthquake reached more than 58%. Other criteria have also experienced significant improvement using the proposed controller.
Alpha‐Delta Integration and Its Application in Discrete Kinetic Equation Using Mittag–Leffler Factorial Function
Authors: Simon Jaraldpushparaj , Etemad Sina , Gnanaprakasam Britto Antony Xavier , Avcı İbrahim
Published: August 2024

The summation and exact form of the solutions related to the special type of difference equations are established in this paper by using the inverse of the delta and alpha‐delta operators. As an application, the solutions of the population growth model, particularly, fractional order kinetic equation, are obtained by this method. Also, by using the summation form and Mittag–Leffler factorial functions, the alpha‐delta integrations have been applied for solving the fractional order difference equations involving the factorial polynomials. Numerical examples are provided to validate the theoretical results.
Determinants and Mitigating Factors of Brain Drain among Ghanaian Nurses: Insights from Nurse Managers in Northern Ghana—A Qualitative Inquiry
Authors: Ibrahim Mudasir Mohammed , Wuni Abubakari , Salisu Waliu Jawula , Abdulai Abdul-Malik , Owusua Theresah , Nyarko Brenda Abena , Sayibu Abdul-Malik , Buasilenu Hannah , Baako Abdulai Issahaka , Mohammed Iddrisu Sisala
Published: August 2024

Background. Nurse emigration, often termed “brain drain,” poses significant challenges to Ghana’s healthcare sector. Aim. This study explores nurse managers’ perspectives on determinants and strategies for mitigating nurse emigration in Northern Ghana. Methods. Sixteen nurse managers were interviewed using semistructured interviews between October and December 2023. Purposive sampling was used to select the participants. QDA Miner Lite version 6 was used for systematic coding and thematic data analysis, following the conventional content analysis approach. Results. Following data encoding and classification, the study identified three primary categories: determinants of brain drain, impact of brain drain on the healthcare system, and mitigating factors of brain drain. Conclusion. The study reveals that various factors, including inadequate pay, limited opportunities for career growth, and lack of access to technology, drive the brain drain among Ghanaian nurses. These lead to negative impacts on the healthcare system, such as increased workload, reduced patient satisfaction, and a shortage of skilled nurses. To tackle this issue, solutions including offering career advancement opportunities and improving salaries and working conditions among others have been highlighted to mitigate the brain drain among Ghanaian nurses.
Hostile State Disinformation in the Internet Age
Authors: Clarke Richard A.
Published: August 2024

Foreign actors, particularly Russia and China, are using disinformation as a tool to sow doubts and counterfactuals within the U.S. population. This tactic is not new. From Nazi influence campaigns in the United States to the Soviets spreading lies about the origins of HIV, disinformation has been a powerful tool throughout history. The modern “information age” and the reach of the internet has only exacerbated the impact of these sophisticated campaigns. What then can be done to limit the future effectiveness of the dissemination of foreign states’ disinformation? Who has the responsibility and where does the First Amendment draw the boundaries of jurisdiction?
Seasons of death: patterns of predation on wild lemurs and other fauna by endemic and introduced predators
Authors: Sauther Michelle L. , Cuozzo Frank P. , Youssouf Ibrahim Antho Jacky , Strinden Michael , LaFleur Marni , Ness Jenifer , Larsen Richard Scott , Millette James , O’Mara Teague
Published: August 2024

Introduced species can negatively impact endemic flora and fauna. Studies have primarily utilized camera trap observations and occupancy modelling to better clarify the presence/absence and temporal overlap of endemic and exotic predators. Longitudinal data from field research sites are important as they can provide a finer understanding of predator dynamics and their effects on endemic species. One such site is the Bezà Mahafaly Special Reserve, in southern Madagascar. Protected since the 1970s, the local human population around Bezà Mahafaly Special Reserve has greatly expanded, leading to habitat disturbance in the surrounding forests and increased contact between local wildlife, people and their livestock and dogs. Here we use a combination of scat sampling, field observations of successful and attempted predations, locations of scat samples with identifiable lemur remains, and camera trap data to better assess the predator ecology at Bezà Mahafaly Special Reserve. Our results indicate that forest cats (Felis catus), are effective predators of both adult and infant lemurs and appear to be a constant mammalian predator, utilizing mammal prey more than dogs. Dogs are both predators and scavengers of lemurs. Civets focus on small prey, such as insects and rodents as well as plant material. The fosa, Cryptoprocta ferox, are also present but may not hunt in the area continuously. The killing of an adult ring-tailed lemur by two men from outside the area indicate culturally imposed taboos against lemur killing may no longer be effective given that new arrivals may not share the same local cultural restrictions. Scat sampling of exotic predators is one way to expand our understanding of exotic and endemic predator impact on lemur populations, and long-term studies with multiple assessments of predation can provide a clearer understanding of how non-endemic and endemic predators affect endangered species survival.
Ezekiel’s גר: Reassigning the Liminal Other within a Trauma-Forged Identity
Authors: Christiaan Faul J.
Published: August 2024

The small, two-verse interpolation of Ezekiel 47:22-23 is widely considered one of the most inclusive texts in the Hebrew Bible. Its instruction regarding the גרים allowed for full inclusion into the community that Ezekiel believed to be the true Israel. However, interpretations that view these verses as hyper-inclusive often view the גרים as foreigners. Such a view is largely based on understanding the term גר along linguistic rather than anthropological lines. This paper will explore the use of the term גר in both Ezekiel and the Holiness School to better understand the group envisioned by the author of Ezekiel 47:22-23. In so doing, I will demonstrate that these verses should not be understood simply along a binary of inclusive versus exclusive, but rather as part of a larger project of identity reformulation that occurred as part of a trauma process around the Babylonian exile.
Morphological and molecular characterisation of Persinema enigmaticum gen. n., sp. n. (Nematoda, Dorylaimida), a new remarkable taxon from Iran
Authors: Peña-Santiago Reyes , Asgari Mohsen , Mohammadlou Mahsa , Abolafia Joaquín , Eskandari Ali
Published: August 2024

A new genus is proposed to accommodate an undescribed dorylaimid form collected in Iran. Persianema gen. n. is characterised by its three-layered cuticle, oral field appreciably sunken but its perioral area visibly protruding, odontostyle less than one-half of lip region diam. and with large aperture, guiding ring simple and always located in front of odontostyle, odontophore 4-5 times longer than odontostyle, dorsal gland nucleus (DN) very posteriorly located, female genital system di-ovarian with well-developed pars refringens vaginae, tail short and rounded in both sexes, spicules dorylaimid and 3-4 spaced ventromedian supplements with hiatus. Its type and only species, P. enigmaticum sp. n., is described and illustrated, including SEM observations. It is distiguished by its 1.45-2.03 mm long body, lip region offset by shallow depression and 15.5-17.5 μm wide, odontostyle 6-7 μm long with aperture occupying more than half of its length, neck 285-340 μm long, pharyngeal expansion 38-43% of the total neck length, three gland cells present at pharyngo-intestinal junction, simple uterus 81-113 μm or 1.7-3.1 body diam. long, transverse vulva (V = 50-54), tail 15-25 μm long (c = 69-106, c′ = 0.6-0.8) and spicules 38-48 μm long. Molecular analysis of D2-D3 28S rDNA sequences revealed its closest similarity with Pungentus sequences, and an integrative comparison supports its belonging to Pungentinae.
How Jesus became Black: Kongo’s Discovery of its Role in the Creation and Nativity Stories
Authors: Thornton John Kelly
Published: August 2024

The Kingdom of Kongo is notable for its conversion to Christianity in the late fifteenth century and as continuing as a Christian country for the rest of its independent existence. Its conversion and the propagation and maintenance are widely believed to be the work of foreign missionaries, disrupted by a nationalist reconception of Christian history by D Beatriz Kimpa Vita, a prophetess possessed by Saint Anthony in 1704. New documentary discoveries force a new understanding of this process, placing emphasis on the reworking of the Creation and Nativity as taking place in Kongo, not with D Beatriz’ possessed statements in the eighteenth century, but in the sixteenth century at the hands of Kongolese intellectuals and school masters reworking European written source material, such as the Black Madonna at the church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and maps of the Garden of Eden.
Mobilités transnationales et changement religieux
Authors: Mossière Géraldine
Published: August 2024

Cet article traite de la conversion à l’islam comme d’une expérience initiatique qui s’inscrit dans le parcours de mobilité transnationale de jeunes Français séjournant au Québec. En nous appuyant sur des données ethnographiques collectées auprès de jeunes adoptant des croyances et pratiques liées à l’islam, nous montrons que la mobilité physique agit parfois comme un déclencheur pour rendre concrètes une situation et une identification auparavant vécues de façon floue ou non assumée. Cette mobilité s’appuie sur des mythscapes (Bell) c’est-à-dire des représentations spécifiques des pays de départ, des pays visités et des pays de destination nourris de fantasmes, d’exotisme, de désirs mais aussi de mal-être, et de désirs d’un ailleurs. L’étude de quelques cas suggère que ce mouvement participe de l’émergence d’une sous-culture que les jeunes rencontrés décrivent en recourant aux narratifs de l’« inter- » (interreligieux, intersectionnel). Ces vignettes offrent un aperçu des multiples façons dont les jeunes s’approprient les ressources et les outils offerts par la mondialisation en s’attribuant certaines identifications religieuses mobiles.
Differential responses of summer pruning timing on growth, quality and yield of low chill peach
Authors: Sharma Rohit , Banyal Ajay Kumar , Sharma Sunny
Published: August 2024

Summer pruning is an important horticultural operation that is performed to manipulate tree response so as to make it better manageable without a reduction in yield and fruit quality. But the timing is also an important factor in performing this event. Keeping in view the above facts, the present investigation was carried out to elucidate the ‘differential response of summer pruning timing on cropping behavior in low-chill peach cvs. Florida Prince and Shan-i-Punjab’. The experiment was carried out at the experimental orchard of the Department of Fruit Science, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Neri, Hamirpur (HP) during the years 2018–2019 and 2019–2020. There are six treatments in the experiment, each with four replications. T1: no pruning; T2: 25% summer pruning on July 10th + winter pruning (WP); T3: 25% summer pruning on July 20th +WP; T4: 25% summer pruning on July 30th +WP; T5: 25% summer pruning on August 10th +WP); and T6: standard winter pruning (SWP). According to the study’s findings, combining 25% summer pruning on July 10th with winter pruning resulted in the greatest improvement in terms of vegetative, flowering or blooming, and qualitative parameters, namely fruit weight, fruit shape index, total soluble solid, and sugar content. However, Florida Prince showed positive enhancement of various characteristics and performed better than Shan-i-Punjab.
Beyond Dynamic Drawings: Restoring and Reusing Interactive 3D Visualizations in a Humanities Context
Authors: Huurdeman Hugo C. , van den Heuvel Charles , Posthumus Etienne
Published: August 2024

In recent years, interest in three-dimensional visualizations as a complement to traditional text-based humanities scholarship has surged. These visualizations allow for new analysis methods and may serve as an interpretative tool, potentially leading to new insights for creators and viewers. However, contrary to more traditional publications, a myriad of preservation issues occurs from the moment a 3D visualization is created. This data paper illustrates the complexity of preserving 3D visualizations in a humanities context using six interactive visualizations produced in the Dynamic Drawings in Enhanced Publications project (2013). The visualizations serve as a concrete case study for the restoration, preservation and renewed publication of 3D content. This data paper sketches the general preservation challenges that led to non-functional interactive visualizations. The authors detail the process of restoring the visualizations from the original data and opening them up for potential reuse. To underline reuse possibilities, the authors provide tentative examples for vr and ar platforms. After presenting the dataset, they discuss the implications of the restoration process for future preservation practices of unstable interactive content. The authors introduce a ‘composite elements approach’, combining visual and non-visual levels of documentation necessary for the maintenance of interactive visualizations.
Poetic Anarchism
Authors: Bernal María Clara
Published: August 2024

In 1966, the Colombian poet Gonzalo Arango published the article “Jazz para una misa negra por el alma de André Breton” [Jazz for a Black Mass for the Soul of André Breton] in Bogotá. In the text, he paid homage to the French poet and declared him “an impossible corpse”. Arango was the founder of the literary and artistic avant-garde movement called Nadaísmo that surfaced in Colombia in the 1950s. Its members were self-declared “cultural guerrillas” and established as their target moralism in politics, aesthetics, and social issues using the arts as their weapon. This article explores Nadaísmo’s ideological links to French Surrealism and its revolutionary spirit by examining the life of the group and the ideas exposed in the first and second nadaist manifestos.
Medical and Surgical Weight Loss as a Pathway to Renal Transplant Listing
Authors: Samuels Jason M. , English Wayne , Birdwell Kelly A. , Feurer Irene D. , Shaffer David , Geevarghese Sunil K. , Karp Seth J.
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Severe obesity is a barrier to listing for kidney transplantation due to concern for poor outcomes. This study aims to compare bariatric surgery with medical weight loss as a means of achieving weight loss and subsequent listing for renal transplant. We hypothesize that bariatric surgery will induce greater frequency of listing for transplant within 18 months of study initiation.

Materials and Methods

We performed a randomized study of metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) vs medical weight loss (MM) in patients on dialysis with a body mass index (BMI) of 40-55 kg/m2. The primary outcome was suitability for renal transplant within 18 months of initiating treatment. Secondary outcomes included weight loss, mortality, and complications.

Results

Twenty patients enrolled, only 9 (5 MBS, 4 MM) received treatment. Treated groups did not differ in age, gender, or race ( P ≥ .44). There was no statistically significant difference in the primary endpoint: 2 MBS (40%) and 1 MM (25%) listed for transplant ≤18 months ( P = 1.00). With additional time, 100% MBS and 25% MM patients achieved listing status ( P = .048); 100% of MBS and 0 MM received kidney transplants to date ( P = .008). Weight, weight loss, and BMI trajectories differed between the groups ( P ≤ .002). One death from COVID-19 occurred in the MM group, and 1 MBS patient had a myocardial infarction 3.75 years after baseline evaluation.

Conclusion

These results suggest MBS is superior to MM in achieving weight loss prior to listing for kidney transplantation. Larger studies are needed to ensure the safety profile is acceptable in patients with ESRD undergoing bariatric surgery.
Pneumococcal Vaccination Rates and Associated Meningitis Events in Patients With Acute Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak
Authors: Lamore Raymond F. , Kafisheh Hannah , Mangan Lauren E.
Published: August 2024

Objective:

To characterize the institutional utilization of pneumococcal vaccination during an index hospital admission for acute cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage and associated infectious and clinical outcomes.

Methods:

This retrospective cohort study included patients hospitalized and treated for an acute CSF leak from January 2017 to June 2022. The primary outcome evaluated the incidence of pneumococcal vaccination during the index admission in patients without prior vaccination. Secondary outcomes evaluated the incidence of meningitis, time from CSF leak identification to meningitis, and mortality within 1 year of the index admission.

Results:

A total of 94 patients were included. Nineteen (20.2%) patients received pneumococcal vaccination prior to admission. Of the 75 patients without prior vaccination, 4 (5.3%) patients received vaccination during the admission. Meningitis occurred in 5/94 (5.3%) patients and occurred 4-24 days from CSF leak identification. Mortality was observed in 9/94 (9.6%) patients. None of the meningitis cases were attributed to culture-positive findings of pneumococcal disease.

Conclusions:

The results of this study demonstrate an overall low institutional utilization of pneumococcal vaccination in patients with an acute CSF leak. Infectious and clinical outcomes reflected comparable to previous reported literature. Further evaluation into the risk-benefit relationship of vaccination omission is warranted in this patient population.
COVID-19, Agency and Resilience: The Experiences of Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in Ghana
Authors: Arthur Peter , Arthur Emmanuel
Published: August 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic that occurred in March 2020 resulted in the global economy grinding to a halt because of the various measures that were put in place by governments to stem the tide of the pandemic. While various sectors of the economy were hit hard, the micro, small and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) sector is believed to have borne the brunt of the economic shutdown that came about because of COVID. The focus of this paper is therefore to examine the experiences of MSMEs with COVID-19 in Ghana. Based on the experiences of 25 business owners in the MSME sector that were interviewed, it is argued in the paper that given that the pandemic exacerbated the challenges that MSMEs already faced, the development and implementation of various support programmes to the sector would be crucial to the economic recovery that would hopefully occur in the post-COVID period. The attempts to ensure the continued contribution of MSMEs to Ghana’s economy in the post-COVID period would be dependent on the adoption of policies that entail the provision of financial support through loans, loan guarantees and grants; and assisting MSMEs in their use of digital technology to help them with communication and marketing to their customers would be a step in the right direction.
Investigation of shear thickening fluid (STF) impregnated interlayer hybrid composites under low-velocity impact loading
Authors: Saricam Canan , Okur Nazan
Published: August 2024

This study deals with the development of interlayer hybrid composites with improved low-velocity impact response. In the composites produced using the hand lay-up technique, glass, carbon, and Kevlar woven fabrics were used as reinforcement materials and epoxy resin was used as the matrix material. Shear thickening fluid (STF) was impregnated into the fabric for enhancing their performance. The effect of hybridization with different stacking sequences and the impregnation of STF on the peak load, deflection at peak load, energy absorption, impact strength, and damage degree were investigated. All samples were subjected to 3.12 m/s and 4.42 m/s impact velocities using a drop-weight impact tester applying 200J and 400J impact energy levels, respectively. The results revealed that in samples containing neat fabrics, the performances of the pure Kevlar samples were much better in comparison to hybrid samples, especially under high impact energy. However, STF significantly improved the impact strength and energy absorption (up to 30 times) of all samples, including hybrid ones. On the other hand, as the impact energy increased, the use of a Kevlar reinforced plate on the impact surface was crucial, providing higher energy absorption, and no perforation was observed since most of the energy was required to initiate the damage. In the samples with Kevlar in the intermediate layer, however, the majority of the impact energy caused propagation and expansion of the damage. According to the findings, up to 50% cost savings were achieved in STF-impregnated hybrid samples containing Kevlar.
Family Coping With COVID-19: Unexpected Parental Loss and Surviving Parent Coping, Grief and Posttraumatic Growth Outcomes Based on Child Age
Authors: Donohue Erin
Published: August 2024

Guided by the conceptual framework of widowed parenting, the current study takes a relational approach to understand more about how the characteristics of parents of young and adult children relate to coping following the unexpected death of a partner due to COVID-19, and how these variables predict complicated grief and posttraumatic growth. A sample of 81 widowed parents completed self-report measures examining parenting self-efficacy, relationship uncertainty, coping, complicated grief, and posttraumatic growth. Results of hierarchical regression analyses suggest that, when controlling for time since death (1) relationship uncertainty and avoidant coping significantly predict complicated grief for parents in the sample with adult children, and (2) widowed parenting self-efficacy and both problem-focused and emotion-focused coping significantly predict posttraumatic growth for parents in the sample with young children. Results of the current study may inform future practices (e.g., use of Emotionally Focused Family Therapy) to aid families grieving an unexpected loss.
Evaluation of the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy on tinnitus
Authors: Bal Fatih
Published: August 2024

Objective

This research aims to examine the effects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) on tinnitus in individuals aged 18-60 years.

Methods

Thirty participants with subjective tinnitus for at least six months were included a randomized controlled trial was conducted with 15 participants in the experimental group and 15 in the control group, with pre-test and post-test measurements. The experimental group received eight CBT sessions for eight weeks. Data were collected using Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test were used to compare scores between experimental and control groups before and after the intervention.

Results

A within-group difference was found between total scores on THI and VAS before and after CBT in the experimental (z = −3.241, P = 0.001), but not in the control group (z = −1.764, P = 0.078). Following the intervention, there was a significant between-group difference on the THI Emotional, Catastrophic, and Functional tinnitus subscale scores, favoring the experimental group.

Conclusions

CBT significantly reduced tinnitus level, severity, duration, frequency, discomfort, tinnitus-related attention deficit, and sleep problems. Further studies are needed to replicate these results in other populations.
Effect of cryogenic treatment on the tribological properties of EBMed Ti6Al4V
Authors: Huang Xina , Ma Xiaowen
Published: August 2024

Ti6Al4 V fabricated using electron beam melting (EBM) were subjected to cryogenic treatment (CT) to enhance their tribological properties, which was investigated by wear tests at rotation speeds of 200 r/min, 400 r/min, 600 r/min, and microstructure observation. The results show that the as-fabricated microstructure consists of lamellar α-phase and β-columnar crystals. However, the lamellar α-phase thickness was refined after CT. As the rotational speed increases, wear becomes more severe, and the wear mechanism develops from abrasive wear and adhesive wear to certain fatigue wear. Nevertheless, the CTed specimens demonstrate a reduced friction coefficient and wear rate at all rotation speeds. This study provides the theoretical basis for improving the tribological properties of Ti6Al4 V.
Comparing surface characteristics of Cu-Al-Fe alloys using thermal-based machining processes
Authors: Santosh S. , Bavin S. , Srivatsan T. S.
Published: August 2024

The exceptional shape memory properties and load-handling capabilities of shape memory alloys makes them perfect for a spectrum of applications, such as actuators in robotics, control of aircraft wings and biomedical applications. Other than nickel-titanium shape memory alloy there are also various combinations of elements that show the same memory effect, namely Cu-Al-Fe, Cu-Al-Zn, and Cu-Al-Fe-Mn. However, a major problem often associated with shape memory alloys is the technical difficulty associated with machining them. Consequently, they do not tend to last longer when put to use. An optimal selection of input process parameters has a direct influence on the physical properties of these compounds. The traditional machining process, such as drilling, milling and grinding, pose a great threat to their properties. Hence, the research community has focused their study towards unconventional processes, such as (i) Wire Electric Discharge Machining, and (ii) Laser Beam Machining. In this research study, machining of the Cu-Al-Fe shape memory alloy was performed using three unconventional machining processes, namely (i) electric discharge machining (EDM), (ii) laser beam machining (LBM), (iii) powder-mixed electric discharge machining (PMEDM) and the effect of input process parameters were analysed. Various characterization tests provide useful information specific to changes in the microstructure and thermal behaviour of the alloy. The results show that the samples machined with PMEDM, EDM and LBM have surface roughness values of 2.377, 3.120 and 3.432 µm, respectively, which proves that PMEDM is best suited for machining the CuAlFe smart alloy.
Imagining a Positive Future: Desirability and Possibility as Possible Pathways to Hope and Commitment to Collective Action
Authors: Wenzel Michael , Love Joy , Thomas Emma F.
Published: August 2024

We investigate if and how imagining a positive future where a societal issue has been rectified can promote hope and support for collective action. Participants imagined (vs. not) a positive future related to climate change (Study 1, N = 301) and economic equality (Study 2, N = 489), two years versus several decades from now. In both studies, imagining a positive future led to support for collective action via increased hope. In Study 1, imagination increased the perceived possibility of achieving the collective goal, in Study 2 it increased its perceived desirability. Possibility was positively related to hope, in particular when imagining a near future, whereas desirability of the collective goal was positively related to hope for a distant imagined future. The research provides evidence for the power of imagination in inspiring hope and collective action, and shows the shifting meaning of hope depending on collective action context and timeframe of the imagination.
The Effects of Psychopathy Facets on Treatment Involvement
Authors: Vasaturo Anna , Krstic Sonja , Knight Raymond A.
Published: August 2024

The current study explored the relations between patient characteristics and psychopathic traits in predicting treatment involvement. We rated treatment involvement using detailed archival clinical files of 218 individuals committed to the Massachusetts Treatment Center (MTC). Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) scores had been rated from a previous study on the same sample. Overall, PCL-R Facets 2 and 4 significantly predicted decreases in treatment involvement, suggesting the characteristics associated with these facets have the most disruptive effects on treatment involvement. Exploratory analyses were also conducted assessing the relations between the PCL-R facets and the individual treatment involvement components. Whereas Facet 2 significantly predicted lower levels in all three individual treatment involvement components, Facet 4 only significantly predicted lower levels in two, highlighting the differentiating effects of these facets. Identifying the components that have either positive or negative effects on treatment involvement can allow clinicians to tailor treatments to optimize treatment involvement and outcome.
Adaptive control universality of STATCOM for efficient wind energy conversion systems
Authors: Mosaad Mohamed I
Published: August 2024

Wind energy (WE) is recognized as a highly promising renewable energy source. However, its performance is significantly influenced by various grid fault events. Several adaptable and controlled devices, such as the Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM), have been implemented to alleviate the consequences of these faults and enhance the performance of WE systems. Control of the STATCOM poses challenges due to the limitations of static controllers, such as PI controllers. These controllers are adjusted off-line for a specific operating point and cannot be adapted to accommodate all subsequent operating points. This study introduces a model predictive control (MPC) to accomplish universality adaptive control for STATCOM coupled to a double-fed induction generator (DFIG)-based WE system. This control attempts to improve the WE system performance, protect it from damage, and keep it in continuous operation during fault events. Additionally, the objective of this study is to address various fault events that may arise within the WE system, including three-phase faults, sag/swell situations, and ferroresonance. Results showed that the proposed MPC has the potential to effectively universalize the STATCOM control in WE-DFIG systems. Thus it mitigates several faults and keeps the generator connected during different fault events regardless of any variations in the voltage profile that may occur during the faults, whether it is an increase or decrease. When comparing the MPC with the optimized PI controller, it is evident that the PI controller does not fully provide universality control for STATCOM. This is because its parameters are calculated based on specific operating conditions and stay unchanged even when they are altered.
Rostral cranial fossa and sinonasal neoplasms with cribriform plate involvement in 32 dogs and 17 cats
Authors: Rissi Daniel R. , Miller Andrew D. , Daverio Heather , Demeter Elena A. , Church Molly E. , Donovan Taryn A.
Published: August 2024

The rostral cranial fossa (RCF) consists of the sphenoid and ethmoid bones, which accommodate the olfactory bulbs and nerves along the recesses of the cribriform plate. Neoplasms located in the vicinities of the RCF can compress and/or invade the cribriform plate. Here we describe the clinical and pathologic findings of neoplasms involving the cribriform plate in 32 dogs and 17 cats autopsied over a 13-y period. The average ages of affected dogs and cats were 9.2 y and 9.7 y, respectively. No sex or breed predisposition was evident in dogs, but 13 of 18 cats were spayed females and 14 of 18 were domestic shorthair cats. The main clinical signs were seizures (10 cases) and epistaxis (5 cases) in dogs, and red-to-brown nasal discharge (5 cases) and seizures (4 cases) in cats. In dogs, the 22 sinonasal neoplasms included adenocarcinoma (14 cases), transitional carcinoma (4), squamous cell carcinoma (2), lymphoma (1), and histiocytic sarcoma (1); the 10 intracranial neoplasms consisted of high-grade gliomas (3 cases), psammomatous meningiomas (2), histiocytic sarcomas (2), olfactory neuroblastomas (2), and a meningeal granular cell tumor (1). In cats, the 14 sinonasal neoplasms included lymphoma (8 cases), adenocarcinoma (4), adenosquamous carcinoma (1), and squamous cell carcinoma (1); the 3 intracranial neoplasms consisted of oligodendroglioma (1), transitional meningioma (1), and olfactory neuroblastoma (1).
Understanding Family Reactions to Transgender Children in Iranian Culture: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Heidari Nahid , Naji Sayed Ali , Abdullahzadeh Mehrdad
Published: August 2024

Introduction:

The family plays a crucial role in shaping children’s identity and understanding of gender-based roles. This study aims to explore the experiences of Iranian transgender individuals with their families’ reactions to their transgender identity disclosure.

Methods:

In 2018, nurse researchers conducted this qualitative study on 11 transgender individuals in Iran using a phenomenological approach, targeted and snowball sampling, and Colaizzi’s seven-step method for data analysis. Rigor was ensured by adhering to Lincoln and Guba’s standards.

Results:

The study found varied reactions to transgender children among Iranian families, including abuse to avoid stigma. The study revealed two main themes, maladaptive and adaptive reactions, and identified six categories: denial of reality, mourning, coercion, deprivation, support out of necessity, and compromise of family reactions.

Discussion:

Education and support systems may help address the cultural challenges that face families with transgender children. The findings offer insights for enhancing public awareness of the transgender community in conservative cultures.
A novel “S” chain structure mechanism model of magneto-rheological elastomer
Authors: Zhang Yongmin , Zhang Hailong , Wang Enrong
Published: August 2024

Mechanism models based on chain-like structures are often used to characterize the morphology of magneto-rheological elastomer (MRE) and provide theoretical guidance for MRE preparation. However, widely used shear and tension mechanism models based on oblique straight chain or bent-chain structures have the limitation of insufficient accuracy in characterization, mainly because the internal particle chains of anisotropic MRE are not simple oblique straight or bent from scanning electron microscope (SEM) results. Therefore, the particle chain formation and particle interaction mechanism within MRE are revealed firstly. The theoretical results shows that particles tend to form S-like chain structures due to complex attraction and extrusion. On this basis, a novel “S” chain mechanism model is proposed, which is confirmed to have higher accuracy than the ideal shear model and tension model by comparing with the experimental results. The main reason is that the “S” chain mechanism model has realized the unification of shear, compressive, or tension mode, and integrates the fully coupled magnetic field, distribution parameters and interface stretching. The “S” chain mechanism model also takes into account the radius and volume fraction of the particles in MRE preparation, which makes it a more accurate guide to subsequent preparation.
Preservice Music Teachers’ Perceptions of Teaching Contexts
Authors: Gerrard Crystal Lynn
Published: August 2024

The purpose of this study was to explore preservice music teachers’ (PSMTs) perceptions of teaching contexts. Specifically, I examined the experiences and beliefs PSMTs ( n = 91) had related to rural, urban, and suburban settings for student teaching and future employment. Findings revealed that most PSMTs preferred teaching contexts that were similar to those of the P–12 schools they attended which were predominantly suburban. There were, however, stereotypes and misconceptions about teaching contexts that likely influenced participant responses. Despite preferences, most PSMTs indicated they were open to student teaching and employment in any context and believed they could be successful teachers in any context. A concerning finding that emerged included fears of specific contexts related to issues of race/ethnicity, sexual/attractional orientation, and gender. Implications for the profession include more diverse course content and field experiences beyond what is most familiar to PSMTs in addition to challenging biases.