bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Morphology and phylogeny reveal a new ramarioid species of Phaeoclavulina (Gomphaceae, Basidiomycota) from Yunnan Province, China
Authors: ZHENG DE-GE , LU WEN-HUA , HAN MEI-YAN , ELGORBAN ABDALLAH M. , YANG JING-YA , ZHOU YUAN-QING , SUWANNARACH NAKARIN , TIBPROMMA SAOWALUCK , KARUNARATHNA SAMANTHA C.
Published: October 2024

During a survey of coral mushrooms in Yunnan Province, China, yellow, cylindrical, and coral-shaped basidiomata were collected and preliminarily identified as a Phaeoclavulina species. Phylogenetic analyses of combined ITS1–5.8S–ITS2 and LSU sequences support our collections positioning within Phaeoclavulina sister lineage to P. carovinacea strains with 58% BS and 0.95 PP statistical support. Our Phaeoclavulina collection is characterized by verrucose, truncate (volcanic) spines in spores, and clamp connections that differ from closely related species. Phylogenetic analysis results and morphological comparisons support our collection as a distinct new species of Phaeoclavulina (P. yunnanensis). The new species is described and illustrated, and the results of the phylogenetic analysis are provided.
How Are Weather and Climate Products and Decision Support Systems Used in Wildland Fire Decision-Making in the U.S. Southwest?
Authors: Ferguson Daniel B. , Frisvold George B. , Maxwell Charles , Crimmins Michael A.
Published: October 2024

Wildland fire management is a challenging environment in which to utilize scientific information. Despite the robust information system that supports U.S. wildland fire management, recent studies demonstrate that some data/information products and decision support tools available to that community are not being used to their full potential. In the U.S. Southwest, the convergence of climate change, past wildland fire policy, and an expanding wildland–urban interface have increased pressure on wildland fire managers to use science-based information to improve management outcomes. This tension between the perceived need for more science in fire management and the practical challenges of using science to inform decisions led us to ask two basic questions: 1) How is information about weather and climate used in wildland fire management decision-making in the Southwest? 2) How are decision support tools used in Southwest wildland fire management? We found that relatively few sources of weather and climate information are consulted by Southwest wildland fire managers; a small percentage of those sources are used to inform the specific decisions and tasks we asked about; and decision support tools are commonly used to justify rather than inform decisions. We further found evidence that suggests that products and tools that are thoughtfully designed to fit within the specific information use environment of wildland fire management—rather than being produced in isolation from that environment—are more likely to be used and therefore have more impact than those that are produced in isolation from that environment.

Significance Statement

This study set out to understand how weather and climate information and decision support systems (DSSs) are perceived and used by the Southwest wildland fire management community. We found that the wildland fire community consults relatively few weather and climate products, even fewer are used to inform decisions, and that DSSs are frequently used to justify rather than inform decisions. We argue that the climate services community and other scientists who develop science-based tools and products for fire management will benefit from better understanding the information use environment in which their science may be used if they want to increase the utility of their work.
Context-Driven Diversification in Social Enterprises
Authors: Bhawe Nachiket , Jha Srivardhini K.
Published: October 2024

Recent work has emphasized the role of context in shaping the diversification strategies of social enterprises (SEs), but our understanding remains superficial. We identify two types of context-driven diversification strategies—market development diversification (MDD) and market functioning diversification (MFD)—depending on the type of voids being addressed. We then empirically test how these diversification strategies impact the performance of SEs on the twin dimensions of financial growth and social impact. Using a mixed-method approach of qualitative interviews and a longitudinal database of Indian microfinance firms (MFIs), we find that while MFD positively impacts financial growth, MDD has a positive effect on social impact. Furthermore, we find that the strategic fit (or lack of it) between the SE’s legal form and the type of diversification enhances (undermines) financial growth. However, the strategic fit between the legal form and diversification choice does not amplify social impact. The study contributes to product diversification literature, which has paid limited attention to the role of context.
Obliged tolerance: Power at the intersection of everyday peace and the intervention economy
Authors: Tschunkert Kristina
Published: October 2024

This article explores the economic relationships of host and refugee communities in the context of international humanitarian interventions and their implications for everyday peace. It argues for an expanded understanding of power in everyday peace, incorporating an analysis of the interplay between international interventions, local power dynamics and everyday peace. It responds to the call for increased attention to the economic dimensions of peacebuilding, particularly at the local level. The article introduces the concept of obliged tolerance to explain some of the socioeconomic motivations for different actors in the intervention economy to engage in everyday peace processes. Those benefitting from the international intervention actuate less empowered community members to practice tolerance for peaceful coexistence which sustains the economic benefits derived from the intervention economy. The findings from research conducted in Lebanon indicate that humanitarian interventions shape a peace that primarily benefits affluent and influential actors, while marginalised individuals engage in everyday peace for survival and to pursue socioeconomic opportunities. By integrating an analysis of everyday economic interactions, this article highlights the role of power dynamics and economic motivations based on obliged tolerance in shaping everyday peace, challenging conventional notions of everyday peace as a social coping mechanism that people practice entirely voluntarily.
Shared Households in the U.S.: A New Perspective on Family Structure and Adolescent Substance Use
Authors: Valdez Catalina , Hoffmann John P. , Jones Melissa S.
Published: October 2024

Research on the family structure–adolescent substance use association has largely neglected shared households—those in which non-parent adult figures live in the home—even though the number of these households has increased substantially in the U.S. Using data from the state of Florida, we assessed the association between several shared household structures and adolescent substance use, along with whether their associations were mediated by parent-child relationship quality or parental monitoring/discipline. Adolescents in shared family households, especially when a parent did not reside in the home, manifested a higher odds of marijuana use and vaping than those in two-parent households. Monitoring/discipline partly mediated the household structure effects, suggesting that engaging in high levels of monitoring can lower the risk of substance use even in families without two parents.
Environmental Conservation and the Bulawayo CBD as a Linguistic Landscape Construction: An Ecolinguistics Perspective
Authors: Maseko Busani , Siziba Liqhwa
Published: October 2024

This study deploys the ecolinguistics perspective to examine how purposively selected signs communicate environmental conservation issues in the city of Bulawayo as a linguistic landscape construction. Drawing on Haugen’s language ecology model and Halliday’s eco-discursive approach, the study reveals that the dominance of English and the invisibility of indigenous languages violate an inclusive ecosophy couched on principles of diversity and harmony, interaction and coexistence. The study also reveals an ecological orientation that is both beneficial and ambivalent. We therefore recommend the inclusion of indigenous languages and the framing of more eco-beneficial messages that foreground the benefit of positive environmental stewardship.
Oral Health Research in the WHO African Region between 2011 and 2022: A Scoping Review
Authors: Labarca T.F. , Ortuño D. , Neira L. , Andrade G. , Bravo F.J. , Cantarutti C.R. , Dallaserra M. , Gatarayiha A. , Karajgikar J. , Kulchar R.J. , Liu X. , Martins-Pfeifer C.C. , Olivares N. , Pilcher L. , Pahlke S. , Pirela C. , Sanchez J.M. , Song A. , Urquhart O. , Vargas J.P. , Véliz C. , Verdugo-Paiva F. , Vergara P. , Zaffiri V. , Zuñiga J. , Makino Y. , Glick M. , Carrasco-Labra A.
Published: October 2024

The status of oral health research in the World Health Organization (WHO) African region is unclear, yet the need for such information is central to moving an oral health agenda forward. Such an agenda is essential for effectively translating research into actionable practices and supporting regional strategies. The aim of this scoping review was to provide data on the scope and output of oral health research in the WHO African region to be used as a starting point for establishing a research agenda that can affect oral health in the region. We conducted a systematic search in PubMed; EMBASE; Epistemonikos; Scopus; the International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research General and Regional Sessions; ProQUEST; PROSPERO; and African regional databases such as Regional African Index Medicus and the African Journal Online. We included primary and secondary studies published in English, French, or Portuguese between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2022, addressing oral health–related research having individuals, groups, or populations as units of analysis. These reports either addressed a topic relevant to the WHO African region assessed using the title and study objective or were conducted in a country in the region. We excluded in vitro and in vivo studies focusing on cells, biomarkers, or animals. We assessed 24,014 records, and 1,379 proved eligible. Our findings indicate a preference for particular research designs less suitable for evidence-informed practice guidelines and oral policies, a limited scope of oral health research topics, and important regional differences in research capacity. Furthermore, publications by researchers in the WHO African region tend to be published in journals with a limited readership. A discussion of our findings among oral health researchers at academic institutions in the WHO African region on how to create within- and across-country collaborations could potentially improve both health and oral health in the region.
Educating youth who don’t have a place to sleep
Authors: Fischer Matthias , Tobin Kerri
Published: October 2024

Because housing instability can make it difficult for students to attend school, students experiencing homelessness (SEH) may become chronically absent. For this reason, SEH have lower graduation rates than their housed counterpants. Germany’s second-chance schools give students an opportunity to catch up on their learning so they can take final exams and earn diplomas. Kerri Tobin and Matthias Fischer studied 12 second-chance schools and found that they hold to four basic principles to counter the consequences of irregular attendance: low barriers, flexibility, a needs orientation, and positive motivation. While some of these principles may be difficult to implement in traditional U.S. and German schools, educators can adopt a more positive and compassionate attitude to encourage students to continue attending school, even when it’s difficult.
Cybersapien literacy: Integrating AI and human
Authors: Gee James Paul , Zhang Qing Archer
Published: October 2024

The landscape of writing is evolving in the era of generative AI. James Paul Gee introduces the concept of “cybersapien writing literacy,” which emphasizes a synergistic partnership between humans and AI. He outlines four essential types of writing and discusses their potential benefits for personal growth, critical thinking, and societal engagement. Integrative writing combines these writing types to foster what Gee calls “expansive cognition.” This vision of writing already exists in out-of-school learning environments like affinity spaces, but schools face challenges when implementing similar practices. Shifting away from time-based assessments toward individualized, achievement-based learning models will give students opportunities to leverage AI as a tutor, co-teacher, and partner in integrative writing work.
How do we teach honesty in a dishonest world?
Authors: Stitzlein Sarah M.
Published: October 2024

A civic society depends on people’s ability to reason together, which requires them to seek and tell the truth. However, Sarah Stitzlein argues that schools spend too little time deliberately teaching students the value of honesty. Far from being simply a personal virtue, honesty enables citizens to think and act together for the benefit of all. The rise in populism has led some people to define truth as what feels true to their own experience and the beliefs of their in-group, often dismissing the knowledge of experts. Schools can help students learn to discern truth by engaging in inquiry in which they consider their own beliefs and those of others, as well as information from experts.
Employing School Librarians: What Decision-Makers Tell Us
Authors: Lance Keith Curry , Kachel Debra E. , Gerrity Caitlin
Published: October 2024

Although research has shown that having a school librarian benefits students, librarian positions are being cut in schools across the U.S. SLIDE — The School Librarian Investigation: Decline or Evolution? — examined federal data on school library staffing and interviewed 49 district leaders about their decisions to eliminate or add librarian positions. Keith Curry Lance, Debra E. Kachel, and Caitlin Gerrity report that of 54 total decisions leaders made related to changes in librarian staffing, 28 resulted in librarian increases and 26 resulted in librarian decreases. Decisions to add or eliminate positions were generally related to changes in district priorities. Although leaders expressed that they value librarians’ role in providing information literacy instruction and support and had positive experiences with librarians, some had to allocate resources to other positions. Others had trouble finding librarians with the necessary qualifications. When making staffing decisions, leaders need to consider what benefits librarians offer and how to meet student and staff needs for information and media literacy.
First Person: The Happy Farm: Igniting the flame of knowledge in children
Authors: Wang Shanshan
Published: October 2024

Teacher Shanshan Wang took the opportunity to transform an empty area near her school into a vegetable and fruit garden with her students, which they dubbed the Happy Farm. Students planted the seeds and tended the plants. They kept journals about the growing plants and worked together to solve problems when they arose. The produce from the garden is served in the school cafeteria. Wang writes that the students value being out in nature and learning through activities rather than just in their classrooms.
Backtalk: Where are the teachers of color? Getting cut out and lured away
Authors: Kwok Andrew , Bartanen Brendan
Published: October 2024

Research has shown that having a diverse teacher workforce benefits students, but the population of teachers remains predominantly white, even as the student population becomes increasingly diverse. Andrew Kwok and Brendan Bartanen analyzed data from college applications in Texas and found that interest in teacher certification has declined in the past decade more than interest in other professions. Promisingly, the racial makeup of college applicants interested in teaching is relatively diverse. However, at every stage in the process toward becoming a teacher, the diversity decreases. They recommend that education leaders and schools of education make intentional efforts to reach out to students of color early about the possibility of becoming a teacher.
Career Confidential: Veteran educator wonders, ‘Is it too late to start over?’
Authors: Sackstein Starr
Published: October 2024

Educator Starr Sackstein gives workplace advice to educators. In this month’s column, an experienced teacher is feeling bored and wonders if it’s time to make a career pivot.
Quantitative characterization of porosity evolution in the Triassic Chang 8 tight sandstone reservoir during hydrocarbon accumulation in the Maling area, Ordos Basin, China
Authors: Wang Zhen , Ren Zhanli , Guo Sasa
Published: October 2024

The Maling area in the Ordos Basin is characterized by delta front deposits. The principal oil-bearing layer, Chang 8 Member (the 8th member of the Triassic Yanchang Formation), manifests low-to-ultra-low porosity and permeability due to the interplay of depositional, diagenetic, and burial processes. The reservoir exhibits pronounced heterogeneity and diagenetic alterations, which limit the efficacy of hydrocarbon exploration. Methodologies employed for this research encompass grain size imaging, physical property assays, petrographic thin sections, scanning electron microscopy, high-pressure mercury intrusion, and X-ray diffraction. These techniques facilitated a comprehensive investigation into the diagenetic attributes and compaction mechanisms of the reservoir. A porosity evolution simulation equation tailored to the Chang 8 tight sandstone reservoir was formulated based on diagenetic evolution traits and geological influences. Interdependencies and correlations among various diagenetic processes were analyzed. During diagenesis, compaction, cementation, and replacement led to a reduction in primary porosity, whereas dissolution-induced secondary pores served as high-permeability channels. A quantitative model for porosity evolution was developed alongside qualitative assessments, achieving a deviation of 3.18% when compared to gas porosity measurements. Evaluation of four representative samples revealed that compaction-induced diagenetic alteration predominates, with burial depth, formation age, and cement types playing critical roles in the evolution of reservoir porosity. This differential diagenetic evolution elucidates the underlying causes of variability in reservoir properties and heterogeneity in pore structure, providing valuable insights for future exploration strategies.
Old Habits Die Hard: A Review and Assessment of the Threat-Rigidity Literature
Authors: Mazzei Matthew J. , DeBode Jason , Gangloff K. Ashley , Song Ruixiang
Published: October 2024

Since its introduction more than four decades ago, threat-rigidity theory has emerged as a popular managerial theory of threat response used in a wide variety of literature streams. The theory explains that individuals, groups, and organizations revert to familiar responses (i.e., rigidity) in navigating threats, even when doing so may not be ideal. Yet, despite its popularity, fidelity to the theory’s assumptions and core arguments have been missing, and development of the theory has been limited. As organizations continue facing new and unique threats (e.g., advancing technologies, economic downturns, supply chain disruptions, global health crises), a review and synthesis of threat-rigidity theory is necessary to drive new knowledge and allow for better understanding of the conditions around and appropriateness of rigidity. Our assessment of the literature reveals several gaps to address, which inform three primary directions for future research. We encourage future scholars to (a) clarify the nature of threats that elicit rigid responses, (b) explore the contextual factors and boundary conditions of the theory, and (c) utilize advanced methodological approaches to examine rigidity effects and outcomes across levels and over time. We provide guidance and sample research questions in each of the proposed directions for scholars to use in future efforts to refine or enhance threat-rigidity theory.
Ideology, financial circumstances, and attitudes toward public and private foreign aid
Authors: Cho Esol
Published: October 2024

Does ideology influence voter preferences for foreign aid in the same way it does for domestic redistribution? Economically vulnerable left-leaning citizens, who are normatively strong proponents of government aid, may not be as committed to increasing actual spending. Such citizens may see themselves as competing with the foreign poor for domestic resources. Similarly, while affluent right-leaning citizens may oppose increasing foreign aid due to skepticism about government spending, this might not extend to private donations. Instead, they may view non-governmental organizations and charities as alternatives that leverage private expertise to assist poor countries. Using four years of public opinion data from 15 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development donor countries, I find support for the conditional effect of ideology and economic self-interest on both public and private aid attitudes. By focusing on three different measures—the morality of aid, public aid spending, and private donations—I further explore variations in aid attitudes.
Analyzing the Determinants of U.S. Residential Energy Usage and Spending: A Machine Learning Approach
Authors: Chidmi Benaissa , Ettoumi Youssef , Aljohani Emad S.
Published: October 2024

This study explores the factors that impact residential energy usage and spending in the United States. Using data from the 2020 Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS), we investigate the significance of different energy consumption determinants at various analysis levels. Our analysis covers residential energy usage, electricity, natural gas, propane, and fuel oil consumption. We also examine energy usage for space heating, cooling, and water heating. To leverage the extensive RECS data, which includes over 180 variables, we utilized machine learning (ML) techniques for feature selection and determined their Shapley contribution for different target outcomes. Our results indicate that the CatBoost algorithm outperforms other ML techniques on the 2020 Residential Energy Consumption Survey sample. Our findings demonstrate that it is not appropriate to aggregate consumption and expenditure, as each level has distinct important features.

JEL Classification: D12, Q41, R21
Guess What? The Asker–Guesser Discrepancy in Desire for the Right Guess
Authors: Peng Peiru , Zeng Jianmin
Published: October 2024

The practice of initiating conversations with “guess what” questions is common across various social settings. This study examines whether askers and guessers share similar desires for correct guesses during these interactions, a question previously unexplored in behavioral sciences. Across five studies, our research uncovered a significant discrepancy: Askers generally exhibited a lower desire for correct guesses compared to guessers. This pattern holds true across diverse social contexts. Moreover, the results of guesses impact the outcomes of conversations, with askers experiencing more enjoyment and being more willing to continue the conversation when guesses are incorrect, whereas guessers have the opposite experience. Further, while individuals may recognize this disparity, adopting a perspective-taking approach does not alter the guesser's desire to guess correctly; however, guessers do decrease that desire when reminded to protect the asker's emotions.
Characterization and adsorption properties of rectorite/sludge-derived biochar composites for Pb(II) removal
Authors: Wang Huanhuan , Wang Jing , Wang Zi , Ye Qing , Zhang Junye
Published: October 2024

Clay-based adsorbent materials are widely used to remove heavy metal ions from water. In this study, we have fabricated a novel composite material, consisting of rectorite and sludge-derived biochar (REC/SDBC), and characterized its effectiveness in removing lead from water. Our SEM images show that the REC is evenly dispersed on the surface of the SDBC. The composites have a mesoporous structure, and its BET surface is (16.5 m2/g) comparable with that of SDBC but larger than that of REC. We found that the maximum adsorption capacity for Pb(II) was 26.89 mg g−1 for REC/SDBC composites with a REC:SDBC ratio of 3:1, which was achieved within 120 min. This is higher than the adsorption capacities of REC (19.81 mg g−1) and SDBC (23.15 mg g−1) alone. Furthermore, we observed that the adsorption capacity was greater at pH 5.0 compared to other pH values. Our results also indicate that the pseudo-second-order model and the Langmuir isotherm model provide good fits for the rates and isotherms of Pb(II) adsorption onto REC/SDBC composites. The adsorption kinetic constant and the Langmuir adsorption constant were calculated to be 0.0065 g mg−1 min−1 and 0.319 L mg−1, respectively. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis confirmed that the reaction mechanism is mainly dominated by chemisorption, involving cationic exchange, surface complexation, and surface precipitation. The high adsorption capacity, combined with the cost-effectiveness and environmental-friendly nature of REC/SDBC composites, make them promising candidates for removing heavy metallic elements from wastewater.
Symmetry and Meaningfulness in the Spotlight of Expertness
Authors: Palko-Arndt Bernadett , Bali Cintia , Illes Aniko
Published: October 2024

Empirical aesthetics focuses on understanding how perceptual features shape aesthetic preferences, with symmetry being a key aspect. However, recent studies show variation in symmetry preference across samples and stimuli. Our study aims to explore the boundaries of symmetry preference, particularly in relation to meaning, prototypicality and expertise in visual arts. With our stimuli we can test the comparative dominance of these features. In our forced-choice preference task (N = 196), we manipulated images for symmetry, meaning, and prototypicality. Findings reveal that symmetry preference is only remarkable in meaningless images among non-experts. Instead, meaningfulness emerged as a significant factor influencing their aesthetic preferences. Experts show no distinct preference for symmetry or meaningfulness. However, prototypicality is favoured by both groups in meaningful stimuli, regardless of symmetry. These results highlight the dominance of meaning in aesthetic experience and underscore the complex interplay between symmetry, meaning, and expertise in visual arts.
Improving compositional homogeneity of CF53 steel products by modifying their solidification structure and F-EMS intensity
Authors: Wang Pu , Chen Liang , Ma Zhiyao , Shao Jianxin , Jiang Chuanhui , Zhang Binbin , Zhang Jiaquan
Published: October 2024

In this article, based on the mechanism of stirring induced solute washing, the solidification characteristics of CF53 steel for camshafts were systematically studied through industrial casting tests and numerical simulations, focusing on the impact of solidification structure and final electromagnetic stirring (F-EMS) on solute distribution homogeneity in the core area of the bloom casting. The results indicate that excessive columnar crystal development, coupled with inappropriate use of F-EMS, can lead to significant negative segregation in the bloom, resulting in the formation of “white bands” in the following rolling bar products. Compared with weak stirring, strong stirring can affect solutes at deeper levels between dendrites. By reducing superheat and casting speed, expanding the equiaxed crystal zone in the bloom's centre, and carefully controlling the stirring intensity of F-EMS to position the molten steel washing in the equiaxed crystal zone, along with maintaining a maximum tangential velocity of 0.0041 m/s, a substantial improvement in solute distribution homogeneity within the bloom's core area was achieved. The carbon range can be reduced from 0.093% to 0.032%. These findings offer a theoretical foundation and practical suggestions for enhancing the quality of CF53 steel bloom castings and their hot-rolled bar products used in camshaft manufacture.
Experimental study on parameters optimisation of adding vanadium-titanium magnetite to iron ore pellet
Authors: Kou Mingyin , Ji Pengfei , Liu Fang , Su Buxin , Zhao Baojun , Wu Shengli , Zhou Heng
Published: October 2024

Vanadium-titanium magnetite has coarse particle size, small specific surface area, poor surface hydrophilicity and low strength when being made into pellets. However, vanadium-titanium magnetite pellet also has a certain application requirement due to its large reserves and high comprehensive utilisation value. Therefore, this article investigated the effects of water ratio, bentonite ratio, vanadium-titanium magnetite ratio, CaO ratio and roasting temperature on the strength of pellets. The results showed that better parameters of green pellets were obtained as follows: the water ratio was 9%, the bentonite ratio was 2.5% and the vanadium-titanium magnetite ratio was 25%. There was no obvious relationship between the CaO ratio and green pellet strength. Better preparation parameters of roasted pellets were as follows: water ratio was 9%, bentonite ratio 2%, vanadium-titanium magnetite ratio 25%, CaO ratio 1% and roasting temperature 1300°C. This provides guidance for the effective use of vanadium-titanium magnetite.
Oppressive expression and the Czech and Slovak communities of Northern Ireland
Authors: Whitten Suzanne , Papcunová Jana
Published: October 2024

Feminist philosophers of language have, in the last several decades, demonstrated the usefulness of employing a speech-act theoretical lens to understand how expression works to enact and reinforce oppression. Despite the growing influence of these approaches in the philosophy and political theory literature, however, their use in other disciplines remains severely limited. This is surprising, especially given the real potential of the speech-act approach to illuminate the mechanisms by which everyday acts contribute to large-scale oppressions. This paper takes up this call for interdisciplinarity, utilising a speech-act theory of oppression to better understand the real-life experiences of the under-researched Czech and Slovak communities of Northern Ireland. Using semi-structured interviews followed by thematic analysis, our study expands our understanding of oppressive speech by revealing a complex relationship between victims’ experiences and their understanding of wider societal oppression, exposing a channel via which victims can exercise agency by contesting attempts to reinforce their oppression. In so doing, the study also draws attention to a novel theoretical lens with which to understand experiences of harmful speech, one which is currently under-utilised by those outside of the philosophy/political theory disciplines.
Gender Distribution of Editorial Board Members in Palliative Care Journals: Assessment of Gender Parity
Authors: Ölbeci Özcan , Ergün Bişar , Yakar Mehmet Nuri , Hanci Volkan
Published: October 2024

Objective: Although the representation of women in palliative care has improved in recent years, gender inequality still exists in editorial leadership. This study aimed to characterize gender distribution in leadership positions on the editorial boards of palliative care journals. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed the gender composition of editorial boards for palliative care journals indexed in the Web of Science (WoS) and the factors that affect this composition. Information on the gender of editorial board members was obtained from each journal's website. Results: A total of 1388 editorial board members from 28 palliative care journals were included in the analysis. The data analysis showed that 540 (38.9%) of the editorial board members were women, while 848 (61.1%) were men. Of the 31 editors-in-chief, only 11 (35.5%) were women. Editorial boards of journals classified as social work (OR, 5.92, 95% CI, 2.29-15.30, p < 0.001) and nursing (OR, 4.20, 95% CI, 1.73-10.17, p = 0.001) in WoS coverage were independently associated with gender diversity. There were differences in gender representation between the editorial boards of palliative care journals published in New Zealand (OR, 0.49, 95% CI, 0.29-0.80, p = 0.005), Japan (OR, 0.17, 95% CI, 0.08-0.32, p < 0.001), and those categorized under oncology in WoS coverage (OR, 0.64, 95% CI, 0.05-0.89, p = 0.009). Conclusions: Our findings demonstrated that women are underrepresented among editorial board members of palliative care journals. Additional efforts are required to broaden diversity policies in palliative care.
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions of Quebec Nurses Relating to Climate Change in the Context of Their Practice with Children Aged 0 to 5 Years: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study
Authors: Leblanc Nancy , Légaré Anne-Gaëlle , Diallo Thierno , Sasseville Maxime , Gadio Souleymane , Lessard Lily
Published: October 2024

Study background

Reducing children's vulnerability to climate change (CC) depends firstly on parents having the ability to adapt.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to describe knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of nurses in support of parents’ ability to adapt to CC to protect the physical and psychosocial health of 0–5 year olds.

Methods

A cross-sectional descriptive study was used. A total of 127 pediatric nurses from the province of Quebec completed an online questionnaire documenting nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions about CC.

Results

A third of nurses have little or no knowledge of the health risks of CC for children, even though they consider it to be a major issue for children. Nurses perceive that parents don’t generally consider their children to be among the most vulnerable to CC, trivialize their effects on their children's health, have little knowledge of the effects of CC mainly on their children's psychosocial health, know little about the means to use to protect them, and more readily seek help from family and friends to ensure their children's protection. Nurses affirm that they are responsible for discussing the health effects of CC with parents, introduce measures to reduce their effects, possess little knowledge and few skills for reducing their effects, and feel unprepared to deal with their effects in their practice.

Conclusions

Greater access to training on CC-related concepts is needed to increase nurses’ knowledge. Nurses’ perceptions must be validated with parents to promote optimal protection of children from CC.
It’s not waste, it’s a resource: Utilizing industrial waste fibers/mineral fillers to attain flame retardant biocomposites
Authors: Rockel Daniel , Sanchez-Olivares Guadalupe , Calderas Fausto , Schartel Bernhard
Published: October 2024

Integrating natural fibers derived from local industrial waste streams into thermoplastic starch (TPS) proves to be a promising approach towards sustainable flame retardant biocomposites. Initially, three types of waste fibers from the agave, coconut, and leather industries were evaluated for their flame retardant properties in combination with aluminum trihydroxide (ATH), an environmental friendly flame retardant. Leather fiber (BLF) exhibited the best flame retardant performance and were further investigated along with ATH and varying amounts of bentonite nanoclay to enhance the residual protective layer. The combination of multiple components shows improvement in performance while reducing the total load of filler. The images of the fire residues revealed that a more enclosed surface correlates with a reduction in the peak of heat release rate. Whereas higher amounts of bentonite does not deliver further inprovements, only 1 phr nanoclay in the novel multicomponent system of TPS, ATH, BLF, and bentonite synergistically improved the UL-94 rating from HB to V1. The proposed system brings together the different approaches using a renewable biopolymer, natural waste fibres, and envirnmentally friendly flame retardancy and thus, is striking for its combination of outstanding sustainablity, instant feasability, and sufficient fire performance.
Enhancing formability in deep drawing: A 3D finite element analysis of plastic wrinkling in AA2090 Al–Li alloy
Authors: Bouchaâla Kenza , Qaissi Khaoula , Faqir Mustapha , Essadiqi Elhachmi
Published: October 2024

Deep drawing is a manufacturing process used to produce billions of metal containers, crucial for the aerospace industry in forming thin-walled components efficiently. However, wrinkling due to compressive instability remains a significant challenge in sheet metal forming. This study investigates plastic wrinkling in sheet metal forming to enhance the final drawn shape. A 3D finite element model using ABAQUS/Explicit was developed to examine the effects of mesh topology, blank holder force, and sheet thickness on wrinkling in AA2090 Al–Li alloy. The finding indicates that that an increase in blank holder force increases wrinkle number and amplitude. Additionally, it was found that a 2000 N blank holder force is necessary to prevent wrinkling.
‘Circling the Drain’: The Emotional ‘Dirty’ Work of Legal Aid Workers
Authors: MacLachlan Lara
Published: October 2024

Emotions have traditionally been seen as out of place in law. They are viewed in opposition to many of law’s central values such as efficiency and rationality. Despite this, legal work often involves brushing up against the messy, complex and emotional realities of people’s lives. Those who do this work must occupy a liminal space between the law’s prescribed rationality and decorum and the emotional lives of their clients. Drawing on 27 interviews from people working with the Legal Aid Board in Ireland, this article considers what the social consequences of this might be for the workers. It explores how emotions in this context can be understood as emotional dirt, how legal aid workers are tainted due to their proximity to this dirt and how they engage in practices to deal with the consequences of this. The article highlights how understanding legal aid work as emotionally dirty provides important insights into the role of emotions and stigma in this type of work.
A quest of Vera M. Danchakoff, a pioneer of stem cell research
Authors: Zubritskiy Alexey , Balnyte Ingrida , Fricke Tyson A. , Konstantinov Igor E.
Published: October 2024

Vera Mikhailovna Danchakova (1877–1950), also written in English as Danchakoff and in German as Dantschakoff, was the first woman to graduate with a PhD in Russia. She was a person of many interests and a strong passion for teaching and social justice that may have interfered with her pioneering stem cell research and cell biology, which was far ahead of its time. Danchakova significantly contributed to the unitarian theory of haematopoiesis along with its founder Alexander A. Maximow. She studied the origin of blood cells, the differentiation of tissues and organs in the process of embryonic development of animals, the formation of germ cells and the effect of hormones on the development of organisms. She discovered the role of stem cells in the laying of new tissues, the proof of the extragonadal origin of primary germ cells in birds and the development of methods for transplanting tissues into live embryos. She has been named ‘the mother of stem cells’ for her investigations of progenitors of cells.
Effectiveness of long-acting buprenorphine – A systematic review
Authors: McMaster John , Abeysundera Hesitha
Published: October 2024

Objective

To analyse the evidence of the effectiveness of long-acting injection buprenorphine (LAI-B) in the management of opioid use disorder (OUD).

Method

Databases were searched for studies reporting on the effectiveness of LAI-B for the treatment of OUD. Risk of bias was assessed, and a narrative synthesis of data was presented. The study adhered to PRISMA guidelines and was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023396033).

Results

Eighteen studies were included in the final review: two double-blind randomised control trials, two open-label randomised control trials, two retrospective cohort studies, one non-controlled pilot study, and eleven observational studies. In comparative trials, LAI-B was superior to placebo and superior or non-inferior to treatment as usual. LAI-B was positively associated with improvements in abstinence rates and patient-centred outcomes. There was limited data on the long-term effects of continuous LAI-B prescription.

Conclusion

LAI-B is an effective treatment for OUD with advantages over existing forms of treatment. Patients reported high levels of medication satisfaction and there were no significant safety concerns. This review highlights the need for future research on long-term effectiveness outcomes, with participants of more varied demographics and psychiatric comorbidity, which is more reflective of the OUD population seen in community clinical settings.
Trends in glaucoma surgery in a tertiary hospital in Spain: 2010–2022
Authors: Morales-Fernandez Laura , Garcia-Bardera Javier , Pérez-García Pilar , Saenz-Frances Federico , Garcia-Saenz Sofia , Martinez-de-la-Casa Jose M , Garcia-Feijoo Julian
Published: October 2024

Objective

This study aims to conduct an analysis glaucoma surgeries performed over a 13-year period at a tertiary hospital affiliated with the Spanish National Health System, with the goal of assessing temporal trends.

Methods

This retrospective observational study scrutinized surgeries undertaken in the glaucoma unit of a tertiary center in Spain between 2010 and 2022. Data collected included surgical dates, procedure performed, whether it was standalone or combined, as well as patient demographics including age, sex, and type of underlying glaucoma. Surgeries on individuals under 18 years of age were excluded. An annual comparative analysis was performed to ascertain the evolving trends in glaucoma surgical interventions.

Results

A total of 12,944 surgeries were included in the analysis, comprising 9428 isolated cataract surgeries and 2975 glaucoma procedures. Trabeculectomy, glaucoma drainage devices (GDD), and cyclodestruction, collectively referred to as traditional surgery, demonstrated a decline from 93.2% to 23.6% over the study duration. Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) and minimally invasive bleb surgery (MIBS) demonstrated a significant increase from 3.8% in 2010 to 74.7% in 2022, relative to the total glaucoma surgeries. Furthermore, combined surgeries manifested a noteworthy increase from 39.0% in 2010 to 44.2% in 2022, with 86.4% of combined procedures in 2022 being MIGS or MIBS.

Conclusion

In recent years, there has been a noticeable change in the trend of glaucoma surgeries, with MIGS and MIBS procedures experiencing a significant increase and becoming the most commonly performed glaucoma procedures. Consequently, traditional glaucoma surgeries have decreased in frequency.
La experiencia de vivir y enseñar en una escuela Indígena rural en el Desierto de Atacama: percepciones de profesores y de la comunidad Atacameña
Authors: Baeza Angela Rossana
Published: October 2024

This article explores the experiences of teachers working in schools located in Indigenous rural contexts in the Atacama Desert, in the north of Chile. Through Indigenous community members life stories and participating teachers, this study presents some of the main challenges teachers face when teaching in local schools, as well as the Indigenous community's perception about their children accessible education. Emerging categories from the interviews were coded and used to analyses the information, using a decolonising qualitative approach, informed by Indigenous Peoples' Rights.
The influence of temperature on the tribological properties of polyoxymethylene (POM) materials
Authors: Li Xinmin , Zhang Runzhi , Hung Wing San Tony , Olofsson Ulf , Manuel Löwer , Duan Chaoqun
Published: October 2024

Polyoxymethylene (POM) has been widely used as a gear material owing to its excellent mechanical properties. One of the key parameters that influence the tribological properties of POM is the operating temperature. In this study, the tribological properties of POM under different operating temperatures (25–110 °C) were studied. The results showed that the friction and wear coefficients tend to increase with increasing temperature. The adhesive wear is the primary wear mechanism influenced by temperature and the adhesive wear increases with an increased temperature. Material transfer was found for all the velocity and load settings.
What is the meaning of PE? Exploring the influence of an educational curriculum approach on students’ participation and non-participation in physical education
Authors: Munk Mette , Agergaard Sine
Published: October 2024

There is evidence that the longstanding multi-activity sport-based approach to physical education (PE) limits the opportunities for students to participate in and learn from PE. Furthermore, studies of educational approaches to PE have identified a willingness to re-orientate and re-structure PE by exploring diverse ways of learning in, through and about movement. This study endeavours to advance this issue through an empirical analysis of how an educational PE curriculum approach influences student engagement. Using the concept of the landscape of practice, it explores how students’ participation or non-participation in PE is moulded by various communities of practice (CoPs), with a specific emphasis on the school as a learning community. The study is based on a qualitative single case study in a state school in Denmark. Data generation included weekly observations of PE lessons taught with an educational approach and focus groups with a total of 33 students from the seventh and ninth grades (13–15 years old). The material was processed using Massey's model for thematic analysis. Our analysis reveals that an educational approach supports student engagement with a broader landscape of PE that is no longer solely associated with communities of sport and physical recreation, but with the school as a community of learning. Such new articulations of PE, which were constructed on the boundaries between multiple CoPs, influenced the students’ willingness to participate in and learn from PE, depending on their positions within the landscape. We discuss the implications for the future design and development of a PE curriculum.