bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Socio-structural determinants of physical activity behavior in children and adolescents: The importance of social support
Authors: Wolbring Laura , Jekauc Darko , Hinz Thomas , Burchartz Alexander , Kolb Simon , Schmidt Steffen Christian Ekkehard , Woll Alexander , Wäsche Hagen
Published: July 2024

The purpose of this study is to analyze the influence of socio-structural determinants of physical activity (PA) behavior in children and adolescents. We expected that socioeconomic status, social support, and physical environment influence PA directly while socioeconomic status also has an indirect influence via social support and physical environment. Cross-sectional data from the German Motorik-Modul study (MoMo) were used (Wave 2, 2014–2017). The sample consisted of N = 2134 children and adolescents aged 6–17 years. Socioeconomic status, social support, and physical environment were measured by questionnaires. To measure PA, children and adolescents were instructed to wear accelerometers for seven consecutive days. Moderate-to-vigorous activity periods were considered. Path analyses were used to analyze the direct and indirect effects. We calculated two models, one for children (6–10 years) and one for adolescents (11–17 years). Among children (model 1), only social support had a direct effect on PA behavior. In addition, social support influenced the perceived physical environment. Socioeconomic status had an indirect effect on PA via social support. For adolescents (model 2), all assumed relations were significant and in line with the directions expected. Social support had the strongest direct influence on PA behavior. Socioeconomic status had a direct and indirect effect on PA via the physical environment and social support. The study results emphasize the relevance of close, social networks of families and friends as well as social capital, as a source of social support, for PA levels among young age groups.
Intragroup Processes in Social Psychology: My Past, Our Present, Your Future
Authors: Levine John M.
Published: July 2024

The first section of this article summarizes my life as a group researcher, beginning with my graduate student years at the University of Wisconsin and continuing with my time as a faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh, where my work focused on majority/minority disagreement, with an emphasis on reaction to deviance group socialization and the relationship between social and cognitive processes. The second section presents my analysis of the decline of intragroup process research in social psychology and reasons why such research is so much more popular in organizational psychology/behavior. The third section lays out a possible path to a brighter future in which social psychologists focus on how generic intragroup processes operate in important real-world groups and employ multiple methodologies to increase the external validity of their research. In this context, I suggest that families and extreme groups are particularly worthy of attention.
Impact of Palliative Care Referral on End-of-Life Outcomes for Patients With Hematologic Malignancy
Authors: Seecof Olivia M. , Jang Charley , Abdul Hay Maher
Published: July 2024

Context

Compared to patients with solid malignancies, less is known about the role of palliative care in patients with hematologic malignancies, leading to underutilization of palliative care.

Objectives

Evaluate the timing and impact of palliative care referrals on end-of-life outcomes over a 5-year period with intent to improve the utilization of palliative care in patients with advanced hematologic malignancies.

Methods

A retrospective cohort of patients from an urban, NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center, aged 18 years and older with a diagnosis of an advanced hematologic malignancy were separated into groups of early, late, very late, or no specialty palliative care. Logistic regression models were constructed to examine variables associated with timing of palliative care referral. Groups were compared using the Kruskal Wallis test and Dunn’s test with a Bonferroni correction method.

Results

222 patients with advanced hematologic malignancies who died between July 1, 20218 and June 30, 2023 were included. 50 (23%), 41 (18%), and 51 (23%) patients received an early, late, and very late palliative care referral, respectively and 80 (36%) patients did not receive a palliative care referral. There was a significantly high completion of ACP documentation among the palliative care cohorts. There was no significant difference among all cohorts in end-of-life outcomes in the last 14 or 30 days of life.

Conclusion

ACP documentation improved with palliative care, however, end-of-life outcomes did not. These results are likely due to the majority of late, inpatient palliative care referrals. Future studies with targeted interventions are needed to improve these outcomes.
Vocational Experiences of Korean Women With a High School Diploma: Insights into Work Precarity and Social Marginalization
Authors: Garrison Yunkyoung L. , Her Ji Eun , Kim Taewon , Kim Haram J.
Published: July 2024

A college education is a means to achieve upward social mobility and secure decent employment. Yet, college education tends to be accessible for families already part of privileged groups, such as those with financial resources. With attention to systemic oppression and varying degrees of access to education and employment, this study aims to describe the experiences of job-seeking and working among Korean women with a high school diploma as their highest educational attainment. The psychology of working theory, the work precarity framework, and intersectionality informed the study, exploring interview data from 13 Korean women. Findings from the reflective thematic analysis show that struggles in seeking and maintaining employment among the participants were particularly exacerbated by mistreatment, harassment, and disrespect due to having neither college degrees nor male privilege. Participants’ experiences with economic deprivation, lack of societal support and respect, and precarious work conditions led to psychological, social, and physical pain that went neglected. As they confront barriers to employment and undesirable work conditions, they affirm themselves and express the hope that the work society should better meet their fundamental needs as humans. Future research directions and practical implications are discussed.
Exploring the Consistent Roles of Motor Areas Across Voluntary Movement and Locomotion
Authors: Fortier-Lebel Nicolas , Nakajima Toshi
Published: July 2024

Multiple cortical motor areas are critically involved in the voluntary control of discrete movement (e.g., reaching) and gait. Here, we outline experimental findings in nonhuman primates with clinical reports and research in humans that explain characteristic movement control mechanisms in the primary, supplementary, and presupplementary motor areas, as well as in the dorsal premotor area. We then focus on single-neuron activity recorded while monkeys performed motor sequences consisting of multiple discrete movements, and we consider how area-specific control mechanisms may contribute to the performance of complex movements. Following this, we explore the motor areas in cats that we have considered as analogs of those in primates based on similarities in their cortical surface topology, anatomic connections, microstimulation effects, and activity patterns. Emphasizing that discrete movement and gait modification entail similar control mechanisms, we argue that single-neuron activity in each area of the cat during gait modification is compatible with the function ascribed to the activity in the corresponding area in primates, recorded during the performance of discrete movements. The findings that demonstrate the premotor areas’ contribution to locomotion, currently unique to the cat model, should offer highly valuable insights into the control mechanisms of locomotion in primates, including humans.
There’s a Thin Line Between Numerators and Denominators: Addressing Academic and Behavioral Needs of Students With EBD Using SRSD Fractions
Authors: Shaw Ashley , Ennis Robin Parks
Published: July 2024

Fractions are an imperative skill for students to master to achieve success in future mathematics concepts and classes. Yet many students, especially those experiencing math difficulties and/or characteristics of emotional and behavioral disorders, continue to exit elementary school without a concrete foundation of fractions skills required to successfully transition into higher level math courses. In this article, we present an overview of SRSD Fractions, a strategy instructional framework to teach adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators. We highlight the benefits of using the framework to promote student engagement and skill mastery and identify free-access resources for educators to successfully implement the math intervention in their own classrooms.
Evaluation of the Define It! Program for Raising Critically Conscious Bystander Behaviors
Authors: Cadaret Michael C. , Ritter Molly , Kohnen Sarah , Bergman Zoë , Folio Francesca , Albrecht Josephine
Published: July 2024

Across two studies with cohorts of undergraduate students who previously completed a bystander intervention program, a consciousness-raising intervention called Define It! was evaluated for its efficacy in increasing critically conscious intentions. Data were collected pre, post, and one-month using the Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance Scale (IRMAS-SF; Payne et al., 1999) and Critically Conscious Bystander Scale (CCBS; Johnson et al., 2019). Following recommendations for novel intervention research by Rounsaville et al., we present our findings across two studies. Study 1 demonstrated that the program was feasible, acceptable, and specified the CCBS as an adequate measure of change. Study 2, ( n = 38) randomly assigned student participants to control or intervention groups. Results demonstrated significant increases on CBBS for intervention participants compared to the control.
Mothering in the Aftermath of Reproductive Coercion and Abuse
Authors: McKenzie Mandy , Humphreys Cathy , Tarzia Laura
Published: July 2024

A partner's reproductive coercion and abuse (RCA) can significantly undermine women's physical health and psychological wellbeing. Yet little research has explored how RCA affects experiences of mothering and relationships with children. Based on an analysis of interviews with 30 Australian mothers, we found that RCA affected mothering in complex ways. Many struggled with feeling detached, resentful, and guilty toward their children, while some found mothering an emotionally and morally restorative experience after the RCA. All felt compelled to conceal their abuse from their children and others. The findings have implications for how healthcare practitioners can support mothers in the aftermath of RCA.
Race and Survival: Examining the Interplay of Demand and Supply Factors on Black-Owned Businesses During Gentrification in New York City
Authors: Nurse Saran
Published: July 2024

Using an analytic autoethnography, this study investigates the survival of 20 Black-owned businesses, including the author's, amidst gentrification in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, New York. It introduces a demand-supply framework, illustrating that survival hinges on the balanced interplay of demand factors—such as attracting and maintaining customer interest and navigating competitive pressures—as well as supply factors, notably securing stable, affordable commercial space. The research emphasizes the multifaceted impact of race and racial discrimination on businesses, from strategic adaptation and operational management to financial capital access, real estate, and customer engagement. It notes that these influences arise from both inter-group and intra-group tensions, while also acknowledging that racial solidarity can offer crucial support. Strategies such as concealing racial identity and leveraging customer referrals emerge as key responses to discrimination. This research enriches the discourse on the commercial implications of gentrification for Black entrepreneurs and provides practical recommendations for policy and practice.
Studentification and the Political Displacement of the Black Worker Electorate
Authors: Chandra Meghna
Published: July 2024

Studentification research shows how urban universities transform surrounding neighborhoods into more transient, dense, renter, and segregated places. Despite work on economic, social, physical, and cultural changes, there is a dearth of literature that examines racial and political changes. This dimension is especially important given the impact of many American universities upon historic Black neighborhoods which played a crucial role in struggles for political and economic democracy. This paper examines census data aggregated at the political district level and maps election data to understand the extent to which political districts surrounding Philadelphia universities have studentified, whether studentified and Black Worker neighborhoods emerge as distinct political cleavages, and whether these divisions played a role in two recent elections that saw the unseating of Black Worker incumbents. It argues that the studentification of the Black Worker political districts is correlated with the political displacement of the Black Worker electorate.
Perception on hematology/oncology pharmacy practice and education needs in Nigeria: A national survey
Authors: Abolarin Oluwabusayo , Oladipo Habeebullah Jayeola , Chan Dean , Olarewaju Modupe Lydia , Chan Alexandre
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Nigeria is a low-middle income country located in sub-Saharan Africa. Although cancer burden has continued to increase over time, there is a lack of pharmacists who specialize in oncology providing pharmaceutical care. The objectives of this study were to understand the perception of hematology/oncology pharmacy practice in Nigeria as well as the unmet education needs.

Method

This is a cross-sectional survey conducted in December 2023. Pharmacists who were active members of various pharmacy organizations in Nigeria were invited to complete the survey. The survey focused on the perceptions of training needs in oncology pharmacy, current challenges and opportunities, as well as resources and support needed. Descriptive statistics were utilized for the data analysis.

Results

Of the 263 responders, the largest group fell between 25 and 34 years old (35%), over half received a Bachelor of Pharmacy as their highest degree (53%), and majority did not receive any oncology pharmacy training as part of their education (73%). Many respondents strongly agreed that pharmacists in Nigeria need specialized training to better serve cancer patients (79%). Cancer therapeutics and chemotherapy pharmacology were more prioritized compared to other training needs (mean (SD): 2.63(1.95) and 2.69(1.64), respectively). The main challenge that respondents faced was a lack of relevant skills and knowledge in oncology pharmacy (mean (SD): 2.23(1.53)). More than a fourth of the respondents were aware about the board certification process (28.8%), citing overcoming the cost barrier as the main obstacle for taking the board examination (mean (SD): 1.92 (1.38)). Respondents preferred online courses and onsite specialty training (75%) as the mode of training to address unmet needs.

Conclusion

Despite the challenges and unmet education needs in hematology/oncology clinical practice, Nigerian pharmacists are very willing to expand their knowledge and improve their skills in patient care. The findings of this study can inform policy makers, healthcare administrators, and pharmacy educators in developing global partnerships among pharmacy organizations which employ targeted strategies like sponsorships to address such unmet needs.
Impact of pharmacist managed oral epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors
Authors: Ng Shirley , Baker Nicholas , Niu Fang , Katzel Jed A , Bergere Hanh T , Whang Moshi , McGary Eric , Liu Raymond , Le Kim , Hui Rita L
Published: July 2024

Background

Pharmacists are an integral part of medication management, with the positive impact of their clinical services in patient outcomes previously studied and reported in literature. The roles and responsibilities of pharmacists continue to expand, including optimizing patient medication and health outcomes related to complex oral anticancer drugs.

Objective

To evaluate the impact of a pharmacist-managed oral chemotherapy clinic in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) taking oral epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor (EGFRi) regimens within an integrated healthcare delivery system.

Methods

This was an observational cohort study using data from Kaiser Permanente Northern and Southern California regions on adult patients who received oncology pharmacist-managed care compared to patients with usual care. Patients were newly initiated with EGFRi therapy to treat NSCLC between 2017 and 2019. The follow-up period was defined as the time from index date (first sold date of EGFRi) to December 2020 or end of membership or death, whichever occurred first. Primary outcome measures included adherence to EGFRi, frequency of imaging during drug exposure, and presence of imaging prior to treatment change. Outcomes were analyzed with Chi-square test for categorical variables, and Student's t-test or Wilcoxon rank-sum test for continuous variables.

Results

There were 613 patients in the pharmacist-managed group and 714 patients in the usual care group. Overall, the mean age was 68.2 ± 11.3 years, and 65.1% were female. In the pharmacist-managed group, there was a significantly higher mean proportion of days covered (PDC) during the first three months of therapy (0.86 ± 0.24 vs 0.82 ± 0.36, p = 0.01) and a higher percentage of patients who were adherent to EGFRi therapy (with PDC ≥0.80) during the drug exposure period (95.8% vs 92.4%, p = 0.01). The rate of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) during drug exposure was higher in the pharmacist-managed group compared to the usual care group (31.8% vs 20.7%, p < 0.01) with a higher number of mean scans completed per patient (1.15 ± 2.42 vs 0.62 ± 1.63, p < 0.01) and per patient-year (2.60 ± 7.27 vs 1.58 ± 5.95, p < 0.01). Overall, 66.2% of patients had a treatment change, with a higher percentage of patients in the pharmacist-managed group who completed a CT or MRI scan prior to treatment change (36.3% vs 26.3%, p < 0.01). Additionally, the median time between the scan and treatment change was shorter for patients with pharmacist-managed care (1.8 vs 4 months, p = 0.04).

Conclusion

Clinical pharmacy services contributed to improved adherence, higher rates of imaging, and shorter time between imaging and treatment changes in NSCLC patients who were taking EGFRi regimens.
Oncology pharmacy staffing survey across practice settings in the United States
Authors: Wechter Andrew , McDonnell Anne M. , Zimdars Emily , Sakamoto Leanne , Hamm Mark
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This study was developed to provide a resource for staffing model metrics for oncology pharmacies at healthcare organizations.

Methods

The Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association Practice Outcomes and Professional Benchmarking Committee (POPBC) Oncology Pharmacy Staffing Model Task Force designed and distributed a survey to collect baseline data and staffing metrics for oncology pharmacies. The survey was first tested by four POPBC volunteers. The Staffing Model Survey was distributed in multiple phases between September 2021 and January 2022. The task force focused on several different domains including facilities, general metrics, outpatient infusion services, inpatient and outpatient services, informatics/technology, and training and residency programs. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate the data.

Results

A total of 67 responses were received from 68 surveys distributed (98.5%). Of the responders, the majority were from academic medical centers (AMCs) ( n = 37, 55%) and community-based centers (CBCs) ( n = 21, 31.3%). AMCs reported servicing more inpatient facilities than CBCs (2.1 vs 1.2). For all respondents, 20% tracked in-patient turn-around time compared with 39% of ambulatory sites. Patient education was tracked in all responding settings: 31% for inpatient and 27% for ambulatory. Most sites reported that pharmacy personnel were responsible for cleanroom cleaning (63%) or shared responsibility with an environmental service (37%). Of the 32 sites with ambulatory services, 19 sites were open on Saturday and 15 sites were open on Sundays. Sixty-eight percent of information technology respondents ( n = 28) indicated that they use Epic/Beacon (EPIC Oncology Module) as their electronic health record. For the respondents, 89% used closed-system-transfer devices when compounding, 15% used gravimetric technology, and 11% used robotic technology.

Conclusion

Oncology pharmacy operations and staffing models are unique to each pharmacy and practice setting. The results of the pharmacy staffing model survey provide an insight into operations across the country and highlight a need for staffing model benchmarking and metrics.
A systematic approach to the management of menses prophylaxis and suppression in pre-menopausal hematologic cancer patients
Authors: Collins Jennifer , Duvall Adam , Dworkin Emily , Castiel Mercedes
Published: July 2024

Objective

Hematologic malignancies in women of reproductive age carry significant additional morbidity due to menstrual bleeding in conjunction with disease and treatment-associated cytopenias. Several agents for menses prophylaxis and suppression exist, but there is a paucity of data comparing these therapies, particularly in the cancer setting.

Data Sources

A thorough literature review and evaluation of available data was conducted via PubMed search and combined with clinical expertise.

Data Summary

The goal of prophylaxis therapy is to induce amenorrhea until it is considered safe to resume menstrual cycles. GnRH agonists remain the management of choice in achieving menses control and amenorrhea. Suppression is more likely achieved when the therapy is initiated in the late luteal phase or with the concomitant use of oral contraceptives. The effective use of oral contraceptives is achievable in appropriately selected patients. Although attractive as prophylactic agents, GnRH agonists have a slow onset of amenorrhea and can be associated with an initial increase in bleeding, thus are of limited value in immediate menorrhagia management. We recommend prioritizing estrogen therapy given its documented efficacy, and adding tranexamic acid as a secondary agent for severe or refractory bleeding.

Conclusions

Thus far in the literature, this is the most comprehensive proposed pathway for the prevention and suppression of menorrhagia in hematologic cancer patients. Our protocol provides a step-wise approach for the management of menses prophylaxis and suppression to provide standardization amongst clinicians and adaptations for patient-specific needs.
Take the Red Pill, Blame Feminism: Victimization Narratives Across the Manosphere
Authors: James Rina
Published: July 2024

Male supremacist online communities have been linked to a number of negative outcomes over the last decade, including alt-right mobilizations, digitally-mediated campaigns of harassment against prominent feminist figures, and incidents of mass violence. These digital spaces are aligned in their commitment to narratives of male victimization at the hands of women and feminism, but are somewhat heterogenous in their topical foci and applications of male supremacist ideologies. Such variation reflects both differences in how groups conceive of the problems of facing men, and potentially contributes to the different types of harm wrought by these communities.
Living the dream: Nanai shamanic experiments and porous engagements in the Siberian Far East
Authors: Stelmaszyk Mally , Sungorkin Leonid
Published: July 2024

This article is about the ways in which shamanic practice is engaged in navigating and responding to the current climatic and geopolitical crisis in Far East Siberia, Russia, through proposing experimental multiversal projects. It traces the manner in which a Nanai (Indigenous peoples of Siberia, Russia; literally, people of the Earth) sama (shaman), hereafter, shaman, brings together diverse techniques, such as shamanic dreams, storytelling, Christian prayers and game playing to materialise fragile moments of what this article names ontological porosity between different systems of knowing-being-doing. Focusing further on the tensions that this process implies, the article offers reflections on the notions of protest movements and resistance in areas of enforced silence and neglect.
Whānau (immediate and extended family) lived experiences of whakawhānau (birthing process) during COVID-19 in Aotearoa (New Zealand): an exploratory analysis
Authors: Nisa-Waller (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Te Kapotai) Arianna , Hall Yvette , Edmonds (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua) Liza
Published: July 2024

This study aims to explore the impacts of COVID-19 on birthing for wāhine (women) and whānau (immediate and extended family) in Aotearoa (New Zealand) during the lockdowns of 2020 and 2021. This rangahau (research) provided whānau with an opportunity to share their whakawhānau (birthing process) experiences via interviews. The data were analysed through interpretative phenomenological analysis. Themes identified in the results included the importance of whānau tautoko (family support), the experiences of isolation and trauma, and the effect of birthing under COVID-19 restrictions. Indigeneity was a core identity that was crucial to maintain, during these sacred times. Whakawhānau is a pivotal transition with the potential to engage with medical services. The findings of this study contribute to the knowledge of whānau Māori (Māori [Indigenous peoples of New Zealand] families) experiences to enhance service provision.
On the margins of refuge: Queer Syrian refugees and the politics of belonging and mobility in post-2019 Lebanon
Authors: Diab Jasmin Lilian , Samneh Bechara
Published: July 2024

This paper explores the dual marginalization of LGBTIQ+ Syrian refugees in Lebanon, highlighting the interplay between national policies on deportation and the crackdown on the LGBTIQ+ community post-2019. Lebanon, home to 1.5 million Syrian refugees—the highest per capita globally—is a case study in how social, political, economic, and legal frameworks do not merely overlook refugee challenges but actively intensify their isolation. Particularly for LGBTIQ+ Syrian refugees, everyday experiences of violence, discrimination, stigmatization, and isolation are exacerbated by these frameworks. In 2022, this situation worsened when Lebanon's Minister of Interior, yielding to pressure from religious groups, directed security forces to disrupt gatherings within the LGBTIQ+ community. Employing qualitative research methods, this study delves into the compounded effects of these policies on the intersectional vulnerabilities of queer Syrian refugees. It examines their perceptions of vulnerability and security, underlining the profound impacts of overlapping decisions on deportation and the suppression of LGBTIQ+ rights.
Record, revise, reinvent, and resist: The politics of social media self-representation during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Butkowski Chelsea P.
Published: July 2024

When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted everyday social life on a global scale, it also destabilized social norms for sharing life online and, potentially, broader understandings of selfhood and identity. This study investigates how the unique conditions of pandemic life re-colored normative practices of self-representation—the process of producing and circulating personal media texts—on popular social media platforms. Through social media scroll back interviews with 48 U.S. adults, I found that pandemic social pressures and safety regulations altered how social media users understood the politics of digital visibility—a shift in the personal experiences they considered “worthy” of sharing through digital mediation. In light of this perceived shift, I argue that participants adjusted to pandemic cultures through a typology of adaptive curatorial practices: recording, revising, reinventing, and resisting as self-representation. Ultimately, this study extends existing conceptual boundaries in response to disrupted social contexts, which includes centering digital silence as a key form of self-representation.
A path to tertiary desistance: A qualitative metasynthesis
Authors: Suzuki Masahiro , Sagara Sho , Yamawaki Nozomi , Hashiba Noriko
Published: July 2024

The emergence of tertiary desistance underscores the need to go beyond the current focus on behavioral and identity/cognitive transformation in desistance research and take into account the social context that impacts desisters. This study aims to explore the experiences of people with a criminal history during the tertiary desistance phase by conducting a qualitative metasynthesis. We conducted literature searches across seven databases in January 2023: CINAHL, MEDLINE, ProQuest, PubMed, PsychINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science. After screening and assessing the quality of identified qualitative studies on tertiary desistance, we selected 13 relevant studies. Our synthesis indicates that desisters commonly encounter numerous challenges due to the stigma associated with their past criminal activities, which may result in feelings of insecurity, a negative self-image, and a reluctance to socialize with others. However, once desisters are recognized and trusted by significant others and society, they utilize the recognition and trust to overcome the stigma and experience a positive change in their sense of belonging. Given that tertiary desistance is an interactive process involving both people with a criminal history and society, it falls upon society to afford them a second chance at rehabilitation and reintegration.
Exploring the impact of wire core diameter on microstructure and joint properties in ultrasonic wire harness welding
Authors: Zhang Yongqi , Zhao Lun , Shen Zhonghua , Abbas Zeshan , Gong Tao , Chen Wei , Long Xu , Patel Vivek , Islam Md Shafiqul
Published: July 2024

The present study investigates ultrasonic metal welding to manufacture 10 mm2 copper (Cu) wire joints with different core diameters. The primary purpose of this study is to explore the influence of wire core diameter on the performance of ultrasonic welded joints. Wire core diameter is positively correlated with the peeling resistance of the joint. Superior mechanical properties of the joint are achieved with an increased diameter of the wire core. The peeling strength of the welded joint of two wires with a wire core diameter of 0.25 mm reaches 306.8 N. Examining the welding temperature and assessing the joint's porosity reveals a significant impact of temperature on porosity. However, relying solely on porosity as a criterion for judging the overall forming quality of joints may be insufficient. Scanning electron microscope and energy-dispersive X-ray elemental analysis revealed that certain wires underwent plastic deformation at elevated temperatures without attaining atomic bonding. Additionally, the welded joint exhibits a compact structure externally and a more relaxed structure internally. The upper side of the joint in contact with the briquette and the lower side in contact with the welding head exhibit minimal gaps, while numerous gaps are evident in the middle of the joint. Furthermore, upon examining the fracture morphology, two distinct failure modes are identified at the joint surface of the conductor. The first involves the fracture of the wire core with a completely separated joint surface, resulting in poor mechanical properties of the joint. The second mode entails the ductile fracture of the wire core at the joint surface, indicating good mechanical properties of the joint.
Fabrication and control architecture of novel hybrid metal additive manufacturing incremental forming technology
Authors: Tiwari Mithilesh Kumar , Srivastava Shekhar , Ponappa K , Tandon Puneet
Published: July 2024

Hybrid manufacturing processes redefine production dynamics by harnessing the synergistic interplay between process mechanisms, energy sources, and tools to impact manufacturing quality, productivity, and sustainability significantly. Accordingly, this article focuses on hybrid additive manufacturing incremental forming, where additive manufacturing and incremental forming are integrated in a unified setup, driven by a single power source. This integration opens avenues for innovative component and production design, capitalizing on the strengths of both methods while mitigating drawbacks. The fabrication of the hybrid additive manufacturing incremental forming setup involves crucial components like a hybrid extrusion forming unit, supporting plates, hopper-barrel assembly, band heaters, solenoid setup, and a comprehensive control architecture. Addressing challenges, particularly overheating in the hopper, and feeding zone, ensures effective material transformation with the hybrid extrusion forming unit. The subsequent section provides analytical analysis and validation of the hybrid extrusion unit. This technology enhances the entire process and addresses issues related to metal additive manufacturing, such as porosity and material shrinkage. The maximum tensile force sustained in hybrid additive manufacturing incremental forming before fracture demonstrates a notable enhancement of about 20% from 670 N in additive manufacturing to 805 N in hybrid additive manufacturing incremental forming. It also removes micro-cracks, and voids, and improves the inter-layer bonding, as observed through scanning electron microscopy. The results highlight hybrid additive manufacturing incremental forming's superior enhancement of mechanical properties and surface quality compared to traditional additive manufacturing approaches.
Improving the crashworthiness of bi-tubular architectures with ABS cores under axial loading: Experimental and numerical investigation
Authors: Doan ThanhSon , Le DucHieu , Topa Ameen , Baroutaji Ahmad , Nguyen PhucThien , Tran TrongNhan
Published: July 2024

In this study, quasi-static axial compression tests were conducted on mild steel bi-tubular architectures with rectangular nested tube (RNT) and square nested tube (SNT) geometries to evaluate their crushing and crashworthiness performance. A multi-criteria decision-making approach was employed to identify the optimal energy-absorbing architecture. The SNT structure, with the smallest gap size between the inner and outer tubes, exhibited the most desirable energy absorption characteristics among the considered cases. Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) cores, with either rhombic or square cell configurations, were used to enhance the energy absorption performance of the SNT structure. A finite element model was created to evaluate the responses of the SNT structure filled with ABS cores. The validity of finite element simulations of the ABS cores and optimal architecture under axial compression were confirmed by comparing them with experimental results. The integration of the cores into the nested architecture enhanced crashworthiness performance and contributed to the control of the structure deformation. The SNT structure filled with rhombic ABS core exhibited superior crashworthiness performance compared to the counterpart filled with square core. The energy absorption of nested SNT structures filled with rhombic ABS core can be 116.93% greater than the corresponding non-filled structure. The crashworthiness indices of ABS-filled structures were highly sensitive to the number of cells and wall thickness of the core. A nested architecture with an ABS core could serve as a novel architecture for energy-absorbing devices.
Impact of COVID-19 on home care provision: A qualitative study
Authors: Darby Janet , Allen Fran , Logan Pip , Bennett Cate , Kasonde Chibeka
Published: July 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent public health restrictions caused an unprecedented impact on long-term care services in the United Kingdom (UK). A qualitative study was conducted in the East Midlands, UK, to explore how home care provision was perceived and experienced, by those organizing, commissioning, or providing care, and those receiving care, during the pandemic. Fifteen semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted between September to December 2020 with people who organize, commission, or provide home care ( n = 9), recipients of home care ( n = 3), and their informal carers ( n = 6).

Findings

Three broad themes were constructed through a thematic analysis: (1) positive about home care; (2) fear of infection; and (3) social isolation. In addition to these overarching themes, specific group themes were identified amongst group one: those organizing, commissioning, or providing care, and group two: those in receipt of the care and informal carers. Those in group one spoke about the pandemic creating stressful working conditions, regardless of whether organizing, commissioning, or providing care. Despite working throughout the pandemic, they felt a forgotten part of the essential workforce, when compared to those employed in the National Health Service and institutional care. Those in group two experienced a loss of control with visits cancelled or frequently occurring outside of scheduled times. Dissatisfaction with the visits was directed at the management level, rather than at the staff visiting the homes.

Applications

Awareness and understanding of the experiences of home care will provide useful knowledge when commissioning future services.
Enabling work for people with dementia - Recommendations for interventions: A mixed-methods review
Authors: Peoples Hanne , Larsen Maersk Jesper , Kristensen Hanne K
Published: July 2024

Worldwide, 50 million people are living with dementia. As more individuals develop dementia while still working, dementia will increasingly become a workplace issue and a societal concern. Interventions targeted at work retainment, can reduce, and postpone the loss of cognitive functioning following dementia. However, there is a small body of research focused on recommendations for work interventions for people with dementia. The aim of this mixed-methods review was to investigate experiences of work following a dementia diagnosis from the perspective of people with dementia, their relatives, employers, co-workers and HR-professionals, with the objective of formulating recommendations for work interventions for people with dementia. A mixed-method approach guided the review. 16 original studies published between 1989 to 2023 were included, with a collective sample of 684 participants. The review shows that it is possible to live and work well with dementia, if collaborative solutions are continuously negotiated to meet the needs of the person with dementia and the workplace, and with attention to possible contextual enablers and barriers. The review highlights four key elements for successful work interventions for people with dementia: 1) Person-centered Approach, 2) Contextual Relevance, 3) Knowledge-based and 4) Dynamic Approach.
Rural employer perspectives on adult learner achievement in the United States
Authors: Bellare Yamini , Smith Adam R. , Cochran Kelcee , Garcia-Lopez Samuel
Published: July 2024

Higher education opens doors to job enhancement and economic benefits to adult learners. Despite facing multiple barriers such as life–work–school time conflicts and financial constraints, adult learners continue to seek higher education and certifications. Rural employers also benefit from supporting degree completion or job-specific certifications because it allows them to attract and retain highly skilled employees. The goal of the current study was to qualitatively analyze data gathered from focus group interviews of senior managers. The results provide insights into how rural employers in the United States use employee education programs to reduce barriers to adult learner success. The importance of a bilateral relationship between institutions of higher education and employers to support adult learners is discussed.
The Tyranny of the Ribbon: The Effects of Prioritizing New Infrastructure over Maintenance
Authors: Gibson John , Rioja Felix
Published: July 2024

In the allocation of resources toward public infrastructure, spending on maintenance is typically neglected. Using a heterogeneous agent model, we find that reallocating funding away from new infrastructure investment and toward maintenance raises the effectiveness of existing public infrastructure and thus yields gains in GDP and in aggregate welfare. Richer households experience larger welfare gains than poorer households. A reallocation that takes funding away from maintenance is found to have adverse effects on GDP and aggregate welfare. Raising new funding with taxation yields larger positive benefits if this additional spending is divided between maintenance expenditures and investment in new infrastructure. Giving in to the “Tyranny of the Ribbon” by policymakers, that is, raising new funding to be spent only on new infrastructure, is shown to be the worse option.
Which chronic diseases contribute the most to healthy life years lost in Algeria?
Authors: Chinoune Meryem , Flici Farid
Published: July 2024

Objectives

Chronic diseases contribute significantly to healthy years lost (HYLs). It is critical to investigate which are the most contributing diseases to enable enhancing health programs’ effectiveness in improving health expectancy. This paper investigates disease-specific contributions to years lived with chronic diseases in Algeria and examines their recent evolution.

Methods

We used morbidity data from the last three waves of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys of 2006, 2012–13, and 2018–19. The studied chronic diseases included hypertension, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), joint diseases, respiratory diseases, and diabetes. We calculated disease-specific contributions using the cause-deleted health expectancy approach. Then, we analyzed time changes and gender-based differences in contributions.

Results

The leading cause of HYLs in women is hypertension, followed by diabetes, joint diseases, CVDs, and respiratory diseases. The same ranking applies to men, with joint diseases coming last. The time evolution of relative disease-specific contributions shows an increase in CVDs for women and diabetes for both genders, against a decrease for the other diseases.

Discussion

To improve chronic disease-free life expectancy in Algeria, effective prevention programs must be implemented, with an emphasis on hypertension and diabetes. Further investigation into the risk factors affecting the prevalence and incidence of these diseases is also required.
Influence of 2D solid lubricants on mechanical and tribological behaviour of Al 7XXX series metal matrix composites: A comprehensive review
Authors: Beyanagari Sudheer Reddy , Sivalingam Arulvel , Kandasamy Jayakrishna , Katiyar Jitendra Kumar
Published: July 2024

Aluminium alloys (Al 7XXX), due to their low hardness and poor friction-wear behaviour have restricted structural and tribological applications. Hence, researchers are now focusing on 2D solid lubricants as reinforcement in Al 7XXX metal matrix composites to enhance their mechanical and tribological properties. 2D solid lubricants possess better hardness, self-lubrication, low friction, high wear resistance, and higher thermal stability. This article reports the influence of 2D solid lubricants on the mechanical and tribological behaviour of Al 7XXX Series metal matrix composites fabricated by different techniques available for Al MMCs. This article also, details the causes of mechanical and tribological failures in Al 7XXX MMCs, aiding research in overcoming such issues for novel Al-reinforced 2D solid lubricant MMCs. In addition, various wear mechanisms like delamination, adhesive, and oxidative wear reported for the Al 7XXX metal matrix composites at various tribological conditions are comprehensively presented in this review article.
Using IMU sensors to compare rowing ergometers with rowing on the water
Authors: Knarr Cooper , Kwoun Haley , Kleshnev Victor
Published: July 2024

Indoor rowing ergometers serve as tools to refine stroke technique, improve stamina, and allow training regardless of weather conditions. Currently, the most widely utilized models are the Concept 2 (C2) and the Rowperfect 3 (RP3) static and dynamic ergometers. The timing and magnitude of acceleration during different phases of the rowing stroke have been shown to play a crucial role in performance. Current methods used to extract individual rowing strokes are difficult to apply and utilize complicated measurements, such as oar angle, filters, or machine learning. This paper compares the rowing acceleration profile across three rowing training devices. The C2 and RP3 ergometer handle and seat accelerations are compared to those of a single scull shell using a peak detection signal processing technique. This technique easily identifies peaks during a rowing session so that individual strokes can be extracted. Inertial measurement units (IMU) were attached to the oar handle and the ergometer seat/cage and the scull to measure the acceleration profile of individual strokes. The ergometer drag factor was adjusted to match the boat’s drag factor. One Division I male athlete rowed for 90 s, with 60 s of steady state rowing at 20 strokes/min (spm). The mean difference in acceleration between each ergometer and the boat was calculated. Findings suggest the RP3 ergometer acceleration profile more closely matches that of on-water rowing. Our analysis illuminates key differences between ergometers and on-water rowing, which can help rowers understand how their ergometer training translates to on-water rowing.
Discussing the limitations of unconditional stability indicators in evaluating thermoacoustic quality of burners with flames
Authors: Ganji Hamed F , Kornilov Viktor , van Oijen Jeroen , Lopez Arteaga Ines , de Goey Philip
Published: July 2024

Assessing the thermoacoustic performance of designed combustors, with a focus on the stability quality factor, is crucial. Thermoacoustic instability in combustion appliances arises from intricate interactions among unsteady combustion, heat transfer, and (maybe) acoustic modes within the system. Accurate prediction of system stability requires modeling all components, including the burner with flame. Traditionally, the burner in the presence of combustion is represented as an acoustically (active) two-port block with passive upstream and downstream acoustic terminations. The dispersion relation of the thermoacoustic system is commonly used for anticipating eigen-frequencies and assessing stability. However, practical scenarios often lack specific information about upstream and downstream terminations during development. This raises a critical question: How can the thermoacoustic performance of burners and their associated flames be evaluated without specified acoustics? This article addresses this question by exploring the concept of unconditional stability in a generic two-port thermoacoustic system. The unconditional stability criteria have been used as quality indicators in designing electrical devices. This rich toolbox has been introduced in thermoacoustics. We first scrutinize assumptions underlying two most known unconditional stability-based criteria called [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] factors, connecting them to the general thermoacoustic problems. Then, the application of these criteria in assessing the thermoacoustic quality of burners with flames are discussed. This investigation revealed that while they are able to accurately predict the histogram of unstable frequencies and critical frequency bands, their use as reliable indicators to assess thermoacoustic quality in burners are not recommended due to their mathematical limitations and high level of conservatism of these factors.