bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dispossessed exposures. Housing and regimes of the visible
Authors: Lancione Michele , Simone AbdouMaliq
Published: September 2024

Literatures and organising show us how, in contemporary racial financial capitalism, housing is formed through dispossessive histories and geographies. Here, we query how these enter into play in the visual regimes through which housing is seen and experienced. For if the visual realm is as much a construct as any other housing matter, finding a grammar to tap into its workings might become handy when its violent outcomes come to the fore. What is reproduced in the visual regimes of housing? What is offered and taken anyway? What might never be seen, and by whom? The article offers a tentative analytical approach to questioning what we call dispossessed exposures: the (en)visioning of homely futures that are deprived, already in the social construct of seeing with the house, the possibility of radical care for and of habitation. These ideas are unpacked through reflection on two films: Ladj Ly’s Les Misérables and Fanny Liatard and Jérémy Trouihl’s Gagarine. We offer these reasonings as a contribution to ongoing conversations in the renewed field of housing justice scholarship.
Sigma-1 receptor signaling: A potential therapeutic approach for ischemic stroke
Authors: Ngo Alex , Fattakhov Nikolai , Toborek Michal
Published: September 2024

Strokes constitute over 50% of all neurological diseases, standing as the foremost cause of physical and mental disability. Currently, there are no widely accepted gold standard treatments for ischemic strokes beyond intravenous thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy applied during the acute therapeutic window. Therefore, the need for novel treatments targeting crucial signaling mediators involved in ischemic stroke is of utmost importance. The sigma-1 receptor (S1R), a molecular chaperone located at mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes (MAM), has exhibited neuroprotective effects when modulated by synthetic and endogenous agents across various cerebrovascular diseases. In this review, we describe the emerging therapeutic role of S1R agonists and antagonists in regulating blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and neurocognitive impairment following ischemic stroke.
The work of fluid metaphors in migration research: Geographical imaginations and the politics of writing
Authors: Johnson Leif , Jacobsen Malene H , Ehrkamp Patricia
Published: September 2024

Fluid metaphors describing “floods of migrants” or an “influx of migrant workers” are often used by journalists, politicians, and scholars to describe migration processes. While scholars have critiqued these metaphors as part of popular discourse, the roles fluid metaphors play in migration scholarship itself have received less attention. Through analysis of five academic journals, this article analyzes scholarly usage of fluid metaphors in contemporary migration research. We argue that fluid metaphors foster specific geographic imaginaries, which often run counter to otherwise complex theorizations of migration and mobility. In response, we call for practices of writing that center precision and care.
Dual drug release profiles of salicylate-based polymers and encapsulated chlorhexidine as potential periodontitis treatments
Authors: Whitaker-Brothers Kenya , Hasan M Ragib , Tamima Umme , Uhrich Kathryn E
Published: September 2024

Salicylate-based poly(anhydride-esters; SAPAEs) have demonstrated wound healing properties due to salicylic acid (SA) release during polymer degradation. Additionally, the polymers are deformable and self-adhesive due to their low Young’s modulus, lower glass transition temperature ( Tg), and inherent tackiness at body temperature. These properties make them particularly well-suited for therapeutic use in the bacteria-laden environment of the oral cavity. To enhance their therapeutic capabilities, the antiseptic chlorhexidine dihydrochloride was physically incorporated into SAPAEs for dual release of antiseptic and anti-inflammatory upon degradation. This study analyzes the thermomechanical properties of two SAPAE compositions (adipate homopolymer and 50:50 adipate:sebacate copolymer) and the release of chlorhexidine (incorporated at 10% (w/w)) from these polymers. Polymer adhesivity was monitored as a function of chlorhexidine incorporation and in vitro degradation time. Throughout in vitro degradation, the polymer systems had a low Young’s modulus and a Tg at or near body temperature. Incorporation of the antiseptic further decreased Young’s modulus and increased both the Tg and adhesivity. The release profiles were also evaluated and determined to be similar for the homopolymer and copolymer, although the homopolymer degradation occurred over a longer time period. Overall, the SAPAE systems have favorable properties for periodontal disease treatments by virtue of their controlled degradability, deformability, adhesivity, and release profiles with encapsulated antiseptic.
Problematising Aspirations, Transformations, and Societal Expectations: Revisioning Academic Success and Wellbeing Through Cross-Cultural Autoethnographic Exploration
Authors: Jiang Weiqi , Waterhouse Peter , Zhang Hongzhi , Saito Eisuke
Published: September 2024

Having aspirations and goals to strive for provides a sense of purpose and motivation, which can greatly contribute to one’s overall happiness and satisfaction. However, there is a lack of in-depth understanding of how individual aspirations interact with societal expectations and constructs, potentially resulting in feelings of anxiety and frustration. This collaborative cross-cultural autoethnographic study examines the interplay between the individual and the sociocultural, with a special interest in Eastern and Western lenses of well-being. Based on data from autoethnographic narratives, fieldnotes, and reflection with critical friends, this study aims to provide an insider’s account of an international doctoral candidate’s experiential journey of aspiration/s, and transformation/s, to meet societal expectation/s. Through analysis of these experiences, we propose that societal constructs should be given more attention in discussions of well-being, to envision a more equitable educational environment in which aspiration/s and transformation/s can be better recognized and appreciated.
CSR Communication and the Polarization of Public Discourses: Introduction to the Special Issue
Authors: Schoeneborn Dennis , Golob Urša , Trittin-Ulbrich Hannah , Wenzel Matthias , O’Connor Amy
Published: September 2024

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication faces significant challenges due to an increasing polarization of public discourses. This polarization oversimplifies societal differences into “us versus them” dynamics, complicating consensus building and eroding trust in democratic processes. Traditionally, CSR communication research has focused on how organizations negotiate meanings between various stakeholders. However, the rise in polarization necessitates a broader research scope to understand its impact on CSR practices and organizational relationships. This Special Issue of Management Communication Quarterly explores these evolving challenges, analyzing how polarization reshapes CSR communication and outlining strategies for businesses to navigate this fragmented landscape. The issue also reflects on the broader role of corporations amidst tendencies of polarization and suggests directions for future research.
Being with Others and the Practice of Theodicy
Authors: Jesson Stuart
Published: September 2024

In this article I aim to highlight one aspect of what it is like to address the problem of evil. The discussion aims to show that the suffering of others comes to matter, in part, because of the way in which we are with others, and they with us. Through a sustained discussion of the film 12 Years a Slave, and drawing on the idea of joint attention, I suggest that the possibility of sharing attitudes with others is central to our experience of the meaning of suffering. In dialogue with the moral philosophy of Stephen Darwall, I highlight the way in which—at least in some significant cases—being with others depends on mutual answerability. These points suggest that whilst moral critics of theodicy are right to emphasise the way that the practice of theodicy can involve a failure to recognise the seriousness of suffering, it is a mistake to think that the suffering of others is ‘hermeneutically off-limits’ to me: whilst we may often be concerned for others, we can also be concerned with them. This, it is claimed, is an intrinsic part of the difficulty of the problem of evil, as well as one reason for its moral significance.
Investigation on cutting forces in ultrasonic vibration assisted milling of particle-reinforced titanium matrix composites (PTMCs)
Authors: Huan Haixiang , Xu Wenqiang , Ding Wenfeng , Zhu Chilei , Zhao Biao
Published: September 2024

Particle-reinforced titanium matrix composites are widely used in aerospace and marine fields because of their excellent performance. However, the difficulty of machining is increased by the existence of highly brittle and hard reinforcing particles dispersed in the matrix. To address the challenges of the difficulty of subsequent processing of particle-reinforced titanium matrix composites, an ultrasonic vibration-assisted process is used for milling. In this paper, an orthogonal cutting simulation model of particle-reinforced titanium matrix composites’ material is established by ABAQUS software, and the constitutive material models of particles and metallic matrix are established respectively. The excellent performance of ultrasonic vibration assisted cutting is dynamically analyzed from the simulation micro angle. Meanwhile, combined with the conventional milling and ultrasonic vibration assisted cutting experiments, the influence of the two processing methods on the cutting performance of grain-reinforced titanium matrix composite material is compared. The results show that, compared with conventional milling, the intermittent cutting mode of ultrasonic vibration-assisted cutting can significantly reduce the cutting force by about 10%; in both cutting modes, with the same cutting conditions, the change in cutting force is positively correlated with the cutting speed, feed per tooth, and cutting width.
Analysing the thermal and electrical properties of Cocos nucifera shell-based nanofluids as coolant feasibility proton exchange membrane fuel cell
Authors: Raguman Abdul , Vedagiri Praveena
Published: September 2024

For an enhancement of the thermal and electrical conductivity of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), extensive research is actively conducted on various waste bio sources. PEMFC offers the cleanest form of energy, an electrochemical energy conversion device that possesses zero emissions with by-products such as heat and water. In PEMFC, conventional coolants such as water and water:ethylene glycol mixture does not attain the substantial results in terms of heat dissipation, which impacts performance gradually reduces the operating life of the cell. Usually, bio-sources are environmentally friendly and have merits over chemically prepared methods. Bio-based nanofluids have remarkable performance in terms of heat transfer, lower electrical conductivity, and low corrosiveness in the system compared to other metal-based fluids and base fluids, which have also gained a great deal of scrutiny over the past few decades. In this research, bio-sourced Cocos nucifera shell (CNS) is utilised at various concentrations, such as 0.1 vol.-%, 0.3 vol.-% and 0.5 vol.-%, dispersed with a base fluid such as water (W), and ethylene glycol (EG) (80:20) is analysed prior to actual full stack PEMFC. Consequently, heat transfer has been improved by 13% for CNS in 80:20 (W:EG) at 0.5% volume concentration compared with W:EG (80:20). On the basis of findings on thermal, hydraulic and electrical conductivity, various properties have also been determined. Despite the drawbacks of the experimental design, it was concluded that up to 0.5 vol.-% CNS in an 80:20 (W:EG) nanofluid could be used as a cooling medium for PEMFCs with no adverse effects on the electrical performance. It was also observed that the nanofluid improved the efficiency of the fuel cells by reducing the ohmic losses.
Wogonin Alleviates Streptozotocin-stimulated Diabetic Nephropathy through its Antidiabetic, Antidyslipidemic, and Antioxidative Effects in Rats
Authors: Li Dong , Li Hui , Shi Buchao , Li Changhong
Published: September 2024

Background

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a prolonged endocrine syndrome recognized by defective metabolism of biomolecules on account of flaws in insulin resistance. Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a central microvascular complication of DM with inadequate treatment alternatives. Wogonin (WOG) is a pharmacologically active flavonoid isolated from the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, which exerts strong renoprotection. However, the defensive mechanism of WOG against DN is not completely illuminated.

Objectives

This study investigates the role of WOG in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced DN in high-sucrose-high-fat fed rats.

Materials and Methods

DM was induced in experimental rats by a solo dosage of STZ (40 mg/kg) administered intraperitoneally. All rats were allocated into five sets, namely, normal, diabetic control (DC), metformin (150 mg/kg), and WOG (25 and 50 mg/kg) treated orally for 2 months.

Results

The antidiabetic and renoprotective effects of WOG were assessed by analyzing lipid profiles, glucose, inflammatory mediators, oxidative stress markers, renal functional parameters, gain in body weight, and histopathology of the kidney. In the current study, WOG could improve DM-induced metabolic alterations, dyslipidemia, kidney dysfunction, and inflammatory and oxidative prominence over its antidiabetic, antioxidative, antihyperlipidemic, and anti-inflammatory actions.

Conclusion

Thus, WOG is employed as a nephroprotective agent in DC rats.
Patient Reported Outcomes in Patients with Cleft Lip and/or Palate Help Identify Youth at Risk for Suicidality
Authors: Romeo Dominic J. , Lenz Theodor , Akarapimand Patrick , Ng Jinggang J. , Wu Meagan , Napoli Joseph A. , Swanson Jordan W. , Jackson Oksana , Taylor Jesse A , Magee Leanne
Published: September 2024

Objective

To identify associations between scores on the CLEFT-Q and Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) Lifetime Version in patients with cleft lip and/or palate (CLP).

Design

Prospective.

Setting

Tertiary care center.

Patients, Participants

Patients ages six and older administered both the CLEFT-Q questionnaire and C-SSRS survey between 2019 and 2024.

Interventions

Multidisciplinary care coordination facilitated by the team psychologist.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Associations among demographics, CLEFT-Q responses, and suicidality.

Results

A total of 305 patients were included, 141 females (46.2%) and 164 males (53.8%). Fifty-one (16.7%) endorsed lifetime incidence of suicidal ideation, four (1.3%) endorsed suicidal behavior, 12 (3.9%) endorsed non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), and one (0.3%) endorsed self-injurious behavior, intent unknown. Patients endorsing suicidal ideation had lower PROs in 12/13 categories on the CLEFT-Q questionnaire (p < 0.001). Those with suicidal behavior had lower PROs in three health-related quality of life categories (psychological function, p = 0.018; social function, p = 0.005; school function, p = 0.007), but no difference in other domains. A cutoff of ≤70 in the CLEFT-Q psychological function domain identified suicidal ideation with 72.9% sensitivity and 65.9% specificity and suicidal behavior with 100.0% sensitivity and 62.2% specificity.

Conclusions

Patients with cleft lip and/or palate have increased risks for psychosocial challenges that are often missed by healthcare providers. This study reveals that patient-reported outcomes are worse in those with CLP who endorsed suicidal ideation and behavior. Low PRO responses identify suicidality with moderate sensitivity and specificity. Patients with low scores should be offered safety screenings and psychosocial support, ideally by mental healthcare professionals.
Analysis of dynamic disturbance and multistage shear creep damage evolution law of the weak intercalated layers in slope under the influence of coupled damage effect
Authors: Wang Zeqi , Hu Bin , Li Jing , Chen Kuikui , Zhong Zhuoxi , Zhang Xiangyu
Published: September 2024

Based on the damage characteristics of multistage shear creep in weak intercalated layers (carbonaceous mud shale) of slopes under the influence of dynamic disturbance, the effective bearing area method was used. A new coupled damage equation (dynamic disturbance damage, shear creep damage, and initial damage) was established through further derivation, and its applicability was demonstrated. The calculation method for the relevant coupled damage degrees was also provided. Furthermore, by targeting the three coupled damage factors and extending the Kachanov damage law, a time-dependent damage evolution equation for weak intercalated layers under the influence of the three coupled damage effects was established. The influence of different dynamic disturbance intensities on the evolution of multistage shear creep damage in weak intercalated layers of slopes under the influence of coupled damage effects was analysed. The results show that the damage to the rock mass caused by dynamic disturbance mainly occurs in the low-frequency stage (40–80 Hz). The instantaneous damage caused by dynamic disturbance to the shear plane of weak intercalated layers is not only affected by the intensity of the dynamic disturbance but also limited by the magnitude of the shear creep load. The influence of the dynamic disturbance intensity on the entire process of multistage shear creep damage of weak intercalated layers was analysed. With increasing of dynamic disturbance intensity, the cumulative coupled damage at the end of shear creep at all levels gradually exhibits linear evolution. The time-dependent coupling damage evolution process of weak intercalated layers was quantitatively characterized.
How Do Brands Change Their Advertising Spending in Response to a Rival's Product Recall?
Authors: Fang Sihan , Astvansh Vivek , Tong Siliang (Jack) , Lee Hsiao-Hui , Guo Yue
Published: September 2024

A brand manager can interpret a rival's product recall as an opportunity to preempt sales and/or signal superior quality by raising their brand's ad spending. Conversely, they may interpret the recall as a threat that may harm their brand's image and/or lead buyers to draw unfavorable comparisons between their brand and the recalling brand. This interpretation nudges the manager to suppress their brand's ad spending. The authors test the interpretations empirically in the context of 62 substitute car models’ responses to the recall of a competing model. They assess the response over 31 weeks and 308 geographical regions, leading to 591,976 model-week-region observations. Regression discontinuity in time analysis reports that, on average, a substitute brand responds by lowering its ad spending by 50%, suggesting that the threat interpretation dominates the opportunity interpretation. A decomposition of spending by type suggests that substitute brands increase their spending on price advertising by 25%, decrease spending on quality advertising by 71%, but make no adjustment to brand advertising. This nuanced analysis suggests that substitutes attempt sales preemption, avoid quality signaling, and are not worried about brand spillover. A follow-up analysis reports that this advertising strategy strengthens the positive spillover effect of a brand's recall on its substitute brands’ sales volume. The key findings hold for another major automobile recall event in the same market. The findings contribute to the literature on the management of quality perceptions while informing about substitute brands’ managers responses to a rival brand's quality failure and whether the response helps or hurts the substitutes’ sales. Furthermore, the findings build an empirical foundation for future analytic investigation on strategic interactions among brands when a quality defect occurs.
Ready to Learn: A Concept Analysis for the Intersection of Health and Education
Authors: Colvin Desiree
Published: September 2024

Since the inception of the National Education Goals in 1989, the United States has enacted policies focused on student readiness to learn, but there is no single or clear definition of ready to learn. Education quality and access are social determinants of health. However, students do not learn well if they are not healthy. This concept analysis explores the connection between health and education across multiple domains. Utilizing the Walker-Avant method, CINAHL, SCOPUS, and the Journal of School Nursing were searched for literature related to ready to learn. Definitions were synthesized from the literature, resulting in a concept of ready to learn encompassing health and thriving at individual, family, school, and community levels. Ready to learn is the result of multiple domains working synergistically to support health and thriving across the lifespan. School health practice improves with a robust understanding of this ready to learn model.
Failing Consistently and Expectedly: Effects of Error Consistency and Drivers’ Mental Models on Trust in Automated Vehicles
Authors: Cheng Xiaoxuan (Alicia) , Chen Jing
Published: September 2024

This ongoing study investigates how driver expectations and automation error consistency influence trust in Driving Automation Systems (DASs). Drawing on the Expectation Confirmation Theory (ECT), we hypothesize that trust increases when system performance aligns with or exceeds driver expectations on the DASs. Inconsistencies in error patterns may diminish trust. We conducted a 2 × 3 × 3 mixed-design experiment on STISIM Drive with 150 participants, manipulating expectations (high vs. low) and error patterns (no error, consistent, or inconsistent errors). Trust and response times to takeover requests (TORs) were measured three times, one at each drive. We predict higher trust and longer TOR times in low-expectation conditions. As for error patterns, we predict the highest trust to arise from scenarios with no errors and longer TOR times when errors are inconsistent. Our findings are expected to provide insights into enhancing DAS design by aligning system performance with user expectations and promoting error consistency to improve trust and user satisfaction.
Enhancing General Aviation Safety: The Integration of Generative AI in Preflight Weather Planning
Authors: Woods Stephen , Blickensderfer Elizabeth
Published: September 2024

Artificial Intelligence (AI) permeates daily life and industries through enhanced machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision. Generative AI, a significant advancement, mimics human-like text and makes data-driven decisions, particularly in generative AI applications. Exploring novel AI applications is crucial, such as using generative AI to aid General Aviation (GA) pilots in preflight weather planning, with the aim to enhance pilots’ awareness and reduce weather-related accidents. However, the rapid evolution of generative AI raises many concerns like volatility, security risks, and decision-making biases. Preflight weather planning is vital in aviation, with weather-related incidents comprising a significant portion of accidents. Despite advancements, GA pilots’ interpretation of weather information remains subpar. This paper examines how generative AI may have potential to assist GA pilots to perform preflight weather planning, while also addressing risks and suggesting ethical research directions.
Artificial Intelligence in Virtual Reality for Blind and Low Vision Individuals: Literature Review
Authors: Liu Tianhang , Fazli Pooyan , Jeong Heejin
Published: September 2024

Virtual reality (VR) technologies have garnered substantial attention and adoption across various fields, including workspaces and education. People with disabilities, who already face lower employment rates and fewer full-time opportunities, may be further disadvantaged. Addressing this, recent advancements have focused on making VR inclusive, particularly for individuals with visual impairments. With the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, it has also become possible to integrate AI technologies into VR systems to enhance accessibility for individuals with visual impairments. Despite growing interest, there is a gap in comprehensive literature focusing on AI’s role in enabling blind and low vision individuals to experience VR. This review aims to fill that void by providing an overview of current research, discussing benefits and challenges, and identifying future opportunities. By synthesizing existing research, this study contributes insights for researchers, developers, and practitioners working in the field of accessibility and assistive technology.
A Basecamp for Student Group Projects: Analysis of the Use of Project Management Software in the Advertising, Public Relations, and Marketing Classroom
Authors: Wallace Adrienne A. , Quesenberry Keith A. , Coolsen Michael K.
Published: September 2024

Integration of project management collaboration software has been suggested for group experiential project courses in advertising, public relations (PR), marketing, and strategic communications. But little research has been conducted on using these tools. This study sought to gauge student perceptions toward the use of project management collaboration software Basecamp on improved experience in group projects, team collaboration, and learning outcomes. A survey of 177 students in seven course sections across two semesters at two universities reveals that most students agree project management and collaboration software is a valuable learning tool. Suggestions for course and program implementation and the self-directed learning model are considered.
Boraginaceae plant fragment as a foreign body in the lacrimal duct: Multidisciplinary diagnosis
Authors: Kolik Ali Kubilay , Çetinbaş Genç Aslıhan , Vardar Filiz , Özbilen Kemal Turgay , Boral Özden , Büyükbabani Nesimi
Published: September 2024

Foreign bodies in the lacrimal drainage system pose a substantial challenge in clinical practice due to their potential morbidity and diverse origins. Many foreign bodies are inorganic; however, organic foreign bodies, although uncommon, present diagnostic challenges. We present the case of a 57-year-old woman who had epiphora in her right eye. Patient's physical examination suggested an obstruction in the nasolacrimal duct. An external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) was scheduled. The surgery uncovered a polyp-like intrasaccal structure, which was subsequently identified as an organic foreign body through a comprehensive histopathological examination. This case underscores the significance of precise histopathological evaluation, multidisciplinary collaboration, and meticulous assessment in the identification of uncommon intraorbital organic foreign bodies.
Exposure to Dietary Glycidyl and 3-MCPD Fatty Acid Esters and Associated Burden of Cancer in Selected Asian and European Countries: A Review and Data Synthesis
Authors: Yabani Daniel Sitsofe , Ofosu Isaac Williams , Ankar-Brewoo Gloria Mathanda , Lutterodt Herman Erick
Published: September 2024

This study evaluated the health implications and oncological impact of consuming glycidyl esters (GE) and 3-monochloro-1,2-propanediol esters (3-MCPDE) in selected Asian and European populations. Data on dietary GE and 3-MCPDE were compiled from 10 studies conducted in China, Taiwan, Poland, and Spain, identified through a systematic search in PubMed and ScienceDirect databases from 2012 to 2022. Studies on food supplements and analytical methods were excluded from the analysis. Health metrics for these nations, spanning 2015 to 2019, were sourced from the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation, among others. A Monte Carlo Simulation was employed for data analysis. The results showed that “grains and grain products” was the most consumed food category (260.45-395.35 g/day), whereas “food for infants and children” was the least consumed (0.01-0.09 g/day). Additionally, “fats from animal or plant origin” had the highest contamination levels. While 3-MCPDE exposures remained within safe limits, median GE exposure correlated with an incidence of colon cancer ranging from 3.66 × 10−8 to 0.744%, lung cancer from 0.00256 to 0.287%, and breast cancer from 0.0262 to 2.42% within the study areas. This translated to a total cancer burden of 6.69 to 1020 Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) per 100 000 individuals. The population in China recorded the highest DALY rate (1,020), followed by Spain (30.2), Poland (19.7), and Taiwan (6.69). Projections suggest an uptick in GE-related cancer cases and associated burdens in the coming decades attributed to demographic shifts, ageing populations, and dietary changes. The study underscores the urgency of mitigating GE and 3-MCPDE food contamination, bolstering public health awareness, and establishing safety guidelines.
Data vulnerability and privacy risk among hotel guests who share personal data
Authors: Fakfare Pipatpong , Manosuthi Noppadol , Lee Jin-Soo , Jin Minkyoung , Han Heesup , Kim Jinkyung Jenny
Published: September 2024

This research explores the guests’ perception toward data vulnerability and its impact on the privacy risk, privacy concern, and the perceived benefits of sharing personal data with hotels, which is in response to rising concerns about the personal data collection for service facilitation in hotels. A proposed research framework that explains the antecedents and outcomes of hotel guests’ privacy risk and privacy concern that is related to personal data sharing was examined using the generalized structured component analysis with measurement errors incorporated (GSCAM), the necessary condition analysis (NCA), and a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). The results expand the antecedents → privacy concerns → outcomes (APCO) model by determining a set of salient variables, such as data access, data breach vulnerabilities, privacy risk, and concern in regards to determining hotel guests’ perceived benefits of sharing personal data. This study provides valuable insights into privacy dynamics, enabling hotel professionals to develop targeted marketing strategies prioritizing both data utilization and guest privacy. It also suggests enhancing data security measures to mitigate concerns and foster trust among guests.
USP18 reduces the inflammatory response of LPS-induced SA-AKI by inhibiting the PI3K-AKT-NF-κB pathway and regulate apoptosis of cells
Authors: Chong Yang , Wu Xue-ying , Wang Yi-qi , Gu Quan-kuan , Zhang Jian-nan , Meng Xiang-lin , Li Yue , Yang Wei , Li Na-na , Liu Huan-huan , Gao Qian-qian , Zhao Ming-yan
Published: September 2024

Background

Sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SA-AKI) is marked by systemic inflammation and organ dysfunction. Ubiquitin-specific protease 18 (USP18) is a regulator in immune responses and apoptosis.

Objectives

To explore USP18's role in inflammatory pathways and apoptosis in SA-AKI, particularly its interactions with the PI3K-AKT-NF-κB pathway.

Design

A combination of animal experiments and cellular models was employed to investigate the expression and regulatory functions of USP18 in both in vivo and in vitro settings.

Methods

We established SA-AKI models in mice and HK-2 cells using LPS. Gene expression was analyzed via RNA-seq, and Cr, BUN, and inflammatory factors were measured using biochemical assays and ELISA. Kidney pathology was assessed with HE staining, mRNA levels with qRT-PCR, protein expression with Western blots, and cell apoptosis with flow cytometry.

Results

In SA-AKI mice model and HK-2 cell lines, upregulated USP18 was linked to increased activity in the PI3K-AKT-NF-κB pathway and heightened inflammation. Conversely, USP18 downregulation decreased early cell apoptosis and raised levels of inflammatory proteins. Elevated USP18 levels were also found in SA-AKI patients’ blood and urine.

Conclusion

USP18 enhances in vitro and in vivo responses by modulating inflammation and apoptosis through the PI3K-AKT-NF-κB pathway, presenting a potential target for SA-AKI therapy.
Multifunctional sandwich materials with ROTIS structure for improved thermal and electrical properties in construction application
Authors: Wang Dan , Venkataraman Mohanapriya , Hu Shi , Kremenakova Dana , Militky Jiri , Coetzee Divan , Karthik Daniel
Published: September 2024

There is still a lot of research space and market demand for lightweight, heat-insulating, and EMI-shielding construction materials. This paper develops and compares the thermal insulation, ohmic heating effect, and EMI shielding properties of a kind of multifunctional sandwich material with “ROTIS” and “FLAT” structures. The ROTIS-structured sample exhibits slightly higher thermal conductivity than the FLAT-structured sample, owing to its lower volume porosity and higher plated copper content per unit area. Since ROTIS technology allows for a significant increase in the thickness of thinner raw materials, this structure allows for an increase in the thermal insulation of thinner materials. Also, samples with ROTIS structures have a better ohmic heating effect than samples with FLAT structures. This is because the active layer has more plated copper content per unit area, while the insulation layer has less thermal resistance. Unsatisfactorily, the samples with the ROTIS structure show lower electromagnetic shielding effectiveness at 1-1.5 GHz, which is mainly due to their reduced volume porosity. In conclusion, this research develops sandwich materials with the ROTIS structure that exhibit excellent thermal insulation, electromagnetic shielding, and ohmic heating properties, making them suitable for use as building materials in demanding indoor temperatures and electromagnetic environments.
Speaking Stata: Quantile–quantile plots, generalized
Authors: Cox Nicholas J.
Published: September 2024

Quantile-quantile plots in the precise sense of scatterplots showing corresponding quantiles of two variables have long been supported by official command qqplot. That command is generalized here in several ways in a new command, qqplotg. In this article, I explain the major features of qqplotg and give several examples of its use. Themes include the use of quantile-quantile plots to explore the possibilities for working on a transformed scale and the value of plotting difference between quantiles versus mean quantile or plotting position. Various historical and methodological remarks are sprinkled throughout.
Deep Learning-Based Artificial Intelligence Can Differentiate Treatment-Resistant and Responsive Depression Cases with High Accuracy
Authors: Metin Sinem Zeynep , Uyulan Çağlar , Farhad Shams , Ergüzel Türker Tekin , Türk Ömer , Metin Barış , Çerezci Önder , Tarhan Nevzat
Published: September 2024

Background: Although there are many treatment options available for depression, a large portion of patients with depression are diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression (TRD), which is characterized by an inadequate response to antidepressant treatment. Identifying the TRD population is crucial in terms of saving time and resources in depression treatment. Recently several studies employed various methods on EEG datasets for automatic depression detection or treatment outcome prediction. However, no previous study has used the deep learning (DL) approach and EEG signals for detecting treatment resistance. Method: 77 patients with TRD, 43 patients with non-TRD, and 40 healthy controls were compared using GoogleNet convolutional neural network and DL on EEG data. Additionally, Class Activation Maps (CAMs) acquired from the TRD and non-TRD groups were used to obtain distinctive regions for classification. Results: GoogleNet classified the healthy controls and non-TRD group with 88.43%, the healthy controls and TRD subjects with 89.73%, and the TRD and non-TRD group with 90.05% accuracy. The external validation accuracy for the TRD-non-TRD classification was 73.33%. Finally, the CAM analysis revealed that the TRD group contained dominant features in class detection of deep learning architecture in almost all electrodes. Limitations: Our study is limited by the moderate sample size of clinical groups and the retrospective nature of the study. Conclusion: These findings suggest that EEG-based deep learning can be used to classify treatment resistance in depression and may in the future prove to be a useful tool in psychiatry practice to identify patients who need more vigorous intervention.
Batteries Within Diabetes Devices: A Narrative Review on Recycling, Environmental, and Sustainability Perspective
Authors: Avari Parizad , Cai Yi , Verma Vivek , Reddy Monika , Srinivasan Madhavi , Oliver Nick
Published: September 2024

The adoption of diabetes technology for the management of type 1 and insulin-treated type 2 diabetes has greatly increased. The annual volume of discarded continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices, considering only Dexcom and Freestyle Libre brands, totals more than 153 million units and Omnipod® contributes an additional estimated 43.8 million units.

Although these technologies are clinically effective, their environmental impact is unknown. Batteries are a pivotal, yet often overlooked, component in diabetes technologies and can exert a detrimental impact on the environment.

In this commentary article, we explore the environmental impact of batteries used in diabetes devices. Furthermore, we highlight various strategies, including recycling of used batteries and alternative design approaches, that may reduce the environmental burden, as they become the ubiquitous standard of care for people with diabetes.
Molecular Logic Gates Derived from Fluorescent Natural Products
Authors: Agius Nicola’ , Magri David C.
Published: September 2024

Fluorescent natural products have been a source of fascination for centuries. In this review, we highlight natural products and natural product derivatives as optical logic-based molecules. The early beginnings of the field of molecular logic-based computation are introduced and followed with literature examples of logic gates from fluorescent natural products. The intention is to arouse the curiosity of readers to go out and discover more fluorescent natural products with intrinsic logic properties.
High seroprevalence of IgM antibodies against chikungunya among patients with acute febrile illness seeking healthcare in a malaria-endemic area in the Afar Region, Northeast Ethiopia
Authors: Zerfu Biruk , Kassa Tesfu , Mamo Gezahegne , Larrick James W , Legesse Mengistu
Published: September 2024

Objective:

Chikungunya is a disease caused by Aedes mosquito-borne chikungunya virus infection. This disease is becoming one of the emerging/re-emerging viral diseases in tropical and subtropical countries but is neglected by public health systems. This study assessed the seroprevalence of chikungunya virus infection among patients with acute febrile illness seeking healthcare in a malaria-endemic area in the Afar Region, Northeast Ethiopia.

Methods:

An institution-based cross-sectional study was employed from September 2022 to March 2023 to assess the seroprevalence of chikungunya virus infection among malaria-suspected febrile patients attending health institutes in the Afar Region. Sociodemographic, clinical features, and venous blood were collected from each study participant. Blood films were prepared and examined for plasmodium infection using microscopy. Sera were separated and screened for anti-chikungunya virus IgM and IgG antibodies using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data were entered into Epi Data 3.1 and analyzed using Stata/SE 14.2.

Results:

In this study, 368 malaria-suspected febrile patients (55.4% female, aged 5–80 years old, mean ± SD = 27.28 ± 14.0) participated. The prevalence of anti-chikungunya virus IgM antibodies, indicating acute infection, was 47.8%, while the prevalence of IgG antibodies, indicating previous exposure, was 6.3%. Nonmarried participants were found to be more likely to have acute chikungunya virus infection (AOR = 2.34, 95% CI: 1.141–4.964), and back pain was associated with higher likelihood of acute infection (AOR = 1.785; 95% CI: 1.078–2.954). About 10.6% of the participants tested positive for Plasmodium parasite infection, with P. falciparum (84.6%) being the most common, followed by P. vivax (10.3%) and mixed (5.1%) infections.

Conclusion:

The study revealed a high seroprevalence of acute chikungunya virus infection among febrile patients in the Afar Region, highlighting the importance of regular screening for arbovirus infection in febrile patients to control and mitigate chikungunya spread.
Co-design of a voice-based app to monitor long COVID symptoms with its end-users: A mixed-method study
Authors: Fischer Aurélie , Aguayo Gloria , Pinker India , Oustric Pauline , Lachaise Tom , Wilmes Paul , Larché Jérôme , Benoy Charles , Fagherazzi Guy
Published: September 2024

Background

People living with Long COVID (PWLC), which is still a poorly understood disease, often face major issues accessing proper care and frequently feel abandoned by the healthcare system. PWLC frequently report impaired quality of life because of the medical burden, the variability and intensity of symptoms, and insecurity toward the future. These particular needs justify the development of innovative, minimally disruptive solutions to facilitate the monitoring of this complex and fluctuating disease. Voice-based interactions and vocal biomarkers are promising digital approaches for such health monitoring.

Methods

Based on a mixed-method approach, this study describes the entire co-design process of Long COVID Companion, a voice-based digital health app to monitor Long COVID symptoms. Potential end-users of the app, both PWLC and healthcare professionals (HCP) were involved to (1) understand the unmet needs and expectations related to Long COVID care and management, (2) to assess the barriers and facilitators regarding a health monitoring app, (3) to define the app characteristics, including future potential use of vocal biomarkers and (4) to develop a first version of the app.

Results

This study revealed high needs and expectations regarding a digital health app to monitor Long COVID symptoms and the readiness to use vocal biomarkers from end-users. The main expectations included improved care and daily life, and major concerns were linked to accessibility and data privacy. Long COVID Companion was developed as a web application and is composed of a health monitoring component that allows auto-evaluation of symptoms, global health, and scoring relevant symptoms and quality of life using standardized questionnaires.

Conclusions

The Long COVID Companion app will address a major gap and provide day-to-day support for PWLC. However, further studies will be needed following its release, to evaluate its acceptability, usability and effectiveness.
Factors Influencing the Design of Labor Rooms
Authors: Aburas Rehab
Published: September 2024

To examine the environmental aspects in labor and delivery rooms (LDRs) in Saudi Arabia according to mothers’ points of view, especially with the recent increased numbers of C-section deliveries. The study is based on a survey questionnaire, open-ended questions analysis and comparison between the findings in two samples. Mothers who experienced labor and delivery in Saudi hospitals during the last 5 years participated in the study. The questionnaire was distributed via email and text messages to participating mothers, and 236 questionnaires were completed by participants. Based on analysis of the qualitative data, several factors were highlighted including Psychological aspects (39.74%), Caregiver attitude (15.89%), Space Layout and Furniture arrangement (12.58%). Importantly, from the quantitative analysis, the study finds that during COVID-19, compared to Pre-COVID-19 period there was an increase in mothers’ perceptions of the importance of the labor environment. The needs of mothers in Saudi were similar to those in the UK sample, except for these aspects that were important to Saudi women but not to those in the UK: spiritual support, psychological support, and policies. Therefore, designing labor and delivery settings should consider these cultural differences.
Destination Promotion Videos and Tourism Knowledge: A Road Toward Residents’ Empowerment in Emerging Tourism Destinations
Authors: Amani David , Mfumbilwa Esther Ernest
Published: September 2024

There is a major outcry among Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) in emerging tourism destinations regarding the low participation or engagement of key stakeholders, mainly local residents, in sustainable tourism. Although several initiatives have been taken by DMOs to ensure that local residents participate in inclusive tourism development, major progress has not been achieved so far. Past studies indicate that even though local residents are engaged and involved in tourism development, they have not been able to fully exercise power and control over tourism, hence they participate as passive beneficiaries rather than active beneficiaries. Thus, this study is an attempt to investigate the role of destination promotion videos and tourism knowledge as drivers of residents’ empowerment in emerging tourism destinations. The study used convenience sampling to determine a sample of 417 local residents in the Dodoma region, from whom data were collected. The data analysis, using structural equation modeling, suggests that tourism knowledge is an important driver of residents’ empowerment among local residents. Additionally, tourism knowledge can be cultivated through the use of destination promotion videos as important sources of information about tourism destinations. This study recommends that DMOs should utilize various public awareness campaigns, such as short destination videos, to empower individuals with knowledge. This knowledge could instill confidence and encourage their participation in inclusive tourism development.
Students Want to Build Anti-racist Praxis: How to Support Them in the Classroom with Grassroots Organizers
Authors: Hernandez Jessennya
Published: September 2024

While university institutions have been legally codified as sites of free expression and academic autonomy, university administrations consistently repress student-led campus rebellion and activism against racism. With the resurgence of intersectional and transnational anti-racist and anti-war student activism across college campuses, how can sociology educators pedagogically invest in students’ desires to build anti-racist praxes within and beyond the university? Informed by experiences with mutually constructive grassroots spaces and undergraduate courses, I argue that educators of race, including but not limited to sociologists, must engage with grassroots and community organizers (especially organizers who are racially minoritized and queer, femme, and/or gender non-normative) and incorporate their learning tools for popular and political education. First, I use the example of “community agreements” to show how educators can incorporate political and popular education tools into their race courses to help their students build their anti-racist toolkits. Second, I discuss two examples of how educators can collaborate directly with working class and racially minoritized grassroots organizers and invite them into the classroom. I end with a call to support community-centered learning spaces beyond the university classroom, as it can strengthen anti-racist pedagogy. Despite academic and state repression, I highlight the long-held tradition and responsibility of educators to support their students’ anti-racist critiques and action. Continuing June Jordan’s anti-racist pedagogical legacy (along with others alike), the university can only survive through co-learning and co-building with students and grassroots organizers, especially racially minoritized ones.