bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prostate Cancer Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs amongst Women: The Application of a Psychometrically Valid Tool (PCaKAB‐Gh) in a Large Population
Authors: Wiafe Ebenezer , Mensah Kofi Boamah , Padayachee Neelaveni , Oosthuizen Frasia , Bangalee Varsha
Published: June 2024

Background. The involvement of women, as health influencers, has been instrumental in improving health outcomes and quality of life. In sub‐Saharan Africa, poor knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about cancers have contributed to late detection and increased mortality. Although pharmacists have provided optimum pharmaceutical care in ensuring that prostate cancer (PCa) patients obtain maximum clinical benefits from pharmacotherapy, late detection has hindered pharmacotherapeutic outcomes. The application of the PCaKAB‐Gh tool to women has the potential to investigate their lapses in PCa knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs and further equip pharmacists and other healthcare professionals to design educational interventions. Ultimately, Ghanaian women will be well‐positioned to advise and motivate their men to screen for PCa. Method. Our pilot and psychometric studies recruited 400 and 500 participants from the Kumasi Central Market and the New Agogo Community Market, respectively. In this large population application of the PCaKAB‐Gh tool, 2000 women were simply randomly enrolled from these markets and data were collected using paper questionnaires with ethical approval. Data were entered into IBM SPSS (version 24) after cleaning and coding for analysis. The knowledge on signs and symptoms was scored and graded as “low” (≤2), “moderate” (3–5), and “high” (5–8), whilst the knowledge on causes and risk factors was stratified as “low” (≤1), “moderate” (2‐3), and “high” (4‐5). Pearson’s correlation was conducted to investigate the relationship between women’s educational status and knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs. Statistical significance was established as a p < 0.05. Results. Christians and Muslims accounted for about 70% and 24% of the participants, respectively, whilst over 50% of the participants were Akans. Over 50% and 30% of the 2000 participants had high and moderate knowledge about the signs and symptoms of PCa, respectively. Knowledge about the causes and risk factors was approximately 30% high and 50% moderate amongst the participants. Negative attitudes and beliefs outcomes were observed in about 25% and 55% of the participants. A p < 0.001 was achieved in Pearson’s correlation between the educational level of respondents and knowledge on signs and symptoms (r = −0.102), knowledge on causes and risk factors (r = 0.111), attitudes (r = −0.122), and beliefs (r = 0.228). Conclusions. Our study established that market women had better knowledge on the signs and symptoms of PCa compared to the causes and risk factors. Their beliefs about PCa were worse compared to their attitudes. The development and administration of educational interventions, relying on the outcomes of this study, must involve markets, churches, and mosques as educational sites with special attention to addressing negative beliefs through a broader community‐based engagement.
Acute Toxicity of Aqueous Extract from Bredemeyera floribunda Root Bark in an Animal Model
Authors: Stela Medeiros Cláudia , Medeiros Beatriz , Macedo Maria Lígia , Guimarães Rita , Freitas Karine , Bogo Danielle , Hiane Priscila , Viana Ricardo , Nascimento Valter
Published: June 2024

The medicinal plant Bredemeyera floribunda Willd. is used to treat cardiovascular disease, chronic fatigue, low libido, as well as increased diuresis. However, studies considering the toxicity of this plant are scarce. Develop an aqueous extract of B. floribunda considering traditional use and determine the average lethality (LD50), signs, and symptoms of toxicity. The B. floribunda extract was obtained by immersing the root bark in ultrapure water for 18 hours at 4°C, under constant stirring. The test extract was administered in a single dose of 2.000 mg/kg by gavage to rats. Signs and symptoms of toxicity were determined according to the Hippocratic screening test and compared with the control group. In addition, a necropsy was performed for macroscopic evaluation of the organs in the abdominal cavity. A powder was obtained from aqueous extracts that showed the same organoleptic characteristics and emulsification capacity as those presented by the fresh root when prepared according to popular tradition. The LD50 was greater than the test dose with three animals surviving. On the other hand, necropsy of dead rats showed necrosis and reduction in lung mass, in addition to the presence of foam and excessive distension of the stomach and intestines. The main symptoms of toxicity were anesthesia, ataxia, sedation, loss of muscle strength, and excessive drowsiness in the first 24 hours. There was no difference between the control and extract groups with regard to body mass, food, and water intake, as well as in macroscopy of the heart, liver, lungs, intestines, spleen, pancreas, and kidneys. The aqueous extract of the B. floribunda was considered nontoxic or of very low toxicity. However, it is capable of altering the activity of the central nervous system and causing disorders in the respiratory and digestive systems.
Structural Characters and Pharmacological Activity of Protopanaxadiol‐Type Saponins and Protopanaxatriol‐Type Saponins from Ginseng
Authors: Zhang Lancao , Gao Xiang , Yang Chunhui , Liang Zuguo , Guan Dongsong , Yuan Tongyi , Qi Wenxiu , Zhao Daqing , Li Xiangyan , Dong Haisi , Zhang He
Published: June 2024

Ginseng has a long history of drug application in China, which can treat various diseases and achieve significant efficacy. Ginsenosides have always been deemed important ingredients for pharmacological activities. Based on the structural characteristics of steroidal saponins, ginsenosides are mainly divided into protopanaxadiol‐type saponins (PDS, mainly including Rb1, Rb2, Rd, Rc, Rh2, CK, and PPD) and protopanaxatriol‐type saponins (PTS, mainly including Re, R1, Rg1, Rh1, Rf, and PPT). The structure differences between PDS and PTS result in the differences of pharmacological activities. This paper provides an overview of PDS and PTS, mainly focusing on their chemical profile, pharmacokinetics, hydrolytic metabolism, and pharmacological activities including antioxidant, antifatigue, antiaging, immunodulation, antitumor, cardiovascular protection, neuroprotection, and antidiabetes. It is intended to contribute to an in‐depth study of the relationship between PDS and PTS.
Association of Patient Reported Outcomes With Caregiver Burden in Older Patients With Advanced Heart Failure: Insights From the SUSTAIN-IT Study
Authors: Nguyen Dan D. , Spertus John A. , Benton Mary C. , Thomas Merrill , Jones Philip G. , Andrei Adin-Cristian , Wu Tingqing , Baldridge Abigail S. , Grady Kathleen L.
Published: June 2024

BACKGROUND:

Caregivers of patients with advanced heart failure may experience burden in providing care, but whether changes in patient health status are associated with caregiver burden is unknown.

METHODS:

This observational study included older patients (60–80 years old) receiving advanced surgical heart failure therapies and their caregivers at 13 US sites. Patient health status was assessed using the 12-item Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (range, 0–100; higher scores are better). Caregiver burden was assessed using the Oberst Caregiving Burden Scale, which measures time on task (OCBS-time) and task difficulty (OCBS-difficulty; range, 1–5; lower scores are better). Measurements occurred before surgery and 12 months after in 3 advanced heart failure cohorts: patients receiving long-term left ventricular assist device support; heart transplantation with pretransplant left ventricular assist device support; and heart transplantation without pretransplant left ventricular assist device support. Multivariable linear regression was used to identify predictors of change in OCBS-time and OCBS-difficulty at 12 months.

RESULTS:

Of 162 caregivers, the mean age was 61.0±9.4 years, 139 (86%) were female, and 140 (86%) were the patient’s spouse. At 12 months, 99 (61.1%) caregivers experienced improved OCBS-time, and 61 (37.7%) experienced improved OCBS-difficulty (versus no change or worse OCBS). A 10-point higher baseline 12-item Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire predicted lower 12-month OCBS-time (β=−0.09 [95% CI, −0.14 to −0.03];
P
<0.001) and OCBS-difficulty (β=−0.08 [95% CI, −0.12 to −0.05];
P
<0.001). Each 10-point improvement in the 12-item Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire predicted lower 12-month OCBS-time (β=−0.07 [95% CI, −0.12 to −0.03];
P
=0.002) and OCBS-difficulty (β=−0.09 [95% CI, −0.12 to −0.06];
P
<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS:

Among survivors at 12 months, baseline and change in patient health status were associated with subsequent caregiver time on task and task difficulty in dyads receiving advanced heart failure surgical therapies, highlighting the potential for serial 12-item Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire assessments to identify caregivers at risk of increased burden.

REGISTRATION:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; unique identifier: NCT02568930.
Decision-Making for Preventive Interventions in Asymptomatic Patients
Authors: Raabe Andreas , Fischer Urs , Rothwell Peter M. , Luengo-Fernandez Ramon , Bervini David , Goldberg Johannes , Trelle Sven , Gralla Jan , Beck Jürgen , Zubak Irena
Published: June 2024

The decision to treat an incidental finding in an asymptomatic patient results from careful risk-benefit consideration and is often challenging. One of the main aspects is after how many years the group who underwent the intervention and faced the immediate treatment complications will gain a treatment benefit over the conservatively managed group, which maintains a lower but ongoing risk. We identify a common error in decision-making. We illustrate how a risk-based approach using the classical break-even point at the Kaplan-Meier curves can be misleading and advocate for using an outcome-based approach, counting the cumulative number of lost quality-adjusted life years instead. In clinical practice, we often add together the yearly risk of the natural course up to the time point where the number equals the risk of the intervention and assume that the patient will benefit from an intervention beyond this point in time. It corresponds to the crossing of the Kaplan-Meier curves. However, because treatment-related poor outcome occurs at the time of the intervention, while the poor outcome in the conservative group occurs over a given time period, the true benefit of retaining more quality-adjusted life years in the interventional group emerges at a much later time. To avoid overtreatment of patients with asymptomatic diseases, decision-making should be outcome-based with counting the cumulative loss of quality-adjusted life years, rather than risk-based, comparing the interventional risk with the ongoing yearly risk of the natural course.
How Does Polycentric Engagement Relate to Countries’ NDC Ambition and Mitigation Policy Effort?
Authors: Castro Paula , Kammerer Marlene , Michaelowa Axel
Published: June 2024

Under the Paris Agreement, global climate governance has become decidedly more polycentric. However, it is still debated whether the turn toward greater polycentricity leads to more effectiveness in delivering public goods like climate change mitigation. This article argues that engagement in polycentric climate governance is linked to both more ambitious mitigation targets and stronger mitigation policy effort at the national level. Empirically, we analyze the extent to which countries’ mitigation ambition and policy effort are associated with state-level memberships in transnational climate governance initiatives and with sub- and nonstate actors’ memberships, while controlling for other potential explanations. We find that while polycentric engagement is not associated with higher ambition of countries’ mitigation targets, it does correlate with greater policy effort. This is particularly the case for former non–Annex I countries, that is, countries without mitigation commitments under the old Kyoto regime. We explain these synergies with a discussion of polycentric systems’ contribution to supporting knowledge exchange and learning.
Entoloma tianmushanense sp. nov. (Entolomataceae) from Mount Tianmu (Zhejiang, Eastern China)
Authors: SHEN YUYU , LI WEN-QIAN , PANG CHUN-MEI , DAI WEN-HONG , SONG YAO-BIN , DONG MING
Published: June 2024

Entoloma tianmushanense, a new species belonging to Entolomataceae, is described from Zhejiang Province, China. The phylogenetic tree based on ITS and LSU sequences indicated that Entoloma tianmushanense forms clusters within Rhodopolia clade in the subgenus Entoloma. Morphologically this new species is mainly characterized by it is medium-size, mustard brown, or nougat with darker center, sticky when moist in pileus, spores with 5(–6) pronounced angles and elongated apiculus, with clamp connections and slightly pale brown pigment occasionally in pileipellis. The new species is described and illustrated, as well as compared to other congeneric species.
Diagnosis of Atmospheric Processes from a Local Perspective for the Western North Pacific Summer Monsoon Onset
Authors: Ling Sining , Lu Riyu
Published: June 2024

The climatological western North Pacific summer monsoon onset, a so-called convection jump, occurs around the 41st pentad, corresponding to an abrupt northeastward extension of strong convection. This study investigates the process of convection jump from a local perspective. Composite analyses are performed based on the onset dates that are identified in individual years. The results show that the convective inhibition (CIN) decreases dramatically around the onset dates, while the convective available potential energy (CAPE) reaches its maximum long before the onset, suggesting that the CIN, rather than CAPE, plays a dominant role in triggering convection. Further analysis indicates that the reduction of CIN is induced by the increased low-level relative humidity, which is the result of enhanced water vapor convergence. The moisture transportation is primarily contributed by the wind transfer from easterlies to southeasterlies or southerlies along the southern boundary of the convection jump region, in accordance with the monsoon trough establishment. The present observational results may be used to evaluate climate models in simulating the stepwise evolution of summer monsoon.

Significance Statement

The convection jump refers to rapid convection extension to the northeastern part of the Philippines Sea in late July and corresponds to the deepening of the monsoon trough and northward shift of the western North Pacific subtropical high. Therefore, the convection jump has important impacts on the East Asian summer monsoon. The crucial role of transient atmospheric adjustment in triggering the convection jump has been shown in previous studies. However, the reason for the temporal preference of convection jump remains unknown. This study further specifies the process of atmospheric adjustments around the convection jump from a local perspective and reveals that the transition from the easterlies to southeasterlies or southerlies decreases convective inhibition and thus favors the convection jump. The present results can be used to diagnose the ability of climate models to simulate the stepwise evolution of Asian–Pacific summer monsoon.
Improving Forecasts of the “21⋅7” Henan Extreme Rainfall Event Using a Radar Assimilation Scheme that Considers Hydrometeor Background Error Covariance
Authors: Chen Yaodeng , Zheng Hong , Sun Tao , Meng Deming , Qin Luyao , Yin Jinfang
Published: June 2024

On 20–21 July 2021, a record-breaking rainfall event occurred in Henan Province, China, and a maximum hourly accumulated precipitation of 201.9 mm was recorded at Zhengzhou Meteorological Station. To improve the prediction of such extreme rainfall and to better understand the impacts of the radar reflectivity assimilation on forecasting, we assimilated radar reflectivity data using the hydrometeor background error covariance (HBEC) that includes vertical and multivariate correlations and then diagnosed the dynamic, thermal, and microphysical forecasts of this event. The results show that the radar reflectivity assimilation based on the HBEC properly transferred the observed radar reflectivity to the analysis of hydrometeors and other model states, and clearly improved the heavy rainfall forecast. The diagnosis of the dynamic and thermal forecasts indicated that the reflectivity assimilation based on the HBEC improved the convective environments of the precipitation systems, with stronger cold pools near the surface and deeper and wetter updrafts near Zhengzhou station, when compared with the experiment that did not assimilate radar reflectivity and the experiment that assimilated radar reflectivity without using the HBEC. The diagnosis of the microphysical forecasts further shows that assimilating reflectivity data using HBEC contributed to higher conversion rates of water vapor and cloud water to graupel and higher conversion rates of graupel and cloud water to rainwater, when compared with the other experiments. These improvements of both convective environments and microphysical processes within the convections ultimately enhanced the forecasts of this extreme rainfall event.
Dynamic learning of flue gas desulfurization process using deep LSTMs neural network
Authors: Li Xiaoli , Liu Quanbo , Wang Kang
Published: June 2024

SO2 emissions are known to pose great harm to both human health and atmospheric air, and flue gas generated from coal-fueled power plant is the prime source of sulfur dioxide. For this reason, flue gas desulfurization (FGD) technology has found wide applications in most coal-fired power stations. Correctly describe the dynamic behavior of an FGD process is the precondition of controlling it effectively. However, FGD process modeling is by no means an easy task, as the underlying process dynamics are highly nonlinear in nature, meanwhile time-delay effect is significant therein. Long short-term memory (LSTM) network possesses remarkable long-term memory capability, hence it is anticipated to have a powerful identification capability. In this paper, the connection between deep learning and system identification is established, further a unidirectional/bidirectional LSTM deep network is designed and employed to identify a real FGD process. Simulation results clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of deep learning-based identification approach, and the superiority of deep LSTMs over other conventional identification models is also verified.
Environmental protection after civil war: A difference-in-geographic-discontinuity approach
Authors: Kikuta Kyosuke , Kamahara Yuta
Published: June 2024

Although civil war devastates the environment, we still do not understand the role of environmental policies in post-war countries and often have a pessimistic view without empirical evidence. This study challenges this view by arguing that the introduction of independent monitoring mechanisms can make environmental regulations effective even in post-war countries and also by exploiting analytical opportunities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). In 2011–2013, the government implemented independent monitoring mechanisms to lessen the side effects of mining activities on deforestation. The reform, however, only applied to mining permit zones, which had arbitrary grid-based shapes. This allows combining a geographic regression discontinuity and difference-in-differences to a difference-in-geographic-discontinuity (DiGD) design. With satellite-based data available at every 30 metres for over 40 million cells in the DRC, the analysis indicates that the 2011–2013 reform decreased deforestation rates immediately inside the mining permit zones. The effect existed even in the areas of continuing armed conflicts. Further analysis of causal mechanisms suggests that the 2011–2013 reform facilitated the compliance of existing operators and also screened out incompliant operators. Overall, these findings imply that the environmental effects of civil war can depend on post-war policies — a missing link in the literature on environmental security.
Learn and Lead: Implementation of a Leadership Development Pilot Program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Authors: Flores Alina L. , Bailey Robin D. , Winfrey Kevin , Bess Tonya , Modaff Kaitlyn , Chapman Ronald , Mitchell Jennifer , Houry Debra
Published: June 2024

Objectives:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) needs leaders at all levels who can address technical and adaptive challenges in a changing public health landscape. We assessed the feasibility of implementing an enterprise-wide leadership development model.

Methods:

In June 2023, we launched a pilot program, Learn and Lead, for nonsupervisory staff in early and mid-career levels. One hundred sixty-nine participants registered, and 149 completed at least 6 weeks of the 8-week program. We gathered quantitative and qualitative data through weekly electronic surveys and in-depth interviews. We calculated frequencies for closed-ended Likert-scale items and performed content analysis of open-ended items to assess most frequently mentioned themes. We based the pilot’s design on CDC’s leadership development framework to assess application of the framework and alignment of curriculum to the framework.

Results:

Three themes emerged: logistics and facilitation, leadership development curriculum, and making connections with self and others. Findings for logistics and facilitation highlighted preferences for course length, small breakout groups, mixed weeks, and value of staff support. Findings for the leadership development curriculum underscored the relevance of the US Office of Personnel Management’s fundamental competencies to leadership development. Findings for making connections with self and others supported the cohort model and the importance of networking.

Conclusions:

The pilot curriculum aligned well with the CDC leadership development framework. Feedback provided by pilot participants is being used to help shape CDC’s ongoing leadership development efforts.
Lateral Financial Assistance with Home Ownership: Understanding the Role of Siblings
Authors: Cook Julia
Published: June 2024

Studies of family financial assistance with home ownership have focused exclusively on vertical forms of assistance, in which members of older generations help younger relatives to finance home ownership. Consideration of the role of siblings has been limited to accounts of their competing requests for assistance, leaving the topic of lateral assistance between siblings absent from these discussions. This article presents findings from interviews with 80 donors and recipients of family financial assistance with home ownership in Australia, which included a significant number of sibling donors and recipients. It argues that sibling assistance is often provided to compensate for an absent parent, protect the assets of parents or restore perceived fairness. In so doing, it challenges the notion of parent donors as the arbiters of fairness in family financial assistance with home ownership and outlines some of the practices through which lateral financial assistance between siblings tends to be transmitted.
Evaluations of Eight Communication Skills in Police–Civilian Interactions
Authors: Wang Congyu , Gao Qiuyue , Wang Hu
Published: June 2024

To create a framework encompassing a broad spectrum of police communication skills, our study utilized the Communicative Function Questionnaire, a validated tool from communication studies. Two cross-sectional surveys with 627 participants in China assessed the perceived importance of eight communication skills in police–civilian interactions. Study 1 indicated potential undervaluation of skills by police compared with civilians, although both groups rated them as moderately important or higher. Study 2 categorized police communication skills into two categories: functional (referential, regulative, conflict management) and relational (comforting, ego support, conversational, persuasive, narrative), with civilians favoring functional skills. Furthermore, our investigation into demographic influences on the evaluation of relational skills revealed that any of the following groups: men, individuals over 25, or residents of certain regions, placed a higher value on relational skills. Our findings highlight the importance of functional skills and suggest strategically developing relational skills tailored to the preferences of diverse demographic groups.
Trumbull Talk: White Vernacular and the Politics of Persecution, 1953-1954
Authors: Gilbert-Levin Erica
Published: June 2024

Following in the microhistory tradition, this essay draws on an unpublished report by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to delve deeply into the political worldviews of working-class white mill workers in 1950s South Deering, Chicago, during their massive resistance to the racial integration of a local public housing project in the post-World War II period. A close analysis of casual conversations between members of this insular white community demonstrates that an intense fear of demographic change, exacerbated by a certainty that white city elites had “sold out their race” and were working with civil rights organizations to promote the interests of Black Chicagoans, instilled in South Deering’s whites a sense of powerlessness that failed to ease even as evidence mounted that white city leaders were giving the neighborhood segregationists much of what they wanted.
Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis and Contralateral Chronic Granulomatous Invasive Fungal Sinusitis: A Case Report
Authors: Saito Kosuke , Goto Fumiyuki , Yamamoto Hikaru , Kaneda Shoji , Inagi Toshihide , Sakai Akihiro , Ebisumoto Koji , Maki Daisuke , Iijima Hiroaki , Okami Kenji
Published: June 2024

This case report describes rare concomitant allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS) and chronic granulomatous invasive fungal sinusitis (CGIFS) in a 34-year-old woman with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) post bone marrow transplantation. Initially presenting with rhinorrhea and nasal obstruction, the patient was diagnosed with AFRS in the right maxillary sinus, followed by a postoperative course of CGIFS in the left nasal cavity, showcasing the unique occurrence. She was not immunocompromised during diagnosis. CGIFS may have occurred because of surgery; however, voriconazole led to significant improvement. This case highlights noninvasive and invasive fungal infections in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and a history of GVHD and underscores the complexity of diagnosing and managing such cases.
What Questions Do Patients Ask About Biologic Therapies for Chronic Sinusitis With Nasal Polyps?
Authors: Razmi Samuel E. , Goehring Lexi , Dhanda Aatin K. , Shenoi Jason , Khan Faizaan , Rashidi Keyvon , Gorelik Daniel , Sims Kenneth R. , Fox Meha G. , Takashima Masayoshi , Ahmed Omar G.
Published: June 2024

Objective: The objective of this study is to explore the questions commonly asked online about biologic therapies for use in treatment of chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and the quality of the available content. Methods: Most common search terms were identified via Google Trends. People Also Ask (PAA) questions were identified and extracted with their associated website using an online data-scraping program [Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Minion, Keywords Everywhere]. Sources were evaluated using Flesch Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL) and Flesch Reading Ease (FRE, higher number = better) score for readability; Journal of American Medical Association ( JAMA) Benchmark criteria for quality assessment (0-4, 4 = all criteria met). Results: A total of 143 unique PAA questions and unique websites were identified. Questions were organized into 3 categories: questions about biologic therapies overall (38.46%), about CRSwNP (37.76%), and about treatment options for CRSwNP (23.78%). Websites answering PAA questions were from commercial (60.14%), medical practice (13.99%), academic (13.29%), and government (12.59%) sources. FKGL scores found the average reading level to be at approximately a 12th grade level (SD = 3.297) alongside a low reading ease FRE score of 37.6 (SD = 16.77). Mean JAMA criteria scores were 0.9895 (SD = 0.848), indicating largely low-quality materials. Conclusion: Biologic therapies are a novel treatment option for CRSwNP, and participants are seeking more information about these treatments and disease state. Online resources regarding biologics should be presented at a lower reading level. Sources with evidence-based information are needed. Physicians should be aware of these limitations in online material and counsel accordingly by curating and directing patients to good sources.

Level of Evidence: Step 4
Personality Traits and Insurance Demand
Authors: Schilling Thomas , Bleidorn Wiebke
Published: June 2024

Personality traits drive people’s financial decisions and hence affect their lives. Yet, we know little about the relationship between personality traits and insurance decisions. Do Risk-Taking, the Big Five and Locus of Control predict a variety of personal insurance decisions? Using a sample of 14,624 German adults with the goal of identifying associations between personality and insurance demand, we found that personality traits predict demand for various insurance types. We also found that associations may be mediated by demographic variables and may depend on the statistical modeling approach (e.g., including nonlinear relationships or examining between- and within-person effects). These findings contribute to our understanding of the role of personality in insurance demand and highlight the need for further exploration of this relationship, as our results demonstrate that personality-insurance-demand-associations depend on the examined insurance type.
The Young Democracies of Latin America and the Caribbean
Authors: Pineo Ronn
Published: June 2024

The young democracies of Latin America and the Caribbean, mostly all dating from the 1980s, can provide examples and inspiration for democracies elsewhere, positive models worthy of emulation. But if this is welcome news, all the developments from the region regarding the fate of its democracies are not good. Latin America and the Caribbean democracies are today facing several challenges that are both novel and serious. This essay offers an overall evaluation of the state of democracy in the region, analyzing the noteworthy gains and the troubling new dangers that democracies are confronting in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Constitution as recommendation
Authors: Tushnet Mark
Published: June 2024

Can a constitution be treated as a recommendation rather than as binding and entrenched law? I argue that the answer to that question is Yes. With respect to the constitution in gross, that is, the total set of general provisions setting out both the structures of governance and the basic rights the constitution protects, the constitution as recommendation can serve as a focal point for ordinary political contestation which, because it unfolds in real time and is conducted by actors with limited time and energy for such contestation, occurs within (largely) settled institutional forms. With respect to the constitution in detail, that is, brought to ground in judicial judgments in contested cases, the answer is more complicated. Ordinarily treating judicial judgments as recommendations is a prescription for instability (and for that reason inconsistent with the idea of institutional settlement). If the target of such a judgment makes a considered judgment that instability is worth it, the target is raising questions about the continuing value of remaining in the particular polity within which the principle of institutional settlement holds sway.
The enduring significance of reciprocity
Authors: Rasmussen David M
Published: June 2024

This essay raises questions about the role of reciprocity as it pertains to the various formulations of the liberal principle of legitimacy as interpreted by Constitutional Essentials.
The development of music education philosophy in mainland China during 1990–2022: A corpus-based thematic review
Authors: Yang Yang
Published: June 2024

This study used corpus-based text analysis to examine the discourse on Music Education Philosophy (MEP) in 346 Chinese scholarly articles published after 1990. Applying topic modelling techniques, the study identified 685 key terms in the corpus that collectively established six prevailing themes: Aesthetics, Praxis, Confucianism, Teaching and Learning, Values of music education, and Influence factors of music education. It was discovered that Aesthetics, Praxis, and Confucianism were three streams in Chinese literature that significantly influenced the MEP study landscape. In contrast, the other three topics served as the ‘battleground’ for these competing philosophical paradigms. The study discussed the sources of contemporary MEP in China, where combined influences from European North American Chinese philosophies are evident. It was argued that music, education, and philosophy emerge as three equally critical components that collectively define the inherent ‘nature’ of MEP. Thus, while the nature of music does not predetermine the nature of music education, the foundation of music education was shaped collectively by understandings, judgements, and expectations of music and education in the Chinese context. In addition, corpus analysis presented a promising methodological approach for tracing the evolution of discourse over time and facilitating critical inquiries in MEP discourses.
Revisiting the Entrepreneurial Society framework: A constructive critique from a climate change perspective
Authors: Lundmark Erik , Audretsch David B.
Published: June 2024

The Entrepreneurial Society framework occupies a central role not only in research but also in policy discourse. It highlights the important role of new ventures in instigating transformational change to meet new challenges. Yet, the framework was developed in an era when there were few reasons to fear shocks to society. The only shocks theorised were Schumpeterian and those were seen as desirable. This article revisits the Entrepreneurial Society from the perspective of climate change as a cause of shocks that need to be mitigated urgently. The article makes three important contributions to the entrepreneurship literature. First, it explicates contemporary views of the Entrepreneurial Society including contemporary critiques. Second, it outlines key conceptual challenges for the Entrepreneurial Society posed by climate change. Third, it suggests updates to the Entrepreneurial Society framework to strengthen its relevance in the face of climate change to channel entrepreneurial efforts towards a circular economy.
Physico-Mechanical and Petrographic Appraisal of Carbonate Rocks as Construction Aggregate: A Case Study from Lesser Himalaya, Pakistan
Authors: Ali Farhan , Sirfraz Yasir , Shahzad Amir , Ahmed Khawaja Shoaib , Riaz Muhammad Tayyib , Farooq Salman
Published: June 2024

Owing to the exceptional role of crushed rock aggregates in construction, their prospective reserves fulfilling qualitative and economic parameters should be identified to meet their ever-increasing demand. This research aims to unlock new sources of high-quality construction materials, thereby optimizing concrete performance and meeting the requirement for sustainable building materials. The study investigated the physicomechanical and petrographic properties of Jurassic, Cretaceous, and Eocene limestones of the Kawagarh Formation (KF), Samana Suk Formation (SSF), and Margalla Hill Limestone (MHL) along the Abbottabad–Nathiagali roadside section, as per the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and British Standards Institute (BSI). The results of geotechnical investigations are flakiness and elongation index (19.6–34.85% and 17.53–31.2%), specific gravity (2.64 to 2.67), water absorption (0.34–0.63%), unconfined compressive strength (41.72–80.65 MPa), loss angeles abrasion value (15.63–19.08%), impact value (15.38–19.36%), and the soundness (0.9–1.97%). These results showed values within the acceptable range according to ASTM and BSI standards. Petrographically, the KF is classified as mud and wackestone, the SSF was mainly classified as wacke-packstone and grainstone, while the MHL was classified as bioclastic wacke and packstone. The dominancy of micrite matrix favors the strength of aggregate, whereas porosity, microfractures, stylolites, and allochems adversely affect the mechanical properties of rock aggregates. Based on reserve estimation, the studied sections possess significant exploitable reserves and are feasible for quarry operations. The studied rocks can be utilized to produce high-strength concrete, optimizing its performance and quality.
The Biomechanical, Biochemical, and Morphological Properties of 19 Human Cadaveric Lower Limb Tendons and Ligaments: An Open-Access Data Set
Authors: Ashton Dylan M. , Blaker Carina L. , Hartnell Nicholas , Haubruck Patrick , Liu Ying , Hefferan Samantha A. , Little Christopher B. , Clarke Elizabeth C.
Published: June 2024

Background:

Methodological heterogeneity hinders data comparisons across isolated studies of tendon and ligament properties, limiting clinical understanding and affecting the development and evaluation of replacement materials.

Purpose:

To create an open-access data set on the morphological, biomechanical, and biochemical properties of clinically important tendons and ligaments of the lower limb, using consistent methodologies, to enable direct tendon/ligament comparisons.

Study Design:

Descriptive laboratory study.

Methods:

Nineteen distinct lower limb tendons and ligaments were retrieved from 8 fresh-frozen human cadavers (5 male, 3 female; aged 49-65 years) including Achilles, tibialis posterior, tibialis anterior, fibularis (peroneus) longus, fibularis (peroneus) brevis, flexor hallucis longus, extensor hallucis longus, plantaris, flexor digitorum longus, quadriceps, patellar, semitendinosus, and gracilis tendons; anterior cruciate, posterior cruciate, medial collateral, and lateral collateral ligaments; and 10 mm–wide grafts from the contralateral quadriceps and patellar tendons. Outcomes included morphology (tissue length, ultrasound-quantified cross-sectional area [CSAUS], and major and minor axes), biomechanics (failure load, ultimate tensile strength [UTS], failure strain, and elastic modulus), and biochemistry (sulfated glycosaminoglycan [sGAG] and hydroxyproline contents). Tissue differences were analyzed using mixed-model regression.

Results:

There was a range of similarities and differences between tendons and ligaments across outcomes. A key finding relating to potential graft tissue suitability was the comparable failure loads, UTS, CSAUS, sGAG, and hydroxyproline present between hamstring tendons (a standard graft source) and 5 tendons not typically used for grafting: fibularis (peroneus) longus and brevis, flexor and extensor hallucis longus, and flexor digitorum longus tendons.

Conclusion:

This study of lower limb tendons and ligaments has enabled direct comparison of morphological, biomechanical, and biochemical human tissue properties—key factors in the selection of suitable graft tissues. This analysis has identified 6 potential new donor tissues with properties comparable to currently used grafts.

Clinical Relevance:

This extensive data set reduces the need to utilize data from incompatible sources, which may aid surgical decisions (eg, evidence to expand the range of tendons considered suitable for use as grafts) and may provide congruent design inputs for new biomaterials and computational models. The complete data set has been provided to facilitate further investigations, with the capacity to expand the resource to include additional outcomes and tissues.
Experimental evaluation and optimization of parameters affecting delamination, geometrical tolerance and surface roughness in ultrasonic drilling of 3D-Printed PLA thermoplastic
Authors: Baraheni Mohammad , Shabgard Mohammad Reza , Amini Saeid , Gholipour Farid
Published: June 2024

Ultrasonic drilling is a suitable process to enhance the generated surfaces by additive manufacturing. In this study, polylactic acid was selected as the workpiece. The examination parameters were thrust force, delamination, geometrical tolerance, chip adhesion, hole wall morphology and surface roughness. It was explained that the harmonic movement of drill bit in ultrasonic drilling reduced thrust force, delamination, circularity, cylindricality and surface roughness up to 14.5%, 3.7%, 44%, 38%, 20% respectively and removed chip adhesion. Furthermore, number of end-mill flutes was examined and observed that 4-flutes compared to 2-flutes induced reduction in thrust force, delamination, circularity, cylindricality and surface roughness up to 15.2%, 2%, 7.5%, 18.9%, 12.5% respectively. Besides, analysis of variance was established to determine the significant parameters. Finally, non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II technique was implemented in order to carry out multi-response optimization.
Variation in Adult Cognition Across Domains and Life Course Place Effects in the UK
Authors: Topping Michael , Fletcher Jason , Kim Jinho
Published: June 2024

This study explores the role that place of birth and place of residence have in variation in cognition in adulthood in the UK. We take advantage of both the large sample size and number of cognitive domains in the UK Biobank to estimate the effect of place of birth and place of residence on adulthood cognition using multilevel modeling. We find, consistent with studies in the US, that place effects at both time points contribute modest variation (<3% of the variation) across all measured cognitive domains, suggesting a relative lack of contribution of shared environments in explaining future Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias. Moreover, the geographical contribution to cognitive function in adulthood was slightly larger for females than for males. This study is among the first to explore the impact of both the independent and joint associations of place of birth and place of residence with different cognitive domains.
Study on the grinding surface quality of CNTs/2009AL composite material based on minimum quantity lubrication
Authors: Yun Dake , Gao Qi , Jia Dongzhou , Zhao Bintong , Wang Quanzhao
Published: June 2024

Carbon nanotube aluminum matrix (CNTs/AL) composites are ideal lightweight and high-strength materials due to their excellent properties. However, the research on CNTs/AL composites only stays in the simulation and preparation stages, and no grinding research has been carried out. Revealing the grinding mechanism of CNTs/AL composites has far-reaching significance for the development of high-end equipment industries such as aerospace. Taking CNTs/2009AL composites as the research object, a minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) flat grinding platform was built for comparing the surface quality and defects of dry grinding and MQL grinding. The experimental results show that grinding wheel velocity was the grinding parameter that had the greatest influence on surface roughness in dry grinding and MQL grinding. The subsurface defects of dry grinding mainly included microcracks, burrs, pits, coatings, cavities, etc., and the rebound phenomenon of agglomerated carbon nanotubes. The subsurface defects of MQL grinding were only burrs and pits. The surface coating phenomenon of dry grinding increased with the increase in grinding wheel velocity, and the surface quality was improved. MQL grinding could significantly reduce grinding heat, reduce friction, and make the machined surface smoother. In dry grinding and MQL grinding, the subsurface damage depth decreased obviously with the increase in grinding wheel velocity. When the grinding wheel velocity was 30 m/s, the minimum subsurface damage depth of dry grinding and MQL grinding was 40.091 and 26.906 μm, respectively. Mastering the grinding mechanism of grinding CNTs/AL composites and the influence of grinding parameters on surface quality provides a basis for the selection of parameters and methods in grinding in industry. MQL grinding of CNTs/AL composites reduces the formation of many surface defects and improves the surface quality of the workpiece. It is an efficient, clean, and environmentally friendly processing method.
Fabrication and manipulation for key elements of magnetic-driven speed-reduction micro-motor
Authors: Zhang Ce , Ma Shiqi , Xu Lizhong
Published: June 2024

The motion of magnetic-driven micro motor is controlled by external magnetic field, does not need any fuel which has good biocompatibility. However, its driving torque needs to be further improved. For it, a magnetic-driven micro-motor with speed-reduction function is proposed. The main elements for the micro-motor includes wave generator, central ring, and movable tooth frame which had to be fabricated with Electron beam lithography and vacuum evaporation coating technology. So, related processing parameters should be optimized to obtain high quality elements of the micro-motor. Here, a magnetic-driven micro-motor with speed-reduction function is proposed. Fabrication and manipulation techniques of the main elements for the micro-motor, such as wave generator, central ring, and movable tooth frame, are studied. Electron beam lithography, electron microscope, and atomic force microscopy (AFM) are applied to optimize the parameters of electron beam lithography. The optimized photolithography parameters are obtained, by which the micro movable tooth frame is successfully developed, and the photoresist molds of the wave generator and central ring is produced. Using vacuum evaporation coating technology, effect of evaporation rate on the quality of micro-parts is studied. The optimized evaporation rate is obtained, by which the nickel-based wave generator and copper-based center ring are successfully developed. The nickel-based wave generator and copper-based central ring are effectively peeled off from the substrate by ultrasonic oscillation technique. The effective manipulation of the wave generator and central ring is accomplished by AFM and piezoelectric-driven micro-probe.
Accelerated fatigue bench test method for rubber vibration isolators based on load spectrum compilation
Authors: Liu Xiangnan , Qian Xuepeng , Xi Yi
Published: June 2024

The present study is focused on the development of a novel method for compiling load blocks to accelerate the fatigue bench test of rubber vibration isolators. This approach involves three main steps: Firstly, a uniaxial tensile fatigue test is conducted on rubber specimens under a constant amplitude load. According to the fatigue test data, a rubber fatigue life prediction model is established. Secondly, the mount load spectrum is statistically analyzed, and the fatigue damage distribution of the mount is calculated using the rubber fatigue life prediction model. Lastly, following the principle of damage equivalence, the load spectrum is compiled into load blocks. The fatigue bench test of the mount is then conducted using both the load spectrum and the load block as loading data, respectively. The test results demonstrate that the fatigue failure locations of the mounts are essentially identical under both loading data types, verifying the effectiveness of the proposed load block compilation method.