bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A magnetic field compatible readout circuit for enhanced coincidence time resolution in BGO Cherenkov radiation–based TOF‐PET detectors
Authors: Pourashraf Shirin , Cates Joshua W. , Levin Craig S.
Published: January 2025

Background

Developing time‐of‐flight positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (TOF‐PET/MRI) detectors that exploit prompt Cherenkov photons from bismuth germanate (BGO) crystals for estimating 511 keV photon arrival time.

Purpose

To present a low‐noise, high‐speed electronic readout circuit design for BGO‐based TOF‐PET detectors that achieves enhanced coincidence time resolution (CTR) in presence of a strong magnetic field.

Methods

The CTR of a BGO‐based TOF‐PET test detector employing a high‐speed, low‐noise electronic readout chain was evaluated in a strong magnetic field produced by a permanent magnet placed directly on top of the circuit. For these experiments, which exploit Cherenkov radiation for precise measurement of annihilation photon time arrival time difference, a point source of 22Na was positioned between a pair of 3 × 3 × 15 mm3 polished BGO crystals wrapped in Teflon tape and optically coupled to 3 × 3 mm2 ultra‐violet (UV)‐sensitive silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs).

Results

By incorporating both Cherenkov (prompt) and standard (slow) luminescence components, 283 ± 8 ps and 275 ± 10 ps full‐width‐half‐maximum (FWHM) CTR were achieved without and with the permanent magnet present, respectfully. These values improved to 236 ± 4 ps and 216 ± 17 ps FWHM when only the Cherenkov components of the timing signal (events with the fastest rise time) were considered.

Conclusions

Results indicate we have designed a high‐performance readout circuit that achieves significantly the same CTR in BGO with or without a strong magnetic field present. This further demonstrates that UV SiPMs can effectively operate in a strong magnetic field while remaining highly advantageous for detecting Cherenkov radiation, thus highlighting their potential to be used in BGO‐based TOF‐PET/MRI scanners.
Impact of multi‐function SiO2‐nanoscale ionic materials on the curing kinetics of epoxy resin: New approach to improve curing characteristics of thermoset polymers
Authors: Farzanehfar Negar , Taheri Ashkan , Rafiemanzelat Fatemeh , Moini Jazani Omid
Published: January 2025

Epoxy resins (EP), as significant thermosetting macromolecules, are widely used in various engineering applications due to their wide range of properties. However, the poor control over curing process of EP, limits their manufacturing process. Here, a SiO2‐nanoscale ionic materials (SiO2‐NIMs)/EP nanocomposite was prepared. The Friedman, Kissinger, Ozawa, Málek, and Friedman autocatalytic models were used to determine kinetic parameters and reaction models, which demonstrates that the SiO2‐NIMs improve the curing characteristics of EP through an exclusive mechanism. The solvent role of SiO2‐NIMs decreased viscosity and increased reactant mobility, leading to increased curing reactivity. The multi‐function groups in the corona‐canopy make multiple hydrogen bonding and proton transfer interactions in EP resin, leading to the autocatalytic curing mechanism and effectiveness of treatments. The frequency factor of EP increased by 9% with the addition of SiO2‐NIMs. The differential scanning calorimetry tests revealed that SiO2‐NIMs decreased Tonset and Tpeak compared to EP. The non‐isothermal rheometric mechanical spectrometery (RMS) test indicated that SiO2‐NIMs decreased the Tgel of EP resin from 75 to 71°C and increased the initial storage modulus by 90.9%. This study introduces SiO2‐NIMs as significant fillers to enhance control over the process conditions and curing kinetic of EP resin for advanced applications such as aerospace and satellite industries.

Highlights

Introducing new catalyst based on 3D‐dynamic networks strategy of SiO2‐NIMs.

The SiO2‐NIMs show great potential in improving curing characteristics of EP.

The SiO2‐NIMs increase the frequency factor of EP by 9%.

The RMS test indicated SiO2‐NIMs increased initial storage modulus by 90.9%.

The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis indicated that SiO2‐NIMs accelerate curing process of EP.
Optimizing Photovoltaic Soiling Loss Predictions in Louisiana: A Comparative Study of Measured and Modeled Data Using a Novel Approach
Authors: Kumar Deepak Jain Veerendra , Ritter Kenneth A. , Raush Johnathan Richard , Ferdowsi Farzad , Gottumukkala Raju , Chambers Terrence Lynn
Published: January 2025

Previous studies have shown that soiling losses on photovoltaic (PV) modules can lead to reduced power output of up to 80% in PV systems. Therefore, accurate determination of soiling loss plays a crucial role in predicting PV output and ensuring optimized cleaning schedules. The study focused on measuring soiling loss at a 1.1 MW outdoor testing facility in Louisiana, United States, using a DustIQ device, a commercially available soiling sensor. The maximum soiling loss recorded for DustIQ Sensor 1 was 7.5% on August 27, 2023, during the dry season. The measured data was fitted using the well‐established Kimber and HSU models (based on PM2.5 and PM10) by optimizing the least squares error, resulting in observed mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of approximately 0.82% and 0.78%, respectively. One feature of these models is that it is assumed that the solar panels will be completely cleaned after a rain event that reaches a set threshold limit. However, in‐field testing at the site shows that assumption to be flawed, because the soiling ratio did not return to 1 or 100% even after significant rainfall events. To address this, improved versions of the Kimber and HSU models were developed to more accurately represent the recovery of the soiling ratio after rainfall events. The results demonstrated significant improvements, with the modified Kimber models achieving reductions in root mean squared error (RMSE) of 23%, 13%, and 1% compared to the optimized Kimber model, while the modified HSU model exhibited a 12% reduction in RMSE over the optimized HSU model. The overall MAPE was less than 1% for all models.
How Does Trait Anger Associate With Aggression Among Chinese College Students? The Role of Anger Rumination and Locus of Control
Authors: Chen Shuai , Wang Xu , Liu Yanling , Teng Zhaojun , Luo Yali
Published: January 2025

Aggression is a prevalent problem and negatively affects the mental health among Chinese college students. Trait anger has been found to be a risk factor for aggression, but little is known about the factors that may explain or influence this association. The current study aimed to explore the relationship between college students' trait anger and aggression, as well as the mediating role of anger rumination and the moderating role of internal and external locus of control. In this study, the Trait Anger Scale, Anger Rumination Scale, Internal–External Locus of Control Scale, and Aggression Questionnaire were administered to 1018 college students. The results showed that the trait positively predicted anger rumination and aggression. The mediating effect of anger rumination between trait anger and aggression was significant. Also, Internal and external locus of control plays a moderating role in the second half of the mediating model, and as the level of an individual's internal and external locus of control increases, the predictive effect of anger rumination on aggression gradually weakens. These results suggest that the effect of trait anger was mediated by anger rumination and moderated by internal and external locus of control.
Exploring the Role of Well‐Being, Mindfulness, Life Satisfaction, and Subjective Happiness in the Professional Development of Language Teachers
Authors: Demir Bora , Hamarat Bahattin , Sönmez Görsev
Published: January 2025

Although there is a growing number of studies investigating the effect of professional development (PD) on the general well‐being of teachers, the reverse relationship has not been explored yet. In this respect, this paper aims to investigate the relationship between mindfulness in teaching, psychological well‐being, satisfaction in life, subjective happiness, and the PD of English language instructors teaching at schools of foreign languages in various Turkish universities. Based on structural equation modeling, this paper analyzed quantitative data from 173 English language teachers to discover the relationship between these variables. Two models were tested. The first model was designed with “purpose in life” as the extrinsic variable while the second model was centered on “personal growth” for psychological well‐being. The analysis of data revealed a significant positive correlation between teachers' intrapersonal mindfulness and aspects of psychological well‐being, including purpose in life and personal growth, as well as subjective happiness and life satisfaction. On the other hand, the study revealed no significant relationship between intrapersonal mindfulness and attitudes toward PD. These findings highlight that while mindfulness contributes positively to individual well‐being, it may not have a direct impact on attitudes toward PD. Furthermore, the research underscores the role of psychological well‐being and happiness in shaping teachers' perspectives on professional growth. These insights suggest the necessity for educational institutions and policymakers to focus on enhancing teachers' psychological health as a strategy for fostering their PD. These findings contribute significantly to the understanding of the complex relationship between psychological factors and PD, offering essential implications for future research and practical applications in the field of teacher education and development.
The Multilevel Limb‐loss and Preservation Rehabilitation Continuum model (MLPRC): An evidence‐based implementation model integrating multiple perspectives to improve outcomes for people facing limb loss
Authors: Grover Prateek , Geng Elvin , Tabak Rachel G.
Published: January 2025

Background

The patient journey from threatened to actual limb loss, subsequent rehabilitation, and limb preservation through the health system is complicated and prone to delays, attrition, and inequities. A shared multi(socioecological)‐level conceptualization of this journey among the multiple stakeholders is the first step for systematically improving limb care through identification of bottlenecks and gaps, contributory factors, and responsive interventions and implementation strategies.

Objective

To meet this knowledge gap by presenting a novel implementation model, the Multilevel Limb‐loss and Preservation Rehabilitation Continuum (MLPRC), that can be used to develop multilevel applications.

Methods

MLPRC was developed in three overlapping steps: (1) design of the patient journey through the health system (horizontal element), (2) addition of multilevel perspectives along the journey (vertical element), and (3) implementation facilitation by incorporating implementation model constructs (concentric cells element).

Results

MLPRC is an implementation model for limb loss and preservation with three concentric cells: inner context cell (horizontal time‐ordered patient journey at patient level, based on phases of amputation rehabilitation and patient journey concepts, and corresponding care delivery at provider/organization‐level, based on the continuum of care and lower limb loss rehabilitation continuum concepts, on the journey timeline), less influenceable outer context cell (community, system and policy level perspectives), and outermost implementation cell, based on Proctor Model of Implementation Research, that utilizes inner and outer context cells (concept derived from Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment framework) information to define responsive metrics, interventions and implementation strategies.

Discussion

Examples of MLPRC use as a blueprint for multilevel applications include patient level (education and navigation instruments), provider level (integrated practice clinic, referral streams), organization level (limb care continuum programs), and community, system, and policy level (interdisciplinary organizational partnerships, data repositories).

Conclusion

MLPRC is among the first implementation model to present both a unified picture of the field of limb loss and preservation and a blueprint for multilevel applications.
Soybean rust‐resistant and tolerant varieties identified through the Pan‐African Trial Network
Authors: Favoretto Vitor Rampazzo , Murithi Harun Muthuri , Leles Erica Pontes , da Santos Fonseca Michelle , Chigeza Godfree , Goldsmith Peter , Coyne Danny , Clough Steven J
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND

The global demand for soybeans is increasing rapidly, with projections indicating an escalation of 70–80 million metric tons over the next decade. Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) contributes significantly to this growth, with soybean production increasing by 6.8% per year, outpacing the global average increase of 4.7%. Despite the expansion, soybean productivity in Africa remains less than half of the global average. This yield gap is largely due to diseases and pests, such as soybean rust, which can be particularly severe. Effective management of soybean rust depends on several factors, including resistant cultivars. However, there has been limited information on the rust‐resistance levels of African cultivars. To address this gap, the Pan‐African Trial network conducted soybean varietal trials across diverse locations.

RESULT

Analyzing data from 370 individual trials conducted between 2015–2022, the network identified 81 cultivars with sufficient rust‐resistance data. Six cultivars including, Black Hawk, Dundee, Egret, Heron, Ibis, and Peka 06 were found to be resistant, and 12 were classified as tolerant.

CONCLUSION

This research is a significant step forward in improving soybean productivity in Africa, and further assessments are being undertaken to address other crop production challenges in the region. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.
Distributed Finite‐Time Extended Dissipative Filtering and Event‐Triggered Strategy for Nonlinear Systems Over Sensor Networks With Two‐Channel Stochastic Attacks
Authors: Zhou Xin , Chen Guici , Zhu Song , Chang Xiao‐Heng , Shen Mouquan
Published: January 2025

This study delves into the distributed finite‐time extended dissipative filtering problem and event‐triggered strategy for nonlinear systems over sensor networks with two‐channel stochastic deception attacks. A new distributed filter is proposed, which simultaneously addresses the event‐triggered strategy and two‐channel attack scenario. Here, the event‐triggered strategy is devised in a distributed manner, and the deception attack model following the Bernoulli distribution is established. Additionally, the finite‐time extended dissipative index is considered to resolve the finite‐time distributed , , passive, and dissipative filtering problem within a unified framework. Sufficient conditions are derived to ensure stochastically finite‐time extended dissipation for filtering error systems through stochastic analysis and iterative methods. Finally, the numerical simulation example is provided to validate the theoretical results.
Using Neural Networks to Identify Mixture Components in Hyperspectral Reflectance Data
Authors: Zastrow Allison M. , Flynn Eric
Published: January 2025

Neural networks have been employed to identify materials of interest from hyperspectral data (generally imagery) based on their unique spectral signatures. This approach assumes that there is a single material that is standing out from the rest of the spectrum to be identified. However, pixels often contain more than one material, or a material of interest may itself be a mixture of multiple materials. Neural networks are only as good as the data used to train them, and it takes a great deal of work in the laboratory to identify, make, and measure all potential mixtures of interest. Thus, researchers often calculate synthetic spectra using algorithms with varying degrees of fidelity to the physics that govern the interactions between light and multiple materials. In this work, we have (1) adapted a neural network designed to identify mixture components from Raman spectroscopy to work with visible to near‐infrared reflectance data and (2) tested three common mixture algorithms to determine the most accurate and least computationally expensive method to build synthetic training datasets. With our initial test dataset, we have achieved accuracies of > 90% and found that the synthetic training dataset produced using the Hapke mixture model provides the best results.
Defect‐Engineered Biomimetic Piezoelectric Nanocomposites With Enhanced ROS Production, Macrophage Re‐polarization, and Ca2+ Channel Activation for Therapy of MRSA‐Infected Wounds and Osteomyelitis
Authors: Roy Shubham , Wang Shaohua , Ullah Zia , Hao Huiyao , Xu Renhao , Roy Jhilik , Gong Tingting , Hasan Ikram , Jiang Wei , Li Menglong , Mondal Dhananjoy , Li Jihong , Jin Jian , Zhang Yinghe , Xia Wujiong , Guo Bing
Published: January 2025

Antibiotic‐resistant bacteria often cause lethal infections in both the surficial and deep organs of humans. Failure of antibiotics in resistant infections leads to more effective alternative therapies, like spatiotemporally controllable piezodynamic therapy (PZDT) with deep penetration. Currently, PZDT demands further investigation for improved treatment outcomes and the corresponding therapeutic mechanisms. Herein, a nanocomposite cloaked is reported with a biomimetic coating of TLR‐upregulated macrophage membrane for targeted PZDT against MRSA‐induced skin wound infection and osteomyelitis, representing surficial and deep infection models, respectively. To boost the therapeutic efficacy, crystal defect engineering is applied by impregnating Fe2+ into bismuth oxy‐iodide nanosheets to increase the crystal defects. This results in a significantly higher piezoelectric coefficient than in previous reports, contributing to an amplified reactive oxygen species generation for bacterial killing. More importantly, the notable piezoelectric effect not only re‐programs the macrophages into an anti‐inflammatory M2 phenotype for accelerating bacterial wound healing but also stimulates the opening of the piezo‐stimulated Ca2+ channels and boosts the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into osteoblasts for expediting bone tissue repair in osteomyelitis model. Moreover, the Fe‐doping supplements T2‐magnetic resonance imaging for real‐time visualization of nanocomposite distribution. This theranostic system opens a new avenue for future treatment of drug‐resistant bacteria‐caused diseases.
Does Corruption Influence Earnings Management? Evidence From BRICS Nations
Authors: Tiwari Sweta , Chatterjee Chanchal
Published: January 2025

Despite the extensive research on the causes and effects of corruption, there has been scant research on the effect of corruption on earnings management of firms operating in emerging economies under different legal systems. The present paper fills this research gap by investigating the influence of corruption on earnings management of firms operating in the BRICS nations, which are either under common or code law at prima facie. Further, we make a novel attempt to examine the moderating role of cash holdings and cash flow in explaining this association. Our data includes 329 nonfinancial listed firms with 1552 firm‐year observations ranging from 2014 to 2021. Using system GMM approach, we find that higher corruption leads to higher earnings management in five emerging BRICS nations. We also gather that managers operating in highly corrupt countries tend to hold high cash levels, maintain a higher cash flow, and engage 3.5%–3.8% more in earnings management. Our results are robust to both the measures of earnings management (real‐activity‐based and accrual‐based). Our findings have significant implications for executives and directors of firms if earnings management is considered illegal in any of these countries and such law is enforced. In addition, our study would share important insights to the external stakeholders, such as investors, policymakers, and regulators.
Assessment of salinity trends in a coastal aquifer in Guzelyurt, North Cyprus
Authors: Kamara Joseph Sorieson , Edo Great Iruoghene , Akün Ertan
Published: January 2025

Salinity is a serious concern with groundwater use in irrigation that is very close to a coastal aquifer. The study aims to do a comparative analysis of the physiochemical parameters of groundwater samples obtained from 10 irrigational wells in Guzelyurt. In this study, 10 groundwater samples were collected from irrigational wells in the Guzelyurt aquifer area and were analyzed for important groundwater physiochemical parameters such as pH, EC, Na+, Ca2+, K+, Na+, Mg2+, HCO3−, SO42−, and Cl−. The well numbers are 5118 (Cengziköy), 236 (Yesilyurt), 5147 (Döganci), 4548 (Döganci), 2320 (Gunesköy), 881(Guzelyurt), 615 (Aydinköy), 287 (Kalkanli), 2400 (Guzelyurt), and 834 (Guzelyurt). The results obtained from the analysis were compared with the result of groundwater quality data that were taken from these wells in the past 10 years to ascertain the level of contamination of the wells caused by seawater intrusion in the Guzelyurt coastal aquifer. Nine of the wells are affected by seawater intrusion, while one is not affected. Well, 5118 (Cengzıköy), is not affected by the salinity problem. Within the past 11 years, the salinity in wells 615 (Aydinköy) and 834 (Guzelyurt) increased, while wells 881 (Guzelyurt), 287 (Kalkanlı), 2320 (Guneskoy), 236 (Yeşilyurt), 5147 (Dogancı), 4545 (Dogancı), and 2400 (Guzelyurt) show a low salinity. Controlling seawater intrusion and conserving groundwater resources is critical. In conclusion, the study recommends continuous monitoring of the Guzelyurt aquifer, the adoption of desalination plants, and the use of treated wastewater effluent as an option to reduce groundwater withdrawal.

Practitioner Points

Controlling seawater intrusion and conserving groundwater resources is critical.

Groundwater established the significance of the water circle, and it is found in aquifers.

The use of polluted groundwater can cause health problems.
Women in Leadership in Education in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan
Authors: Kuzhabekova Aliya , Almukhambetova Ainur
Published: January 2025

This paper summarizes the results of a study that explored the experiences of female leaders in Central Asian academia using empirical data from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. The study uses a comprehensive theoretical framework combining Human Capital, Gender Role, Gendered Organization, Professionalization, and Intersectionality perspectives, derived from prior research on the topic. It relies on qualitative phenomenological case study design analyzing data from 30 semi-structured interviews with women leaders from the two countries. The study reveals the relevance of Institutional theory to complement the theoretical framework arising from prior research. Implications of the results of the study are discussed in terms of their relevance for global research on the topic and for domestic policies aimed at promoting the representation and advancement of women in the labor force and leadership in particular.
Promotion of the Rule of Law in the Western Balkans: The Impact of Investment Arbitration
Authors: Tokarev Vlatko
Published: January 2025

The Western Balkans is a region comprising six Southeastern European countries that are still not European Union Member States but are currently pursuing reforms aimed at strengthening the rule of law—considered as a key prerequisite for EU accession, economic development and the building of a prosperous society. However, it has been noted that Western Balkan countries are facing difficulties and making slow progress towards this policy goal. Investment treaties are considered as mechanisms which may potentially have a positive influence on the promotion of the rule of law and good governance. Such treaties introduce high standards of treatment of foreign investors and governance as international law obligations of host states, which if not satisfied could provoke a foreign investor to seek legal protection through investment arbitration. To avoid liability arising out of investment arbitration, it is argued that host States encourage long-term reforms of administrative and judicial processes. In this chapter, this theory is examined in the context of Western Balkan countries. I conclude that investment arbitration has until recently had little to no impact on the rule of law in the relevant countries, due to various factors elaborated in the chapter. In the last few years, as the number of investment claims has been rising, so is the awareness of governments in the region of the threat of investment arbitration and the need to respond to such threats. I describe how policy makers are for this reason increasingly influenced by investment arbitration and are making efforts to strengthen domestic capacities and capabilities to prevent and effectively handle investment disputes. Whether such efforts will lead to long-term and structural reforms remains to be seen.
An Outlook of Cardiovascular Prevention (CVP): Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Current Resources, Future Promises, and Impact of Socioeconomic Factors
Authors: Romero Tomás
Published: January 2025

About 50% of the world population has limited or no access to basic health services.

Risk factors for cardiovascular disease, the largest death toll in the adult population, receive limited or no treatment in world regions with low socioeconomic status. High blood pressure, the leading risk factor for mortality, is five times better controlled in high-income groups than in the lowest ones. Obesity in the Americas involves near 30% of the population, affecting predominantly the lower socioeconomic groups with diabetes prevalence progressively increasing among them. Access to health care providers and drug therapy for these conditions is significantly compromised in those populations along with reduced drug availability in regional stocks and their affordability. Negative factors such as pollution, urbanization, and built environment interfere the access of low-income populations to healthier neighborhoods and food providers, contributing to disease and mortality. In contrast, current and future advancements in cardiovascular care, prevention, and healthier neighborhoods are or will be available to the higher income groups of our society. The authors collaborating in this textbook using their experience in technical and regional aspects of CVP in low socioeconomic status populations provide in their chapter’s suggestions of possible remedial actions.
Socioeconomic Status and Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in India
Authors: Gupta Ishita , Jose Arun P. , Prabhakaran Dorairaj
Published: January 2025

Indians have a higher propensity of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD), experience CVD at a younger age, have a higher case fatality rate, and premature mortality resulting in economic detriment. It is understood that the social determinants of health operate at a broader level and are responsible for shaping an individuals’ health behavior and choices that contribute to CVD. While in developed countries the low socioeconomic group experiences higher morbidity and mortality, in India, there has been a shift over time where initially, CVD was more common among wealthier sections, but lower socioeconomic groups are becoming more vulnerable as the transition progresses. This underscores the importance of understanding the social patterning of CVD, its risk factors, and challenges in CVD management to better guide the design and implementation of contextually relevant interventions in a resource-constrained health system.
Global Experience of Self-Care in Cardiovascular Prevention
Authors: Riegel Barbara , Westland Heleen , Osokpo Onome H. , Jaarsma Tiny
Published: January 2025

Most cardiovascular diseases can be prevented by addressing behavioral risk factors (i.e., tobacco use, unhealthy diet, body weight management, physical inactivity, and excess alcohol intake) through self-care. In low- and middle-income countries, barriers can make these self-care behaviors challenging. In this chapter, we define and describe self-care, focusing on individual-level behavioral risk factors and cultural influences on beliefs about self-care within the broader context of healthcare and system factors enabling self-care in under-resourced countries. Finally, we explore the self-care interventions studied in low- and middle-income countries.
Tackling the Challenge of the Epidemic of Cardiovascular Diseases: A Case of Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Ogola Elijah N. , Gachemba Yubrine M.
Published: January 2025

Africa bears a disproportionate burden of NCDs, including CVDs, having one of the highest morbidity and mortality rates globally. As the burden of CVDs such as stroke, heart failure, and coronary artery disease increase, endemic conditions, for example, rheumatic heart disease and endomyocardial fibrosis persist. NCD mortality is projected to surpass communicable disease mortality. This increase is driven by a rise in risk factors attributable to the epidemiological transition.

Control of communicable diseases has been prioritized leading to remarkable declines in communicable, maternal, neonatal and nutritional (CMNN) diseases. There hasn’t been commensurate attention to control of CVDs. In the context of poor, under resourced health care systems, geared towards communicable diseases, control of CVDs poses unique challenges.

A multipronged strategy is needed to tackle the challenges. These include a skilled workforce across all cadres; team-based care with appropriate task shifting, relevant practice guidelines with clear referral pathways; strengthening of primary health care; evidence-based prevention strategies and contextually relevant research. Specific attention is needed for sex- and gender-specific challenges. This requires the collaborative effort of all stakeholders, including governments, professional organizations, academia, civil societies, international organizations, and most importantly the community.
Viscoelasticity and accretive phase-change at finite strains
Authors: Chiesa Andrea , Stefanelli Ulisse
Published: January 2025

We investigate the evolution of a two-phase viscoelastic material at finite strains. The phase evolution is assumed to be irreversible: One phase accretes in time in its normal direction, at the expense of the other. Mechanical response depends on the phase. At the same time, growth is influenced by the mechanical state at the boundary of the accreting phase, making the model fully coupled. This setting is inspired by the early stage development of solid tumors, as well as by the swelling of polymer gels. We formulate the evolution problem by coupling the balance of momenta in weak form and the growth dynamics in the viscosity sense. Both a diffused- and a sharp-interface variant of the model are proved to admit solutions and the sharp-interface limit is investigated.
Safe access to laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with previous periumbilical incsions: new approach to avoid entry related bowel injury
Authors: Seif Mostafa , Mourad Mohamed , Elkeleny Mostafa Refaie , Wael Mohamed
Published: January 2025

Background

Patients with prior abdominal surgeries are at higher risk of intra-peritoneal adhesions near the trocar entry site, increasing the likelihood of organ injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). This study evaluates a novel technique where the epigastric trocar is inserted first, after creating pneumoperitoneum, to allow safe dissection of adhesions under direct vision before placing the umbilical trocar.

Methods

This prospective study included 244 patients with symptomatic uncomplicated gallstone disease and a history of previous abdominal surgeries extending to the umbilicus. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups: Group I (n = 98) underwent traditional umbilical trocar-first LC using the Hasson technique, while Group II (n = 146) received LC using the epigastric trocar-first approach. Operative time, complications, and conversion rates were analyzed.

Results

There was no significant difference in the demographics between both groups. The epigastric trocar-first approach significantly reduced total operative time (41.6 ± 7.7 min vs. 46.8 ± 8.8 min, p = 0.031) and small bowel injury rates (p = 0.006). Otherwise, intraoperative complications were comparable. Conversion to open surgery was lower in Group II (2.1% vs. 8.2%, p = 0.012). Postoperative pain at 6 h was significantly lower in Group II (p = 0.001).

Conclusions

The epigastric trocar-first approach, offers a safer alternative for patients with prior abdominal surgeries when undergoing LC. This approach is safe; minimizes bowel injury risk, reduces conversion rates, and enhances patient recovery. This approach may also be beneficial in other laparoscopic procedures requiring safe entry in patients with prior abdominal surgeries. Further studies are recommended to validate its broader clinical application.
Development of a Screening Intervention for Dysphagia in Hospitalised Geriatric Patients
Authors: Schmidt Anne Mette , Kristensen Helene Nørgaard , Melgaard Dorte , Pedersen Asger Roer , Mark Lene , Appel Charlotte Weiling , Langergaard Sofie , Overgaard Charlotte
Published: January 2025

Prevalence of dysphagia is high in hospitalised geriatric patients, posing risks of complications including malnutrition, dehydration, aspiration, and pneumonia. These complications may lead to reduced daily functioning, frailty, prolonged hospital stays, readmissions, and mortality. Diagnosing dysphagia in geriatric patients is often challenging due to the complex health conditions of this patient group, and overall these patients are at risk of lack of continuity in patient pathways and unnecessary hospitalisations. Recognising the critical importance of prompt diagnosis and treatment of dysphagia, we developed a dysphagia screening intervention aligned with clinical guidelines and the political focus to improve patient pathways and reduce preventable hospitalisations. This article outlines the development process of a dysphagia screening intervention to geriatric patients (≥ 65 years) admitted to medical inpatient wards. We applied a theory-, evidence- and implementation-based approach combined with stakeholder involvement in adherence to the IdentifyiNg and assessing different approaches to DEveloping compleX intervention (INDEX) guidance, encompassing eleven actions. We developed a dysphagia screening intervention comprising a screening procedure (the 4 Questionnaire Test (4QT), the 30 ml water swallowing test, and an action algorithm) targeting the patient level. Moreover, we developed an implementation strategy (activities necessary for adequate delivery of the dysphagia screening procedure and activities supporting the delivery of the screening procedure) targeting health professionals and the organisational level. The dysphagia screening intervention is now ready for feasibility testing, promising improved health and healthcare services for hospitalised geriatric patients.
Redacted text detection using neural image segmentation methods
Authors: van Heusden Ruben , Meijer Kaj , Marx Maarten
Published: January 2025

The redaction of sensitive information in documents is common practice in specific types of organizations. This happens for example in court proceedings or in documents released under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The ability to automatically detect when information has been redacted has several practical applications, such as the gathering of statistics on the amount of redaction present in documents, enabling a critical view on redaction practices. It can also be used to further investigate redactions, and whether or not the used techniques provide sufficient anonymization. The task is particularly challenging because of the large variety of redaction methods and techniques, from software for automatic redaction to manual redactions by pen. Any detection system must be robust to a large variety of inputs, as it will be run on many documents that might not even contain redactions. In this study, we evaluate two neural methods for the task, namely a Mask R-CNN model and a Mask2Former model, and compare them to a rule-based model based on optical character recognition and morphological operations. The best performing, the Mask R-CNN model, has a recall of .94 with a precision of .96 over a challenging data set containing several redaction types. Adding many pages without redaction barely lowers this score (precision drops to .90, recall drops to .92). The Mask2Former model is most robust to inputs without redactions, producing the least false positives of all models.
A multi-level explainability framework for engineering and understanding BDI agents
Authors: Yan Elena , Burattini Samuele , Hübner Jomi Fred , Ricci Alessandro
Published: January 2025

As the complexity of software systems rises, explainability - i.e. the ability of systems to provide explanations of their behaviour - becomes a crucial property. This is true for any AI-based systems, including autonomous systems that exhibit decisionmaking capabilities such as multi-agent systems. Although explainabil- ity is generally considered useful to increase the level of trust for end-users, we argue it is also an interesting property for software engineers, developers, and designers to debug and validate the system’s behaviour. In this paper, we propose a multi-level explainability framework for BDI agents to generate explanations of a running system from logs at different levels of abstraction, tailored to different users and their needs. We describe the mapping from logs to explanations, and present a prototype tool based on the JaCaMo platform which implements the framework.
Assessment of the nutritional and effluent properties of potential fish-meal-free diets for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss W.) in Iran
Authors: Salehi Hamed , Reiser Stefan , Focken Ulfert
Published: January 2025

Research is needed on alternative ingredients for aquafeeds due to rising demand and limited fish meal availability. This study evaluated fish-meal–free diets for rainbow trout in two phases. The first phase focused on assessing the growth performance and nutrient digestibility of six cold-pelleted diets. Aside from the control diet, the test diets contained poultry protein concentrate, blood meal, low-ash poultry by-product meal, 20–40% canola meal, and feather meal (Goldmehl®). Juvenile fish, averaging 5.3 g, were fed the diets for 56 days in a random-block design with four replicates per feed. Feces were collected using the settling method to evaluate nutritional digestibility and phosphorus availability. The feed from the primary phase, which resulted in the least-cost feed conversion ratio, was extruded and fed to fingerlings (14.6 g) in the second phase. This trial added to the first run in measuring digestibility parameters over a 28-day period. In parallel, extruded feed was given to grow-out fish, averaging 172.5 g, for 55 days in triplicate completely randomized tanks to evaluate growth performance and nutrient effluents. Throughout all the experimental runs, a casein-based laboratory pelleted feed was used for the respective controls. Feeding rainbow trout with 35% canola meal in both pelleted and extruded forms showed comparable results (P > 0.05) to the control in terms of growth performance and apparent digestibility for lipid (> 91%), crude protein (> 87%), and organic matter (> 78%). The extruded feed in this study represents an eco-friendly option for the growing aquafeed sector.
Valuing pedagogy in implementing an affect-focused mathematics teaching with technology support: Valuing playful teaching vs. game technology
Authors: Chiu Mei-Shiu , Seah Wee Tiong , Chen Hsin-Min , Wan I-Ping
Published: January 2025

This study aims to identify teachers’ selection/adoption of valuing pedagogy (VP) to implement an affect-focused mathematics teaching design with technological support. Valuing pedagogy is defined as teaching methods to address educational values and operationally defined as perceived, implemented, and received curricula, manifested by teacher perception, implementation, and assessment used to gain student responses to the teaching or learning outcomes. This study focused on two teachers. They were interviewed for their perceived curricula, interviewed and videotaped their teaching for implemented curricula, and students’ responses to teacher assessments for perceived curricula. Qualitative data analysis with quantitative data support found three teacher roles for VP (VP’s ABC): Affective human players, Behavioral socializing facilitators, and Cognitive knowledge guides. The analysis also identified two distinct valuing pedagogies. Valuing playful teaching mixes VP’s ABC, teachers viewing students as natural learners, supported by teacher playful emotions and intensive social interactions to help students gain cognitive knowledge. Valuing game technology focuses on letting students make sense of game technology and VP’s BC; thereby students become testers for technology. The VP of playful teaching generates a positive class atmosphere, while that of game technology generates a neutral one. A slight infusion of playful emotions into gamification technology may be the key to positivity in serious play for learning mathematics.
International Trade and the Transmission of Temperature Shocks
Authors: Schenker Oliver , Osberghaus Daniel
Published: January 2025

We examine how the adverse impacts of weather shocks are distributed through the trade network. Exploiting a rich, theoretically derived, fixed effects structure, we find significant negative short-run effects of high temperature on exports. A month with an average temperature above 30
$$^{\circ }\hbox {C}$$
implies export losses of around three percent. These effects are increasing in the labour-intensity of exports. Using our structural Gravity model, we assess the general equilibrium incidence of these temperature shocks. We find that equilibrium adjustments reduce the economic costs by around 20 percent, but significant costs arise also for countries not directly exposed to high temperatures.
Taxation and multi-sided platforms: a review
Authors: Kind Hans Jarle , Schjelderup Guttorm
Published: January 2025

Many of the largest and most influential industries in the global economy operate digitally as multi-sided platforms, catering to different groups who are connected through intergroup network effects. This paper provides a survey of the literature on the effects of taxing these firms via indirect and corporate taxes. It seeks to establish an understanding of why traditional insights from taxation in one-sided markets may not apply to firms in multi-sided markets. Indeed, governments risk implementing counterproductive tax policies in multi-sided markets if they base their strategies on what constitutes efficient taxation in traditional markets.
On measuring the change in historical city centres: an attempt at comparing human perception and deep learning through visual quality of street space
Authors: Gönül Alper , Durak Selen
Published: January 2025

The quality of street space serves as a pivotal factor in overseeing the preservation, development, and utilization of historic heritage sites by individuals. This study proposes a novel method for quantifying changes in historical environments by assessing visual space quality. The model integrates artificial intelligence (AI)-based image segmentation of street views, representing an indirect form of human perception, with diverse user opinions based on evocation of facade images, reflecting direct human perception. The aim of the study is to evaluate visual space quality by comparing artificial intelligence and human perception within the proposed model, thereby harnessing the strengths of both approaches. The Atatürk High Street of Bursa City, situated within the Khans region, which inscribed on the UNESCO heritage list, was utilized as the study area to validate the method. Workstations, 50 m far away each other were created on Atatürk Street, and 360-degree panoramic images were obtained from these stations with Google Street View and action camera shots for the years 2014, 2018, 2020 and 2023. The obtained images were analyzed with deep learning-based semantic segmentation technique to monitor the changes in the visual quality indicators of greenery, openness, enclosure, imageability, walkability and complexity. The facade images of the workstations were shown to the experts and stakeholders with a survey application, and subjective-semi subjective change was determined over the same parameters. In the assessment of visual space quality, indicators such as openness, greenery, and enclosure, which predominantly encompass physical components, tend to yield objective and subjective results that closely align with each other. Conversely, discrepancies between objective and subjective results emerge for indicators such as imageability and complexity, wherein human emotions and perception exert significant influence.
Crime Measures and Housing Prices: an Analysis Using Quantile Regression and Spatial Autocorrelation
Authors: Kallberg Jarl G. , Shimizu Yoshiki
Published: January 2025

Crime is a disamenity, so buyers should be willing to pay more for a house (all else equal) in a low crime area, suggesting that high crime rates depress housing prices. Conversely, it is plausible that criminals prefer wealthier areas because of the higher expected returns from their transgressions. This study examines the link between measures of crime and prices of residential housing. Our data begin in 2008 and end in 2020 for Seattle, Washington, including all reported felonies (756,304); 911 calls (1,528,303); all recorded residential real estate transactions (61,902 after filtering), as well as the corresponding property characteristics; demographic data and the associated changes. The inherent endogeneity between crime rates and housing prices forces us to find an instrument for crime rates. After rejecting several plausible choices, based on the Wu-Hausman test, the key variable in our empirical analysis is the number of 911 calls (contemporaneous and lagged) in a given beat. Our results present somewhat mixed evidence on the impact of crime on housing prices. Without adjustment for spatial autocorrelation, a 1 percentage point increase in crime rates (instrumented by the number of 911 calls) leads to approximately a 0.55% decrease in house prices. However adjusting for spatial autocorrelation changes this figure to a 0.80% increase. We further show that distance to a crime hotspot is significantly negatively related to housing prices, suggesting that criminals choose to operate in wealthier areas, which is consistent with our findings incorporating spatial autocorrelation.