bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Jacobi polynomials and the numerical solution of ray tracing through the crystalline lens
Authors: Abd El-Hady Mahmoud , El-shenawy Atallah
Published: July 2024

The human eye is a fascinating optical system, with the crystalline lens playing a significant role in focusing light onto the retina of the eye. The ray tracing through the crystalline lens problem is a challenging problem in optics. In this paper, the case of a non-homogeneous optical medium is investigated, and the ray equation is numerically solved to get the ray paths. The governing equation is an ODE with a fractional derivative given in the Caputo sense. A novel numerical scheme is based on the Jacobi polynomial collocation technique to tackle this problem. A fast and accurate Broyden’s Quasi-Newton algorithm is applied to solve the nonlinear system of equations obtained from the collocation process. Numerical results are stated in detail to show the efficiency of our technique and are compared with other analytical and numerical methods using tables and illustrated figures, which will be useful to corroborate the clinical and physical data. Ray tracing through the crystalline lens is not only fascinating from a scientific perspective but also has practical implications across various domains, and the proposed scheme is considered a promising and practically reliable method to address such types of applications.
Power over fiber using a multimode optical power with a core diameter of 50 µm
Authors: Prajzler Vaclav , Zikmund Marek
Published: July 2024

We report on the properties of the Power over Fiber (PoF) transmission link using a High-Power Laser Source operating at 976 nm and using three types of optical fiber with a core diameter of 50 µm. Two step-index profile multimode optical fibers and one fiber with a gradient index were used for optical power transmission. Optical light was converted to electricity using commercially available Photovoltaic Power Convertors (PPCs) with a maximal optical input power of 1.5 W and experimental PPCs with a maximal optical input power of 4.0 W. We experimentally proved optical power transmission up to a distance of 300 m. In the case of the commercially available working PPC and using the gradient index fiber we achieved a result of 0.534 W of electrical power and using the experimental PPC we achieved 0.645 W. In the case of the step-index optical fiber, the result was 1.3 W.
Framing Layoffs: Media Coverage, Blame Attribution, and Trade-Related Policy Responses
Authors: Brutger Ryan , Guisinger Alexandra
Published: July 2024

Who is blamed when factories close or when there are mass layoffs? Whether it be the closing of an auto plant or the threatened off-shoring of the Carrier furnace factory, media reports frequently incorporate justifications—or frames—that provide context about the closure or layoffs. We conduct an analysis of media coverage of factory layoffs in the United States and Canada, and find that the most common frames often include foreign competition and trade policy, changing market conditions, or exogenous shocks, such as the pandemic. We argue that such frames alter who the public holds responsible and thus affects the public’s preferred policy responses. We test the effect of media frames on the public’s blame attribution and subsequent policy preferences using a survey experiment about General Motors factory closings. The results from a sample of almost 6,000 respondents in the US and Canada show that the public is quick to shift blame to the government, reducing blame to the company, and shifting attention to particular government responses. We find that the most common media frames significantly shift support for trade policy in both countries, but have no effect on domestic public assistance programs such as unemployment benefits or retraining and education programs. Notably, most treatment effects are similar across ideological types. The results hold practical implications in terms of the incentives of politicians to promote specific explanations of factory closings and theoretical implications in terms of moderating the highly partisan expectations within the current literature on economic blame attribution.
Orienting practical global citizenship education in an International Baccalaureate international school
Authors: Palmer Nicholas
Published: July 2024

This article details research into the articulation and implementation of global citizenship education (GCE) in an International Baccalaureate international school. It delineates the perspectives of school community members on contextually specific aspects of GCE and offers a substantive theory of GCE practice in a transnational context. Along with allosyncrasy, denoting the behaviours, propensities, and temperament unique to individuals and groups interrelating with others, the analysis indicates three sub-core categories: authenticating through action, determining empathetic propensity, and enacting long-term responsiveness. These categories are further interpreted against the thinking of David Hansen and Michel Foucault, signifying a break from normative divergence, plurality and individualism. This research will interest those seeking insight into innovative school-based GCE development, practical, cultural convergence, and conceptions of civic action within transnational educational practice.
Predictors of Symptom Reduction and Remission Among People with Anxiety: Secondary Analyses from a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Ustrup Marte , Christensen Thomas , Curth Nadja Kehler , Heine Kimmie , Bojesen Anders Bo , Eplov Lene Falgaard
Published: July 2024

Despite the substantial disease burden of anxiety disorders, only limited or conflicting data on prognostic factors is available. Most studies include patients in the secondary healthcare sector thus, the generalizability of findings is limited. The present study examines predictors of symptom reduction and remission in patients with anxiety disorders in a primary care setting. 214 patients with anxiety disorders, recruited as part of the Collabri Flex trial, were included in secondary analyses. Data on potential predictors of anxiety symptoms at 6-month follow-up was collected at baseline, including patient characteristics related to demography, illness, comorbidity, functional level, life quality, and self-efficacy. The outcomes were symptom reduction and remission. Univariate and multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the associations between predictor variables and the outcome, and machine-learning methods were also applied. In multiple linear regression analysis, anxiety severity at baseline (β = -6.05, 95% CI = -7.54,-4.56, p < 0.001) and general psychological problems and symptoms of psychopathology (SCL-90-R score) (β = 2.19, 95% CI = 0.24,4.14, p = 0.028) were significantly associated with symptom change at 6 months. Moreover, self-efficacy was associated with the outcome, however no longer significant in the multiple regression model. In multiple logistic regression analysis, anxiety severity at baseline (OR = 0.54, 95% CI = -1.13,-0.12, p = 0.018) was significantly associated with remission at 6 months. There was no predictive performance of the machine-learning models. Our study contributes with information that could be valuable knowledge for managing anxiety disorders in primary care.
Understanding factors impacting patient-reported outcome measures integration in routine clinical practice: an umbrella review
Authors: Anderson Michael , van Kessel Robin , Wood Eleanor , Stokes Adam , Fistein Jon , Porter Ian , Mossialos Elias , Valderas Jose M.
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Patient-report outcome measures (PROMs) have gained widespread support as a mechanism to improve healthcare quality. We aimed to map out key enablers and barriers influencing PROMs implementation strategies in routine clinical practice.

Methods

An umbrella review was conducted to identify reviews exploring enablers and barriers related to the integration of PROMs in routine clinical practice from January 2000 to June 2023. Information on key enablers and barriers was extracted and summarised thematically according to the Theoretical Domains Framework.

Results

34 reviews met our criteria for inclusion. Identified reviews highlighted barriers such as limited PROMs awareness among clinicians and patients, perceived low value by clinicians and patients, PROMs that were too complex or difficult for patients to complete, poor usability of PROMs systems, delayed feedback of PROMs data, clinician concerns related to use of PROMs as a performance management tool, patient concerns regarding privacy and security, and resource constraints. Enablers encompassed phased implementation, professional training, stakeholder engagement prior to implementation, clear strategies and goals, ‘change champions’ to support PROMs implementation, systems to respond to issues raised by PROMs, and integration into patient pathways. No consensus favoured paper or electronic PROMs, yet offering both options to mitigate digital literacy bias and integrating PROMs into electronic health records emerged as important facilitators.

Conclusions

The sustainable implementation of PROMs is a complex process that requires multicomponent organisational strategies covering training and guidance, necessary time and resources, roles and responsibilities, and consultation with patients and clinicians.
The stock market boosts its rewards for increasing earnings patterns
Authors: Chen Yu-An , Palmon Dan
Published: July 2024

Barth et al. (J Account Res 37:387–413, 1999. https://doi.org/10.2307/2491414) find that the market rewards firms showing increasing earnings patterns with larger price-earnings multiples from 1982 to 1992. This paper examines whether the rewards for increasing earnings patterns have changed since then. The declining relevance of accounting earnings for equity valuation or accounting scandals in the early 2000s would predict a lower valuation for earnings numbers. On the other hand, earnings-related disclosures and post-scandal regulatory efforts, such as the Sarbanes–Oxley Act (SOX), may boost earnings relevance and restore investor confidence in the accounting system, predicting increased rewards for increasing earnings patterns. We find that the earnings multiples for firms with increasing earnings patterns decrease temporarily in the years with major accounting scandals, but the market boosts its rewards to firms showing increasing earnings patterns in the reshaped reporting environment after 1993, and SOX is associated with this boost.
Aesthetics of Trademarks with an Asian Flavour
Authors: Łągiewska Magdalena
Published: July 2024

Trademarks should be considered not only as an intellectual property right but also as aesthetic creations influenced by various philosophies. A trademark can thus be understood as a word, a phrase, a symbol, a shape, a configuration or any other device introduced to distinguish the products of individual traders or manufacturers. Trademarks also have an aesthetic dimension. This means that aesthetics of trademarks can be revealed through the letters and morphemes as well as their literary, mythological, and religious associations. Trademarks play a crucial role in some commercial sectors. The aim of this article is therefore to present the aesthetics of trademarks through the lens of East Asian philosophies such as Confucianism and Daoism, as well as Japanese Zen. This analysis brings us to considerations of traditional aesthetic functionality. This means that the brand is the main decorative feature of the product or is the product itself. It can therefore be influenced by different philosophies, and the above cases even confirm this theory.
Against global aims for science: values, epistemic priority, and a local aims approach
Authors: Lusk Greg , Elliott Kevin C.
Published: July 2024

Philosophers commonly make claims about the aims of science, and these claims have played a significant role in debates about topics like scientific realism, modeling, and idealization. Nevertheless, there has been little discussion about the basis for those aims or the source of justification for claims about those aims. We use recent debates about the appropriate roles for values in science to bring this lack of discussion to the fore. These debates raise the question of whether there are global aims that apply to all areas of science. In response to this question, we examine a variety of different ways of conceptualizing the aims of science and conclude that no matter how one conceptualizes them, there do not appear to be convincing arguments for the view that science has global aims that constrain the influence of local aims on scientific practice. Thus, we place the burden of proof on those who claim that science has one or more global aims of this sort to show how those aims can be justified. Furthermore, we develop an account of scientific normativity that relies solely on local aims. When applied to debates about values in science, this view vindicates the cogency of what we call an “equal aims” approach to managing roles for values in science. Abandoning global aims might seem to raise the potential for epistemic corruption in science, but we argue that this concern is not compelling. We conclude that a local conception of scientific aims provides the foundation for a highly naturalized and engaged approach to the philosophy of science.
A logic of trust-based beliefs
Authors: Jiang Junli , Naumov Pavel
Published: July 2024

Traditionally, knowledge and beliefs are attributed to agents. The article explores an alternative approach where knowledge is informed by data and belief comes from trust in, not necessarily reliable, data. At the core of the article is the modality “if one dataset is trusted, then another dataset informs a belief”. The main technical result is a sound and complete logical system capturing the properties of this modality and its connection with functional dependency between datasets.
Assessment of Models for Nonlinear Oscillatory Flow Through a Hexagonal Sphere Pack
Authors: Unglehrt Lukas , Manhart Michael
Published: July 2024

We review models for unsteady porous media flow in the volume-averaging framework and we discuss the theoretical relations between the models and the definition of the model coefficients (and the uncertainty therein). The different models are compared against direct numerical simulations of oscillatory flow through a hexagonal sphere pack. The model constants are determined based on their definition in terms of the Stokes flow, the potential flow and steady nonlinear flow. Thus, the discrepancies between the model predictions and the simulation data can be attributed to shortcomings of the models’ parametrisation. We found that an extension of the dynamic permeability model of Pride et al. (PRB 47(9):4964–4978, 1993) with a Forchheimer-type nonlinearity performs very well for linear flow and for nonlinear flow at low and medium frequencies, but the Forchheimer term with a coefficient obtained from the steady-state overpredicts the nonlinear drag at high frequencies. The model reduces to the unsteady Forchheimer equation with an acceleration coefficient based on the static viscous tortuosity for low frequencies. The unsteady Forchheimer equation with an acceleration coefficient based on the high-frequency limit of the dynamic tortuosity has large errors for linear flow at medium and high frequencies, but low errors for nonlinear flow at all frequencies. This is explained by an error cancellation between the inertial and the nonlinear drag.
Taking Issue with Le Poidevin’s New Agnosticism
Authors: Palmqvist Carl-Johan
Published: July 2024

Le Poidevin’s ‘new agnosticism’ concerns partaking in religious life while being uncertain whether religious discourse is fictional or not. Le Poidevin has offered two distinct versions of the new agnosticism, ‘semantic agnosticism’ and ‘meta-linguistic agnosticism’. I suggest that the first, ‘semantic agnosticism’, should be rejected, mainly because it involves a highly questionable view of truth and fails to properly distinguish fictional existence from real existence. The second, ‘meta-linguistic agnosticism’ seems acceptable as a view of religious discourse but not as a foundation for a religious life. A meta-linguistic agnostic will not be able to take the proper attitude towards religious propositions, since what is the proper attitude varies greatly between realism and fictionalism. Even more importantly, she will not know when it is rationally permissible to perform religious actions, because she will not know whether real-life concerns should take precedence or not. Le Poidevin’s meta-linguistic agnostic is also a truth-agnostic, and I conclude that adding meta-linguistic agnosticism to truth-agnosticism only complicates matters without offering any benefits.
Reducing recurrence rates in hiatal hernia repair: Results of a quality improvement study
Authors: Staunton Laura M. , Bolger Jarlath C. , Ahmed Rakesh , Butt Waqas T. , Reynolds John V. , Ravi Narayanasamy , Donohoe Claire L.
Published: July 2024

Background

Patient and procedure factors are considered in the decision-making process for surgical repair of hiatal hernias. Recurrence is multi-factorial and has been shown to be related to size, type, BMI and age.

Aims

This study examined recurrence rates in a single institution, identified areas for improved surgical technique, and re-assessed recurrence following implantation of a quality improvement initiative.

Methods

A retrospective review of patients undergoing hiatal hernia repair surgery between 2018 and 2022 was conducted. Demographics, pre-operative characteristics, intra-operative procedures and recurrence rates were reviewed.

Results

Seventy-five patients from 2018 to 2020 and 34 patients from 2021 to 2022 were identified. The recurrence rate was 21% in 2018–2020, with 14% requiring a revisional procedure. Recurrence and re-operation were subsequently reduced to 6% in 2021 and 2022, which was statistically significant (p = 0.043). There was an increase in gastropexy from 21% to 41% following the review (p = 0.032), which was mainly reserved for large and giant hernias. Procedural and literature review, alongside gastropexy, can be attributed to recurrence rate reduction.

Conclusions

It is important to educate patients on the likelihood and risk factors of recurrence. A comprehensive review of procedures and a quality improvement program in our facility for hiatal hernia repair is shown to reduce recurrence.
The EU at War: After Two Years
Authors: Streeck Wolfgang
Published: July 2024

The paper explores the role of the European Union (EU) in the war in Ukraine, from the run-up of the war to its impact on the EU’s future structure and functions, within Europe and globally. It begins with an account of the condition of the EU before the war, which it describes as overextended and stagnant with respect to the EU’s proclaimed finalité, the “ever closer union of the peoples of Europe.” Next, it recounts the use of the EU in early American attempts to include Ukraine in the East European enlargement of NATO, with EU membership as a reward for Ukrainian Westernization. To the EU leadership, this presented an opportunity to revive older, by then largely failed attempts at supranational unification and centralization, by offering to the United States to serve as its transatlantic base for its Ukrainian strategy. Following this, the paper explores the consequences for the EU and its stronger member states of the impending American withdrawal from the Ukrainian war theater, as the US turns to its conflict with China. The final section discusses the conditions under which Europe, the European states, and the EU can hope for some kind of strategic and political autonomy in the emerging new New World Order.
Look at me! The museographic project beneath the Italian Museum of Planetary Sciences in Prato (Italy)
Authors: Pratesi Giovanni , Franza Annarita , Morelli Marco , Papi Piero Roberto
Published: July 2024

Designing museum exhibitions is a hot topic for architects, designers, museologists, and scholars since museography represents a powerful tool for valorizing collections, promoting education, communicating cultural values, and ensuring suitable conservation conditions for the exhibited specimens. This is especially true for museums displaying authentic objects which are conveyors of scientific, cultural, social, and ethical values. In particular, natural history and science museums often compete with the leisure industry, and thus their museographic solutions have to meet more and more demanding requirements to increase visitor engagement. This paper describes the museographic concepts beneath the Italian Museum of Planetary Sciences in Prato (Italy, hereinafter MISP). MISP is the only museum in Italy entirely devoted to illustrating planetary sciences and displays important collections of extraterrestrial materials (meteorites, tektites, and impactites). The exhibition layout, characterized by a continuous wall belt design, recalls the outer space while providing non-invasive visual means to improve visitors’ emotional engagement with the displayed specimens. MISP museographic strategies also outline the importance of spatial designs and transpositions focusing on the illustration of the exhibited collections, thus going against some current museographic practices emphasizing, for example, the use of augmented reality and digital stimuli.

Graphical abstract
Reviewing the science on 50 years of conservation: Knowledge production biases and lessons for practice
Authors: Dawson Neil M. , Coolsaet Brendan , Bhardwaj Aditi , Brown David , Lliso Bosco , Loos Jacqueline , Mannocci Laura , Martin Adrian , Oliva Malena , Pascual Unai , Sherpa Pasang , Worsdell Thomas
Published: July 2024

Drawing on 662 studies from 102 countries, we present a systematic review of published empirical studies about site-level biodiversity conservation initiated between 1970 and 2019. Within this sample, we find that knowledge production about the Global South is largely produced by researchers in the Global North, implying a neocolonial power dynamic. We also find evidence of bias in reported ecological outcomes linked to lack of independence in scientific studies, serving to uphold narratives about who should lead conservation. We explore relationships in the sample studies between conservation initiative types, the extent of Indigenous Peoples’ and local communities’ influence in governance, and reported social and ecological outcomes. Findings reveal positive ecological and social outcomes are strongly associated with higher levels of influence of Indigenous Peoples and local communities and their institutions, implying equity in conservation practice should be advanced not only for moral reasons, but because it can enhance conservation effectiveness.
Anrechnung von Bildungsleistungen in der höheren Berufsbildung. Rahmenbedingungen und Anrechnungspraxis an Höheren Fachschulen in der Schweiz
Authors: Engelage Sonja , Baumeler Carmen , Salzmann Patrizia , Hämmerli Christine
Published: July 2024

Die Ausrichtung der Berufsbildung auf das lebenslange Lernen und die Entwicklung von Verfahren zur Anrechnung von bereits erworbenen Fähigkeiten und Kompetenzen an die formalen Berufsbildungsangebote sind wichtige Ziele von Bund und Kantonen in der Schweiz. Bisher ist wenig über die Anrechnung von Bildungsleistungen in der höheren Berufsbildung bekannt. Die Studie beleuchtet die Anrechnungspraxis von Bildungsleistungen an Höheren Fachschulen (HF), die sich mit ihren Bildungsgängen an Studierende mit Berufserfahrung richten. Das sind Personen, die über non-formale und/oder informelle Kompetenzen verfügen, die für eine Anerkennung bei der Zulassung oder eine Anrechnung an das Studium relevant sein können. Anhand ausgewählter Fälle wird untersucht, welchen Spielraum HF bei der Anrechnung haben und warum einige HF selbst kleine Spielräume nutzen, während andere trotz vorhandener Möglichkeiten die Anrechnung von Bildungsleistungen ablehnen. Bei der Analyse werden die Konzepte der Grenzarbeit und der Organisationslogik in die Interpretation der Ergebnisse einbezogen. Die Resultate zeigen, dass die Anrechnungspraxis von Bildungsleistungen mit dem Selbstverständnis der Bildungsorganisationen und der Situation auf den Zielarbeitsmärkten zusammenhängt. In einem konkurrenzierten Bildungsumfeld kann aus Sicht der HF eine begrenzte Anrechnungspraxis sinnvoll sein, um sich zu profilieren. Andererseits können HF selbst in stark reglementierten Berufsfeldern Bildungsgänge für spezifische Bildungsgruppen schaffen, die bei angespannter Arbeitsmarktlage helfen, den Fachkräftemangel zu entschärfen.
Vermifiltration: an opportunity to improve wastewater treatment—a sustainable and natural approach
Authors: Banerjee Sangeeta , Madhogaria Barkha , Saha Oishi , kundu Atreyee , Dhak Prasanta
Published: July 2024

Urbanization and industrialization in this modern time actually cause less availability of daily based water. In searching of a preferable solution to overcome this critical problem, waste water treatment seems to be considered as a much valuable option for reusing water. For this, sewage water treatment plants (STPs) are widely used. But this solution is actually ironical, as STP treatment causes hazardous damage to the environment in treating waste water. This system needs lots of harmful chemicals, high energy, and high build-up to operate the process. But a newly considered technology has come to counteract all these problems of STPs and the method is ‘Vermifiltration’. In this technique, earthworms are used to treat waste water. Earthworm’s body acts as biofilter and it can reduce higher percentage of BOD, COD, TSS from the waste water compared to the STPs. Earthworms eat up the sewage, making them treated, neutralized, and non-harmful and finally excrete them with several useful microorganisms. The symbiotic activity between earthworms and microorganisms works to filter the waste water. This method is completely odour less and harmless. No sludge is formed. With having all these characteristics, vermifiltration becomes much better option for the environment. In this review, the method of vermifiltration, its limiting factors, utilization and future developments are properly discussed.
Skin Lesion Prediction and Classification Using Innovative Modified Long Short-Term Memory-Based Hybrid Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Gomathi S. , Arunachalam N.
Published: July 2024

Identification of pigmented skin lesions is necessary for the detection of severe diseases associated with the skin organ, notably malignancy. Accurate skin cancer diagnosis can be improved with the use of image detection approaches and computer classification skills. Therefore, this research work plans to perform skin lesion prediction and classification using a novel deep learning methodology. Initially, the data related to the skin lesion are gathered from the ISIC dataset. After collecting the images, the pre-processing is performed using hair removal and filtering hair removed images via median filtering. These pre-processed images undergo segmentation process accomplished using the U-Net method. Next, the features are extracted from these segmented images with the help of color features, and texture features by GLCM and RGB histogram features. These extracted features undergo the prediction phase that is accomplished using the MLSTM model, in which the parameter optimization is done by the nature inspired novel hybrid metaheuristic algorithm referred as SC-STBO algorithm with the consideration of accuracy maximization and RMSE minimization as the major fitness for the objective function. If the predicted output is returned as the presence of skin lesion, the same novel MLSTM model classifies the final skin lesion output into seven types, such as Vascular Lesions, Melanocytic Nevi, Melanoma, Dermatofibroma, Benign Keratosis-like Lesions, BCC, and Actinic Keratoses, respectively. Seven groups of skin diseases can be identified early thanks to the suggested effort, which can then be tested and properly handled by medical professionals. With an accuracy of 0.9931, the recommended methodology clearly outperforms traditional techniques. Similarly, the suggested methodology clearly beats the conventional methods, with a recall of 0.9825.
Efficient forest fire detection based on an improved YOLO model
Authors: Cao Lei , Shen Zirui , Xu Sheng
Published: July 2024

A forest fire is a natural disaster characterized by rapid spread, difficulty in extinguishing, and widespread destruction, which requires an efficient response. Existing detection methods fail to balance global and local fire features, resulting in the false detection of small or hidden fires. In this paper, we propose a novel detection technique based on an improved YOLO v5 model to enhance the visual representation of forest fires and retain more information about global interactions. We add a plug-and-play global attention mechanism to improve the efficiency of neck and backbone feature extraction of the YOLO v5 model. Then, a re-parameterized convolutional module is designed, and a decoupled detection head is used to accelerate the convergence speed. Finally, a weighted bi-directional feature pyramid network (BiFPN) is introduced to merge feature information for local information processing. In the evaluation, we use the complete intersection over union (CIoU) loss function to optimize the multi-task loss for different kinds of forest fires. Experiments show that the precision, recall, and mean average precision are increased by 4.2%, 3.8%, and 4.6%, respectively, compared with the classic YOLO v5 model. In particular, the mAP@0.5:0.95 is 2.2% higher than the other detection methods, while meeting the requirements of real-time detection.
Spatial-diffusion characters and emission reduction strategy for motor vehicle pollutants on expressway
Authors: Yao Shengyong , Niu Siyu , Hasan Mohammad Kamrul , Bian Zixiang , Hao Yunhong , Wang Yanfei , Li Shuning , Ding Ru , Ji Chenfei , Li Duoduo
Published: July 2024

This research tries to establish the emissions diffusion model of high-speed motor vehicles on the Capital Ring Expressway (CRE) around Beijing, China, applying the MOVES and the CALPUFF models. Data required for this study have been collected from different sources. The results show that small buses and large trucks have the highest pollutant emissions on the CRE. The pollutants like CO and HC mainly comes from gasoline vehicles, while NOx, PM10 and PM2.5 comes from diesel vehicles. The average concentrations of the diffusion of CO, NOx, CH4, PM10, and PM2.5 along with the CRE are 6.5 mg/m3, 2.3 mg/m3, 0.27 mg/m3, 0.055 mg/m3 and 0.056 mg/m3 respectively. The results of this study have practical significance and influence on the emission reduction and concentration control strategies under different circumstances, and put forward suggestions on changing transportation modes, strengthening supervision and so on. It has produced a number of recommendations for the policy makers including (1) active promotion of new energy vehicles on expressways, (2) strategic change of the mode of passenger and freight transportation on expressways, (3) strengthen traffic management and supervision of motor vehicles on expressways, and (4) strengthen vegetation protection in rural and ecologically sound areas along the route.
Acute poisoning in children in Chengdu, China: a retrospective study (2019–2022)
Authors: Huang Lan , Liu Shunli , Wang Yan
Published: July 2024

Objective

To analyze the characteristics of children with acute poisoning admitted to emergency departments in the southwestern region of China.

Methods

Data were retrospectively collected from the hospital information system in Chengdu, West China Second Hospital from January 2019 to December 2022 and the frequency and substance of pediatric poisoning, clinical management and outcome were described in this study.

Results

A total of 2036 cases with acute poisoning aged from 0–14 years were included, of these, 272 were hospitalized, with 40 admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit. The incidence was slightly higher in boys than girls (51.2% vs. 48.8%). The most common route of poisoning was the digestive system (99.3%), and the majority were accidental poisonings (92.7%). Medications were the most common toxic substances (62.1%), followed by pesticides (12.4%) and household cleaners (8.8%). The proportion of toxic substances varied among different age groups, with household cleaners being the most common in infants, and pesticides in other age groups, excluding medications.

Conclusion

Children in early childhood accounted for most acute poisoning cases, mostly due to unintentional ingestion of a single substance. Female adolescents were the most common patients intentionally ingested toxic substances, mainly psychotropic drugs.
Cross-sectional analysis of maternal and neonatal factors influencing cord blood TSH and free T4 levels in congenital hypothyroidism screening
Authors: Sadeghi Nahideh , Mousavi Safa , Mirmohammadkhani Majid , Rahmanian Mojgan
Published: July 2024

Background

Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is the leading cause of cognitive impairment in children. Although screening programs have been successful in identifying cases of congenital hypothyroidism (CH), the high rates of recalling individuals for further testing and the occurrence of false positive results place a significant strain on healthcare systems globally. While cord blood thyroid-stimulating hormone (CBTSH) is commonly used as a screening test for congenital hypothyroidism (CH), there is less data available on its effectiveness in Iran. The objective of this study was to assess the levels of TSH and Free T4 in umbilical cord blood and examine their correlation with maternal and neonatal variables, as well as heel-stick TSH.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, 120 mothers and their newborns were recruited from Semnan’s Amir-Al-Momenin Hospital in 2021. The maternal characteristics examined encompassed age, BMI, gravidity (number of pregnancies), history of abortions, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, gestational age, and delivery technique. The neonatal parameters encompassed in the study were sex, birth weight, number of gestation births, Apgar ratings, and arterial blood cord gases. The average values of Free T4 and CBTSH were measured and compared with these parameters. TSH levels were measured by a heel-stick procedure on days 2–3 following birth. The statistical analysis comprised of the Mann–Whitney U test, Kruskal–Wallis test, and Spearman correlation test. The diagnostic accuracy of CBTSH was evaluated using ROC curve analysis.

Results

The average concentration of CBTSH was substantially greater in preterm neonates and males compared to term newborns and females (P = 0.039 and P < 0.001, respectively). Newborns delivered by cesarean section exhibited significantly lower levels of CBTSH compared to those delivered vaginally (P = 0.040). A significant positive connection was seen between CBTSH and heel-stick TSH (P < 0.001). The average level of Free T4 in umbilical cord blood was substantially greater in neonates from women who had been pregnant multiple times compared to those who had been pregnant for the first time (P = 0.023). There was no statistically significant correlation observed between umbilical cord blood Free T4 and TSH levels and factors such as maternal age, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, twin or singleton delivery, Apgar scores, birthweight, and cord gases (P > 0.05). The most effective threshold value for CBTSH in detecting potentially abnormal cases of hypothyroidism was determined to be 14.75 mIU/L.

Conclusions

Delivery method, gestational age, and male gender were significant factors affecting umbilical cord TSH levels. These factors should be considered when interpreting CBTSH data. This study provides evidence for the inclusion of CBTSH as a predictive factor in CH screening programs.
Effect of the supplementation of N-acetylglutamate and patchouli extract on piglets fed on a low protein diet
Authors: Liu Shichao , Shao Guobin , Li Muzhi , Zhang Rui , Duan Yu , Zhang Yue , Lv Mengxue , Qi Haoming , Lu Weixing
Published: July 2024

The livestock industry faces challenges such as limited protein feed resources, suboptimal nitrogen utilization efficiency, and environmental impacts. Reducing the crude protein content in piglet diets has been shown to alleviate these issues, offering benefits to both animal welfare and environmental sustainability. However, low-protein (LP) diets can negatively affect piglet health and growth, necessitating strategies to mitigate these effects. The study aimed to explore the effects of supplementing LP diets with N-acetylglutamate (NAG) and Patchouli (PTC) on the health and growth of weaned piglets, focusing on growth metrics, antioxidant capabilities, intestinal barrier integrity, and inflammatory response. One hundred twenty healthy piglets were randomly assigned to five dietary groups, including a standard control diet (CON), an LP diet, and LP diets supplemented with NAG, PTC, or both. The trial lasted four weeks, and the piglets' growth, immune response, antioxidant status, and intestinal health were assessed. Piglets on the LP diet had lower final body weights and average daily weight gains. However, supplementation with NAG and PTC improved antioxidant defense, reduced inflammation, and enhanced intestinal health, as evidenced by increased VEGF-A expression in the small intestine epithelium (p < 0.05). The addition of NAG and PTC to LP diets can improve the health and growth of weaned piglets, suggesting a potential strategy for managing the challenges associated with LP diets. This research provides valuable insights for the livestock industry, indicating that the use of natural additives like NAG and PTC can help maintain piglet health and growth while reducing the environmental impact of high-protein diets. Further research is needed to optimize these strategies for widespread application.
A Geochemical Mechanism for >10 m Apparent Downward Offsets of Magnetic Reversals Inferred From Comparison of Two Scotia Sea Drill Sites
Authors: Reilly Brendan T. , Tauxe Lisa , Brachfeld Stefanie A. , Kenlee Bridget , Gutjahr Marcus , Dale Andrew W. , Hernández‐Almeida Iván , Hemming Sidney , Bailey Ian , Zheng Xufeng , Cheu Daven , Taglienti Reece , Weber Michael E. , Raymo Maureen E. , Williams Trevor
Published: July 2024

We document an apparent downward displacement of the Matuyama‐Brunhes magnetic reversal by ∼20 m at Scotia Sea International Ocean Discovery Program Site U1538 (Pirie Basin) by comparison with the well‐defined paleomagnetic record at nearby Site U1537 (Dove Basin). Detailed stratigraphic correlation between the two sites is possible due to similar lithologic variations. However, the two sites have distinctly different porewater geochemistry. Notably, Site U1538 indicates a greater demand for electron acceptors to oxidize organic carbon and Fe2+ enrichment below the depth of SO42− depletion. Magnetic parameters indicate enrichment of an authigenic magnetic mineral with strong remanence properties around the depth of SO42− depletion (∼46 m at Site U1538) relative to magnetic parameters at correlative depths at Site U1537. Fe2+ enrichment below the depth of SO42− depletion is not predicted based on the energetically favorable order of electron acceptors for microbial respiration but is documented here and in other depositional settings. This indicates Fe2+ production exceeds the production of H2S by SO42− reduction, providing a geochemical environment that favors the production and preservation of ferrimagnetic remanence‐bearing iron sulfides over paramagnetic pyrite and, thus, a mechanism for deep chemical remanent magnetization acquisition at depths of tens of meters. The influence of authigenic ferrimagnetic iron sulfides on paleomagnetic signals can be difficult to demonstrate with magnetic properties alone; therefore, this finding has implications for evaluating the fidelity of magnetostratigraphic records with complementary geochemical data. Such situations should be considered in other depositional environments with similar porewater Fe2+ accumulation below the SO42− reduction depth.
Submesoscale Kinetic Energy Induced by Vertical Buoyancy Fluxes During the Tropical Cyclone Haitang
Authors: Yi Zhenhui , Qiu Chunhua , Wang Dongxiao , Cai Zhongya , Yu Jiancheng , Shi Jian
Published: July 2024

Submesoscale process is an important part in the kinetic energy cascade from large‐scale circulation to turbulent dissipation, and a key component of the global heat budget. Its dynamic response to weather event is an important process in forecasting marine bio‐chemical matter transport. So how will submesoscale instabilities response to tropical cyclones (TCs) is worth studying. Based on underwater glider observations and 1‐km high resolution numerical modeling, we investigated two TCs (Roke and Haitang)‐induced submesoscale baroclinic instabilities and their dynamic mechanisms in the Northern South China Sea. The TC Haitang induced significant surface cooling, mixed layer deepening, front sharpening, and enhanced the mixed layer baroclinic and symmetric instabilities. The submesoscale kinetic energy also enhanced sharply after TC Haitang, which was higher correlated with increased mesoscale strain rates. The submesoscale energetics analysis revealed that the enhanced frontal submesoscale kinetic energy after TC Haitang was mainly from potential energy release via baroclinic energy conversion. Four groups of sensitivity numerical experiments revealed that the turbulent heat buoyancy flux and the Ekman buoyancy flux contributed equally to the positive baroclinic energy conversion during the TC Haitang. This study helps us to understand the multiscale oceanic energy transfers and submesoscale air‐sea interaction processes.
Slab Driven Quaternary Rock‐Uplift and Topographic Evolution in the Northern‐Central Apennines From Linear Inversion of the Drainage System
Authors: Racano S. , van der Beek P. A. , Schildgen T. F. , Faccenna C. , Buleo Tebar V. , Cosentino D.
Published: July 2024

Investigating rock‐uplift variations in time and space provides insights into the processes driving mountain‐belt evolution. The Apennine Mountains of Italy underwent substantial Quaternary rock uplift that shaped the present‐day topography. Here, we present linear river‐profile inversions for 28 catchments draining the eastern flank of the Northern‐Central Apennines to reconstruct rock‐uplift histories. We calibrated these results by estimating an erodibility coefficient (K) from incision rates and catchment‐averaged erosion rates obtained from cosmogenic‐nuclide data, and we tested whether a uniform or variable K produces a rock‐uplift model that satisfactorily fits independent geochronological constraints. We employ a landscape‐evolution model to demonstrate that our inversion results are reliable despite substantial seaward lengthening of the catchments during uplift. Our findings suggest that a rock‐uplift pulse started around 3.0–2.5 Ma, coinciding with the onset of extension in the Apennines, and migrated southward at a rate of ∼90 km/Myr. The highest reconstructed rock‐uplift rates (>1 km/Myr) occur in the region encompassing the highest Apennine massifs. These results are consistent with numerical models and field evidence from other regions exhibiting rapid rock‐uplift pulses and uplift migration related to slab break‐off. Our results support the hypothesis of break‐off of the Adria slab under the central Apennines and its southward propagation during the Quaternary. Moreover, the results suggest a renewed increase in rock‐uplift rates after the Middle Pleistocene along the Adriatic coast, coeval with recent uplift acceleration along the eastern coast of southern Italy in the Apulian foreland.
Parent and staff focus groups to address NICU racial inequities: “There’s radical optimism in that we’re in a different time and we’re not doing it alone”
Authors: Karvonen Kayla L. , Smith Olga , Chambers-Butcher Brittany , Afulani Patience , Mathis-Perry Tameyah , Rangwalla Khuzaima , McLemore Monica , Rogers Elizabeth E.
Published: July 2024

Objectives

To understand local mechanisms of racial inequities and generate recommendations from community members regarding how to promote racial equity in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Methods

In an urban tertiary care NICU, 4 semi-structured in-person focus groups with follow-up audio diaries were conducted with NICU parents and staff from 2022–2023 with support from interpreters, a psychologist, and a family advocate. Researchers coded transcripts independently and thematic analysis was utilized to generate and refine themes.

Results

16 racially diverse and multidisciplinary staff and parents participated, and six themes emerged from the data. Mechanisms of racial inequities included power dynamics, interpersonal and institutional dehumanization, and societal inequities. Recommendations included redistributing power, transforming space and staff to promote humanism, and mitigating harm through peer support and resource allocation.

Conclusion

Focus groups are a promising strategy to identify interventions to address racial inequities. Future research should focus on intervention implementation and evaluation.
Socioeconomic disparities in the postnatal growth of preterm infants: a systematic review
Authors: Ravi Krithi , Young Aneurin , Beattie R. Mark , Johnson Mark J.
Published: July 2024

Objective

To determine the effect of parental socioeconomic status (SES) on the postnatal growth of preterm infants.

Methods

A systematic review (PROSPERO registration CRD42020225714) of original articles from Medline, Embase, CINAHL Plus and Web of Science published 1946-2023 was undertaken. Studies were included if they reported anthropometric growth outcomes for preterm infants according to parental SES. Data extraction and assessments of bias and health equity impact were conducted using custom-designed forms.

Results

A narrative synthesis of twelve included studies was performed. Most infants were moderate to late preterm. The settings, growth outcomes, timings of growth measurement, and SES measures were heterogenous. Six studies demonstrated an adverse effect of low parental SES on the extrauterine growth of preterm infants, five studies showed no effect, and one study showed a potentially beneficial effect. All studies had a high risk of bias, especially confounding and selection bias. The health equity impact of included studies was largely negative.

Conclusion

Limited and low-quality evidence suggests that socioeconomic minoritisation may adversely impact the growth of preterm infants, thereby widening existing socioeconomic health inequities. Observational studies informed by theorisation of the mechanistic pathways linking socioeconomic minoritisation to adverse postnatal growth are required to identify targets for intervention.

Impact

Limited evidence suggests low parental socioeconomic status (SES) adversely affects the postnatal growth of preterm infants across different settings.

Early growth of preterm infants predicts neurodevelopmental outcomes and the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disease in adulthood.

Systematic screening of over 15,000 articles identified only twelve studies which reported postnatal growth outcomes for preterm infants according to parental SES.

The health equity impact of the included studies was systematically assessed, and found to be negative overall.

This study highlights limitations in existing evidence on the association between parental SES and postnatal growth, and delineates avenues for future research.