bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How Do People Make Sense of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in the Context of Perpetrator PTSD Diagnostic Status and Gender Identity?
Authors: Lonnen Ella , Mackinnon Jessica , Paskell Rachel
Published: October 2024

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) has profound effects on victim physical and mental health, considerable social and economic costs and is a significant public health concern. Research suggests that the way the public make sense of IPV may vary in different contexts, as certain contextual factors may be used to explain, excuse or legitimise IPV. PTSD diagnostic status and perpetrator gender may be such contextual factors, but little research exists in this area. Objectives: This study explored how the public make sense of IPV in the context of perpetrator diagnostic status (PTSD or no PTSD) and gender identity (female, male or nonbinary) by exploring IPV ratings and IPV discourses. Methods: Two hundred and sixty-five (265) community participants were recruited via snowball sampling and presented one of six versions of the same story containing an account of IPV. Stories were identical across conditions bar perpetrator diagnostic status and gender identity. Participants rated the degree to which they thought the behaviour in the story constituted IPV. Approximately half the participants also completed a story completion task, and stories were analysed for themes. Results: IPV ratings were weighted towards abuse and did not vary with diagnostic status or gender identity. Five themes were identified in participant stories: (i) characterise the behaviour; (ii) trajectory of IPV; (iii) show compassion towards victim of IPV; (iv) hold victim of IPV responsible; and (v) context influences decision-making. Limitations, implications and directions for future research are discussed.
Beatific and Horrific Futures–Substance Use According to Young Swedish Adults
Authors: Dennermalm Nicklas
Published: October 2024

Sweden has a long tradition of restrictive policies regarding both legal (such as alcohol and cigarettes) and illegal substances (such as cannabis and amphetamine). However, research is needed on how regulatory frameworks and cultural understandings of substance use play out in the lives of young adults. Utilizing the logics of critical explanation framework, I explore the different logics that young Swedes draw upon when they conceptualize legal and illegal substance use. The data included 30 interviews with 21/22-year-olds who had previously participated in a prospective cohort study. The analysis shows that substance use played a minor role in the participants’ lives. Overall, it represented an obstacle to becoming an adult with a good life. They drew on social logics related to responsibility, ambition, and health to make sense of substance use, regardless of its legal status. These social logics have been used to explain previous years’ decreased use of cigarettes and alcohol among young people, and this study shows that they may also elucidate why illegal substance use is still rare in this group in Sweden. The analysis further suggests that these social logics were naturalized through the political logics of risk and choice, which emphasize the ideal of always being vigilant and safe. To dig deeper into this discourse, I uncover the emotional and ideological dimensions of the participants’ conceptualizations by discussing how they articulate beatific or horrific futures. The beatific future holds a promise of a bright, independent, and productive life, which includes abstaining from substances or using them moderately and responsibly. The horrific, in turn, holds that careless substance use will lead to social exclusion, addiction, and death. The participants’ hopes and fears strengthened the neoliberal idea that a good life is achieved through choice, vigilance, and by avoiding risk.
A design strategy with the combination of neuro-regression and stochastic optimizations on the hyperelastic gasket
Authors: Aydin Levent , Gümüş Ümmühan , Kale Didem
Published: October 2024

For numerous years, PVC and aluminum doors and windows have been integral components of buildings. The primary technical requisites for doors and windows encompass superior acoustic performance, thermal insulation, and effective sealing. Particularly, the sealing properties, crucially important, are ensured by the gaskets fitted onto the profiles. This paper aims to present a gasket design with a new methodology that includes a systematic modeling-optimization process based on multiple non-linear neuro-regression. Comprehensive research has been done by multiple non-linear neuro-regression analyses of gaskets due to deficient studies in the literature on hyperelastic materials. 17 candidate functional forms based on four basic mathematical structures (polynomial, trigonometric, logarithmic, and linear functions, and their hybrid or rational forms) have been proposed to model the FEM data of the gasket. Hybrid versions of three stochastic search algorithms, Differential Evolution, Random Search, and Simulated Annealing, are considered to solve highly non-linear, non-convex, multi-variables mixed continuous-discrete problems. The experimental results were compared with the numerical result using the finite-element analysis (FEA). Nonlinear static analyses were performed with Abaqus. Stress and logarithmic strain distributions are obtained. A good correlation was found between the experimental and the numerical results The optimum locations and numbers of the nodes have been found to obtain the minimum overflow distance and the maximum compression surface area for gaskets having the same topological structure.
Closed-loop continuous-time Laguerre-based subspace identification via orthogonal projection approach
Authors: Yu Miao , Jia Yihao , Wang Wanli , Gao Zhenyu
Published: October 2024

This paper presents a closed-loop Laguerre-based subspace identification method for continuous-time systems via orthogonal projection approach. A bank of Laguerre filters operating in the all-pass domain, which is capable of handling the non-equidistant data, is used to get the input–output matrix equation of the systems. We put the emphasis on the parity space opposed to the observable subspace. The instrumental variable method and principal component analysis estimate the system consistently, solving the issue of biased estimate for the closed-loop operation of the system caused by the feedback controller. The simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Reduced model of MIMO systems using Meixner-like functions
Authors: Maraoui Safa , El Anes Ameni , Bouzrara Kais
Published: October 2024

This article investigates the use of orthogonal basis functions, particularly Meixner-like functions, to streamline and optimize the parameter complexity in multi-input multi-output (MIMO) system modeling. We introduce a new optimal model for MIMO systems, developed by decomposing the auto-regressive MIMO model with external inputs (ARX) using orthonormal Meixner-like bases. This model, referred to as the MIMO ARX Meixner-like model, enables filtering of the system’s inputs and outputs with Meixner-like functions. Parameter reduction is achieved through the optimization of Meixner-like poles using an iterative technique based on the Newton-Raphson method. The proposed model’s efficacy is demonstrated through simulations on two experimental systems: a two-degrees-of-freedom (DOF) helicopter and a two-tank process. Results reveal that the model effectively reduces approximation errors with fewer parameters. Comparative analysis with the traditional MIMO ARX model confirms the superior performance of the MIMO ARX Meixner-like model.
Numerical investigation on rock fragmentation during indentation with a conical pick based on discrete element method
Authors: Li Xuefeng , Wang Shibo , Chen Yu
Published: October 2024

This article investigates the fragmentation of rock during the indentation process with a conical pick. The study explores the impact of indentation dip angle, indentation spacing, and confining pressure on rock fragmentation through simulation using the discrete element method. Rock models of coal and red sandstone are created and calibrated for the simulation. The findings indicate that the indentation force increases exponentially with the increase of indentation dip angle for both coal and red sandstone. The specific energy increases first and then decreases with the increase of indentation dip angle. The maximum specific energy is found in the condition of indentation dip angle of 25° for red sandstone, while it is 20° for coal. The indentation force increases logarithmically with the increase of indentation spacing tending to be an unrelieved indentation condition. The optimal indentation spacing with the lowest specific energy is determined to be 50 mm for breaking coal and 34 mm for breaking red sandstone. Additionally, the indentation force increases exponentially for coal while it increases linearly for red sandstone with the increase of the confining pressure. For both coal and red sandstone, specific energy increases with the increase of the confining pressure.
Radiofrequency Ablation Eustachian Tuboplasty for the Treatment of Chronic Otitis Media with Effusion and Premature Extrusion of the Tympanostomy Tube
Authors: Li YuGuang , Zeng JingYu , Li XiaoHua
Published: October 2024

Objective: This study evaluated the effects of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) eustachian tuboplasty on the treatment of chronic otitis media with effusion (COME), and associated complications, in patients with premature extrusion of the tympanostomy tube (TT). Materials and Methods: Tuboplasty and T-tube reinsertion were performed in 23 ears with COME, a history of premature TT extrusion, and thickened mucus. Tube retention, perforation closure, hearing improvement, and complications were evaluated. Results: All 23 patients with COME and previous premature TT extrusion had remarkable mucosal hypertrophic disease or mucosal polypoid changes in the posterior cushion or posterior wall in the nasopharyngeal eustachian tube (ET) orifice. All surgeries were completed within 20 minutes after general anesthesia and were performed in the operating room. Pre-and post-air-bone gap gain was 18.3 ± 2.5 dB. The TT was retained for at least 12 months in 19 patients, whereas intentional premature removal at postoperative 8 to 9 months was required in 2 patients and premature extrusion occurred in 2 patients. Thus, the tube retention success rate was 91.3% (21/23). Of the 21 ears with intentional removal, the perforation closure rate was 81.0% (17/21). None of the patients reported RFA-related serious adverse events or a patulous ET. However, a scar synechia of the anterior-posterior wall was seen in 1 ET orifice, and stenosis of the ET orifice in 4 patients. Conclusions: RFA eustachian tuboplasty combined with TT insertion is a simple and minimally invasive technique for the treatment of intractable COME in patients with a thickened mucosa of the nasopharyngeal ET orifice. This technique may prevent premature TT extrusion.
Guided listening as meaningful learning: A study of Israeli secular Jewish High School music programs
Authors: Lagon Rozenbaum Sharon , Isaacson Atara
Published: October 2024

Guided listening is vital in music education, fostering self-expression, skill development, and academic achievement. Yet, its limited use in Israeli high schools creates a gap between its recognized value and practice. This mixed-method study examines guided listening integration in secular Jewish-Israeli high school music programs based on four philosophical and pedagogical approaches—esthetic, Praxial, active, and peer instruction—to understand teachers’ objectives, methodologies, implementation, and optimal learning environments. Data was collected from an online questionnaire, structured interviews, direct observations of Western Art Music History lessons, and the researcher’s reflective journal. Key findings: (1) teachers tend to use a repeated five-step teaching pattern (reviewing, lecturing, analyzing, listening while following a score, summarizing); (2) teachers usually do not write lesson plans with detailed, step-by-step guidelines; and (3) teachers use recommended guided listening approaches in a limited capacity, likely due to pressure from preparing students for exams, and the perception that such methods are not fully suitable for Israeli high school music students. The paper explores teachers’ challenges in adopting guided listening pedagogical methods while balancing curriculum demands and promoting inclusivity. It offers recommendations for policymakers and educators on professional development and curriculum revisions, emphasizing detailed lesson planning for effective learning outcomes.
Co-use of psychedelics with other substances: Findings from the global psychedelic survey
Authors: Lake Stephanie , Lucas Philippe
Published: October 2024

Background/Aims:

While most psychedelic substances are considered to carry a relatively low risk of acute or long-term harm, co-use with other psychoactive substances may increase health and social harm. Using a large international survey of adults who use psychedelics, we sought to comprehensively characterize psychedelic co-use.

Methods:

We used data from the 2023 Global Psychedelic Survey, a web-based survey of adults ⩾21 with lifetime use of psychedelics. We explored patterns of co-use (prevalence, secondary substances used, timing, and motives of co-use) and examined sociodemographic and psychedelic use-related characteristics associated with co-use overall and by specific psychedelics.

Results:

In total, 5370 respondents were included in this analysis, of whom 3228 (56.3%) reported typically co-using at least one of the 11 psychedelic substances of interest, with co-use lowest for ayahuasca (14.8%) and highest for nitrous oxide (54.5%). Cannabis and alcohol were the most common secondary substances. Depressants were the only secondary substance class that increased in use following psychedelic experiences. Greater experience with psychedelics was significantly associated with co-use, as was using for recreational purposes or to reduce/substitute the use of other substances. Personal exploration and therapeutic purposes for psychedelic use were negatively associated with co-use.

Conclusions:

In this detailed analysis of psychedelic co-use, we observed high rates of co-use with certain psychedelics, specifically when used recreationally. Our findings highlight psychedelic-specific consumers for whom harm reduction messaging around co-use practices may be best tailored. Further research is justified to assess whether specific patterns of co-use might reduce or increase potential harms.
Validated kinetic modelling of ladle furnace process for predicting inclusions in API steel grade
Authors: Ranjan Mani , Swain Aditya Narayan Shiv Shankar , Sahoo Preeti Prakash , Sarkar Sidhartha , Nayak Pritish , Palai Pabitra , Paliwal Manas
Published: October 2024

A kinetic model of ladle furnace (LF) process is developed in C++ format using the FactSage database and ChemApp subroutines. The model considers all the process parameters such as ferroalloy and slag dissolution, wire additions, electrical arcing, steel/slag reactions, reoxidation due to slag eye opening, heat exchange between metal/slag, and refractory dissolution. Further, a correlation for inclusion removal rate was developed as a function of argon flow rate, using discrete phase method (DPM) in Computational Fluid dynamics (CFD). Lollypop samples from steel bath and slag samples were collected from the plant for API steel grade for chemical analysis and inclusion characterisation. At LF_in, the inclusions found were mostly alumina spinel with very low amount of Mg (∼3%), followed by spinel at intermediate stage having ∼15 wt. % of Mg and after Ca treatment, inclusions transformed into CaS and Calcium Aluminate type of inclusions. Overall inclusion weight fraction varied from 136 ppm at LF_in to 93 ppm at LF_out. The model calculations were found to give very good prediction for steel and slag chemistry, and inclusion global composition as compared to the plant results. Predicted temperature was found with an accuracy of ± 5 oC, while the calculated inclusion weight fraction was having an accuracy of ±12 ppm.
Hydrogen affection on softening and melting behaviours of high alumina sinter in gas-injection blast furnace
Authors: Junyu Chen , Buxin Chen , Jian Hou , Mao Chen , Chenguang Bai , Meilong Hu
Published: October 2024

As the Al2O3 content increasing in iron ore, some problems presented in blast furnace (BF) processing, such as worsened burden permeability and slag viscosity. Injection of H2 may improve the permeability and reduce the CO2 emission of BF, because of its less density and higher reduction potential when temperature is higher than 820 °C. Therefore, the influence of H2 concentration on the softening and melting behaviour of high alumina sinter is a worth investigate topic. In this article, the high alumina sintering samples with Al2O3 content of 2.11 wt% are investigated in a specially designed experimental apparatus capable of continuously changing pressure on the burden. The results show that the softening temperature range of the samples is expanded and their melting temperature range is reduced with the increasing of H2 concentration from 0 vol% to 20 vol% in reduction gas. But the overall change on softening-melting temperature range is just from 280 °C to 310 °C, which is relatively small comparing with other references reported results. The addition of H2 promotes the reduction of FeO and is conducive to separate between the iron phase and slag phase before the charge droplet formation, which facilitates the aggregation and precipitation of metallic iron in soften state. Simultaneously, higher H2 concentration leads to more pronounced improvements in the permeability of the high alumina burden.
Optimizing the transition pathway of a steel plant towards hydrogen-based steelmaking
Authors: Haikarainen Carl , Pettersson Frank , Saxén Henrik
Published: October 2024

Direct reduction of iron ore using hydrogen is a promising alternative to traditional coke-based reduction that could greatly reduce CO2 emissions from the steelmaking industry. In this alternative route, hydrogen and iron oxides react in a shaft furnace to produce direct reduced iron that is further processed in electric arc furnaces into liquid steel. The total process is greatly dependent on electricity, both for producing hydrogen and for operating the electric arc furnace. When considering a possible transformation of a traditional steel plant to hydrogen-based direct reduction, there are several open questions regarding appropriate configurations and dimensions of new units, scheduling of investments, integrated operation of old and new units, etc. Furthermore, the entire transformation process could span several decades, during which market conditions may change substantially. To help planning such a transition, this paper presents a steel plant optimization model that minimizes accumulated costs or emissions of investments and operation over a selected time horizon, during which new units can be constructed and old units possibly be decommissioned. The task is formulated as a mixed-integer quadratically constrained programming problem, with simplified regression models of blast furnaces and shaft furnaces based on more detailed models. Model performance is illustrated with an example case in which the possible transition of a steel plant with two blast furnaces that are expected to be decommissioned within the next twenty years is analyzed, demonstrating that the model is a flexible planning tool for comparing and assessing different future scenarios for decarbonizing the steel industry.
Study on heat storage characteristics and carbon optimisation in the sintering process
Authors: Zhu Rongjia , Huang Zhiming , Wang Yefeng , Chen Simo , Zhou Haoyu
Published: October 2024

In response to the phenomenon of automatic heat storage during the sintering process of iron ore, heat balance analysis concerning the main chemical reactions and physical heat carried by gas and solid materials was conducted. A unit heat storage model for the sintering process was established. Further, a mathematical model to solve the heat transfer characteristics between different sintering layer units was proposed and established based on temperature–time curves of the gas and solid phases. Using these models, the heat storage of each layer unit was calculated under the condition of uniform carbon allocation. Subsequently, the optimisation of carbon allocation at each layer unit for maximising the utilisation of heat storage was investigated. The heat required for sintering by the layer unit was taken as the constraint, and the maximum utilisation of heat stored in each layer unit was taken as the goal to optimise the carbon allocation in the height direction. The calculation results show that as the unit thickness is 100 mm and the total thickness of the layer is 600 mm, the heat transfer ratio of the upper unit to the lower unit is 34.22%, 30.29%, 14.74%, 9.49%, and 1.17%, respectively. The heat storage and available heat storage rate increase with the increase of layer height, with heat storage ranging from 0.69 × 104 to 5.14 × 104 KJ/t and heat storage rate ranging from 11.63% to 49.37%. After optimising carbon allocation, the unit achieved a maximum carbon reduction of 60.04%, resulting in an overall reduction in carbon allocation of 46.20%. This adjustment aligns more closely with the industrial processes.
Effect of heat preservation cover on solidification quality in large round bloom
Authors: Ma Gengxin , Xu Changjun , Wang Tao , Lei Chong , Liu Ningning , Guo Honglin
Published: October 2024

Installing heat preservation covers in the air-cooling zone during continuous casting will affect the solidification quality of large blooms. In this study, a multi-stage anti-radiation heat preservation cover model was developed for heat transfer, and stress coupling calculations based on a vertical continuous casting process of a large round 600 mm diameter bloom. The accuracy of the model was verified by comparing the calculated surface temperature of the bloom against industry-standard surface temperature measurements. Results demonstrate that after applying heat preservation covers with the strongest insulation effect, the surface temperature of the bloom at 14 m from the meniscus increases by 19.42%, and the central porosity area decreases by 23.79%. Furthermore, the maximum stress at the point 43 mm from the centre of the bloom within the ZDT-LIT range decreased by 2.032 MPa. This study elucidates the mechanism underlying the effect of heat preservation covers on the formation of shrinkage and central cracks in the blooms, thereby providing theoretical support for the rational application of heat preservation covers in the vertical continuous casting process of large round blooms.
Energizing the future: Unleashing the potential of innovative waste-to-energy technologies for energy development and sustainability within Zimbabwe’s tourism sector
Authors: Chiwaridzo Option Takunda
Published: October 2024

Zimbabwe’s tourism industry, renowned for its natural wonders and cultural heritage, faces a looming energy crisis rooted in the detrimental over-reliance on fossil fuels and the underutilization of substantial waste resources that lie dormant. The article investigates multifaceted relationship between six independent variables: landfill gas recovery and anaerobic digestion, pyrolysis and gasification, incineration, biogas production, biodiesel production, ethanol production and syngas fermentation and one dependent variable: energy development and sustainability. In this study, a quantitative methodology was adopted, involving the gathering of data from 519 stakeholders in the tourism supply chain through a simple random sampling technique, with the sample size determined using the Krejcie and Morgan table. The distribution of questionnaires was facilitated through Google Forms, and the data analysis was conducted using Smart PLS. Statistical findings indicate direct significant relationship between variables, and t-statistic values all hypotheses were all greater than the threshold of 1.96, ranging from a minimum of 2.911 to a maximum of 9.431. These findings underscore the robustness of the relationships between the waste-to-energy technologies and energy development and sustainability within Zimbabwe’s tourism sector. This empirical evidence highlights the substantial potential for these innovative technologies to play a pivotal role in mitigating the energy crisis and fostering sustainable energy development.
Current commercial reactive and polymeric flame retardants in polyurethane foams
Authors: Levchik Sergei
Published: October 2024

Polyurethane foams encompass a wide range of materials which, depending on the foam structure, chemical composition, and presence of flame retardants, can be very combustible or fire resistant. The first commercial flame retardants for polyurethane foams were developed 60 years ago with a focus on fire retardant efficiency. These legacy flame retardants are relatively small volatile molecules that can migrate from the foam to the environment. Now the flame retardant industry has been changing with a focus on reactive or polymeric flame retardants. This article gives a short overview of these new commercial flame retardants.
Artificial intelligence governance framework for healthcare
Authors: Hassan Masooma , Borycki Elizabeth M. , Kushniruk Andre W.
Published: October 2024

Recent advancements in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) provide promising applications of this technology with the aim of solving complex healthcare challenges. These include optimizing operational efficiencies, supporting clinical administrative functions, and improving care outcomes. Numerous AI models are validated in research settings but few make their way into useful applications due to challenges associated with implementation and adoption. In this article, we describe some of these challenges, along with the need for a facilitating entity to safely translate AI systems into practical use. The authors propose a new AI governance framework to enable healthcare organizations with a mechanism to implement and adopt AI systems.
Disney to Pixar Transition Causing Epilepsy: A Case Report of Reflex Epilepsy
Authors: Bhargava Disha , Devries Seth P.
Published: October 2024

This case report describes a rare instance of reflex seizures in a 4-year-old boy with a complex medical history, including total anomalous pulmonary venous connection and developmental disabilities. The patient experienced seizures triggered exclusively by a specific visual stimulus: the transition scene from the Disney castle to the Pixar lamp in Disney-Pixar movies. Video electroencephalography (EEG) revealed biparasagittal rhythmic delta waves and diffuse slowing, suggesting parietal involvement and complex cortical processing. The findings highlight the individualized nature of reflex epilepsy and highlight the need for a nuanced understanding of specific seizure triggers. Effective management included avoiding the identified visual stimulus and adjusting medication based on the patient's response. This case emphasizes the intricate relationship between sensory processing and epileptogenic mechanisms, contributing to our knowledge of cortical excitability and guiding targeted treatment strategies for reflex seizures.
Cognitive and Functional Capacity Assessment of Individuals Who Were Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit Due to COVID-19: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Carneiro Juliana Cristina Fogaça , Biasibetti Mayco , Rodrigues Folly , Barroso Gustavo de Castro , Cechetti Fernanda
Published: October 2024

Aim

The goal of this study was to identify changes in cognitive and functional capacity after hospital discharge in those infected with COVID-19 who were admitted to the ICU.

Methods

This is a prospective cohort study carried out with individuals who were admitted to a hospital, from July 2021 to May 2022. The evaluations happened in three moments: at hospital discharge, 30 days after discharge and 90 days after discharge. The instruments applied are the following: handgrip dynamometer, Montreal Cognitive Assessment Basic questionnaire (MoCA-B), Barthel Index (BI), timed up and go test (TUG), hospital anxiety and depressive scale (HADS) and 36-Item Short Form Health Survey questionary (SF-36).

Results

74 individuals were eligible to participate in the study, 25 of which were followed for 90 days. Based on the results of the MoCA-b, there were no relevant cognitive changes after 3 months. According to the Barthel Index applied to each of the evaluations, the percentage of subjects that were classified as independent or minimally dependent was 48%, 92% then 96%, respectively, demonstrating that individuals can achieve a good degree of functional independence after 3 months. Despite that, the SF-36 demonstrated a score below the South Brazilian normal in some domains.

Conclusion

The individuals studied did not present persistent cognitive changes after 3 months and functional capacity showed significant improvement during this period. However, when the assessment is about the self-perceived quality of life, the majority of domain values are still below expectations, deserving attention by the health professionals involved.
What has Contributed to Green Space Inequities in U.S. Cities? A Narrative Review
Authors: Osei Owusu Rexford , Rigolon Alessandro
Published: October 2024

Much research has documented green space inequities, but no review has examined their determinants holistically. To address this gap, we conduct a narrative review to synthesize the historical and recent mechanisms contributing to green space inequities in U.S. cities. We identify 77 publications covering this topic and find that two complementary macro-mechanisms shape green space inequities: residential segregation and unequal green space investments. Historical mechanisms include racial residential segregation, redlining, and postwar suburbanization. More recent mechanisms include nonprofits’ involvement in green space provision, green gentrification, and contemporary plans. Moving toward green space equity requires addressing both historical and current mechanisms.
Rural Depopulation in the Context of 4.0 Technologies: Opportunities for Sustainability and Innovation Policies
Authors: Gómez-Valenzuela Víctor , Holl Adelheid
Published: October 2024

This paper provides a systematic review of the scientific landscape of the interdisciplinary field of rural depopulation studies, considering the potential contribution of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies or Industry 4.0 to enhance our contemporary understanding and policy approach to facing the complex challenge of rural transitions. Two levels of intersec search are examined: (a) an aggregated conceptual level of rural population studies and (b) a more policy-based level. Blockchain, the Internet of Things, additive manufacturing, and other 4.0 technologies highlight a scientific panorama in which social and sustainable concerns are integrated with the disruptive potential of these technologies.
Attendance Practices in High-Absenteeism Districts
Authors: Singer Jeremy
Published: October 2024

Though researchers have documented the consequences and causes of chronic absenteeism, there is limited empirical evidence about what schools and districts are actually doing to improve attendance. This study presents evidence about the types of attendance practices that forty-seven high-absenteeism districts in Michigan are planning and implementing, using data from principal surveys, case studies, observations, and school improvement plans. In 2022-2023, principals reported using communication practices, incentives, and to an extent providing resources to address barriers to attendance. In improvement plans, districts planned to create new organizational infrastructure and hire new personnel, with less emphasis on specific practices. These findings highlight frequent use of communication-based strategies and limited existing organizational infrastructure for addressing attendance. It is unclear whether planned practices will address social and economic inequalities at the root of high absenteeism rates. I conclude with recommendations for monitoring new attendance practices, addressing root causes, and avoiding counterproductive practices.
Predictors of Reading and Spelling Difficulties in Italian Children: Specific Language and General Cognitive Skills
Authors: Pasqualotto Angela , Venuti Paola
Published: October 2024

This study investigated the role of domain-specific and domain-general factors in predicting early literacy skills in Italian children. A sample of 239 first-grade students was evaluated using a broad neuropsychological battery to assess their cognitive skills. The results showed that phonological awareness, rapid automatized naming, speed of processing, and attentional control all played a role in predicting reading and writing abilities. These findings support the importance of considering not just domain-specific language skills, but also domain-general cognitive skills when identifying children at risk of difficulties in reading and writing. The study supports the adoption of a multifactorial-probabilistic model to accurately diagnose specific learning disorders.
Techno-economic viability of sustainable solar co-generation using CPV cells in parabolic dish concentrators: A 20-year perspective
Authors: Sahu Susant Kumar , Suraparaju Subbarama Kousik , Natarajan Sendhil Kumar , Ghosh Durga Prasad
Published: October 2024

Solar co-generation is a cutting-edge technology that enables the instantaneous production of electricity and heat energy by employing concentrated solar power (CSP) systems. This study presents the development and experimental analysis of a novel small-scale solar co-generation system, utilizing concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) cells integrated into a solar paraboloidal dish concentrator (SPDC) for simultaneous electricity and heat production. The system, designed with a high concentration ratio, employs a CPV module composed of four 1 cm × 1 cm cells mounted on a flat receiver of a parabolic dish concentrator with an aperture area of 12.6 m2. Experimental results, obtained over three consecutive days, demonstrate that the CPV module achieves an electric power output ranging from 480 to 645 W daily, while the SPDC system generates thermal energy between 395 and 725 W. The economic analysis indicates a cost of ₹10.75 per unit of electricity, with a payback period of approximately 13.5 years, assuming a 20-year system lifespan. Additionally, the reliability of the CPV module and the impact of varying encapsulation materials were critically assessed, providing insights into potential improvements and long-term performance. The findings underscore the viability and economic potential of solar co-generation systems employing CPV technology, contributing to the advancement of sustainable energy solutions.
Fabrication of microchannel heat sink using additive manufacturing technology: A review
Authors: Vijetha K , Lingaraju Dumpala , Satish Geeri , Santhosh Reddy Vuppula , Reddy M Prem Kumar
Published: October 2024

Additive manufacturing is a cutting-edge process that enables the creation and development of complex shapes, opening new avenues for advanced heat sink designs that maximize heat transfer while minimizing pressure drop. This review provides an overview of recent results and insights from global researchers on the additive manufacturing of microchannel heat sinks. It discusses various novel microchannel heat sink types fabricated using additive manufacturing and the complexities involved in their fabrication. Additionally, the review explores geometric configurations, the application of computational optimization methods, and the impact of surface roughness on heat transfer and pressure drop. The primary focus is on the fundamental advantages of additive manufacturing in addressing complex heat transfer designs. However, the review also highlights limitations restricting its benefits in specific applications, such as material handling and availability. This review identifies future challenges for creating novel heat sinks with complex geometries and opportunities for advancements in heat transfer technology.
Carbon dynamics: A holistic analysis of FDI, trade liberalization, urbanization, economic growth, and effects on CO2 emissions in South Asia
Authors: Shaikh Shazia Shaheen , Amin Nabila , Song Huaming
Published: October 2024

In recent years, South Asian nations have experienced robust economic growth, prompting concerns among policymakers about the sustainability of this growth due to rising pollution emissions. This study conducts an objective assessment of the impact of key variables, such as trade liberalization, economic growth, foreign direct investment inflows, and urbanization, on environmental outcomes across selected economies of South Asia from 1990 to 2022. To describe cross-sectional dependencies in the dataset, panel cointegration techniques are employed alongside cross-sectionally augmented autoregressive distributed lag (CS-ARDL) models. For added robustness, dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS) and fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) techniques are utilized to investigate the long-term coalition among the variables. The study integrates first- and second-generation panel methods to improve the depth and reliability of the analysis by addressing methodological limitations. The pragmatic results reveal that trade liberalization, FDI inflows, economic growth, and urbanization increase CO2 emissions by 0.392%, 0.354%, 0.275%, and 0.429%, respectively. Dumitrescu and Hurlin (D–H) causality tests show a unidirectional causal link from trade liberalization to environmental degradation. Additionally, a bidirectional causal link is observed between environmental deterioration and both FDI inflows and urbanization in South Asian countries. To mitigate environmental impact, these nations should evaluate foreign investment conditions and enhance technology transfer from foreign enterprises. Furthermore, implementing trade-related policies to reduce CO2 emissions is imperative.
Diversified subsistence patterns and their influencing factors revealed by ancestral paleodiet during the first millenium BC in Northwest Yunnan, China
Authors: Zou Zining , Yang Qing , Yang Fan , Lunbu Silang , Nongbu Cili , Yang Wanshu , Li Xiabo , Cheng Nan , Zhang Wuqi , Yu Tong , Zheng Hongbo
Published: October 2024

The in-depth research into how prehistoric human subsistence patterns responded to environmental shifts during the transcontinental spread of crops, livestock, and cultural interactions between the second and first millenium BC is a pivotal scientific endeavor that has aroused widespread attention. Northwest Yunnan, as a vital corridor for human migration, facilitated ancient human dispersals and fostered cultural exchanges. Analyzing prehistoric subsistence patterns in Yunnan, particularly in Northwest Yunnan, is crucial for understanding the dynamics and repercussions of agricultural expansion in Eurasia during prehistory. This study examined stable isotopes extracted from human bone and plant microfossils extracted from dental calculus samples collected from two sites in Northwest Yunnan. The comprehensive analysis revealed that the inhabitants of Northwest Yunnan during the first millenium BC primarily consumed C3 plants (including rice, wheat, barley, buckwheat, legumes, roots and tubers, etcetera), with C4 plants as supplements (such as millets), alongside a high intake of animal protein. With the integration of existing archaeobotanical and zooarchaeological data from neighboring sites, what emerges is a composite subsistence strategy developed by the ancestors in Northwest Yunnan during the first millenium BC, characterized by coexisting practices of planting-gathering and animal husbandry-fishing/hunting. These diversified subsistence patterns were shaped by the cultural influences from Northwest China and the local natural environment, indicating an adaptation to geographical constraints and a strategic response to climatic fluctuations during periods of low productivity.
Examining the personalities of football fans according to their typologies
Authors: Halici Alperen , Iğdir Emre Can
Published: October 2024

This study aims to determine the typologies of football fans and reveal whether personality traits differ according to typologies. In this context, 353 fans who watched the match of the team they support at least twice from the stadium in the 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 Turkish Football Super League and First League were included in the study. Based on these results, 353 fans were included in the study, and related analyses were carried out. “Fan Typology Scale” and “Adjective-Based Personality Test (ABPT)” were used as data collection tools. A two-stage hierarchical clustering analysis was used to reveal the fan typology, and the research questions were tested with analysis of variance and chi-square analyses. As a result, four types of fans were obtained in the study: hooligan, fanatic, classic, and social. When the personality traits of the obtained typologies were analyzed, it was found that extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness to innovation scores were high, and emotional instability scores were average. However, it was determined that there were no statistically significant differences in the personality traits of the typologies. It is thought that the fact that the personality traits of hooligan fans showing violent tendencies are similar to the classical, social, and fanatic fans will contribute to the literature as one of the striking results of this study.
Promises betrayed? Ideological commitments and revolutionary outcomes
Authors: Toro Matthew , Pfaff Steven
Published: October 2024

An enduring puzzle in the study of revolutions is why some produce dictatorship and others democracy. Selectorate theory offers a parsimonious answer arguing that the incentives leaders face in the struggle for political survival shape the decisions they make on postrevolutionary institutional forms. The theory contends that only the scale of victory and its attribution help us understand revolutionary outcomes. However, we argue that ideology, specified as a consistent and explicit vision for a future polity, has been improperly discounted. Ideological commitments by revolutionary challengers made prior to the onset of a revolutionary situation influence the formation of challenger coalitions, increase the odds of victory, and subsequently constrain the range of choices available to winners by limiting plausible coalition partners, informing allocation decisions, and defining the acceptable scale and attribution of victory. We use historical case studies for theory building, allowing us to illustrate mechanisms and assess the theory's internal validity. The cases demonstrate why ideological commitments have been crucial factors not only affecting the political survival of political leaders, but also the institutions that developed out of revolutions.
A Review of the Evolution of the NCS-NCVS Police Reporting and Response Questions and Their Application to Older Women Experiencing Violent Victimization
Authors: Addington Lynn A.
Published: October 2024

Little attention is given to the history of the data that underlie research on crime trends and patterns. This article considers the evolution of the National Crime Victimization Survey’s (NCVS) police reporting and response questions. These questions are particularly important as the NCVS is the only nationally representative source of information on whether crime is reported to the police and citizen views of police actions. In addition, the current NCVS redesign is set to substantially add to these items. To provide a context for this discussion, this article applies the police reporting and response questions to an understudied victim group, specifically older women who experience violent victimization. This application illustrates the research opportunities and challenges for working with these data.
Reviewing and Revisiting the Processes and Emergent States Underlying Team Diversity Effects
Authors: Reinert Christoph , Buengeler Claudia , Lehmann-Willenbrock Nale , Homan Astrid C.
Published: October 2024

Understanding explanatory team processes and emergent states is crucial for facilitating potential benefits and hindering potential pitfalls of team diversity. This systematic review synthesizes research regarding the processes and states related to team diversity since the categorization-elaboration model’s (CEM) introduction, against which we evaluate the literature. According to the CEM, an interplay of social and informational processes shapes diverse teams’ effectiveness. We show that despite the wide recognition of this interplay logic, there is a misalignment between CEM’s theoretical propositions and the actual conceptualizations and measurements of processes and states in primary studies. This misalignment is accompanied by primarily static designs and conceptualizations. Our review expands scholarly understanding of the interplay between social and informational processes and states in diverse teams, advancing knowledge of the diversity–team effectiveness relationship. Finally, we delineate imperatives for future research, embracing the dynamic nature of team processes and states.
Management of Glucocorticoid-Induced Hyperglycemia in Cancer Patients: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Wright Jenny , Nielsen Theresa , Burns Samantha , Weekes Nicole , Pradhan Anisha , Teus Judeil Krlan , McErlean Gemma
Published: October 2024

Glucocorticoids are commonly used in the management of patients with hematological and solid malignancies. However, their use may be associated with impaired glycemic metabolism and increased treatment-related morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a nurse-led model of care (MOC) for screening and managing glucocorticoid-induced hyperglycemia (GIH) in non-diabetic patients requiring high-dose glucocorticoid (HDG) therapies, as well as patients’ and health professionals’ experiences with the MOC. This study was a single-site feasibility study. Patients with hematological or oncological malignancies who were >18 years of age, receiving a chemotherapy regimen including HDGs, had no prior diagnosis of diabetes or prediabetes, and were not at the end of life were considered eligible for this study. Participants were recruited from a district hospital’s Cancer Centre in Australia. All consenting participants were screened for diabetes and were provided with a blood glucose meter to monitor their blood glucose levels (BGLs) four times a day on the days of glucocorticoid therapy (GT) plus one extra day following GT, for the first four cycles of their treatment, to screen for the presence of GIH. Feasibility and acceptability were assessed using rates of consent, study completion, and staff and patient surveys. Forty-eight percent (35/74) of patients approached consented to participate in the study and had screening tests for preexisting diabetes. None were diagnosed with diabetes. Six out of 35 patients withdrew, and 10/29 patients did not complete the recommended BGL monitoring. Thirteen percent (4/29) of patients developed GIH. The most common reasons for non-participation and study withdrawal were related to the self-monitoring of BGLs. While clinical stakeholders found the MOC feasible and acceptable, the results of this study suggest that alternative methods for encouraging self-monitoring of BGL and monitoring the presence of GIH during high-dose chemotherapy need to be explored to address issues associated with adherence and sustainability.