bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing recovery in post-earthquake adolescents: examining the impact of a psychoeducational intervention on traumatic stress symptoms and coping strategies
Authors: Demirci Hasan , Bilge Yıldız , Emiral Ekin , Şen Selçuk
Published: July 2024

Adolescents exposed to natural disasters are among the most vulnerable groups to the devastating effects of these events, including experiencing mental health issues such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety disorders. The study aims to evaluate the impact of an early-term psychoeducational intervention (2 months after the disaster) on adolescents who were exposed to the February 6th earthquakes in Turkey regarding symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and coping styles. The study employed AB experimental design with a single-group, pre-test, post-test, and follow-up test evaluation. The sample consisted of 8 individuals aged between 12 and 18, relocated to another city (Istanbul) with their families to a container camp after exposure to the earthquake. Participants underwent an 8-session (one session per week) psychoeducational program developed by researchers composed of psychologists 2 months after the earthquake. To assess the effectiveness of the psychoeducational intervention, the Child and Adolescent Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index, Brief Symptom Inventory, and Coping Styles Scale-Brief Form was employed at three different time points (pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 4-month follow-up). Percentage distribution and the Friedman Test for comparisons were done for the data to be analyzed. Following the psychoeducational intervention, a statistically non-significant decrease in depression symptoms was observed, but the effect of the intervention was maintained over the 4-month follow-up period. While no change in anxiety symptoms was noted after the intervention, a significant decrease was observed in the follow-up. However, no improvement was observed in PTSD symptoms. Participants showed a statistically significant increase in religious coping, whereas a non-significant increase in planning, using emotional social support, and positive reinterpretation coping styles were observed. After large-scale disasters affecting numerous individuals, early psychological interventions should be planned and tailored for specific groups and specific needs instead of including every member of the group would be more time and cost-efficient.
Evaluating the Effect of Temperature and Pooling in Detection and Isolation of the Major Non-O157 Shiga Toxin–Producing Escherichia coli Serogroups from Meat Samples with the Use of Alternative and Standard Methods
Authors: Bouvier Marion , Thollet Camille , Douellou Thomas , Sergentet Delphine Thevenot
Published: July 2024

Pathogenic Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are an important cause of foodborne illness. The detection of STEC in finished products and during the manufacturing process has an important role as part of verification plans, to confirm that practices and procedures described in the food safety program are successfully applied to control STEC. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of temperature and pooling in detection and isolation of the major non-O157 STEC serogroups from meat samples with the use of alternative and standard methods. Bovine meat was experimentally inoculated with one of the “Top 6” non-O157 STEC strains (O26, O103, O111, O145, O45, and O121). Both ISO TS 13136:2012 and a novel alternative method were implemented to evaluate the impact of temperature and pooling. An increase of the enrichment temperature to 41.5 °C allowed the detection of the spiked strain in 10% more samples compared to enrichment at 37 °C. The use of 25- and 375-g sample tests demonstrated no statistically differences between both methods. And finally, this alternative method appears easy to use and time-saving for routine laboratory use.
Domain-Linked and Domain-Specific Competence: a Validation Study of a Two-Dimensional Model of Economic Vocational Competence in Germany
Authors: Ma Beifang , Krötz Maximilian , Winther Esther
Published: July 2024

Modeling vocational competence is increasingly crucial for monitoring and enhancing the quality of Vocational Educational Training (VET), particularly in the context of ongoing international comparative studies known as "large-scale assessments" of vocational education and training. This study endeavors to provide well-structured and guideline-compliant empirical evidence for the validation of the two-dimensional construct of economic vocational competence, advancing beyond the current state of research. A sample of 1438 first-year apprentices from two federal states in Germany participated as test-takers. The authentic assessment framework comprised 24 items, assessing two dimensions of vocational competence: domain-linked competence and domain-specific competence in the business/commercial domain. Measurement invariance was assessed across (1) federal states and (2) versions of test booklets, and the Multidimensional Random Coefficient Multinomial Logit model was employed to examine the quality of the two-dimensional vocational competence construct. The results supported the validity of the structure, highlighting the differentiation between domain-linked competence and domain-specific competence. This provides a more substantively accurate representation of trainees' vocational competence compared to a unidimensional model.
Biodegradable Biconstituent Melt-Blown Nonwovens for Air Filtration: Fabrication and Characterization
Authors: Eticha Andinet Kumella , Akgul Yasin , Pakolpakcil Ayben , Unlu Oguz Kagan , Ahmed Salih Birhanu , Cug Harun , Kilic Ali
Published: July 2024

Melt-blown polypropylene (PP) is extensively used in air filtration due to its low cost, low weight, and easy processing, but there are increasing environmental concerns due to its non-degradability. On the other side biodegradable polymers such as polylactic acid (PLA) present insufficient strength and limited toughness. Polymer blending is a well-known approach to reach optimum properties from at least two polymers. This study aims to produce biodegradable PP-PLA-based filter materials that possess enhanced elasticity and superior filtration performance. The addition of PLA raises the average fiber diameter (AFD), causing the PP-PLA filters to have AFD ranging from 0.73 to 0.91 μm. However, the incorporation of zinc stearate (ZnSt) decreased the melt viscosity, resulting in thinner fiber formations with AFD ranging from 0.6 to 0.75 μm for PP-PLA-ZnSt. The efficiency of the corona-charged optimized sample (double-layer 75PP-25PLA-ZnSt) showed 97.42% particle capture efficiency and filtration performance of 0.12 mmH2O−1. Despite the presence of hydrophobic surfaces in all filter materials, the addition of ZnSt further improves the resistance to surface wettability. 75PP-25PLA-ZnSt filter material exhibits high stretchability, with a maximum tensile strength of 380 ± 70 kPa. The proposed tricomponent (PP-PLA-ZnSt) approach would be used to reduce the environmental impact of non-degrading polymers.

Graphical abstract
A Fresh Take: Seasonal Changes in Terrestrial Freshwater Inputs Impact Salt Marsh Hydrology and Vegetation Dynamics
Authors: Montalvo Maya S. , Grande Emilio , Braswell Anna E. , Visser Ate , Arora Bhavna , Seybold Erin C. , Tatariw Corianne , Haskins John C. , Endris Charlie A. , Gerbl Fuller , Huang Mong-Han , Morozov Darya , Zimmer Margaret A.
Published: July 2024

Salt marshes exist at the terrestrial-marine interface, providing important ecosystem services such as nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration. Tidal inputs play a dominant role in salt marsh porewater mixing, and terrestrially derived freshwater inputs are increasingly recognized as important sources of water and solutes to intertidal wetlands. However, there remains a critical gap in understanding the role of freshwater inputs on salt marsh hydrology, and how this may impact marsh subsurface salinity and plant productivity. Here, we address this knowledge gap by examining the hydrologic behavior, porewater salinity, and pickleweed (Sarcocornia pacifica also known as Salicornia pacifica) plant productivity along a salt marsh transect in an estuary along the central coast of California. Through the installation of a suite of hydrometric sensors and routine porewater sampling and vegetation surveys, we sought to understand how seasonal changes in terrestrial freshwater inputs impact salt marsh ecohydrologic processes. We found that salt marsh porewater salinity, shallow subsurface saturation, and pickleweed productivity are closely coupled with elevated upland water level during the winter and spring, and more influenced by tidal inputs during the summer and fall. This seasonal response indicates a switch in salt marsh hydrologic connectivity with the terrestrial upland that impacts ecosystem functioning. Through elucidating the interannual impacts of drought on salt marsh hydrology, we found that the severity of drought and historical precipitation can impact contemporary hydrologic behavior and the duration and timing of the upland-marsh hydrologic connectivity. This implies that the sensitivity of salt marshes to climate change involves a complex interaction between sea level rise and freshwater inputs that vary at seasonal to interannual timescales.
Osteological age-at-death estimation in an archaeological sample avoiding age-mimicry: a six-step approach
Authors: Navitainuck Denise U. , Vach Werner , Alt Kurt W. , Pichler Sandra L.
Published: July 2024

In human osteoarchaeology, individual age-at-death is traditionally assigned by scoring characteristic expressions of specific traits and applying formulas or algorithms. However, it is well known that the resulting age estimates in target samples suffer from bias due to the effect of age-mimicry, both at the individual and at the population level. A general statistical methodology to obtain unbiased estimates of the age-at-death distribution in skeletal samples has been available for more than two decades. Even so, the procedure is rarely used. This may be related to the fact that this methodology requires external input which has selection of distributional characteristics to be reported. In this paper, we translate the general methodology into a clearly stated six-step procedure to be followed. We illustrate the six steps using an archaeological sample of 675 adult individuals and 15 scoring methods from traditional age-estimation procedures. By clearly identifying the actions that are necessary for its application we intend to make the approach more accessible for osteoarchaeologists while at the same time highlighting some challenges that need to be addressed in the future. Our study demonstrates that the approach is feasible and illustrates the absence of age-mimicry. A combined analysis of five informative traits allowed to obtain estimates of several characteristics of the target sample age distribution. However, its routine use will benefit from improved input from relevant reference samples and improved statistical software.
Does Mindfulness Mediate the Relationship Between Emotion Regulation and Pro-Environmental Behaviors Differently Based on Gender?
Authors: Ballarotto Giulia , D’Anna Valeria , Stefàno Lorenzo , Velotti Patrizia
Published: July 2024

Objectives

This study aimed to explore possible gender differences in the relationship between emotion dysregulation, mindfulness, and pro-environmental behaviors. Specifically, it aimed to investigate whether mindfulness mediated the association between emotion dysregulation and pro-environmental behaviors, and if there were any gender differences in this relationship.

Method

A sample of 1,406 employees (56.3% males, average age = 44.85) participated in the study. Participants completed the Pro-Environmental Behaviors Scale (PEBS), Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale- Short Form (DERS-SF), and Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) to assess pro-environmental behaviors, emotion regulation, and mindfulness, respectively. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, Pearson's correlation analysis, and mediation analysis.

Results

Women exhibited higher scores on the PEBS total scale (p < 0.001; 𝜂2 = 0.02), higher scores on the Observe and Describe FFMQ subscales (p < 0.001; 𝜂2 = 0.01), and lower scores on the Non-react FFMQ subscale (p < 0.001; 𝜂2 = 0.01), compared to men. No gender differences were found on the DERS-SF total scale (p > 0.05; 𝜂2 = 0.00). Higher levels of emotion dysregulation were associated with lower pro-environmental behaviors (r = - 0.12; p < 0.05). Mindfulness mediated the relationship between emotion dysregulation and pro-environmental behaviors, specifically through the ability to observe one's own emotions and external stimuli. Gender differences were found based on the Non-react facet of mindfulness, which is negatively associated with pro-environmental behaviors in men (β = - 0.08; p < 0.05) and positively associated with them in women (β = 0.09; p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The findings suggest that emotion dysregulation and mindfulness are associated with pro-environmental behaviors. The ability to observe one's own emotions and external stimuli plays a significant role in promoting sustainable behaviors, while the ability to perceive one's own emotions without feeling overwhelmed or compelled to react to them has different associations with pro-environmental behaviors in men and women. These results provide insights for the development of interventions targeting emotion regulation and mindfulness to encourage pro-environmental behaviors, specifically based on gender.

Preregistration

This study is not preregistered.
The Interplay Between Language Ideologies and Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTBMLE) Policy Implementation in the Philippines
Authors: Velasco Yvonne Pedria
Published: July 2024

Drawing on Sutton and Levinson’s Socio-cultural Approach to policy, this study explores the experiences and collective language beliefs of 25 teachers implementing the Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTBMLE) policy in two urban Philippine school districts. Mixed methods were used to understand policy enactment and teacher perspectives. Findings reveal that teacher beliefs about language significantly influence their appropriation of the MTBMLE policy. While some teachers accommodated the policy, others demonstrated negotiation and some showed nuanced resistance due to perceived pedagogical challenges hindering implementation. This research highlights the role of teachers as active agents in shaping policy, not simply passive recipients. By uncovering teachers’ deeply held language ideologies, the study offers valuable insights for MTBMLE policy reformulation.
A Qualitative Exploration of Student Cognition When Answering Text-Only or Image-Based Histology Multiple-Choice Questions
Authors: Holland Jane , McGarvey Alice , Flood Michelle , Joyce Pauline , Pawlikowska Teresa
Published: July 2024

Interpretation of images and spatial relationships is essential in medicine, but the evidence base on how to assess these skills is sparse. Thirty medical students were randomized into two groups (A and B), and invited to “think aloud” while completing 14 histology MCQs. All students answered six identical MCQs, three with only text and three requiring image interpretation. Students then answered eight “matched” questions, where a text-only MCQ on version A was “matched” with an image-based MCQ on paper B, or vice versa. Students’ verbalizations were coded with a realist, inductive approach and emerging codes were identified and integrated within overarching themes. High-performing students were more likely to self-generate an answer as compared to middle and lower performing students, who verbalized more option elimination. Images had no consistent influence on item statistics, and students’ self-identified visual-verbal preference (“learning style”) had no consistent influence on their results for text or image-based questions. Students’ verbalizations regarding images depended on whether interpretation of the adjacent image was necessary to answer the question or not. Specific comments about the image were present in 95% of student-item verbalizations (142 of 150) if interpreting the image was essential to answering the question, whereas few students referred to images if they were an unnecessary addition to the vignette. In conclusion, while assessing image interpretation is necessary for authenticity and constructive alignment, MCQs should be constructed to only include information and images relevant to answering the question, and avoid adding unnecessary information or images that may increase extraneous cognitive load.
nHi-SEGA: n-Hierarchy SEmantic Guided Attention for few-shot learning
Authors: Yuan Xinpan , Xie Shaojun , Zeng Zhigao , Li Changyun , Wang Luda
Published: July 2024

Humans excel at learning and recognizing objects, swiftly adapting to new concepts with just a few samples. However, current studies in computer vision on few-shot learning have not yet achieved human performance in integrating prior knowledge during the learning process. Humans utilize a hierarchical structure of object categories based on past experiences to facilitate learning and classification. Therefore, we propose a method named n-Hierarchy SEmantic Guided Attention (nHi-SEGA) that acquires abstract superclasses. This allows the model to associate with and pay attention to different levels of objects utilizing semantics and visual features embedded in the class hierarchy (e.g., house finch-bird-animal, goldfish-fish-animal, rose-flower-plant), resembling human cognition. We constructed an nHi-Tree using WordNet and Glove tools and devised two methods to extract hierarchical semantic features, which were then fused with visual features to improve sample feature prototypes.
Leveraging hybrid 1D-CNN and RNN approach for classification of brain cancer gene expression
Authors: Afify Heba M. , Mohammed Kamel K. , Hassanien Aboul Ella
Published: July 2024

Leveraging deep learning (DL) approaches in genomics data has led to significant advances in cancer prediction. The continuous availability of gene expression datasets over the preceding years has made them one of the most accessible sources of genome-wide data, advancing cancer bioinformatics research and advanced prediction of cancer genomic data. To contribute to this topic, the proposed work is based on DL prediction in both convolutional neural network (CNN) and recurrent neural network (RNN) for five classes in brain cancer using gene expression data obtained from Curated Microarray Database (CuMiDa). This database is used for cancer classification and is publicly accessible on the official CuMiDa website. This paper implemented DL approaches using a One Dimensional-Convolutional Neural Network (1D-CNN) followed by an RNN classifier with and without Bayesian hyperparameter optimization (BO). The accuracy of this hybrid model combination of (BO + 1D-CNN + RNN) produced the highest classification accuracy of 100% instead of the 95% for the ML model in prior work and 90% for the (1D-CNN + RNN) algorithm considered in the paper. Therefore, the classification of brain cancer gene expression according to the hybrid model (BO + 1D-CNN + RNN) provides more accurate and useful assessments for patients with different types of brain cancers. Thus, gene expression data are used to create a DL classification-based- hybrid model that will hold senior promise in the treatment of brain cancer.
Fluctuations in Cortisol and Testosterone Map to Fluctuations in Opinion Strength in Healthy Men
Authors: Serpell Benjamin G. , Crewther Blair T. , Fourie Phillip J. , Cook Christian J.
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Opinions are often linked to emotions and stress. It is well established that testosterone and cortisol are useful biomarkers of stress and can predict human emotion and behavior. Therefore, the purpose of this work was to explore whether changes in testosterone and cortisol concentration map to shifts in opinions.

Methods

We present three studies with healthy men, where we (1) monitored diurnal changes in testosterone and cortisol alongside political opinion change using a descriptive longitudinal design, (2) assessed testosterone, cortisol and political opinion change in an experimental trial using a physical exercise intervention designed to decrease cortisol concentration and/or increase testosterone concentration, and (3) monitored testosterone and cortisol change with political opinion in a trial with psychosocial intervention designed to increase cortisol concentration/decrease testosterone concentration.

Results

Testosterone concentration and opinion changes were observed across the day (p < 0.05). Furthermore, opinions changed similarly to exercise-induced increases in testosterone (8.6–11.5%), but inversely to exercise-induced reductions in cortisol (p < 0.05). Opinion changes also occurred in similar fashion to testosterone changes following psychosocial intervention (-5.6% to -10.0%), and inversely to cortisol changes (p < 0.05). Finally, opinion change and testosterone change correlated at the within person level (r = 0.17 to 0.33; p < 0.05).

Conclusion

We showed natural fluctuations in testosterone and cortisol covaried in parallel with shifts in opinion. Further, given the emergence of relationships for opinion change with hormone change, we contend that physiological stress response (i.e., testosterone and cortisol change) may predict, or even cause, opinion change.
A Review of Anode Materials for Dual-Ion Batteries
Authors: Wu Hongzheng , Luo Shenghao , Wang Hubing , Li Li , Fang Yaobing , Zhang Fan , Gao Xuenong , Zhang Zhengguo , Yuan Wenhui
Published: July 2024

Distinct from "rocking-chair" lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the unique anionic intercalation chemistry on the cathode side of dual-ion batteries (DIBs) endows them with intrinsic advantages of low cost, high voltage, and eco-friendly, which is attracting widespread attention, and is expected to achieve the next generation of large-scale energy storage applications. Although the electrochemical reactions on the anode side of DIBs are similar to that of LIBs, in fact, to match the rapid insertion kinetics of anions on the cathode side and consider the compatibility with electrolyte system which also serves as an active material, the anode materials play a very important role, and there is an urgent demand for rational structural design and performance optimization. A review and summarization of previous studies will facilitate the exploration and optimization of DIBs in the future. Here, we summarize the development process and working mechanism of DIBs and exhaustively categorize the latest research of DIBs anode materials and their applications in different battery systems. Moreover, the structural design, reaction mechanism and electrochemical performance of anode materials are briefly discussed. Finally, the fundamental challenges, potential strategies and perspectives are also put forward. It is hoped that this review could shed some light for researchers to explore more superior anode materials and advanced systems to further promote the development of DIBs.
On The Diffusivity of Boron in Slag During Silicon Refining
Authors: Putera A. D. P. , Avarmaa K. , Petrus H. T. B. M. , Brooks G. A. , Rhamdhani M. A.
Published: July 2024

Slag treatment is one of the pyrometallurgical routes to refine and remove impurities (such as boron) from silicon. Many studies have demonstrated that the rate-controlling step in the process is the mass transfer of boron (B) in the slag phase. Hence, information regarding the B diffusivity is vital. This paper discusses the diffusivity of B in the slag from secondary data collated from previous kinetics studies and compares it with semi-empirical diffusivity equations.

Graphical Abstract
Relation between edge stress, bending strength, surface stress and fracture pattern of thermally toughened glass
Authors: Efferz Lena , Thiele Kerstin , Schuster Miriam , Schuler Christian , Siebert Geralt , Schneider Jens
Published: July 2024

Thermally toughened safety glass must meet safety requirements in the building industry. Here, destructive tests are defined in the product standards, which must be carried out on small, standardized format (360 mm × 1100 mm) glass elements to determine the fracture pattern and bending strength. This is costly and not in the interests of sustainability. As part of the quality control of optical anisotropy effects in thermally toughened glass, isochromatic scans that can provide information on the edge stress are acquired. The evaluation of the isochromatics and retardations at the edge with deduction of the edge stress and transfer to bending strength and fracture pattern could provide essential findings for assuring the safety requirements of thermally toughened glass. In this experimental investigation, the surface and edge stress were measured on standardized format thermally toughened safety glass, with different edge processing and glass thicknesses from three different suppliers. Afterwards, the fracture pattern is controlled, or the bending strength is analyzed in a destructive four-point bending test. Conclusively, the results from the photoelastic and destructive tests are compared to determine whether the photoelastic measurement methods used to measure surface and edge stress can be employed as quality control.
The Effectiveness of Savouring Interventions in Adult Clinical Populations: A Systematic Review
Authors: Cullen Katie , Murphy Mike , Di Blasi Zelda , Bryant Fred B.
Published: July 2024

A narrative systematic review evaluating the evidence base of savouring interventions was conducted. Savouring interventions were defined as interventions in which participants were instructed to engage in processes to regulate, intensify or strengthen positive emotions and experiences, whether they be past, present or future focused. Relevant studies were identified via PsycINFO, Pubmed, CINAHL, Scopus, Google Scholar and through a manual search of the literature. Only studies which adopted a randomised controlled design and evaluated the efficacy of savouring interventions in adult clinical populations were included in the review. Of the 1,054 articles identified through searches, nine studies were included in the final systematic review. Data were extracted from these nine studies involving over 900 participants from mental and physical health clinical populations from seven countries. Four different type of savouring interventions are described: life review, reminiscence, Three-Good-Things and one multicomponent savouring intervention. These specific interventions promoted some positive changes amongst participants, such as increasing levels of well-being and reducing levels of depression and anxiety. Both individuals with mental and physical health difficulties appeared to benefit. However, when comparing the results of these interventions against outcomes gained by participants in no intervention or active control groups, the efficacy of these interventions appears relatively weak. The low quality of included studies and the disparity of the format, delivery mode and methodological characteristics of studies may limit the generalisability of these findings. However, results from this systematic review do highlight the therapeutic potential of savouring interventions amongst clinical samples.
Dance2MIDI: Dance-driven multi-instrument music generation
Authors: Han Bo , Li Yuheng , Shen Yixuan , Ren Yi , Han Feilin
Published: July 2024

Dance-driven music generation aims to generate musical pieces conditioned on dance videos. Previous works focus on monophonic or raw audio generation, while the multi-instrument scenario is under-explored. The challenges associated with dance-driven multi-instrument music (MIDI) generation are twofold: (i) lack of a publicly available multi-instrument MIDI and video paired dataset and (ii) the weak correlation between music and video. To tackle these challenges, we have built the first multi-instrument MIDI and dance paired dataset (D2MIDI). Based on this dataset, we introduce a multi-instrument MIDI generation framework (Dance2MIDI) conditioned on dance video. Firstly, to capture the relationship between dance and music, we employ a graph convolutional network to encode the dance motion. This allows us to extract features related to dance movement and dance style. Secondly, to generate a harmonious rhythm, we utilize a transformer model to decode the drum track sequence, leveraging a cross-attention mechanism. Thirdly, we model the task of generating the remaining tracks based on the drum track as a sequence understanding and completion task. A BERT-like model is employed to comprehend the context of the entire music piece through self-supervised learning. We evaluate the music generated by our framework trained on the D2MIDI dataset and demonstrate that our method achieves state-of-the-art performance.
»Wissenschaft hat ein eiskaltes Händchen«: Zu einigen Dimensionen der Identitätskonstruktion von Wissenschaft im NDR-Podcast Coronavirus-Update
Authors: Bührig Kristin
Published: July 2024

In dem Beitrag geht es um Identitätskonstruktionen von Wissenschaft im Rahmen des NDR-Podcasts Coronavirus-Update. Ausgehend von einer Zählung der Konstruktion zu die Wissenschaft in den als PDF veröffentlichten Folgen des Podcasts als Kategorienlabel, werden ausgewählte Ausschnitte aus zwei retranskribierten Folgen des Podcasts untersucht. Der Idee der Prinzipien von Identität folgend, werden Erkenntnisse unterschiedlicher Ansätze der Gesprächsforschung genutzt, um das Emergieren von Identitätskonstruktionen und ihre Funktion zu rekonstruieren.
„To treat or not to treat?“ – Wann ist ein Harnwegsinfekt ein Harnwegsinfekt und sollte behandelt werden?
Authors: Bausch Kathrin , Seifert Hans Helge
Published: July 2024

Harnwegsinfekte zählen mit zu den häufigsten Infektionen weltweit. Ihre suffiziente Therapie wird durch steigende antimikrobielle Resistenzen zunehmend erschwert. Daher sind Massnahmen des „antimicrobial stewardship“ essenziell, um auch noch langfristig in der Lage zu sein, Infektionen antibiotisch behandeln zu können. In erster Linie spielt hier die korrekte Diagnosestellung eine wichtige Rolle: Bei einem Harnwegsinfekt handelt es sich in der Regel um ein Syndrom aus Symptomen und einem Keimnachweis. Liegen nur Symptome vor, kann als Ursache eine andere Erkrankung zugrunde liegen. Insbesondere bei katheterisierten Patienten ist eine asymptomatische Bakteriurie häufig und sollte ebenfalls nichtantibiotisch therapiert werden.
Within-Person Fluctuations in Objective Smartphone Use and Emotional Processes During Adolescence: An Intensive Longitudinal Study
Authors: Rodman Alexandra M. , Burns Jason A. , Cotter Grace K. , Ohashi Yuri-Grace B. , Rich Rachael K. , McLaughlin Katie A.
Published: July 2024

Since the advent of smartphones, peer interactions over digital platforms have become a primary mode of socializing among adolescents. Despite the rapid rise in digital social activity, it remains unclear how this dramatic shift has impacted adolescent social and emotional experiences. In an intensive, longitudinal design (N = 26, n = 206 monthly observations for up to 12 months, 12–17 years), we used digital phenotyping methods to objectively measure within-person fluctuations in smartphone use (screen time, pickups, notifications) across different categories (social media, communication, entertainment, games) and examined their prospective, bidirectional associations with positive and negative mood. Bayesian hierarchical models showed that when adolescents reported better mood than usual, they subsequently spent more time on communication apps and launched social media and communication apps upon pickup less often. Meanwhile, when adolescents used entertainment apps more than usual, they subsequently reported improved mood. These preliminary findings suggest a pattern where fluctuations in mood relate to subsequent changes in smartphone use that are primarily social, whereas the fluctuations in smartphone use relating to subsequent changes in mood were primarily entertainment-related. We found little evidence that within-person fluctuations in screen time or social media use were associated with increases in negative mood, as frequently theorized. These findings highlight the importance of disentangling the distinct components of smartphone use that relate to affective processes and examining their bidirectional, prospective relationships over time, due to the possibility of differential outcomes. This work is a necessary first step in identifying targets for intervention efforts promoting resilience and wellbeing during adolescence.
Segmental deformity markers offer novel indicators of deformity progression risk in deformity-matched adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients
Authors: Labrom Fraser R. , Izatt Maree T. , Askin Geoffrey N. , Labrom Robert D. , Claus Andrew P. , Little J. Paige
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Identification of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients with mild curvatures who pose significant risk of progressing to severe levels of curvatures is of paramount importance for clinical care. This study aimed to compare segmental deformity changes in AIS sub-cohorts that are dichotomised by progression status.

Methods

Thirty-six female participants with Lenke 1 AIS curves were investigated with sequential MRIs during growth. Scans were reformatted to measure orthogonal segmental parameters, including sagittal/coronal wedging angles and axial rotation angles. Participants were dichotomised by progression. Two-tailed, independent sample t-tests were used to compare sub-cohort multi-segmental and segmental deformity parameters. Measurements were compared at each scan number and variable rates of change were determined using actual time between measures.

Results

AIS progression status sub-cohorts were comparable at scan 1 for multi-segmental deformity parameters (e.g. major thoracic curve angle, rib hump, kyphosis) (P > 0.05). However, apical measures of coronal IVD wedging, axial IVD rotation and axial vertebral rotation were segmental parameters at scan 1 which were larger for participants whose AIS would later go on to clinically progress (all P < 0.05). Measures of segmental hypokyphosis were comparable between groups. As development was tracked at each subsequent scan, coronal and axial plane differences between groups increased in both magnitude and number of differences.

Conclusion

Initial disparity and then subsequent increasing magnitude of change of axial rotation may indicate a higher propensity to clinically progress in the future. This knowledge hopes to provide useful management information for AIS care providers and prognostic education for patients alike.

Level of evidence

II.
Operationalizing responsible AI principles through responsible AI capabilities
Authors: Akbarighatar Pouria
Published: July 2024

Responsible artificial intelligence (RAI) has emerged in response to growing concerns about the impact of AI. While high-level principles have been provided, operationalizing these principles poses challenges. This study, grounded in recent RAI literature in organizational contexts and dynamic capability theory, and informed by literature on RAI principles and expert interviews in organizations deploying AI systems, (1) problematizes the high-level principles and low-level requirements and underscores the need for mid-level norms by adopting dynamic capability as a theoretical lens, and (2) develops five themes to capture firms’ RAI capability, including (i) understandable AI model, (ii) bias remediation, (iii) responsiveness, (iv) harmless, and vi) common good. As our contribution to the field of information systems (IS), this study extends the emerging literature on operationalizing RAI and dynamic capabilities, empirically elucidating the capabilities needed by firms. For IS practice, we provide organizations deploying AI with novel insights to aid in the responsible implementation of AI.
A Novel Hierarchical High-Dimensional Unsupervised Active Learning Method
Authors: Haghzad Klidbary Sajad , Javadian Mohammad
Published: July 2024

This paper processes a novel hierarchical high-dimensional clustering algorithm based on the Active Learning Method (ALM), which is a fuzzy-learning algorithm. The hierarchical part of the algorithm is composed of two phases: divisible and agglomerative. The divisible phase, a zooming-in-process, searches for sub-clusters in already-found clusters hierarchically. At each level of the hierarchy, the clusters are found by an ensemble clustering method based on the density of data. This part of the algorithm blurs each data point as multiple one-dimensional fuzzy membership functions called ink-drop patterns; then, it accumulates the ink-drop patterns of all data points on every dimension separately. Next, it performs one-dimensional density partitioning to produce an ensemble of clustering solutions; after that, combining the results is done based on a novel consensus method with the aid of prime numbers. An agglomerative phase is a bottom-up approach that merges clusters based on a novel distance metric, named$${K}^{2}$$K2-nearest neighbor. The algorithm is named as the Hierarchical High-Dimensional Unsupervised Active Learning Method (HiDUALM) and is explained in more detail throughout this paper. Although the classical clustering methods are not suitable for high-dimensional data clustering, the proposed method solves the problems related to speed and memory using ensemble learning, while due to its hierarchy and the use of different distance criteria, different levels of the cluster provide the clause. Experiments on synthetic and real-world datasets are presented to show the effectiveness of the proposed-clustering algorithm.
Association Between Osteoporosis and Adiposity Index Reveals Nonlinearity Among Postmenopausal Women and Linearity Among Men Aged over 50 Years
Authors: Chen Po-Ju , Lu Yueh-Chien , Lu Sheng-Nan , Liang Fu-Wen , Chuang Hung-Yi
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Previous research shows conflicting views on the relationship between obesity and osteoporosis, partly due to variations in obesity classification and the nonlinear nature of these relationships. This study investigated the association between adiposity indices and osteoporosis, diagnosed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), employing nonlinear models and offering optimal thresholds to prevent further bone mineral density decline.

Methods

In 2019, a prospective study enrolled males over 50 years and postmenopausal women. Anthropometric measurements, blood biochemistry, and osteoporosis measured by DXA were collected. Associations between adiposity indices and osteoporosis were analyzed using a generalized additive model and segmented regression model.

Results

The study included 872 women and 1321 men. Indices such as abdominal volume index (AVI), visceral adiposity index (VAI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference, body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio, and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) were inversely associated with osteoporosis. In women, the relationship between the risk of osteoporosis and the adiposity indices was U-shaped, with thresholds of WC = 94 cm, AVI = 17.67 cm2, BMI = 25.74 kg/m2, VAI = 4.29, and WHtR = 0.61, considering changes in bone mineral density. Conversely, men exhibited a linear patterns for the inverse association.

Conclusion

The impact of obesity and adiposity on osteoporosis varies significantly between women and men. In postmenopausal women, the relationship is nonlinear (U-shaped), with both very low and very high adiposity linked to higher osteoporosis risk. In men over 50, the relationship is linear, with higher adiposity associated with lower osteoporosis risk. The study suggests that maintaining specific levels of adiposity could help prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.
ICF-based multidisciplinary approach to rehabilitation of people with disabilities: perspective and current practices within the Health, Rehabilitation, Integration, and Research Center in Lebanon
Authors: Saleh Nour El Hoda , Summaka Marwa , Zein Hiba , Fneish Sleiman , Mazbouh Rami , Hamieh Fatima , Naim Ibrahim
Published: July 2024

Background

Rehabilitation of people with disabilities has aimed to improve functional status, quality of life, and social involvement. In Lebanon, rehabilitation confronts major challenges related to accessibility, affordability, and availability, in addition to the lack of applied comprehensive multidisciplinary programs.

Methods

The present article elucidates the current rehabilitation status in Lebanon and describes the perspective and practice of the Health, Rehabilitation, Integration, and Research Center (HRIR), a Lebanese multidisciplinary rehabilitation center for people with disabilities.

Results

The use of the ICF- based multidisciplinary approach in the rehabilitation of people with disabilities is a specific feature of the HRIR Center in Lebanon. It offers coordinated evidence-based multidisciplinary outpatient programs starting from the acute phase to the community reintegration of people with disabilities.

Conclusion

Regardless of Lebanon’s circumstances, the real perspective and experience of HRIR have provided highly noteworthy rehabilitation outcomes through a vast array of coordinated evidence-based practices, a highly qualified team, and thorough equipment.
Development of a calibration program for large-scale DEM simulation of hot mix asphalt
Authors: Harries Leandro , Liu Jia
Published: July 2024

This paper presents a comprehensive Discrete Element Method (DEM) calibration program designed for optimal calibration of hot mix asphalt (HMA) in full-scale paving applications. The program allows for the calibration of various asphalt mixes and allows for studies such as how tamper stroke affects pre-compaction based on the calibrated HMA. The study identifies key pavement properties essential to the paving process, including pre-compaction resistance, flow behavior, and friction behavior between HMA and steel or asphalt surfaces, and details their laboratory-based evaluation methods. A contact model that incorporates realistic plastic deformation, adhesive forces, and multiple load cycles is presented in this research. Novel features include a two-clump particle shape system and a two-grain distribution for the grading curve. These parameters, combined with the contact model, facilitate the observation of particle orientations and segregations, ensuring an economical yet robust full-scale simulation. Validation included testing and calibration of three different asphalt mixes (Asphalt Concrete (AC) 11 DS, Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA) 11 DS, and AC 16 BS). The results demonstrate the successful calibration of all relevant pavement properties using the prescribed methodology and settings. This study advances the understanding of HMA pavement properties and provides a practical framework for optimal calibration in full-scale paving scenarios.
Supporting Innovative Pedagogies with Digital Technologies
Authors: Mukherjee Michelle , Blundell Christopher , Nykvist Shaun
Published: July 2024

Incorporating digital technologies in the classroom can be both a daunting and exciting experience for educators of all age groups. Supporting Innovative Pedagogies with Digital Technologies explores intentional teaching approaches for using digital technologies in the classroom as a tool to support rather than replace established strategies. Readers will learn how to innovate their classroom, and vignettes from Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary classrooms will remove the overwhelming pressure of redesigning learning and teaching from scratch. Over three parts, the text explores understanding learning and teaching with digital technologies; designing and enacting learning with digital technologies; and professional responsibilities for teaching with digital technologies. Each chapter includes vignettes to illustrate key ideas and prompt discussion, reflection activities to encourage critical thinking and inspire educators to use key ideas in their practice, 'Tips and tricks' to provide practical hints and expert guidance for future consideration, and review questions to consolidate understanding.
One-dimensional analysis of pressure variations induced by trains passing each other in a tunnel
Authors: Miyachi Tokuzo , Noguchi Yuhei , Yamauchi Yuki
Published: July 2024

In this study, the asymptotic solutions of the pressure variations induced by two trains passing each other in a tunnel are theoretically investigated. The one-dimensional inviscid compressible airflow is analysed, and two methods to obtain numerically exact solutions and$M_{H}$expansion formulas for approximate equations are presented, where$M_{H}$is the Mach number of the high-speed train. The pressure coefficient, corresponding to the maximum value of the magnitude of the pressure, is expressed as$|c_{p}|_{max}=|c_{p,min}|=[({R}/({1-R}))$ $(1+\alpha )^{2}+({R(1-R)}/{(1-2R)^{2}})(1-\alpha )^{2}]+O[M_{H}]$, where$c_{p,min}<0$,$\alpha =U_{L}/U_{H}$and$U_{L}$and$U_{H}$denote the speeds of the low- and high-speed trains, respectively, and$R$is the cross-sectional area ratio of the train to the tunnel. The theoretical results indicate the dependence of the speeds of the two trains on the pressure distribution and that the maximum magnitude of the asymptotic pressure for a fixed value of$M_{H}$is obtained for$\alpha =1$and$\alpha =0$when$R< R_{c}$and$R>R_{c}$, respectively, where$R_{c}$denotes the critical blockage ratio. Because the airflow along the side of the low-speed train, induced by the low-speed train, is along the running direction of the high-speed train and reduces the relative velocity of the high-speed train as the two trains pass each other,$|c_{p}|_{max}$for$\alpha =0$is larger than$|c_{p}|_{max}$for$\alpha =1$when$R>R_{c}$. It is theoretically demonstrated that, as conventional high-speed railway systems satisfy$R< R_{c}$, a conservative pressure estimation can be established assuming$\alpha =1$.
Spreading of a viscoelastic drop on a solid substrate
Authors: Rostami Peyman , Fricke Mathis , Schubotz Simon , Patel Himanshu , Azizmalayeri Reza , Auernhammer Günter K.
Published: July 2024

We study the spreading of Newtonian viscous (aqueous glycerin solution) and viscoelastic (aqueous polymer solution) drops on solid substrates with different wettabilities. For drops of the same zero-shear viscosity, we find in the early stages of spreading that viscoelastic drops (i) spread faster and (ii) their contact radius shows a different power law vs time than Newtonian drops. We argue that the effect of viscoelasticity is only observable for experimental time scales of the order of or larger than the internal relaxation time of the viscoelastic polymer solution. We attribute this behaviour to the shear thinning of the viscoelastic polymer solution. When approaching the contact line, the shear rate increases and the steady-state viscosity of the viscoelastic drop is lower than that of the Newtonian drop. We support our experimental findings with a simple (first-order) perturbation model that qualitatively agrees with our findings.