bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Uncovering suggestions in MOOC discussion forums: a transformer-based approach
Authors: Reina Sánchez Karen , Vaca Serrano Gonzalo , Arbáizar Gómez Juan Pedro , Duran-Heras Alfonso
Published: November 2024

The field of natural language processing has experienced significant advances in recent years, but these advances have not yet resulted in improved analytics for instructors on MOOC platforms. Valuable information, such as suggestions, is generated in the comment forums of these courses, but due to their volume, manual processing is often impractical. This study examines the feasibility of fine-tuning and effectively utilizing state-of-the-art deep learning models to identify comments that contain suggestions in MOOC forums. The main challenges encountered are the lack of labeled datasets from the MOOC context for fine-tuning classification models and the soaring computational cost of this training. For this study, we manually collected and labeled 2228 comments in Spanish and English from 5 MOOCs and scraped 1.4 million MOOC reviews from 3 platforms. We fine-tuned and evaluated 4 pretrained models based on the transformer architecture and 3 traditional machine learning models to compare their effectiveness in the suggestion mining task in this domain. Transformer-based models proved to be highly effective in this task/domain combination, achieving performance levels that matched or exceeded those deemed appropriate in other contexts and were significantly greater than those achieved by traditional models. Domain adaptation led to improved linguistic understanding of the target domain; however, in this project, this approach did not translate into an observable improvement in suggestion mining. The automated identification of comments that can be labeled as suggestions can result in considerable time savings for instructors, especially considering that less than a quarter of the analyzed comments contain suggestions.
Martingale Hardy Orlicz–Lorentz–Karamata spaces and applications in Fourier analysis
Authors: Hao Z. , Weisz F.
Published: November 2024

We summarize some results as well as we prove some new results about the Orlicz–Lorentz–Karamata spaces and martingale Hardy Orlicz–Lorentz–Karamata spaces. More precisely, Doob's maximal inequality for submartingales and Burkholder–Davis–Gundy inequality are presented. We also show some fundamental martingale inequalities and modular inequalities. Additionally, based on atomic decompositions, duality theorems and fractional integral operators are discussed. As applications in Fourier analysis, we consider the Walsh–Fourier series on Orlicz–Lorentz–Karamata spaces. The dyadic maximal operators on martingale Hardy Orlicz–Lorentz–Karamata spaces are presented. The boundedness of maximal Fejér operator is proved, which further implies some convergence results of the Fejér means.
Carbon emission reducing and financing strategies of capital-constrained supply chains using equity financing under different power structures
Authors: Qin Juanjuan , Lyu Xiaochen , Fu Huiping , Wang Ziping
Published: November 2024

This study considers a low-carbon supply chain model comprised of a capital-constrained manufacturer and a retailer under a cap-and-trade system. These two parties can choose from two financing modes: bank financing or mixed financing, in which the latter combines bank financing with equity financing. Two decision-making power structures are formulated, namely the Nash game model and the retailer-led Stackelberg game model. Subsequently, a comparative analysis of equilibrium outcomes for both parties within these power structures is performed, yielding the following insights: (1) In the bank financing mode, retailers find greater profitability in adopting dominance. When emission reduction efficiency is high, manufacturers obtain more profit within a Nash game context. However, when emission reduction efficiency is low, manufacturers accrue more profit in a Stackelberg game context. In the mixed financing mode without cap-and-trade regulations, supply chain participants do not express a preference for any specific game structure. (2) Without cap-and-trade regulation, in both the Nash and Stackelberg game models, the supply chain participants find more profitability in mixed financing when carbon emission reduction efficiency is high. Meanwhile, bank financing proves more profitable when the carbon emission reduction is low. Moreover, this study investigates the impact of wholesale and retail prices of low-carbon products on the financing strategies of the supply chain participants under different power structures and financing modes. Additionally, extended models are considered, including the manufacturer-led Stackelberg game structure and the capital-constrained manufacturer with a certain amount of initial capital.
Near-Field Mixing in a Coaxial Dual Swirled Injector
Authors: Marragou Sylvain , Guiberti Thibault Frédéric , Poinsot Thierry , Schuller Thierry
Published: November 2024

Improving mixing between two coaxial swirled jets is a subject of interest for the development of next generations of fuel injectors. This is particularly crucial for hydrogen injectors, where the separate introduction of fuel and oxidizer is preferred to mitigate the risk of flashback. Raman scattering is used to measure the mean compositions and to examine how mixing between fuel and air streams evolves along the axial direction in the near-field of the injector outlet. The parameters kept constant include the swirl level

$$S_e = 0.67$$

S
e

=
0.67

in the annular channel, the injector dimensions, and the composition of the oxidizer stream, which is air. Experiments are carried out in cold flow conditions for different compositions of the central stream, including hydrogen and methane but also helium and argon. Three dimensionless mixing parameters are identified, the velocity ratio

$$u_e/u_i$$

u
e

/

u
i

between the external stream and internal stream, the density ratio

$$\rho _e/\rho _i$$

ρ
e

/

ρ
i

between the two fluids, and the inner swirl level

$$S_i$$

S
i

in the central channel. Adding swirl to the central jet significantly enhances mixing between the two streams very close to the injector outlet. Mixing also increases with higher velocity ratios

$$u_e/u_i$$

u
e

/

u
i

, independently of the inner swirl. Additionally, higher density ratios

$$\rho _e/\rho _i$$

ρ
e

/

ρ
i

enhance mixing between the two streams only in the case without swirl conferred to the central flow. A model is proposed for coaxial swirled jets, yielding a dimensionless mixing progress parameter that only depends on the velocity ratio

$$u_e/u_i$$

u
e

/

u
i

and geometrical features of the swirling flow that can be determined by examining the structure of the velocity field. Comparing the model with experiments, it is shown to perform effectively across the entire range of velocity ratios

$$0.6 \le u_e/u_i \le 3.8$$

0.6
≤

u
e

/

u
i

≤
3.8

, density ratios

$$0.7 \le \rho _e/\rho _i \le 14.4$$

0.7
≤

ρ
e

/

ρ
i

≤
14.4

, and inner swirl levels

$$0.0 \le S_i \le 0.9$$

0.0
≤

S
i

≤
0.9

. This law may be used to facilitate the design of coaxial swirled injectors.
Retrofitting through the loss-Based Earthquake engineering
Authors: Gusella Federico , Bartoli Gianni
Published: November 2024

The novelty of the research is the development of closed-form equations to assess the effective capacity of retrofitting interventions to reduce the seismic risk of existing buildings. The goal of the proposed procedure is to provide decision-making in the context of the Loss-Based Earthquake Engineering, whose purpose is the reduction of the seismic risk, which is herein computed through a monetary loss. The procedure consists of specifying performance targets (e.g. acceptable monetary losses, capital to invest, reduction of expected annual loss) and deriving engineering parameters, specifically the target fragility curves to achieve the established performance target. The identification of required fragility curves, in turn, allows to identify proper retrofitting interventions to mitigate the expected seismic loss. The method allows for estimating the maximum reduction of the annual average loss and the recommended capital to invest, accounting for the actual cost of the retrofitting alternatives and the nominal life of the building. In addition, it can be used to identify the payback period. With the aim of promoting the design procedure in the common practice, an existing reinforced concrete moment-resisting frame, retrofitted with three strengthening methods, is explored as case-study.
Diagnostic performance of high and ultra-high-resolution photon counting CT for detection of coronary artery disease in patients evaluated for transcatheter aortic valve implantation
Authors: Sharma Simran P. , Verhemel Sarah , Hirsch Alexander , van der Bie Judith , Dijkshoorn Marcel L. , Daemen Joost , van Mieghem Nicolas , Budde Ricardo P. J.
Published: November 2024

We assessed the diagnostic performance of both ultra-high-resolution (UHR) and high-resolution (HR) modes of photon-counting detector (PCD)-CT within the confines of standard pre-TAVI CT scans, as well as the performance of UHR mode adjusted specifically for coronary imaging, using quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) as the reference. We included 60 patients undergoing pre-TAVI planning CT scans. Patients were divided into 3 groups: 20 scanned in HR mode, 20 in UHR mode, and 20 in adjusted UHR mode, on a dual-source PCD-CT. The adjusted UHR mode employed a lower tube voltage (90 kV vs. 120 kV) and a higher image quality level (65 vs. 34) to enhance coronary artery visualization. Patients underwent invasive coronary angiography as part of clinical routine. CCTA and QCA were reviewed to assess CAD presence defined as stenosis ≥ 50% in proximal and middle coronary segments. We included 60 patients (mean age 79 ± 7 years; 39(65%) men). Mean heart rate during scanning was 72 ± 13 bpm. Median coronary calcium score was 973 [379–2007]. QCA identified significant CAD in 24 patients (40%): 9 patients scanned with HR mode, 10 patients with the UHR mode, and 5 patients with the UHR adjusted mode. Per-patient area under the curves were 0.57 for HR, 0.80 for UHR, and 0.80 for adjusted UHR, with no significant differences between the scan modes, and per-vessel the area under the curves were 0.73 for HR, 0.69 for UHR, and 0.87 for adjusted UHR, with significant differences between UHR and adjusted UHR (p = 0.04). UHR and adjusted UHR modes of dual source PCD-CT show potential for improved sensitivity and negative predictive value for detecting CAD in patients undergoing pre-TAVI scans, however, no statistically significant difference from HR mode was observed.
An Abrupt Decline in Global Terrestrial Water Storage and Its Relationship with Sea Level Change
Authors: Rodell Matthew , Barnoud Anne , Robertson Franklin R. , Allan Richard P. , Bellas-Manley Ashley , Bosilovich Michael G. , Chambers Don , Landerer Felix , Loomis Bryant , Nerem R. Steven , O’Neill Mary Michael , Wiese David , Seneviratne Sonia I.
Published: November 2024

As observed by the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) and GRACE Follow On (GRACE-FO) missions, global terrestrial water storage (TWS), excluding ice sheets and glaciers, declined rapidly between May 2014 and March 2016. By 2023, it had not yet recovered, with the upper end of its range remaining 1 cm equivalent height of water below the upper end of the earlier range. Beginning with a record-setting drought in northeastern South America, a series of droughts on five continents helped to prevent global TWS from rebounding. While back-to-back El Niño events are largely responsible for the South American drought and others in the 2014–2016 timeframe, the possibility exists that global warming has contributed to a net drying of the land since then, through enhanced evapotranspiration and increasing frequency and intensity of drought. Corollary to the decline in global TWS since 2015 has been a rise in barystatic sea level (i.e., global mean ocean mass). However, we find no evidence that it is anything other than a coincidence that, also in 2015, two estimates of barystatic sea level change, one from GRACE/FO and the other from a combination of satellite altimetry and Argo float ocean temperature measurements, began to diverge. Herein, we discuss both the mechanisms that account for the abrupt decline in terrestrial water storage and the possible explanations for the divergence of the barystatic sea level change estimates.
Bridging the Digital Competence Gap: A Comparative Study of Preservice and In-Service Teachers in Lebanon Using the DigCompEdu Framework
Authors: Momdjian Levon , Manegre Marni , Gutiérrez-Colón Mar
Published: November 2024

This study investigates the digital competence levels of Lebanese preservice and in-service teachers using the European Framework for the Digital Competence of Educators (DigCompEdu). The research aims to explore the existing gap in digital competence between these two groups through a cross-sectional descriptive survey, involving 170 in-service teachers and 194 preservice teachers from various undergraduate teacher training programs in Lebanon. The findings reveal significant differences between in-service and preservice teachers in all six competence areas and no significant difference per subject areas, with in-service teachers demonstrating higher overall digital competence compared to preservice teachers. The study draws attention to the need for improved practical training and targeted interventions in teacher education programs to better prepare preservice teachers for the digital demands of modern classrooms. The findings have implications for policy and practice, particularly in enhancing teacher training programs to meet the evolving digital needs of education.
The Effects of Replacing Incarceration with Electronic Monitoring on Crime, Mortality, and Labor Market Exclusion
Authors: Al Weswasi Enes , Bäckman Olof
Published: November 2024

Objective

In recent decades, electronic monitoring (EM) has increasingly come to be used as an alternative to incarceration. However, EM’s long-term effects on offenders remain unclear, especially with regard to non-recidivism-related outcomes and reincarceration risks. This study focuses on the long-term impact of EM on recidivism, mortality, and labor market exclusion.

Method

The study utilizes administrative data, and focuses on a Swedish EM reform as a natural experiment with a difference-in-difference approach. The reform enabled offenders sentenced to up to six months’ imprisonment to serve their sentences under EM instead of in prison.

Results

The findings show that introducing the possibility to transform a prison stay to EM at home reduced 10-year reconviction and reincarceration rates. They also show that the reform had long-lasting decreasing effect on the likelihood of not being in education, employment, or training (NEET). The reform had, however, no effect on all-cause mortality or death by suicide. Heterogeneity analyses show that the effects are primarily driven by individuals who had a more stable labor market attachment prior to being sentenced to prison, which suggests that EM helps offenders sustain regular employment and that it decreases the criminogenic impact of labor market detachment.

Conclusion

In addition to reducing the costs associated with recidivism and labor market exclusion, the reduced incarceration costs associated with transforming prison sentences to EM indicate that EM has the potential to produce net savings from a societal perspective.
Treating the Psychological Distress in Children with Adventitious Blindness
Authors: Ede Moses Onyemaechi , Mawila Daphney , Onuigbo Liziana Nnenna , Victor-Aigbodion Vera
Published: November 2024

Less than half of those who need mental health counseling receive it globally, underscoring the urgent need for psychology-focused intervention. According to data, 30.9% of Nigerians experience psychological anguish. This study investigated the efficacy and moderators of group cognitive behaviour therapy in psychologically distressed schoolchildren with adventitious blindness in Nigeria. A total of 98 students with adventitious blindness were recruited and participated in this study. The participants were assessed at three points using Perceived Emotional Distress Inventory. A mixed model ANCOVA with repeated measures shows that the CBT treatment had a dependable significant effect in decreasing psychological distress. The results showed that sociodemographic factors do not significantly moderate the efficacy of CBT treatment on the reduction of psychological distress in schoolchildren with adventitious blindness. In conclusion, the effect of a group cognitive behavioural therapy had a consistent significant reduction in psychological distress and none of their sociodemographic characteristics moderated the effects. Therefore, cognitive-behavioural practitioners should collaborate with special schools to diagnose and provide CBT treatment to schoolchildren living with adventitious blindness.
The Perfect Storm: Artificial Intelligence, Financialisation, and Venture Legalism
Authors: Veitch Scott
Published: November 2024

This article analyses the limits of legal norms and institutions in holding to account the emerging power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning. It demonstrates how a symbiosis of capitalism and new forms of digital power is mutating to produce novel and dangerous styles of organised irresponsibility that go beyond the reach of conventional legal mechanisms. It draws on the work of Pashukanis, Baudrillard, and Alain Supiot to show how this transformation is taking place. Referring to the role of AI in the spread of Financial Technologies, it introduces a new term – ‘venture legalism’ – to describe how unprecedented risks are currently being created. It concludes by observing how ethical and democratic registers are equally implausible modes of accountability.
RUM leads to noise: the significance of finding the sources of variability between experimental runs
Authors: Vogrin Michael , Koten Jan Willem
Published: November 2024

Scientists typically run experiments many times to find general patterns over multiple specific runs. The results of those runs vary, and the variance is often simply referred to as “noise”. We claim that it is highly important to separate the components that contribute to noise and to recognize to which degree they contribute to it. Consideration of the relative contributions of R (randomness), U (uncontrolled variables), and M (measurement error) helps to interpret data and can help to improve experimental designs. We explain this using a hypothetical example and point out that assumptions of what causes variability in the results of experiments are often made implicitly. Further, we demonstrate our point by showing how it can change the interpretation of real data. Because of a lack of explicit discussion of underlying assumptions, it is possible that sources of noise are misidentified to be either existent or non-existent. This can happen if, for example, measurement error is assumed when there is none, an assumption that would mask a real effect that could deserve further study. Despite these factors, the contribution of different factors to the overall noise is rarely considered, hampering scientific progress.
Diagnosis and hormonal treatment of cystic ovaries associated with uterine disorders in Egyptian buffaloes: ultrasonography, histopathological and serological investigations
Authors: Hassan Mervat S. , Hashim Madeha Ahmed , Fayed Hayat , Ali Fatma Abo Zakaib
Published: November 2024

Cystic ovarian disease (COD) with uterine abnormalities is a postpartum reproductive pathology in Egyptian buffaloes causing significant economic losses. In this study, we aimed to employ various diagnostic methods for detecting cystic ovarian disease (COD) in Egyptian buffaloes. tour study assessed the effectiveness of the GnRH/PGF2α protocol as a treatment strategy. Our goal was to determine if this protocol could effectively reduce economic losses associated with cystic ovarian disease and improve herd fertility in Egyptian buffaloes. Eighty Egyptian buffalo cows were included in this study. They were identified to have follicular cysts through rectal examination, which was confirmed by ultrasonography. These buffaloes were then divided into two main groups: the COD Control (untreated) (GA) (n = 40) and COD group (GB) (n = 40) treated with GnRH/PGF2α. According to our immunological studies, buffaloes in the COD-treated group (GB) exhibited significantly lower serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α) compared to the control group. This observation was consistent with the decline in E2 levels and the increase in P4 levels (p < 0.01–0.001) observed in the treated animals compared to the untreated group. Furthermore, serum cortisol and glucose concentrations decreased in COD-treated buffaloes. Histopathological examination of ovaries and uterine tissue from slaughtered COD buffaloes has revealed significant structural alterations. These include the presence of ovarian cysts of varying sizes with vacuolar degeneration. Additionally, lymphoplasmacytic endometritis was observed in the uterine tissue of affected animals, featuring degeneration and desquamation of the endometrial lining accompanied by infiltration of mononuclear inflammatory cells. Severe and prolonged cases of COD, which did not respond to treatment, exhibited marked adverse pathological changes upon histopathological assessment of the genital tract. In conclusion, hormonal treatment with GnRH/PGF2α appears to be effective in treating COD-affected animals. The study provides valuable insights into the immunological, biochemical, and histopathological aspects of cystic ovaries associated with uterine disorders in Egyptian buffaloes, while also evaluating hormonal treatment for cystic ovarian disease as a means to minimize economic losses and improve herd fertility in this species.
Empowering model repair: a rule-based approach to graph repair without side effects—extended version
Authors: Lauer Alexander , Kosiol Jens , Taentzer Gabriele
Published: November 2024

Working with models can lead to inconsistencies, e.g., due to erroneous or contradictory actions during concurrent modeling processes. Modern modeling environments typically tolerate inconsistencies and support their detection. However, at a later stage of development, models are expected to be consistent, meaning their inconsistencies should be considered and resolved. The process of resolving model inconsistencies is commonly referred to as model repair. Our approach to model repair is semi-automatic in the sense that the repair tool computes appropriate repair plans and the modeler decides which path to take. The speciality of our approach is that the repair process can register any small improvement in the model. This allows the interaction with the user to be optimized, resulting in an approach with a high level of automation on the one hand and flexible configuration options on the other. The approach focuses on providing repair plans that do not have side effects, i.e., the computed repair plans do not inadvertently introduce a new inconsistency of already repaired constraints into the model. Since models often have a graph-like structure, we present our approach to model repair based on graphs. Our approach is completely formal—we use the algebraic graph transformation approach to prove its correctness. We also present a prototype implementation of our repair approach based on the Eclipse Modeling Framework and Henshin, a model transformation engine based on graph transformation, to perform the actual model repair. A first performance evaluation shows that graphs with up to 1000 nodes can be repaired in about 10 s.
Removal and elimination of pharmaceuticals in water using zeolites in diverse adsorption processes and catalytic advanced oxidation technologies—a critical review
Authors: Serna-Galvis Efraím A. , Arboleda-Echavarría Johana , Echavarría-Isaza Adriana , Torres-Palma Ricardo A.
Published: November 2024

Water pollution by pharmaceuticals is a current worrying environmental problem. Adsorption and catalytic processes using zeolites have been employed in several studies to remove/degrade pharmaceuticals from water. The interest of researchers in these two strategies based on the utilization of zeolites (i.e., adsorption and advanced oxidation technologies, AOT) is continuously growing. Then, this work presents a literature review, considering the origin of the zeolites (natural vs. synthetic) and the modifications of zeolites (e.g., the addition of surfactants) for the adsorption of diverse pharmaceuticals. The role of zeolites in catalytic ozonation, Fenton-based systems, and activation of peroxymonosulfate and peroxydisulfate is detailed. Also, the primary transformations of pharmaceuticals induced by these AOTs were examined. Moreover, the gaps regarding biodegradability and toxicity of the transformation products coming from the degradation of pharmaceuticals by the zeolites-based processes were discussed. To overcome the scarcity of information regarding the biodegradability and toxicity of the primary transformation products observed in the revised works, an initial approach to these topics, using a predictive tool, was made. Finally, from the present review, it was evidenced the need for future works involving zeolites that provide results about the simultaneous removal/elimination of multiple pharmaceuticals in complex matrices (e.g., hospital wastewater or municipal wastewater), new information about biodegradability and toxicity plus the development of combination or coupling of processes with other AOTs (e.g., sonochemistry) or classical systems (e.g., biological process).
Developments in Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance
Authors: Mcoyi M. P. , Mpofu K. T. , Sekhwama M. , Mthunzi-Kufa P.
Published: November 2024

Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) is a nanoscale phenomenon associated with noble metal nanostructures that has long been studied and has gained considerable interest in recent years. These resonances produce sharp spectral absorption and scattering peaks, along with strong electromagnetic near-field enhancements. Over the past decade, advancements in the fabrication of noble metal nanostructures have propelled significant developments in various scientific and technological aspects of LSPR. One notable application is the detection of molecular interactions near the nanoparticle surface, observable through shifts in the LSPR spectral peak. This document provides an overview of this sensing strategy. Given the broad and expanding scope of this topic, it is impossible to cover every aspect comprehensively in this review. However, we aim to outline major research efforts within the field and review a diverse array of relevant literature. We will provide a detailed summary of the physical principles underlying LSPR sensing and address some existing inconsistencies in the nomenclature used. Our discussion will primarily focus on LSPR sensors that employ metal nanoparticles, rather than on those utilizing extended, fabricated structures. We will concentrate on sensors where LSPR acts as the primary mode of signal transduction, excluding hybrid strategies like those combining LSPR with fluorescence. Additionally, our examination of biological LSPR sensors will largely pertain to label-free detection methods, rather than those that use metal nanoparticles as labels or as means to enhance the efficacy of a label. In the subsequent section of this review, we delve into the analytical theory underpinning LSPR, exploring its physical origins and its dependency on the material properties of noble metals and the surrounding refractive index. We will discuss the behavior of both spherical and spheroidal particles and elaborate on how the LSPR response varies with particle aspect ratio. Further, we detail the fundamentals of nanoparticle-based LSPR sensing. This includes an exploration of single-particle and ensemble measurements and a comparative analysis of scattering, absorption, and extinction phenomena. The discussion will extend to how these principles are applied in practical sensing scenarios, highlighting the key experimental approaches and measurement techniques.
ABC-Training for Alcohol Use During a Voluntary Abstinence Challenge: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Pan Ting , Szpak Veronica , Laverman Judith , Van Dessel Pieter , Bovens Rob , Larsen Helle , Wiers Reinout W.
Published: November 2024

The current study aimed to test the effectiveness of ABC-training in influencing drinking behaviors during voluntary abstinence challenges, compared with Approach Bias Modification (ApBM) and sham-ApBM. We conducted two randomized controlled trial studies with three between-subject conditions: ABC-training, conventional ApBM, and sham-ApBM. Assessments were conducted at baseline, midtest, and posttest and at 2-week, 3-month, and 6-month follow-ups. Participants were Dutch drinkers enrolled in the online abstinence challenge “IkPas” (Study 1: N = 261, mage = 57.47, SD = 10.01; Study 2: N = 319, mage = 55.65, SD = 10.81). Pre-registered outcomes included number of days abstinent and number of binge drinking days during the challenge and alcohol consumption at follow-ups. We found no significant difference in pre-registered outcomes between conditions. However, exploratory analysis revealed a higher success rate in abstinence during the challenge for participants who received ABC-training in both studies. Although ABC-training did not demonstrate significant effectiveness in changing pre-registered drinking behaviors compared with controls, exploratory findings suggest it enhanced success rates of abstinence during the challenge. Further research is needed to explore the generalizability of these results to broader populations, including clinical samples as well as people wanting to quit other addictions (e.g., smoking).
Navigating the Path to Inclusion: Understanding Barriers and Facilitators to Clinical Trial Participation Among Chinese Older Adults in the United States with Multimorbidity
Authors: Tarn Derjung M. , Liu Ruey-Ying , Pun Ting , Schwartz Janice B.
Published: November 2024

Context

Older adults with multimorbidity are underrepresented in clinical trials, with enrollment of Asians particularly low.

Objective

Understand perspectives of US Chinese older adults regarding clinical trial participation.

Study Design and Analysis

Focus group interviews analyzed using thematic analysis.

Setting

Community/senior centers, academic health systems in Northern and Southern California, and a nationwide registry of Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders.

Population Studied

Mandarin- and English-speaking Chinese adults aged ≥ 65 years with multimorbidity.

Outcome Measures

Themes related to barriers and facilitators of enrollment in clinical trials of medications.

Results

We conducted 12 focus groups: 7 with non-US-born and 5 with US-born Chinese older adults (n = 83 total). Mean age was 74 years (SD = 5.9), 43 (51.8%) were female, and 47 (56.6%) Mandarin-speaking. US-born participants had greater educational attainment than non-US-born participants. Participants took a mean of 6.1 prescriptions (SD = 1.5). Barriers to participation in clinical trials of medications included lack of awareness of/exposure for patients and community-based Chinese physicians, preference for natural/traditional medicine, risk aversion and safety concerns, desire for privacy, and inconvenience. Trusted influences included physicians, hospitals/health systems, Asian/Chinese community centers, and family (for non-US-born participants). Suggestions to enhance participation included using language and culturally concordant materials/personnel, educating community-based Chinese physicians about clinical trials, involving patient-trusted physicians in recruitment, promoting trials on conditions common in Chinese people or for an existing condition, and financial incentives. US-born participants expressed greater understanding and willingness to join trials. All groups attributed low clinical trial enrollment to non-US-born Chinese adults.

Conclusions

Chinese older adults perceived obstacles to clinical trial participation that could be mitigated by involving trusted physicians in recruitment, using language and culturally concordant materials/staff, and educating patients and community-based physicians. Recognition of differences in attitudes among US- and non-US-born Chinese people may be important to tailoring recruitment strategies.
Revisiting the Extension of SGTE Heat Capacity Data to Zero Kelvin: Combining Classical Fit Polynomials with Debye–Einstein Functions
Authors: Gamsjäger Ernst , Wiessner Manfred
Published: November 2024

It is demonstrated in this work that a four parameter Debye–Einstein integral is an excellent fitting function for heat capacity values of pure elements from zero Kelvin to room temperature provided that there are no phase transformations in this temperature range. The standard errors of the four parameters of the Debye–Einstein approach are provided. As examples the temperature dependent molar heat capacities of Fe, Al, Ag and Au are calculated in the temperature range from 0 to 300 K. Standard molar entropies, enthalpies and values of a molar Gibbs energy related function are derived from the molar heat capacities and the values are compared to literature data. The next goal focuses on a seamless transition of these low temperature heat capacities to SGTE (Scientific Group Thermodata Europe) unary data. This can be achieved by penalyzing deviations in the heat capacity values and in their temperature derivatives at the transition point. Whereas the constrained heat capacities of Fe and Al mimic the experimental data, the calculated values deviate considerably in case of Ag and Au. As an alternative a smooth transition in the heat capacities and the temperature derivative is achieved by a switch function employed close to the transition region.
Unravelling the distribution of mycorrhizal plants in the Colombian páramos
Authors: Diaz Maria Daniela , Leon Daniela , Peyre Gwendolyn
Published: November 2024

The tropicalpine páramo stands out as a unique biodiversity hotspot located in the northern Andes. Over the last decades, páramo plants and animals have been increasingly studied, yet a critical knowledge gap remains on their microbial ecology. Given the crucial importance of mycorrhiza in structural and functional communities, our study aimed to explore their geographic distribution in the Colombian páramos. Specifically, we used information about their host plants as a proxy and modelled their current distribution to unravel spatial patterns related to mycorrhizal status and mycorrhizal types. We constructed species distribution models for 440 vascular plant species representatives of the Colombian páramos using a combination of climatic and edaphic variables. Then we stacked the models following species classification into their mycorrhizal type: arbuscular, ectomycorrhizal, ericoid, orchid, and non-mycorrhizal. Our results suggest that the abundance of mycorrhizal species decreases with increasing elevation and in the west-to-east direction. The arbuscular type of mycorrhiza is chiefly dominant and spreads out widely throughout the Colombian páramos. The other types showed singular patterns, with (i) species having ericoid mycorrhiza being abundant in both the southern (Nariño–Putumayo) and the northern páramos (Sierra Nevada–Perijá); (ii) species with orchid mycorrhiza being abundant in the Western Cordillera and overall at low elevations, (iii) ectomycorrhizal species being absent, and (iv) non-mycorrhizal species being widely spread and reaching high elevations. Our study highlights the potentially high level of mycorrhization of this alpine system and contributes new spatial and environmental information towards a better understanding of mycorrhizal biogeography in tropical mountains.
To ride-hail or not to ride-hail? Complementarity and competition between public transit and transportation network companies through the lens of app data
Authors: Deng Hengfang , Castro Edgar , Gibbons Sage , de Benedictis-Kessner Justin , Wang Ryan Qi , O’Brien Daniel T.
Published: November 2024

Transportation Network Company (TNC) services have become a prominent factor in urban transportation in recent years, and there is an ongoing debate regarding their relationship with public transit. While many argue that TNCs draw passengers away from public transportation, others believe the two modes complement each other. However, due to the inadequate sample size of rider surveys as primary data sources, our understanding of how riders choose between these two modalities remains limited. This study uses nine months of trip planning data generated by the Transit App, which captures how travelers engage with multiple options in real time, including TNC and public transit services. We extract measures from Transit describing the travel options and the habits of each individual user for sessions in which the user “tapped” on one of these two modes, indicating consideration of it as an option. Machine learning models predict the likelihood of a rider tapping TNC based on features of the available public transit options and other contextual factors (e.g., time of day, weather conditions). The models find that these taps are driven by factors that highlight the convenience of TNC, such as the waiting time, walking distance, and the number of transfers for public transportation trips. We also find that the majority of TNC trips tapped by app users combine the two modes when using the Transit App, with TNC acting as a connection to or from public transit. These results provide detailed additional evidence for current arguments for both competition and complementarity between TNC and public transit from a population that uses an app to navigate public transit.
Acceleration and deceleration demands of different soccer training drills and competitive matches
Authors: Silva Hugo , Nakamura Fábio Yuzo , Bajanca Catarina , Serpiello Fabio R. , Pinho Gonçalo , Marcelino Rui
Published: November 2024

This study compared acceleration and deceleration demands between different training drills (compensation, rondos, small-sided games, technical) and matches, and between playing positions. Nineteen professional players were monitored during four microcycles. Efforts intensities were classified as low (25–50%), moderate (50–75%), and high (> 75%); starting speed was assessed in bandwidths (< 5 km h−1, 5–10 km h−1, 10–15 km h−1, 15–20 km h−1, 20–25 km h−1, and > 25 km h−1). Paired mean differences compared activities, and independent groups contrasts compared playing positions, with 90% confidence intervals. Match elicited more high-intensity accelerations than technical drills (effect size [ES]: 1.75 [1.40, 2.28]), rondos (ES: 1.47 [0.92, 2.17]), compensation drills (ES: 1.28 [0.66, 2.09]), and small-sided games (ES: 0.64 [0.11, 1.25]), and more high-intensity decelerations than technical drills (ES: 0.74 [0.24, 1.32]) and rondos (ES: 0.53 [0.04, 1.06]). Compensation drills elicited more decelerations starting > 25 km h−1 than small-sided games (ES: 2.90 [2.18, 3.98]), technical drills (ES: 2.88 [2.11, 4.02]), and matches (ES: 2.06 [1.35, 3.08]). Fullbacks performed more high-intensity accelerations than central midfielders during small-sided games (ES: 0.10 [0.01, 0.20]), wide midfielders performed more high-intensity accelerations than central defenders during technical drills (ES: 0.05 [0.02, 0.08]), and wide midfielders performed more decelerations starting > 25 km h−1 than central defenders (ES: 0.10 [0.01, 0.20]) and central midfielders (ES: 0.12 [0.04, 0.20]) during matches. Match imposed higher demands to players than any drill, and merging compensation drills with small-sided games can be a good strategy to compensate competition acceleration and deceleration demands. Rondos drills should be carefully used due to the high deceleration demands.
Optimizing the Allocation of Trials to Sub-regions in Crop Variety Testing with Multiple Years and Locations
Authors: Prus Maryna , Piepho Hans-Peter
Published: November 2024

Field experiments in crop variety testing are conducted in multiple environments. When the targeted growing area can be stratified into sub-regions (zones), a design problem arises regarding the number of trials to be performed in each sub-region. We propose an analytical solution and a computational approach for optimal allocation of trials to sub-regions in multi-environment crop variety testing for multi-year experiments. For our purpose, we use a linear mixed model and we determine allocations that are optimal for the prediction of pairwise linear contrasts of genotype effects. For computations, we use the OptimalDesign package. The analytical results are illustrated by a real data example.
‘Why can't people see or understand or make that effort to see who I am?’: documenting the experiences of low socioeconomic students at an elite tertiary institution through a social identity lens
Authors: Walker Sarah , Campbell Sai , Smyth Lillian , Platow Michael J. , Venville Grady , Willis Tania
Published: November 2024

For the first time, this study uses a social identity lens, to explore how one group of students reflect on their experience at an elite Australian higher educational institution (HEI). This qualitative research project invited undergraduate, domestic students who self-identified as being from a low-socioeconomic (low-SES) background to participate in a semi-structured interview exploring their experience of transition into university and the support they drew on to continue. We did this with the intent of focusing particularly on the social experience of these students to a) map contributors and challenges to sense of belonging in a setting where these students are catastrophically under-represented, and b) to examine if the international evidence that widening participation students do not benefit from social advancement at an elite institution are replicated in an Australian context, where social class is less openly acknowledged or discussed. The data documents the experience of 12 students from low-SES backgrounds at an elite university where only 4% of the undergraduate domestic student population (total population ~ 10,000) are from a low-socioeconomic background, but where the university provides access to high quality education, social networks and career opportunities. Participant narratives highlight a diversity of experiences and the wealth disparity that impacts individuals’ abilities and desires to engage and connect with the university community. For these students, support was often personal and came down to individuals and interpersonal relationships encouraging these students to continue, while the challenges were institutional, systemic and group-based.
A Dynamic Early Warning Model for Flash Floods Based on Rainfall Pattern Identification
Authors: Yuan Wenlin , Jing Bohui , Xu Hongshi , Tang Yanjie , Zhang Shuaihu
Published: November 2024

Flash floods are one of the most devastating natural hazards in mountainous and hilly areas. In this study, a dynamic warning model was proposed to improve the warning accuracy by addressing the problem of ignoring the randomness and uncertainty of rainfall patterns in flash flood warning. A dynamic identification method for rainfall patterns was proposed based on the similarity theory and characteristic rainfall patterns database. The characteristic rainfall patterns were constructed by k-means clustering of historical rainfall data. Subsequently, the dynamic flood early warning model was proposed based on the real-time correction of rainfall patterns and flooding simulation by the HEC-HMS (Hydrologic Engineering Center’s Hydrologic Modeling System) model. To verify the proposed model, three small watersheds in China were selected as case studies. The results show that the rainfall patterns identified by the proposed approach exhibit a high correlation with the observed rainfall. With the increase of measured rainfall information, the dynamic correction of the identified rainfall patterns results in corresponding flood forecasts with Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) exceeding 0.8 at t = 4, t = 5, and t = 6, thereby improving the accuracy of flash flood warnings. Simultaneously, the proposed model extends the forecast lead time with high accuracy. For rainfall with a duration of six hours in the Xinxian watershed and eight hours in the Tengzhou watershed, the proposed model issues early warnings two hours and three hours before the end of the rainfall, respectively, with a warning accuracy of more than 0.90. The proposed model can provide technical support for flash flood management in mountainous and hilly watersheds.
Disparities in Patient Portal Activation and Usage at a Large Pediatric Academic Institution
Authors: Chuang Ethan G. , Richardson Andrew C. , Boulil Zaineb , Kuelbs Cynthia L. , Huang Jeannie S.
Published: November 2024

Background and Objective

Access to personal medical information promotes patient understanding of health issues and enables patient self-advocacy of healthcare needs. The advent of electronic medical record systems and the 2016 21st Century CURES Act promoted and encouraged patient access to personal medical information, yet technology-dependent modalities have often disadvantaged certain communities. We sought to evaluate whether disparities existed in access to patient portals at our institution, the main pediatric care provider in an area serving one million children.

Methods

We evaluated the activation of patient portal accounts at our institution over the past decade (2010–2021). Portal activation data were analyzed by ethnic background and language preference and income information available based on primary home access location. Further, we evaluated portal activation rates over time and across institutional interventions. A logistic regression model was used to identify important demographic associations with portal account status.

Results

Over 1 million patients were served at our pediatric institution over the study period with 47.7% having ever activated their patient portals. Univariate analyses and ultimately logistic regression modeling demonstrated significant differences in portal activation by ethnicity (odds ratio (confidence interval):1.36 (1.34, 1.37)), language preference (1.39 (1.37, 1.40)), and median household income (1.00001 (1.00001, 1.00001)). Interim interventions were successful in improving portal activation rates.

Discussion

Overall, electronic medical record portal activation was less prevalent among Hispanic, non-English speakers, and patients living in communities with lower median household income.

Conclusion

Opportunities for interventions exist to reduce healthcare disparities in these underserved communities.
Difference distance magic oriented graphs
Authors: Altman Kathryn , Calzado Lauren , Freyberg Bryan , Kovář Petr , Lewis Emma , Marr Alison , Ross Lauren , Via Rowan
Published: November 2024

This article introduces difference distance magic (DDM) labelings, a new labeling on oriented graphs. We discuss basic properties of oriented graphs that have a DDM labeling and methods for constructing DDM labelings in a wide variety of oriented graph classes. We also give a variety of oriented graph classes that fail to produce a DDM labeling.