bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The dynamics of dynamic time warping in fMRI data: A method to capture inter-network stretching and shrinking via warp elasticity
Authors: Wiafe Sir-Lord , Faghiri Ashkan , Fu Zening , Miller Robyn , Preda Adrian , Calhoun Vince D.
Published: June 2024

In neuroimaging research, understanding the intricate dynamics of brain networks over time is paramount for unraveling the complexities of brain function. One approach commonly used to explore the dynamic nature of brain networks is functional connectivity analysis. However, while functional connectivity offers valuable insights, it fails to consider the diverse timescales of coupling between different brain regions. This gap in understanding leaves a significant aspect of brain dynamics unexplored in neuroimaging research. We propose an innovative approach that delves into the dynamic coupling/connectivity timescales of brain regions relative to one another, focusing on how brain region couplings stretch or shrink over time, rather than relying solely on functional connectivity measures. Our method introduces a novel metric called “warping elasticity,” which utilizes dynamic time warping (DTW) to capture the temporal nuances of connectivity. Unlike traditional methods, our approach allows for (potentially nonlinear) dynamic compression and expansion of the time series, offering a more intricate understanding of how coupling between brain regions evolves. Through the adaptive windows employed by the DTW method, we can effectively capture transient couplings within varying connectivity timescales of brain network pairs. In extensive evaluations, our method exhibits high replicability across subjects and diverse datasets, showcasing robustness against noise. More importantly, it uncovers statistically significant distinctions between healthy control (HC) and schizophrenia (SZ) groups through the identification of warp elasticity states. These states are cluster centroids, representing the warp elasticity across subjects and time, offering a novel perspective on the dynamic nature of brain connectivity, distinct from conventional metrics focused solely on functional connectivity. For instance, controls spend more time in a warp elasticity state characterized by timescale stretching of the visual domain relative to other domains, suggesting disruptions in the visual cortex. Conversely, patients show increased time spent in a warp elasticity state with stretching timescales in higher cognitive areas relative to sensory regions, indicative of prolonged cognitive processing of sensory input. Overall, our approach presents a promising avenue for investigating the temporal dynamics of brain network interactions in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data. By focusing on the elasticity of connectivity timescales, rather than adhering to functional connectivity metrics, we pave the way for a deeper understanding of neuropsychiatric disorders in neuroscience research.
Increasing hub disruption parallels dementia severity in autosomal
dominant Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Tu Jiaxin Cindy , Millar Peter R. , Strain Jeremy F. , Eck Andrew , Adeyemo Babatunde , Snyder Abraham Z. , Daniels Alisha , Karch Celeste , Huey Edward D. , McDade Eric , Day Gregory S. , Yakushev Igor , Hassenstab Jason , Morris John , Llibre-Guerra Jorge J. , Ibanez Laura , Jucker Mathias , Mendez Patricio Chrem , Perrin Richard J. , Benzinger Tammie L. S. , Jack Clifford R. , Betzel Richard , Ances Beau M. , Eggebrecht Adam T. , Gordon Brian A. , Wheelock Muriah D. ,   the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network
Published: June 2024

Hub regions in the brain, recognized for their roles in ensuring efficient information transfer, are vulnerable to pathological alterations in neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Computational simulations and animal experiments have hinted at the theory of activity-dependent degeneration as the cause of this hub vulnerability. However, two critical issues remain unresolved. First, past research has not clearly distinguished between two scenarios: hub regions facing a higher risk of connectivity disruption (targeted attack) and all regions having an equal risk (random attack). Second, human studies offering support for activity-dependent explanations remain scarce. We refined the hub disruption index to demonstrate a hub disruption pattern in functional connectivity in autosomal dominant AD that aligned with targeted attacks. This hub disruption is detectable even in preclinical stages, 12 years before the expected symptom onset and is amplified alongside symptomatic progression. Moreover, hub disruption was primarily tied to regional differences in global connectivity and sequentially followed changes observed in amyloid-beta positron emission tomography cortical markers, consistent with the activity-dependent degeneration explanation. Taken together, our findings deepen the understanding of brain network organization in neurodegenerative diseases and could be instrumental in refining diagnostic and targeted therapeutic strategies for AD in the future.
The Openness of Death: (Re)constructing Indigenous Identity in Post–martial Law Taiwan
Authors: Beswick Billy
Published: June 2024

This article presents a set of interrelated close readings of works by four Indigenous Taiwanese cultural producers—the Puyuma writer Sun Dachuan, the Atayal painter Anli Genu, the Truku sculptor Labay Eyong, and the Atayal director Laha Mebow. I discuss the important symbolic role Taiwan’s Indigenous population has played in the development of a Taiwanese national imaginary and how this has affected Indigenous cultural expression. I argue that rather than trying to root out the improper intrusion of this ‘outside’ force into Indigenous cultural life, the works of these four cultural producers instead show how Indigenous identity can flourish through an honest navigation of the relationship brought about by that intrusion. They present an understanding of Indigenous identity in Taiwan as convoluted and changing, never fully in possession of itself but not any less authentic for that. My theorisation of this builds on Sun Dachuan’s notion of ‘the openness of death’, which he uses to highlight the need for Indigenous culture to transform itself in dynamic relation to the wider context in which it is embedded.
Review of the brevicollis group of the genus Geodromicus Redtenbacher, 1857 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Anthophagini)
Authors: SHAVRIN ALEXEY V.
Published: June 2024

The brevicollis species group of the genus Geodromicus Redtenbacher, 1857 is reviewed. All three Western Palaearctic species of the group, including G. alborzensis sp. n. (North Iran: Alborz Mts.), G. brevicollis Fauvel, 1875 (Caucasus, north-eastern Turkey, north-western Iran) and G. transversus Motschulsky, 1860 (Caucasus) are(re-) described and illustrated. The following new synonymies are established: Geodromicus Redtenbacher, 1857 = Brachydromicus Bordoni, 1993 syn. n., G. brevicollis = G. jarrigeanus Fagel, 1976 syn. n., = G. jarrigeanus ziganensis Coiffait, 1978 syn. n., = G. armeniacus Iablokoff-Khnzorian, 1989 syn. n., and G. transversus = G. flavipes Motschulsky, 1860 syn. n. The following synonymies previously established by Iablokoff-Khnzorian (1989) are confirmed: G. brevicollis = G. latiusculus Eppelsheim, 1878, = G. constricticollis Eppelsheim, 1890. A lectotype of G. constricticollis is designated. A key to species and distributional maps of all species are provided. Two species represent new country records: G. brevicollis for Azerbaijan and Iran, and G. transversus for Georgia and Armenia.
Type catalogue of the Orthoptera collection in the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, Tel Aviv University, Israel
Authors: HUSEMANN MARTIN , GUERSHON MOSHE , WEINSTEIN AMIR , DORCHIN NETTA
Published: June 2024

Types represent the most important specimens in natural history museums as they define a species and should usually be studied within the framework of revisions and new taxon descriptions, hence their documentation is of high importance. Orthoptera is a medium-size order of insects, but its members are important in many food chains as herbivores and as food for other animals. While the documentation of types in Orthoptera is overall very good thanks to the Orthoptera Species File site, there are still many gaps that need to be filled. The Steinhardt Museum of Natural History in Tel Aviv University holds an interesting collection of orthopterans with a focus on local endemics, which have not or only incompletely been documented in the past. Here, we provide a complete annotated catalogue of the 136 type specimens belonging to 29 orthopteran species in the Museum (SMNHTAU, historically TAU), consisting of 21 holotypes and 115 paratypes. The types of Gryllotalpa tali and Myrmecophilus wahrmani, which should be in the collection according to their original descriptions, were not found despite thorough research, and must be considered lost. This catalogue is an important resource for studies on the local fauna as well as for Orthoptera taxonomic research in general.
Against the Tide: The Counter-Repression Strategies of Sea Rescue Organizations in the Mediterranean
Authors: Alagna Federico , Cusumano Eugenio
Published: June 2024

Since 2017, Italian authorities have repressed nongovernmental sea rescuers operating in the Mediterranean Sea. These repressive practices have been enacted irrespective of the ideological orientation of the governments in office, but have evolved over time. The strategies devised by civil society organizations to resist repression have adapted accordingly, encompassing a range of activities such as the dissemination of counternarratives aimed at desecuritizing migration, the establishment of alliances with sympathetic state actors, the reflagging or replacement of the ships used for rescue operations, and engagement in legal mobilization. This article examines how the repressive practices of the Italian government and the counter-repression actions of civil society organizations influenced one another from 2017 to 2023. We show that although governmental repression reduced civil society’s rescue operations, the organizations’ ability to adapt and engage in counter-repression strategies has ensured the continuation of their lifesaving activities.
Changes in the nature and outcome of notifications to HM Coroner from the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, UK, before and after the introduction of a medical examiner service: 2018 versus 2022
Authors: Payne-James Jason , Parapanos Louise , Bosworth Tim , Virdone Saverio , Fry Jes , Lake Jacqueline
Published: June 2024

A medical examiner (ME) system was introduced to England and Wales in 2019 intended to ensure appropriate notification of cases to HM Coroner (HMC). The aim of the study is to determine and compare: (a) the nature of notifications to HMC for Norfolk from the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) in 2018 compared with 2022; (b) to determine the outcome of those notifications and (c) to establish patterns of change in the number and nature of such notifications. HMC and ME datasets were interrogated to determine differences between notifications to HMC and outcomes in 2018 compared with 2022. From deaths at NNUH (2018 – n  =  2605; 2022 – n  =  2969), there were significantly fewer HMC notifications in 2022 compared with 2018 (25.3% vs. 17.6%). A decrease in notifications was noted for persons undergoing any ‘treatment or procedure of a medical or similar nature’ (24.0% vs. 16.2%) p < 0.0014. An increase in notifications was noted for neglect, including self-neglect (3.3% vs. 12.2%) p < 0.001. Of the coronial outcomes, there were significant increases in the numbers of post-mortem (PM) examinations (29.3% vs. 35.5%) p  =  0.0276 and inquests (26.0% vs. 31.4%) p  =  0.0485). There was a significant decrease in no further action by HMC (5.7 vs. 2.3) p  =  0.0485. The study shows that the introduction of the medical examiner service has resulted in significant change in the nature of HMC notification categories. The notifications appear to be more appropriate, with an increased proportion of inquests and PM examinations and with a reduction in 100 A or ‘no further action’ outcomes.
Research on strain testing method and accuracy evaluation of spacecraft in heat and force field
Authors: Zang Bo , Zhang Baokang , Liu Yuhan , Zhou Guodong , Yan Huyi , Hou Yu
Published: June 2024

Ground experimentation is an important method to verify the performance and quality of spacecraft structures. How to simulate the force and heat fields that a spacecraft may be subjected to during flight is a challenge for experiment design. In this paper, the static strength experimental method of spacecraft in the combined force and heat fields is studied. Furthermore, the coupling cases of the spacecraft during the flight process are simulated using an airbag and a resistive heater. Finally, it can be concluded that the accuracy of the proposed experimental method as well as the structural strength of the spacecraft can meet technical requirements during flight.
Today’s Adolescents Are More Satisfied With Being Single: Findings From a German Cohort-Sequential Study Among 14- to 40-Year-Olds
Authors: Gonzalez Avilés Tita , Bühler Janina Larissa , Brandt Naemi D. , Neyer Franz J.
Published: June 2024

In Western societies, singlehood has become increasingly normative over historical time. But whether singles are more satisfied nowadays remains unclear. In this preregistered cohort-sequential study, we analyzed data from 2,936 German participants ( M = 21.01 years, SD = 7.60 years) from different birth cohorts. Singlehood satisfaction and life satisfaction were reported annually at two different time periods (2008-2011 and 2018-2021). This design allowed us to compare earlier-born and later-born singles during adolescence (14-20 years), emerging adulthood (24-30 years), and established adulthood (34-40 years). Results from multilevel growth-curve models indicated that adolescent singles born in 2001 to 2003 (vs. 1991-1993) were more often single and more satisfied with singlehood. No cohort-related differences emerged among emerging and established adults. Younger age and lower neuroticism predicted higher satisfaction, regardless of birth cohort. The results highlight the importance of considering both societal and individual factors to understand singles’ satisfaction.
A Lasting Model for Change: How the Lean Startup Was Born
Authors: Blank Steve
Published: June 2024

In this short essay, Steve Blank describes his personal experiences and his role in founding the Lean Startup movement.
How to do things with “the Fact of Reason”: A new interpretation of a well-known concept in Kant’s philosophy
Authors: Tong Shijun
Published: June 2024

There have been numerous studies on Kant’s concept of the ‘Fact of Reason’, drawing on various intellectual resources, ranging from metaphysics to psychology, from Aristotle to Mencius, from analytic philosophy to phenomenology, and beyond. How should we evaluate these studies? Is it possible that these studies can contribute both to an understanding of Kantian philosophy and to an understanding of Western philosophy as a whole, as well as shed light on the development of philosophy after Kant and on the philosophical questions of our own era? In order to at least partially clarify the above questions, this article will draw on the work of philosohers such as Karl-Otto Apel, Jürgen Habermas, C.I. Lewis, Jin Yuelin and Feng Qi, and discuss how certain presuppositions of communicative action can be both regulative and constitutive, how the same propositions can be both empirical and a priori, how the same concepts can both describe reality and regulate it, and how the ‘Fact of Reason’ can be understood as the ‘Fact of Learning’, in order to offer a new interpretation of Kant’s concept of the ‘Fact of Reason’.
The influence of traction speed on the microstructure and properties of vacuum horizontal continuous casting Cu–5Fe–0.15Sn alloy
Authors: An Guihuan , Xu Xianglong , Wang Lanhao , Guo Chengjun , Hu Qichao , Yuan Dawei , Chen Jinshui , Yang Bin
Published: June 2024

The Cu–5Fe–0.15Sn alloy was prepared using the vacuum horizontal continuous casting method, followed by comprehensive microstructural analysis using optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results highlight a significant impact of traction speed on both microstructure and properties. As traction speed increases, there is a notable reduction in the size of primary Fe phases, leading to a more uniform distribution of Fe phases. Initially, hardness experiences an increase followed by a subsequent decrease, while electrical conductivity exhibits an inverse trend. The dendritic and globular Fe phases undergo a transition into Fe fibres following multi-stage deformation heat treatment. Furthermore, the Fe fibres and precipitated Fe phases exhibit smaller, denser, and more uniformly distributed characteristics with increasing traction speed. At a traction speed of 0.15 m/min, the Cu–5Fe–0.15Sn alloy showcases peak tensile strength and electrical conductivity values of 826 MPa and 67% IACS, respectively. These values surpass those attained through other traction processes, indicating superior overall performance of the alloy fabricated at a traction speed of 0.15 m/min.
Understanding the physics of eigenvalue-eigenfunction problems: Rotating beam problem
Authors: Pakdemirli Mehmet
Published: June 2024

Eigenvalue-eigenfunction problems frequently appear in many physical areas. Some mathematical experience is needed to identify whether the differential system is an eigenvalue-eigenfunction problem or not. Apart from the mathematical nature of the problem, the eigenvalue-eigenfunction solutions have physical interpretations which have to be addressed properly for real problems. The rotating beam problem is treated to exploit the mathematical and physical nature of such problems and the conditions to divert from the eigenvalue-eigenfunction problem. The rotation of a beam about its symmetry axis along its length and about another axis parallel to its symmetry axis changes the nature of the problem. While the former is an eigenvalue-eigenfunction problem, the latter is not. The interpretations of the physical consequences of the solutions are discussed in detail. The problem can be used as supplementary material in undergraduate courses such as differential equations, mechanics and dynamics.
The Instruction of a Man for His Son in Finland (O. SES 23)
Authors: Christiansen Thomas , Autere Kaisa , Bueno Guardia Miriam , Salmenkivi Erja , Sola Hanna , Tambs Lena , Wasmuth Melanie
Published: June 2024

This short article is the publication of a hieratic ostracon (O. SES 23) from the Ramesside Period in the collection of the Finnish Egyptological Society that preserves parts of the title, the exordium, and the first paragraph of The Instruction of a Man for His Son. The provenance and the exact acquisition history of the ostracon are unknown, but indirect evidence suggests that it derives from Deir el-Medina and was acquired in Luxor by the late Professor of Egyptology in Finland, Rostislav Holthoer, in the early 1970s. A textual variant in line three, also attested in another ostracon from Deir el-Medina, suggests that the first paragraph of the composition does not juxtapose the life of a scribe with that of a farmer, as is commonly believed, but instead with that of a soldier.

[Formula: see text]
Influence of research collaboration on research excellence in Kenya
Authors: Onyancha Omwoyo Bosire
Published: June 2024

This study sought to examine the extent to which research collaboration has influenced research productivity and impact in Kenya, the latter two being critical indicators of research excellence. The relevant data was extracted from Elsevier’s SciVal analytical tool. Descriptive statistics and correlation and regression analyses were used to analyse the data. The study’s findings reveal that Kenya’s research is highly collaborative; collaboration varied across 27 research fields; university–industry collaboration is on the rise, albeit slowly; and international collaboration accounts for over 80% of co-authored papers in Kenya. The study found a significant link between research collaboration and research productivity, on the one hand, and research collaboration and impact, on the other. Given the findings, the conclusion can be made that research collaboration influences research excellence in Kenya and, as such, strategies should be put in place to safeguard the gains made, while harnessing further research collaboration initiatives to enhance research excellence in the country.
Detection and Classification of Lanes Using Reannotated Lane Dataset to Aid Autonomous Driving
Authors: TS Rajalakshmi , R Senthilnathan
Published: June 2024

The core functionality of advanced driver assistance systems and self-driving cars depends on the ability to recognize drivable road areas. As there are many different categories of useful markings incorporated within the road area, lane detection and classification form a major step for taking appropriate actions leading to truly autonomous driving. Existing datasets do not provide ample classification of lane types and adequate granularity for precise localization of lane markings. A new dedicated dataset for semantic segmentation of 11 varied lane types obtained by reannotating the BDD100K dataset is presented. The reannotation process involves pixel-level lane markings of 76,000 image instances of the BDD100K dataset, which were originally represented as a sequence of coordinate points. This opens up the possibility of high resolution both spatially and semantically in the context of lane understanding for autonomous driving. Baseline results on the proposed dataset based on the Bilateral Segmentation Network (BiSeNetV2), which considers the spatial data and the categorical semantics distinctly, are presented. The performance is pinned at 85% accuracy during testing using BiSeNetV2 architecture. The dataset is expected to open up new directions of research to address problems such as severe class imbalance, segmentation of multiple classes of texture-less and eccentric features (lanes), and so forth. As a result, applications such as lane-centric activity interpretation, future event prediction, and continuous learning are expected.
Thermo-mechanical performance characteristics of glass reinforced HDPE composites: A comprehensive review
Authors: Wimalasuriya Lasan , Gunasekara Chamila , Robert Dilan , Setunge Sujeeva , Yang Rebecca
Published: June 2024

Millions of tonnes of plastic and glass waste is produced worldwide, with only a limited quantity being recycled with the majority ending up in landfill, our oceans or in stockpiles. Even though current applications exist for recycled glass and plastic, there is still a need to introduce recyclate to different industries. This review presents an investigation aimed at mechanical and thermal property improvements by the incorporation of reinforcement material into a polymeric matrix. The performance of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and glass composites manufactured with different levels of glass, additives and surface treatments have been evaluated by analysing several past investigations. The critical parameters influencing the mechanical and thermal performance of HDPE-Glass composites were identified to be the type of reinforcement, glass content, additives utilised, and the different manufacturing methods employed. Optimised mix designs proposed by researchers have been analysed along with reaction mechanisms. This review has identified a composite material to be further refined and optimised with the potential to be improved by integrating reclaimed waste to manufacture composites by promoting a zero-waste economy. Improvements in tensile strength up to 71% can be observed with the implementation of 20% by weight of glass reinforcement in HDPE composites. The use of maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (MAgPE) as a compatibilizer facilitates the stress transfer between the two phases by improving their bonding with tensile and flexural strength increments up to 85% and 25%, respectively. This review is a valuable resource for future researchers as it identifies crucial research gaps in HDPE-Glass composite manufacturing and synthesises key findings in existing literature.
Influence of surface activated nanophase Pr6O11 particles on the physio-chemical and tribological characteristics of SAE20W40 automotive lubricant
Authors: Balaram T Srikara , Muralidharan K , Akhilesh UGS , Pranav N , Akash P , Vignesh R Vaira , Senthilkumar R , Saiyathibrahim A , Suyambulingam Indran , Siengchin Suchart
Published: June 2024

In this study, the formulation of nano lubricants is undertaken through the utilization of SAE20W40 engine oil and surface-activated praseodymium oxide (Pr6O11). An analysis is conducted on the impact of concentration profile (0.1, 0.3, 0.5 wt.%) on various physio-chemical properties, including stability, viscosity, fire and flash point, calorific value, acid value, and iodine value of the nano lubricants. The wear rate and coefficient of friction are determined through the utilization of a pin-on-disc tribometer for all the synthesized nano lubricants. A comprehensive examination on the attributes of the synthesized nano lubricants is presented by means of informative images and graphs obtained from SEM, EDS, TEM, FT-IR, UV-Vis, and DSC. It is revealed that the lubricant oil containing 0.3 wt.% of Pr6O11 demonstrates superior performance when compared to the base lubricant.
Assessing Productivity Dynamics in the Indian Pharmaceutical Industry: A Comparative Analysis of the Foreign and the Domestic Ownership Influences
Authors: Dhanora Madan , Danish Mohd Shadab
Published: June 2024

This study investigates the impact of competition (foreign vs. domestic) on the total factor productivity of domestic firms. We used two specific indicators to measure foreign and domestic competition in the Indian pharmaceutical industry: market shares and The Herfindahl-Hirschman Index, constructed for a five-digit NIC level, highlighting the intensity of product-level competition. The Levinsohn and Petrin methods calculate the total factor productivity, and dynamic panel data estimators are applied to estimate the model. The research findings indicate that foreign presence has a notable and statistically significant influence on the productivity levels of domestic firms. In contrast, the impact of domestic competition is found to be inconsequential. This research addresses the policy debate by providing convincing evidence that the existence of Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) can increase local business productivity through knowledge spillovers and competitiveness.
A current comprehensive role of immune-checkpoint inhibitors in resectable non-small cell lung cancer: A narrative review
Authors: Efil Safa Can , Bilgin Burak , Ceylan Furkan , Karakaş Hilal , Karahan İrfan , Özsan Sema Nur , Kosku Hakan , Yaman Şebnem , Bülent Akıncı Muhammed , Dede Didem Şener , Yalçın Bülent , Nahit Şendur Mehmet Ali
Published: June 2024

Objective

The objective of this article is to review the efficacy, safety, and evidence for current use and potential future uses of immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in the management of resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Data sources

A literature review was carried out through PubMed to identify completed and ongoing clinical trials evaluating the use, efficacy, and safety of ICIs in the management of resectable NSCLC.

Data summary

To date, four phase 3 trials have emerged that have changed our treatment practice concerning the utilization of ICIs during the adjuvant and neoadjuvant settings. The IMpower010 and KEYNOTE-091 trials examined the application of adjuvant atezolizumab and pembrolizumab, respectively, following surgical resection and adjuvant chemotherapy. In the CheckMate 816 trial, the combination of nivolumab and chemotherapy as a neoadjuvant therapy received approval for patients with resectable NSCLC. Also, for patients with resectable NSCLC, the use of a pembrolizumab and chemotherapy combination as a perioperative therapy received approval based on the results of the KEYNOTE-671 trial. Apart from these trials, there are numerous phase 2 and phase 3 trials, some of which have been published while others are still in progress.

Conclusion

Despite the promising outcomes from these trials there remain several unanswered questions. In this review, we will assess clinical trials involving adjuvant, neoadjuvant, and perioperative ICIs, aiming to address the unresolved questions related to these therapeutic approaches.
Must The Show Go On? A Qualitative Study Exploring Barriers And Enablers To Manual Therapists’ Care Of Dancers
Authors: Andrade Paula , Thomson Oliver P.
Published: June 2024

Introduction:

Dance Medicine is a growing discipline, and healthcare for dancers requires appreciating particularities of their artistic craft. Manual therapists (MTs) are often dancers’ first choice when seeking care. Whilst dancers’ experiences of injury and healthcare have been extensively researched, little is known of MTs’ perspectives of caring for them.

Aim:

This study aimed to gain an understanding of MTs’ perspectives of caring for dancers. Communication, treatment strategies and obstacles to a successful therapeutic alliance were examined to broaden knowledge and improve care.

Methods:

This was a qualitative study using Grounded Theory as a framework for data collection and analysis. A purposive sample of 8 participants was recruited—physiotherapists, chiropractors, and osteopaths with 2+ years’ experience of treating dancers. Data collection was conducted via semi-structured interviews, which were transcribed verbatim, anonymized, member checked, and later analyzed.

Results:

Data analysis constructed 3 categories which described the range of participants’ experiences. Two categories were identified—(i) A Strangled Industry and (ii) Be-all End-all Patients—and found to culminate in a core category: (iii) Beyond Hands-on, which exemplified MTs’ attempts to address clinical challenges.

Conclusions:

MTs experience several challenges when providing healthcare to dancers. These encompass psychosocial aspects relating to dancers’ internal world and the dance industry environment. It suggests that caring for dancers demands comprehensive, collaborative, and psychologically informed approaches. Emphasis should also be given to developing and implementing dance-specific pain science for all stakeholders.
Radius-Maumenee syndrome-associated glaucoma, a therapeutic challenge: A case report
Authors: Lavaris Anastasios , Petrushkin Harry , Nikita Eleni
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Radius-Maumenee syndrome is a rare cause of open-angle glaucoma, secondary to elevated episcleral venous pressure (EVP) without any orbital or systemic abnormalities.

Case presentation

We present a case of a male patient in his mid-sixties, who presented with bilateral dilated episcleral vessels, bilateral glaucoma, chorioretinal folds in both maculae and choroidal effusion in his left eye. Our case highlights the differentials that should be considered and the systematic investigations that should be performed. We describe the clinical, optical coherence tomography and angiography findings of this patient and propose a potential pathophysiological mechanism leading to the propensity for perioperative complications.

Conclusion

Radius-Maumenee syndrome should be a diagnosis of exclusion. Secondary glaucoma can remain refractory to medical treatment and filtering surgery carries the risk intra-operative or post-operative uveal effusions.
Stories with the terrain, stories with the ice: Storytelling as a socio-material practice
Authors: Kotašková Eva
Published: June 2024

This article argues for the importance of understanding storytelling as a socio-material practice growing from engagements with the environment and its constituents. Based on an ethnography of guided tours on Svalbard, the article reveals how storytelling arises from encounters and engagements with particular constituents of the environment, such as terrain or ice, as well as from bodily experiences such as walking, feeling, touching, looking or (not) hearing. The practice of storytelling then shifts looking at and receiving information about something to seeing and knowing it through embodied experience – a shift that is, however, limited by incommensurable temporalities of diverse constituents of the environment. Storytelling as a practice thus contains not only verbal information about miners or (glacier) ice but also arises from and shapes the ways of being with (constituents of) the environment, knowing them and seeing them. Consequentially, relations between the tour group and the terrain, ice or weather elements that are emerging, are all a configurative part of the socio-material practice of storytelling.
Psychological behavioral therapies to improve autistic children’s behaviors during dental visits: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Pui Ying Lam Phoebe , Hoi Wan Fok Elise , Tung Megan Chan Yuen , Ming Leung Chung , McGrath Colman Patrick , Kar Yung Yiu Cynthia
Published: June 2024

This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of psychological behavioral therapies to improve behaviors of autistic children during dental visits. Screening, data extraction, risk-of-bias assessment, and evaluation of certainty of evidence were performed by two independent reviewers. Eighteen studies were ultimately included. On average 56% (95% confidence interval, 33.95–78.29) and 64% (95% confidence interval 47.24–81.80) of autistic children can cooperate with dental examination with an oral mirror in the first and second visits, respectively. Visual pedagogy did not improve the proportion of autistic children who can accept dental examinations. Inconsistent results were also identified for Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication-handicapped CHildren, Picture Exchange Communication System, Applied Behavior Analysis, video modeling, distractions, and other conventional behavioral management techniques. Many studies were of small sample size, lacked a control group, did not account for autism spectrum disorder severity, comorbidities, previous dental experience or other confounders, and had a high risk of bias. The evidence supporting the use of psychoeducation techniques to improve the dental experience of autistic children is limited and of very low certainty. Further research with larger scale studies and appropriate control groups is needed to enhance the certainty of evidence in this field.

Lay abstract

This research review looked at how well different psychological behavioral therapies help improve the behavior of autistic children during dental visits. The researchers studied 18 different studies and found that, on average, about 56% of autistic children were able to cooperate with a dental exam using an oral mirror during their first visit. The number increased to about 64% during their second visit. However, using visual pedagogies or teaching aids did not seem to make a big difference in how many children could accept the dental exams. The results for other psychological behavioral techniques were also inconsistent, including Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication-handicapped CHildren, Picture Exchange Communication System, Applied Behavior Analysis, video modeling, and distractions. Many of the studies were small and did not include a comparison group. They also did not consider factors like how severe the autism was, other conditions the children had, or their previous dental experiences. Because of these limitations, the evidence supporting the use of psychological behavioral techniques to improve dental visits for autistic children is limited and uncertain. More research with larger studies and proper control groups is needed to better understand this topic.
Multi-criteria decision analysis method for differential diagnosis of tropical febrile diseases
Authors: Asuquo Daniel E. , Attai Kingsley F. , Johnson Ekemini A. , Obot Okure U. , Adeoye Olufemi S. , Akwaowo Christie Divine , Ekpenyong Nnette , Isiguzo Chimaobi , Ekanem Uwemedimbuk , Motilewa Olugbemi , Dan Emem , Umoh Edidiong , Ekpin Victory , Uzoka Faith-Michael E.
Published: June 2024

This paper employs the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to enhance the accuracy of differential diagnosis for febrile diseases, particularly prevalent in tropical regions where misdiagnosis may have severe consequences. The migration of health workers from developing countries has resulted in frontline health workers (FHWs) using inadequate protocols for the diagnosis of complex health conditions. The study introduces an innovative AHP-based Medical Decision Support System (MDSS) incorporating disease risk factors derived from physicians’ experiential knowledge to address this challenge. The system’s aggregate diagnostic factor index determines the likelihood of febrile illnesses. Compared to existing literature, AHP models with risk factors demonstrate superior prediction accuracy, closely aligning with physicians’ suspected diagnoses. The model’s accuracy ranges from 85.4% to 96.9% for various diseases, surpassing physicians’ predictions for Lassa, Dengue, and Yellow Fevers. The MDSS is recommended for use by FHWs in communities lacking medical experts, facilitating timely and precise diagnoses, efficient application of diagnostic test kits, and reducing overhead expenses for administrators.
Dynamic modeling of a synchronous reluctance machine for transient simulation of vibrations under variable rotor magnetization
Authors: Hermle Mario , Kesten Julius , Doppelbauer Martin , Eberhard Peter
Published: June 2024

This work introduces a new approach for the dynamic simulation of a permanent magnet-assisted synchronous reluctance machine with the ability to consider dynamic changes in the rotor magnetization. The aim is to comprehensively analyze the dynamics of a machine through transient simulations of the occurring magnetic and mechanical forces that influence the noise and vibration characteristics. A simplified magnetic model considering the effects of magnetic reluctances, leakage flux, and magnetic saturation is utilized to efficiently calculate the dynamically changing magnetic forces in the air gap. Unlike conventional designs employing rare earth magnets in the rotor, the design at hand utilizes non-rare earth magnets that enable adjustments of the magnets’ flux output. The novelty of the presented approach lies in its ability to consider these dynamic changes when calculating the air gap flux. The magnetic forces are then applied to an elastic multibody model of the motor, which includes the rotor, stator, bearings, and the housing, for the computation of the bearing forces and housing deformations. The presented multi-physical model allows for transient simulations of the forces acting on the bearings and the housing, capturing the dynamic response of the motor under varying rotor magnetization, air gaps, and loads. With the proposed approach, this study offers predictions regarding critical vibration characteristics that occur during dynamic operation, providing valuable insights for noise reduction efforts.
Contradictions at work: Navigating relational autonomy and caste in Delhi, India
Authors: Raphael Riya
Published: June 2024

Ethnographic insights into people’s working lives can help us envision social policy to build dignified workspaces. This article explores the interlinkages between work and social protection, by drawing attention to two dimensions of pheriwale’s everyday working lives: first, how they relate to their work, and second, how they are situated within the Indian welfare context. Pheriwale are a group of traders in Delhi, India, who collect and sell secondhand/used-clothes. Like much of the Indian workforce, pheriwale’s work is classified as ‘informal’, since they remain outside social security tied to formal employment, they largely rely on irregular flow of income and primarily belong to the lower-caste groups. Low-income groups in India are entitled to various welfare schemes; however, accessing and receiving these welfare benefits may not always be consistent or dependable. In Delhi, pheriwale have been trading used/secondhand clothes for almost a century and they are one of the visibly women-dominated trading groups in the city. This article builds on four months of qualitative fieldwork at pheriwale’s marketplace in West Delhi, between 2017 and 2019. By following pheriwale’s work experiences through the conceptual lens of relational autonomy, this study highlights two key findings. First, due to the nature of self-employment, pheriwale shared how they have relative control of time and energy in their working routines. Second, in the face of an unreliable welfare state, pheriwale rely on building familial means of social protection to sustain lives.
For an ethics of generosity: Values for ethnography in a time of regulatory ethics
Authors: Atkinson Paul , Cataldi Silvia , Wästerfors David
Published: June 2024

The paper recommends a values-driven regeneration of research ethics for ethnography. In contrast to the current regulatory version of research ethics we propose a more subtle, field-oriented and traditional version, grounded in ethnographic experience. The paper is in three parts. The first part highlights the tacit assumptions of current systems of ethical approval for social research and their unintended and even perverse effects. Ethnography is the focus of the second part, where we highlight the distinctive issues for ethnographic research of current practice. In the final part we argue for a culture of ethnographic work grounded in an ethnographic understanding of social conduct and an ethic of generosity. Defined as a key-value for social sensitivity, this implies abandoning a procedural logic in favour of a values-based research culture faithful to the spirit of ethnographic and qualitative inquiry.
Get old or die trying: Longevity justice in social insurance
Authors: Valente Manuel Sá
Published: June 2024

Of all the risks we face in life, ranging from unemployment to old age, early death is among the most tragic and yet most neglected by modern states. Liberal egalitarians might find it easy to dismiss social insurance against early death, but I argue they should not. Early in this paper, I explain why social insurance should include the risk of premature death by replying to four common criticisms. What follows is a case for a novel form of insurance that is more liberal and egalitarian across ages than the status quo. More specifically, I show that granting storable pensions in all life stages – youth, middle, and old age – promotes liberty and reduces lifetime inequality. Writers on age group and longevity justice often overlook the extent to which liberal lifetime equality can supply insightful arguments against inequality across ages. These call for a policy that gives each age group the freedom to draw a storable pension. I call that policy freetirement.
Are visual artists better visual perspective takers? An exploratory study with an unexpected outcome
Authors: Samuel Steven
Published: June 2024

Visual perspective taking (VPT) has been argued to elicit image-like representations of other people’s visual experiences. Separately, it has been demonstrated that there are inter-individual differences in the ability to successfully take other people’s visual perspectives. In the present study, adults were asked to judge how long two lines appeared visually from the point of view of an agent. The lines were of identical length, but the agent was always closer to one of the lines than the other, meaning that the closer line should be judged as appearing visually longer. It was hypothesised that adults with experience in the visual arts would perform better at this task for one or both of two reasons: (1) they should be more familiar with the knowledge that the closer an object is the larger it appears visually (i.e., the retinal image is larger), and (2) they might be able to “draw” an image-like representation that more accurately reflects the effect of distance on perceived size. Consistent with previous experiments with this paradigm, adults generally failed to judge the closest line as appearing longer; indeed, as many judged this line would appear visually shorter. Crucially, increasing experience in the visual arts failed to improve the accuracy of VPT judgements; even a group of professional illustrators failed to recognise that the line closest to the agent would appear longer than the line furthest from the agent. These results are discussed in the context of the processes and representation types potentially involved in VPT.
Reactionary Exiles. How Conspiracy Theorists Deal with Socio-Technological Exclusion
Authors: Grusauskaite Kamile , Harambam Jaron , Aupers Stef
Published: June 2024

Due to growing public concerns regarding the consequences of disinformation and conspiracy theories, major tech companies have introduced policies to curtail them on their platforms. Until now, the academic debate has largely focused on whether these punitive policies are effective. In this study, we address the question of how de-platformed ‘conspiracy theorists’ themselves experience and deal with such socio-technological exclusion. Drawing on seminal theories in the symbolic interactionist tradition, we conceptualize conspiracy theories as stigmatized ‘knowledge’ and empirically study the ways that conspiracy theory producers manage their stigma after de-platforming. Particularly, we draw on an analysis of 22 in-depth, qualitative interviews, ethnographic observations with (former) conspiracy YouTubers and a digital ethnography. Our findings demonstrate that YouTubers respond to de-platforming by emphasizing the ‘silver linings’ of their exclusion and by accommodating, bypassing and reframing their ‘stigma’. De-platforming contributes to their legitimacy in the face of their audiences and enables them to carve out space to cultivate a new, stronger form of conspiracy capital and status. This study contributes to the literature on conspiracy theories from a cultural sociological perspective. It advances our understanding of how de-platforming may backfire, strengthening people’s beliefs and standing within their subculture.
Occlusive dressing versus local flap coverage for the treatment of fingertip amputations with exposed bone: a comparative study
Authors: Randazzo Laetitia , Muller Claire , Piessat Colin , Dap François , Athlani Lionel
Published: June 2024

We retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of 54 patients treated with occlusive dressings (OD) (27 patients) or local flap (LF) coverage (28 patients) for fingertip amputations with bone exposure. All patients healed completely within a mean of 5 weeks in the OD group and 3.5 weeks in the LF group. At a mean follow-up of 26 months (range 12–38), 2-point discrimination was significantly better in the OD group (4 mm) than the LF group (6 mm). Proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP) stiffness was more common in the LF group, affecting one-third of patients. A cost analysis showed that ODs were 6.5 times less expensive than LFs performed in the operating theatre. OD appears to be a reliable and more cost-effective alternative to LF for treating zone 2 and 3 fingertip amputations with exposed bone, with similar healing time, better tactile discrimination and a lower rate of PIP joint stiffness.

Level of evidence: IV