bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abstract Sa905: Differential Outcomes After Cerebrovascular Accident-Related Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest With and Without Initial Shockable Rhythm
Authors: TATEISHI KAZUYA , Saito Yuichi , Kitahara Hideki , Kobayashi Yoshio , Tahara Yoshio , Yonemoto Naohiro , Ikeda Takanori
Published: November 2024

Backgrounds:
Although the prognosis of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) may be worse in patients with cerebrovascular accident (CVA) than in those with other etiologies, clinical outcomes are not fully elucidated, particularly between CVA-related OHCA with and without initial shockable rhythm. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic outcome associated with initial shockable and non-shockable rhythms in patients with CVA-related OHCA.

Methods:
Using a nationwide OHCA registry database from 2005 to 2021 in Japan, a cohort of 2,059,417 patients with OHCA were retrospectively reviewed. After excluding patients aged < 18 years and with missing data on initial rhythm, 1,934,897 individuals were included and were divided into two groups according to the initial rhythm (shockable or non-shockable group). The primary outcomes of this study were all-cause mortality and neurologically favorable survival, defined by the cerebral performance category score of 1 or 2, at 1 month. Characteristics and outcomes of OHCA patients with and without CVA were compared between the shockable and non-shockable groups.

Results:
Overall, patients with CVA-related OHCA were younger and more likely to be women than those without. In the shockable group, patients with CVA had a lower number of defibrillation attempts and a higher likelihood of achieving prehospital return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) (31.3% vs. 28.4%, p<0.0001). However, a neurologically favorable survival rate was significantly lower in patients with CVA than in those without (10.5% vs. 18.6%, p<0.0001). In the non-shockable group, the rates of prehospital ROSC (13.2% vs. 5.7%, p<0.001) and 30-day survival (3.2% vs. 2.8%, p<0.0001) were significantly higher in patients with CVA, while neurologically favorable survival was similar between patients with and without CVA (0.9% vs. 0.8%, p=0.439) (Table and Figure).

Conclusions:
Although patients with CVA as an etiology of OHCA were more likely to achieve prehospital ROSC than those with other etiologies of cardiac arrest irrespective of initial rhythm, a neurologically favorable survival rate was lower in patients with CVA, particularly in the shockable group. Further studies are warranted to clarify the underlying mechanisms of OHCA with shockable rhythm in patients with CVA.
Abstract Sa907: The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Favorable Neurological Outcome after Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest Witnessed by Emergency Medical Service Personnel
Authors: Tsunemitsu Takefumi , NISHIOKA NORIHIRO , Kitamura Tetsuhisa , Iwami Taku
Published: November 2024

Background:
Different from the negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic on outcomes after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) collapsed before emergency medical service (EMS) arrival, there was a report suggested that COVID-19 pandemic did not affect outcomes after OHCA witnessed by EMS personnel. However, no large-scale studies have examined the impact of COVID-19 pandemic after EMS-witnessed OHCA, focusing on favorable neurological outcomes.

Research Questions:
Does COVID-19 pandemic affect favorable neurological outcomes after EMS-witnessed OHCA?

Aims:
To assess COVID-19's impact on favorable neurological outcomes after EMS-witnessed OHCA.

Methods:
We performed an interrupted time series analysis (ITSA) with a prospective, nationwide, population-based registry in Japan to assess trends of incidence and favorable neurological outcome (Cerebral Performance Category 1 or 2) at 30 days with adult EMS-witnessed OHCA between pre-pandemic (January 2016-March 2020) and pandemic (April 2020-December 2021) periods. Subgroup analyses were performed by stratifying regions by infection spread status defined by whether a state of emergency has been declared. To assess whether there are differences in trends between areas with and without COVID-19 spread, we performed a controlled ITSA between the two areas.

Results:
We identified 58,315 patients with adult EMS-witnessed OHCA, 41,112 during the pre-pandemic period and 17,203 during the pandemic period. There was no significant increase in the incidence of EMS-witnessed OHCA during the pandemic period (0.03 per 100,000 person-years; 95% confidence interval [CI], –0.02 to 0.08; p = 0.21). Favorable neurological outcome significantly decreased (relative risk [RR], 0.80; 95% CI, 0.71 to 0.91; p < 0.01). In subgroup analysis, favorable neurological outcome significantly decreased in areas with COVID-19 spread (RR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.56 to 0.81; p < 0.01), while there was no significant difference in areas without COVID-19 spread (RR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.77 to 1.07; p = 0.24). A controlled ITSA showed that favorable neurological outcome significantly decreased in areas with COVID-19 spread compared to without COVID-19 spread (RR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.60 to 0.98; p = 0.04).

Conclusion:
Unlike previous studies, our research with a nationwide, population-based registry showed that COVID-19 pandemic influenced favorable neurological outcome in EMS-witnessed OHCA. This trend appears to be more pronounced in areas with widespread infection.
Abstract Su1001: Biomarker Trends after Return of Spontaneous Circulation in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrests
Authors: Kotini-Shah Pavitra , Khosla Shaveta , Pobee Ruth , Wang Heng , Li Jing , Vanden Hoek Terry
Published: November 2024

Background:
Progressive post-cardiac arrest syndrome (PCAS) ensues within seconds of an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and results in damage over days, yet longitudinal changes in blood biomarkers during PCAS are poorly understood. We characterize novel biomarkers at early time points after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and determine associations with survival.

Methods:
Blood plasma samples from OHCA patients were collected at 1, 6, 24, 48, 72 hours and 7 days after ROSC. Samples were analyzed using a Meso Scale Diagnostics 40-plex assay which included proinflammatory, cytokine, chemokine, angiogenesis, and vascular injury panels. The data distribution was heavily skewed, requiring log-transformation. Biomarkers were compared between survivors and non-survivors at each follow-up time point using a two-sample t-test. Mixed-effect and Generalized Estimation Equation models were used to examine the association between biomarkers and survival and assess trends over time.

Results:
Thirty-three patients were included, of which 54% (N=18) were males, the mean age was 57 (+/-15) years, and 54% (N=18) survived to discharge. Six out of the 40 biomarkers had a statistically significant difference in biomarker levels between survivors and non-survivors at one or more time points. At the 1-hour, macrophage derived chemokine (MDC) and thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) were significantly higher in survivors. At 6-hour, interleukin-13 (IL-13) was the only pro-inflammatory biomarker that was significantly higher in non-survivors. At 24-hour, pro-inflammatory biomarkers interleukin-12p70 (IL-12p70) and IL-13 were higher in non-survivors, whereas vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) was significantly higher in survivors. At 48-hours, VEGF-A was also significantly higher in survivors. At 72 hours, interleukin-8 was the only biomarker with significantly higher levels in non-survivors. Overall, IL-12p70, IL-13, and MDC levels decreased over time (p=0.02, p=0.003, p=0.01, respectively) for both survivors and non-survivors. Survivors had a lower average level for IL-12p70 (p=0.03) and for IL-13 (p=0.04), but higher average level for MDC (p=0.01) than non-survivors at discharge.

Conclusion:
This pilot investigation extends prior biomarker work by highlighting new biomarkers, their longitudinal changes during PCAS, and their relation to survival. Future analysis will explore differences in biomarkers for neurological outcomes after OHCA.
Abstract Su1007: Temporal muscle thickness correlates with premorbid clinical frailty in patients resuscitated from cardiac arrest
Authors: Tam Jonathan , Ratay Cecelia , Faiver Laura , Coppler Patrick , Case Nicholas , Callaway Clifton
Published: November 2024

Introduction:
Previous work has associated frailty with mortality and neurologic outcomes in patients resuscitated from cardiac arrest. The Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) – a 9-point ordinal scale with higher values indicating a higher degree of frailty – is the most used measure in critically ill patients, however there is no established gold-standard. Temporal muscle thickness (TMT) is a measure of sarcopenia, which represents a specific physical frailty phenotype.

Aim:
We assessed the correlation between TMT, measured on head computed tomography (CT), and the CFS in patients resuscitated from cardiac arrest.

Hypothesis:
TMT negatively correlates with pre-arrest CFS.

Methods:
We enrolled adult patients who were resuscitated from cardiac arrest and had a head CT obtained within 48 hours of collapse at our regional academic facility. Patient characteristics were recorded in our prospective registry. Study investigators prospectively obtained pre-arrest CFS through a patient or surrogate interview. Blinded study investigators reviewed head CTs and measured TMT bilaterally at 5mm above the superior orbital rim, adjacent to the Sylvian fissure. We then averaged the two measurements within each patient. We summarized patient demographics and arrest characteristics with descriptive statistics. We calculated Spearman rank-order correlation to assess the relationship between average TMT and CFS.

Results:
Of 20 included subjects, mean age was 57 (SD 13), 6 (30%) were female, 17 (85%) were out-of-hospital arrests, 6 (32%) had an initial shockable rhythm, and median Charlson Comorbidity Index was 2 (IQR 0-3). Mean TMT in our cohort was 6.7 millimeters (SD 2.6) and median CFS was 3 (IQR 2-6). There was a negative, moderate correlation between average TMT and CFS; r(18) = -0.50,
p
= 0.02.

Conclusions:
We found that TMT exhibits a moderate negative correlation with the CFS, providing face validity that TMT may be a tool to measure frailty. Measuring TMT in patients with early head CTs after resuscitation from cardiac arrest may allow for characterization of pre-arrest frailty.
Abstract Su1010: The Effect of Varying Constriction Rate and Duty Cycle Combinations on Hemodynamics in Circumferential Thoracoabdominal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
Authors: Paradis Aidan , Gaddy David , Moodie Karen , Mader Timothy , Dufresne Alexandre , Couturier Christine , Dufresne Simon , Davis Daniel , Sims Christopher , Paradis Norman
Published: November 2024

Introduction:
Circumferential constriction thoracoabdominal CPR (CCTA-CPR) may have enhanced hemodynamics and safety, but its optimal parameters have not been studied. We have found that higher constriction rates and longer duty cycles (DC) are each associated independently with improved indicators of hemodynamics in CCTA-CPR. It is possible that a particular combination of these two CCTR-CPR parameters is optimal.

Hypothesis:
In CCTA-CPR, there may be a rate and DC combination that is best-associated with improved indicators of hemodynamics.

Methods:
Ventricular fibrillation was induced in female Yorkshire swine (n = 6, ~30 kg). CPR was provided by a prototype pneumatic CCTA-CPR system. CCTA-CPR constriction parameters were alternated in 45-second epochs among rates of 80, 100 and 120 per minute and DCs of 30% and 50%. Aortic (
Ao
) and right atrial (
RA
) pressures were measured using micromanometer catheters. Coronary perfusion pressure (
CPP
) was derived as the difference between the Ao and RA pressures. The change in CPP (
Δ-CPP
) from the beginning to the end of each treatment epoch was the principal indicator of hemodynamic efficacy. Results from among all experiments were grouped by treatment type and subjected to Analysis of Variance.

Results:
Five rate/DC combinations were tested: 80/min at 30% DC, 80/min at 50% DC, 100/min at 30% DC, 100/min at 50% DC, and 120/min at 50% DC. Final Ao pressures for these treatments were 24, 27, 25, 31, and 28 mmHg, respectively. Final RA pressures were 6.7, 6.3, 6.6, 6.9, and 6.9 mmHg. This yields CPPs of 18, 20, 18, 24, and 21 mmHg. The Δ-CPPs were 2.3, 5.3, 2.3, 5.7, and 6.0, respectively. There was a trend toward higher Δ-CPPs with higher rates and with the greater duty cycle (p < 0.10).

Conclusion:
There was an association, and possibly interaction, between higher rates of constriction and longer duty cycles with improved indicators of hemodynamics. Overall, a rate of 120/min with a 50% DC appeared optimal. If correct, these findings indicate that previous clinical trials of semi-circumferential automated CPR devices may have read-out incorrectly because of suboptimal device parameters.
Abstract Su104: Neuronal Damage in Elderly Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury: Role of Small Extracellular Vesicles from Senescent Microvascular Endothelial Cells
Authors: Ma Wen , Yao Peng , Gan Lu , Cao Yu
Published: November 2024

Background:
The incidence of cardiac arrest (CA) increases with age, leading to poorer neurological outcomes after the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in the elderly. The neurovascular unit, particularly the interaction between brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) and neurons, is crucial in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Senescent BMEC-derived small extracellular vesicles (sEVs), as part of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), play a role in signaling between these cells. These sEVs can exacerbate damage by changing their cargo, but the mechanisms are not fully understood.

Methods:
Young(8-10weeks) and aged(20-24months) C57BL/6J mice were utilized to establish the CA-CPR-ROSC model via electrical stimulation through the esophagus. Primary BMECs and neurons were used in vitro experiments. Senescence in BMECs was induced in vitro using D-(+)-Galactose. sEVs were isolated by ultracentrifugation thereafter. Aging-related proteins, BMEC-sEVs secretome and neuronal damage were evaluated by western blot analysis and immunofluorescence staining. High-throughput sequencing is employed to identify disparities in miRNAs within plasma sEVs obtained from both young and aged mice.

Results:
Aged mice exhibited a significantly higher rate of neuronal apoptosis after ROSC, with decreased levels of neuronal synaptic proteins. More pronounced senescence in BMECs and increased secretion of plasma sEVs were observed in age mice. In vitro, senescent BMECs secreted more sEVs compared to young BMECs. Furthermore, early intravenous administration of senescent BMEC-sEVs exacerbated neuronal apoptosis and the reduction in synaptic protein levels in young mice after ROSC, whereas young BMEC- sEVs mitigated these effects. And the sequencing results of plasma sEVs from young and aged mice have revealed a total of 17 significantly differentially expressed miRNAs.

Conclusion:
As components of the SASP, sEVs secreted by senescent BMEC-sEVs may partially explain the enhanced neuronal damage observed in aged mice following the ROSC. The modulatory impact of senescent BMEC-sEVs on neuronal apoptosis and synaptic protein expression alterations is mediated by variations in the sEVs cargos, which correlate with the miRNAs they carry. This provides evidence for cell communication within neurovascular units after I/R injury in the elderly, however, the specific regulatory mechanism requires further investigation.
Abstract Su1101: Evaluating Participant Comfort Levels Pre and Post Community-Based CPR and AED Education
Authors: Pobee Ruth , Kotini-Shah Pavitra , Schmidt Abbie , Schwerin O'Reilly Courtney , Del Marina
Published: November 2024

Introduction:
Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) use are interventions that can increase survival rates of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA). However, willingness and comfort levels of such interventions amongst laypersons vary greatly, especially in racial and ethnic minoritized groups including African Americans and Hispanics.

Research Question:
To assess the comfort level and perceived barriers of participants before and after community-based CPR and AED education.

Methods:
We conducted a family-centered quasi-experimental study in primarily Black and Hispanic churches around the Will and Dupage counties of Illinois. Informed consent was obtained. Participants watched an instructor-facilitated CPR and AED 10-minute educational video. Comfort levels pre- and post-training were assessed on a scale of 1 (least confident) to 5 (extremely confident) and reported as percentages. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to assess perceived barriers to performing CPR.

Results:
Out of 27 participants who completed training assessment, majority were females 55.6% (n=15), with 44.4% (n=12) males; 66.7% (n=18) African Americans, and 33.3% (n=9) Hispanic or Latino. 70.4% (n=19) of the participants spoke English while 29.6% (n=8) spoke Spanish. Before training, 73% (n=19) and 81% (n=21) of participants were not confident in administering CPR or using AED respectively on someone in cardiac arrest. After training, confidence level increased to 100% for both CPR and AED use. Perceived barriers to CPR prior to training included participants not knowing how to perform CPR correctly (65%), concern that they may further harm someone (4%), concerns about potential legal liability (4%), and loss of recall on how to perform CPR (4%), while 23% had no barrier.

Conclusion:
Comfort levels of individuals performing CPR and AED use increased significantly after community-based CPR and AED education. Data collection is ongoing to assess comfort level with a larger number of participants. Implementing community-based CPR training in churches allows for community-oriented CPR trainings and may help improve bystander comfort level and willingness to perform CPR during OHCA, especially in minoritized communities.
Reproducibility and Treatment Effect on Office and Ambulatory Pressure Relation
Authors: Mancia Giuseppe , Facchetti Rita , Quarti-Trevano Fosca , Grassi Guido
Published: November 2024

BACKGROUND:

In the absence of outcome-based ambulatory blood pressure (BP) trails hypertension guidelines provide 24-hour mean BP values corresponding to trial-validated office BP values. Data are shown for untreated and treated patients together, but whether corresponding ambulatory values are similar in untreated and treated hypertensives and reproducible at yearly measurements during treatment is undefined.

METHODS:

In 2397 patients of the ELSA (European Lacidipine Study on Atherosclerosis) and PHYLLIS (Plaque Hypertension Lipid-Lowering Italian Study) trials, we calculated the office and 24-hour BP relationship according to the linear regression model, with office systolic BP as the independent variable, at baseline and yearly during a 3-year treatment. Twenty-four hour BP values corresponding to clinically important office BP values (hypertension grading and treatment thresholds and targets) were calculated and compared with those provided by guidelines.

RESULTS:

Office and 24-hour systolic BP or diastolic BP always exhibited a significant linear relationship, with, however, limited Pearson correlation coefficients (never >0.44).The slopes of the relationship were superimposable between different years of treatment but always significantly less steep than the slope seen in untreated individuals. Compared with the guideline-provided corresponding values, 24-hour BP showed qualitative and quantitative differences; for example, it was considerably lower and higher than the guideline-corresponding values when office BP was in the high hypertension and low treatment target ranges, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

In treated patients with hypertension the slope of the office and 24-hour BP linear regression is reproducible over time. However, the slopes are steeper in untreated individuals, indicating that information on ambulatory BP values corresponding to office BP values can be more accurate if separately estimated in these 2 conditions.
The Impact of Sanctions against the Republic of Guinea to Promote Respect for the Constitutional Order
Authors: Calvet-Martínez Elisenda , Barry Thierno Souleymane
Published: November 2024

This article analyses to what extent sanctions adopted by regional organisations can help bring about better democratic processes in the region, focusing on the case of the Republic of Guinea. Overthrows are not the only threat to democratisation in Africa. There is a wave of “constitutional coups” or “third-termism” that incumbents have used to extend their term in office with the appearance of legality. However, the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have often remained silent. The article argues that the AU and ECOWAS policy of sanctioning coups until the return to the constitutional order is not sufficient, as coups are still happening in the region today. Instead, international regional organisations should pay more attention to the necessary institutional reforms that are needed to guarantee the democratisation process of African States and must have a stronger response to constitutional coups by adopting targeted sanctions against the individuals responsible for these acts.
A Comparative Analysis of the Power of the Attorney-General to Enter a Nolle Prosequi under the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria
Authors: Abuza Andrew Ejovwo
Published: November 2024

The 1999 Nigerian Constitution gives the Attorney-General the power to enter a nolle prosequi in criminal proceedings. There are no constitutional provisions that expressly subject the exercise of the constitutional power of nolle prosequi by the Attorney-General to judicial review. This lacuna is being abused, as some Nigerian attorneys-general have, since the coming into force of the Constitution on 29 May 1999, sought sanctuary under it to free persons standing court trial for serious criminal offences through the exercise of nolle prosequi for their selfish interest or political considerations. The pertinent issue is whether the entering of a nolle prosequi in criminal trials in pursuance of the ulterior motives of an Attorney-General is constitutional. This article undertakes comparative analysis of pertinent issues involved in the exercise of nolle prosequi. The methodology is mainly doctrinal analysis of applicable primary and secondary sources. The article argues that the exercise of nolle prosequi for an Attorney-General’s selfish interest or political considerations is unconstitutional. Nigeria should subject the exercise of nolle prosequi to the court’s permission, as practiced in the United States of America and Kenya.
Narrating Tangier
Authors: El Abdellaoui Ali , Lahlou Khalid
Published: November 2024

This article explores the literary portrayal of Tangier in Paul Bowles’ Let It Come Down (1952) and Tahar Ben Jelloun’s Leaving Tangier (2009). It proposes a comparative reading to point out how both narratives draw extensively on Orientalist vocabulary and Moroccan folklore to create a mythicized image of Tangier. While Let It Come Down depicts Tangier as an alluring shelter for Nelson Dyar, who escapes a dull life in New York, Leaving Tangier limns the city as a gateway to Europe for Azel and other Moroccans, who seek to escape dire living conditions. The article concludes that the two narratives may appear dissimilar upon first reading, but their comparison shows that they involve similar acts of re-Orientalist representations.
Neid oder Klugheit?
Authors: Seidel Robert
Published: November 2024

In academic thesis prints (dissertationes) from Early Modernity, questions of the appropriate or reprehensible behaviour of scholars were sometimes discussed. The debate on envy (invidia, also invidentia), which belongs among the mortal sins, is particularly interesting. On the one hand, writings on this topic are not always about the affect of envy, but sometimes also about being envied. The perspective on the persons concerned and thus also their moral judgement can therefore differ. On the other hand, invidia can also be interpreted in a broader sense as cautious prudence (prudentia) and then evaluated positively, for example if you withhold knowledge because you fear it could be misused. Some authors even consider invidia to be synonymous with aemulatio and see ‘envy’ of others as an incentive to improve one’s own performance. The article analyses several writings on the subject. At the centre is the disputation on ‘permissible’ envy (De licita eruditorum invidentia) held in Rostock in 1718 under the presidency of Franz Albert Aepin, which triggered an exciting debate. The historical context of the disputations is also considered. Therefore texts by René Descartes, Christian Thomasius and Gottlieb Spizel are discussed.
Teaching Copernicus a Lesson
Authors: Tautschnig Irina
Published: November 2024

In the wake of the anti-Copernican decrees of the Catholic church, the Jesuit poet Jacob Balde (1604–1668) attacked Copernicus and his system in Latin verse several times, tapping the poetic potential of a moving earth and a fixed sun. The present article focusses on Balde’s earliest and most elaborate invective against Copernicus in his Poema de vanitate mundi (“Poem on the Vanity of the World”, Munich 1638). In one of the hundred episodes of the poem (no. 56), the poet and his companion Scazon visit the graves of Archimedes and Copernicus and mock them for wanting to set the earth in motion. The biting polemic culminates in a joke that imagines Copernicus in a Jesuit classroom. The article explains how Balde uses the weapons of a Latin teacher to reduce Copernicus to a bad Latin student and his fixed sun to a simple grammar mistake.
A Cartesian Underworld Uncovered
Authors: Luggin Johanna
Published: November 2024

This contribution focuses on a Neo-Latin hexameter poem written by a Jesuit priest around the year 1700 as an example of a poetic reaction to a natural philosophical polemic in prose of the seventeenth century: the debate over the doctrines of René Descartes. It will offer a telling instance of polemic and dissent against one famous and notoriously combative, but at the time already deceased figure of seventeenth-century natural philosophy. Introducing the poem Mundus Cartesii and reflecting upon its Neo-Latin and vernacular background, several peculiar reactions to Cartesius’ opinions from the Society of Jesus will show how polemic could take an imaginative, satirical, playful form and bring forth literary compositions which defy traditional formal standards.
Emotion and the Medieval Self
Authors: Brandsma Frank , Larrington Carolyne , Ríkharðsdóttir Sif
Published: November 2024

This introduction situates the discussion of emotion and selfhood in medieval literature in a critical and cultural context, addressing its relevance for postmedieval readers and scholars. It addresses concepts such as performativity, selfhood and emotionality and their importance for the understanding of medieval literature. It furthermore elaborates on the rationale of the special issue and its scope, which extends across Scandinavia, Germany, Britain, Northern France, Flanders and the Netherlands. Finally, it proposes that the literary representation of selfhood is intimately interlinked with emotionality and the staging of literary emotions and introduces a broad range of essays to test this hypothesis across multiple cultural realms, generic forms and literary traditions.
Stability of Quadratic Mappings in 2-Banach Spaces and Related Topics
Authors: Zenada Fadi , Elmaged Eltayeb
Published: November 2024

Functional analysis is an important branch of mathematics widely used to study the stability of different functional equations. This includes the stability of various quadratic functional equations, which typically involve a specific number of variables to reach results more easily in this field. One of the methods used to study the stability of functional equations is the direct method, which is known for its simplicity in proving the stability of this type of functional equation. In this research paper, we have successfully proven the Hyers-Ulam-Rassias stability of the quadratic functional equation in 2-Banach spaces. Specifically, we have shown that the equation: f(x+y+z)+f(x)+f(y)+f(z)=f(x+y)+f(y+z)+f(x+z) holds true within this context. Our approach involved using either the usual or the direct method to establish this stability. Furthermore, we have also demonstrated the generalized Hyers-Ulam stability of the quadratic functional equation in 2-Banach spaces using the usual process by considering various conditions. This has led to many exciting results and revealed many related applications.
Demonstration of Local Honeybee Flora “Mentesie” (Becium grandflorum) Propagation Techniques in Wag - Himra Zone, Ethiopia
Authors: Desale Ertiban , Tsegaye Agazhe , Lemma Meressa , Grmay Ayalew , Ibrahim Yesuf , Tsegaye Alemu , Bihonegn Adisu
Published: November 2024

The demonstration of local honeybee flora "Mentesie" (Becium grandiflorum) propagation techniques was carried out over two rainy seasons in the Gazgibla district, Debreweyla watershed closure area of the Northeastern Amhara region. The shrub has numerous benefits for the community, including honey production, fuel use, and soil and water conservation. However, it has been gradually declining. To preserve these valuable shrubs, various propagation techniques were tested. The objectives of the experiment were to demonstrate the propagation techniques of Becium grandiflorum to beekeepers and to generate wider demand for its plantation among beekeepers and extension workers. The experiment compared two selected propagation techniques with local farmers’ traditional planting practices, under the guidance of forestry researchers. The treatments included seeds and cuttings. Seeds were collected from mature fruits, and cuttings were taken early in the morning from natural, mature, young, and healthy mother plants at a height of 40 cm during 2020/21. These materials were packed in perforated polyethylene bags. The average mean of flower numbers, branch numbers, and canopy cover for the enhanced propagation techniques (seedlings with pots) were 4107, 21.81, and 92.5, respectively. These values were higher than those for the comparative propagation technique, which had flower numbers of 2462, branch numbers of 19.4, and a canopy cover of 92.5. There were significant differences (p<0.05) among the propagation techniques in terms of canopy cover, height, number of flowers, and branches per plant. Farmers recognized the higher flower biomass, canopy cover, and potential for greater plant height of the enhanced techniques, which are beneficial for bee forage and soil and water conservation. Therefore, planting seedlings using pots were found to be the best method for the wider production of B. grandiflorum in its natural growing areas.
Effects of Natural Disasters on West Africa Sahel’s Economy: The Case of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger
Authors: Habou Issa , Moussa Yahaya , Nafiou Malam
Published: November 2024

The Sahel region is facing the adverse effects of the natural disasters due to the drought and floods which are the most frequent events. These effects can be spread and affected the all the Sahel States economy. Therefore, this study attempts to analyze the effects of these natural disasters on the macroeconomic variables such as production, consumption, investment and inflation in the three (3) the northern central Sahel States. To do so, the panel vector autoregressive model (PVAR) is run on the World Bank and the International Emergency Disasters Database (EM-DAT) data from 1990 to 2021. The results revealed that the occurrence of drought shock generates significantly a negative impact on the GDP per capita at 5% level across the northern central Sahel countries (Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger). Also, the lagged of the macroeconomic variables such as production, investment and inflation have respectively a significant and positive impact on consumption at 5% level, production at 5% level and consumption at 10% level. Furthermore, the results show an asymmetry of natural disaster shocks at the scale of the northern central Sahel States but these shocks are symmetrical in pairs. As a result, the appropriate policies must make to absorb these shocks and avoid any hysteresis effect.
Haricot Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Varieties Adaptation Trial in Buno Bedele and Ilu Ababor Zones, South West Oromia
Authors: Firdisa Garoma , Tesiso Mohammed , Chala Gebeyehu
Published: November 2024

Haricot bean is one of the most economically important pulse crops cultivated in Ethiopia. However, its average yield reported at national level remains far below the potential yield to be attained. This is partly due to low soil fertility management, inappropriate agronomic packages and diseases and pest problems and lack of improved varieties. Hence, this experiment was conducted with the objectives of to test the performance of released improved Haricot bean varieties on yield and yield related components and Insect and disease resistant varieties for the study at Western parts of Oromia. The experiment was conducted in Buno Bedele (D/Hana) and Ilu Ababor (Bure) districts during 2020 to 2021 cropping season. Nine (9) improved Haricot bean varieties were used as testing materials. The experimental design was RCBD with three replications. Data were collected on six quantitative morphological traits like days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, number of seed per pod, pod length and grain yields. Analyses of data revealed significant varietal differences (P<0.05) in grain yield, days to 50% flowering, days to 95% maturity, seed per pod and for plant height. However, no significant varietal differences were observed in Number of pods per plant. SER 119 and SER 125 varieties were significantly yielder than the rest and recommended as promising variety under the study area. Therefore, these two varieties are recommended for demonstration and further scaling up.
Investigating Effective Reconnaissance Drought Index Ability to Reproduce Drought Signature over the Massili Basin (Burkina Faso)
Authors: Bontogho Tog-Noma , Kansole Michelline , Abarike Mercy , Kabore Mamounata
Published: November 2024

Drought is a significant natural hazard particularly in arid and semi-arid regions where water resources management is already challenging. Burkina Faso, a landlocked country located in the Sahel region, is highly vulnerable to drought due to its arid climate. The country has experienced recurrent droughts since the 1970s, with significant impacts on its population and economy. To develop effective drought mitigation strategies, a comprehensive understanding of drought characteristics is required. This study investigates historical long-term drought trends in the Massili basin located in central Burkina Faso. For this purpose, drought features has been analyzed based on the Effective Reconnaissance Drought Index (eRDI) at various months of accumulation. To calculate the Effective Reconnaissance Drought Index for the Massili Basin, monthly precipitation (Prct), minimum temperature (Tmin), and maximum temperature (Tmax) data spanning from 1960 to 2021 were obtained from the National Meteorological Agency of Burkina Faso. The Potential evapotranspiration (ETP) was estimated using the Hargreaves method. Our findings indicate that under eRDI-3, 1964 (1.86), 2020 (1.53), and 2021 (0.63) are the wettest years, while 1963 (-0.65) and 1998 (-0.76) are the driest. Under eRDI-12, a significant portion of the values falls within the range of -0.14 to 0.03. In the case of eRDI-24, a substantial number of the values cluster between -0.08 and 0.08. This distribution highlights near-normal drought conditions (-0.99 to 0.99) as the most frequent occurrence within the watershed. The desertification of the Sahel area has been a topic of discussion for decades. However, these findings of this study reinforce the prevailing belief in a partial re-greening of the Sahel region.
A Bayesian Framework for the Probabilistic Interpretation of Radar Observations and Severe Hailstorm Reports
Authors: Greco Isabelle C. , Sherwood Steven C. , Raupach Timothy H. , Abramowitz Gab
Published: November 2024

Understanding when and where severe hailstorms occur is key to managing the serious risk they pose. Radar products, such as the maximum expected size of hail (MESH), are often used to form a severe hail climatology. However, the challenges of relating reflectivity measured aloft to severe hail at the surface mean these climatologies have unknown uncertainty. Here, we quantify the uncertainty of radar observations of severe hailstorms by deriving a probabilistic interpretation of MESH within a fully Bayesian framework calibrated using reports from Australia’s Severe Storms Archive in southeast Queensland. Moreover, our novel approach accounts for the spatially varying (under)reporting rate in the region. Despite the popularity of using MESH thresholds to distinguish severe hail events, our results suggest that these thresholds are less sharp than previously believed and question their interpretation. Furthermore, we quantify the spatial variability in the severe hail reporting rate and suggest that, even over the most densely populated areas in the region, the reporting rate may be as low as 53%. Finally, we produce a hail climatology that has a similar magnitude to existing radar-based climatologies but with smoother and more realistic spatial gradients. Our method is generalizable to many other datasets within and beyond severe weather by enabling the principled usage of reports even when the absence of a report does not necessarily indicate the event did not occur.

Significance Statement

Severe hailstorms are one of Australia’s costliest natural perils. This work aims to improve how we use radar to understand when and where these storms occur. Although radar is a popular tool in this pursuit, it is challenging to link reflectivity aloft to hail at the ground. Rather than using a binary threshold on a radar-based parameter to distinguish severe hail, we instead treat radar data as a predictor of the probability of severe hail, estimating this probability by concurrently estimating the reporting rate of severe hail. This work sheds new light on how we might reinterpret radar data to improve our forecasting and understanding of severe hail. Moreover, our method is applicable to other severe weather hazards and even beyond climate science.
The role of viscoelasticity of collagen fibers in articular cartilage: Theory and numerical formulation
Authors: Li L.P. , Herzog W.
Published: November 2024

The relative importance of fluid‐dependent and fluid‐independent transient mechanical behavior in articular cartilage was examined for tensile and unconfined compression testing using a fibril reinforced model. The collagen matrix of articular cartilage was modeled as viscoelastic using a quasi‐linear viscoelastic formulation with strain‐dependent elastic modulus, while the proteoglycan matrix was considered as linearly elastic. The collagen viscoelastic properties were obtained by fitting experimental data from a tensile test. These properties were used to investigate unconfined compression testing, and the sensitivity of the properties was also explored. It was predicted that the stress relaxation observed in tensile tests was not caused by fluid pressurization at the macroscopic level. A multi‐step tensile stress relaxation test could be approximated using a hereditary integral in which the elastic fibrillar modulus was taken to be a linear function of the fibrillar strain. Applying the same formulation to the radial fibers in unconfined compression, stress relaxation could not be simulated if fluid pressurization were absent. Collagen viscoelasticity was found to slightly weaken fluid pressurization in unconfined compression, and this effect was relatively more significant at moderate strain rates. Therefore, collagen viscoelasticity appears to play an import role in articular cartilage in tensile testing, while fluid pressurization dominates the transient mechanical behavior in compression. Collagen viscoelasticity plays a minor role in the mechanical response of cartilage in unconfined compression if significant fluid flow is present.
The effect of media perfusion on three‐dimensional cultures of human chondrocytes: Integration of experimental and computational approaches
Authors: Raimondi Manuela T. , Boschetti Federica , Falcone Leonarda , Migliavacca Francesco , Remuzzi Andrea , Dubini Gabriele
Published: November 2024

This work examines the effect of perfusion on human mature articular chondrocytes cultured on synthetic biodegradable scaffolds (DegraPol). Human chondrocytes were isolated, seeded on the scaffolds and subjected to perfused culture at a flow rate of 0.5 ml/min, corresponding to an average inlet fluid velocity of 44 μm/s, with flow inversion every 1 minute. The flow was imposed at the construct surface in some constructs, it was forced through the construct thickness in other constructs and was absent in the static controls. We compared cell viability and morphology and we evaluated material properties of the constructs at 1 month of culture. Thickness‐perfused constructs showed significantly higher material properties and roughly a two‐fold cell viability, when compared both to surface‐perfused constructs and to static controls. Chondrocytes maintained a phenotypic morphology in all experiments, probably favoured by a limited cell–scaffold interaction. Biosynthetic activity could be demonstrated only in the bioreactor‐cultured constructs. In this experimental model, a bi‐directional flow of culture medium was applied to the cells at a macroscopic level and computational modelling was used to quantify the fluid‐dynamic environment induced on the cells at a microscopic level. This method may be used to quantify the effects of fluid‐dynamic shear on the growth modulation of tissue‐engineered cartilage constructs, to potentially enhance tissue growth in vitro.
Organizational Values-Based Interventions and Common Good: A Multiple Case Study
Authors: Pereira Susana Alves , Santos Nuno Rebelo dos , Pais Leonor , Pereira Marco
Published: November 2024

Organizational values-based interventions are intentional changing processes guided by values. Using a mixed-methods approach, this study analyzed how change initiatives developed in a values-based intervention impact employees’ perceptions of decent work and work motivation. It also explores how the intervention process and context shape employees’ perceptions of the contribution and success of each workplace initiative during a health crisis, in three Portuguese organizations. Quantitative results showed the importance of integrating values such as dignity, solidarity, and social justice into the implemented actions. The qualitative results indicated that employees felt more involved and valued, emphasizing the importance of transparent, inclusive practices, good communication, and greater employee participation. This study highlights practical implications for organizations, especially in crisis contexts, by validating the fundamental human values of the Economy of the Common Good model. People become values-oriented by applying these interventions in their specific organizational contexts, influencing multiple aspects of organizational life.
Complicating the “Suburban Advantage”: Examining Racial and Gender Inequality in Suburban and Urban School Settings
Authors: Miller Emily E. N. , Schugurensky Alejandro
Published: November 2024

This article investigates the racial and gender dynamics of educational inequality in suburban public schools in the United States during an era of rapid demographic change. As suburban schools transition from predominantly White enclaves to more diverse settings, it is unclear to what extent the popular narrative of “suburban advantage” holds for newcomers. Using a longitudinal data set of majority non-White, lower-income students (the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study), we explore how these students fare compared to urban counterparts during this transformative period. Our findings suggest that suburban schools are higher resourced than their urban counterparts, yet there are minimal urban–suburban differences in educational outcomes after accounting for individual and family characteristics. Furthermore, we reveal disparities in urban–suburban differences by race and gender. Our research challenges narratives that treat suburban institutions as monoliths and suggests the purported advantages of suburban schooling are not conferred uniformly to all students.
Committed to its Founding Principles: 50 Years of Armed Forces & Society Journal
Authors: Ateş Barış , Libel Tamir
Published: November 2024

Armed Forces & Society ( AF&S) marks its 50th anniversary in 2024. The objective of this study is to assess the journal’s adherence to its founding principles encompassing interdisciplinarity, internationalism, and its role as a bridge between the military and academia. This study extends a 25- and 40-year analysis by Ender and Sookermany et al., who examined trends in authorship and affiliation in AF&S. This study covers 50 years, includes 1,415 research articles, and focuses on authors’ expertise, gender, country, continent, and military background. Our findings show a consistently higher author-to-article ratio, an increasing proportion of female authors, a wider range of disciplines from more countries, and an increasing proportion of authors with professional military backgrounds. We conclude that the editorial stance has consistently followed founding principles, and its scope remains recognizable.
Global reliability sensitivity analysis of cradle-type double rotary table
Authors: Ma Mingfei , Liu Hongqiang , Wu Xiaojie , Tan Zhi , Huang Xianzhen , Zhang Yimin
Published: November 2024

The rotary table is a crucial component of the machine tool, and its accuracy and reliability have an important impact on the machining accuracy and machining efficiency of the machine tool. In this paper, a global reliability sensitivity analysis method of the rotary table is proposed considering the random uncertainty for material parameters of each component. Firstly, the mechanical model of the rotary table is established based on the finite element method. Subsequently, the functional relationship between the parameters of each component and the deformation of the rotary table is reconstructed using the adaptive Kriging surrogate model. Finally, a global reliability sensitivity analysis of the rotary table is performed based on the Bayesian formulation. The results show that the proposed global reliability sensitivity analysis method of the rotary table demonstrates satisfactory efficiency and can provide theoretical guidance for the design and optimization of the rotary table.
Prepared for Precarity: Toward a “Labor Turn” in Journalism Education
Authors: Nelson Jacob L. , Cohen Nicole S.
Published: November 2024

This conceptual article connects journalists’ well-being explicitly to the ongoing discussion of their working conditions by answering the question: How can journalism educators best prepare aspiring journalists to enter such a precarious profession? Our overarching argument is that journalism educators have an opportunity to “inoculate” (to use a term from labor organizing) students against the vagaries of the industry and better equip them to survive and thrive in precarious times. We conclude that journalism programs must embrace the “labor turn” unfolding throughout journalism studies and practice to arm students with the tools, skills, and knowledge to avoid exploitation and burnout.