bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alleviating Help-Seeking Stigma Among Depressed College Students Through Shadow Social Marketing: A Meso-Level Intervention to a Wicked Problem
Authors: Goswami Paromita , Ghosh Jaideep
Published: January 2024

Background

The current study addresses the issue of societal stigma attached to mental health issues of college students, which strongly suppress their attempts at help-seeking.

Focus of the Article

✓We design a meso-level midstream intervention to effect a behavior change of mentally depressed students, who, due to internalized societal stigma attached to mental health issues, strongly evade help-seeking. ✓We use theoretical arguments and formative research to design a shadow social marketing (SSM) meso-intervention to normalize help-seeking behavior of individuals suffering from mental health issues. ✓We perform field-testing of our intervention to ascertain its comparative efficacy against two competing micro-interventions.

Research Question

To address a complex problem that does not have a direct, clear-cut solution at either the micro or the macro level, we investigate, in this study, whether an SSM meso-intervention performs better than micro-interventions in alleviating social stigma attached to mental health issues. Its primary benefit is to establish a connection between the micro and the macro levels.

Importance to the Social Marketing Field

Social marketing scholarship underscores a number of undesirable consequences of micro-level social marketing interventions that directly target individuals who suffer from mental depression, because their attempts at help-seeking are grossly suppressed by societal stigma attached to mental health issues. Our study contributes to the understanding of how the SSM meso-intervention could serve as a better alternative to direct interventions in normalizing help-seeking behaviour of affected individuals. We hope that changes of social norms at the community level can eventually lead to societal macro-level changes with modification and enhancement of institutional norms.

Methods

We use an SSM approach to design a meso-level, midstream intervention to alleviate societal stigma that deters help-seeking of mentally depressed students in an educational institution. We use survey methods for data collection and Tobit regression for data analysis to empirically test our meso-intervention against two other micro-level interventions.

Results

Our hypothesis that stigmatized individuals are more likely to avail of wellbeing-related services offered by a platform based on an SSM, meso-intervention rather than by one that does not adopt such a strategy is empirically supported strongly ([Formula: see text]).

Recommendations for Research or Practice

A meso-level intervention is an essential prerequisite to bring about macro-level changes to address stigma attached to mental health issues. As a practical matter, changes of social norms at the community level have a strong potential for bringing about societal macro-level changes with modifications and enhancements of institutional norms and eventual micro-level help-seeking behavior.
Empowering Young People with Special Educational Needs to Recognize and Report Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse: A Mixed-Methods Review
Authors: McMinn Laura E. , Kloess Juliane A. , Stephenson Zoe
Published: January 2024

Young people with special educational needs (SEN), such as intellectual disability and/or autism, are particularly vulnerable to child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA). This mixed-methods systematic literature review consolidates findings in respect to how young people with SEN are currently being taught about CSEA in the UK, incorporating empirical and practice-based findings to counteract publication bias. Key databases were searched, and relevant organizations were contacted regarding studies published between 2015 and 2022 (inclusive). Thirteen articles met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 10 adopted a qualitative methodology, and three a mixed-methods approach. The thematic synthesis of the qualitative studies identified the following themes: (a) beliefs and stereotypes about CSEA, vulnerability. and risk have led to young people with SEN being misinformed and misunderstood, and (b) anxiety about the topic of sex and abuse creates polarized views regarding CSEA education in adult guardians of young people with SEN. Themes are discussed in the context of societal biases in respect to vulnerability and risk, and these biases are considered to have a negative effect on how young people with SEN are supported. The findings of this review encourage providers of CSEA awareness education to be mindful of not endorsing harmful stereotypes, and to involve parent–carers as much as possible. This review additionally encourages services and organizations to increase focus on practitioner reflexivity and regular training to counteract potential biases in respect to gender, vulnerability, and risk.
Single Center Outcomes of Percutaneous Deep Vein Arterialization in Patients with End-Stage Peripheral Artery Disease
Authors: Choinski Krystina N. , Rao Ajit G. , Krishnan Prakash , Tadros Rami O. , Sharma Raman , Faries Peter L.
Published: January 2024

Background: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) can present as chronic limb threatening ischemia (CLTI) with ischemic pain and tissue loss. Progression of distal disease can lead to a “no option” or end-stage disease without traditional open or endovascular revascularization due to lack of pedal targets. Innovations in endovascular technology allow for the use of percutaneous deep vein arterialization (pDVA) to treat patients with CLTI. Purpose: We describe our experience and technique for treating four patients with end-stage PAD with pDVA. Research Design: Four patients with end-stage PAD were followed during and after pDVA creation. Technical success, complications, wound healing, and freedom from major amputation were analyzed. Data Collection and Analysis: Patient data and outcomes were collected via chart review and at time of follow up appointments in vascular surgery clinic. Results: Technical success was 100%, without post-procedural complications, and patients were continued on antiplatelet and anticoagulation. Three patients (75%) had successful wound healing, with 2 patients healing after transmetatarsal amputation (TMA), and 1 healing a distal foot ulceration that did not require surgery. One patient had worsening ischemic breakdown of a TMA, despite re-intervention on the pDVA, which required a below knee amputation (BKA). Freedom from major amputation was 75% overall, with an average follow-up time of 410 days post-procedure (Range: 113-563 days). Conclusions: Percutaneous deep vein arterialization attempts to provide blood flow to the preserved venous bed in patients with end-stage PAD. Exploration and utilization of this technique continues to expand in the modern vascular era. This case series highlights 4 patients with end-stage PVD who underwent pDVA, with 100% procedural success, and 75% limb salvage rate.
Relationship Between Change in Participation and Later Mental Health Problems in Children
Authors: Lo Oi Ying Heidi , Wong Yi Man , Kwok Nga Ting , Ma Pui-Sze , Chien Chi-Wen
Published: January 2024

Background:

Participation in everyday activities is beneficial for mental health. However, little is known about the extent to which changes in children’s participation are associated with later mental health.

Objectives:

To investigate the association between changes in the frequency and involvement in home, school, and community activities and subsequent mental health problems in children. Methodology: We recruited 242 school-aged children. Their parents completed the Participation and Environment Measure for Children and Youth twice, and after 2 years, they completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire.

Results:

After controlling for demographic factors, hierarchical regression analysis revealed that reductions in children’s involvement in home and community activities were significantly associated with elevated levels of externalizing and internalizing problems. Furthermore, an increase in children’s involvement in school activities showed significant relationships with better mental health outcomes.

Conclusion:

These findings inform participation-based interventions for occupational therapists aimed at mitigating children’s future mental health problems.
The Effect of Radial Inclination on the Stage of Kienbock Disease at the Time of Initial Diagnosis
Authors: Wassef Christina , Rechter Griffin R. , Tatapudi Suhas , Sambhariya Varun , Pientka William F.
Published: January 2024

Background:

Negative ulnar variance is a widely accepted risk factor for the development of Kienbock disease (KD). Variation in radial inclination has been proposed as a risk factor, but evidence thus far has been inconclusive. We aim to clarify the relationship between radial inclination and KD.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis of all KD patients from a single institution from 2007 to 2021 was conducted. Radiographs were reviewed to measure anatomic parameters and stage of disease. An exploratory multinomial regression model was created to examine the association of patient age, radial height, ulnar variance, radial inclination, volar tilt, scapholunate angle, duration of symptoms prior to evaluation, history of wrist trauma, and diagnosis of diabetes with stage of disease.

Results:

Fifty-seven cases of KD were identified, with a mean duration of disease of 33.3 months. A history of trauma to the wrist was common (53%) and significantly associated with stage of disease at initial presentation. Twenty-seven cases (47%) were stage IIIB or greater. The average initial radial inclination, radial height, and ulnar variance was 21.9°, 10.7 mm, and −1.23 mm, respectively. A multinominal logistic regression model revealed decreased initial radial inclination is associated with Lichtman stage IIIB or greater at the time of initial patient presentation.

Conclusions:

A correlation exists between decreased radial inclination and more advanced KD at presentation, suggesting this may be a risk factor for disease progression. This correlation is strengthened by our finding of decreased ulnar variance being associated with later stage at presentation, which is one of the most widely accepted proposed risk factors for development and progression of disease.

Level of evidence:

IV.
AI Psychometrics: Assessing the Psychological Profiles of Large Language Models Through Psychometric Inventories
Authors: Pellert Max , Lechner Clemens M. , Wagner Claudia , Rammstedt Beatrice , Strohmaier Markus
Published: January 2024

We illustrate how standard psychometric inventories originally designed for assessing noncognitive human traits can be repurposed as diagnostic tools to evaluate analogous traits in large language models (LLMs). We start from the assumption that LLMs, inadvertently yet inevitably, acquire psychological traits (metaphorically speaking) from the vast text corpora on which they are trained. Such corpora contain sediments of the personalities, values, beliefs, and biases of the countless human authors of these texts, which LLMs learn through a complex training process. The traits that LLMs acquire in such a way can potentially influence their behavior, that is, their outputs in downstream tasks and applications in which they are employed, which in turn may have real-world consequences for individuals and social groups. By eliciting LLMs’ responses to language-based psychometric inventories, we can bring their traits to light. Psychometric profiling enables researchers to study and compare LLMs in terms of noncognitive characteristics, thereby providing a window into the personalities, values, beliefs, and biases these models exhibit (or mimic). We discuss the history of similar ideas and outline possible psychometric approaches for LLMs. We demonstrate one promising approach, zero-shot classification, for several LLMs and psychometric inventories. We conclude by highlighting open challenges and future avenues of research for AI Psychometrics.
Lead-free 22lr ammunition for sport shooting: A simple implementation or a huge challenge?
Authors: Marklund Pär , Pettersson Anders
Published: January 2024

In Europe it is approximated that around six million people are active in sport shooting. Currently, most bullets are manufactured out of lead which in many cases is combined with a copper jacket. There are several reasons for using lead; lead is relatively cheap, soft, and has a high density, and is therefore often the ideal material for bullets. Currently, the EU is seeking a restriction or ban on the use of lead in firearm bullets, with the main motivation that hunting with lead bullets might result in lead poisoning of both animals and people. The proposed lead ban will also have a major impact on sport shooting, as it is likely to be subjected to the same regulations. One caliber that has been shown to be very difficult to produce as a lead-free alternative is 22lr (long rifle), which today is the most common caliber for sport shooting in many disciplines. Today, there are not many scientific investigations available which show the performance of lead versus lead-free ammunition in caliber 22lr, even though it would make sense to investigate the possibilities of designing lead-free ammunition before a possible lead ban is further discussed. In this work the performance of two common lead-free 22lr-cartridges is evaluated and shown in comparison with existing lead-based ammunition, with a primary focus on sport shooting. Performance has been evaluated under both summer and winter conditions to cover different sports shooting disciplines. The results of this study clearly show the difficulty of finding lead-free 22lr cartridges with acceptable performance on the market today. In fact, the performance of the tested lead-free ammunition is so poor that the EU’s proposed lead ban could completely ruin shooting as a sport due to a lack of functioning ammunition.
The Clinical and Imaging Outcome of the Tandem Growing Rod Technique in Early-Onset Scoliosis With the Proximal Upper Thoracic Curve Progression: A Modified Technique of Growing Rod
Authors: Hu Weiran , Wang Hongqiang , Yang Guang , Ma Haohao , Wu Xiaonan , Gao Yanzheng
Published: January 2024

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Objective

The orthopaedic ability of traditional GR for severe EOS is limited. The proximal upper thoracic curve may progress during the lengthening procedure, which may lead to coronal imbalance and inhibit the longitudinal growth of the spine. In this retrospective cohort study, we investigated the clinical outcome of tandem GR.

Methods

We modified the traditional technique by using two groups of GR devices to control the major and the proximal upper thoracic curve, connected the two groups of GR in series, and named it tandem GR. The clinical and imaging outcomes of the new technique were evaluated and compared with traditional technique.

Results

Twenty one patients were enrolled in the tandem GR group, and 30 patients were treated with traditional GR as the control. The baseline parameters were consistent between the two groups. In the tandem GR group, the secondary curve progressed from 24.9 ± 3.9° to 31.4 ± 3.2° ( P = .006) in the procedure with the traditional GR and improved to 18.4 ± 4.5° ( P = .001) after the switch. Meanwhile, the clavicular angle aggravated from 1.6 ± 1.0° to 2.6 ± .7° ( P = .041), and improved to 1.7 ± .8° after changed to the tandem GR ( P = .033). At the final of the follow-up, the secondary curve was higher in the control group (27.1 ± 8.3° vs 18.4 ± 4.5°, P = .034), the clavicle angle was 2.4 ± 1.1° in control and 1.7 ± .8° in the tandem GR group ( P = .028), the T1-S1 height was 28.2 ± 4.8 cm in the control and 33.3 ± 3.0 cm in the tandem GR group ( P = .027). The average growth rate was 1.0 ± .3 cm/year in the control and 1.2 ± .4 cm/year in the tandem GR group ( P = .046).

Conclusion

Tandem GR can effectively improve the proximal upper thoracic curve progression during the treatment of EOS. Compared with the traditional GR, tandem GR can achieve better curve correction, better shoulder balance, and retains more capacity for longitudinal spine growth.
Facebook city: Place-named groups as urban communication infrastructure in Greater London
Authors: Ballatore Andrea , Rodgers Scott , McLoughlin Liam , Moore Susan
Published: January 2024

This paper investigates the geography of Facebook use at an urban-regional scale, focussing on place-named groups, meaning various interest groups with names relating to places such as towns, neighbourhoods, or points of interest. Conceptualising Facebook as a digital infrastructure – that is, the platform’s urban footprint, in the form of its place-named groups, rather than what individuals share and create using the service – we explore the location, theme, and scale of 3016 groups relating to places in Greater London. Firstly, we address the quantitative and qualitative methodological challenges that we faced to identify the groups and ground them geographically. Secondly, we analyse the scale of the toponyms in the group names, which are predominantly linked to London’s suburbs. Thirdly, we study the spatial distribution of groups, both overall and by specific types, in relation to the socio-demographic characteristics of residents at the borough level. Through correlation and robust regression analyses, the presence and activity of groups are linked to a relatively older, non-deprived, and non-immigrant population living in less dense areas, with high variability across different group types. These results portray place-named Facebook groups as communication infrastructure skewed towards more banal interactions and places in Greater London’s outlying boroughs. This research is among the first to explore and visualise the urban geographies of Facebook groups at a metropolitan scale, showing the extent, nature, and locational tendencies of large-scale social media use as increasingly ordinary aspects of how people come to know, experience, live, and work in cities.
An agent-based simulation model for the growth of the Sydney Trains network
Authors: Lahoorpoor Bahman , Levinson David M
Published: January 2024

Agent-based models are computational methods for simulating the actions and reactions of autonomous entities with the ability to capture their effects on a system through interaction rules. This study develops an agent-based simulation model (RANGE) to replicate the growth of Sydney Trains network by given exogenous historical evolution in land use. A set of locational rules has been defined to find a sequence of optimal stations from an initial seed. The model framework is an iterative process that includes five consecutive components including environment loading, measuring access, locating stations, connecting stations, and evaluating connections. In each iteration, following the locating/connecting process in each line of railways network, the accessibility will be calculated, and land use will be updated. Based on the compilation of network topology and properties, each iteration will be a year-on-year time step analysis. The network evolves based on a set of locational rules in regards to changes in the historic land use. Also, two coverage indices are defined to evaluate the fitness of the simulated lines in comparison to the Sydney tram and train network.
Characteristics and Risk Factors for Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Related to Endophthalmitis
Authors: Baxter Cary R. , Mccandless Martin G. , Lin Albert L.
Published: January 2024

Purpose: To evaluate the risk factors for the development of concurrent or delayed-onset rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) related to endophthalmitis as well as the anatomic and visual outcomes with subsequent RRD repair. Methods: In this retrospective case study, a 2-tailed t test (continuous) and Fisher exact test were used to determine statistical significance of the observed findings. The relative risk (RR) and 95% CIs were calculated to assess statistical significance. Results: Of the 170 patients included, 22 were found to have a concurrent or subsequent RRD. Initial treatment with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) (RR, 3.544; 95% CI, 1.650-7.614), aphakia (RR, 4.150; 95% CI, 1.434-12.011), endogenous endophthalmitis (RR, 2.684; 95% CI, 1.065-6.764), and posterior synechiae (RR, 3.026; 95% CI, 1.408-6.505) were statistically significant risk factors for RRD. Anatomically successful repair was achieved in 77.7% of patients. Conclusions: In addition to preexisting risk factors, the initial treatment of endophthalmitis may be a significant risk factor for RRD development, with a higher incidence of subsequent RRD in patients who have PPV as the initial treatment for endophthalmitis.
Subfoveal Choroidal Neovascular Membrane Secondary to Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension
Authors: Pereira Austin , Nichani Prem A.H. , Yan Peng , Micieli Jonathan A.
Published: January 2024

Purpose: To present a rare case of subfoveal choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM) secondary to idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Methods: A case was evaluated. Results: A 21-year-old woman presented with a 2-week history of painless blurred vision in the right eye. She described initial metamorphopsia and intermittent bitemporal headaches lasting 30 minutes. She denied pain with eye movements and a history of trauma. Her body mass index was 49 kg/m2. The visual acuity (VA) was 20/320 OD and 20/20 OS; there was no relative afferent pupillary defect. A dilated fundus examination showed bilateral optic disc edema and a subfoveal CNVM in the right eye. The patient was started on oral acetazolamide 500 mg twice daily and treated with 2 intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections. Three months later, the VA was 20/30 in the right eye and the disc edema had improved. Conclusions: CNVMs in the setting of idiopathic intracranial hypertension–related papilledema may be subfoveal and have an excellent response to anti-VEGF agents.
Training Master of Social Work Students in Brief Intervention for Unhealthy Alcohol Use: Results of a Validated Adherence Assessment
Authors: Berger Lisa , Topitzes James , Di Paolo Michelle
Published: January 2024

Background:

Many social workers receive limited training in working with clients engaged in unhealthy substance use. As a result, national organizations and agencies such as the Council on Social Work Education and individual social work programs are beginning to address this need by incorporating training into higher education social work programs. The purpose of this study was to examine Master of Social Work (MSW) students’ adherence to a brief intervention protocol for unhealthy alcohol use.

Methods:

A total of 91 MSW students consented to the assessment of their digital, audio-recorded class assignment by independent raters.

Results:

Although 90% of MSW student participants were found to be overall adherent to the protocol, gaps in training quality were also identified.

Conclusions:

Lessons learned for addressing the gaps are discussed, along with future directions for teaching and learning in social work related to substance use.
Xylazine-Associated Wounds and Related Health Concerns Among People Who Use Drugs: Reports From Front-Line Health Workers in 7 US States
Authors: Carroll Jennifer J.
Published: January 2024

Background:

Xylazine, an adrenergic alpha-2 agonist increasingly present in the US drug supply, is associated with severe skin ulcers and other harms. Expert knowledge from front-line harm reduction and healthcare professionals is an essential component of evidence-based practice. The purpose of this study is to describe the progression and treatment of xylazine-associated wounds, other xylazine-related health concerns, and the most urgent research priorities as reported by front-line harm reduction and healthcare professionals serving people who use drugs.

Methods:

A convenience sample of 17 healthcare and harm reduction professionals who serve people who use drugs in the US states of Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Texas participated in semi-structured interviews. Participants were asked about the appearance and progression of xylazine-associated wounds; preferred treatment strategies; other xylazine-related harms experienced by people who use drugs; and the most urgent priorities for xylazine-related research.

Findings:

Xylazine-associated wounds were broadly described as small lesions appearing mostly on extremities both at and away from injection sites, often within hours or days of exposure, that quickly developed into large, complex, chronic wounds. Reported risk of secondary infection was generally low but appeared more common among unhoused populations. Most participants preferred conservative treatment strategies that included regular wound care, enzymatic debridement, and hygiene. Xylazine-associated wounds and xylazine withdrawal reportedly act as significant barriers to care, including addiction treatment. Participants reported urgent need for scientific research and evidence-based guidance on the management of xylazine-associated wounds and withdrawal.

Conclusions:

High-quality scientific evidence on risk factors for xylazine-associated wounds and on their biologic mechanisms is needed. Such studies could inform new strategies for the prevention and treatment of these wounds. Efforts to improve the management of xylazine withdrawal and to reduce stigma by incorporating harm reduction professionals into healthcare settings may improve access to and retention in care.
Mean-to-median spectral acceleration ratios in Senior Seismic Hazard Analysis Committee Level 3 probabilistic seismic hazard analyses: An analysis of reported results
Authors: Valentini Alessandro , Beltran Francisco
Published: January 2024

In many countries, seismic characterization of the site selected for a critical structure or industrial facility is required in terms of site-specific seismic ground motion hazard. For this purpose, a probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA), performed under the Senior Seismic Hazard Analysis Committee (SSHAC) protocol, is an extended practice for nuclear facilities. In the past decade, SSHAC Level 3 studies have been performed for sites in North America, Europe, Japan, Taiwan, and South Africa. When analyzing PSHA results, the mean-to-median spectral acceleration ratios given by the hazard curves can be interpreted as a measure of the degree of epistemic uncertainty associated with the results. In this article, results of 33 SSHAC Level 3 studies have been used to determine mean-to-median spectral acceleration ratios and the statistics of these ratios, as a function of spectral frequency and annual frequency of exceedance (AFE). The purpose was to develop a reference for the range of uncertainty that is typically captured in this kind of studies. It has been found that, for a given AFE, ratios corresponding to different sites are within a relatively small interval, especially for the spectral frequency band between 2.5 and 10 Hz, which is the band normally more relevant for the seismic design of nuclear installations. In this band, for 10−4 yr−1 AFE, a mean/median ratio of 1.40 would envelop practically all investigated sites.
Fragility modeling practices and their implications on risk and resilience analysis: From the structure to the network scale
Authors: Rincon Raul , Padgett Jamie Ellen
Published: January 2024

Although fragility function development for structures is a mature field, it has recently thrived on new algorithms propelled by machine learning (ML) methods along with heightened emphasis on functions tailored for community- to regional-scale application. This article seeks to critically assess the implications of adopting alternative traditional and emerging fragility modeling practices within seismic risk and resilience quantification to guide future analyses that span from the structure to infrastructure network scale. For example, this article probes the similarities and differences in traditional and ML techniques for demand modeling, discusses the shift from one-parameter to multiparameter fragility models, and assesses the variations in fragility outcomes via statistical distance concepts. Moreover, the previously unexplored influence of these practices on a range of performance measures (e.g. conditional probability of damage, risk of losses to individual structures, portfolio risks, and network recovery trajectories) is systematically evaluated via the posed statistical distance metrics. To this end, case studies using bridges and transportation networks are leveraged to systematically test the implications of alternative seismic fragility modeling practices. The results show that, contrary to the classically adopted archetype fragilities, parameterized ML-based models achieve similar results on individual risk metrics compared to structure-specific fragilities, promising to improve portfolio fragility definitions, deliver satisfactory risk and resilience outcomes at different scales, and pinpoint structures whose poor performance extends to the global network resilience estimates. Using flexible fragility models to depict heterogeneous portfolios is expected to support dynamic decisions that may take place at different scales, space, and time, throughout infrastructure systems.
Optimization of Fixture Number in Large Thin-Walled Parts Assembly Based on IPSO
Authors: Liu Changhui , Wang Jing , Zheng Ying , Jin Ke , Yu Jianbo , Liu Jianfeng
Published: January 2024

There are lots of researches on fixture layout optimization for large thin-walled parts. Current researches focus on the positioning problem, i.e., optimizing the positions of a constant number of fixtures. However, how to determine the number of fixtures is ignored. In most cases, the number of fixtures located on large thin-walled parts is determined based on engineering experience, which leads to huge fixture number and extra waste. Therefore, this paper constructs an optimization model to minimize the number of fixtures. The constraints are set in the optimization model to ensure that the part deformation is within the surface profile tolerance. In addition, the assembly gap between two parts is also controlled. To conduct the optimization, this paper develops an improved particle swarm optimization (IPSO) algorithm by integrating the shrinkage factor and adaptive inertia weight. In the algorithm, particles are encoded according to the fixture position. Each dimension of the particle is assigned to a sub-region by constraining the optional position range of each fixture to improve the optimization efficiency. Finally, a case study on ship curved panel assembly is provided to prove that our method can optimize the number of fixtures while meeting the assembly quality requirements. This research proposes a method to optimize the number of fixtures, which can reduce the number of fixtures and achieve deformation control at the same time.
Mechanical properties of laminated bamboo lumber N-finity according to ISO 23478-2022
Authors: Al-Rukaibawi Layth S. , Kachichian Mansour , Károlyi György
Published: January 2024

This research used the new ISO 23478-2022 standard as a reference for the calculation of mechanical properties of N-finity, and to understand the failure modes in compression. Previous studies have investigated the mechanical properties of laminated bamboo lumber (LBL), however no study has evaluated the mechanical properties of LBL according to the recently published ISO 23478-2022. The compression testing programme in parallel and perpendicular-to-grain directions were conducted. The measured elastic stiffness properties and compressive strengths show anisotropy with higher compressive strength and stiffness parallel-to-grain direction as compared to those at the transversal directions. The observed failure modes at the parallel-to-grain direction exhibited a mixed mode failure, whereas perpendicular-to-grain directions exhibited failure with longitudinal splitting with crack propagation rupture. This finding can be quantified using Hills failure criterion principle to define the failure criterion and to estimate the Hill’s yield failure ratios.
Research and application of polypropylene: a review
Authors: Hossain Md. Tanvir , Shahid Md. Abdus , Mahmud Nadim , Habib Ahasan , Rana Md. Masud , Khan Shadman Ahmed , Hossain Md. Delwar
Published: January 2024

Polypropylene (PP) is a versatile polymer with numerous applications that has undergone substantial changes in recent years, focusing on the demand for next-generation polymers. This article provides a comprehensive review of recent research in PP and its advanced functional applications. The chronological development and fundamentals of PP are mentioned. Notably, the incorporation of nanomaterial like graphene, MXene, nano-clay, borophane, silver nanoparticles, etc., with PP for advanced applications has been tabulated with their key features and challenges. The article also conducts a detailed analysis of advancements and research gaps within three key forms of PP: fiber, membrane, and matrix. The versatile applications of PP across sectors like biomedical, automotive, aerospace, and air/water filtration are highlighted. However, challenges such as limited UV resistance, bonding issues, and flammability are noted. The study emphasizes the promising potential of PP while addressing unresolved concerns, with the goal of guiding future research and promoting innovation in polymer applications.

Graphical Abstract
Stercoral colitis in the emergency department: a review of the literature
Authors: Bae Emily , Tran Jacqueline , Shah Kaushal
Published: January 2024

Background

Stercoral colitis (SC) is a rare but potentially life-threatening inflammatory colitis caused by the accumulation of impacted fecal material. Despite reported associations with bowel perforation and high mortality rates, stercoral colitis remains a poorly defined and underrecognized diagnosis in the emergency department (ED).

Objective of the review

This review aims to summarize and synthesize existing literature on SC to guide its recognition and management in the ED.

Discussion

SC primarily occurs in elderly or bedbound patients with chronic constipation; however, it does occur in younger patients with comorbidities at increased risk for fecal impaction. Patients may present acutely with abdominal pain and distension, but clinical presentation is often nonspecific and varied, and there are no established diagnostic criteria for SC to date. CT is therefore crucial for diagnosis, revealing key findings such as fecaloma, colonic dilatation, and fat stranding. Treatment depends on severity of illness, ranging from manual disimpaction and other conservative measures for most cases, to surgical intervention for complicated cases, such as stercoral perforation.

Conclusions

SC can be a challenging diagnosis in the ED, often requiring multidisciplinary collaboration. Timely recognition and appropriate treatment are essential to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with this condition. Further research is needed to establish diagnostic criteria and clear management algorithms.
Analysis of cyanotoxins in Desertifilum and Leptolyngbya from Veeranam Lake: a potential health risk for Chennai, India
Authors: Ramya Mohan , Elumalai Sanniyasi , Umamaheswari Arthanari
Published: January 2024

Globally, dwindling potable water supplies and toxic waste triggered by human activities and climate change are substantial concerns. Below these occurrences, the suitability of drinking water regulations and their diligent execution are critical issues in maintaining human health. Unfortunately, even in developed countries, many infectious diseases (and other unidentified health effects) are linked to drinking water. These changes impact the harmful growth of Cyanobacteria or blue-green algae. Cyanobacteria-produced toxins can harm humans if they compromise drinking or ingested foods. Toxins like microcystin kill humans and creatures, leading to severe medical conditions. The present research focussed on the isolation, and identification of Cyanobacteria from the Veeranam Lake in the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu, India. The (ADDA)-specific ELISA technique is preferred to check the cytotoxicity in identified strains. The IC50 values of Leptolyngbya sp. showed 17.72 (g/L), and Desertifilum sp. exhibited 19.38 (g/L). Consequently, in (ADDA)-specific Microcystin quantitative assessment, Desertifilum sp. had higher toxin concentrations than Leptolyngbya sp. after the samples' singlet, duplicate, and triplicate values. Such toxicity evidence indicates that the concerns necessitate monitoring and maximum sustainability, especially when considering the various incipient toxins and the constantly evolving techniques to deal with them.
Assessing the intention to uptake MaaS: the case of Randstad
Authors: Lopez-Carreiro Iria , Monzon Andres , Lopez Elena
Published: January 2024

Mobility as a Service (MaaS) has recently gained popularity as an opportunity to encourage a more sustainable mobility model and improve urban liveability. Today, it is still uncertain if travellers are willing to uptake MaaS and transform their habits. In the paper, we explore individuals’ behavioural intention based on a survey comprising 418 respondents in the metropolitan area of Randstad (The Netherlands). The application of a Structural Equation Model allows to uncover a series of explanatory (attitudinal and personality) factors relevant for MaaS acceptance. Then, a cluster analysis determines four profiles of travellers in relation to their intention to embrace this new solution: ‘Short-duration commuters’, ‘Active travellers’, ‘Traditional car-supporters’, and ‘MaaS admirers’. Overall, we identify three main barriers for the potential adoption of MaaS: low willingness to combine different modes of transport, low affinity with technology, and low reliability on the new mobility services. We also recognise that low environmental concerns seem to frustrate individuals’ innovativeness.
Identification of three distinct cell populations for urate excretion in human kidneys
Authors: Sakaguchi Yoshihiko M. , Wiriyasermkul Pattama , Matsubayashi Masaya , Miyasaka Masaki , Sakaguchi Nau , Sahara Yoshiki , Takasato Minoru , Kinugawa Kaoru , Sugie Kazuma , Eriguchi Masahiro , Tsuruya Kazuhiko , Kuniyasu Hiroki , Nagamori Shushi , Mori Eiichiro
Published: January 2024

In humans, uric acid is an end-product of purine metabolism. Urate excretion from the human kidney is tightly regulated by reabsorption and secretion. At least eleven genes have been identified as human renal urate transporters. However, it remains unclear whether all renal tubular cells express the same set of urate transporters. Here, we show renal tubular cells are divided into three distinct cell populations for urate handling. Analysis of healthy human kidneys at single-cell resolution revealed that not all tubular cells expressed the same set of urate transporters. Only 32% of tubular cells were related to both reabsorption and secretion, while the remaining tubular cells were related to either reabsorption or secretion at 5% and 63%, respectively. These results provide physiological insight into the molecular function of the transporters and renal urate handling on single-cell units. Our findings suggest that three different cell populations cooperate to regulate urate excretion from the human kidney, and our proposed framework is a step forward in broadening the view from the molecular to the cellular level of transport capacity.
LooplessFluxSampler: an efficient toolbox for sampling the loopless flux solution space of metabolic models
Authors: Saa Pedro A. , Zapararte Sebastian , Drovandi Christopher C. , Nielsen Lars K.
Published: January 2024

Background

Uniform random sampling of mass-balanced flux solutions offers an unbiased appraisal of the capabilities of metabolic networks. Unfortunately, it is impossible to avoid thermodynamically infeasible loops in flux samples when using convex samplers on large metabolic models. Current strategies for randomly sampling the non-convex loopless flux space display limited efficiency and lack theoretical guarantees.

Results

Here, we present LooplessFluxSampler, an efficient algorithm for exploring the loopless mass-balanced flux solution space of metabolic models, based on an Adaptive Directions Sampling on a Box (ADSB) algorithm. ADSB is rooted in the general Adaptive Direction Sampling (ADS) framework, specifically the Parallel ADS, for which theoretical convergence and irreducibility results are available for sampling from arbitrary distributions. By sampling directions that adapt to the target distribution, ADSB traverses more efficiently the sample space achieving faster mixing than other methods. Importantly, the presented algorithm is guaranteed to target the uniform distribution over convex regions, and it provably converges on the latter distribution over more general (non-convex) regions provided the sample can have full support.

Conclusions

LooplessFluxSampler enables scalable statistical inference of the loopless mass-balanced solution space of large metabolic models. Grounded in a theoretically sound framework, this toolbox provides not only efficient but also reliable results for exploring the properties of the almost surely non-convex loopless flux space. Finally, LooplessFluxSampler includes a Markov Chain diagnostics suite for assessing the quality of the final sample and the performance of the algorithm.
Small-scale metapopulation structure of a limnophilic fish species in a natural river system investigated using microsatellite genotyping by amplicon sequencing (SSR-GBAS)
Authors: Meulenbroek Paul , Curto Manuel , Priglinger Paria , Pinter Kurt , Shumka Spase , Graf Wolfram , Schiemer Fritz , Meimberg Harald
Published: January 2024

Habitat niches of fish species can exert a strong influence on population structure, even on a small geographical scale. In this scope, Pelasgus thesproticus is a great model species to study connectivity in riverine environments owing to its naturally patchy habitat distribution. Furthermore, it is important to conduct such studies in near-natural systems to avoid the impact of human disturbances on the river, such as fragmentation, morphological changes and habitat degradation. In this sense, the Vjosa in Albania is an excellent study area. A total of 204 individuals were sampled from five locations in the lower Vjosa and two tributaries and genotyped with 33 newly designed microsatellites loci using high throughput sequencing. The application of microsatellite genotyping by sequencing revealed genetic structure and some differentiation, even at a small spatial scale (< 65 river km). A total of 500 alleles were found with an average of 0.93 private alleles among sites with rather low FST values (< 0.04). The extent of admixture observed in some populations indicate that the genetic structure is mainly influenced by upstream populations, either from the main river itself or from tributaries. In addition, the connection between a tributary and the other sites is disrupted by the flow regime, which is reflected in a high degree of divergence from the other populations. Our results indicate that hydrological conditions of the flowing river present strong barriers to gene flow, particularly in the upstream direction, but at the same time act as dispersal corridors in the downstream direction and exhibit source-sink dynamics in which upstream populations contribute disproportionately to downstream populations for this habitat specialist along the river. It is suggested that processes of colonization and reinforcement may play an important role in shaping the genetic structure of patchily distributed fish species in natural river systems. Future studies should increase the knowledge of dispersal factors, habitat heterogeneity, consequence of source-sink dynamics, and gene flow within the system, which will help to understand and maintain important processes related to metapopulation theory and the potential evolutionary consequences of habitat loss and fragmentation.
Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of the ADH gene family under diverse stresses in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.)
Authors: Wang Ruiqi , Du Chaofan , Gu Gang , Zhang Binghui , Lin Xiaolu , Chen Chengliang , Li Tong , Chen Rui , Xie Xiaofang
Published: January 2024

Background

Alcohol dehydrogenases (ADHs) are the crucial enzymes that can convert ethanol into acetaldehyde. In tobacco, members of ADH gene family are involved in various stresses tolerance reactions, lipid metabolism and pathways related to plant development. It will be of great application significance to analyze the ADH gene family and expression profile under various stresses in tobacco.

Results

A total of 53 ADH genes were identified in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) genome and were grouped into 6 subfamilies based on phylogenetic analysis. Gene structure (exon/intron) and protein motifs were highly conserved among the NtADH genes, especially the members within the same subfamily. A total of 5 gene pairs of tandem duplication, and 3 gene pairs of segmental duplication were identified based on the analysis of gene duplication events. Cis-regulatory elements of the NtADH promoters participated in cell development, plant hormones, environmental stress, and light responsiveness. The analysis of expression profile showed that NtADH genes were widely expressed in topping stress and leaf senescence. However, the expression patterns of different members appeared to be diverse. The qRT-PCR analysis of 13 NtADH genes displayed their differential expression pattern in response to the bacterial pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum L. infection. Metabolomics analysis revealed that NtADH genes were primarily associated with carbohydrate metabolism, and moreover, four NtADH genes (NtADH20/24/48/51) were notably involved in the pathway of alpha-linolenic acid metabolism which related to the up-regulation of 9-hydroxy-12-oxo-10(E), 15(Z)-octadecadienoic acid and 9-hydroxy-12-oxo-15(Z)-octadecenoic acid.

Conclusion

The genome-wide identification, evolutionary analysis, expression profiling, and exploration of related metabolites and metabolic pathways associated with NtADH genes have yielded valuable insights into the roles of these genes in response to various stresses. Our results could provide a basis for functional analysis of NtADH gene family under stressful conditions.