bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Humidity Sensing Analysis of ZnxCo2−xO4 (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) Nanocomposite Solid State, Thin and Thick Film Sensors at Room Temperature
Authors: Singh Rajeev , Yadav Anuradha
Published: May 2024

This paper reports the performance of the humidity sensing properties of cobalt zincate nanocomposite synthesized via conventional precipitation method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) outline revealed amorphous nature of nanocomposite. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images show sphere-shaped
morphology all over the surface. Optical characterization of the film was carried out by Ultra Violet (UV)-visible spectrophotometer. By Tauc plot the estimated value of band gap of the film was found 3.81 eV. The variations in electrical resistance of the pellet and films were measured with
change in Relative Humidity (RH%). As RH% increases, the resistance of each pellet decreases for the range 10% to 95%. The activation energy calculated from Arrhenius plot was found 0.58 eV. This investigation demonstrates the potential of ZnxCo2−xO4
nanocomposite for x < 1 based sensor for humidity sensing which is unique.
Innovative Solar Air Dryer Designs for Agricultural Products-A Review
Authors: Godse Rajesh S. , Purohit Pritee
Published: May 2024

Indeed, agricultural technological development plays a crucial role in the agricultural commercialization and socio-economic transformation of India. Enhancing farming through solar dryers has been considered to be a key strategy for enhancing food security and greater socioeconomic
change. Drying removes the majority of the product’s moisture content; it is a crucial post-harvest technique for agricultural goods that may increase quality, decrease losses during storage, and save transportation costs. The literature study provides evidence that solar dryers that
use phase change material and operate in indirect or mixed modes are more effective than direct drying solar dryers in drying agricultural goods. This review study’s main objective is to give an overview of the recent developments in solar dryer technology achieved by different researchers.
Innovative solar dryer designs for drying agricultural products are reviewed in this present work. A thorough analysis of the design, operation, uses, and comparison of solar dryers is conducted. The solar dryers design their modifications and different techniques to improve thermal performance
are studied thoroughly. Hybrid solar dryer with CPC, ETC, photovoltaic technology can work as an independent unit and proves the better thermal performance dryer unit as compared to conventional dryers. The new improvements to hybrid dryers are also discussed in detail. Present study will
be helpful for developing an economical dryer with variety of drying parameters and different agricultural products.
Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Benzohydrazide Derivatives: Synthesis, Characterization, and Profound Antimicrobial Activity
Authors: Verma Anil , Singh Joginder
Published: May 2024

A compelling series of innovative benzohydrazide derivatives has been successfully synthesized via a facile condensation reaction, involving the strategic union of benzohydrazide with diverse substituted formyl pyrazole derivatives under reflux conditions. The structural elucidation
of the newly formed compounds was meticulously accomplished through a battery of spectroscopic techniques, including FT-IR, NMR (1H & 13C), and mass spectrometry, ensuring the confirmation of their molecular integrity. This synthetic approach not only provides a robust
method for obtaining a versatile array of compounds but also holds promise for their biological activities. The incorporation of both pyrazole and benzohydrazide moieties renders these derivatives compelling candidates for extensive pharmacological investigations. The flexibility to introduce
diverse substituents onto the phenyl rings of these compounds presents an exciting avenue for tailoring their properties to specific applications. Notably, compounds 6b, 6c, and 6d demonstrated remarkable antibacterial and antifungal activities against tested microorganisms, establishing their
potential as potent antimicrobial agents. Beyond their antimicrobial efficacy, the structural diversity of these compounds positions them as valuable entities for medicinal chemistry research, offering avenues for the development of novel pharmaceutical agents. The present study underscores
the significance of these benzohydrazide derivatives in the realm of medicinal chemistry, hinting at their potential to catalyze advancements in therapeutic agent development.
Mental Health First Aid for Black Populations: Recommendations From the Neighborhood Healers Project
Authors: Malone Natalie , Cannon Brittany , Wright Courtney J. , Peterson Rayven L. , Verty Valerie P. A. , Brown Jordan K. D. , Mizelle Destin L. , Maxwell Kendra , Higgins-Hord Lisa , Burnett Camille , Stevens-Watkins Danelle , Hargons Candice N.
Published: May 2024

Community-based participatory action research can facilitate counseling psychologists’ engagement in social justice to benefit Black people’s mental health. One way to improve Black mental health is to equip credible and trustworthy community members with mental health knowledge and skills to support other community members experiencing mental health challenges. This study presents the Neighborhood Healers Project—a community-based participatory action research project that trains Black adults (Neighborhood Healers Fellows) in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA). During the inaugural 12-month fellowship year, we collected longitudinal qualitative data from N = 20 Fellows on the relevance of MHFA to Black people. In this paper, we examined their responses using reflexive thematic analysis. Findings included two themes with affiliated subthemes: (a) Liberatory Paradigm Shift and (b) For Us By Us: Culturally Relevant Curriculum. We conclude with implications for counseling psychologists.
Active recess: School break time as a setting for physical activity promotion in European primary schools
Authors: Bailey Richard Peter , Payne Rachel , Raya Demidoff Andreu , Samsudin Nadia , Scheuer Claude
Published: May 2024

Objective:

This study investigated active recess as an innovative approach to improving physical activity levels in European primary schools, addressing the need to counteract sedentary behaviour and enhance health in students.

Method and Design:

Using rapid reviewing, the article summarises empirical evidence from a variety of sources, including cross-sectional and intervention studies. Different approaches are investigated to determine their impact on physical activity during recess.

Results:

Different playground settings have distinct effects on physical activity, with grassland and designated zones in particular promoting moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Gender inequalities in physical activity patterns suggest the need for gender-sensitive interventions. Playground marking and scheduled activities temporarily increase physical activity, whereas recess of more than 60 minutes dramatically enhances physically active participation.

Conclusions:

This study demonstrates the impact of active recess in facilitating children to engage in higher levels of physical activity. The findings have implications for school health policy decisions.
Young men’s sexual health through the lens of precarious manhood
Authors: Vandello Joseph A , Kubicki RJ , Upton Rebecca A
Published: May 2024

Objectives:

This review examines the sexual development of young men through a precarious manhood framework. The teenage and emerging adulthood years are a time of change and uncertainty for many boys and young men, heightening concerns about manhood. They are also a time when boys and young men are learning about and experimenting with sex. Sex and (hetero)sexuality are means for establishing and proving manhood, especially during a developmental period when other avenues (e.g. financial success) may be less available.

Methods and Results:

This paper reviews research connecting precarious notions of manhood to sexual development across three areas. First, we examine how precarious manhood encourages sexual risk-taking and objectification of sexual partners. Second, we review research connecting precarious manhood to men’s sexual violence. Third, we link precarious manhood to men’s derogation of gender and sexuality minority (LGBTQ+) individuals and groups.

Conclusion:

We end the paper by suggesting how sexual education programmes may consider a precarious manhood framework to foster healthier sexual development.
Resisting by not resisting: Constructing inconsistencies to resist dual mandated changes
Authors: Skov Maria Bak , Lê Jane K
Published: May 2024

This article explains how employees construct inconsistencies between two separate mandated changes and use these inconsistencies to progressively resist the realization of both changes. Specifically, they use three practices – (1) demonstrating interdependencies between change elements, (2) framing these change elements as inconsistent and (3) establishing the consequentiality of specific change elements by constructing poor outcomes for these – to build capacity to critique, revise and eventually reject elements of both changes. As a result of this resistance, neither mandated change is fully realized. Our findings contribute to the literature on strategic change by illuminating the specific processual dynamics through which actors construct and manipulate the relationship between changes. This also allows us to contribute to the literature on resistance to change by illuminating the dynamics that over time enable actors to resist even mandated – that is, externally imposed – changes, by camouflaging resistance as non-resistance.
Self or Non-Self? Self-Essentialism and Well-Being in Tibetan Buddhist Monks
Authors: Kim Youlim , Dulaney Ellen , Wangchuk Gelek , Kim Kyunghee , Graupmann Verena
Published: May 2024

In monastic Tibetan Buddhists, we explored the psychological construct of self-essentialism, looking at links to satisfaction with life and meaning in life. We selected this population due to their deep commitment to teachings that emphasize the notion of “non-self.” We further explored the role of self-construal in the association between self-essentialism and psychological well-being. Finally, we explored how differences between the formal learning stages in Tibetan Buddhism affected our outcome variables. Replicating findings with other samples, there was small positive endorsement of self-essentialism, and a positive association between psychological essentialism and psychological well-being in this Tibetan Buddhist sample. Those on the highest learning stage in Tibetan Buddhism indicated greater self-essentialism, satisfaction with life, and search for life-meaning compared with the other stages. Interdependent self-construal moderated the association of self-essentialism with satisfaction with life. Contextualizing these findings within Tibetan Buddhist doctrine, it appears that Tibetan Buddhist monks utilize self-essentialism to clearly identify their path from the self toward “non-self.”
Trauma in world politics: Memory dynamics between different victim groups
Authors: Bachleitner Kathrin
Published: May 2024

While the international arena is littered with events of war and atrocities, the memory of the Holocaust was institutionalized as the ultimate benchmark of human suffering within the liberal world order. Against the backdrop of such a global memory landscape, this article explores how different memories of trauma interact. Building on literature within international relations, sociology and social psychology, as well as survey data collected from a sample of Syrians, Palestinians and Israelis, its analysis explores how victims of political violence compare their suffering with that of others and why such comparisons slip easily into competition. The analysis found that individuals were competitive with their memories when they showed high levels of patriotic attachment and a real and perceived, yet unrecognized, sense of victimhood. This article thus offers insight into a key issue in peace and conflict studies: the links between traumatic memory, victimhood, international recognition and conflict.
Food Security, Food Sovereignty, and Urban Agriculture in Cuba
Authors: Goeury Hugo
Published: May 2024

In the last thirty years, Cuba and its capital Havana have become homes to one of the most vibrant urban agricultural movements in the world. This article argues that urban agriculture (UA) became the epitome of a broader movement of “agricultural revolution” that followed the collapse of the previous, capital intensive, monocultural agro-export model. It contends that this transformation revolved around three pillars – land redistribution, agricultural diversification, and agroecology – that account for a transition from food security to food sovereignty. It also presents the results of interviews conducted in Havana with urban farmers to assess the impact that UA has on their family’s diet and food security. The research demonstrates that UA guarantees a heightened feeling of independence to urban farmers and has a tremendous impact on their food security and diversity, most notably through autoconsumption. It also shows that community needs, use value, and the decommodification of food and land are the driving principles of UA in Cuba, which is in line with the food sovereignty model.
State-of-the-Practice of a State Utilization of Traffic Simulation: Case Study of Florida, U.S.
Authors: Mamun Md Mahmud Hasan , Hadi Mohammed
Published: May 2024

Traffic simulation tools are widely used in analyzing and enhancing the forecasting, planning, design, operations, and management of transportation systems. Despite the increasing use of traffic simulation through the years, there are still many needs and issues facing transportation agencies and modelers in their use of traffic simulation. These needs and issues have not been sufficiently surveyed and summarized in the literature. The goal of this study is to identify the current applications, needs, and issues of traffic simulation modeling based on a survey of public and private agencies in Florida, U.S. The study conducted an online survey of traffic simulation modelers in Florida, followed by phone interviews with a subset of the respondents to the survey. The survey addressed the types of the utilized traffic analysis and simulation tools, utilized simulation guidance, utilized traffic data and performance measures, calibration processes and resources utilized by agencies, the current practice of future year demand forecasting, and perspective on the simulation of emerging technologies. The results from this study will help understand the present situation of applying traffic simulation and future needs to enhance simulation modeling capabilities and practices.
TYK2, IFITM3, IFNAR2 and OAS3 single-nucleotide polymorphisms among severe COVID-19 ICU patients in Morocco
Authors: Benmansour R. , Tagajdid M. R. , El Hamzaoui H. , Fjouji S. , Doghmi N. , Houba A. , Belbacha I. , Elkochri S. , Aabi R. , Elannaz H. , Laraqui A. , El Mchichi B. , Chmitah T. , Touil N. , Ennibi K. , Eljaoudi R. , Elmir E. , Amine Lahlou I. , Oumzil H.
Published: May 2024

Objectives

This study aimed to explore the potential correlation between specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (TYK2, IFITM3, IFNAR2, and OAS3 variants) and the severity of COVID-19 in Moroccan patients.

Methods

A genetic analysis was conducted on 109 patients with PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in Morocco. Among these patients, 46% were hospitalized in the intensive care unit, while 59% were not hospitalized. Importantly, all patients lacked known risk factors associated with COVID-19 severity. Genotyping was performed to identify variations in TYK2 rs74956615, IFITM3 rs12252, IFNAR2 rs2236757, and OAS3 rs10735079. Statistical analysis was applied using codominant, dominant and recessive logistic regression models to assess correlations with COVID-19 severity.

Results

Our findings revealed no significant correlation between TYK2 rs74956615, IFITM3 rs12252, IFNAR2 rs2236757, and OAS3 rs10735079 with COVID-19 severity in Moroccan patients, as indicated in logistic regression models ( p > .05). Interestingly, these results may offer insights into the mitigated impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the reduced severity observed in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients in Morocco. Age, however, exhibited a significant correlation with severity ( p < .001), with a trend towards increased likelihood of ICU admission with advancing age. Additionally, In the severe group, a higher proportion of patients were females (54%), indicating a statistically significant correlation with disease severity ( p = .04). Nevertheless, female ICU patients aged above 60 years accounted for 37%, compared to 17% for males.

Conclusion

This study underscores the absence of a genetic association between the selected polymorphisms and COVID-19 severity in Moroccan patients. Advanced age emerges as the primary factor influencing the severity of COVID-19 patients without comorbidities. We recommend setting the threshold for advanced age at 60 years as a risk factor for severe forms of COVID-19.
Using recorded visual data: Doing online interviews
Authors: McNamara Cormac
Published: May 2024

Using as a starting point an idea expressed by Thomas Scheff in the 1980s about the benefit of having video recordings of interviews that have been done, I discuss in this article how online research interviews via communication platforms such as Zoom or Skype can strengthen research studies. The specific benefits of having a visual recording of an interview in addition to an audio recording are discussed and consideration is also given to why Scheff’s proposal did not receive greater acceptance in practice among the community of researchers when it was first proposed. The obstacles that might have impeded the application of Scheff’s proposal by researchers over the years are outlined and suggestions are made as to why modern communication platforms such as Zoom and Skype might now enable Scheff’s proposal to be implemented in research studies that utilize interviews as a method of inquiry.
Justice Delayed is Justice Denied: Managing Contracting Performance for Equal Employment Opportunity Discrimination Complaints
Authors: Choi Iseul
Published: May 2024

Public agencies often use contractors to facilitate Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) discrimination complaint cases, but we know relatively little about which factors influence contracting performance of the complaint process. Drawing on contracting theories, this study examines two factors—incentive structure and contractor ownership (i.e., women-owned and small disadvantaged-owned)—that moderate the link between agency contracting use and agency performance in the discrimination complaint process. Using the agency-level panel data from multiple sources, this study finds agency contracting use facilitates the discrimination complaint process when agencies use a performance-based incentive structure. When it comes to the moderating effect of contractor ownership focused on the socially/economically underrepresented, the findings show that using small disadvantaged-owned contractors positively moderates the relationship between contracting use and performance at the agency level.
Institutional Betrayal in the Criminal and Civil Legal Systems: Exploratory Factor Analysis with a Sample of Black and Hispanic Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Freetly Porter Emma , Mendoza Maria Paula , Deng Miaomiao , Kiss Marissa , Mirance Katie , Foltz Katelyn , Hattery Angela J.
Published: May 2024

Institutional betrayal (IB) is well-documented among survivors of gender-based violence seeking help and/or reporting incidents of violence in various settings, including college campuses and health care settings. Two of the most common institutions from which survivors seek help are the criminal and civil legal systems; however, less is known about the experiences of IB among survivors interfacing with those systems. Previous studies exploring IB have implemented the Institutional Betrayal Questionnaire (IBQ) and its various adaptations, but this scale has not yet been analyzed in the criminal or civil legal context, nor has it been analyzed among racially marginalized survivors. This paper explores the potential for utilizing the IBQ-Health among a sample of 199 Black and Hispanic survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) who sought help from the criminal and/or civil legal system(s). An exploratory factor analysis was conducted to explore the fit of the measure to the data. Results suggest that the measure as it has previously been used does not demonstrate strong reliability or fit with this population or institution. Possible explanations and future directions are explored, including support for developing and piloting a new measure to assess IB among Black and Hispanic survivors of interpersonal violence who are seeking help from criminal and civil legal institutions.
Vision-based robotic grasping using faster R-CNN–GRCNN dual-layer detection mechanism
Authors: Duan Jianguo , Zhuang Liwen , Zhang Qinglei , Qin Jiyun , Zhou Ying
Published: May 2024

Visual grasping technology plays a crucial role in various robotic applications, such as industrial automation, warehousing, and logistics. However, current visual grasping methods face limitations when applied in industrial scenarios. Focusing solely on the workspace where the grasping target is located restricts the camera’s ability to provide additional environmental information. On the other hand, monitoring the entire working area introduces irrelevant data and hinders accurate grasping pose estimation. In this paper, we propose a novel approach that combines a global camera and a depth camera to enable efficient target grasping. Specifically, we introduce a dual-layer detection mechanism based on Faster R-CNN–GRCNN. By enhancing the Faster R-CNN with attention mechanisms, we focus the global camera on the workpiece placement area and detect the target object within that region. When the robot receives the command to grasp the workpiece, the improved Faster R-CNN recognizes the workpiece and guides the robot towards the target location. Subsequently, the depth camera on the robot determines the grasping pose using Generative Residual Convolutional Neural Network and performs the grasping action. We validate the feasibility and effectiveness of our proposed framework through experiments involving collaborative assembly tasks using two robotic arms.
Effects of the processing parameters and laser textures in friction stir spot welding of Al alloy and polyimide joints
Authors: Gao Jicheng , Mei Xin , Dong Jiachen , Jiao Junke
Published: May 2024

In this paper, friction stir spot welding (FSSW) technology was introduced to join 7075 Al alloy to polyimide (PI) sheets. The effects of the FSSW parameters and laser textures on the microstructure and tensile shear load of the Al/PI joint were studied. The optimum FSSW parameters were the rotation speed of 2400 r/min, the plunge depth of 0.4 mm, the dwell time of 20 s, and the plunge speed of 10 mm/min. The tensile shear load of the joint increased owing to the laser textures in the Al alloy surface. Cross-sections showed that the mechanical locking was found between the Al alloy and PI. The XPS results revealed that no chemical bond were formed at the welding interface after laser textures. The joining mechanism of Al 7075 and PI was main the mechanical locking.
Research on cobalt-molybdic sulfide composite coatings deposited by magnetic jet electrodeposition under different magnetic field intensities
Authors: Jiang Wei , Cheng Wenwei , Li Junjie , Wang Fuwei , Yu Daoyang , Chen Yuanlong
Published: May 2024

Co-MoS2 composite coatings were deposited by the magnetic jet electrodeposition under different magnetic field intensities. The growth orientation and deposition mechanism of Co-MoS2 composite coatings under magnetic jet electrodeposition were analyzed based on the weak adsorption theory of nanocomposite co-deposition. Research showed that the coating topography changed from a blade-like structure to a cellular structure, and the cellular structure became a granular protrusion structure with increase of the magnetic field intensity. Compared with Co-MoS2 composite coating in jet electrodeposition, the orientation of Co shifted from (110) to (101) as the magnetic field intensity increased in magnetic jet electrodeposition. The adhesion, microhardness, adhesion, corrosion and wear resistance of the composite coatings were enhanced, which was attributed to the influence of the magnetic field on the growth orientation of the composite coating and the coordinated lubrication effect in the Co-MoS2 composite coating.
Trajectory tracking control of the pushing ore truck manipulator based on adaptive sliding mode control with interference observer
Authors: Yang Lirong , Zhang Shuaibo , Li Jiajun
Published: May 2024

An improved sliding mode controller was designed to solve the problem of low tracking accuracy caused by various disturbances and errors existing in the hydraulic-driven manipulator for pushing ore truck. The state space equation of the hydraulic system of the pushing ore truck manipulator was modeled and derived, and a sliding mode function was designed. For interference signals, use interference observers for observation. For the unobserved parts, adaptive laws are used for compensation to reduce system chattering, and system’s stability is verified using Lyapunov functions. The simulation results show that, compared with the traditional Sliding mode control and adaptive sliding mode control, the adaptive sliding mode control strategy based on interference observer proposed in this paper can effectively weaken the system chattering, reduce the uncertainty caused by external interference and modeling error, and improve the trajectory tracking accuracy of the pushing ore truck manipulator.
Optimization of automotive aerodynamic performance based on DOE
Authors: Chen Yi , Ye Xiaoming , Wang Xiaobi , Duan Menghua , Deng Pei , Qing Ling
Published: May 2024

Based on a new-energy sedan as the research object, the Design of Experiments (DOE) optimization integrated grid deformation method was used to optimize and improve the aerodynamic performance of a certain development model. A three-dimensional flow field comparison analysis was conducted on the improved areas of the whole vehicle flow field, and wind tunnel tests were conducted for verification. Through CFD simulation and wind tunnel test verification, the accuracy of the CFD simulation method was verified. The engineering feasible DOE optimization recommended area for the whole vehicle was summarized. The optimal prediction results based on the DOE optimization method and the corresponding CFD simulation results were analyzed for reliability. The correlation between the optimization variables and the target function was analyzed, and 6 counts reduced the whole vehicle drag coefficient by adjusting the optimization variables within a small range. Finally, wind tunnel tests were used to verify the effectiveness of the optimized variable scheme. The results provide an important reference for the optimization design and development of vehicle aerodynamic performance.
Epidemiological Features of Hepatitis C in China From 2015 to 2021: Insights From National Surveillance Data
Authors: Wang Lan , Ma Chenjin , Zhou Yi , Wang Yuliang , Zhao Na , Chen Yijuan , Miao Ziping , Yang Yunmei , Liu Shelan
Published: May 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic overwhelmed national health care systems, not least in the context of hepatitis elimination. This study investigates the effects of the pandemic response on the incidence rate, mortality rate, and case fatality rate (CFR) for hepatitis C virus (HCV) cases in China. We extracted the number of hepatitis C cases and HCV-related deaths by month and year for 2015 to 2021 in China and applied two proportional tests to analyze changes in the average yearly incidence rates, mortality rates, and CFRs for 2015 to 2020. We used the autoregressive integrated moving average model to predict these three rates for 2020 based on 2015 to 2019 HCV data. The incidence of hepatitis C decreased by 7.11% and 1.42% ( P < .001) in 2020 and 2021, respectively, compared with 2015 to 2019, while it increased by 6.13% ( P < .001) in 2021 relative to 2020. The monthly observed incidence in 2020 was significantly lower (−26.07%) than predicted. Meanwhile, no differences in mortality rate or CFR were observed between 2021, 2020, and 2015 to 2019. Our findings suggested that nonpharmaceutical interventions and behavioral changes to mitigate COVID-19 could have reduced hepatitis C incidence and accelerated China’s implementation of a plan to eliminate HCV infection.
The relationship between uncertainty in illness and psychological adjustment to chronic illness
Authors: Skojec Theresa A , Davidson Tatiana M , Kelechi Teresa J
Published: May 2024

Using Mishel’s Uncertainty in illness theory, this integrative review sought to identify how uncertainty in illness and psychological adjustment to illness are associated with chronic illness to guide development of interventions to support psychological adjustment. A search was conducted via EBSCOHost to answer the question “What is the relationship between uncertainty in illness and psychological adjustment to chronic illness?” Two key factors were identified as having an impact on psychological adjustment to chronic illness in the presence of uncertainty in illness including uncertainty appraisal and the type of coping strategies used in response to the appraisal. Individuals with a chronic illness diagnosis are more likely to experience increased levels of uncertainty in illness and decreased psychological adjustment to illness. A better understanding of these two concepts is important to augment and or guide the development of interventions to support psychological adjustment.
A new hybrid control strategy for improving ride comfort on lateral suspension system of railway vehicle
Authors: Shiao Yaojung , Huynh Tan-Linh
Published: May 2024

The ride comfort is a key research area for the quality improvement of railway vehicles. Several control methods have been developed to improve the ride comfort, in which the semi-active control approach inherits the advantages of passive and active control approaches. However, the semi-active control may perform ineffectively in vibration attenuation when the carbody load changes. To address this issue, we proposed a novel hybrid control method that combines the skyhook (SH) and displacement velocity (DV) control methods to reduce vibrations of the carbody in the lateral direction under carbody load changes. First, a hybrid control model built in Matlab software was applied to a quarter railway vehicle model for a preliminary assessment of the ride comfort. Second, to provide a more comprehensive evaluation, the proposed model was applied to a whole railway vehicle model using co-simulation (Matlab-Simpack). In the quarter model, under the sinusoidal excitation, the hybrid control showed a lower acceleration by 48.5% and 42.8% when the carbody load reduced to a half and a quarter, respectively, compared to the passive control. This finding was confirmed with the whole model. Moreover, in the whole model, under the track irregular excitation, the hybrid control showed a lower acceleration by 26.6% and 17.4% when the carbody load reduced to a half and a quarter, respectively. Further, the proposed method showed an acceptable safety level, measured by the derailment coefficient (0.0743 at a half load and 0.089 at a quarter load). In conclusions, the proposed hybrid SH-DV control exhibits high robustness, adaptability, effectiveness, and acceptable safety level in response to variations in body load.
Enhancing children’s understanding of algorithmic biases in and with text-to-image generative AI
Authors: Vartiainen Henriikka , Kahila Juho , Tedre Matti , López-Pernas Sonsoles , Pope Nicolas
Published: May 2024

Despite the growing concerns surrounding algorithmic biases in generative AI (artificial intelligence), there is a noticeable lack of research on how to facilitate children and young people’s awareness and understanding of them. This study aimed to address this gap by conducting hands-on workshops with fourth- and seventh-grade students in Finland, and by focusing on students’ ( N = 209) evolving explanations of the potential causes of algorithmic biases within text-to-image generative models. Statistically significant progress in children’s data-driven explanations was observed on a written reasoning test, which was administered prior to and after the intervention, as well as in their responses to the worksheets they filled out during a lesson that focused on algorithmic biases. The article concludes with a discussion on the development and facilitation of children’s understanding of algorithmic biases.
Visualizing dementia and stigma: a scoping review of the literature
Authors: Putland Emma , Brookes Gavin
Published: May 2024

Discursive choices are recognized by both academic and dementia communities as being central to the perpetuation (or challenging) of dementia-related stigma. Yet, the focus of the vast majority of research on the discursive dynamics of dementia stigma to date has been on the role of language only, effectively failing to regard the multimodal reality of discourse. The present study aims to address this gap by conducting a scoping review of the smaller, and relatively more recent, body of literature that has examined visual modes of communication. The authors ask the following questions: (1) What theories of stigma have informed or guided studies of visual representations of dementia and people with dementia? (2) What visual features of representations of dementia and people with dementia might contribute to and/or challenge dementia stigma? Using Scopus, PubMed, PsychInfo and Google Scholar, 10 papers published between January 2000 and July 2023 were selected and thematically synthesized. The authors found that most studies had limited or no engagement with specific stigma theories, although the general principle of establishing or challenging distance between an in-group (‘us’) and out-group (‘them’) informed many of the analyses. Visual features with the potential to contribute to stigma tended to impersonalize people with dementia through foregrounding visual markers of dementia (oftentimes emphasizing loss and/or the brain) and establishing symbolic distance between viewers/other represented participants and people with dementia. This distance could be achieved through visual framing techniques (regarding angle, gaze, colour, setting) which, for instance, could subtly position people with dementia as the ‘living dead’. There was much less focus on visual features with the potential to challenge stigma, which together emphasized social connection, transformation and taking the perspective of someone with dementia. Turning to reception, another potential aspect of challenging stigma was reinterpreting supposedly ‘stigmatizing’ images. In this article, these findings are interpreted in relation to the broader stigma literature and implications for future research and advocacy efforts are discussed.
Not seeing the wood for the trees: Influences on random forest accuracy
Authors: Hand Chris , Fitkov-Norris Elena
Published: May 2024

Machine learning classifiers are increasingly widely used. This research note explores how a particular widely used classifier, the Random Forest, performs when faced with samples which are imbalanced and noisy data. Both are known to affect accuracy, but if their effects are independent or not has not been explored. Based on an experiment using synthetic data generated for the study we find that the effects of noise and sample balance interact with each other; classification accuracy is worse when faced with both noisy data and sample imbalance. This has implications for the use of RF in market research, but also for how methods to address either sample imbalance or noise are assessed.
Dynamic multi-layer walkability model for transit-oriented movement: Nodes and Routes optimization method
Authors: Ferels Arnott , Indraprastha Aswin
Published: May 2024

This paper presents a novel approach to optimizing movement in urban areas through a dynamic multi-layer walkability model. This research uncovers new facets of walkability modeling within transit-oriented movement, aligning pedestrian pathways (Routes) with urban architecture, public spaces, and green spaces (Nodes). The dynamic multi-layer (DML) approach involves optimizing both the Nodes and Routes of the transit system using a multi-objective optimization method. This method improves accessibility and connectivity by aggregating the results of agent-based modeling for route simulations and considers multiple criteria, including greenness, distance to transit, and destination accessibility. Experimentation with a case study produced several findings that underscore the value of multi-layered models for transit movement and the power of computational methods in optimizing both Nodes and Routes. This discovery offers valuable insights into the DML process and its potential applications in the field of urban design and architecture.
The Effects of Wage Information on Support for Redistributive Spending
Authors: Thorson Emily , Trump Kris-Stella
Published: May 2024

Public support for redistributive policies (e.g., Medicaid) depends in part on the perceived need and deservingness of beneficiaries. However, the average citizen is not well informed about the economic conditions of their fellow citizens. In this article, we explore how information about average earnings of the working poor (a group generally seen as deserving) influences support for redistributive spending. Two survey experiments test whether support for such spending is affected by information about the average incomes of low-wage occupations (e.g., home health aides and retail sales workers). We additionally explore potential mechanisms for this effect, including empathy. An exploratory study finds an effect, but a pre-registered confirmatory study yields substantively small findings with inconsistent significance. Even when participants both receive detailed information about low-wage occupations’ salaries and are encouraged to recall people who they know in those jobs, the treatment has no substantial effect. Given the strength of this treatment and the lack of consistent effects, we conclude that interventions providing information about low-income salaries (e.g., in news coverage or interpersonal conversation) are unlikely to have a substantive effect on support for redistribution.
Simultaneous Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation and Endovascular Aneurysm Repair for Severe Aortic Stenosis and Symptomatic Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Mini Review
Authors: Conde Vela César Nicolás , Gamarra-Valverde Norma Nicole , Inga Katherine , Vargas Machuca Luis Alberto Mejía
Published: May 2024

Background: The treatment of patients with severe aortic stenosis (SAS) who concomitantly present with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is not defined. Aortic valve replacement surgery, performed alone, increases the risk of AAA rupture. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) in the same intervention, especially in high-risk patients, is a safe alternative. Purpose: We report a case of simultaneous endovascular treatment of SAS and AAA and a mini literature review of nineteen cases with similar characteristics. Research design: Case report and literature review. Data Collection: An electronic search of PubMed and Scopus was performed from inception to December 2023. Results: Nineteen case reports of simultaneous transcatheter aortic valve repair and endovascular aneurysm repair for SAS and symptomatic AAA were identified published in the literature. Conclusions: We regard the simultaneous endovascular approach to both pathologies as a promising treatment alternative for selected patients with severe aortic stenosis and abdominal aortic aneurysm. We highlight the need to conduct randomized clinical trials in this patient population.
Virtual Research Prioritization: Innovations for Research Agenda Development With Impacted Communities
Authors: Gichane Margaret W. , Asiodu Ifeyinwa V. , Chambers Brittany D. , Clary Chakiya , Cooper Norlissa M. , Erhahon Hendrix , Negrete Gabriela , Skrine Jeffers Kia , Young Judy , McLemore Monica R.
Published: May 2024

Involving communities in research prioritization is an important component of developing relevant research, policy, and healthcare questions. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to an increased need for research prioritization methods which align with public health protections. The Research Prioritization by Affected Communities (RPAC) protocol is a participatory method which directly involves historically excluded communities in developing and prioritizing research questions. We adapted the RPAC protocol for the virtual environment (RPAC-ve) to understand the research, healthcare delivery, and policy priorities of greatest importance to communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in relation to pregnancy in the United States. RPAC-ve included the use of a web-based platform, sharable documents for listing and ranking research questions, and a scribe to capture a visual representation of RPAC-ve sessions. RPAC-ve is a flexible and effective priority setting method which can be used to engage high risk populations.
Comparison of Bayesian and frequentist monitoring boundaries motivated by the Multiplatform Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Joo Jungnam , Leifer Eric S , Proschan Michael A , Troendle James F , Reynolds Harmony R , Hade Erinn A , Lawler Patrick R , Kim Dong-Yun , Geller Nancy L
Published: May 2024

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic highlighted the need to conduct efficient randomized clinical trials with interim monitoring guidelines for efficacy and futility. Several randomized coronavirus disease 2019 trials, including the Multiplatform Randomized Clinical Trial (mpRCT), used Bayesian guidelines with the belief that they would lead to quicker efficacy or futility decisions than traditional “frequentist” guidelines, such as spending functions and conditional power. We explore this belief using an intuitive interpretation of Bayesian methods as translating prior opinion about the treatment effect into imaginary prior data. These imaginary observations are then combined with actual observations from the trial to make conclusions. Using this approach, we show that the Bayesian efficacy boundary used in mpRCT is actually quite similar to the frequentist Pocock boundary.

Methods

The mpRCT’s efficacy monitoring guideline considered stopping if, given the observed data, there was greater than 99% probability that the treatment was effective (odds ratio greater than 1). The mpRCT’s futility monitoring guideline considered stopping if, given the observed data, there was greater than 95% probability that the treatment was less than 20% effective (odds ratio less than 1.2). The mpRCT used a normal prior distribution that can be thought of as supplementing the actual patients’ data with imaginary patients’ data. We explore the effects of varying probability thresholds and the prior-to-actual patient ratio in the mpRCT and compare the resulting Bayesian efficacy monitoring guidelines to the well-known frequentist Pocock and O’Brien–Fleming efficacy guidelines. We also contrast Bayesian futility guidelines with a more traditional 20% conditional power futility guideline.

Results

A Bayesian efficacy and futility monitoring boundary using a neutral, weakly informative prior distribution and a fixed probability threshold at all interim analyses is more aggressive than the commonly used O’Brien–Fleming efficacy boundary coupled with a 20% conditional power threshold for futility. The trade-off is that more aggressive boundaries tend to stop trials earlier, but incur a loss of power. Interestingly, the Bayesian efficacy boundary with 99% probability threshold is very similar to the classic Pocock efficacy boundary.

Conclusions

In a pandemic where quickly weeding out ineffective treatments and identifying effective treatments is paramount, aggressive monitoring may be preferred to conservative approaches, such as the O’Brien–Fleming boundary. This can be accomplished with either Bayesian or frequentist methods.
The effect of migration on economic and productivity growth in Russia
Authors: Lee Han-Sol , Kurbatskii Aleksei N.
Published: May 2024

This research endeavors to delve into the impact of migration flows on the nation’s economic and productivity growth based on panel data from 80 Russian states for the period of 2015–2021. Our research aims to induce migration policies for the sustainable income and productivity growth of Russia. From the baseline regression analysis with state fixed effects and additional analysis with state random effects and the two-step system GMM, we found a positive impact of migration growth rate on per capita and TFP and the heterogeneity of its effects depending on the Russian regions. It indicates that migration outflows negatively influence the regional economies of Russia and suppress regional economic growth and the positive effects of migration inflows are the strongest shown in less populated states in the Siberian and Far Eastern Federal Districts. This is evidence of the negative effects of migration outflows, which are summarized by the exodus of labor and the loss of tax revenues. The Russian government should implement migration policies both in international and domestic contexts to attract migrants, considering that Russia suffers from outflows of skilled workers to other countries and unbalanced domestic migration flows to west Russia. To reduce migration outflows of workers to other countries, quality jobs should be created (through an increase in R&D), and other incentives and subsidies can be provided to encourage emigrants to return to Russia. For the migration inflows of small regions in Russia, domestic and foreign investment should be promoted to create jobs and establish infrastructure, which can also help slow down immigration from these regions.