bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Depicting the Holy Cities: Study on a Nineteenth-Century Chinese Islamic Pilgrimage Scroll
Authors: Jin Shunhua
Published: December 2024

This article examines a scroll entitled “The Illustration of Arabia” (天方圖考) which is held at the Italian Geographical Society in Rome. Made by a Chinese Muslim, it offers a unique visual and intellectual perspective on Islamic holy sites. The research transcribes and translates the text of scroll into English, and analyses it in the Chinese Islamic context, comparing them to Chinese cosmology, mythology, and the Han Kitab. It also explores the visual content of the scroll, examining the tradition of the Western Asian imagery of Islamic holy sites, Chinese cartography, and the local Muslim visual environment. Furthermore, this article traces Chinese Muslim pilgrimages in the nineteenth century and discusses the visual resources from West Asia that were available to Chinese Muslims.
Seeing the Muslim Gravestones in Medieval Quanzhou as an Integral Cultural Product
Authors: Li Guotong
Published: December 2024

Material cultural historians have promoted a new approach to the old discoveries of diasporic Muslim gravestones in maritime Asia, seeing the stones as an “integral cultural product.” Quanzhou has by far the richest trove of Islamic inscriptions. Many read through the inscribed texts, but their studies lack an integral examination of the wider social context of manufacturing. This research focuses on material remains of engraved gravestones and shifts the inquiry from the inscribed text to the circumstances of manufacture, such as material, technology, the social and political context, and interactions between the stone carvers and their Muslim patrons. By seeing the gravestones as products of the whole society, it challenges the oversimplified view of cultural assimilation to reveal the trading community’s cultural diversity. Manufacture of and trade in gravestones across the South China Sea also nuances the history of dissemination of material culture in the region.
الموسيقى والأخلاق عند أبي نصر الفارابي: في إمكان الأخلاقيَّة الحرَّة من منظورٍ موسيقانيٍّ
Authors: العيادي سالم
Published: December 2024

ملخّص

يتناول المقال مسألة العلاقة بين الموسيقى والأخلاق من منظور مخصوص هو منظور اللَّذَّة الإستطيقيَّة بوصفها كمالاً للإدراك. ويسعى إلى بيان الصِّلة بين الإستطيقا والإتيقا كاشفاً عن ارتباط الموسيقى (الغناء بوصفه لعباً نافعاً) بالحكم الأخلاقيّ القائم على ثنائيّة المحمود والمذموم والفضيلة والرّذيلة من جهةٍ أولى، وعن إمكانيَّة التَّأسيس لأخلاقيَّة حرَّة بفضل اللّعب الموسيقيّ الحرّ (العزف) المتحرّك في فضاء الحرّيَّة والاستهتار من جهة ثانية. وقد بان لنا من منظور اللّذّة الموسيقيّة أن بعض المفردات يمكن إعادة النّظر فيها وتعميق دلالتها مفهوميًّا وإشكاليًّا، وعلى رأسها مفهوم السَّعادة والفضيلة‫.‬
المخطوطات الطبيَّة العربيَّة في دار المخطوطات الأرمنيَّة ”الماتيناداران“، باسم ميسروب ماشدوتس
Authors: ماكاريان فنيرا
Published: December 2024

الملخَّص

‫تتضمَّنُ دار المخطوطات الأرمنيَّة ”الماتيناداران“ باسم ميسروب ماشدوتس (Matenadaran – Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts) مجموعةَ مخطوطات بالخط العربيِّ بينها 17 مخطوطة طبيَّة (اثنتان منها بأبجديَّة عبريَّة) وقصاصةً واحدة.‬

‫ومن الجدير بالذكر أنه على الرغم من أن المخطوطات الطبيَّة العربيَّة للماتينداران تشكِّلُ جزءًا صغيرًا من إجمالي المخطوطات العربيَّة (نحو 2000 وحدة) فإنها ذات قيمة كبيرة من حيث المحتوى، وتتضمن دراسات مشهورة تمثلُ حجرَ الأساس في الطبِّ الشرقيِّ في العصور الوسطى.‬

‫ينضافُ إلى أهميَّة دراسة المخطوطات الفردية الكاملة لهذه المجموعة دراسة المجموعات الطبيَّة التي تشملُ العديد من الأعمال (يصلُ عددُها إلى تسعة أعمال)، وهي تُعَدُّ في غاية الأهميَّة والقيمة. ولكن – في المقابل – توجد مخطوطات من هذا القبيل، التي لا تزال مجهولة على الرغم من البحوث المكثفة حولها.‬

‫وبالإضافة إلى النص الرئيس المتواجد في معظم مجموعات المخطوطات الطبيَّة العربيَّة هناك العديد من الوصفات الطبيَّة والتعليمات والأدعية المتعلقة بالطب والسحر، التي غالبًا ما تكون مكتوبةً في هوامش المخطوطات أو البطانة أو الأوراق المحفوظة أو تكون ملحقةً بصفحات منفصلة من المخطوطة.‬

‫يمتدُّ تسلسلُ للمخطوطات الطبيَّة زمنيًّا من القرن الثالث عشر إلى القرن العشرين، على الرغم من أن معظم المخطوطات تعود إلى القرنين السابع عشر والثامن عشر. وقد شُكِّلَت هذه المجموعةُ وَجُمِعَت بشكل أساسيٍّ من مجموعات كان يمتلكُها أفرادٌ، مثل فاروجان سالاتيان وهوفانيس باسماجيان وهاروتيون هازاريان (Varuzhan Salatyan, Hovhannes Basmatchyan, Harutyun Hazaryan)، ومن خلال تبرُّعات فردية من محمد غالب مخيدينوفيتش صادق والكاثوليكوس عموم الأرمن فاسكين الأول (Catholicos of All Armenians Vazgen the First and Mohsmed Ghalib Mukhiddinovich Sadigh) (1955–1984) ، ومن خلال مشتريات من أرشالويس نازاريان وليليانا هاروتيونيان (Arshaluys Nazaryan, Liliana Harutyunyan).‬
Dwa północnokresowizmy substratowe: ‘cybaty’ i ‘kaliwo’ w zasobach systemu Odkrywka (badania z wykorzystaniem modelu językowego GPT-4)
Authors: Mędelska Jolanta , Wierzchoń Piotr
Published: December 2024

Autorzy przeprowadzili badanie 2 północnokresowizmów substratowych: cybaty i kaliwo, penetrując gigantyczne zbiory zdigitalizowane systemu Odkrywka w przedziale czasowym 1500–1939 i używając eksperymentalnie sztucznej inteligencji do odsiania zbędnych wskazań. Udowodnili, że zastosowanie SI umożliwia błyskawiczne wykrycie zadanych znaczeń, co stanowi przełom w odnajdywaniu w zasobach elektronicznych kalk semantycznych, częstych w polszczyźnie kresowej. Autorzy wyekscerpowali 43 wystąpienia przymiotnika cybaty i 86 wystąpień rzeczownika kaliwo, czyli kilkakrotnie więcej niż inni badacze. Odkryli także liczne przykłady sprzed 1939 roku, których dotąd brakowało. Użycie systemu Odkrywka pozwoliło podać precyzyjne lokalizacje źródeł poświadczeń, ustalić daty pierwszych wystąpień badanych leksemów w każdym ze znaczeń, wykryć kilka niepoświadczonych wcześniej znaczeń, a także umożliwiło pełniejszy ogląd zasięgów terytorialnych jednostek i stwierdzenie niemal zerowej obecności badanych wyrazów w zbiorach powojennych, po odłączeniu kresów północno wschodnich od Polski. Analiza pozyskanych przykładów pozwala podać w wątpliwość hipotezy o litewskiej genezie jednostek cybaty i kaliwo.
“Slavic Core” – an Internet Aesthetic or Generation Z’s Struggle for Identity?
Authors: Pejasz Michał , Staszewska Zuzanna
Published: December 2024

“Slavic Core” – an Internet Aesthetic or Generation Z’s Struggle for Identity?
The main focus of the work is the so-called “Slavic Core” TikTok phenomenon. The authors attempt to describe what this new trend is, how it is implemented by users, and how to interpret the results of its analysis. The research draws from cultural studies, implementing elements from the fields of visual arts and sociolinguistics.
 
Slavic Core – internetowa estetyka czy walka o tożsamość pokolenia Z?
Przedmiotem uwagi jest istniejący na portalu społecznościowym TikTok fenomen tzw. Slavic Core. Autorzy dokonują próby wyjaśnienia, czym on jest oraz jak jest implementowany przez użytkowników. Ponadto proponują, jak interpretować wykazane tendencje. Perspektywa badawcza opiera się na założeniach kulturoznawstwa i odsyła do zagadnień z zakresu sztuk wizualnych oraz socjolingwistyki.
Supernatural, Folksong and Human Sacrifice
Authors: Kordos Przemysław
Published: December 2024

Supernatural, Folksong and Human Sacrifice
This article analyses the fantastic elements in the demotic song “Bridge in Arta”. This ballad is a frequent object of research, but mainly genetic and structural, in Balkan contexts. The author focuses on another aspect of it: the multiplicity and multi-levelness of the supernatural (fantastical) elements appearing in its versions, but using contemporary conceptions of thinking about speculative texts.
 
To, co nadprzyrodzone, pieśń ludowa i ofiara ludzka
W artykule zostały przeanalizowane elementy fantastyczne w pieśni gminnej Most w Arta. Ballada ta jest częstym przedmiotem badań, przede wszystkim genetycznych i strukturalnych, i to w kontekstach bałkańskich. Autor skupia się na innym jej aspekcie: wielości i wielopoziomowości elementów nadprzyrodzonych (fantastycznych) pojawiających się w jej różnych wersjach, i wykorzystuje współczesne koncepcje myślenia o tekstach spekulatywnych.
Indigenous people display lower mental illness stigma in Aotearoa
Authors: Jamieson Issac , Winter Taylor , Mason Andre , Fehoko Edmond , Arahanga-Doyle Hitaua , Fox Ririwai , Scarf Damian
Published: December 2024

Background:

Mental illness stigma continues to be pervasive and problematic in society. Researchers have attempted to better understand this stigma through investigations into demographic factors that may predict stigma, focusing on factors such as age, ethnicity and education.

Method:

We investigated demographic factors in the context of Aotearoa New Zealand, with a particular focus on Māori, the Indigenous people of Aotearoa. We used data from the Health Promotion Agency, which collected representative samples from Aotearoa across three survey waves (total n = 3518). Assessment instruments were the Mental Health Knowledge Scale (MAKS), the Reported and Intended Behaviour Scale (RIBS) and the Community Mental Health Ideology subscale of the Community Attitudes towards the Mentally Ill (CAMI). Using linear mixed-effects model we controlled for several demographic variables (e.g. age, biological sex, education and socioeconomic status) and additional variables (e.g. having a psychological condition and whether participants knew someone with mental illness) across three models for each measure.

Results:

The results revealed that mental illness stigma was lower among both Māori and European participants. Additional variables and their associations with mental illness stigma are also discussed.

Conclusion:

Overall, this study illustrates mental illness stigma as lower among Indigenous people in Aotearoa, which prompts further research into ethnicity and mental illness stigma as well as non-Western understandings of mental illness.
Will restricting the age of access to social media reduce mental illness in Australian youth?
Authors: Blake Julie A , Sourander Andre , Kato Akina , Scott James G
Published: December 2024

In recent years, there has been a substantial increase in the prevalence of youth mental illness which has coincided with the growing use of social media throughout society. Studies have demonstrated associations between social media use by young people and mental ill health leading the Australian government to declare a ban on social media by Australians below 16 years of age. This paper aims to critically examine the existing literature reporting these associations and highlights key methodological limitations. We argue that before implementing any restrictive measures that will affect all young people across Australia, it is crucial to consider the evidence to ensure that the proposed legislation is well informed and evidence-based. We suggest there is inadequate evidence at this time to conclude that the rise in youth mental illness is attributable to social media. While the concerns about social media’s impact on youth mental health warrants attention, it is essential to consider alternative explanations and to conduct studies that inform highly impactful public health measures. Preventative strategies to address mental illness in young people must be feasible to implement, effective and not give rise to unintended harms.
SES Resilience in a Disrupted Earth System: Developing Systemic Attention to Emerging Ecological Adversity in Collaborative Governance Organizations
Authors: Baudoin Lucie , Collet Francois , Arenas Daniel
Published: December 2024

Collaborative Governance Organizations (CGOs) are commonly established to manage Socio-Ecological Systems (SESs). Collaborative processes are designed to gather information relevant to SESs from a diverse set of actors and to foster shared learning in the face of ecological adversity. Little is known, however, about how CGOs develop attention to emerging ecological adversity, which is critical for providing effective and timely responses that enhance SES resilience. The biophysical mechanisms driving emerging ecological adversity cut across a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. Developing attention to these mechanisms requires identifying cross-scale interdependencies and allocating limited attentional resources between local vs. global concerns, and short-term vs. long-term issues. This study explores the process of developing organizational attention to climate change in French river basins. We propose a model in which CGOs’ systemic attention develops through key interactions with the State, scientific councils, and their biophysical environment.
The Role of Quantitative DMSA Scan Analysis in Assessing Prognosis of Acute Pyelonephritis in Children
Authors: Tahlili Roya , Mardanshahi Alireza , Abedi Seyed Mohammad , Mohammadjafari Hamid
Published: December 2024

Objective:

We assessed the quantitative pattern of Dimercaptosuccinic acid scan (DMSA) in children with acute pyelonephritis.

Methods:

In a retrospective study, we reviewed DMSA of children with APN based on 7 qualitative and quantitative items.

Results:

A total of 186 patients (age 27.8 ± 25.9 months, 157 (84%) female) enrolled in the study. The global defect was not found in 90% of children as well differential function ≥40% in 86% of patients. The other 5 items showed abnormal findings in 57% to 67% of children. Abnormality in the extent of defect, total points of involvement, number of involved segments, and differential renal function significantly predict late DMSA disturbances. There was no significant difference between patients with different grades of vesicoureteral reflux in any items on DMSA. We found no significant relationship between any items on DMSA and recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI).

Conclusion:

Quantitative assessment of DMSA offers at least 4 items that reveal subtle cortical involvements with long-term significance.
Ensuring the Safety of Locally Sourced Alcohols for Hand Sanitizer Production During the SARS-CoV-2 Crisis: A Comprehensive Impurity Analysis
Authors: Jurado Camille , Ramjaun Zoubeir , El Balkhi Souleiman , Saint-Marcoux Franck , Alonso Mathieu , Salabert Anne Sophie , Durand Fanny , Caturla Laetitia , Metsu David , Gardes Emilie , Quelven-Bertin Isabelle , Cestac Philippe
Published: December 2024

Amid the early 2020 SARS-CoV-2 crisis, severe hand sanitizer shortages led to OMS local production recommendations, inviting a diverse array of alcohol producers to contribute. However, not all followed mandatory controls for API-grade alcohol. We conducted a study to ensure the safety of the received alcohols, focusing on methanol and acetaldehyde levels. All samples were well below Ph. Eur guidelines, affirming their safety for use. Furthermore, no additional impurities were detected, reinforcing the quality and safety of the assessed hand sanitizers. Our findings, amidst the scarcity of the SARS-CoV-2 era, highlight the importance of rigorous safety assessments during local hand sanitizer production.
Identity concessions in ethnic civil wars: When are they given and with what outcomes for peace?
Authors: Daniels Lesley-Ann
Published: December 2024

Creating a stable peace is now the key puzzle to resolve in ending civil wars. To date, research has focused on ‘hard’ political and military reforms included in peace agreements, and the impact of ‘soft’ concessions such as language rights, cultural rights or the right to religion have been largely ignored. When do states give these concessions and do they make a difference to peace outcomes? The article argues that the state grants these concessions to dilute ethnic grievances and accommodate the group, bypassing political demands, but gives them strategically to ethnic groups that are politically weak. The concessions have effects through the expressive, demarcating and relational impacts on the receiving group. The article uses original data on identity concessions in a comparison of conflicts with ethnic aims that ended in a peace agreement from 1989 to 2013. The findings show that concessions are given to larger ethnic groups that lack political power. If granted, identity concessions only make peace more durable when fully implemented. The article thus brings a novel contribution to the role of grievances in civil wars and to the settlement of civil conflicts.
Dynamics of organized violence in the wake of tropical cyclones
Authors: Tennant Elizabeth J , Gilmore Elisabeth A
Published: December 2024

Recent research highlights how the same vulnerabilities that lead to disasters also condition the impact of hazards on violent conflict. Yet it is common practice in the literature to proxy rapid-onset hazards with disaster impacts when studying political violence. This can bias upward estimates of hazard–conflict relationships and obscure heterogeneous effects, with implications for forecasting as well as disaster risk reduction and peace-building activities. To overcome this, we implement an approach that measures and models the separate components of a tropical cyclone event: the hazard, the exposure, and the impacts. We then estimate a set of models that quantify how the incidence and intensity of organized violence respond to hazard exposure. We find little evidence that the average tropical cyclone enhances or diminishes violent conflict at the country level over a two-year time horizon. Yet rather than signaling that storms do not matter for political violence, unpacking this average result reveals two countervailing effects within countries. Conflict, and especially one-sided violence against civilians, tends to escalate in regions directly exposed to the tropical cyclone. In contrast, areas outside the path of the storm may experience a decrease in conflict. These results are heterogeneous with tropical cyclone intensity, and conflict escalation is more likely to occur in settings with less effective governments. Our results underscore the importance of ex-ante efforts targeting government capacity and effective disaster risk reduction to moderate the risk of violent conflict in the wake of tropical cyclones.
Do land supply restrictions promote structural transformation and urban sustainability in Chinese megacities? A quasi-experimental analysis
Authors: Cheng Yudan , Geng Xueyang , Tian Wenjia
Published: December 2024

This article examines the socioeconomic impacts of the 2014 policy that imposed restrictions on new construction land in Chinese megacities, emphasising the pivotal role of quantitative land supply regulations in land allocation and industrial structural transformation. The policy restrictions on expanding construction lands likely prompted local governments in these megacities to prioritise reallocating land to the tertiary sector, which is recognised for its higher efficiency in land use. This study employs a synthetic control method to empirically assess the policy’s effects. The findings indicate that the policy significantly fostered the transition of both land and ISs towards the tertiary sector, particularly in megacities at the early stages of structural transformation. The mechanism analysis indicates that the primary economic benefits of the policy derive from industrial structural change, rather than improvements in intra-industry land use efficiency or changes in sectoral relative prices. Additionally, this article provides supporting evidence of the policy’s positive impact on sustainable development, demonstrated by improvements in income and reductions in environmental pollution. Nevertheless, it also highlights a potential risk of increased inequalities.
Attribution Matters: How Causal Explanations Influence Perceptions of Dangerousness and Racial Classification
Authors: Yogev Dvir
Published: December 2024

Understanding the factors influencing perceptions of dangerousness and their relationship with racial classification is crucial within the criminal legal system. These subjective perceptions affect discretionary parole, bail, and plea-bargaining decisions, shaping the lives of individuals and the safety of society. Existing psychological research highlights the Fundamental Attribution Error’s role in shaping perceptions of morality, primarily by attributing others’ actions to their intrinsic personality traits or character. However, its influence on perceptions of dangerousness remains less explored. Through two online experiments ( N = 1005 and N = 276), this study investigates how attributing crime to internal or external factors shapes perceptions of dangerousness and racial classification. The results reveal that external attribution increases perceptions of dangerousness and predisposes individuals to classify a wrongdoer as a person of color. These findings have immediate and significant implications for the criminal legal system, suggesting urgent areas for policy reform.
Intelligent sensor data analysis through hybrid deep hierarchical clustering for anomaly detection
Authors: Lachure Jaykumar , Doriya Rajesh
Published: December 2024

Anomaly detection (AD) ensures the integrity and security of industrial control systems (ICSs), such as water distribution systems (WDSs). This research introduces a hybrid approach that combines hierarchical clustering and deep learning (DL) techniques to enhance the effectiveness of AD within ICS. Conventional AD methods often encounter difficulties when dealing with intricate, high-dimensional data and identifying subtle anomalies. By capitalizing on the strengths of hierarchical clustering and DL, our proposed approach aims to surmount these limitations and enhance the performance of AD. To assess the viability of the proposed method, we employed the Water Distribution testbed (WADI) and the BATtle of the Attack Detection ALgorithms (BATADAL) datasets. These datasets encompass a diverse array of normal and attack events, rendering them appropriate for testing the resilience of our hybrid system. As for the BATADAL dataset, the suggested approach reaches an average recall, precision, and F1-score of 0.91, 0.915, and 0.915 consecutively. Correspondingly, the WADI dataset records an average recall, precision, and F1-score of 0.70, 0.81, and 0.67, respectively.
A Reflection On The Use Of Lament Psalms in the Crusades
Authors: Handayani Dwi Maria
Published: December 2024

This paper explores the political use of Lament Psalms during the Crusades, focusing on their application in conflicts with Muslims and Jews. The Crusaders, driven by their desire to reclaim the Holy Land, employed these psalms as tools of religious rhetoric and political manipulation. The introduction highlights the historical context of biblical passages being used by the church for political purposes, emphasizing the power dynamics that influenced their interpretation. The subsequent sections examine the Crusaders’ conflicts with Muslims and Jews, illustrating how the Lament Psalms were utilized to legitimize violence against perceived enemies. The paper also delves into the function of these psalms for the Crusaders, including the license for cursing and killing that they provided, and the political accusations of unbelief directed towards non-believers and those of different faiths. The analysis sheds light on the multifaceted role of Lament Psalms as instruments for political propaganda during the Crusades.
Investigating psychological distress in children with a visual impairment: The role of parental factors
Authors: McKay Courtney , McCubbin Ian
Published: December 2024

Previous research has suggested children and adolescents with a visual impairment (VI) may be at greater risk of experiencing psychological distress than typically developing (TD) children. The purpose of this study was to determine whether VI children experience more internalizing and externalizing symptoms than TD children. Furthermore, we sought to determine whether this distress was associated with parenting factors including parenting stress and parenting style. Thirty-eight children between the ages of 8 and 17 and their parent(s) participated in the study. Children had ‘mild’ or ‘moderate’ VI, with no known neurological or physical comorbidities. Two measures of psychopathology were administered to children, and two measures of parenting were administered to parents. We found that VI children experienced significantly more internalizing and externalizing symptoms than TD children (based on normative population scores). Furthermore, results indicated significant positive associations between parenting stress and psychopathology in children. We also found a significant positive association between permissive parenting and emotional and behavioral difficulties in children. Findings add to the growing evidence base that VI children are at greater risk of experiencing clinically significant distress. We recommend taking a preventive approach and focusing on family-based interventions to support the emotional needs of VI children.
Escape From Passive Learning: Harnessing Gamified Digital Educational Escape Rooms for Immersive Marketing Education
Authors: Shah Purvi , Gadekar Nandini Ajit , Taylor Steven S.
Published: December 2024

Marketing education has undergone a significant shift toward experiential learning and interactive pedagogical approaches. This article demonstrates the potential of educational escape rooms (EERs) as a novel and innovative tool for enhancing student engagement in marketing education. Building on the literature on experiential learning, game-based learning, and EERs, this article presents a step-by-step guide for the design and implementation of a digital EER using Canvas, a learning technology platform. The digital EER is used for a cumulative concept review in a graduate marketing strategy course, leveraging technology to deliver an immersive and interactive learning environment. Student interviews were conducted to gain insights into the effectiveness of the digital EER, highlighting its impact on their learning experience, engagement, and motivation. The findings suggest that digital EERs have the potential to transform student learning, encouraging active participation, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. This research contributes to the growing body of scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) research in marketing education, offering valuable guidance for marketing educators seeking to integrate innovative teaching methods into their courses and paving the way for adoption and further exploration of digital EERs as an immersive pedagogical tool in marketing education.
Train Scheduling in High-Speed Railway Freight Transportation Using a Hyper-Heuristic Algorithm
Authors: Zhao MingLi , Ni ShaoQuan , Du ZhiGang , Ma XiaoLong , Liu YangYang
Published: December 2024

The rapidly growing demand for high-quality logistics services, coupled with the expansion of high-speed rail networks, has presented both challenges and opportunities in the realm of high-speed rail freight transportation. Because of the intricacies of transportation logistics and the inherent complexities within passenger-train operations, addressing market demands proves to be challenging. This study focuses on optimizing passenger–freight collaboration within train timetables. Express cargo is typically transported either by incorporating it into planned passenger-train schedules or by introducing additional freight trains, both of which can disrupt the original passenger transport arrangements. To mitigate such disruptions, a buffer time is allocated to compensate for any disturbances, thereby transforming the delivery timeframe into a streamlined car-flow transit deadline. To address these challenges, we developed a passenger–freight collaboration optimization model for train timetables. This model was then solved using a bacterial foraging-based hyper-heuristic algorithm known for its global optimization capabilities and distribution-centric approach. In a comparison with existing studies and algorithms in transportation modeling, and considering parameters such as average fitness and running time, the proposed model and algorithm demonstrated superior efficiency.
Parametric finite element modeling and topology optimization for stress reduction of spatial pipeline based on beam/solid element coupling
Authors: Ji Wenhao , Sun Wei , Ma Hongwei , Zhang Yu , Wang Dong
Published: December 2024

To efficiently perform the topology optimization for stress reduction of the pipeline system, this paper innovatively proposes a parametric finite element modeling (PFEM) method for pipeline systems based on beam/solid coupling. Furthermore, the multiple straight-line segment lengths are selected as the design variables, and a topology optimization method for stress reduction is proposed. For the PFEM, the incompatible solid (Solid-NC) element and three-dimensional (3D) Timoshenko beam element are implied to simulate the mechanical characteristics of the constrained and unconstrained regions of the pipeline, and then the beam/solid element coupling is realized by the penalty function method. The parametric geometric relationship of the pipeline system and the node coordinates of the finite element model are solved by the direction vector and vector decomposition methods, and the PFEM of the pipeline system is achieved and verified by ANSYS. Finally, the stress reduction optimization model of the pipeline system is established, and the stress reduction optimization of an actual pipeline is implemented using the particle swarm algorithm. The optimization results show that the maximum stress response of the optimal pipeline shape is 5.5 times lower than that before optimization, which shows the rationality of the optimization method.
Involvement of the astroglial glutamate–glutamine cycle in the analgesic effects of electroacupuncture in a rat model of chronic neuropathic pain
Authors: Zhu Hao-Han , Song Xing-Ke , Zhang Jian-Liang , Zhang Jin-Ling , Rong Pei-Jing , Wang Jun-Ying
Published: December 2024

Objective:

Our previous study found that astrocytes are involved in cumulative analgesia; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. The aim of this study was to further explore the potential role of astrocytes in the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on neuropathic pain by focusing on the glutamate–glutamine cycle.

Methods:

69 male Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a normal control group, untreated chronic constriction injury (CCI) model group and EA-treated model (CCI + EA) group. EA was applied bilaterally at ST36 and GB34. Pain thresholds were assessed using behavioral tests and thermal stimuli. We examined the co-expression of glutamate/aspartate transporter (GLAST) via immunofluorescence and measured the expression levels of GLAST, glutamate transporter (GLT)-1 and glutamine synthetase (GS) using Western blotting and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Glutamate (Glu) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels were detected by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). To validate the impact of GLAST/GLT-1 in the analgesic effect of EA, an additional 30 SD male rats were divided into groups receiving intrathecal saline, GLAST antagonist or GLT-1 antagonist alongside EA.

Results:

Post-CCI, pain thresholds were decreased, GLAST expression was diminished, and spinal Glu levels were increased. EA treatment reversed these effects, improved pain thresholds and GLAST/GLT-1 expression in astrocytes, and reduced Glu levels. Antagonist administration negated the analgesic effects of EA.

Conclusion:

Repeated EA administration inhibited CCI-induced chronic neuropathic pain in rats, corresponding to a reversal of decreased expression of GLAST and GLT-1, which may have accelerated the clearance of Glu and thereby reduced its concentration. Regulation of the astroglial glutamate–glutamine cycle is a potential target of EA.
Social Enterprise and Rural Development: The Case of Zambia
Authors: Chilufya Rosemary , Mswaka Walter
Published: December 2024

This study analyses the development and role of social enterprises in the rural areas of the Copperbelt region of Zambia. Against the backdrop of increasing socio-economic challenges and the critical need for innovative food security solutions, this study contributes to the existing literature on social enterprise development in Sub-Saharan Africa. The research employs a qualitative case study approach, focusing on four social enterprises operating in the rural areas of the Copperbelt region. A semi-structured interview guide is used to gather data from key informants. By using components of Giddens’ structural theory, this investigation finds that the development of social enterprises in the rural areas of the Copperbelt region is intricately linked to the local context and conditions in which they operate.
Determinants of Venture Investment in Emerging Markets
Authors: Welker Adam , Zhou Helper
Published: December 2024

This study examines the rapid growth of venture capital (VC) investment in emerging markets and its determinants. During the 2010 to 2020 period, we find that the level of VC in emerging markets grew at a compound annual growth rate of 35.2%, and the global share of VC generated in emerging markets rose from 11.8% in 2010 to 31.5% by 2020. Using a sample of 135 emerging market economies, we find that market size and human capital development are the most significant factors related to growth in VC investment in these markets. The ease of doing business and the depth of financial markets also influence VC activity, but to a lesser extent. Overall, our results indicate that the presence of large markets and capable entrepreneurs can help offset institutional challenges inherent in these markets.

JEL Codes: F63, G15, G24, O43
Efficacy and Safety of Traditional Chinese Medicine Interventions in Unresponsive Mild-to-Moderate Ulcerative Colitis: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Lu Aiyangzi , Sun Yan , Gao Hui , Chen Ping
Published: December 2024

Background

Treatments for ulcerative colitis (UC), a chronic inflammatory bowel illness, have been investigated using Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Uncertainty surrounds the relative safety and effectiveness of TCM in comparison to more traditional therapies like 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA).

Purpose:

The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to assess the safety and effectiveness of TCM therapies in comparison to 5-ASA and placebo in patients with mild-to-moderate UC.

Materials and Methods

We conducted a systematically searched China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CHKD-CNKI), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane Library, WANFANG, as well as Web of Science from June 2012 to February 2024 for randomized controlled trials assessing TCM interventions against 5-ASA or placebo for UC. Eligible studies included TCM treatments such as Qing-Chang-Hua-Shi, Curcumin-QingDai (CurQD), and Fufangkushen colon-coated capsules (FCC). The Volunteer-Intervention-Comparator-Outcome-Study (VICOS) framework guided our inclusion criteria, and we excluded nonrandomized controls (RCTs) and studies with incomplete data. Data extraction, quality evaluation, and the risk of bias were independently performed by the two researchers, and discrepancies were resolved through discussion.

Results

Four studies in all ( n = 532) satisfied the requirements for inclusion. According to the meta-analysis, TCM therapies considerably enhanced mucosal healing (RR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.25–1.85), clinical response (RR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.54–2.29), and clinical remission (RR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.21–1.73) when compared to a placebo. There was significant variation in treatment effects among trials, as evidenced by the high heterogeneity ( I2 > 70%). Sensitivity analysis supported the robustness of these findings, showing no significant change in the probability of antagonistic events but notable increases in clinical outcomes (RR = 1.02, p = 0.8900).

Conclusion

Although there is a lot of variation among trials, TCM therapies seem to be more successful than placebo at improving clinical outcomes in UC. Although more study using standardized methodology is required to validate these effects, the results suggest that TCM may be used as a supplementary therapy for UC.
Child Flourishing Index: Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Measurement Invariance Between Youth of Color and White Youth in the United States
Authors: Moon Deborah J. , Cruce Amanda
Published: December 2024

Mental health researchers increasingly study the presence of positive mental health, that is, “flourishing,” beyond the absence of mental illness. This study examined the psychometric properties of the Child Flourishing Index (CFI) in the National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) ( N = 17,539; 23% youth of color, 77% white youth, aged 12–17). A one-dimensional model with five items (curiosity, resilience, following through) showed excellent fit (CFI = 1.0, Tucker–Lewis index [TLI] = 0.999, root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] = 0.027, standardized root mean square residual [SRMR] = 0.011). Excluding one resilience item, configural, metric, and scalar analyses indicated measurement equivalence across youth of color and white youth. Future research should expand on these findings to explore flourishing indicators among youth from diverse cultural and racial backgrounds.
Safety of Intermittent Parenteral Midazolam Injection in Hospitalized Patients Admitted to Non-Intensive Care Nursing Units: A Retrospective Matched-Cohort Study
Authors: Mills Melanie , Torr Haley , Centanni Nicolette , Riker Richard R. , Gagnon David , Gale Ashley
Published: December 2024

Background:

The prescribing information for parenteral midazolam contains a Boxed Warning stating its use may precipitate respiratory arrest, and its safety in non-intensive care unit (ICU) nursing units has been understudied.

Objective:

To characterize the safety of intermittent midazolam injections in patients admitted to non-ICU nursing units relative to lorazepam injections.

Methods:

This single-center, retrospective, matched-cohort study included patients ≥18 years of age who received intermittent midazolam in non-ICU nursing units. Midazolam administrations were matched 1:1 to lorazepam administrations. Safety outcomes included hypotension, bradycardia, bradypnea, and escalation in level of nursing unit care or oxygen requirement.

Results:

A total of 94 midazolam administrations were matched to lorazepam administrations. Demographic data were similar between groups. Midazolam was more commonly given intravenously (95.7% vs 85.1%, P = 0.02) and in an intermediate care nursing unit (31.9% vs 14.9%, P = 0.009). The lorazepam cohort had significantly fewer concomitant respiratory depressants administered, and there were no differences in the use of beta-blockers or antihypertensives. There were no differences in the incidence of hypotension (1.1% vs 2.1%, P = 1), bradycardia (5.3% vs 2.1%, P = 0.44), bradypnea (1.1% vs 0%, P = 1), escalation in level of care (2.1% vs 2.1%, P = 1), or escalation in oxygen requirement (5.3% vs 3.2%, P = 0.72).

Conclusion and Relevance:

The administration of parenteral midazolam in non-ICU nursing units resulted in a similar incidence of hypotension, bradycardia, bradypnea, escalation in oxygen requirement, and escalation in level of care compared with lorazepam. These results suggest that midazolam may have a similar safety profile to lorazepam, supporting its use in non-ICU nursing units.
Maternal RSVpreF Vaccine: A Novel Agent for Respiratory Syncytial Virus Prevention in Infants
Authors: Fly J. Hunter , Stultz Jeremy S. , Eiland Lea S.
Published: December 2024

Objective:

The objective was to summarize available data regarding the safety and efficacy of RSVpreF in the setting of maternal administration for infant protection against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) while comparing RSVpreF to other RSV prevention strategies.

Data sources:

A literature search of PubMed was conducted utilizing the phrases “RSVpreF” and “pregnancy.” Additional references were identified through found sources of information. Organizational guidelines, medication labeling, and regulatory organization presentations were utilized.

Study selection and data extraction:

Clinical trials investigating RSVpreF administration to pregnant women were included as well as other references on pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and vaccine uptake.

Data synthesis:

RSVpreF vaccine, administered once to pregnant women, demonstrated a 69.4% (97.58% confidence interval [CI] = 44.3 to 84.1) lower incidence of severe medically attended RSV lower respiratory tract infection (MA RSV-LRTI) and 51.3% (97.58% CI = 29.4 to 66.8) lower incidence of MA-RSV-LRTI at 180 days post birth in 1 placebo-controlled study. The RSVpreF vaccine administered at 24 to 36 weeks did not have a statistically significant higher rate of preterm births (relative risk = 1.20; 95% CI = 0.99 to 1.46) across two studies and in postmarketing data.

Relevance to patient care and clinical practice in comparison with existing agents:

The RSVpreF vaccine is the first maternal vaccine approved by the US Food and Drug administration for prevention of RSV in all infants. When compared with other agents, the optimal prophylaxis agent is unclear.

Conclusions:

Maternal immunization with RSVpreF demonstrated a reduction in MA RSV-LRTI, severe MA RSV-LRTI, and RSV-associated hospitalizations for infants. The vaccine is well tolerated, and adverse events continue to be evaluated.
Recommendations for essential medicines for multiple sclerosis in low-resource settings
Authors: Saylor Deanna , Rijke Nick , McDonell Jennifer , Laurson-Doube Joanna , Avasarala Jagannadha , Baldin Elisa , Banerjee Tapas K , Bogdanovic Ivana , Bove Riley , Chawla DK , Costello Kathleen , Del Giovane Cinzia , Abkari Najoua El , Filippini Graziella , Foschi Matteo , Gonzalez-Lorenzo Marien , Helme Anne , Jacobs Dina , Kalincik Tomas , Mantel-Teeuwisse Aukje , Minozzi Silvia , Navas Carlos , Nonino Francesco , Ojo Oluwadamilola O , Ozcan Bianca , Pasi Elisabetta , Peryer Guy , Prato Chichiraldi Andrea , Ridley Ben , Sokhi Dilraj S , Traboulsee Anthony , Tramacere Irene , Tye Janis SN , Vecchi Simona , Viswanathan Shanthi , Xie Feng , Zeineddine Maya , Schunemann Holger , Piggott Thomas
Published: December 2024

Background:

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that, when untreated, can lead to significant disability in young adults. Despite the increase in the number of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs), many people living with MS in low-resource settings do not have access to treatment.

Objective:

The primary aim was to develop recommendations on the minimum essential DMTs for MS that should be available in low-resource settings.

Methods:

The Multiple Sclerosis International Federation established an independent, international panel including healthcare professionals and people with MS. This panel, in collaboration with the Cochrane MS Group and McMaster GRADE Centre, reviewed evidence for use of MS DMTs following standardized GRADE protocols including consideration of balance of benefits and harms; certainty of evidence; resources required and cost-effectiveness and values, equity, feasibility and availability in low-resource settings.

Results:

For active and/or worsening forms of relapsing MS, the panel recommends use of ocrelizumab, cladribine, fingolimod, dimethyl fumarate, interferon beta and glatiramer acetate. For active and/or worsening forms of progressive MS, the panel recommends use of rituximab, ocrelizumab, glatiramer acetate, fingolimod and interferon beta.

Conclusions:

Recommendations for the minimum essential DMTs for MS in low-resource settings were developed based on robust consideration of evidence and relevant context.
Numerical investigation of ducted fuel injection using Multiple Representative Interactive Linear Eddy Model
Authors: Doubiani Nidal , Oevermann Michael , Lucchini Tommaso , Zhou Qiyan
Published: December 2024

Fuel-air mixing in non-premixed and partially premixed combustion has a major influence on soot emissions. Improving the mixing quality of the premixed region in non-premixed combustion upstream of the auto-ignition zone aids substantially in reducing soot emissions. The Ducted Fuel Injection (DFI) concept is based on injecting fuel inside a metal cylinder inside the combustion chamber at a certain distance from the injection nozzle exit hole. Although the concept is straightforward, recent studies have shown that implementing DFI in compression ignition combustion chambers dramatically affects soot mitigation. DFI improves air entrainment by a suction effect when fuel travels inside the duct, which increases the turbulence level at the inlet and enhances the fuel-air mixing quality. Additionally, DFI delays ignition by preventing the formation of stoichiometric regions at the spray cone’s outer region. This work utilizes a recently presented combustion model titled the Multiple Representative Interactive Linear Eddy Model (MRILEM) to simulate DFI in a high-pressure, high-temperature constant volume chamber. Several simulations are realized for two different ambient temperatures using an n-dodecane mechanism, where several parameters, such as ignition delay, lift-off length, and flame structure, are assessed. Simulation results are compared to experimental data from the literature and simulation results obtained with the Multi-Zone Well Mixed (MZWM) model simulation results. Results show that by enforcing the duct on the LEM line and modifying the turbulence implementation strategy, MRILEM shows overall realistic predictions for DFI cases and reasonable quantitative results for lift-off length and ignition delay compared to the MZWM model.
“Or They Could Just Not Use It?”: The Dilemma of AI Disclosure for Audience Trust in News
Authors: Toff Benjamin , Simon Felix M.
Published: December 2024

The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in the production and distribution of news has generated theoretical, normative, and practical concerns around the erosion of journalistic authority and autonomy and the spread of misinformation. With trust in news already low in many places worldwide, both scholars and practitioners are wary of how the public will respond to news generated through automated methods, prompting calls for labeling of AI-generated content. In this study, we present results from a novel survey-experiment conducted using actual AI-generated journalistic content. We test whether audiences in the United States, where trust is particularly polarized along partisan lines, perceive news labeled as AI-generated as more or less trustworthy. We find on average that audiences perceive news labeled as AI-generated as less trustworthy, not more, even when articles themselves are not evaluated as any less accurate or unfair. Furthermore, we find that these effects are largely concentrated among those whose preexisting levels of trust in news are higher to begin with and among those who exhibit higher levels of knowledge about journalism. We also find that negative effects associated with perceived trustworthiness are largely counteracted when articles disclose the list of sources used to generate the content. As news organizations increasingly look toward adopting AI technologies in their newsrooms, our results hold implications for how disclosure about these techniques may contribute to or further undermine audience confidence in the institution of journalism at a time in which its standing with the public is especially tenuous.
Tailoring polypropylene performance: A concentration-dependent study of carbon nanotube impact on crystallization and thermal stability
Authors: Sabet Maziyar , Hassan Ummul Hasanah Binti Hj
Published: December 2024

This study investigates the enhancement of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) properties through the incorporation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to improve thermal stability and processability. The addition of CNTs raises the crystallization temperature by approximately 10°C and enhances crystallinity by 4.8% at 1.0 wt% CNTs, demonstrating dual functionality as nucleating agents that promote the α-phase during crystallization without altering overall kinetics. The iPP/CNT composites exhibit superior high-temperature performance due to increased char formation, which enhances structural integrity. A novel parameter for quantifying the nucleating efficiency of CNTs is introduced, providing a robust framework for optimizing the use of CNTs in high-performance polypropylene composites, particularly for automotive and aerospace applications.