bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of nonlinear vibration response to wear fault of big-end bearing shell of connecting rod in the ultra-high pressure five-cylinder plunger pump
Authors: Jing Jiajia , Chen Yan , Yang Liuchuan , Zhang Zhidong , Deng Yonggang , Liao Feilong , Zhang Jinghong
Published: November 2024

The ultra-high-pressure five-cylinder plunger pump is core equipment in multi-field, with its important components, such as big-end bearing shell of connecting rod, being prone to wear under high-intensity operation. However, the vibration characteristics of this type of equipment are complex and are currently not adequately researched. In view of this, this paper takes a certain model of five-cylinder fracturing pump as the research object. A rigid–flex coupling model of fracturing pump considering the wear fault of the big-end bearing shell of connecting rod is established. And taking the pressure-flow variation at the hydraulic end as boundary condition, the influence of wear degree and position on its vibration response is revealed. The results show that the collision force, centroid displacement, and vibration acceleration of the big-end bearing shell of connecting rod are mainly affected by the clearance collision parameters. Among them, the vibration acceleration is also affected by the collision between the connecting rods. For connecting rod big-end bearing shell with abnormal clearances, the collision force average amplitude and the centroid displacement effective value of it, and the vibration acceleration effective value at the corresponding measurement point all increase with the degree of wear increases. The vibration acceleration effective value at remaining measuring point decreases, and the further away from the connecting rod of abnormal clearance, the decline tends to be gentle. The research results provide a theoretical basis for the optimization of structural performance and the development of fault diagnosis technology of the five-cylinder plunger pump.
Impact of aspirin on the outcome of upper limb AVF placement in hemodialysis patients: Discontinuation or not
Authors: Azimi Behzad , Mozaffar Mohammad , Soleimani Sina , Mousavi Behnaz , Haghbin Toutounchi Alireza
Published: December 2024

Background:

There is limited research on the consumption of aspirin and its effects on bleeding during arteriovenous fistula (AVF) placement surgery and associated complications in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. Regarding the potential risks imposed on cardiac patients by discontinuing aspirin, the aim of the study was to determine whether aspirin should be discontinued prior to AVF placement surgery.

Methods:

This prospective study was carried out at two referral medical centers from 2023 to 2024. The patients were included as 30 patients who routinely took 80 mg of aspirin daily and 30 patients who did not take aspirin. The primary outcomes included the amount of blood loss, and the secondary outcomes included AVF success and maturation time. The amount of bleeding was assessed by the ΔHb (Hb1−Hb2), ΔHCT (HCT1−HCT2), and intraoperative hemorrhage volume.

Results:

Aspirin consumption did not significantly affect any of the examined parameters, including operation duration, hemoglobin decrease, hematocrit decrease, intraoperative hemorrhage, AVF success rate, maturity time, need for blood transfusion, postoperative bleeding, hematoma and thrombosis, hospitalization, and re-Operation ( p > 0.05).

Conclusion:

Aspirin did not have any significant or negative effects across any of the parameters examined. Based on the findings of this study, there is no need to discontinue aspirin in patients prior to upper limb AVF placement surgery, but further studies are recommended.
Capability choices in tourism and economic activities: The influence of human development
Authors: Mitra Subrata K , Sharma Jitendra , Srinivasan Maheswaran , Mohanty Jagannath , Ali Salman
Published: December 2024

We applied Sen’s capabilities approach to examine how human development influences the association between tourism expansion and economic growth in different groups of developed, developing, and transitional countries. The mediation test explores the distinctive patterns of the Human Development Index as a mediator between tourism and per capita GDP. Developed nations exhibit a significant negative mediation effect, hinting at saturation and competition challenges, while developing and transition economies showcase a positive and considerable mediation effect, emphasizing the potential for tourism to fuel economic growth under favorable human development conditions. In addition, we conducted a convergent cross-mapping causality test highlighting the contextual nuances in the tourism-growth relationship.
Stakeholder involvement in realist evaluation: A scoping review and best fit framework synthesis
Authors: Malengreaux Ségolène , Martens Monika , Castellano Pleguezuelo Virginia , Olujuwon Ibiloye , Van Belle Sara , Renmans Dimitri , Belrhiti Zakaria
Published: November 2024

As a theory-driven evaluation design grounded in the critical realism philosophy, realist evaluation relies on eliciting the assumptions of stakeholders about how programmes are expected to produce outcomes. Little is known about key principles for involving stakeholders in realist evaluations. In this scoping review of realist evaluation studies, we explored how stakeholders were involved in the conduct of realist evaluation. A total of 26 ‘participatory’ realist evaluation studies have been included. We analysed the approach to the involvement of stakeholders, using an analytical framework rooted in existing theories and models of participatory research and evaluations, using a ‘Best Fit Framework Synthesis’ methodology. We found a large range of approaches to stakeholder involvement, related to the types of stakeholders involved, their depth of involvement and means by which researchers/evaluators fostered their involvement. We discuss key lessons learnt and contribute to foster transparent and meaningful involvement of stakeholders in Realist Evaluation.
Artificial intelligence and big data-driven evaluation research and practices: A systematic literature review
Authors: Bouyousfi Salah E. , Ouedraogo Miché
Published: November 2024

The widespread adoption of digitalization and artificial intelligence, alongside the abundance of big data, has significantly transformed societies. Recently, there has been an increasing interest in leveraging big data and artificial intelligence to capture and analyze social transformative change in evaluation. However, there is no consensus on the ethical and appropriate use of these tools in evaluation. This article used a systematic literature review to provide an overview of using big data and artificial intelligence for evaluation purposes, identifying challenges faced. Unresolved issues encompass ethical, methodological, and ownership concerns. The study suggests ways to address these challenges and advocates for united efforts to mix big data and artificial intelligence with traditional approaches. To achieve this, it emphasizes the necessity of leveraging interconnected data platforms, mitigating ethical risks, and enhancing evaluators’ competencies in computer and data science, which is essential for the integration of big data and artificial intelligence in the evaluation field.
Heritage Russian in contact with Hebrew and German: A cross-linguistic study of requests
Authors: Avramenko Marina , Warditz Vladislava , Meir Natalia
Published: November 2024

Purpose:

This study examined request production by heritage language (HL) speakers of Russian dominant in different societal languages (SLs), such as SL-Hebrew and SL-German. By comparing request strategies in Russian, Hebrew, and German, the study investigated the effect of cross-linguistic influence (CLI) from the SL on the HL, as well as the effect of diminished HL input.

Methodology:

Request production in both formal and informal contexts was compared among three groups of Russian speakers: monolingual L1-Russian speakers ( n = 26), HL-Russian speakers dominant in SL-Hebrew ( n = 26), and HL-Russian speakers dominant in SL-German ( n = 26) via an elicitation task.

Data and analysis:

Analysis involved comparing request production across groups using statistical methods to identify differences and similarities in strategies related to (a) address forms; (b) morphosyntactic realization, including clause type (declarative, interrogative, and imperative), the presence of the Russian negation particle “ne,” and the subjunctive particle “by”; and (c) lexical strategies.

Findings:

The study identified differences between HL-speakers and monolingual controls, as well as variations between the two bilingual groups. Divergence in HL-speakers was attributed to CLI and reduced input.

Originality:

Unlike previous studies that compare two L1s, this study focused on HLs, suggesting a new area of research due to their indeterminate status as neither L1 nor L2. The study provides additional evidence on how cross-linguistic factors impact pragmatic development in HL-speakers, contributing to understanding bilingual communication and language acquisition processes.

Significance:

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to date that compared requests in HL-speakers of typologically different SLs.
A calibration framework for outdoor thermal comfort index and neutral range: Application in subtropical hot-humid campus
Authors: He Yueer , Zhong Hongfeng , Fan Yue , Lau Stephen Siu Yu , Cui Guangxun
Published: December 2024

Outdoor thermal comfort affects occupants’ well-being and building energy use. A reliable thermal index tailored to diverse climates is crucial for improving outdoor conditions. Current calibration methods for the neutral thermal range typically set a Thermal Sensation Vote threshold between −0.5 and 0.5. However, this threshold was derived from the indoor-focused Predicted Mean Vote model, which may not be applicable to outdoor conditions. To address this limitation, a revised calibration framework for outdoor scenarios is proposed, taking subtropical hot-humid campus as a case study. The key aspect of this framework is refining the neutral Thermal Sensation Vote interval for outdoor settings. First, an evaluation of the original outdoor thermal comfort index identified the necessity for recalibration. Next, the correlation between Thermal Comfort Vote and Thermal Sensation Vote was established to accurately localize context-specific neutral Thermal Sensation Vote interval. Finally, the proposed framework was applied to UTCI calibration, yielding a modified neutral UTCI range of 4.5–27.2°C through localized regression analysis. This study also highlights the impact of spatial configurations on outdoor thermal comfort, finding higher thermal tolerance within natural landscapes. It provides insights into creating outdoor thermal settings in subtropical hot-humid locations, especially for campus construction or renovation.
Prescription for change: Unveiling burnout perspectives among pharmacy leaders
Authors: Kiriazopoulos Stefanie , Perepelkin Jason , Alford Heather
Published: November 2024

Background:

Burnout among pharmacists is increasingly pertinent, with growing demand for effective interventions. Burnout can lead to reduced productivity, increased job turnover, medical errors, poor patient satisfaction, and other negative outcomes for patients and providers. Growing attention to burnout in the pharmacy profession highlights the need for personal, organizational, and systemic solutions. However, the uptake and relative efficacy of different approaches remain unclear, particularly within community pharmacy practice. This study sought the viewpoint of community pharmacy leaders (i.e., community pharmacy managers, district managers, franchisees, owners, and executives from various pharmacy organizations) to characterize burnout from their perspectives.

Methods:

This qualitative study followed a grounded theory approach. Community pharmacy leaders were interviewed using a semistructured format to gather in-depth insights into their experiences and perspectives on burnout and engagement.

Results:

Sixteen people were interviewed; interviews lasted 30 to 65 minutes, averaging 51 minutes long. Six themes were identified: perceived disconnection between front-line staff and pharmacy decision-makers, overwhelming work demands, cautious optimism toward the expanding scope of pharmacy practice, the importance of employee recognition and appreciation, appropriateness and use of existing work resources, and multimodal, systemic responsibility and solutions to burnout.

Conclusion:

Addressing burnout requires a multifaceted approach involving personal, organizational, and systemic interventions. Evidence from this study provides valuable insights into the feasibility and efficacy of specific interventions, informing future strategies to enhance workplace well-being and engagement. The study highlights the importance of managing job demands and maximizing resources, emphasizing that personal approaches alone are insufficient and that organizational and systemic interventions are crucial.
Absolute, not perceived, delay modulates agency judgement: Evidence for cognitive impenetrability of sense of agency
Authors: Erdoğan Merve , Balcı Fuat
Published: November 2024

The sense of agency, which refers to awareness of causing events, is consistently influenced by the time interval between actions and their outcomes such that longer delays diminish the perceived strength of the agency. This study investigated whether the sense of agency is modulated by the distance between experienced delays or by their subjective discriminability, which is known to be subject to Weber’s law (discriminability being a function of ratios rather than absolute differences between time intervals). To this end, participants executed keypress actions leading to outcomes at varying delays. In one experiment, delays were equidistant on a logarithmic scale (constant ratio relationship), while in the other experiment, they were equidistant on a linear scale (constant distance relationship). Our results showed that judgments of the agency were predicted better by actual temporal proximity between actions and outcomes compared with their subjective discriminability. Beyond providing a more complete picture regarding the effect of outcome delays on the sense of agency, these findings have broader implications for the mechanistic underpinnings of the sense of agency. They imply that even explicit judgments of agency can be influenced by certain factors transcending conscious experience.
AI-generated estimates of familiarity, concreteness, valence, and arousal for over 100,000 Spanish words
Authors: Martínez Gonzalo , Conde Javier , Reviriego Pedro , Brysbaert Marc
Published: November 2024

This study investigates whether estimates of familiarity, valence, arousal, and concreteness based on artificial intelligence (AI) are useful alternatives to word counts and human ratings in Spanish. We replicate and extend previous findings in English and show that GPT-4o is effective in estimating these word features. Validity checks even suggest that AI-generated estimates sometimes outperform traditional measurements. The ability to generate AI estimates for large numbers of words at low cost simplifies the process of obtaining word features and provides a new resource for researchers working in Spanish. We provide Excel lists of the collected word features, which can be freely used for research and teaching.
White matter hyperintensities are independently associated with systemic vascular aging and cerebrovascular dysfunction
Authors: Webb Alastair JS , Feakins Karolina , Lawson Amy , Stewart Catriona , Thomas James , Llwyd Osian
Published: November 2024

Background:

In the Oxford Haemodynamic Adaptation to Reduce Pulsatility trial (OxHARP), sildenafil increased cerebrovascular reactivity but did not reduce cerebral pulsatility, a marker of vascular aging. This analysis of OxHARP tested whether these potentially causative mechanisms were independently associated with the severity of white matter hyperintensities (WMHs).

Aims:

The aims were to determine independence of the relationship between severity of WMHs with both cerebral pulsatility and cerebrovascular reactivity in the same population.

Methods:

OxHARP was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial of phosphodiesterase inhibitors in patients with mild-to-moderate WMH and previous minor cerebrovascular events. It determined effects on cerebrovascular pulsatility and reactivity on transcranial ultrasound and reactivity on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Associations were determined between baseline ultrasound measures, and averaged MRI measures across follow-up, with the severity of WMH on clinical imaging (Fazekas or modified Blennow scores) and WMH volume in the MRI substudy, by ordinal and linear regression.

Results:

In 75/75 patients (median 70 years, 78% male), cerebral pulsatility was associated with age (p < 0.001) whereas reactivity on ultrasound was not (p = 0.29). Severity of WMH in all participants was independently associated with decreased cerebrovascular reactivity and increased cerebral pulsatility (pulsatility p = 0.016; reactivity p = 0.03), with a trend to a synergistic interaction (p = 0.075). Reactivity on ultrasound was still associated with WMH after further adjustment for age (p = 0.017), but pulsatility was not (p = 0.31). Volume of WMH in the MRI substudy was also independently associated with both markers on ultrasound (pulsatility p = 0.005; reactivity p = 0.029) and was associated with reduced cerebrovascular reactivity within WMH on MRI (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion:

WMHs are independently associated with cerebral pulsatility and reactivity, representing complementary potential disease mechanisms and treatment targets.

Trial Registration:

clinicaltrials.org: https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03855332 .
Social Divisions in Accounts of Discrimination: Experiences among Performing Artists
Authors: Leinonen Minna , Stevanovic Melisa , Nevalainen Henri , Valtonen Annika , Weiste Elina
Published: November 2024

In the performing arts, discrimination is a widely recognized issue occurring in relation to multiple social divisions. Through a qualitative analysis of personal stories of discrimination, we investigate the relationship between intersectional categories emerging in the telling and orientation of performing artists. Discrimination is tied to gatekeeping practices that are of varying significance to the artists depending on the power relationships between the parties concerned and the precariousness of the artists’ positions. Recognizing such experiences as discrimination requires an awareness of category relationships that can be implicit, explicit, or intrinsic. A sensitivity to these category relationships and the ways in which stories are constructed has important implications for promoting social justice among freelancers.
Beyond difficult pasts: Towards a fuller understanding of memory-making in tourism
Authors: Pfoser Alena , Stach Sabine
Published: November 2024

Despite being a crucial field for the public production and circulation of memories, tourism remains underexamined in memory research. This is reflected in the small number of publications dedicated to tourism and their thematic narrowing to difficult heritage sites. This article makes the case for an expansion of research in three areas: sites, modes and scales of remembering. First, the article argues for an examination of less researched heritage sites alongside considering non-site-based forms of memory production. Second, we contend that memory-making in tourism can contribute to a ‘positive turn’ in memory studies by foregrounding memories of joy and entertainment. Finally, we argue for a multiscalar perspective that draws attention to personal memories and memory’s interscalar movements in tourism. Taken together, these shifts allow us to gain a fuller and more differentiated perspective on memory-making in tourism, informed by current debates in memory studies and insights from heritage and tourism studies.
A case report of CHARGE syndrome caused by a de novo CHD7 gene mutation
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Lu Yu , Long Xicui , Xiong Wenyu , Liu Yuqing
Published: November 2024

This article describes the case of a patient with CHARGE syndrome. The clinical data of the patient as well as the whole-genome sequencing results of the child and parents were retrospectively analyzed to determine the pathogenicity of the gene mutation. Genetic testing revealed a heterozygous mutation of the CHD7 gene NM_017780.4: C.4853G >A (P.TP1618ter) in the child, which was identified as a de novo pathogenic mutation. Through this case, we conclude that genetic testing is crucial for accurate diagnosis of deafness. Moreover, paying attention to hearing screening in childhood and strengthening the cognitive level of diagnosis and treatment of syndromic deafness in multiple disciplines can effectively realize early detection, early diagnosis, early intervention, and early rehabilitation of syndromic deafness.
With great (statistical) power comes great responsibility: A comment on the ethics of using administrative data to investigate marginalised populations
Authors: Marryat Louise , Gajwani Ruchika , Graham Sharon , Henderson Marion , Puckering Christine , Thompson Lucy , Wilson Philip , Minnis Helen
Published: December 2024

As health data infrastructure improves, we have the opportunity to link increasing volumes of data in order to investigate important health problems. This is perhaps most pertinent when looking at the experiences and outcomes of our most disadvantaged groups, who are often invisible in data obtained through primary research. Whilst these data offer enormous opportunity, there are also ethical implications in their use, which are less frequently discussed than in relation to their qualitative counterparts. As a diverse group of clinicians and academics working across public health, we share our experience and understanding of how we can improve our reflexivity in health data science and ensure that research in this area is ethically conducted in co-production with the people whose data we are using. We discuss the potential opportunities, challenges and impacts of using administrative data to investigate marginalised populations.
Attitudes on Data Use for Public Benefit: Investigating Context-Specific Differences Across Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom With a Longitudinal Survey Experiment
Authors: Gerdon Frederic
Published: November 2024

With technological advances, governments and companies gain opportunities to collect data to provide public benefits. However, such data collections and uses need to fulfill ethical standards and comply with citizens’ privacy preferences, which may vary across several dimensions. The Comparative Privacy Research Framework suggests specific comparative dimensions that may shape such privacy-related perceptions. I propose how to integrate into this framework a specific meso-level perspective for concisely operationalizing data uses context-specifically: the privacy theory of contextual integrity, developed by Helen Nissenbaum. This article presents an empirical application of this approach by investigating specific data use scenarios across countries, while simultaneously considering temporal, international, and individual-level variation. To this end, an online survey experiment was conducted in three countries (Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom) in December 2022 and May 2023. In this experiment, respondents rated the appropriateness of fictitious data use scenarios. The scenarios varied by data type, data recipients, and conditions of data use. The results show that the effects of contextual parameters vary across countries to different degrees. Respondents react particularly sensitively to changes in data types, with health data being overall most accepted to be used. The relative acceptance of the data recipients clearly varies across countries. Country-level individualism is not consistently related to the desired level of control over data. These findings highlight the usefulness of contextual integrity to unmask meso-level, context-specific variations in privacy attitudes across countries. A meso-level perspective that operationalizes data uses according to contextual integrity can therefore inform comparative privacy research and privacy-related policymaking.
How Political Connections and Financial Constraints Affect Total Asset Growth Anomaly Before and During the Covid-19 Pandemic?
Authors: Duong Khoa Dang , Doan Tran Trang Ngoc , Dang Han Gia , Nhan Le Ai Ngoc
Published: November 2024

Our research addresses the gap in investigating how political connections and financial constraints affect asset growth anomalies before and during the Covid-19 pandemic. Our sample includes listed non-financial firms in the Vietnam stock market from 2008 to December 2020. We employ Fama and MacBeth regressions and portfolio sorting methodology to analyze a sample with 34,441 monthly observations, including 478 firms. Our findings indicate a negative relationship between asset growth and subsequent stock returns in all periods. While the asset growth anomaly existed in the Vietnam stock market before the pandemic, it disappeared during the pandemic. The average raw return difference between stocks in the highest and lowest asset growth terciles was −0.26% per month before the pandemic. Our robustness tests show that asset growth anomaly exists in firms with political connections during the pandemic. In addition, the asset growth anomaly only persists in larger firms before the pandemic. Our findings support agency and pecking order theory, behavior, and rational explanations. Finally, this study contributes practical implications for managers and individual investors to prevent adverse impacts of asset growth anomalies.
Conceptual Framework for Teaching Business Writing via Social Media
Authors: Phan Nhan
Published: November 2024

This article presents a conceptual framework for enhancing business writing skills through social media integration in business communication education. By embedding platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter, the framework promotes essential competencies such as clarity, audience awareness, and professional tone. Five core principles—constructivist learning, digital literacy, ethical writing practices, real-time feedback, and collaborative writing—underpin this framework, emphasizing experiential learning that bridges informal and formal communication styles. This approach offers educators a structured method for developing students’ adaptability and writing proficiency, aligning pedagogical practices with the evolving needs of modern business communication.
Notes Towards Understanding Economic Changes in Medieval Kerala
Authors: Veluthat Kesavan
Published: November 2024

This article looks at aspects of the economic developments in medieval Kerala such as in land use, agriculture, craft production, trade, rise of urban centres and the use of money. These resulted, among other things, in the emergence of a new sensibility and the (re)invention of media to express it. Placing them in the larger context of the peninsula, it seeks to raise questions about their implications for understanding a transition from the ‘medieval’ to a later formation and discuss various possibilities. It concludes with the observation that ‘Whether or not one can, or has to, call what would be in store a capitalist formation, one thing is clear: changes were on the cards. The forces and processes of this transition, its character and direction as well as its causality call for detailed studies’.
Liberal Political Philosophy and European Economic History: A Note
Authors: Patnaik Prabhat
Published: November 2024

There exists a widespread belief that England’s economic achievements were based on its spectacular progress in agriculture, in which primitive peasant cultivation was replaced by far the economically more successful large-scale cultivation by farmers. History, however, has a different tale to tell. Agriculture in England did not achieve any particular efficiency before the Industrial Revolution of the late eighteenth century. No particular progress in agricultural techniques was observed before the eighteenth century, during which the entire English peasantry was uprooted to make way for ‘farmers’, employing wage labour.
The importance of the social environment on leisure destination choice: A mixed multinomial analysis of homophilic preferences
Authors: Gramsch-Calvo Benjamin , Axhausen Kay W
Published: November 2024

Individuals are fond of belonging to a social environment with a similar social background, which can impact the individual’s decision to visit specific venues for leisure activities. Using data from Zurich, we have measured the preference for a social environment in four categories of leisure venues: restaurants, cafes, bars, and nightclubs; the estimation was performed using a mixed multinomial logit model to see how homophily for socioeconomic characteristics can impact the decisions of choosing a leisure venue. The models included three homophilic preferences: age, income, and cultural origin as variables of interest. The results show a positive impact of the three variables in different degrees: age is the most relevant in the two venue categories, income only impacts when individuals choose restaurants or cafes, and cultural background is more relevant for nightlife venues. These results show that the sociodemographic characteristics of the social environment are relevant for the choice of leisure destinations. These findings can contribute to the formulation of policies to create more diverse leisure environments and socially cohesive communities.
How can Community Music Help Address Loneliness in Contexts of Social Marginalisation? Insights From Two Music for Social Connection Programs
Authors: Heard Emma , Bartleet Brydie-Leigh , Spence Joel , Dean Kylie , Eyles Sam , Martinelli Jenny , McGuire Katie
Published: November 2024

This study explores how participatory music programs can help build social connection for people experiencing loneliness in contexts of social marginalisation. Loneliness is a growing, global public health issue with social and structural drivers. There is an urgent need to investigate innovative approaches to programming that go beyond opportunities for social contact to address the multiple domains of loneliness. Designed collaboratively with two social sector organisations in an urban context in Australia, this study presents outcomes from two community programs that involved groups of people experiencing or at risk of loneliness engaging in music together. Using a qualitative methodology that included semi-structured and brief interviews, focus groups and ethnographic observation, researchers identified positive shifts in relation to social loneliness (related to social contact), emotional loneliness (related to social bonds and meaningful connections), and existential loneliness (related to community connection and acceptance) for participants of the music programs. This study contributes to an urgent gap in understanding effective programming to support people experiencing loneliness and bolsters emerging evidence about the role arts can play in strengthening health, community and social sector efforts to address inequity.
Dissenting Votes on the Brazilian Supreme Court
Authors: Rosevear Evan , Hartmann Ivar A. , Werneck Arguelhes Diego
Published: November 2024

We examine dissent on the Brazilian Supremo Tribunal Federal (STF) using a novel dataset of 2.23 million individual votes in over 420,000 collegiate decisions issued between 1988 and 2023. After discussing the particularities of the Court’s processes and the individual minister characteristics and institutional features potentially influencing incentives to dissent, we examine the effects of several different elements on likelihood of individual dissenting votes. Our findings suggest that jurisdiction type, collegiate body, legal complexity, ideology, case salience and the relationship between case reporter and dissenter all play non-trivial roles. We also find that exposure to the legal academy in common law jurisdictions is correlated with an increased propensity to dissent and that two-thirds of the Court’s dissenting votes are attributable to a single member, Minister Marco Aurélio. Finally, we discuss the more nuanced impacts of several additional factors including televised hearings, virtual sessions, and gender.
Factor Prioritization in FEMA P-58 Loss Estimation
Authors: Vouvakis Manousakis Ioannis , Konstantinidis Dimitrios
Published: November 2024

In recent decades, probabilistic earthquake risk estimation has evolved significantly, with the FEMA P-58 methodology emerging as the method of choice for practical seismic risk assessments of buildings. Few studies, however, have examined the level of contribution of the explicitly modeled sources of uncertainty to the estimated losses. This study quantifies those contributions for intensity-based assessments utilizing variance-based sensitivity analysis (VBSA) and examines how they are affected by a variety of parameters. Considered sources of uncertainty include the variability of engineering demand parameters (EDPs) for a given level of shaking, the uncertain component quantities, the uncertain capacities defined by the fragility curves, and the uncertainty in the damage consequences. Their contributions are examined through the lens of factor prioritization. Our findings highlight the significant role of the building replacement likelihood in altering the variance contributions, with a predominant contribution of its associated sources of uncertainty at high levels of shaking. They also reveal a consistently high contribution of peak floor accelerations (PFAs) and residual interstory drifts (RIDs) compared with other EDPs and demonstrate the implications of crudely defined component damage models. By revealing the contribution breakdown for a variety of cases, the study enables a more effective allocation of resources and offers a broader intuition on the inner workings of loss estimation.
Ginsenoside Rb1 affects mitochondrial Ca2+ transport and inhibits fat deposition and fibrosis by regulating the wnt signaling pathway to treat rotator cuff tears via docking with SFRP1
Authors: Yin Yuesong , Hu Hai , Yang Yian , Wu Song
Published: December 2024

Background

Rotator cuff tears (RCTs) are among the most common musculoskeletal disorders that affect quality of life. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of ginsenoside Rb1 in RCTs and the mechanisms involved.

Methods

First, a fibrotic model of FAPs was induced, and FAPs were cultured in media supplemented with different concentrations of ginsenoside Rb1. Next, a rat model of RCTs was constructed and treated with ginsenoside Rb1. Molecular docking was subsequently utilized to detect the binding of ginsenoside Rb1 and SFRP1. Finally, SFRP1 was knocked down and overexpressed in vivo and in vitro to investigate the mechanism of ginsenoside Rb1 and SFRP1 in RCTs.

Results

Compared with the Normal group, FAP viability was decreased, but Collagen II, FN and α-SMA levels were increased in the Control group. After treatment with different concentrations of ginsenoside Rb1, FAP viability increased, but Collagen II, FN and α-SMA levels decreased. Among them, 60 µM ginsenoside Rb1 had the best effect. In vivo experiments revealed that ginsenoside Rb1 improved RCTs in rats. Molecular docking revealed the binding of ginsenoside Rb1 to SFRP1. Additionally, SFRP1 levels were lower in the Control group than in the Normal group. After treatment with ginsenoside Rb1, SFRP1 levels increased. In vivo, overexpressing SFRP1 along with ginsenoside Rb1 treatment further alleviated tendon tissue fibroblast infiltration and fat accumulation and further reduced the expression of Collagen II, FN, and α-SMA. In vitro, overexpressing SFRP1 along with ginsenoside Rb1 treatment further decreased the expression of CaMKII, PLC, PKC, Wnt, and β-catenin, further decreased the Ca2+ fluorescence intensity and mitochondrial length, increased the red/green intensity, and decreased the MitoSOX fluorescence intensity. Additionally, overexpressing SFRP1 along with ginsenoside Rb1 treatment further increased cell proliferation, decreased apoptosis, reduced the protein expression of Collagen II, FN, and α-SMA in muscle tissue, and further reduced the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in the cell supernatant.

Conclusions

Ginsenoside Rb1 inhibited the activation of the Wnt signaling pathway by promoting SFRP1 expression, thereby inhibiting mitochondrial function and Ca2+ absorption to treat fat infiltration and muscle fibrosis caused by RCTs.
The cLVSM: A Novel Compact Linear Variable Stiffness Mechanism Based on Circular Beams
Authors: Shao Yixin , Zhou Yufeng , Shi Di , Feng Yanggang , Ding Xilun , Zhang Wuxiang
Published: December 2024

Variable stiffness mechanisms (VSMs) are a class of compliant mechanisms that can adjust their intrinsic stiffness, which promises to be beneficial in applications needed to interact with the environment, such as collaborative robots, wearable robots, and polishing robots. This paper presents the design and optimization of a novel linear VSM, called cLVSM, to produce linear motion, conversely to the majority of VSMs designed to perform rotary motion. By changing the effective length of specially designed circular beams, the cLVSM is capable of continuous stiffness regulation from a minimum value to almost rigid. Different from the VSMs which need rotation-to-translation converting mechanisms for stiffness regulation, the stiffness of the proposed design is adjusted by directly rotating the beams without the use of additional mechanisms, which contributes to improving the structural compactness, and reducing the energy loss and error in transmission. Moreover, the beam rotation needed to regulate the stiffness is almost perpendicular to the beam deflection force, which helps to reduce the torque needed for stiffness regulation. The stiffness model of the proposed VSM is developed using the screw theory, and the design parameters are optimized using the genetic algorithm. The effectiveness of the mathematical model and the performance of the design are verified by simulation and experiments.
Automatic measurement of choroidal thickness with swept-source optical coherence tomography in chronic Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease: 3 years’ follow-up
Authors: Yamamoto-Rodríguez Liria , Anduaga-Beramendi Alexander , Mediavilla-Vallespín Roger , Subirà Olaia , Garcia-Bru Pere , Solanich-Moreno Xavier , Arias Luis , Caminal Josep M. , García-García Olga
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The course of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease is typically assessed qualitatively using indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and enhanced-depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT). However, a quantitative approach could improve accuracy and objectivity. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical value of the automated measurement capabilities of swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) to measure choroidal thickness (quantitative approach) in chronic VKH.

Methods

Prospective, longitudinal case–control study at a tertiary university hospital involving 23 chronic VKH patients (9 convalescent and 14 quiescent) and 17 age-matched controls. Choroidal thickness was automatically measured with SS-OCT.

Results

Choroidal thinning and improved vision were associated with treatment while increasing thickness and worsening vision were associated with posterior relapse. Overall, 41.6% of asymptomatic (no change in visual acuity) recurrences in the convalescent group and 25% of recurrences in the quiescent group were detected by SS-OCT. All recurrences diagnosed by SS-OCT showed signs of inflammation on ICGA.

Conclusions

Automatic measurement of choroidal thickness with SS-OCT is a rapid, non-invasive method of detecting posterior segment recurrences and treatment response in VKH patients, and could reduce the need for angiography to monitor this disease.
Towards measuring food insecurity stigma: development and validation of the Food Insecurity Self-stigma Scale and the Food Support Experiences Scale
Authors: Taylor Natalie , Boyland Emma , Christiansen Paul , Southern Alan , Hardman Charlotte A.
Published: November 2024

Background

Within high income countries, individuals experiencing food insecurity have become increasingly reliant on food support to satisfy household food needs. However, experiencing food insecurity and accessing food support are highly stigmatised, negatively impacting psychological and emotional wellbeing. Being able to quantify this stigma may contribute towards reducing these impacts. This study aimed to develop and validate two novel scales enabling the quantification of stigma concepts within the food insecurity and food support context: (1) the Food Insecurity Self-stigma Scale (FISS), which measures the level of self-stigma (and related constructs) that individuals experiencing food insecurity feel regarding their food insecure status; and (2) the Food Support Experiences Scale (FSES), which measures the psycho-social experiences (including the experience of self-stigma) when individuals access a food support service.

Methods

English speaking participants who identified as experiencing food insecurity completed the new FISS (N = 211) and FSES (N = 123) measures, alongside other validation measures. Exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were carried out for both scales. Regressions using latent variables derived from the CFA were used to test convergent and divergent validity. McDonald’s Omega was used to assess internal reliability and intra-class correlations between initial and retest FISS and FSES scores of a small number of participants (FISS: N = 14; FSES: N = 8) were used to assess test-retest reliability.

Results

EFA indicated three-factor structures best fit both scales. CFA revealed a good fit of the model for the FISS (15 items; 3 factors: righteous anger, non-disclosure, and stereotype endorsement). Meanwhile, an acceptable-to-poor fit of the model was revealed for the FSES (23 items; 3 factors: self-approval and disclosure, dietary and interpersonal satisfaction, and perceived effectiveness and impact). Importantly, convergent validity was only found for the non-disclosure subscale of the FISS and the self-approval and disclosure subscale of the FSES.

Conclusions

The FISS and FSES provide valid tools for quantifying aspects of stigma relating to the experience of food insecurity and accessing food support respectively. Development of these two scales may provide an important first step towards measuring stigma. developing interventions which reduce this psychological burden, and working to promote psychological wellbeing within populations experiencing food insecurity.
Systematic review—understanding the barriers and facilitators experienced by healthcare professionals in providing care for tics: a mixed methods systematic review of clinical knowledge, attitudes, and practices
Authors: Parker Adam , French Blandine , Groom Madeline J. , Hall Charlotte L.
Published: November 2024

Tic disorders (TDs) have a prevalence of approximately 1%, and while various therapies have demonstrated effectiveness, people with tics and their families report a lack of understanding by healthcare professionals (HCPs). This systematic review included 13 papers featuring HCPs, people with tics, and their families about their experiences of either delivering or accessing care for tics, which were then divided into three themes. The first theme, Need for Education and Effective Implementation, suggested that while HCPs demonstrated good knowledge of tics, patient experiences indicated that this did not always translate to the care they received, potentially due to low confidence and a lack of formal training. The second theme, Misinterpretation, Misdiagnosis and Stigma, suggested that HCPs held incorrect beliefs about tics and would misinterpret tic symptoms, while caregiver responsibility for their child’s tics would both positively and negatively impact care-seeking behaviour, partly depending on their cultural belief system. Finally, the Communication between Healthcare Professionals and Families revealed that poor communication of a tic disorder diagnosis can exacerbate anxiety within the family. The themes of this review were demonstrated universally, demonstrating that HCPs around the world should be encouraged to understand tics and tic disorders confidently to improve the healthcare outcomes and experiences of those living with tics.
Risk factors for deep surgical site infections following orthopedic trauma surgery: a meta-analysis and systematic review
Authors: Liu Huan , Wang Yanan , Xing Hao , Chang Zhengqi , Pan Junlin
Published: November 2024

Objective

We conducted this meta-analysis to explore the risk factors and incidence of deep surgical site infections (DSSIs) after orthopaedic trauma surgery.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted across various databases, including MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, for studies examining risk factors associated with DSSIs after bone trauma procedures. The search concluded on September 1, 2024. Data analysis was performed using Stata 15.0.

Results

Among 2,722 publications screened, 16 studies that met the eligibility criteria were included in the analysis, involving a total of 22,318 patients, of whom 894 experienced DSSIs. The meta-analysis revealed a combined incidence of deep infections after orthopedic trauma surgery at [ES = 6.7%, 95% CI (5.1%–8.2%)]. Risk factors identified included male gender [OR = 1.99, 95% CI (1.39, 2.86), p < 0.0001], current smoking status [OR = 2.60, 95% CI (1.85, 3.65), p < 0.0001], open injuries [OR = 3.17, 95% CI (1.72, 5.85), p < 0.0001], a BMI greater than 26.0 kg/m2 [OR = 1.95, 95% CI (1.24, 3.07), p = 0.004], wound class ≥ 2 [OR = 2.40, 95% CI (1.56, 3.70), p < 0.0001], and a surgery duration of 60 min or more [OR = 2.41, 95% CI (1.63, 3.55), p < 0.0001]. These factors significantly contribute to the risk of developing DSSIs post-surgery. However, age did not exhibit a significant difference.

Conclusion

This study identifies key risk factors for DSSI following orthopedic trauma surgery, addressing a gap in the existing literature and offering some insights for clinical decision-making. To mitigate the risk of DSSI, clinical practice should encourage patients to lose weight and quit smoking prior to surgery, optimize surgical procedures, and improve wound management strategies. Future research should aim to standardize follow-up durations and further refine the classification of risk factors, in order to validate and expand on the conclusions of this study.