bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Systematic review on badminton injuries: incidence, characteristics and risk factors
Authors: Stepper Brid , Hecksteden Anne , Stagge Hendrik , Faude Oliver , Donath Lars
Published: January 2025

Objectives

As a high-intensity intermittent sport with short and repeated rapid accelerations, decelerations and changes of direction, badminton involves high joint and muscle loads. This review aims to identify relevant injury risk characteristics and factors that facilitate developing and implementing badminton-specific injury prevention programmes.

Design

This systematic review of badminton injuries assessed the risk of bias, injury incidence, mechanism, location, type, severity, and risk factors.

Data sources

PubMed, WoS, SURF, EBSCO, Ovid and SPORTDiscus.

Eligibility criteria

Only English or German peer-reviewed articles presenting epidemiological data. All age groups, genders and levels of play were represented.

Results

Examination of 19 studies with male (60%) and female players (41%) at different player levels (age: 10–50 years). The mean injury incidence was between 1 and 4 injuries/1000 hours, whereby the incidence in the studies that were only carried out with elite players tended to be at the upper end. Lower body injuries occurred most frequently (41%–92%), including strains (11%–64%), sprains (10%–61%), tendinopathy (6%–14%) and stress fractures (5%–11%). There was a high proportion of overuse injuries (25%–74%) and a predominance of mild and moderate injuries (73%–100%). The following risk factors can only be cautiously emphasised due to the heterogeneous results: The risk of injury increases with increasing level of play and a history of injury.

Conclusion

Young players with a history of injury quickly moving to higher competition classes must be targeted with the highest injury prevention priority. Future studies should focus on improving the quality of studies by using comparable data collection methods.
Body composition is associated with changes in health-related quality of life in patients with knee and/or hip osteoarthritis
Authors: Rat Anne-Christine , Sellam Jérémie , Mazières Bernard , Ngueyon Sime Willy , Fardellone Patrice , Guillemin Francis
Published: January 2025

Objective

The objective of this study was to analyse the association between body composition and changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients followed for hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods

Longitudinal data from the Knee and Hip OsteoArthritis Long-term Assessments (KHOALA) cohort, a multicentre cohort of 878 patients with symptomatic knee and/or hip OA, were used. The main outcome criteria were changes in patient-reported outcomes measures, the Study Short Form-36 (physical functioning, pain, mental health and vitality) and the OsteoArthritis Knee and Hip Quality Of Life (OAKHQOL)(physical activity, pain and mental health). Body composition measurements were obtained from dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans in a subsample of 381 patients at year 3. Body composition variables were fat mass index (FMI (kg/m²)), percentage of fat mass, trunk to leg fat mass ratio (TFM/LFM) and skeletal muscle mass index (SMI (kg/m²)). To account for the correlation of repeated measures in each individual, GEE models were used.

Results

290 patients with knee and 114 patients with hip OA were included in the analysis. In multivariate analysis, higher FMI at baseline and the presence of low lean mass were independently associated with worse physical functioning over time (β −0.02, 95% CI −0.03 to −0.01, p<0.0001 and β −0.21, 95% CI −0.02 to 0.02, p=0.02) for SF-36 dimensions. Higher TFM/LFM and SMI at baseline were associated with better mental health (β 0.09, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.15, p=0.008 and β 0.01, 95% CI 0.006 to 0.02, p<0.0001) and vitality. No association between body composition measures and pain remained in the multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

Higher FMI at baseline and the presence of low muscle mass were independently associated with worse physical function over 4 years, but not with pain. Higher TFM/LFM and SMI at baseline were associated with better mental health and vitality over time.
Extrinsic and intrinsic effects setting viscosity in complex fluids and life processes: the role of fundamental physical constants
Authors: Trachenko K. , Tello P. G. , Kauffman S. A. , Succi S.
Published: January 2025

Understanding the values and origin of fundamental physical constants, one of the grandest challenges in modern science, has been discussed in particle physics, astronomy and cosmology. More recently, it was realized that fundamental constants have a biofriendly window set by life processes involving motion and flow. This window is related to intrinsic fluid properties such as energy and length scales in condensed matter set by fundamental constants. Here, we discuss important extrinsic factors governing the viscosity of complex fluids operating in life processes due to collective effects. We show that both extrinsic and intrinsic factors affecting viscosity need to be taken into account when estimating the biofriendly range of fundamental constants from life processes, and our discussion provides a straightforward recipe for doing this. Remarkably, the viscosity of a complex fluid such as blood with significant extrinsic effects is not far from the intrinsic viscosity calculated using the fundamental constants only, and we discuss the reason for this in terms of dynamics of contact points between cells.

Graphical abstract
Graded identities of the adjoint representation of 𝔰𝔩2(K)
Authors: Sampaio Cássia , Koshlukov Plamen
Published: January 2025

Let [Formula: see text] be a field of characteristic zero and let [Formula: see text] be the 3-dimensional simple Lie algebra over [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we describe a finite basis for the [Formula: see text]-graded identities of the adjoint representation of [Formula: see text], or equivalently, the [Formula: see text]-graded identities for the pair [Formula: see text]. We work with the canonical grading on [Formula: see text] and the only nontrivial [Formula: see text]-grading of the associative algebra [Formula: see text] induced by that on [Formula: see text].
Analytical Model for the Identification of Lateral Stiffness Eccentricity of Shear Building Structures
Authors: Cao Xiaonan , Law S. S. , Yang Na , Bai Fan , Liu Wei
Published: January 2025

This paper proposes a time–domain approach to identify eccentricity in three-dimensional multi-storey structures exhibiting nonaxial stiffness eccentricity. Improved lateral–torsional coupled equations of motion are employed to identify the location of the center of rigidity for each storey, using horizontal acceleration measurements in two orthogonal directions obtained from multiple points across each storey. This study mitigates errors typically associated with Fourier transformation by applying a time–domain approach and redefines the dynamic equations for calculating structural eccentricities, with a detailed formulation of the torsional stiffness matrix. Additionally, a novel objective function, based on the root-mean-square of the residual force in the time–domain equations of motion, is proposed to simultaneously identify bidirectional eccentricities of the structure. A numerical example illustrates the implementation and effectiveness of the proposed method. The feasibility of the method is demonstrated using a traditional Chinese timber benchmark structure. This approach overcomes several limitations in current methods and provides a streamlined solution for eccentricity identification in complex asymmetric structures.
Frequency Response of a Nonlinear Vibration Isolator Containing a Viscoelastic End-Stop Buffer
Authors: Chan Lifeng , Cheng Chun
Published: January 2025

Considering that a mechanical spring can be compressed or stretched only, a protected object is prone to detach from the support spring when the system falls into the resonant region. To avoid this phenomenon, a nonlinear vibration isolator containing a viscoelastic end-stop buffer is developed, which can exhibit stiffness–hardening or stiffness–softening characteristics. Because the restoring force is asymmetrical and piecewise linear, a modified averaging method is applied to obtain steady-state solutions, which contain a bias term. A numerical method is then used to verify the analytical solutions, and their stability is determined. Finally, the effects of the structural parameters on the frequency response and force transmissibility are investigated. The jump avoidance condition is subsequently given. The results show that the modified averaging method is more accurate than the classical method. Decreasing the stiffness ratio can reduce the transmissibility peak and resonance frequency. Applying heavy damping in the end-stop buffer is beneficial for reducing transmissibility in the resonant region, whereas the isolation performance at high frequencies remains unchanged. The developed vibration system exhibits better isolation performance than the linear system when stiffness–softening characteristics are considered.
Efficient evaluation algorithms for noiseless fully homomorphic encryption scheme and their applications
Authors: Han Hee , Kang Stefano V. , Lee Byungdo , Wang Hyo Keun
Published: January 2025

We construct the best possible noiseless fully homomorphic encryption scheme with applications to business and industry models. The plaintext spaces cover modular integers, integers, real numbers and complex numbers. Our choice of AGCD-parameters drastically reduces the bit-sizes of secret key, public key and ciphertexts, which yields the most efficient and fastest evaluation algorithms compared with other existing fully homomorphic encryption schemes based on AGCD problem.
Finite groups in which the cores of non-normal subgroups have the same order
Authors: Qu Haipeng , Wang Lifang
Published: January 2025

In this paper, we describe the structure of finite groups in which all cores of non-normal subgroups have the same order. In particular, in the case of [Formula: see text]-groups, we give a complete classification.
Almost radicalization and almost radical ideal
Authors: Abouhalaka Alaa
Published: January 2025

An ideal [Formula: see text] of a ring [Formula: see text] is called almost prime ideal if [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] implies either [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text], for any ideals [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text]. Here, we introduce the concept of almost [Formula: see text]-system, in order to be able to define the almost prime radical of an ideal, also we give an equivalent definition showing that the almost prime radical of an ideal [Formula: see text], if it exists, is the intersection of all the (minimal) almost prime ideals [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]. We also provide many of interesting properties. In addition, we examine the almost prime radicals of important ideals, such as the prime radical ideal [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text]-ideal.
Study on the Mechanical Properties and Constitutive Model of Q420 Steel Under Different Strain Rates
Authors: Sheng Jie , Ma Jiajie , Wei Feifei , Meng Yahui , Ma Zongwen , Liang Yingjun , Duan Hongyan
Published: January 2025

In order to accurately test the mechanical properties of Q420 steel under static tensile conditions, a universal testing machine is used to conduct room temperature static tensile tests on Q420 steel at different strain rates of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. The corrected constitutive model is substituted into ABAQUS software for tensile finite element simulation analysis. The accuracy of Esmaeily-Ghasemabadi (E-G), Hollomon, Swift and Voce empirical constitutive models was evaluated based on the stress–strain curve. The Hollomon model with small error and the Voce model with a large fitting proportion and relatively stable error were selected, combined with strain rate sensitivity functions from Power law, Wagoner and Johnson–Cook/Modified (J-C/M) models for modification. The quantitative analysis has verified that the modified model combining the Power law model with the Voce model was optimal. The correlation coefficient ([Formula: see text]) of the Voce-Power (V-P) model before necking was consistently 1, and the average absolute relative error ([Formula: see text]) had decreased to [Formula: see text]. The modified V-P model could reliably describe the stress–strain behavior of bcc structure metals. The error of mechanical strength value between calculation and experiment was within [Formula: see text] during the strengthening stage, and the average [Formula: see text] of curve fitting was [Formula: see text]. This work held great significance for accurately predicting the mechanical properties of Q420 steel in different load conditions, optimizing structural design and ensuring engineering safety. In particular, it was crucial for establishing accurate stress–strain responses in the fatigue life simulation process of wind turbine towers.
An Adaptive MPC-based Motion Stability Control Strategy for Four In-Wheel Motor-Actuated Electric Vehicles
Authors: Zhou Yunfei , Ta La , Ren Libin , Kang Mingxin , Zhang Jiangyan , Wu Yuhu
Published: January 2025

The popularization of electrified and intelligent vehicles presents novel challenges and opportunities for conventional vehicle control technologies. To solve the 62nd IEEE CDC benchmark challenge problem, this paper proposes an adaptive model predictive control-based dynamic stability control scheme for a four in-wheel motor-actuated electric vehicle. First, the longitudinal vehicle dynamic model including the four-wheel rotational dynamic model is presented. Considering the influence of road surface adhesion on tire force, a slip ratio adjustment torque controller is built by using a model predictive control algorithm, in which the optimal performance indexes comprehensively consider the energy consumption and longitudinal speed tracking accuracy. Then, an adaptive weighting factor is designed to balance the effect of the slip ratio adjustment torque on speed tracking and vertical stability based on the fuzzy control algorithm. To maintain vehicle motion stability, a motion adjustment torque controller based on the proportional integral derivative algorithm and the torque distribution scheme is designed. Finally, through co-simulation using Modelica/Simulink platform, simulation experiments are conducted under acceleration/braking conditions as well as ISO double lane change conditions. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed control scheme effectively ensures both vehicle motion stability and accuracy in speed tracking and trajectory following.
Degree-based topological indices and QSPR analysis of Cytomegalovirus drugs
Authors: Nagesh H. M.
Published: January 2025

This study examines several drugs employed in treating Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections, including Cidofovir, Foscarnet, Ganciclovir, Maribavir, and Valganciclovir. The investigation involves the calculation of degree-based topological indices for these drugs. A quantitative structure–property relationship model is established using linear regression analysis, connecting the drug’s topological indices to eleven physicochemical properties to assess their efficacy. The findings indicate that the third Zagreb index is the most reliable predictor for boiling point, enthalpy of vaporization, and flashpoint. In contrast, the first Zagreb index is the optimal predictor for molar refractivity, polarizability, and surface tension. The forgotten index proves effective in predicting molar volume, and the Randić index is identified as a useful predictor for density.
Can LLMs Make Robots Smarter?
Authors: Greengard Samuel
Published: January 2025

Large language models may be used to do a lot of the planning that robots require, from within the robot.
Review—Immunosensors for the Detection of Ovarian Cancer Tumor Marker Human Epididymal Protein 4
Authors: Chen Mei-Na , Han Chen-Yang , Chen Zhencheng , Han Guo-Cheng , Feng Xiao-Zhen , Kraatz Heinz-Bernhard
Published: January 2025

Human epididymal protein (HE4) is the most sensitive and specific tumor marker of ovarian cancer (OC). Therefore, it is necessary to achieve sensitive and selective determination of HE4 in humans. Due to the high sensitivity and fast response of the electrochemical method, the main research method for HE4 detection is still electrochemical method. Here we review recent research progress of electrochemical (EC), electrochemiluminescence (ECL), optical (OP), and photoelectrochemical (PEC) immunobiosensors for OC tumor marker HE4 detection. Because of the special physical and chemical properties of carbon nanomaterials, precious metal nanomaterials and quantum dots, they are widely used in immunosensors design. Exploring new nanocomposites to improve electrode performance is a research direction to improve the sensitivity and selectivity of sensors in the future. The advantages and limitations of the above four sensors and the future development direction of HE4 immunosensors are reviewed and discussed.
Application of Chitosan and the Green Synthesized NiO-Bi2O3 Nanocomposite in Modification of Glassy Carbon Electrode for Simultaneous Determination of p-Nitrophenol and o-Nitrophenol
Authors: Hasan Ibrahem M. A. , Abd-Elsabour Mohamed
Published: January 2025

A solventless method was used to prepare NiO nanoparticles (NPs) while an aqueous extract from banana peels was used to green synthesize Bi2O3 NPs. Characterization of the resulting samples indicated the formation of pure mesoporous NiO and Bi2O3 NPs with crystallite sizes of 23 and 3.1 nm, respectively. A glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was modified by applying chitosan (CS) along with NiO and Bi2O3 NPs. The fabricated NiO-Bi2O3/CS/GCE sensor was applied for the simultaneous determination of p-nitrophenol (p-NP) and o-nitrophenol (o-NP) using cyclic, linear sweep, and differential pulse voltammetry. p-NP showed excellent behavior in PBS electrolyte at pH 7.0 and a 100 mV/s scan rate. The calculated limits of detection and quantitation and linear range were 23.8, 79.5, and 0.1–100 nM, respectively. The sensor demonstrated high selectivity (less than 5% change in the presence of various interferences), reproducibility (2.43% RSD), and stability (98.35% after one month). Finally, the sensor had successfully estimated p-NP in tap and wastewater samples.
Nitrogen-Enriched Sulfur-Functionalized Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanosheets for Non-Enzymatic Uric Acid Sensing and Supercapacitor Application
Authors: Lavanya J. , Aakash M. , Srinivasan R. , Ravi Sankar A.
Published: January 2025

Reduced graphene oxide (RGO) was functionalized with nitrogen-enriched sulfur-containing groups via a facile and cost-effective hydrothermal approach to enhance the electrochemical performance of RGO nanosheets. The crystallinity, morphology, and chemical composition of obtained nitrogen-enriched sulfur-functionalized reduced graphene oxide (NESRGO) was investigated using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The electrochemical investigation of NESRGO with higher electronegativity and improved electrical conductivity yielded a superior oxidation current of 52 μA towards uric acid (UA) than nitrogen sulfur-functionalized reduced graphene oxide (NSRGO) (30 μA) and RGO (21 μA). The NESRGO-modified electrode showed high sensitivity (826.25 μA mM−1 cm−2), a detection limit of 4 μM, and good stability (relative standard deviation of 3.69%). Moreover, the high selectivity of the developed UA sensor in the presence of other electroactive interferents and excellent recovery rates between 99.29% and 110.40% in human serum demonstrated the applicability of the sensor in clinical diagnosis. Finally, the NESRGO-modified carbon cloth electrode applied as a supercapacitor exhibited a specific capacitance of 70.23 F g−1 and excellent cycle stability, with 109.7% retention over 2,500 cycles. The results highlight the NESRGO’s potential in UA sensing and energy storage devices.
Investigation of Single Event Transient Effect in Double-Gate InP-Based HEMT
Authors: Sun Shuxiang , Wang Haoyu , Li Haoyu , Mei Hongying , Luo Xiaorong
Published: January 2025

An investigation of single event transient (SET) effect in double-gate InP-based HEMT (DG-HEMT) was conducted by simulations. The effects of different drain voltages (V
DS), ion incident positions and angles, linear energy transfer (LET) on SET effect in DG-HEMT were comprehensively analyzed. The simulation results showed that the incident position in gate for DG-HEMT is the most sensitive to SET effect. A higher transient peak drain current (I
peak) induced by SET effect was obtained with the higher LET and V
DS. At the larger LET and V
DS, more electrons were produced by the larger impact ionization rate, leading to the higher I
peak. As the incident angle reduces, the track length of incident ions become longer, that is, the sensitive area becomes larger, resulting in the higher I
peak. Compared with the single gate InP-based HEMT, the irradiation resistance of device with double gate is improved significantly.
Nanosheet Field Effect Transistors: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Balasubrahmanyam M. , Pandey Archana , Goel Ekta
Published: January 2025

Transistor technology plays a crucial role in human life. The aim is to increase the number of applications and enhance speed in a single integrated circuit (IC). Here, we review the nanosheet field-effect transistor and its various effects, including the impact of device dimensions and temperature, the effect of surface orientation, and reliability concerns. We also review the device structure, process flow, fabrication challenges, current issues, and compare NSFETs with FinFETs and nanowire field-effect transistors.
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Presenting With Bilateral Optic Neuropathy and Sensorineural Hearing Loss as the First Clinical Presentation: A Case Report
Authors: Ejaz Sameen , Nawaz Rabia , Tariq Fakeha , Nawaz Ahmad , Bano Safia , Aslam Ayesha , Khan Fawad , Ahmed Zeeshan , Rashid Aaqib , Saqib Sana
Published: January 2025

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative disorder that commonly manifests in chronic, accelerated, or blast phase. Typically observed in individuals aged 60–65 years, CML is infrequently diagnosed in adolescents. The usual presentation in late adulthood involves nonspecific symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and weight loss, with rare reports of initial neurological involvement. A 17‐year‐old male presented with bilateral vision loss and profound hearing loss, alongside a medical history marked by fever, night sweats, and weight loss. A positive tuberculosis contact raised suspicions of tuberculous meningitis, while cervical and inguinal lymphadenopathy suggested the possibility of neurosarcoidosis. Despite clinical signs pointing toward a neurological cause, elevated white blood cell (WBC) count, a bone marrow biopsy, and the identification of BCR‐ABL translocation through chromosomal analysis surprisingly revealed a diagnosis of CML in the chronic phase. This case underscores the importance of considering hematological malignancy as a differential in cases of multiple cranial neuropathies, especially if supported by systemic symptoms. Understanding the diverse presentations of CML is essential for clinicians to provide timely and appropriate interventions particularly in young patients where it could mimic other neurological disorders leading to diagnostic challenges and delay in treatment initiation.
The Impact of Land Circulation on Common Prosperity in the Digital Economy Context
Authors: Xu Cong , Wu Feng , Lin Jingran , Chiu Yie-Ru
Published: January 2025

In traditional production function research related to agricultural production, regional differences in agricultural labor capacity and information distribution are ignored. In the context of the digital economy (DE), this paper reintroduces information data as a new production factor to analyze the factor allocation mechanism. Based on previous studies, it conducts spatial Durbin model (SDM) analysis at the inter‐provincial regional scale. It further studies the regional heterogeneity of land circulation distribution in China’s east, middle, and west. It finds that land circulation is consistent with the theory of the siphoning effect. DE (DE) variables accelerate the circulation of information factors and improve the allocative efficiency of land, technology, and capital factors. Finally, the article proposes suggestions on the role of the DE in improving agricultural production efficiency and narrowing the urban–rural gap.
The Key of the Terminal Stage of Vitiligo: The Death Form of Melanocytes
Authors: Zhang Chen , Gao YuXing , Yan Wei , Yuan XiaoYong , Wei MengYang , Shen Yue
Published: January 2025

Vitiligo is a complex skin disease with multiple genes and multiple targets. Its etiology is complex, and the final link is the death or dysfunction of melanocytes. Melanocytes are derived from neural crest cells, and their mechanism of death is complex. Currently, more studies have focused on apoptosis, necrosis, ferroptosis, and autophagy. Aiming to reveal the key to the terminal stage of vitiligo: the death form of melanocytes, we summarize the origin, differentiation, and migration of melanocytes, analyze the ontogenetic and morphological characteristics of melanocytes and various death forms of melanocytes, and discuss their corresponding mechanism in this reviews.
LysR‐Type Transcriptional Regulator VirR Responds to Temperature and pH and Directly Activates the Transcription of virS‐Containing Operon in Rhodococcus equi
Authors: Kakuda Tsutomu , Sato Takashi , Takuhara Mari , Hagiuda Hirofumi , Suzuki Yasunori
Published: January 2025

Rhodococcus equi—a facultative intracellular pathogen of macrophages—causes bronchopneumonia in foals and patients who are immunocompromised. Virulent strains of R. equi possess a virulence‐associated plasmid, which encodes a 15‐ to 17‐kDa surface protein called virulence‐associated protein A (VapA). VapA expression is regulated by temperature and pH. Two transcriptional regulators, VirR and VirS, are involved in the transcriptional regulation of vapA. VirR regulates VapA expression through VirS. However, whether VirR directly regulates virS transcription is unclear. In this study, we examined VirR binding to the promoter region of the icgA operon, which contains virS, using the electrophoretic mobility shift assay and DNase I footprinting. VirR bound DNA fragments containing the virR‐icgA intergenic region. Transcription from the promoter in this region was VirR‐dependent and regulated by temperature and pH. The VirR‐binding site contained the LysR‐type transcriptional regulator‐binding consensus motif, T–N11–A. A point mutation (L98E) in the putative ligand‐binding pocket of VirR constitutively activated the icgA promoter. However, no apparent difference was observed in the electrophoretic mobility shift assay and DNase I footprinting using the icgA promoter when L98E VirR was compared with wild‐type VirR. A bacterial two‐hybrid system identified an interaction between VirR and RpoA. Our data reveal that VirR binds the promoter of the icgA operon and directly activates its transcription. Furthermore, the regulation of VapA expression in response to temperature and pH is mediated by VirR.
Recent Progress on the Physical, Thermal, and Mechanical Properties of Expanded Polystyrene Waste–Based Composites
Authors: Seid Abdu Mohammed , Adimass Solomon Alemneh , Salilew Waleligne Molla , Vignesh Krishnan , Paramasivam Velmurugan , Fentaw Birhanu Adisie
Published: January 2025

Expanded polystyrene (EPS) waste also known as Styrofoam is a common material found in packaging and insulation applications and presents significant environmental challenges due to its nonbiodegradable nature. To address this issue, researchers have explored EPS waste as a potential polymer matrix for developing composite materials. Many researchers have studied the physical, mechanical, and thermal behavior of EPS‐based materials. Therefore, this review provides the current state of knowledge regarding the physical, thermal, and mechanical properties of EPS‐based composites. The effect of reinforcement content, filler size, EPS content, processing method, and other factors that affect the properties of EPS‐based composites is covered in this review. The physical properties examined include density, porosity, and water absorption properties, while the mechanical behavior encompasses tensile strength, impact strength, and flexural resistance of EPS waste–based materials. This review also identifies key findings from various studies and discusses the influence of EPS waste on the overall performance of the composites. Moreover, it highlights the challenges and opportunities associated with utilizing EPS waste in composite materials, along with potential avenues for future research. Overall, this review serves as a valuable resource for researchers, engineers, and stakeholders interested in understanding the physical, thermal, and mechanical properties of EPS waste–based composites and their potential applications in sustainable material development, thereby enhancing the commercial value of recycled materials.
Solar Cell Defects Detection Based on Photoluminescence Images and Upgraded YOLOv5 Model
Authors: Xu Gengcong , Huang Jinhua , Gong Weidong , Teng Jiahui
Published: January 2025

Solar cells (SCs) are prone to various defects, which affect energy conversion efficiency and even cause fatal damage to photovoltaic modules. In this paper, photoluminescence (PL) imaging is used to visualize SC defects, based on which a detection method based on the YOLOv5 model is explored. At the same time, five data enhancement methods such as Mosaic, Mixup, HSV transformation, Gaussian noise, and rotation transformation are introduced to improve the representativeness of the data set and enhance the detection ability of the model. Second, a C2f module is designed to enhance the network model’s ability to fuse features. In order to further improve the convolutional network’s ability to capture target features, a series SPPF module combined with soft pooling is proposed to reduce the number of repeated operations, improve network efficiency, and focus on extracting higher level features from the input. Experimental results show that the optimized model’s mAP reaches 91.5%, which is 20.3% higher than the original model. The mAP increase of some defect types reaches 50.4%, and the detection speed reaches 24.2 FPS. The model’s defect detection capability for SC has been significantly enhanced, meeting the speed requirements at the same time.
Acquitted/Convicted by a Single Vote?
Authors: Filonik Jakub
Published: January 2025

This paper deals with procedural issues related to the possibility of tied votes in fourth-century Athens and with the questions of court practice, recording, and rhetorical reuse of votes by ballot. It aims to provide a comprehensive discussion of all cases of nearly split judicial panels in Athens. It examines, first, the problems related to Aeschines’ statement (3.252) about an equal distribution of votes happening in a system with an uneven number of judges and subsequently explores the role of numbers, particularly vote counts, in the rhetorical presentation of data in oratory. Based on several exemplary court cases, it argues that their reliability and objective nature is questionable and that such data should thus be used with caution.
Reforming China’s Ship-Source Oil Pollution Compensation Fund in View of Increasingly Strict Environmental Protection
Authors: Zhuo Ruixuan , Zhang Chunchang , Zhou Mengqi
Published: January 2025

This article analyses the achievements and challenges of the China Ship-source Oil Pollution Compensation Fund (COPC Fund) in pursuit of an adequate, effective, and prompt compensation scheme for clean-up expenses and environmental damages against the backdrop of increasingly strict environmental protection requirements. Socioeconomic development, oil pollution catastrophes, and shipping decarbonisation necessitate broad and immediate reforms of the COPC Fund. These include increasing the compensation limits to reflect soaring oil pollution risks, improving standardised compensation rates, attaching greater importance to environmental restorations, developing streamlined claim assessment procedures for financially disadvantaged groups, and being receptive to new damages arising from the carbon neutrality campaign.
On the Spreading of Glacial Meltwater in the Western North Atlantic. Part I: Role of Dynamical Instabilities
Authors: Marchal Olivier , Condron Alan
Published: January 2025

Glacial meltwater discharged in excessive amount into the ocean may disrupt ocean circulation on regional to larger scales. Here, the spreading of meltwater discharged from the Laurentide Ice Sheet is explored through idealized experiments with a numerical circulation model representing the western North Atlantic during the last ice age. The roles of dynamical instabilities and eddy generation in meltwater dispersal are isolated without the intricacies of a background circulation and atmospheric forcing (both considered in Part II). The meltwater released from the Laurentian Channel produces a buoyant plume detached from the bottom and flowing to the southwest along the continental slope. The coastal current becomes unstable, meanders, and develops dipolar vortices all along the slope down to the South Atlantic Bight. These vortices move in the same direction as the parent current but slower by one order of magnitude. Their central jet tends to align perpendicularly to isobaths, and their cap is an anticyclonic flow produced by vortex compression of the seaward-flowing jet. They grow, interact, and ultimately lead to a complex and broad eddy field. Sensitivity tests show that meltwater spreads away from the slope at a consistent rate of O(104) m2 s−1. A two-layer theory suggests that the meltwater front moves offshore as a result of the ageostrophic velocity produced by the acceleration of the geostrophic alongfront flow. The instability of meltwater-induced currents alone can cool and freshen a region as large as the Slope Sea in <1 year.
Robotic Surgery in Safety-Net Hospitals: Addressing Health Disparities and Improving Access to Care
Authors: South Chevar , Megafu Olajumoke , Moore Carolyn , Williams Taylor , Hobson Larry , Danner Omar , Johnson Shaneeta
Published: January 2025

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has demonstrated significant clinical and economic benefits that have been consistently validated and reproduced in practice and the literature for the past few decades. These benefits include improved patient outcomes, reduced complications, shorter hospital stays, decreased narcotic use, quicker recovery times, and lower rates of wound infections. However, safety-net hospitals, which historically serve a larger percentage of underserved and marginalized populations, often lack the resources to invest in high capital equipment. This limitation decreases access for these marginalized groups to the advantages of MIS, particularly robotic surgery and a wider range of surgical operations. This disparity in access to care highlights a critical shortfall in the delivery of health care for these patients and other vulnerable populations.
Disparities in Advanced Stage Colorectal Cancer Outcomes in Appalachia: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Wang Chen Chia , Farmer Trevor , Garland-Kledzik Mary , Magge Deepa R.
Published: January 2025

The Appalachian region consists of over 26 million Americans, of whom almost 2.5 million live in rural areas. Various social determinants of health including but not limited to rural living conditions and geographic isolation, food insecurity, and low income contribute to disparate health outcomes compared to the rest of the country. Obesity, hypertension, diabetes, stroke, and chronic heart diseases are all more prevalent in Appalachia. These comorbidities, combined with the aforementioned social vulnerabilities, place the Appalachian population at increased risk of higher cancer incidence and poorer outcomes. Lung, cervical, breast, penile, prostate, colorectal, and head and neck cancers are all shown to have higher rates and poorer outcomes within Appalachia relative to the country. Advanced staged colorectal cancer patients are a unique population that may be even further impacted by the social inequities in Appalachia, given the resource-intensive and multi-disciplinary approach required for effective treatment. Unfortunately, there is a dire lack of investigation into the incidence and outcomes of advanced stage colorectal cancer in Appalachian residents. This review summarizes the existing literature on disparate cancer outcomes in the Appalachian population, with a focus on advanced stage colorectal cancer. We also propose various approaches that could decrease malignancy rates and improve outcomes, such as dietary adjustments, screening tools, and public educational endeavors. We also acknowledge the role high-volume centers can play in working towards accessible care and the potential for collaborations between large institutions within Appalachian regions to spur the change that is greatly needed.
“You are Here”: Transnational Teachers’ Becoming Between Symbolic and Sociomaterial Spaces
Authors: Sánchez-Martín Cristina
Published: January 2025

To understand the interplay between the “conditions” in transnational English teachers’ identity development, the present study used a textographic approach to analyze the implementation of a culminating activity as part of 13 participants’ transnational graduate education in a US institution. The study aimed to move beyond the “textual bias” that has influenced teachers’ identity education, to understand the interplay between the macro, meso, and micro factors in their practice. The results showed that the student-teachers situated themselves in changing external conditions. Their identities were thus dependent on the shifting circumstances around them, specifically in the relationship between translingual material realities in the world and the more fixed world of academia. They saw their journeys of transformation as unfinished opportunities for “becoming” in relation to others and multiple external agents. Emotions and affective work were agentively involved in the internal work the teachers undertook, shaping their evolving identity-becoming processes. The study ends with suggestions for engaging teachers with the material world more directly in teacher education programs.
From Reflection to Action: Adapting the Idiodynamic Method to Improve English-as-a-Foreign-Language Teachers’ Task-Based Language Teaching Implementation
Authors: Aubrey Scott , Philpott Andrew
Published: January 2025

Despite task-based language teaching being a widely recognized and effective approach for developing learners’ language skills, many English-as-a-foreign-language teachers face challenges in implementing task-based language teaching in their classrooms. This article describes how a reflection activity was used to enhance a teacher's self-confidence and strategies for implementing language tasks in lessons. Over a three-week period, the teacher consistently applied a task-based language teaching lesson framework in a university English-as-a-foreign-language classroom. After each lesson, the teacher uploaded video recordings to a computer program and rated their teaching self-confidence on a per-second basis. The teacher then wrote reflections to explain broad changes in ratings during the pre-task, task performance and post-task stages, and set goals for improvement. Analyses of the ratings and written reflections indicate that the reflection activity facilitated improvements in task design, task implementation and assessment practices, as well as increased self-confidence across all stages of the task-based language teaching lesson cycle.
A Bibliometric Lens on the Future: How AI continues to transform education institutions
Authors: Easouh Feda Yousef Jeries , Oweis Thelal Eqab , Makahleh Hanada Ahmad
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND: This extensive analysis examines the changing environment of AI in education using 1,480 Web of Science research publications. The goal is to map the academic landscape, highlight significant topics, and identify notable authors, nations, and documents to enable future study in this expanding subject.

OBJECTIVE: The study seeks to explore AI’s influence on education and identify patterns and insights that might inform future research.

METHODS: Bibliometric and content analytics are used to carefully extract data from the Web of Science Core Collection. To ensure completeness and relevance, 1,480 peer-reviewed papers from 2008 to 2023 were selected.

RESULTS: The study identified six research clusters: AI Ethics and Innovation, Teaching Systems, Learning Experiences, Education Performance Enhancement via AI, Sustainable Development Goals in Education, and AI, Big Data, and Education. With the help of 107 universities, 310 keywords, and 160 authors from 37 different countries, these clusters are thriving islands in their respective fields.

IMPLICATIONS: This study helps researchers, educators, and policymakers explore the literature and identify prospective research areas. It allows stakeholders to lead AI in education towards a more inclusive and enlightened future.
The double-edged sword of ambidextrous leadership for leaders themselves: A conservation of resources perspective
Authors: Wang Miaomiao , Hu Wenan , Chen Shuangshuang
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND: Many recent studies have proposed that leadership behaviors are attached to social exchange processes that influence not only their followers but also leaders themselves. Existing research has not adequately addressed how ambidextrous leadership affects the leaders themselves.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the extent to which ambidextrous leadership has benefits and costs for leaders’ work engagement. Additionally, it attempts to explore the moderating role of leaders’ emotional intelligence in the conceptual model.

METHODS: Data were collected from a two-phase online survey of 153 managers in China. We tested our conceptual model using path analysis and bootstrapping methods based on Mplus.

RESULTS: Results show that ambidextrous leadership is positively associated with leaders’ positive affect. Moreover, ambidextrous leadership has a positive indirect effect on leaders’ work engagement through positive affect. However, ambidextrous leadership also has devastating effects on leaders’ work engagement through ego depletion for leaders with low levels of emotional intelligence.

CONCLUSIONS: Drawing on COR theory, we demonstrate that ambidextrous leadership can act as a double-edged sword for leaders. Specifically, ambidextrous leadership may cause different behavioral responses (promoting vs. inhibiting work engagement) via two distinct pathways (positive affect vs. ego depletion). Meanwhile, the extent to which this dark side appears depends on the characteristics of the manager. By integrating both the negative and positive sides of ambidextrous leadership, we hope the present paper sparks future research on the impact of leaders on themselves.
Effect of social media on entrepreneurial intention: Mediating role of entrepreneurial outcome expectation and attitude towards entrepreneurship
Authors: Lee Chin Tay , Lee Chee Tay
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND: Entrepreneurial Intention is essential for discovering the underlying determinants behind one’s motivation to invent a new business.

OBJECTIVE: The study investigates the relationship between social media, entrepreneurial outcome expectation, attitude towards entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial intention.

METHODS: The study conducts a cross-sectional survey on 360 tertiary education students based on systematic sampling technique. The hypothesis was tested using Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM).

RESULTS: The findings reported that social media was significantly related to entrepreneurial intention. Similarly, attitude towards entrepreneurship was found to be a mediator between social media and entrepreneurial intention. In contrast, entrepreneurial outcome expectation was not found to mediate social media and entrepreneurial intention.

CONCLUSIONS: The study adds to the existing literature by including less studied factors i.e., social media to one step ahead understand entrepreneurial intention by clarifying mediation mechanism through entrepreneurial outcome expectation, attitude towards entrepreneurship.
The influence of leadership on organizational performance through work-from-home outcomes under COVID-19 crisis in Thailand
Authors: Laohavichien Tipparat , Weerasai Chitawanphat
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND

It’s not uncommon for the work-from-home (WFH) trend to persist after the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Various factors contribute to this continuation, including technological advancements and the benefits of it. The results of this study suggest suitable leadership styles for WFH.

OBJECTIVE

This research investigates transformational and transactional leadership on organizational performance through work-from-home outcomes during the COVID-19 crisis in Thailand.

METHODS

The data was collected by questionnaire from 444 employees who work for companies registered on the Stock Exchange of Thailand and the Market for Alternative Investment. These employees may work full-time or part-time from home or in a hybrid work arrangement. Data analysis employed the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) method.

RESULTS

The main findings of this study indicate that during the COVID-19 crisis, transformational leadership did not directly influence employees’ work-for-home outcomes and had no direct or indirect effect on organizational performance. Conversely, transactional leadership is positively direct on organizational performance and indirectly through work-from-home outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

The appropriate leadership style for the WFH environment during the COVID-19 pandemic is transactional leadership. This type of leader rewards employees for meeting expectations and imposes punishments for work that falls below the predetermined standard.
Revisiting the change curve: A rigorous examination and three case studies prompting a re-evaluation of a timeless concept
Authors: Hagemann Michael , Cechlovsky Sascha
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND: Numerous models of the so called ‘change curve’ exist, yet there is a paucity of scholarly inquiry regarding empirical substantiation, practical implementation, and general applicability.

OBJECTIVE: This study explores the change curve, aiming to examine whether and how the various phases of the curve manifest in a business context, thus assessing their relevance, which represents a novel approach.

METHODS: The analysis, employing a mixed-methods approach of qualitative and quantitative elements, is inductive and interpretative, focusing on exploring and understanding the complexity of the cases. Data collection of this exploratory research was conducted utilizing a multi-faceted approach that included online surveys, semi-structured interviews, on-site observations through Gemba Walks.

RESULTS: A pivotal discovery arises from the validation of the four phases of the change curve. Irrespective of disparate project contexts, individuals manifest akin responses within their respective phases of the change curve, amenable to effective facilitation through judicious interventions. These interventions, derived and systematized from empirical case studies for the first time, underscore their potential utility in guiding individuals through the change process.

CONCLUSIONS: The validation of the four phases and their pragmatic utility warrant further exploration in subsequent scholarly inquiries, aiming to ascertain their robustness across diverse organizational contexts.