bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic Analysis of Two Straight and Curved Beams Connected with Intermediate Vertical Beams Made of Functionally Graded Porous Materials
Authors: Jafari-Talookolaei Ramazan-Ali , Ghandvar Hamidreza , Jumaev Elyorjon , Mikhliev Orifjon , Khatir Samir , Cuong-Le Thanh
Published: December 2024

This paper presents the dynamic analysis of a complex structure composed of two straight and curved beams connected through intermediate vertical beams, all made of functionally graded porous (FGP) materials. Unlike prior studies, which focused on simpler configurations, this work investigates the free and forced vibration behavior of such a structure for the first time. A novel finite element is developed, and its mass and stiffness matrices are derived to discretize the beams. Continuity conditions at the junctions of straight and curved beams are formulated, facilitating the assembly of the overall mass and stiffness matrices for the entire structure. The proposed method is validated through comparisons with simplified cases from the literature, demonstrating excellent accuracy. The study also explores the effects of various parameters on the dynamic response, offering practical insights for the design of advanced engineering structures such as bridges, roofs, and marine frameworks. By addressing the analysis of a complex structure, this work provides a foundational approach to improve the safety and performance of structural systems in diverse applications.
Complexity of charged self-gravitating system in f(R,G) theory
Authors: Bhatti M. Z. , Khlopov Maxim Yu. , Shrahili Mansour , Rehman A. , Yousaf Z.
Published: December 2024

This research paper aims to redefine the complexity factor in [Formula: see text] gravity and the appearance of electric charge, where [Formula: see text] is the Ricci scalar and [Formula: see text] is the Gauss–Bonnet term. In this context, we intend to analyze the splitting of the Riemann tensor after considering the anisotropic distribution of the charged fluid related to the spherically symmetric spacetime. We interpret [Formula: see text] as the complexity factor among all the determined structural scalars that encompasses the characteristics of anisotropic pressure and the effective representation of the energy density. The correction terms associated with modified theory are considered to calculate some significant results related to the Weyl scalar, Tolman mass, and the complexity factor (CF). Moreover, the expression for CF is established by using the structure scalars determined in our paper, and the diminishing complexity restraint is utilized to determine the solutions for the various models. The celestial object having non-uniform energy density and anisotropic pressure asserts the maximum intricacy. But, if the effects of non-uniform energy density and anisotropic distribution of pressure are eradicated due to the presence of dark source terms associated with modified gravity then these fluids may not exhibit any complexity. Consequently, it is revealed that the constituents of effective and electromagnetic parts directly influence the structure scalars and CF.
Octonion Wigner distribution of 3D signals in the quadratic-phase fourier transform domain and associated uncertainty principles
Authors: Dar Aamir H. , Zayed Mohra , Bhat M. Younus
Published: December 2024

Among its many applications in signal and color picture processing, the octonion quadratic-phase Fourier transform (OQPFT) is the latest development of the octonion Fourier transform (OFT). However, the use of Wigner distribution (WD) in image processing and signal analysis cannot be disregarded. In this work, we propose a new integral transform in the OQPFT domain that we call the Wigner distribution in the OQPFT domain (WDOQPFT). The definition of the one-dimensional WDOQPFT (1D-WDOQPFT) is first put out, and its relationship to 1D-OQPFT and 1D-OFT is then extended. Next, we investigate a number of significant properties of the 1D-WDOQPFT, including Rayleigh’s theorem and the reconstruction formula. Second, we define the three-dimensional WDOQPFT (3D-WDOQPFT) and show how it relates to the WD in the quaternion QPFT domain (WD-QQPFT) Next, we look at key properties related to 3D-WDOQPFT, such as the reconstruction formula, Parseval’s formula, and Riemann–Lebesgue Lemma. The main focus of this study is to establish famous uncertainty principles (UPs), such as Heisenberg’s UP, Hausdorff–Young inequality and Logarithmic UP related to the WDOQPFT.
Addressing the Data Storage Crisis
Authors: Monroe Don
Published: December 2024

Storing a growing flood of data forever demands better solutions.
Introduction to the Special Collection from PRDC 2023
Authors: Hou Zhe , Lin Yun
Published: December 2024

This is a special issue of Formal Aspects of Computing for the 28th IEEE Pacific Rim International Symposium on Dependable Computing (PRDC 2023).
A Layered Approach to Intensional Analysis in Type Theory
Authors: Hu Jason Z. S. , Pientka Brigitte
Published: December 2024

We introduce layering to modal type theory to support meta-programming and intensional analysis coherently. In particular, we demonstrate this idea by developing a 2-layered modal type theory. At the core of this type theory (layer 0) is a simply typed
λ
-calculus with no modality. Layer 1 is obtained by extending the core language with one layer of contextual ◻ types to support pattern matching on potentially open code from layer 0 while retaining normalization. Although both layers fundamentally share a uniform syntax and the same typing judgment, we only allow computation at layer 1. As a consequence, layer 0 accurately captures the syntactic representation of code in contrast to the computational behaviors at layer 1. Moreover, the uniform syntax at both layers enables quotation and code running. The system is justified by normalization by evaluation (NbE) using a presheaf model. The normalization algorithm extracted from the model is sound and complete and is implemented in Agda.

Layered modal type theory provides a uniform foundation for meta-programming with intensional analysis. We see this work as an important step towards a foundational way to support meta-programming in proof assistants.
Retrospective Analysis of Coronavirus SARS‐CoV‐2 Antibody Levels in COVID‐19 Convalescent Plasma From Blood Donors
Authors: He Ji , Zhang Yanjun , Dong Jie , Zhang Wei , Zhu Faming
Published: December 2024

Objective: To detect and analyze coronavirus SARS‐CoV‐2 antibody levels in convalescent plasma from donors who have recovered from COVID‐19.

Methods: Plasma samples from 88 donors aged 20–54 years who were diagnosed with COVID‐19 and who were eligible to donate from Zhejiang Province, China, were collected as the experimental group, and 56 samples from healthy blood donors were used as controls. Anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies, including Ab and IgM, were detected via chemiluminescent immunoassay, and neutralizing antibodies were measured via the microneutralization method.

Results: The positive rates of total and IgM antibodies against SARS‐CoV‐2 were 97.7% (86/88) and 52.3% (46/88), respectively, in the plasma samples of 88 patients who recovered from COVID‐19. After 160 and 320 dilutions of the total antibody‐positive samples, the positive rates were 61.6% (53/86) and 39.5% (34/86), respectively. The titer of neutralizing antibodies was 16–256 in 53 SARS‐CoV‐2‐positive samples after 160‐fold dilution of total antibodies. The titer of neutralizing antibody was 48–256 in 34 samples that were still positive after 320‐fold dilution of total antibody. Among the 88 samples, 86 had titers > 4, and 10 had high titers > 80. In 2 patients with neutralizing antibody titers < 4, SARS‐CoV‐2 total antibody and IgM antibodies were negative. The correlation coefficient between total antibody strength and neutralizing antibody titer was 0.5198 (high correlation). The total antibody and IgM antibodies of 56 healthy blood donors were negative.

Conclusions: There are individual differences in plasma antibody titers among convalescent patients. Antibody detection is helpful for screening out plasma with high antibody titers for the treatment of patients with severe disease.
Guided Bone Regeneration: CGF and PRF Combined With Various Types of Scaffolds—A Systematic Review
Authors: Inchingolo Francesco , Inchingolo Angelo Michele , Latini Giulia , Ruvo Elisabetta de , Campanelli Merigrazia , Palermo Andrea , Fabbro Massimo Del , Blasio Marco Di , Inchingolo Alessio Danilo , Dipalma Gianna
Published: December 2024

Objective: Bone regeneration plays a pivotal role in modern oral surgery, particularly in facilitating successful implant‐prosthetic rehabilitation. This systematic review explores the regenerative potential of growth factors, such as platelet‐rich fibrin (PRF) and concentrated growth factors (CGFs), when combined with various types of scaffolds in bone augmentation procedures, including guided bone regeneration, split crest, sinus lift (SL), and alveolar ridge preservation.

Method: A comprehensive search strategy yielded 18 relevant studies, which were analyzed for bone formation and stabilization outcomes.

Results: Results indicate that PRF enhances bone regeneration and stabilization in SL and ridge augmentation procedures, while CGFs facilitate surgical techniques and augment bone. However, some studies did not report significant differences. Growth factors also demonstrate benefits in wound healing, reducing bone resorption, and enhancing socket preservation.

Conclusion: Despite valuable insights, further research is needed to comprehensively understand the characteristics of growth factors in various surgical interventions, ensuring informed decision‐making in bone regeneration surgery.
Tumor-Intrinsic Kinome Landscape of Pancreatic Cancer Reveals New Therapeutic Approaches
Authors: Xu Yi , Peng Xianlu L. , East Michael P. , McCabe Ian C. , Stroman Grace C. , Jenner Madison R. , Chan Priscilla S. , Morrison Ashley B. , Shen Emily C. , Hererra Silvia G. , Joisa Chinmaya U. , Rashid Naim U. , Iuga Alina C. , Gomez Shawn M. , Miller-Phillips Lisa , Boeck Stefan , Heinemann Volker , Haas Michael , Ormanns Steffen , Johnson Gary L. , Yeh Jen Jen
Published: December 2024

Effective therapies for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) have been largely elusive. In this study, we perform multiplexed kinase inhibitor bead mass spectrometry on 102 patient-derived xenografts derived from 14 unique primary PDACs to define the tumor-intrinsic kinome landscape. Our findings uncover three kinome subgroups making up two tumor-intrinsic kinome subtypes that we call kinotypes. The kinotypes show enrichment of different kinase classes and recapitulate previously described molecular subtypes, basal-like and classical. The kinotype characterizing basal-like tumors shows enrichment of receptor tyrosine kinases, whereas the kinotype characterizing classical tumors is enriched in understudied kinases involved in Wnt signaling and immune pathways. We validate our findings in two clinical trials and show that only patients with basal-like tumors derive significant benefit from EGFR inhibitors. Our results provide a comprehensive tumor-intrinsic kinome landscape of PDAC that strongly supports actionable kinotype-specific kinase targets and provides a roadmap for kinase inhibitor therapy in PDAC.

Significance:

We provide a comprehensive tumor-intrinsic kinome landscape that provides a roadmap for the use of kinase inhibitors in PDAC treatment approaches.
microRNA and Hypertension
Authors: He Lishu , Liu Yong , Widlansky Michael E. , Kriegel Alison J. , Qiu Qiongzi , Liang Mingyu
Published: December 2024

Several microRNAs (miRNAs) strongly influence blood pressure and the development of hypertension by modulating vascular, renal, and other physiological mechanisms. In addition, miRNAs may contribute to the genetic regulation of blood pressure. Future research should focus on investigating select miRNAs with potent physiological effects, understanding cellular context–dependent mechanisms conferring specificity to miRNA action, and integrating miRNAs as powerful modulators into the molecular system that underlies the regulation of blood pressure and the development of hypertension.
Orthostatic and Standing Hypertension and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Dooley Sean W. , Larbi Kwapong Fredrick , Col Hannah , Turkson-Ocran Ruth-Alma N. , Ngo Long H. , Cluett Jennifer L. , Mukamal Kenneth J. , Lipsitz Lewis A. , Zhang Mingyu , Daya Natalie R. , Selvin Elizabeth , Lutsey Pamela L. , Coresh Josef , Windham Beverly Gwen , Wagenknecht Lynne E. , Juraschek Stephen P.
Published: December 2024

BACKGROUND:

Orthostatic hypertension is an emerging risk factor for adverse events. Recent consensus statements combine an increase in blood pressure upon standing with standing hypertension, but whether these 2 components have similar risk associations with cardiovascular disease (CVD) is unknown.

METHODS:

The ARIC study (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) measured supine and standing blood pressure during visit 1 (1987–1989). We defined systolic orthostatic increase (a rise in systolic blood pressure [SBP] ≥20 mm Hg, standing minus supine blood pressure) and elevated standing SBP (standing SBP ≥140 mm Hg) to examine the new consensus statement definition (rise in SBP ≥20 mm Hg and standing SBP ≥140 mm Hg). We used Cox regression to examine associations with incident coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, fatal coronary heart disease, and all-cause mortality.

RESULTS:

Of 11 369 participants (56% female; 25% Black adults; mean age, 54 years) without CVD at baseline, 1.8% had systolic orthostatic increases, 20.1% had standing SBP ≥140 mm Hg, and 1.3% had systolic orthostatic increases with standing SBP ≥140 mm Hg. During up to 30 years of follow-up, orthostatic increases were not significantly associated with any of the adverse outcomes of interest, while standing SBP ≥140 mm Hg was significantly associated with all end points. In joint models comparing systolic orthostatic increases and standing SBP ≥140 mm Hg, standing SBP ≥140 mm Hg was significantly associated with a higher risk of CVD, and associations differed significantly from systolic orthostatic increases.

CONCLUSIONS:

Unlike systolic orthostatic increases, standing SBP ≥140 mm Hg was strongly associated with CVD outcomes and death. These differences in CVD risk raise important concerns about combining systolic orthostatic increases and standing SBP ≥140 mm Hg in a consensus definition for orthostatic hypertension.
Subgrouping the Old English Dialects Using Historical Glottometry
Authors: den Hertog Simon
Published: December 2024

The Northumbrian and Mercian dialects of Old English, collectively called Anglian, are considered closely related, while a kinship between West Saxon and Kentish is only sometimes remarked upon. This article makes the arguments in favour of these subgroupings explicit and tests them using Historical Glottometry, to conclude that Old English was divided into two dialectal blocs, Anglian and Saxo-Kentish. However, prescriptivism and dogmatic adherence to the quadripartition of the Old English dialects have muddied the waters somewhat.
Corrigenda und Addenda zu den Etymologien von ahd. musina und slav. (?) cumin
Authors: Bichlmeier Harald , Steindl Florian
Published: December 2024

This article clarifies the etymologies of the Old High German glosses musina and cumin. It will be shown that musina can indeed be etymologized as originally Slavic (though some details must be added to an older explanation), while cumin is more likely to be an Old High German loanword from Slavic, because the way the word is spelled cannot be explained, if the word is Slavic.
On the ‘De-anthropomorphisation’ of the Narrator
Authors: Sun Shaowen
Published: December 2024

The prevalent belief in narrative studies that a narrator can appear as a character or possess a personality often leads to confusion and misunderstandings. Characters fundamentally exist within the story, including the narrating character who should be seen as a presence similar to the author of the story rather than a ‘character narrator’. Furthermore, the narrator does not possess a personality, as its moral aspects primarily stem from the implied author or the characters. The narrator’s existence relies on its function, serving as a proxy for executing the intentions of the implied author (sometimes transferred as the intentions of the characters), selecting narrative elements, organising them into text, and guiding the recipient’s interpretive process. This perspective likens the narrator to the frame of a narrative, transforming it into a representation separate from the real world. De-anthropomorphising the narrator can have implications for several key narratology issues.
Applications of Innovative Polygon Trend Analysis and Trend Polygon Star Concept Methods for the Variability of Precipitation at Synoptic Stations in Benin (West Africa)
Authors: Kougbeagbede Hilaire , Onah Mamadou , Houeto Arnaud , Hounvou Ferdinand
Published: December 2024

Climate variability poses new risks and uncertainties. In the sub-Saharan region, the impacts are already being felt and represent an additional level of obstacles for most vulnerable people, as well as a threat to sustainable development. This study analyzes the variability of precipitation in Benin using new approaches. The precipitation data used is the monthly average recorded at synoptic stations from 1970 to 2019 by the Metéo-Bénin agency. Two innovative graphical trend methods, innovative polygon trend analysis (IPTA) and trend polygon star concept (TPSC), are applied to the data. Both methods allow for the assessment of periodic characteristics of the monthly average rainfall and visually interpreting the transition trends between two consecutive months. The results show that the average monthly precipitation does not follow a regular pattern. There is also a general upward trend in precipitation for most months at the stations used. Most TPSC arrows were found in regions I and III. According to the TPSC graphs, the longest transition arrows between two consecutive months were observed in quadrant III. They were noted between the months of June and July in Cotonou, October and November in Bohicon and Save, and between September and October for the remaining stations. The results of this study are of great importance for policies regarding ongoing climate change in the agricultural, health, economic, security, and environmental sectors.
General Concept of the Magnetic Reconnection Converter (MRC)
Authors: Agamalov Oleg
Published: December 2024

The general concept of the magnetic reconnection converter (MRC) is considered, based on the cyclic combination of two physical processes: 1) controlled turbulence using super-linear Richardson diffusion and/or self-generated/self-sustaining physical processes increases the stochasticity of the magnetic field (MF) in a limited volume of plasma and, accordingly, the global helicity H through the processes of twisting, writhing, and linking of the MF flow tubes to the level of a local maximum (optimally global), which is determined by the plasma parameters, boundary conditions, magnetic tension of the field lines, etc. At this stage of the MF turbulent pumping, the β of plasma will decrease to the minimum possible value with a corresponding increasing in the accumulated "topological" MF energy; 2) upon reaching the local (if possible global) maximum of MF stochasticity, turbulent magnetic reconnection (TMR) occurs in the plasma, which reduces the state of the local (if possible global) maximum of MF stochasticity and increases the kinetic stochasticity of plasma particles, accelerating and heating them, which is used in direct converters of electrical power. At this stage of turbulent discharge, the β of plasma will increasing to the maximum possible value with a corresponding increasing in its kinetic and thermal energy; 3) when the kinetic stochasticity of plasma particles subsequently decreases and reaches a local minimum, the control system repeats the MF turbulent pumping in the plasma and the cycles are repeated. Practically, the basis of the MRC can be the fusion scheme of two anti-spiral spheromaks, the helicity of which is increased in a cycle with the help of controlled turbulence before their fusion and the creation of a field-reversed configuration (FRC) to increase the efficiency of the annihilation of their toroidal and poloidal magnetic fields into kinetic and thermal energy of plasma particles with its subsequent direct transformation into electrical power for industrial use or single-volume plasma (spheromak) with changing beta at turbulent pumping/discharge phases of the working cycle.
Weakening of Tropical Free-Tropospheric Temperature Gradients with Global Warming
Authors: Quan Heng , Zhang Yi , Fueglistaler Stephan
Published: December 2024

The weak temperature gradients in the tropical free troposphere due to the vanishing Coriolis force near the equator lead to a strong dynamical coupling over the entire tropics. Using theory and a suite of targeted model experiments, we show that the weak temperature gradients further weaken under global warming. We show that the temperature gradient is set by the circulation strength, with a weaker circulation being associated with weaker gradients. Thus, the known scaling difference between atmospheric radiative cooling and static stability that leads to a slowdown of the circulation under warming also leads to a weakening of the temperature gradients in the tropical free troposphere. The impact from the weakening circulation on the weakening of temperature gradients is shown to dominate over the impact of masked CO2 forcing and the El Niño–like tropical Pacific warming pattern in model projections. Key to the result is the nonlinear zonal momentum advection term. Using the well-known Matsuno–Gill model with the correct scaling of heating and static stability may give the correct sign of the response in the temperature gradients, but inaccurate scaling, due to the linear momentum damping in that model. The robust scaling of the magnitude of the tropical quasi-stationary structure with temperature opens possibilities for theoretical advances on questions of societal relevance, ranging from changes in tropical cloudiness to heat stress under climate change.
Assessing the Implications of Agricultural Mechanisation for Customary Land Tenure Relations in the Transitional Zone, Ghana
Authors: Sarfo Kwasi , Otu Bernard Okoampah , Atakro Michael
Published: December 2024

Agricultural mechanisation promotes continuous cultivation on a piece of land and expansion of the area under cultivation, thereby intensifying competition for land. This impacts the land tenure system based on customary land tenure and communal landholding that thrived under land fallowing. Situated within the evolutionary theory of land rights and adopting an empirical qualitative research approach, this paper examines the effects of agricultural mechanisation on customary land tenure relations in Ghana's Transitional Zone. The paper argues that the widespread adoption of agricultural mechanisation has led to farm extensification and intensification which have engendered intense competition and conflicts over land and trends towards individual landholding. This has provided the arsenals for manipulation by the powerful in society and ushering in a new form of customary land tenure relations that replaces traditional social relations with capitalist relations and creates tension between allodial rights holders and the usufructuary and customary tenancy rights holders
U Visa Certification Patterns and Coverage: A Case Study in the Southeastern United States
Authors: Yu Lilly , Athimuthu Pranav , Inkpen Christopher , Pitts Wayne J. , Prince Heather
Published: December 2024

Although research has traditionally examined the role of law enforcement agencies in policing immigrants as potential perpetrators of crime and their relationship to federal immigration law enforcement, researchers have focused less on how police respond to immigrant victims of crime and help them secure legal benefits. This paper examines a local case of the U visa program, a federal program administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Eligible immigrants, including unauthorized immigrants, who are crime victims can apply for a U visa if they report and assist in the investigation of a qualifying crime. A key feature of the U visa program is the mandatory involvement of a certifying agency, most commonly law enforcement. Using U visa certification data across 5 years from a local police department and background conversations regarding the certification process, we provide one of the first examinations of U visa certification at the agency level. We also use certification request data, local crime rates, and estimates of the unauthorized immigrant population at the Census tract level to produce an exploratory U visa coverage rate.
What Drives the Demand for Renewable and Non-renewable  Energy Consumption in India? The Role of Financial Development and Geopolitical Uncertainty
Authors: Farooq Umar , Dar Arif Billah
Published: December 2024

The study investigates how financial development and geopolitical uncertainty affect India’s renewable and fossil fuel energy consumption. To address potential omitted variable bias, we account for per capita gross domestic product and trade openness. Empirical analysis, using the bounds test of cointegration, identifies a long-term relationship among the variables. The non-linear autoregressive distributed lag model results indicate that financial development lowers the consumption of both renewable and non-renewable energy. Geopolitical uncertainty reduces non-renewable energy use but significantly promotes renewable energy consumption over the long term. In terms of policy implication, a strong argument is to develop a sound financial system to support renewable energy growth and decrease reliance on imported energy. Besides, India should leverage geopolitical uncertainties to accelerate investments in renewable energy and reduce dependence on non-renewable energy sources.

JEL Codes: Q41, F51, Q53, F1, C51
No Further Options: Canada's Peacekeeping Efforts in Yugoslavia, 1991–1993
Authors: Rose Nicholas
Published: December 2024

Drawing from archival records and secondary sources, this article examines the decisions that led Canada to undertake peacekeeping operations in former Yugoslavia, and how subsequent decisions influenced the course of those operations. It argues that despite the prevailing diplomatic and military conditions that Brian Mulroney's Progressive Conservative government knew about, and notwithstanding the volatile situation in Yugoslavia, Canada decided to commit peacekeepers to a mission that even then was quickly degenerating into a major regional war. The search for an international success led the federal government to disregard the complicating factors that ultimately created the conditions for the failure of Canada's mission. Mulroney's decision was an attempt to put a Progressive Conservative Party imprint on the liberal internationalism that defined twentieth-century Canadian foreign policy.
Evaluation of Athletes' Gender-Related Postural Differences
Authors: Akinoğlu Bihter , Paköz Büşra , Shehu Salman Usman , Kocahan Tuğba , Weiss Katja , Rosemann Thomas , Knechtle Beat
Published: December 2024

Postural differences have been evident between female and male athletes, but there is insufficient information on how these differences are characterized in different sports branches. Our aim in this study was to compare the static postures of female and male athletes paired into identical sports. We included 172 athlete participants (86 female and 86 males) who were paired by same chronological age, sporting age, and sports branch. We performed posture analyses of these athletes, using the DIERS formetric 4D device. Specifically, we evaluated and recorded their trunk length, sacrum distance, sagittal imbalance, coronal imbalance, pelvic obliquity, pelvic torsion, pelvic inclinations, pelvic rotation, kyphotic angle, lordotic angle, vertebral rotation, and trunk torsion. We found comparable sagittal imbalance, coronal imbalance, pelvic rotation, vertebral rotation, and trunk torsion similar in females and males ( p > .05), but females had a wider sacrum, their pelvic structures were more oblique and anteriorly tilted, and they had more pelvic inclination angles and bigger kyphosis and lordosis angles. Male athletes had longer trunk lengths and more pelvic torsion. The kyphosis and lordosis angles of the female athletes were bigger than those of male athletes, but they were still within normal limits. The lumbar lordosis angles of male athletes were below normal limits. In conclusion, female athletes exhibited a more balanced spinal posture than male athletes.
The Legalome: Nutritional Psychology and Microbiome Sciences at the Intersection of Criminal Justice, Mens Rea, and Mitigation
Authors: Prescott Susan L. , Logan Alan C.
Published: December 2024

Recent studies have linked ultra-processed foods with neuropsychiatric disorders, and behaviors of relevance to the criminal justice system. This nutritional epidemiology has been bolstered by mechanistic bench science, human intervention trials, addiction science, and advances in microbiome research. Here, we examine this burgeoning research through the lens of diminished capacity and criminal intent. We use recent legal decisions related to auto-brewery syndrome as a way to illustrate how intersecting diet and gut microbiome science is already finding its way to criminal courtrooms. The legalome—microbiome and omics science applied in forensic and legal psychology—is emerging as an important consideration for experts within the field of criminal justice and behavior. It is our contention that decisions related to auto-brewery syndrome are merely a prelude to the ways in which the combination of forensic microbiology and forensic psychology will challenge basic assumptions of free will and mens rea.
Using Prompts to Encourage Quiz Engagement: The Relationship Between Engagement Profiles and Course Success
Authors: Williamson Manda J. , Duryea Patrick R.
Published: December 2024

Background

Previous research suggests benefits to using a multifaceted approach to encourage students to engage with the course. However, specific patterns of behavioral engagement have not been described.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to determine distinct patterns of engagement with online textbook quizzes following a weekly prompt or an extension and whether those patterns were related to student success.

Method

218 students enrolled in online, asynchronous Introduction to Psychology completed weekly electronic textbook quizzes. Students were provided two kinds of prompts to encourage completion. Quiz average, completion period, exam scores, and final averages were recorded.

Results

Results suggested that while some students increased their on-time engagement with quizzes following a prompt, the engagement did not transfer to the remainder of the semester and was not associated with higher rates of success on exams or the final grade. Those who showed increased engagement following an extension did show increased exam scores and final grades.

Conclusion

Providing one-time extensions rather than weekly reminders predicted differential course success.

Teaching Implications

Flexibility in course policies is a documented inclusivity practice. This study may encourage instructors to incorporate one-time extension windows to allow students to follow a flexible engagement schedule.
An AI-Based Approach for the Assessment of the Lost Efficiencies of a PVT Plant
Authors: Aneli Stefano , Tina Giuseppe M. , Hajji Bekkay , Morgoum Safae , Gagliano Antonio
Published: December 2024

Developments in solar technologies are making it possible to effectively exploit solar resources in several regions of Earth, including urban areas and regions with low solar irradiation intensity. Since power and heat are fundamental necessities for all users, f users, photovoltaic/thermal (PVT) technology has emerged as a promising solution for sustainably-minded communities. Generally, the output electrical generation of a PVT system depends on the intermittent solar insolation, efficiency, and operating temperature of the photovoltaic (PV) cell. At the same time, thermal power also depends on collector thermal insulation and the temperature difference with the surroundings. Consequently, it is essential to predict and diagnose the PVT system's power to optimally utilize the collected solar energy. In recent years, intelligent techniques and approaches have been introduced to evaluate the performance of PVT systems. Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based methods have become prominent due to their capability of producing accurate predictions against the uncertainty and nonlinearity phenomena. This work presents an innovative application of AI for both the forecasting and the diagnostic of the performance of a PVT plant. The analyses performed are based on the experimental investigation conducted on the PVT system installed at the University of Catania campus. The outcomes of this study showed that the AI accurately predicted photovoltaic energy production and consequently, it can be used to detect periods of performance loss. From the test carried out in the real plant, it was seen that the use of the AI allows for prompt identification of malfunctioning in PVT plants can translate into avoid loss of over 5% of the electricity produced, and the total loss of thermal energy.
On the experimental and numerical investigation of friction stir processing under varying cooling medium
Authors: Tripathi Abhishek , Tewari Asim
Published: December 2024

In the present work, an experimental study and finite element based numerical analysis of friction stir processing (FSP) of AZ31 magnesium alloy in varying cooling mediums namely air, liquid nitrogen, and water, have been performed. Processing in these three cooling mediums led to varying degrees of grain refinement in the stir zone. Maximum refinement was observed in case of processing in water where an initial grain size of 48 µm was refined to 3 µm. Apart from differences in grain size, macrostructure observations indicating the stir zone dimensions showed steep contrast. Finite element based numerical analysis of friction stir processing was performed for the three cooling mediums, which could effectively capture the experimental observations of stir zone dimensions and temperature profiles.
Heavily treatment-experienced patients with HIV: are new mechanisms of action enough?
Authors: Brizzi Marisa B. , Cable Tracy L. , Patel Dimple C. , Williams Kelli , Adjei Zoe , Fichtenbaum Carl J.
Published: December 2024

Antiretroviral (ARV) drug resistance poses a threat to ending the HIV epidemic. As the rates of integrase resistance continue to increase globally, the availability of options for HIV treatment becomes limited. Heavily treatment-experienced (HTE) people with HIV (PWH) are limited to two or fewer available fully active ARV classes and are more likely to have an AIDS-defining event. Appropriate identification and management of HTE PWH is crucial to improving patient outcomes and reducing the future spread of drug-resistant HIV. As treatment options become more limited owing to drug resistance, the availability of more potent drugs with a marked increase in virologic suppression is needed in the current ART era. The purpose of this narrative review is to review the identification of HTE PWH, novel mechanisms of resistance, and management of HTE PWH in resource-rich and resource-limited settings using novel ARVs and combination ART.
The incremental burden and healthcare resource utilization among people with migraine in Europe: Insights from the 2020 European National Health and Wellness Survey
Authors: Gendolla Astrid , Brown Joshua D. , Mercadante Amanda R. , Drakeley Sheila , Sternbach Nikoletta , Jenkins Aaron , Hygge Blakeman Karin , Coppola Gianluca
Published: December 2024

Background

Despite the high prevalence of migraine in Europe, there is limited research on the burden among people with migraine.

Methods

This cross-sectional survey used patient-reported data from the 2020 European National Health and Wellness Survey in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The study assessed the sociodemographic characteristics, health-related quality of life, depression, work productivity and activity impairment, and healthcare resource utilization among matched samples of people with diagnosed migraine (n = 3985) and compared to a matched cohort without migraine (n = 7970). The study also analyzed the burden across migraine subgroups stratified by the number of migraine headache days.

Results

Lower health-related quality of life, higher depression, increased work productivity and activity impairment, and higher healthcare resource utilization were reported among people with migraine and ≥1 migraine headache days compared to matched people without migraine (all p < 0.001). Additionally, the incremental burden was also observed across migraine subgroups (1–3, 4–7, 8–14, and ≥15 migraine headache days) irrespective of the use of prescription medication compared to the matched controls without migraine.

Conclusion

Migraine sufferers with ≥1 migraine headache days experienced worse productivity, lower quality of life, depression, and increased healthcare resource utilization than those without migraine, emphasizing the need for effective management strategies.
Interventions Targeting Anxiety in Individuals with Learning Disabilities: A Scoping Review
Authors: Beaudoin Emily S. , Blackburn Sophia , Hove Ingrid E. , Sladeczek Ingrid E.
Published: December 2024

The current scoping review synthesizes the literature on interventions targeting anxiety in individuals with a learning disability (LD). Specifically, the review identifies types of interventions, outcomes, and barriers to or facilitators of implementation of interventions by school staff. The available literature was analyzed using a descriptive numerical and qualitative thematic analysis. A total of 22 peer-reviewed articles comprising 21 studies were included. Three types of interventions based on focus, goals, and intervention methodology were identified: therapeutic, academic, and combined approaches. Four intervention outcomes emerged: a decrease in anxiety, improvements in learning and academic performance, positive changes in self-perception, and increased social skills. Barriers and facilitators to successful intervention implementation included components that contributed to the outcome (e.g. individualizing intervention or having key stakeholders involved). Overall, however, studies lacked details regarding implementation of interventions, outside of the research context.
Optimizing solar still performance: A response surface methodology approach to evaporation and condensation enhancement
Authors: Ravindran Santhiya , Balachandran Gurukarthik Babu , Thangaraj Hariharasudhan , Baskaran Vishnu Karan
Published: December 2024

Water crisis is a major problem across the world. It is significant to migrate for effective methodologies to meet future water demand. Solar-based desalination system is environmental friendly and suitable method for potable water yield production from saline/brackish water and also cost effective than other methods. The role of optimization study in maximizing the water yield is paramount for the performance enhancement of solar-based desalination system and its effect was insufficiently addressed. In present study, a new approach of waste scraper and double fan arrangement is introduced inside the conventional solar still (SS). Then, using response surface methodology, Box–Behnken design (BBD)-based optimization is performed to determine optimal solution for the influence of input parameters (operating Time interval, Time duration and voltage of scraper and dual fan) on the output parameter relative humidity (RH) to increase the condensation and evaporation rates of a SS, which helps to enhance the water yield productivity. Experiment is conducted at 9.672° (North) and 77.994° (East) Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. Validation of experiment results is done using the BBD method. Result reveals that the analysis of variance model with double-fan arrangement inside the still shows better with optimal performance with a coefficient of determination R2 = 97.78%, adequate precision = 46.22, RH = 76.515% than that with scraper arrangement ( R2 = 96.7%, adequate precision = 35.76, RH = 76.327%). The optimized model exhibit promising results with statistically significant P-value less than .0001 for the both methods and its F-value is noticed that 126.96 (for a SS with scraper) and 190.66 (for a SS with double fan).The outcome of this study helps to enhance the condensation rate to produce the more amount of fresh water from hybrid photovoltaic with thermal system.
Machining performance of Inconel 718 in dry, air-cooling and bio-oil based minimum quantity lubrication environments
Authors: Sharma Deepak Kumar , Singh Purushottam Kumar , Sharma Faladrum , Dixit Uday Shanker
Published: December 2024

Inconel 718 is a widely used superalloy in aerospace, automotive and marine industries due to its high strength and ability to resist high mechanical stresses at high temperatures. However, its low thermal conductivity results in high temperature at the cutting zone during machining that adversely affects the surface quality and tool life. This work explores the machining performance of Inconel 718 alloy by cemented carbide cutting tool in dry, air-cooled and bio-oil based minimum quantity lubrication environments. Putranjiva roxburghii bio-oil was used as a cutting fluid. Emulsions were prepared by varying the water-oil ratio by volume as 100:5, 100:10, 100:15, 100:20, 100:25 and 100:30. The machining input parameters considered were spindle speed, feed rate and depth of cut. Box's evolutionary optimization technique was used to obtain the best combination of machining input parameters. Machining performance was assessed by surface roughness, tool temperature and tool wear. The most favourable machining environment was found to be the minimum quantity lubrication environment. The most desirable surface value of surface roughness obtained was 0.29 µm and the lowest temperatures of the tool and workpiece were 41.1 °C and 31.46 °C, respectively. These were obtained in a minimum quantity lubrication environment at a spindle speed of 180 r/min, feed rate of 16 mm/min and an emulsion ratio of 100:20. Microscopic analysis of the cutting tool revealed less wear indicating minimum quantity lubrication as the preferable environment for machining.
Studying the performance of quasi zero stiffness structure added to seat’s suspension based on various vehicle types
Authors: Song Fengxiang , Wang Baohua
Published: December 2024

To elucidate the performance of quasi zero stiffness structure (QZSS) added to seat’s suspension on various vehicle models, three typical models of the vehicle including the car, soil compactor, and vehicle truck are used and established to study the QZSS under various simulations of vehicles. The experiment of soil compactor with seat suspension using QZSS has been also done to strengthen the research results. The result research at the time domain and frequency domain shows that QZSS added into seat’s suspension system is very effective in isolating operator’s seat vibrations in all three models. Especially, the QZSS is very effective when the vehicles are moving on poor road surfaces and high speeds. Besides, the performance of QZSS on the soil compactor’s seat is better than that of the vehicle truck and car. Therefore, this discovery can be a very useful reference for researching and applying QZSS to seat suspension in all off-road vehicles including earth-moving machinery and soil compactors.
Weighted reverse counting process (WRCP): A novel approach to quantify the overall treatment effect with multiple time-to-event outcomes by adaptive weighting
Authors: Gao Qianmiao , Zhong Wei
Published: December 2024

In a longitudinal randomized study where multiple time-to-event outcomes are collected, the overall treatment effect may be quantified by a composite endpoint defined as the time to the first occurrence of any of the selected events including death. The reverse counting process (RCP) was recently proposed to extend the restricted mean survival time (RMST) approach with an advantage of utilizing observations of events beyond the “first-occurrence” endpoint. However, the interpretation may be questionable because RCP treats all events equally without considering their different associations with the overall survival. In this work, we propose a novel approach, the weighted reverse counting process (WRCP), to construct a weighted composite endpoint to evaluate the overall treatment effect. A multi-state transition model is used to model the association between events, and an adaptive weighting algorithm is developed to determine the weight for individual endpoints based on the association between the nonfatal endpoints and death using the trial data. Simulation studies are presented to compare the performance of WRCP with RCP, log-rank test and RMST approach. The results show that WRCP is a powerful and robust method to detect the overall treatment effect while controlling the clinically false positive rate well across different simulation scenarios.
Employment Status and Working Conditions: A Situational Analysis of Female Domestic Workers in India
Authors: Sumalatha B. S. , Bhat Lekha D. , Chitra K. P.
Published: December 2024

Domestic work is emerging as one of the fastest-growing informal sectors; gendered stereotypes coupled with low economic value attached to this sector affect the working conditions and quality of life of women engaged in domestic work. Using data collection methods such as scheduled questionnaire surveys and focus group discussions, information was collected from 600 participants from three states: Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Mizoram (200 from each). Participants were chosen using the simple random method from the lists provided by the NGOs from cities such as Kochi and Trivandrum (Kerala), Chennai and Trichy (Tamil Nadu) and Aizawl (Mizoram). Data were collected from May 2021 to August 2021. The findings of this study show that the majority of the domestic workers under study experience problems such as poor working conditions, workplace harassment and discrimination at different levels. The realisation that the demand for domestic workers is on the rise, especially in urban India, and the fact that more and more families report the need for such workers prompts us to recognise that it is time to regulate the sector and ensure decent working conditions. Enforcement of decent working conditions and labour rights is essential to ensure that both employers and workers understand the worth and importance of domestic work. The regulation and formalisation of domestic work should be in the interests of both workers and employers because the stakeholders’ rights, responsibilities and liabilities will be well defined, which ultimately will facilitate improving the quality of life for both.