bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Artificial intelligence and internet of things in manufacturing decision processes
Authors: Wijaya Santo , Hermanto Rudy Lim , Debora Fransisca , Ardila Rahma Rana , Ramadhan Arief , Attaqwa Yusita
Published: April 2024

This paper explores the influence of the internet of things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) on the decision-making processes of modern manufacturing systems. With the proliferation of IoT devices and the development of AI technologies, manufacturing companies increasingly leverage these technologies to improve their decision-making abilities. This study aims to investigate the potential benefits, difficulties, and ramifications of integrating IoT and AI in manufacturing systems. The review employs the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) method with a systematic mapping process with four research questions. A total of 1282 articles were collected between 2017 and 2023, reviewed in accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and 66 articles were chosen. The research on IoT and AI technologies influentially affects other research in the production control layer manufacturing area based on the top-ten cited articles. In contrast, the research in this area focused on the operations management layer, specifically manufacturing analytics processes. This paper’s findings contribute to a greater understanding of the impact of IoT and AI on decision-making in modern multi-domain manufacturing systems and provide direction for future research in this field.
Breast cancer detection through attention based feature integration model
Authors: Guptha Sharada , Eshwarappa Murundi N
Published: April 2024

Breast cancer is detected by screening mammography wherein X-rays are used to produce images of the breast. Mammograms for screening can detect breast cancer early. This research focuses on the challenges of using multi-view mammography to diagnose breast cancer. By examining numerous perspectives of an image, an attention-based feature-integration mechanism (AFIM) model that concentrates on local abnormal areas associated with cancer and displays the essential features considered for evaluation, analyzing cross-view data. This is segmented into two views the bi-lateral attention module (BAM) module integrates the left and right activation maps for a similar projection is used to create a spatial attention map that highlights the impact of asymmetries. Here the module's focus is on data gathering through medio-lateral oblique (MLO) and bilateral craniocaudal (CC) for each breast to develop an attention module. The proposed AFIM model generates using spatial attention maps obtained from the identical image through other breasts to identify bilaterally uneven areas andclass activation map (CAM) generated from two similar breast images to emphasize the feature channels connected to a single lesion in a breast. AFIM model may easily be included in ResNet-style architectures to develop multi-view classification models.
Classification of nutmeg ripeness using artificial intelligence
Authors: Qisthi Imam Bil , Siswono Hartono
Published: April 2024

Nutmeg seeds can produce a lot of oil if they have optimal maturity, in other words, they have little moisture content. Based on observations I made at one of the refineries in Sukabumi, farmers do not pay attention to the maturity level of nutmeg seeds after drying which can cause a decrease in the quality of nutmeg seeds and the quality of the oil produced. This study aims to make it easier for nutmeg farmers to classify the maturity of nutmeg seeds. This study used the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) method to help with classification problems and several image processing methods. This program will be run through an android application. The results of CNN model training accuracy are 97.92%. Thus, it can be concluded that the design and testing of a model to classify the maturity level of nutmeg seeds using artificial intelligence and the implementation of the model into an android application has been successfully carried out.
A micro size terahertz wheel shaped antenna with non-defected ground structure
Authors: Swaminathan Narayanan , Rajendiran Murugesan
Published: April 2024

A micro dimension antenna with wheel-geometrical wide-band terahertz (THz) is suggested in this research. In the circular shaped patch, concentric circle shaped slots are incorporated to form a wheel shaped patch antenna. The suggested model is designed on a polymide substrate with dielectric constant of 4.3 and thickness of 20 µm. The suggested prototype antenna is very much compact in size of 210×160 µm2 . The designed antenna achieves a wideband operation from 8.692 THz to 9.772 THz. This prototype antenna’s maximum realized gain is 10.2 dBi at 9.0 THz. This high gain is important for wide range of wireless applications. The radiation pattern, radiation efficiency, reflection coefficient, surface current distribution and voltage standing wave ratio are examined through the simulation results. In future video rate imaging system, super fast close-range in-door wireless communication, biomedical picturing, homeland defence equipments, security scanning, explosive detection, and characterisation of materials in the THz level will be benefited from the suggested THz antenna.
A custom-built deep learning approach for text extraction from identity card images
Authors: Suddul Geerish , Seguin Jean Fabrice Laurent
Published: April 2024

Information found on an identity card is needed for different essential tasks and manually extracting this information is time consuming, resource exhaustive and may be prone to human error. In this study, an optical character recognition (OCR) approach using deep learning techniques is proposed to automatically extract text related information from the image of an identity card in view of developing an automated client onboarding system. The OCR problem is divided into two main parts. Firstly, a custom-built image segmentation model, based on the U-net architecture, is used to detect the location of the text to be extracted. Secondly, using the location of the identified text fields, a (CRNN) based on long short-term memory (LSTM) cells is trained to recognise the characters and build words. Experimental results, based on the national identity card of the Republic of Mauritius, demonstrate that our approach achieves higher accuracy compared to other studies. Our text detection module has an intersection over union (IOU) measure of 0.70 with a pixel accuracy of 98% for text detection and the text recognition module achieved a mean word recognition accuracy of around 97% on main fields of the identity card.
Indonesian generative chatbot model for student services using GPT
Authors: Priccilia Shania , Girsang Abba Suganda
Published: April 2024

The accessibility of academic information greatly impacts the satisfaction and loyalty of university students. However, limited university resources often hinder students from conveniently accessing information services. To address this challenge, this research proposes the digitization of the question-answering process between students and student service staff through the implementation of generative chatbot. A generative chatbot can provide students with human-like responses to academic inquiries at their convenience. This research developed generative chatbot using pre-trained GPT-2 architecture in three different sizes, specifically designed for addressing practicum-related questions in a private university in Indonesia. The experiment utilized 1288 question-answer pairs in Indonesian and demonstrated the best performance with a BLEU score of 0.753, signifying good performance accuracy in generating text despite dataset limitations.
Adaptive resource allocation in NOMA-enabled backscatter communications systems
Authors: Das Deepa , Khadanga Rajendra Kumar , Rout Deepak Kumar
Published: April 2024

The integration of NOMA with Backscatter communication (BackCom) is a promising solution for developing a green future wireless network. However, system performance degrades with the deployment of multiple backscatter devices (BDs) in a network. Hence, energy efficiency (EE) maximization with proper resource allocation is among the primary concerns. In this regard, this paper proposes an adaptive resource allocation method for maximizing EE by simultaneously optimizing the transmission power from the base station (BS), power allocation coefficients, and reflection coefficients under the constraints of maximum allowable transmission power and minimum achievable data rate. Specifically, an iterative method based on a parametric transformation approach is adopted for maximizing EE by jointly optimizing the coefficients, in which the power allocation problem to the BDs is solved by an adaptive method that is based on improved proportionate normalized least mean square (IPNLMS) algorithm. Then, the system performance is evaluated, and the impact of different parameters is also studied it is observed that EE is significantly improved as compared to the existing scheme, and maximum at η=-0.5.
Predicting anomalies in computer networks using autoencoder-based representation learning
Authors: Khan Shehram Sikander , Mailewa Akalanka Bandara
Published: April 2024

Recent improvements in the internet of things (IoT), cloud services, and network data variety have increased the demand for complex anomaly detection algorithms in network intrusion detection systems (IDSs) capable of dealing with sophisticated network threats. Academics are interested in deep and machine learning (ML) breakthroughs because they have the potential to address complex challenges such as zero-day attacks. In comparison to firewalls, IDS are the initial line of network security. This study suggests merging supervised and unsupervised learning in identification systems IDS. Support vector machine (SVM) is an anomaly-based classification classifier. Deep autoencoder (DAE) lowers dimensionality. DAE are compared to principal component analysis (PCA) in this study, and hyper-parameters for F-1 micro score and balanced accuracy are specified. We have an uneven set of data classes. precision-recall curves, average precision (AP) score, train-test times, t-SNE, grid search, and L1/L2 regularization methods are used. KDDTrain+ and KDDTest+ datasets will be used in our model. For classification and performance, the DAE+SVM neural network technique is successful. Autoencoders outperformed linear PCA in terms of capturing valuable input attributes using t-SNE to embed high dimensional inputs on a two-dimensional plane. Our neural system outperforms solo SVM and PCA encoded SVM in multi-class scenarios.
Factors affecting customers intention towards online pharmacies in Indonesian market
Authors: Ferawaty Ferawaty , Antonio Wakky , Anggraeni Adilla
Published: April 2024

Online pharmacies are a promising business model for promoting online sales of medicines. The purpose of this study is to investigate how technology acceptance model (TAM) variables (perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness), perceived trust, perceived performance risk, and perceived physical risk influence customers' intention to use online pharmacy. A questionnaire survey was used to collect data for the planned study. The results showed that perception of trust is a critical factor influencing costomers intention to use an online pharmacy. The reluctance of customers to buy medicines, categorized as risk, through online pharmacies which was originally thought to be a determining factor, has no impact if customer trust in online pharmacy has been formed. This study has several relevances for advancing online pharmacy promotion including the importances of user-friendly and benefits provided by online pharmacies provider. It is very important how online pharmacies providers can increase customers trust in terms of legality, quality and security of personal data.
FAT1 weighted MRI: Diffusion meets anatomical imaging and application in thalamic surgery for tremor
Authors: Goedemans Taco , Ferreira Francisca , Wirth Thomas , van der Weerd Lonneke , Massey Flavia V. , Krüger Marie T. , Milanese Vanessa , Pakzad Ashkan , Foltynie Thomas , Limousin Patricia , Bot Maarten , Munckhof Pepijn van den , Schuurman Rick , Zrinzo Ludvic , Akram Harith
Published: April 2024

Patient-specific targeting of the Ventral intermediate nucleus (Vim) of the thalamus can be achieved with MR connectivity. Nevertheless, there are several drawbacks to using tractography-based targeting methods to visualise distinct thalamic nuclei (e.g., subjective region of interest selection, and thresholding of resulting tracts and clusters). Fractional anisotropy (FA) mapping, another product of diffusion MRI (dMRI), does not rely on tractography, and could thus be clinically more viable for discerning thalamic anatomy for stereotactic surgery. The aim of this study is to develop and present a hybrid, high-resolution, and high-fidelity imaging modality that combines contrast from FA maps as well as anatomical T1 sequences (FAT1 imaging); and to evaluate FAT1 based Vim-target definition. Imaging and outcome data of 35 consecutive refractory tremor patients who had undergone 43 connectivity guided deep brain stimulation (DBS) and/or radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RF-T) between 2013 and 2021 were included. First, the pre-operatively acquired dMRI and MPRAGE sequences were used to create FAT1 maps in retrospect. Then, an FAT1 based Vim-target was planned by an experienced functional neurosurgeon who was blinded for patient outcome. Finally, to investigate FAT1 based targeting, a post-hoc analysis was carried out of the degree of overlap between the newly created FAT1 based Vim-target, and the volume of tissue activation (VTA, in case of DBS) or lesion volume (in case of RF-T). This degree of overlap was compared between favourable and unfavourable outcome groups: outcomes were measured by experts blinded for imaging data at the last follow-up using a Clinical Global Impression-Improvement score (CGI-I), where a CGI-I score of 1-2 (i.e., FTMTRS improvement of ≥50%) was considered favourable. In 36 of the 43 (84%) performed surgeries (24 DBS and 19 RF-T), FAT1 based Vim-targeting was possible. For the group showing favourable outcome (71% of the patients at a median follow-up of 13 months), the mean amount of overlap between the FAT1 based Vim-target and the VTA or lesion was 42% (±13), versus 17% (±15) for patients with an unfavourable outcome (MD 25%, 95% CI 14–35, p < 0.0001). Retrospective use of FAT1 based Vim-targeting as a tool to predict outcome had a sensitivity of 90%, specificity of 80%, positive predictive value of 90%, and negative predictive value of 80%. In conclusion, FAT1 imaging is a new, high-resolution, and high-fidelity modality that combines diffusion and anatomical MRI. It provides a fast and efficacious way of targeting the ventral intermediate nucleus of the thalamus. In this study, FAT1 based targeting was highly accurate in predicting outcomes after deep brain stimulation and radiofrequency thalamotomy.
Influence of graded levels of maize distillers dried grains with solubles (mDDGS) on the performance, digestive tract development and carcass characteristics of broilers
Authors: Ravindran V. , Singh Y.
Published: April 2024

The present study investigated the feeding value of maize distillers dried grains with solubles (mDDGS) for broiler chickens. As the first step, the nutrient composition, apparent metabolisable energy (AME) and apparent ileal amino acid digestibility of mDDGS were determined. These values were used to formulate iso-nutrient and isocaloric diets to evaluate the influence of graded levels of mDDGS on broiler performance, digestive tract development and carcass characteristics. Five maize-soybean based diets containing 0 or 5, 10, 15 and 20% of mDDGS, were formulated and cold-pelleted at 65 °C. Each diet was offered ad libitum to six replicates (eight birds per replicate cage) during starter (day 1–21) and finisher (day 22–35) phases. The mDDGS was analysed to contain (% dry matter (DM) basis): CP, 27.8; total non-starch polysaccharides, 28.6 and soluble non-starch polysaccharides, 5.6. The AME was determined to be 10.23 MJ/kg DM. The average ileal digestibility coefficient of indispensable AA was 0.826. The Inclusion of 20% mDDGS resulted in poorer (P < 0.05) feed per gain (quadratic effect, P < 0.05) during the starter period, but no negative effects (P > 0.05) were observed finisher period and the overall production period (day 1–35). Feed intake and feed per gain (linear effect, P < 0.05) decreased with increasing inclusions of mDDGS during finisher period and overall period. A tendency (P = 0.06) for linear improvement in excreta quality was observed with increasing inclusion levels of mDDGS. Relative digestive tract weights and carcass and breast meat yields were not influenced (P > 0.05) by dietary treatments. A linear (P < 0.05) decrease was observed for the relative lengths of jejunum, ileum and the small intestine. The results indicated that, when balanced for metabolisable energy and digestible amino acids, mDDGS can be incorporated into broiler starter and finisher diets up to 15 and 20%, respectively, with no adverse effects on live performance, carcass characteristics or excreta quality.
Historical Time and Acceleration. A Constitutive Bond
Authors: Torres Felipe
Published: April 2024

This manuscript addresses the link between the concept of ‘historical time’ and the thesis of the acceleration of history and society in constitutive terms. ‘Historical time’ is used as concept mainly from the eighteenth century and corresponds to a way of understanding the contemporary world as a moment in which a ‘chronology’ of time and, along with it, the appearance of a temporalized history itself, take place. Different temporal schemes support this transition: a pass from synchronicity to diachrony, the transition from iteration to the ‘event’, circularity to the linearity. In what follows, I propose to observe some implications and articulations of the ‘historical time’ and ‘social acceleration’ theses, advancing the hypothesis that they are both connected and mutual dependent.
Legitimate Transaction? Regulating Commercial International Marriage Brokers in South Korea
Authors: Yi Sohoon
Published: April 2024

Marriages between South Korean men and women from less affluent Asian countries have been popular since the 1990s, and commercial international marriage brokers have played an important role in the trend. This article argues that the laws and regulations governing marriage brokers, such as Marriage Brokers Business Management Act (MBBMA) and consumer protection mechanisms, have reinforced the rights of citizen-husbands and legitimized claims from the men’s movement. As a result, the state’s regulation of commercial matchmaking endorses a form of commodified intimacy and protects the rights of male client-cum-“head of the family,” despite the consequences of commodifying the personhood of migrant women and legitimizing the violence of denying their personal autonomy. Data include public documents and policies from the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, Korea Institute for Healthy Family, Korea Consumer Agency, Fair Trade Commission, and MBBMA. Analysis of these public texts reveals the legal and policy language that sanitizes and disguises unequal gender roles and discrimination against foreigners.
Creating a space for the sacred in a secular world: Shabbat dinners as a vehicle for collective effervescence, social connection, and meaning
Authors: Gabriel Shira , Koefler Nicole , Schneider Veronica
Published: April 2024

Scholars have long argued that religious rituals are essential for maintaining society, bringing meaning to life and increasing connections via the collective effervescence that they engender. A world in which fewer people attend religious services does not mean that people no longer benefit from the important outcomes associated with religious rituals. The current research examined whether people experience collective effervescence and positive outcomes in home-based rituals—specifically, Shabbat dinners facilitated by a Jewish organization that provides resources for home-based Shabbat dinners. Survey data was collected on almost 1000 attendees of the Shabbat dinners. The results suggest that (a) Shabbat dinners include both components of collective effervescence (a sensation of sacredness and connection to others); (b) “transcendence” collective effervescence was related to religiosity and meaningfulness, whereas “connectedness”collective effervescence was related to belonging and satisfaction; and (c) using instructional resources predicted increased meaning via religiosity and increased satisfaction via belonging. The authors conclude that home-based rituals can provide valuable outcomes in a world in which people are less likely to attend religious services.
“That Fight Still Goes On”: Narratives of Integration and Activism
Authors: Linville Darla , Quinn Molly , Christodoulou Nicoletta
Published: April 2024

Discussions of Black history and school desegregation in many K-12 schools have been narrowed to a few heroic figures and moments. Historic representations are currently challenged by a nationwide movement to uphold White supremacy and deny the violent history of racism in the US. The revisionist claims are challenged in this qualitative narrative research project that presents stories gathered from 10 Black educators in Augusta, Georgia, who recount their stories of desegregating schools and institutions as students or educators. This oral history narrative project imagines these stories as the basis for engaging K-12 teachers and students in creating new curricula.
Passenger flow bottleneck decongestion in subway stations: a simulation study
Authors: Peng Jingxuan , Wei Zhonghua , Li Jiaye , Guo Xiangfei , Wang Shaofan
Published: April 2024

The impact of large passenger flow during peak hours causes serious congestion in subway stations, and passenger flow bottlenecks appear in many places, which affects travel efficiency and safety. How to eliminate the bottlenecks is an urgent problem to be solved. In this paper, we first analyze the causes and regions of bottlenecks, and we propose three decongestion solutions: (a) moving the security check machines from the station hall to the entrance channel; (b) adding isolation belts in front of the area of escalators; and (c) separating opposite passengers flow by using isolation belts. We conduct a case study on Guomao Station, Beijing, China to verify the effectiveness of the solutions. Specifically, we establish a microscopic model to simulate the passenger flow in a subway station, and the simulation results show that decongestion solutions can reduce the queueing length of security bottleneck by more than 30%, while decreasing the passenger density in non-paying areas of the station hall by more than 50%. The decongestion solutions proposed in this paper can eliminate the bottlenecks in subway stations effectively and practicably.
Protection for Whom? Police Legitimacy and the Historical Origins of Carceral Feminism
Authors: Rosen Charlotte E.
Published: April 2024

In a reflection on Anne Gray Fischer’s The Streets Belong to Us, this article considers how her scholarship on sexual policing in 20th century America situates sexual policing and the state’s criminalization of women as central rather than supplemental to our broader understanding of policing. Fischer’s analysis demonstrates how police used sexual policing to bolster their authority amid threats to their legitimacy and to defend and protect a racially segregated patriarchal social order. Her research also uncovers the centrality of anti-Black and gendered policing to gentrification and urban economic revival. Finally, Fischer historicizes white dominance feminists’ partnership with law enforcement by demonstrating law enforcement’s historical (and racialized) decriminalization of white women’s public sexual lives. Fischer’s pathbreaking analysis suggests the need for historians of policing and the carceral state to view gender and sexuality as foundational to the construction of modern policing and the broader development of the racialized carceral state.
Capable Fish or Deficient Ponds? A Meta-Analysis of Consequences, Mechanisms, and Moderators of Perceived Overqualification
Authors: Liao Meishi , Zhang Melody Jun , Carnevale Joel B. , Huang Chengquan , Wang Lin
Published: April 2024

Perceived overqualification (POQ) has traditionally been seen as an undesirable employment situation associated with negative outcomes. However, recent research suggests that POQ may have positive implications for both employees and organizations. Despite the growing literature on this topic, scholars have offered numerous explanatory mechanisms for linking POQ with its work outcomes, and inconsistent findings have been reported, highlighting the need for a comprehensive understanding of why, where, and for whom POQ is beneficial or detrimental. In the present study, we developed an integrative theoretical framework that depicts the consequences, mechanisms, and moderators of POQ. We then conducted a meta-analytical review of the POQ literature, analyzing 704 effect sizes from 251 independent samples (N = 87,229). By organizing the dominant mechanisms in POQ research within a unified framework of work motivation, we elucidate the distinct pathways by which POQ induces differential work consequences. We further consider the role of key cultural, economic, sociodemographic, and methodological characteristics as boundary conditions. Overall, our findings provide support for our predictions and provide novel insights into the work-related consequences of POQ. Theoretical and practical implications of our findings are thoroughly discussed.
The Lean Impact Start-Up Framework: Fueling Innovation for Positive Societal Change
Authors: Bacq Sophie , Wang Stephanie
Published: April 2024

How can innovative solutions to address societal grand challenges be cultivated in a pragmatic and impactful way? In this article, we propose the “lean impact start-up” framework, which integrates the principles of the lean start-up methodology with fresh perspectives from new stakeholder theory—and specifically, stakeholder governance. The lean impact start-up framework is characterized by its experimental and learning-oriented nature and consists of a three-step process: value search, value creation, and value distribution. For each step, we propose a key mechanism and chart pathways for future research. At its core, the lean impact start-up framework differs from other start-up frameworks by an active consideration of diverse primary stakeholders and an expanded focus encompassing both economic and noneconomic outcomes. This framework serves as a transformative bridge that helps to close the divide between scholarly research and tangible, real-world impact.
Problematizing Managerial Militarization: Claims to Military Logistical Expertise in the COVID-19 Pandemic in Brazil
Authors: Siman Maíra , Viana Manuela Trindade , Santos Victória M. S.
Published: April 2024

The Brazilian Armed Forces have had a prominent role in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We take this participation as an entry point to confront traditional assumptions of studies on civil-military relations and militarization, investigating a particular claim used to justify the mobilization of the Brazilian military in health-related activities: their credentials in a managerial expertise in logistics. In doing so, we argue that there is an ongoing re-articulation in the discursive regime used to justify their expansion of roles—not one anchored on the efficiency in the use of violence associated with a “war ethos” specific to the military professional, but another, grounded on a managerial expertise to efficiently procure, manage and distribute resources across the national territory, especially in contexts of “crisis.” We claim that the historical transformation of such discourse is a particular expression of global processes that have historically vested “managerial expertise” with political authority to solve social problems in critical situations. We also contend that this managerial dimension has been largely neglected in the critique of militarization articulated in traditional and contemporary civil–military relations studies. In light of these processes, this article seeks to contribute to critical work regarding the conditions for and effects of the expansion of military roles under the regime of justification here analyzed, thereby stimulating us to rethink the assumptions upon which militarization can be problematized in the contemporary period.
Open-loop recycling of end-of-life textiles as geopolymer fibre reinforcement
Authors: Ambrus Mária , Mucsi Gábor
Published: April 2024

The treatment and management of textile waste is an ever-growing issue worldwide, due to the continuously changing trends and the popularity of fast-fashion brands. There are numerous waste management methods besides simple landfilling, including reuse, open-loop or closed-loop recycling options. The described research explores the applicability of an open-loop recycling method, the processing of end-of-life textiles to produce fibres for fibre-reinforced geopolymers, to combine various waste streams for the production of an environmentally friendly binder system. By the examination of different textile waste processing methods, the most valuable fibrous material was produced with the application of a rotary shear and a vertical cutting mill, eliminating the necessity of manual cutting. As the most common base material of the textiles was found to be polyester and cotton, these were deemed useful for fibre reinforcement. The flexural strength showed a significant increase with the addition of 5 wt.% fibres, indicating the possibility of more than doubling the flexural strength of geopolymer specimens. Based on the microstructural analysis, however, even though there was good adhesion between the fibre and the geopolymer matrix, the latter showed inhomogeneities with higher fibre addition, indicating the need to further optimise the production steps, such as mixing time, vibration time, etc.
Does emerging country's urbanization redefine the environmental Kuznets hypothesis for carbon emissions? A novel perspective on national and subnational differences
Authors: Wang Qiang , Zhang Siqi , Li Rongrong
Published: April 2024

Emerging countries are experiencing rapid urbanization. Examining the link between economic growth and carbon emissions in developing nations as well as the effects of urbanization on this relationship at the national and subnational levels are the goals of this research. Thus, to investigate if China's economic development and carbon emissions align with the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis, this study adopts the FMOLS model and the fixed effects model. Furthermore, this study uses urbanization as a threshold variable and examines how the influence of economic development on carbon emissions would alter as a result of urbanization. The findings demonstrate an inverted U-shaped link between China's economic development and carbon emissions and the relationship is compatible with the EKC hypothesis. Although there is variability at the subnational level, most of the regions follow the inverted U-shaped connection. The carbon emissions inflection point in the western area is larger than the inflection points in the eastern and central regions. According to the threshold model, as urbanization rises, the increase in carbon emissions brought on by economic expansion declines. The eight economic areas of China differ in how the link between economic growth and carbon emissions change in the process of urbanization. But compared to the initial stage of urbanization, the last stage of urbanization in most countries lessens the impact of economic expansion on carbon emissions. To decrease carbon emissions, we must not only encourage the development of cleaner technologies and boost energy consumption efficiency, but also create carbon-reduction strategies that are specific to the growth characteristics of various areas.
Validating Tools to Measure Life Skills Among Adolescents in India
Authors: Mehta Nikita , Kapoor Hansika
Published: April 2024

BACKGROUND:

Life skill education is critical for developing various competencies among the adolescent population, especially in India, given the recent shift in policy focus.

AIM:

To examine the reliability, factor structure, and the validity of scales measuring gender attitudes, perceived self-efficacy, resilience, and problem-solving in order to assess the effectiveness of a life skill program among Indian adolescents.

METHODS:

Baseline data, before a life skill intervention program by Magic Bus India Foundation, were collected from over 16000 Indian adolescents between 11 and 15 years on different measures. Results from principal component analyses with pro-max rotation indicated a one-factor solution for all the scales. Further, confirmatory factor analyses indicated an excellent model fit using the diagonally weighted least squares method of estimation for the above- mentioned scales.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

The models for each scale were gender invariant, indicating that gender attitudes, perceived self-efficacy, resilience, and problem solving were assessed similarly between boys and girls. Additionally, correlation analysis indicated a positive relationship between gender attitudes and self-efficacy, a negative relation between gender attitudes and resilience, and a negative association between self-efficacy and resilience. Implications are discussed.
The relationship between immune-related adverse events during ipilimumab monotherapy and survival outcomes among melanoma patients: A systematic review
Authors: Sheng Jason , Nayeni Manav , Malvankar Monali
Published: April 2024

Background

Ipilimumab disinhibits immune system activity which results in the elimination of malignant cells. An unintended consequence of ipilimumab therapy is off-target immune-related adverse events (irAEs). It has therefore been proposed that the incidence of irAEs is a manifestation of treatment effectiveness. The objective of this systematic review is to examine the relationship between irAEs and survivability among melanoma patients administered ipilimumab monotherapy.

Methods

A comprehensive search was conducted across several databases which yielded a total of 2381 studies. Clinical trials and prospective studies administering ipilimumab monotherapy to melanoma patients were included. Furthermore, there was no restriction placed on publication date. After screening, five studies were included for data extraction. The primary outcome of median overall survival (OS) and the secondary outcome of OS hazard ratio were extracted from the included studies.

Results

Based on qualitative analysis of the included studies, there seemed to be an association between the occurrence of non-lethal irAEs and improved survival outcomes among melanoma patients administered ipilimumab monotherapy. With that being said, the poorer survivability among patients who experienced high-grade irAEs may be the result of subsequent treatment discontinuation. Potential confounders such as corticosteroid use should be accounted for. Finally, landmark analyses may be conducted to account for immortal time bias.

Conclusions

The findings from this systematic review provide evidence suggesting that the incidence of irAEs is a marker of an improved anti-tumor response.
British Oncology Pharmacy Association Delphi consensus guidelines: Co-infusion of trometamol-containing calcium folinate (Leucovorin) with systemic anti-cancer treatments
Authors: Polwart Calum , Root Tim , Tezcan Songül , Meehan Sharon , Wetherill Bill , Waterson Chloë , Burnett Bruce , Chauhan Rena , Al-Modaris Ibrahim ,   British Oncology Pharmacy Association Guidelines, Advocacy and Publications Committee
Published: April 2024

Drug stability and compatibility are critical factors influencing the cost and logistics of treatment delivery, therapeutic effectiveness, and patient safety. This is particularly significant in the realm of cancer chemotherapeutics, where stability and compatibility studies play a vital role in ensuring rational and safe medicine administration. Oxaliplatin, fluorouracil, and irinotecan, commonly used in various combinations for gastrointestinal cancers, are complemented by co-administration of folinic acid in certain protocols. Notably, some folinic acid preparations include trometamol as an excipient, potentially impacting the stability of the chemotherapeutic agents if infused concomitantly. This study seeks to establish guidelines for oncology multidisciplinary teams, addressing potential risks associated with the combination of trometamol-containing folinic acid and chemotherapeutics. To achieve this, a quantitative questionnaire was distributed to members of the British Oncology Pharmacy Association (BOPA) and non-BOPA members through an online survey. Nineteen healthcare professionals with oncology experience, comprising 18 pharmacists and one nurse, completed the questionnaires. Each participant rated the validity and clarity of statements on a 5-point scale. The Delphi process concluded after the fourth round, consolidating the findings and recommendations from the multidisciplinary team. Twelve recommendations for safe practice have been made.
Principal trade-off analysis
Authors: Strang Alexander , Sewell David , Kim Alexander , Alcedo Kevin , Rosenbluth David
Published: April 2024

How are the advantage relations between a set of agents playing a game organized and how do they reflect the structure of the game? In this paper, we illustrate ‘Principal Trade-off Analysis’ (PTA), a decomposition method that embeds games into a low-dimensional feature space. We argue that the embeddings are more revealing than previously demonstrated by developing an analogy to Principal Component Analysis (PCA). PTA represents an arbitrary two-player zero-sum game as linear combination of simple games via the projection of policy profiles into orthogonal 2D feature planes. We show that the feature planes represent unique strategic trade-offs and truncation of the sequence provides insightful model reduction and visualization. We demonstrate the validity of PTA on a quartet of games (Kuhn poker, RPS + 2, Blotto and Pokemon). In Kuhn poker, PTA clearly identifies the trade-off between bluffing and calling. In Blotto, PTA identifies game symmetries and specifies strategic trade-offs associated with distinct win conditions. These symmetries reveal limitations of PTA unaddressed in previous work. For Pokemon, PTA recovers clusters that naturally correspond to Pokemon types, correctly identifies the designed trade-off between those types, and discovers a rock-paper-scissor (RPS) cycle in the Pokemon generation type – all absent any specific information except game outcomes.
The use of frailty questionnaires in inpatients in two neurorehabilitation units in the East Midlands – A cross-sectional cohort study with follow-up to 1-year after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation
Authors: Edwards Laura , Tesorero Vina , Zonouzi Fattaneh , Santullo Piera , Owen Phoebe , Gordon Adam L
Published: April 2024

Background:

Frailty correlates with poor clinical outcomes and is not routinely assessed in neurorehabilitation inpatient settings.

Methods:

We recruited adults from two neurorehabilitation units. We administered six validated tools for assessing frailty and collected data around length of stay, discharge, readmission and change in rehabilitation outcome measures.

Results:

Seventy-eight participants aged between 31 and 84 years were recruited with a range of neurological diagnoses. Frailty prevalence ranged between 23% and 46%, depending on the scale used, with little agreement between tools. Frailty status did not correlate with age, gender, length of stay, discharge destination and rehabilitation outcome measures. One-year readmission was higher in participants rated as frail by the Frail-Non-Disabled Questionnaire, the FRESH-screening questionnaire and the Clinical Frailty Scale.

Conclusion:

Frailty ascertainment was variable depending on the tool used. Three frailty indices predicted readmission rate at 1 year but no other outcome measures. Therefore, frailty tools may have limited utility in this clinical population.
Existing and emerging GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy: Ramifications for diabetic retinopathy screening
Authors: Varughese George Iype , Jacob Sarita
Published: April 2024

GLP-1 receptor agonist treatment revolutionised the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus with significant enhancement of cardiovascular risk reduction. They have been instrumental in effectively managing the glycaemic control of this at-risk patient group. This class of drugs are associated with rapid improvement in glucose levels and consequently, transient early worsening of pre-existing diabetic retinopathy (DR) which is well-recognised, but this paradox is less commonly perceived in routine clinical practice. The recent shortage of supply has resulted in an enforced hiatus to prescribing all existing GLP-1 receptor agonists, which is expected to last all through 2024. This becomes even more pertinent as their DR could have progressed due to worsening HbA1c as a result of the unforeseen interruption to GLP-1 receptor agonist treatment. Therefore, when these medications are recommenced in a few months’ time, all prescribers need to be aware of these patients’ most up-to-date DR status and liaise with their affiliated screening service.
Endovascular revascularization of vertebrobasilar tandem occlusions in comparison to isolated basilar artery occlusions: A multi-center experience
Authors: Klail Tomas , Piechowiak Eike I. , Krug Nadja , Maegerlein Christian , Maus Volker , Fischer Sebastian , Lobsien Donald , Pielenz Daniel , Styczen Hanna , Deuschl Cornelius , Thormann Maximilian , Diamandis Elie , Heldner Mirjam R. , Kaesmacher Johannes , Mordasini Pasquale
Published: April 2024

Background

Acute basilar artery occlusion (BAO) is a severe disease that is associated with an 85% mortality rate if untreated. Several studies have analyzed the use of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in the different scenarios of BAO. However, the results remain conflicting and the role of MT as standard of care for vertebrobasilar tandem occlusions (VBTO) has not been confirmed. Our goal was to assess technical feasibility, safety, and functional outcome of endovascular treatment of VBTO in comparison to isolated BAO (IBAO).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed all prospectively collected patients with acute BAO from six tertiary centers between September 2016 and November 2021. Patients were subsequently divided into two groups: VBTO and IBAO. Baseline data, procedural details, and outcomes were compared between groups.

Results

A total of 190 patients were included, 55 presenting with a VBTO and 135 with IBAO. Successful recanalization was equally common in both groups (89.1% and 86.0%). Rates of favorable functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale: 0–2) were higher in patients with VBTO compared to IBAO (36.4% vs. 25.2%, p = 0.048) and mortality was lower (29.1% vs. 33.3%). However, these associations faded after adjustment for confounders (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.86, 95% CI 0.35–2.05; aOR 0.93, 95% CI 0.35–2.45). Rates of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage did not differ between the groups (VBTO: 7.3% vs. IBAO: 4.2%; p = 0.496).

Conclusion

Endovascular treatment of VBTO is technically feasible and safe with similar rates of successful recanalization, favorable functional outcome, and mortality to those in patients with IBAO.
Structural design and research of a novel lower limb rehabilitation robot for human–robot coupling
Authors: Wang Zhiqiang , Han Jianhai , Guo Bingjing , Li Xiangpan , Du Ganqin
Published: April 2024

A bedside rehabilitation robot is developed to address the challenge of motor rehabilitation for patients with lower limb paralysis. Firstly, based on the principles of physical rehabilitation, a two-link planar robot model is used to simulate both the robot and human lower limbs, and the coupling characteristics between the human and robot are thoroughly analyzed. Then, the lower limb rehabilitation robot, fitted with an end-effector and ankle wearable feature, is designed according to the structural parameters. To enhance patient safety during rehabilitation, the device incorporates a freely rotating leg support mechanism that reduces the load on the ankle due to gravitational forces, and a two-stage series elastic mechanism is integrated below the foot support to provide a passive compliant output of robot power, allowing for more natural movement and reducing the risk of injury. Secondly, dynamic modeling is used to determine the dynamic parameters of the robot by conducting simulation calculations based on the inertia parameters of the human body and the robot model design parameters. Finally, an experimental platform is established using the structural and dynamic parameters, and the robot’s reliability is validated through experimentation. Results indicate that the robot can accurately complete passive rehabilitation training tasks, and the dynamic parameters meet the expected requirements.
Thinking Through Painting: ARTiculating What it Means to Write Qualitatively
Authors: Vasquez Ananí M.
Published: April 2024

This article is an exploration of writing qualitatively, a think-do with doctoral seminar guest scholars with/through words and painting as pre-verbal thought movement. After engaging with the perspectives and experiences of several qualitative researchers who work from relational and emergent onto-epistemologies, I began to regard writing qualitatively as a bodymind’s thinking-doing using neurodiverse modes of expression. Through a cross-modal approach to exploring my writing process, I take readers through my journey of thinking about writing through painting and with paint, color, brushes, canvas, line, shape, and movement. Neurodiverse thought, communication, sensing, and perception, as well as verbal, non-verbal, and pre-verbal expression connect to movement between pre-articulation and articulation and to seminar discussions about relations, spirit, and flow when writing qualitatively. I conclude with an invitation for readers to engage with encounters that cross modes in thinking-doing as writing-and, where ARTiculation is foregrounded as embodied thinking, neurodiverse concept creating, and pre-verbal articulation for the communication of ideas and is experienced as being as adequate (and inadequate) for conveying meanings or findings as written language.