bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Multidecadal Assessment of Haze Development and Fluctuations in Visibility for Arabian Peninsula
Authors: Atique Luqman , Javed Sadaf , Shahzad Muhammad Imran , Tutsak Ersin , Mahfouz Mohamed M. K. , Wang Jun , Shahid Imran
Published: December 2024

Deteriorating visibility (VR) is an exacerbating problem in the Arabian Peninsula (AP) under the prevailing natural and anthropogenic causes. The main objective of this paper is to analyze the long-term (1975–2023) trends of visibility fluctuations and development of haze for six countries including Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Iraq (IRQ), Qatar (QTR), Kuwait (KWT), United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Oman (OMN). To comprehend the time-based patterns of visibility across the ME, we utilized the Mann Kendall (MK) and Modified Mann Kendall (MMK) trend estimators in both space and time. The daily visibility of QTR exhibits significant variations from 1975 to 2023, with the lowest and greatest values representing the dynamic character of visibility in the region. Oman’s daily visibility have revealed complex pattern with frequent occurrence of close to zero visibility starting from 1975. Visibility in KWT was 0.5 km in 1994, indicating a period of exceptionally poor visibility whereas the daily mean visibility for KSA was approximately 0.6 km. The UAE data shows strong seasonal spikes in visibility, with peaks of about 2 km. IRQ air quality was severely misty on days when visibility was approximately 0.4 km. Among the six countries, visibility in KWT is improving at 0.06 km/year, while visibility in IRQ is decreasing rapidly at the rate of -0.26 km/year. Keeping in account the overall trends over the decades to assess current visibility conditions, Visibility in KWT and QTR is improving at the fastest trend of + 0.15 and + 0.05 km/year respectively as compared to OMN, IRQ, UAE and KSA. Policymakers in the region can work on regional environmental policies to further improve the regional atmospheric visibility.
Rotigotine-Induced Leukoderma: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Bondariyan Niloofar , Golsorkhi Mohadese , Dashtipour Khashayar
Published: December 2024

Rotigotine is a dopamine receptor agonist commonly prescribed for Parkinson’s disease (PD) and restless leg syndrome. Although some common side effects have been previously reported, the rotigotine-induced leukoderma is a very rare presentation. Herein, we report a 37-year-old female with PD who developed depigmentation patches after 1 year of rotigotine application. Dermatology consultation reported drug-induced leukoderma, and topical steroid, narrow-band ultraviolet B, and ruxolitinib were administered. Her depigmentation spots started to improve while rotigotine was continued. This case highlights the potential for rotigotine to induce skin depigmentation and emphasizes the need for continued observation and reporting of such adverse effects.
Evaluating Testing and Use of Photometric Stereo Applications for Riblet Inspection
Authors: Wotawa Franz , Jahaj Ledio , Brosch Nicole
Published: December 2024

Computer vision is vital for various applications like object tracking for autonomous driving or quality assurance. Hence, assuring that computer vision fulfills given quality criteria is essential and requires sufficient testing. In previous work, authors introduced a testing method relying on image modifications for a photometric stereo application. Image modifications include pixel errors or the rotation of images to be analyzed, revealing a substantial impact on the computed outcome of the photometric stereo application, depending on the applied modification. This paper focuses on two questions, i.e., (i) whether we can reproduce the impact of image modifications in a real-world setup and (ii) on the practicability of the application of photometric stereo in the application context of quality assurance of riblet surfaces. To answer the first question, we compare the impact of the rotation and light conditions of the analyzed sample with the rotation and light modification applied to the image of the sample. The comparison indicates a similar effect when using rotation and light modifications, showing that testing based on image modifications is valuable for verifying computer vision applications. For the second question, we outline a usage scenario, present experimental observations, and discuss a stochastical model, allowing us to confirm the experiments. Moreover, we outline what to expect when using the computer vision application for real quality assurance.
Measuring Progress in Packaging Waste Prevention: Trends and Gaps in Communicated Indicators from National Policy and the Food Retail Sector
Authors: Otto Sarah Julie , Schinkel Jennifer , Rotter Vera Susanne
Published: December 2024

Effective packaging waste prevention requires appropriate indicators to monitor progress and design measures. This paper addresses the lack of research and standardization of packaging waste prevention indicators at the national and company levels. A two-part methodology is employed. First, a framework for inventorying indicators is established; then, the framework is applied to national waste prevention programs of European Environment Agency member and cooperating countries, as well as to published reports and communications of the German food retail sector. The analysis reveals that 23 out of 30 countries and 17 out of 32 companies use and communicate packaging waste prevention indicators. However, there are gaps in indicators addressing qualitative prevention as well as regulatory and economic instruments at the national level. At the company level, recycled content and the reduction of packaging are specifically addressed. The term “reduction” may involve various approaches, including replacing materials such as plastic with alternatives or simply reducing usage. Specific monitoring of secondary and transport packaging is lacking in both sectors. In terms of plastics, indicators lack consistency and clarity, potentially facilitating greenwashing at the corporate level. Monitoring and reporting practices vary, and few indicators have specific targets and monitoring schemes. Recommendations for improvement include establishing a common understanding of waste prevention, adopting a holistic approach to monitoring various packaging materials, enhancing indicator measurability, and harmonizing indicators through categorization and inventory frameworks. These improvements are crucial for effectively monitoring and addressing packaging waste prevention at both the national and industry levels.
Integrating variable importance and spatial heterogeneity to reveal the environmental effects on outdoor jogging
Authors: ZHANG Chengbo , SHI Dongbo , XIAO Zuopeng
Published: December 2024

Outdoor jogging is increasingly recognized as a crucial component of urban active transport strategies aimed at improving public health. Despite growing research on the influence of both natural and built environmental factors on outdoor jogging, less is known about the relative importance of these factors. Moreover, the spatial heterogeneity effects of environmental factors remain unclear. Failing to consider these varying effects regarding impact intensity and spatial scale results in inefficient planning policies aimed at promoting active transport. This study addresses these gaps by analyzing crowdsourced jogging trajectory data in Shenzhen using a computational framework that combines Random Forest Variable Importance (RF-VI) and Multi-Scale Geographically Weighted Regression (MGWR). The analysis identifies hierarchical environmental effects and the varying impacts of twelve key determinants across different spatial scales. Results reveal that natural environmental factors are most contributing to outdoor jogging, while density-related built environment factors contribute the least. Additionally, environmental effects vary in scale, direction, and intensity, with seven variables exerting global impacts and five showing localized effects. Notably, the central and suburban areas of Shenzhen display considerable spatial heterogeneity in environmental influences. The findings inform the importance of integrating green infrastructure, mitigating over-dense urban development, and enhancing pedestrian-accessible road networks to promote outdoor jogging. These insights advocate for context-sensitive urban planning that balances natural and built environments to to foster healthier mobility.
Study on the impact of vehicle-induced vibration on the flexural behavior of UHPC joints in widened bridges
Authors: Yang Jun , Leng Jingchen , Zhou Jianting , Chen Rui , Yu Kun , Jiang Zhimei , Zou Yang , Zhang Zhongya , Du Jiang
Published: December 2024

Bridge widening involves phased construction of adjacent structures to maintain uninterrupted traffic flow. This process exposes freshly placed longitudinal joints between staged deck constructions to vehicle-induced vibrations, potentially compromising their mechanical integrity. This study investigates the flexural behavior of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) longitudinal joints under such vibrations through model tests. To simulate actual site conditions, we developed a novel vibration test setup that replicates the dynamic environment experienced by these joints during construction. Micro- and meso-scale tests were conducted to examine the flexural behavior of longitudinal joints following vibration exposure. Results revealed that vibration amplitude significantly influences fiber orientation and flexural strength of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) wet joint specimens. Low-amplitude vibrations (3 Hz at 1 mm and 3 mm) enhanced fiber orientation, increasing flexural strength by 11.5% to 19.8% and ultimate load capacity by 17% compared to non-vibrated specimens. Conversely, high-amplitude vibrations (3 Hz at 5 mm) adversely affected fiber orientation, decreasing flexural strength by 23.9% and ultimate load capacity by 19% relative to non-vibrated specimens.
The Remarkable Life, Death, and Afterlife of an Ordinary Roman
Authors: Hartnett Jeremy
Published: December 2024

When we think of Romans, Julius Caesar or Constantine might spring to mind. But what was life like for everyday folk, those who gazed up at the palace rather than looking out from within its walls? In this book, Jeremy Hartnett offers a detailed view of an average Roman, an individual named Flavius Agricola. Though Flavius was only a generation or two removed from slavery, his successful life emerges from his careful commemoration in death: a poetic epitaph and life-sized marble portrait showing him reclining at table. This ensemble not only enables Hartnett to reconstruct Flavius' biography, as well as his wife's, but also permits a nuanced exploration of many aspects of Roman life, such as dining, sex, worship of foreign deities, gender, bodily display, cultural literacy, religious experience, blended families, and visiting the dead at their tombs. Teasing provocative questions from this ensemble, Hartnett also recounts the monument's scandalous discovery and extraordinary afterlife over the centuries.
A multi-layer Kriging surrogate model for the reliability analysis of variable stator vanes in aero engines
Authors: Fan J. , Xu H. , Meng Q. , Xu S.
Published: December 2024

The variable stator vanes (VSV) are a set of typical spatial linkage mechanisms widely used in the variable cycle engine compressor. Various factors influence the angle adjustment precision of the VSV, leading to the failure of the mechanism. The reliability analysis of VSV is a complex task due to the involvement of multiple components, high dimensionality input and computational inefficiency. Considering the hierarchical characteristics of VSV structure, we propose a novel multi-layer Kriging surrogate (MLKG) for the reliability analysis of VSV. The MLKG combines multiple Kriging surrogate models arranged in a hierarchical structure. By breaking the problem down into more minor problems, MLKG works by presenting each small problem as a Kriging model and reducing the input dimension of the sub-layer Kriging model. In this way, the MLKG can capture the complex interactions between the inputs and outputs of the problem while maintaining a high degree of accuracy and efficiency. This study proves the error propagation process of MLKG. To evaluate MLKG’s accuracy, we test it on two typical high-dimensional non-linearity functions (Rosenbrock and Michalewicz function). We compared MLKG with some contemporary KG surrogate modeling techniques using mean squared error (MSE) and R square (
${R^2}$
). Results show that MLKG achieves an excellent level of accuracy for reliability analysis in high-dimensional problems with a small number of sample points.
The Relational and Redistributive Dynamics of Mutual Aid: Implications of Afro-Communitarian Ethics for the Study of Creative Work
Authors: Alacovska Ana , Steedman Robin , Langevang Thilde , Resario Rashida
Published: December 2024

Studies of non-standard, project-based forms of work prevalent in the creative industries have typically theorized the relational dynamics of work as a competitive process of social capital accumulation involving an individualistic, self-enterprising, zero-sum, and winner-takes-all struggle for favourable social network-positioning. Problematizing this prevailing conceptualization, our empirical case study draws on fifty in-depth interviews and two focus groups with creative workers in Ghana to show how relations of mutual aid, including elaborate efforts to live harmoniously with others, are intricately intertwined with economic practices of getting by and getting ahead. Our analysis abductively mobilizes insights from Afro-communitarian ethics to theorize the mutual aid we observed as a complex socio-economic practice of relational resource redistribution contingent on degrees of social proximity. In applying “a theory from the South” to foreground the role of moral obligations, social harmony, and hands-on practices of mutual aid in non-standard forms of work, we contribute a “decolonial critique” of relationality of relevance to scholars of creative work and business ethicists.
Reasoning about physical processes in buildings through component stereotypes
Authors: Ramanathan Ganesh , Mayer Simon
Published: December 2024

Buildings employ an ensemble of technical systems like those for heating and ventilation. Ontologies such as Brick, IFC, SSN/SOSA, and SAREF have been created to describe such technical systems in a machine-understandable manner. However, these focus on describing system topology, whereas several relevant use cases (e.g., automated fault detection and diagnostics (AFDD)) also need knowledge about the physical processes. While mathematical simulation can be used to model physical processes, these are practically expensive to run and are not integrated with mainstream technical systems ontologies today. We propose to describe the effect of component actuation on underlying physical mechanisms within component stereotypes. These stereotypes are linked to actual component instances in the technical system description, thereby accomplishing an integration of knowledge about system structure and physical processes. We contribute an ontology for such stereotypes and show that it covers 100% of Brick heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) components. We further show that the ontology enables automatically inferring relationships between components in a real-world building in most cases, except in two situations where component dependencies are underreported. This is due to missing component models for passive parts like splits and join in ducts, and hence points at concrete future extensions of the Brick ontology. Finally, we demonstrate how AFDD applications can utilize the resulting knowledge graph to find expected consequences of an action, or conversely, to identify components that may be responsible for an observed state of the process.
Reliability and Validity of the Persian Version of the Disaster Resilience Measuring Tool for Health care Rescuers in Iran
Authors: Shabany Maryam , Azizi Maryam , Salajegheh Zahra , Pruitt Sheri D. , Imanipour Mohammad
Published: December 2024

Objectives

This study evaluated the validity and reliability of the Persian version of the Disaster Resilience Measuring Tool (DRMT-C19).

Methods

The research was a methodological, psychometric study. Standard translation processes were performed. Face validity and content validity were determined along with construct and convergent validity. To determine the final version of the questionnaire, 483 health care rescuers were selected using a consecutive sampling method. Other resilience-related questionnaires were used to assess concurrent validity. All quantitative data analyses were conducted using SPSS 22 and Jamovi 2.3.28 software.

Results

The content validity and reliability were indicated using Scale’s Content Validity Ratio (S-CVR) = 0.92 and Scale’s Content Validity Index (S-CVI) = 0.93. The comprehensiveness of the measurement tool = 0.875%. Cronbach’s α = 0.89 and the test re-test reliability using interclass correlation coefficients (ICC) = 0.68 to 0.92. Exploratory factor analysis determined 4 factors which accounted for more than 58.54% of the variance among the items. Confirmatory factor analysis determined 12 factors. The concurrent validity between the DRMT-C19 and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) was r = 0.604 (P ≤ 0.0001).

Conclusions

The DRMT-C19 has satisfactory psychometric properties and is a valid, reliable, and valuable tool for assessing resilience against disasters in Iran’s Persian-speaking health care rescuers.
Supporting early robust design for different levels of specific design knowledge: an adaptive method for modeling with the Embodiment Function Relation and Tolerance model
Authors: Li Jiahang , Horber Dennis , Grauberger Patric , Goetz Stefan , Wartzack Sandro , Matthiesen Sven
Published: December 2024

Early robust design (RD) can lead to significant cost savings in the later stages of product development. In order to design systems that are insensitive to various sources of deviation in the early stages, specific design knowledge (SDK) plays a crucial role. Different design situations result in higher or lower levels of derivable SDK, which leads to different activities to achieve the development goal. Due to the variety of design situations, it is difficult for design engineers to choose a more robust concept to avoid the costly iterations that occur in the later development stages. Existing RD methods often do not adequately support these differences in design situations. To address the problem, this paper outlines an adaptive modeling method using the Embodiment Function Relation and Tolerance model. The method is developed in two contrasting design situations, each with a high and low level of derivable SDK, and evaluated in another two corresponding case studies. It has a consistent structure with five stages and gates. At each stage, the derivable SDK is taken into account and the individual modeling steps are adapted. This method provides design engineers with concrete support for early robustness evaluation of a product concept in different development scenarios.
A scoping review on peer-led interventions to improve youth mental health in low- and middle-income countries
Authors: Chow Dana , Matungwa Dunstan J. , Blackwood Elizabeth R. , Pronyk Paul , Dow Dorothy
Published: December 2024

Youth living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have an increased vulnerability to mental illnesses, with many lacking access to adequate treatment. There has been a growing body of interventions using task sharing with trained peer leaders to address this mental health gap. This scoping review examines the characteristics, effectiveness, components of peer delivery and challenges of peer-led mental health interventions for youth aged 10–24 in LMICs. A key term search strategy was employed across MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Global Health and Global Index Medicus. Eligibility criteria included young people aged 10–24 and a peer-led component delivered in any setting in an LMIC. Study selection and extraction were conducted independently by the first and second authors, with discrepancies resolved by the senior author. Study characteristics were summarised and presented descriptively. The search identified 5,358 citations, and 19 studies were included. There were 14 quantitative, four qualitative and one mixed methods study reporting mental health outcomes. Types of interventions were heterogenous but fell within three broad categories: (1) peer education and psychoeducation, (2) peer-led psychotherapy and counselling and (3) peer support. All studies reported improved mental health outcomes as a result of the peer-led interventions. Peer-led interventions are versatile in terms of both the types of interventions and mode of delivery. Lived experience, mutual respect and reduced stigma make this method a highly unique and effective way to engage this age group. However, implementing peer-led youth interventions is not without challenges. Adequate training, supervision, cultural appropriateness and support from established institutions are critical to safeguarding and ensuring the sustainability of such programs. Our findings suggest that peer-led models are a valuable intervention strategy that policymakers can leverage in current and future efforts to address youth mental health in LMICs. Future areas of research should expand to include the perspectives of other key stakeholders involved in the implementation of peer-led mental health interventions, focusing on factors including fidelity, feasibility and acceptability to enhance implementation insights.
High-energy, high-peak-power, sub-nanosecond, spatial super-Gaussian 177 nm vacuum ultraviolet laser
Authors: Wen Ning , Lv Tian-Hao , Zong Nan , Gao Hong-Wei , Bo Yong , Peng Qin-Jun , Cui Da-Fu , Xu Zu-Yan , Wang Xiao-Yang , Liu Li-Juan , Li Ru-Kang , Wang Nan , Lin Xue-Chun
Published: December 2024

A high-energy pulsed vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) solid-state laser at 177 nm with high peak power by the sixth harmonic of a neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) amplifier in a KBe2BO3F2 prism-coupled device was demonstrated. The ultraviolet (UV) pump laser is a 352 ps pulsed, spatial top-hat super-Gaussian beam at 355 nm. A high energy of a 7.12 mJ VUV laser at 177 nm is obtained with a pulse width of 255 ps, indicating a peak power of 28 MW, and the conversion efficiency is 9.42% from 355 to 177 nm. The measured results fitted well with the theoretical prediction. It is the highest pulse energy and highest peak power ever reported in the VUV range for any solid-state lasers. The high-energy, high-peak-power, and high-spatial-uniformity VUV laser is of great interest for ultra-fine machining and particle-size measurements using UV in-line Fraunhofer holography diagnostics.
Improved method to optimize the phase jump of multiple exposure-tiled gratings
Authors: Ding Xinhui , Yu Hui , Li Dawei , Zhang Junyong , Wang Li , Zhou Qiong , Lu Xingqiang
Published: December 2024

Large-aperture gratings have significant applications in inertial confinement fusion, immersion lithography manufacturing and astronomical observation. Currently, it is challenging and expensive to manufacture sizable monolithic gratings. Therefore, tiled multiple small-aperture gratings are preferred. In this study, the impact of seam phase discontinuity on the modulation of the laser beam field was explored based on the measurement results of the Shenguang-II laser large-aperture multi-exposure-tiled grating. An innovative method for accurately calculating the phase jump of multi-exposure-tiled grating seams was proposed. An intensive electromagnetic field analysis was performed by applying rigorous coupled-wave analysis to a reasonably constructed micrometer-level periodic grating seam structure, and the phase jump appearing in millimeter-scale seams of large-aperture tiled gratings was obtained accurately.
On the Hilbert scheme of smooth curves of degree d = 15 in $\mathbb{P}^5$
Authors: Ballico Edoardo , Keem Changho
Published: December 2024

We denote by

$\mathcal{H}_{d,g,r}$

the Hilbert scheme of smooth curves, which is the union of components whose general point corresponds to a smooth, irreducible, and non-degenerate curve of degree d and genus g in

$\mathbb{P}^r.$

In this article, we study

$\mathcal{H}_{15,g,5}$

for every possible genus g and determine when it is irreducible. We also study the moduli map

$\mathcal{H}_{15,g,5}\rightarrow\mathcal{M}_g$

and several key properties such as gonality of a general element as well as characterizing smooth elements of each component.
Rajaratnam in London: Writing, race, and capital in Singapore’s intellectual history
Authors: Holden Philip
Published: December 2024

Dominant historiography in Singapore celebrates Sinnathamby Rajaratnam as one of the city-state’s founding national fathers, and the intellectual superintendent of state-sponsored multiculturalism in what has been characterized as an ‘illiberal democracy’. Little attention, however, has been paid to the extensive periods of Rajaratnam’s life in which he was not in governance with the People’s Action Party, and thus had considerable intellectual autonomy. This article examines the first of these periods—his sojourn in London from 1935 to 1947—marked by connections with overlapping communities of anti-colonial intellectuals drawn from Africa, the Caribbean, and East and South Asia. Close reading of Rajaratnam’s London lifeworld, his published fiction and journalism, and the many annotations he made in the books he read reveals a very different intellectual history than the one that we think we know, and allows us to better understand his lifelong uneasiness with capitalism and racial governmentality. Re-reading Rajaratnam as an autonomous intellectual disembeds his early intellectual life from the story of the developmental state, enabling a focus on the role of affect and form in his writing. The process also offers new insights into Singapore today, where the legacies of state-sponsored multiculturalism are increasingly challenged, and where citizens, residents, and migrants seek new forms of solidarity in and across difference.
The cultural foundations of trade policy: Competitive free trade and the UK–Australia free trade agreement
Authors: Scott James , Trommer Silke
Published: December 2024

This article examines United Kingdom (UK) parliamentary debates on the adoption of its first post-Brexit, from-scratch free trade agreement (FTA), with Australia. Building on Jessop’s cultural political economy framework, we identify and analyse the economic imaginaries animating UK post-Brexit trade policy debates at this time. We find that an imaginary of what we term ‘competitive free trade’ shaped the UK Government’s approach to the UK–Australia FTA. Meanwhile, the Opposition, much of the House of Lords, and a small number of Conservative Members of Parliament endorsed an alternative ‘embedded free trade’ imaginary. Our analysis suggests that the UK government successfully used the context of an unsettled domestic institutional environment for trade policy post-Brexit in order to negotiate and ratify an FTA with Australia that reflected its competitive free trade imaginary. The article offers an account of UK post-Brexit trade policy that highlights how material, political, and ideational dimensions co-constitute each other in the political economy of trade, and how particular economic imaginaries become reified and dominant at certain junctures.
The effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy on neonatal outcomes
Authors: Huiberts Anne J. , Oosting Ilse J. , de Melker Hester E. , van de Wijgert Janneke H. H. M. , Grobbee Diederick E. , van den Hof Susan , Knol Mirjam J.
Published: December 2024

This study explored the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy on neonatal outcomes among women from the general Dutch population. VASCO is an ongoing prospective cohort study aimed at assessing vaccine effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination. Pregnancy status was reported at baseline and through regular follow-up questionnaires. As an extension to the main study, all female participants who reported to have been pregnant between enrolment (May–December 2021) and January 2023 were requested to complete an additional questionnaire on neonatal outcomes. Multivariable linear and logistic regression analyses were used to determine the associations between self-reported SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy and neonatal outcomes, adjusted for age, educational level, and presence of a medical risk condition. Infection analyses were additionally adjusted for COVID-19 vaccination before and during pregnancy, and vaccination analyses for SARS-CoV-2 infection before and during pregnancy. Of 312 eligible participants, 232 (74%) completed the questionnaire. In total, 196 COVID-19 vaccinations and 115 SARS-CoV-2 infections during pregnancy were reported. Infections were mostly first infections (86; 75%), caused by the Omicron variant (95; 83%), in women who had received ≥1 vaccination prior to infection (101; 88%). SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy was not significantly associated with gestational age (β = 1.7; 95%CI: −1.6–5.0), birth weight (β = 82; −59 to 223), Apgar score <9 (odds ratio (OR): 1.3; 0.6–2.9), postpartum hospital stay (OR: 1.0; 0.6–1.8), or neonatal intensive care unit admission (OR: 0.8; 0.2–3.2). COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy was not significantly associated with gestational age (β = −0.4; −4.0 to 3.2), birth weight (β = 88; −64 to 240), Apgar score <9 (OR: 0.9; 0.4–2.3), postpartum hospital stay (OR: 0.9; 0.5–1.7), or neonatal intensive care unit admission (OR: 1.6; 0.4–8.6). In conclusion, this study did not find an effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy on any of the studied neonatal outcomes among a general Dutch, largely vaccinated, population. Together with data from other studies, this supports the safety of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy.
AI versus Students: A Study of the Capability of ChatGPT to Write Model United Nations Position Papers
Authors: De Maio Jennifer L. , Kabalaki Ismail , Moshtael Shayan , Tejax Michael A.
Published: December 2024

This article investigates the impact of ChatGPT on student writing in the context of Model United Nations position papers, which require extensive research and concise articulation of policies on international issues. By comparing student-written papers and ChatGPT-generated papers, we find that whereas AI-generated papers received higher evaluations overall, award-winning student papers outperformed AI-generated papers. Furthermore, the quality of AI-generated writing is shown to depend on human input, emphasizing the importance of a human-centered approach to AI in education.
Evaluating the factor structure and construct validity of the NIH toolbox in older adults, with a focus on cognitive normalcy and amnestic mild cognitive impairment: considerations for diversity, including insights from persons over 85 years of age and Black older Americans
Authors: Rose Savannah , Gergoire Allyson , Pal Subhamoy , Reader Jonathan , Bhaumik Arijit , Slotkin Jerry , Ho Emily , Nowinski Cindy J. , Persad Carol C , Maher Amanda Cook , Weintraub Sandy , Gershon Richard , Giordani Bruno
Published: December 2024

Objective:

Validated computerized assessments for cognitive functioning are crucial for older individuals and those at risk of cognitive decline. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Toolbox Cognition Battery (NIHTB-CB) exhibits good construct validity but requires validation in diverse populations and for adults aged 85+. This study uses data from the Assessing Reliable Measurement in Alzheimer’s Disease and cognitive Aging study to explore differences in the factor structure of the NIHTB-CB for adults 85 and older, Black participants versus White participants, and those diagnosed as amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI) vs cognitively normal (CN).

Method:

Subtests from the NACC UDS-3 and NIHTB-CB were administered to 503 community-dwelling Black and White adults ages 55–99 (367 CN; 136 aMCI). Confirmatory factor analyses were used to investigate the original factor structure of NIHTB-CB that forms the basis for NIHTB-CD Index factor scores.

Results:

Factor analyses for all participants and some participant subsets (aMCI, White, 85+) substantiated the two anticipated factors (Fluid and Crystallized). However, while Black aMCI participants had the expected two-factor structure, for Black CN participants, the List Sorting Working Memory and Picture Sequence tests loaded on the Crystallized factor.

Conclusions:

Findings provide psychometric support for the NIHTB-CB. Differences in factor structure between Black CN individuals and Black aMCI individuals suggest potential instability across levels of cognitive impairment. Future research should explore changes in NIHTB-CB across diagnoses in different populations.
Using word order cues to predict verb class in L2 Spanish
Authors: Simonsen Russell , Chacón Dustin A.
Published: December 2024

Prediction is a crucial mechanism of language comprehension. Our research question asked whether learners of Spanish were capable of using word order cues to predict the semantic class of the upcoming verb, and how this ability develops with proficiency. To answer this question, we conducted a self-paced reading study with three L2 Spanish groups at different proficiency levels and one native control group. Among the advanced L2 learners and native speakers, we found that reading times increased after the verb appeared in a word order not strongly associated with its semantic class. Because the only cue to the sentences’ word order was the presence or absence of the object marker a before the first noun, we suggest that these groups use this morphosyntactic cue to anticipate the semantic class of the upcoming verb. However, this pattern of processing behavior was not detected in our less experienced L2 groups.
Early detection efforts for colorectal and prostate cancer from the patient’s perspective over the course of 12 years: results of the KABOT survey study
Authors: Braun Kay-Patrick , Maurer Julia , Wolff Ingmar , Vogel Torsten , Lebentrau Steffen , May Matthias , Herrmann Markus
Published: December 2024

Aim:

This study investigates the level of knowledge and utilization of colorectal cancer (CRC) and prostate cancer (PCa) early detection measures (EDMs) over a period of 12 years in general practice from the patient’s perspective.

Background:

The role of general practitioners (GPs) in EDMs for CRC and PCa in Germany is not well-documented with comprehensive data.

Methods:

We conducted a patient-centric survey in the German federal state of Berlin-Brandenburg at a 12-year interval to examine the role of GPs in EDMs for CRC and PCa. In 2009, 55 GPs were tasked with informing 50 consecutive male patients, each aged over 35, about participating in a survey study (study phase 1/SP1). To evaluate changes over 12 years, a new survey involving 50 male patients from each of 150 GPs was conducted from October 2021 to March 2022 (SP2).

Findings:

We thoroughly reviewed the questionnaires of 890 patients, with 755 in SP1 and 135 in SP2. Patients showed greater awareness of recommendations regarding colonoscopy compared to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing. GPs were the most frequently reported source of information for both EDMs in our cohort. Comparing the two study phases, no significant difference in specific awareness of colonoscopy or PSA testing was found among men eligible for EDMs. However, there was a notable increase in the role of health insurance companies as a source of information about colonoscopy over time. Nearly 60% of included patients underwent colonoscopy and/or PSA testing as EDMs.

Conclusion:

The number of EDMs performed among study participants did not increase over time. Our study confirms that GPs remain the primary source of information about EDMs among the study participants.
Quality of government and public support for taxation for climate change mitigation: evidence from 135 European regions
Authors: Davidovic Dragana
Published: December 2024

Recent studies suggest that value orientations, both pro-environmental values and concerns and left–right ideology, strongly predict climate policy support in some settings, but not in others, and that institutional quality determines the strength of these associations. These studies are based on a limited number of countries and do not investigate the mechanisms at work nor what aspects of quality of government (QoG) matter more specifically. Analyzing data from 135 European regions across 15 countries, this paper finds that QoG moderates the relationships of pro-environmental values and left–right ideology with climate tax support and suggests that political trust is an underlying individual-level mechanism. Moreover, corruption seems to be the most important aspect of QoG for policy support. In regions where corruption is prevalent and trust in state institutions is low, support for climate taxes is low even among those who are generally concerned about the environment and climate change and who favor state intervention. The study suggests additional analyses, adopting quantitative and qualitative approaches, to inform policymakers on how to increase public support for climate taxation and improve policy designs to mitigate policy concerns across various segments of the population.
120 GHz MIMO FMCW radar chipset in a SiGe bipolar technology
Authors: Bredendiek Christian , Starke David , Kueppers Simon , Aufinger Klaus , Pohl Nils
Published: December 2024

This paper presents a flexible SiGe monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) chipset for 120 GHz ultra-wideband frequency-modulated continuous wave radar systems. The highly integrated chipset is implemented with multiple-input and multiple-output radar in mind which leads to transmit and receive MMICs with four integrated channels in each chip. The transmitter achieves an output power of 12.9 dBm with a total power consumption of only 403 mW. The receiver chip incorporates a sub-harmonic approach for suppression of leakage radiation at 120 GHz through a receive channel. Both chips integrate active multiplier chains that are driven by a third reference dual band voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) MMIC that can deliver an output at center frequencies of 15 or 30 GHz. The reference VCO MMIC demonstrates relative tuning ranges of 32%.
Empathic Concern and Perspective-Taking Have Opposite Effects on Affective Polarization
Authors: Gillissen Matthijs , Rooduijn Matthijs , Schumacher Gijs
Published: December 2024

Empathy has been proposed as a solution to alleviate interparty antipathy. Recent findings from the US suggest that one aspect of empathy – empathic concern – increases rather than decreases affective polarization. Perspective-taking, another aspect of empathy, has no effect on affective polarization. In this article, we describe a preregistered replication and extension of these findings in the contrasting political context of the Netherlands, to see whether this relationship generalizes beyond the US. First, using a cross-sectional nationally representative sample of 1,258 Dutch voters, we show that empathic concern indeed fuels affective polarization while at the same time we find that perspective-taking reduces it. Second, using a two-arm survey experiment (n = 438), we show that perspective-taking reduces ingroup bias, whereas empathic concern does not. Reflecting on the American and Dutch findings, we conclude that while empathic concern likely contributes to affective polarization, perspective-taking may reduce it.
Erfassung elterlicher Überzeugungen zum Erlernen eines Instruments im Grundschulalter
Authors: Bieber Patrizia , Busch Barbara , Göllner Richard
Published: December 2024

Zusammenfassung: Die vorliegende Arbeit untersucht elterliche Überzeugungen im Kontext Instrumentalunterricht. Hierzu wurde ein Fragebogeninstrument zur Erfassung von zwölf Überzeugungsfacetten entwickelt und anhand einer Musikschulstudie ( Nfamilien = 195) und einer Grundschulstudie ( Nfamilien = 163) validiert. Die faktorielle Struktur des Fragebogens ließ sich mittels einer konfirmatorischen Faktorenanalyse bestätigen und durch ergänzende explorative Faktorenanalysen bekräftigten. Es zeigten sich zufriedenstellende bis gute Skalenreliabilitäten. Zusammenhänge der Überzeugungsskalen fanden sich erwartungsgemäß mit dem musikbiographischen Hintergrund der Eltern sowie ihrer Investitionsbereitschaft und ihren Zielen hinsichtlich des Instrumentalunterrichts. Darüber hinaus ergaben Mehrebenenmodelle Zusammenhänge zwischen den elterlichen Überzeugungsfacetten und der Lernmotivation der Kinder. Insbesondere die Überzeugungen zur elterlichen Verantwortlichkeit sowie zur Selbstverantwortung des Kindes in Bezug auf dessen musikalische Ausbildung erwiesen sich hierbei als bedeutsam. Mit dem entwickelten Fragebogen liegt ein Instrument zur mehrdimensionalen Erfassung elterlicher Überzeugungen zum Musizieren und zum Erlernen eines Instruments im Grundschulalter vor.
Spectral Induced Polarization Response of Bacteria Growth and Decay in Soil Column Experiments
Authors: Song Yalin , Shi Xiaoqing , Revil André , Ghorbani Ahmad , Qiang Siyuan , Xing Kun , Kang Xueyuan , Wang Qilin , Wu Jichun
Published: December 2024

Spectral induced polarization (SIP) exhibits potential to be a nonintrusive approach to monitor bacterial activity in biological hotspots associated with the critical zone of the earth. The polarization of bacteria in a low‐frequency electrical field is related to the polarization of their electrical double layer coating their surface. However, few studies have quantified the induced polarization responses on both gram‐negative (GN) and gram‐positive (GP) bacteria in soil column experiments. To address this gap, 17 experiments using two strains, Pseudomonas aeruginosa O1 (PAO1, GN) and Brevibacillus centrosporus (L3, GP) are conducted. Complex conductivity spectra are collected in the frequency range 10 mHz–10 kHz during bacterial growth and decay phases in soils. The complex conductivity spectra are fitted using a double Cole‐Cole model to remove the effect of Maxwell‐Wagner polarization. The change in the magnitude of the polarization (quadrature conductivity or normalized chargeability of the low‐frequency contribution) is linearly related to the bacterial density, regardless of the type of bacteria. The changes in the normalized chargeability and Cole‐Cole relaxation time are directly proportional to the density of bacteria. Furthermore, it is inferred that the thickness of microcolonies plays a critical role in the relaxation time rather than the diameter of individual bacteria. This study expands the potential of SIP for in situ monitoring of microbial activity in soils.
Improving Urban Climate Adaptation Modeling in the Community Earth System Model (CESM) Through Transient Urban Surface Albedo Representation
Authors: Sun Yuan , Fang Bowen , Oleson Keith W. , Zhao Lei , Topping David O. , Schultz David M. , Zheng Zhonghua
Published: December 2024

Increasing the albedo of urban surfaces, through strategies like white roof installations, has emerged as a promising approach for urban climate adaptation. Yet, modeling these strategies on a large scale is limited by the use of static urban surface albedo representations in the Earth system models. In this study, we developed a new transient urban surface albedo scheme in the Community Earth System Model and evaluated evolving adaptation strategies under varying urban surface albedo configurations. Our simulations model a gradual increase in the urban surface albedo of roofs, impervious roads, and walls from 2015 to 2099 under the SSP3‐7.0 scenario. Results highlight the cooling effects of roof albedo modifications, which reduce the annual‐mean canopy urban heat island intensity from 0.8°C in 2015 to 0.2°C by 2099. Compared to high‐density and medium‐density urban areas, higher albedo configurations are more effective in cooling environments within tall building districts. Additionally, urban surface albedo changes lead to changes in building energy consumption, where high albedo results in more indoor heating usage in urban areas located beyond 30°N and 25°S. This scheme offers potential applications like simulating natural albedo variations across urban surfaces and enables the inclusion of other urban parameters, such as surface emissivity.
A microgripper based on electrothermal Al–SiO2 bimorphs
Authors: Yang Hengzhang , Lu Yao , Ding Yingtao , Zhang Ziyue , Ren Anrun , Wang Haopu , Wang Xiaoyi , Li Jiafang , Zhang Shuailong , Xie Huikai
Published: December 2024

Microgrippers are essential for assembly and manipulation at the micro- and nano-scales, facilitating important applications in microelectronics, MEMS, and biomedical engineering. To guarantee the safe handling of delicate materials and micro-objects, a microgripper needs to be designed to operate with exceptional precision, rapid response, user-friendly operation, strong reliability, and low power consumption. In this study, we develop an electrothermal actuated microgripper with Al-SiO2 bimorphs as the primary structural element. The fabricated microgripper naturally adopts a closed state due to process-induced residual stresses. The thermal expansion mismatch between Al and SiO2 allows for an easy transition of the microgripper between open and closed states by temperature control. Experimental data reveal that the microgripper can achieve impressive deformability, bending over 100 degrees at just 5 V, and responding within 10 ms. Its capability to handle micro-objects is verified using polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) microbeads and its gripping strength is quantitatively assessed. It is demonstrated that the microgripper holding a microbead with a diameter of 400 μm and a weight of 0.1 mg can withstand an average acceleration of 35 g during vibration test and over 1600 g in impact tests, highlighting its exceptional grasping performance. Additionally, the “pick-and-place” task for handling and positioning solder beads (0.25 mg for each bead) with diameters of 400 μm on a bulk silicon inductor chip has been successfully completed. This unique microgripper is anticipated to be highly beneficial for various micro-assembly and micromanipulation applications, particularly in the field of electronic packaging.
The impact of sidewall copper grain condition on thermo-mechanical behaviors of TSVs during the annealing process
Authors: Xi Yang , Zhang Yunpeng , Tian Zhiqaing , Liu Tianjian , Sheng Can , Zhao Bo , Zhang Zhaofu , Wang Shizhao , liu Sheng
Published: December 2024

With the drastic reduction of the TSV diameter leading to a critical dimension comparable to the Cu-filled grain size, the grain condition strongly influences the thermo-mechanical behavior of the TSV. In this work, the TSV-Cu cross-section with different grain sizes is characterized by EBSD, confirming that the sidewall grain size (0.638–1.580 μm) is smaller compared to other regions (1.022–2.134 μm). A finite element model (FEM) considering copper grains is constructed by using Voronoi diagrams to investigate the effect of sidewall grain size as well as area on the thermo-mechanical behavior during annealing. The material parameters in the FEM are optimized through nanoindentation inversion and considering the mechanical property anisotropy of copper grains. The yield strength σy and hardening exponent n of TSV-Cu are 74.6 MPa and 0.514. The simulation results indicate that the protrusion of TSV-Cu after annealing tends to increase initially and then decrease with smaller sidewall grain size and area. The maximum increase in protrusion caused by the two variables can reach 6.74% and 14.6%, respectively, relative to the average grain condition. Additionally, the simulation results were validated by quantifying grain boundaries in TSV-Cu samples with varying grain sizes.