bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Pb Doping on the Thermoelectric Performance of Eco-Friendly Cu3SbS4
Authors: Wang Liangsheng , Xu Shunjian , Zhang ZiChu , Zhao Yuxuan , Chai Wenjie , Lu Baobiao , Hussain Shahid , Song Xuehua , Yang Jian , Fouad Hassan
Published: February 2024

Cu3SbS4 is a promising thermoelectric material because it contains non-toxic, economical, and earth-abundant components. This study refers to the practical synthesis of an array of Cu3Sb1−xPbxS4 (x
= 0–0.02) samples through the process of melting response, sulfuration technique, and plasma activated sintering. XRD and SEM analysis show that all the Cu3SbS4-based samples are pure phases. Based on analyses employing density functional theory (DFT), the band
gap of Pb-doped Cu3SbS4 increases from 0.57 eV to 0.89 eV, alleviating the bipolar. The thermoelectric performance of Pb doped Cu3SbS4 is improved due to the band convergence and the increase of conductivity. Moreover, the Vicker’s hardness
of Pb-doped Cu3SbS4 samples is 2.8 GPa, and the ratio of c/d is 1.6, indicating that the Pb-doped Cu3SbS4 samples exhibit high mechanical properties.
Analysis of Plasma and Gas Characteristics According to the Recovery Process Using a New Alternative Gas
Authors: Lee Sangjin , Park Geunno , Kim Dongwoo , Kim Kyongnam
Published: February 2024

Perfluorocarbon (PFC) gas, which is predominantly used in the etching and chamber cleaning processes of semiconductor manufacturing, is very stable and remains on Earth for long periods. Moreover, it has a high global warming potential because it blocks the emission of radiant heat
from the Earth and contributes to global warming. To mitigate these effects, the waste PFC gas can be recovered and reused, which also limits the unnecessary waste of resources. In this study, the liquid fluorocarbon C6F6, which has a high C/F ratio and exists as a liquid
at room temperature, was selected as an alternative to PFC gas, and adsorption and recovery were performed through an adsorption module during the plasma process. To characterize the recovered gas, residual gas analysis was performed on the gases recovered during etching. In addition, optical
emission spectroscopy and printed circuit board probes were used to characterize the plasma. Finally, the feasi-bility of the gas recovery process was evaluated by comparing the thicknesses of the CF polymers produced in Si and SiO2 using an ellipsometer. The results revealed that
the C6F6 had similar characteristics before and after recovery, confirming that this gas can be reused and is suitable for use in semiconductor manufacturing as a green alternative.
A Study on Process Diagnosis Technology to Improve the Reliability of the Etching Process
Authors: Park Geunno , Lee Yunseok , Kim Dongwoo , Kim Kyongnam
Published: February 2024

With the increasing demand for semifductors in various fields, productivity efficiency is emerging as an important issue in semiconductor device manufacturing. To maximize semi-conductor productivity, the semiconductor process must be monitored in real time to continuously reflect the
results and utilize them for process stabilization. However, various unexpected variables that occur during the process and errors in their judgment may cause a significant loss in semiconductor productivity. In this study, basic research was conducted on the concept of a diagnostic sensor
capable of monitoring the etch amount by changing the surface resistance of a thin film according to the process. In various etching processes, a change in the surface resistance was observed according to the change in the thickness of the thin film, and the correlation between the change
in thickness and the change in the physical quantity was studied. The trend of the overall measured values showed linearity. Based on the linear change in the etch amount and surface resistance according to the cycle change, the change in surface resistance according to the etch amount was
quantitatively calculated. For the reliability of measurement, the thickness was compared using SEM and an el-lipsometer, and both investigated a thickness of 304 nm.
A 1D CNN-Based Emulator of CMAQ: Predicting NO2 Concentration over the Most Populated Urban Regions in Texas
Authors: Payami Mahsa , Choi Yunsoo , Salman Ahmed Khan , Mousavinezhad Seyedali , Park Jincheol , Pouyaei Arman
Published: February 2024

In this study, we developed an emulator of the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model by employing a one-dimensional (1D) convolutional neural network (CNN) algorithm to predict hourly surface nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations over the most densely populated urban regions in Texas. The inputs for the emulator were the same as those for the CMAQ model, which includes emission, meteorological, and land-use/land-cover data. We trained the model over June, July, and August (JJA) of 2011 and 2014 and then tested it on JJA of 2017, achieving an index of agreement (IOA) of 0.95 and a correlation of 0.90. We also employed temporal threefold cross validation to evaluate the model’s performance, ensuring the robustness and generalizability of the results. To gain deeper insights and understand the factors influencing the model’s surface NO2 predictions, we conducted a Shapley additive explanations analysis. The results revealed solar radiation reaching the surface, planetary boundary layer height, and NOx (NO + NO2) emissions are key variables driving the model’s predictions. These findings highlight the emulator’s ability to capture the individual impact of each variable on the model’s NO2 predictions. Furthermore, our emulator outperformed the CMAQ model in terms of computational efficiency, being more than 900 times as fast in predicting NO2 concentrations, enabling the rapid assessment of various pollution management scenarios. This work offers a valuable resource for air pollution mitigation efforts, not just in Texas, but with appropriate regional data training, its utility could be extended to other regions and pollutants as well.

Significance Statement

This work develops an emulator of the Community Multiscale Air Quality model, using a one-dimensional convolutional neural network to predict hourly surface NO2 concentrations across densely populated regions in Texas. Our emulator is capable of providing rapid and highly accurate NO2 estimates, enabling it to model diverse scenarios and facilitating informed decision-making to improve public health outcomes. Notably, this model outperforms traditional methods in computational efficiency, making it a robust, time-efficient tool for air pollution mitigation efforts. The findings suggest that key variables like solar radiation, planetary boundary layer height, and NOx (NO + NO2) emissions significantly influence the model’s NO2 predictions. By adding appropriate training data, this work can be extended to other regions and other pollutants such as O3, PM2.5, and PM10, offering a powerful tool for pollution mitigation and public health improvement efforts worldwide.
Tailored Investments Needed to Support Weather, Water, Ice, and Climate Services in the Polar Regions
Authors: Lamers Machiel , Ljubicic Gita , Thoman Rick , Carrasco Jorge , Dawson Jackie , Heinrich Victoria J. , Jeuring Jelmer , Liggett Daniela , Stewart Emma J.
Published: February 2024

The Polar Prediction Project (PPP), one of the flagship programs of the World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) World Weather Research Programme (WWRP), has come to an end after a decade of intensive and coordinated international observing, modeling, verification, user engagement, and education activities. While PPP facilitated many advancements in modeling and forecasting, critical investment is now required to turn prediction science into salient environmental services for the polar regions. In this commentary, the members of the Societal and Economic Research and Applications task team of PPP, a group of social scientists and service delivery specialists, identify a number of insights and lessons that are critical for the implementation of the follow-up program Polar Coupled Analysis and Prediction for Services (PCAPS). We argue that in order to raise the societal value of polar environmental services, we need to better understand the diversity of highly specific user contexts; to tailor the actionability of weather, water, ice, and climate (WWIC) service development in the polar regions through inclusive transdisciplinary approaches to coproduction; to assess the societal impact of improved environmental services in the polar regions; and to invest and provide dedicated funding for involving the social sciences in research and tailoring processes across all the polar regions.
Local and Object-Based Perspectives on Atmospheric Rivers Making Landfall on the Western North American Coastline
Authors: Lin Wen-Shu , Norris Joel R. , DeFlorio Michael J. , Ralph F. Martin
Published: February 2024

We apply the Ralph et al. scaling method to a reanalysis dataset to examine the climatology and variability of landfalling atmospheric rivers (ARs) along the western North American coastline during 1980–2019. The local perspective ranks AR intensity on a scale from 1 (weak) to 5 (strong) at each grid point along the coastline. The object-based perspective analyzes the characteristics of spatially independent and temporally coherent AR objects making landfall. The local perspective shows that the annual AR frequency of weak and strong ARs along the coast is highest in Oregon and Washington and lowest in Southern California. Strong ARs occur less frequently than weak ARs and have a more pronounced seasonal cycle. If those ARs with integrated water vapor transport (IVT) weaker than 250 kg m−1 s−1 are included, there is an enhanced seasonal cycle of AR frequency in Southern California and a seasonal cycle of AR intensity but not AR frequency in Alaska. The object-based analysis additionally indicates that strong ARs at lower latitudes are associated with stronger wind than weak ARs but similar moisture, whereas strong ARs at higher latitudes are associated with greater moisture than weak ARs but similar wind. For strong ARs, IVT at the core is largest for ARs in Oregon and Washington and smaller poleward and equatorward. Both IVT in the AR core and cumulative IVT along the coastline usually decrease after the first day of landfall for weak ARs but increase from the first to second day for strong ARs.
Quality Control of Doppler Spectra from a Vertically Pointing, S-Band Profiling Radar
Authors: Belak Susan L. , Tanamachi Robin L. , Asel Matthew L. , Dennany Grant , Gnanasambandam Abhiram , Frasier Stephen J. , Rocadenbosch Francesc
Published: February 2024

This study describes a novel combination of methods to remove spurious spectral peaks, or “spurs,” from Doppler spectra produced by a vertically pointing, S-band radar. The University of Massachusetts S-band frequency-modulated, continuous-wave radar (UMass FMCW) was deployed to monitor the growth of the CBL over northern Alabama during the VORTEX–Southeast field campaign in 2016. The Doppler spectra contained spurs caused by high-voltage switching power supplies in the traveling wave tube amplifier. In the original data-processing scheme for this radar, a median filtering method was used to eliminate most of the spurs, but the largest ones persisted, which significantly degraded the quality of derived radar moments (e.g., reflectivity, Doppler velocity, and spectrum width) and hindered further analysis of these data (e.g., hydrometeor classification and boundary layer height tracking). Our technique for removing the spurs consists of three steps: (i) a Laplacian filter identifies and masks peaks in the spectra that are characteristic of the spurs in shape and amplitude, (ii) an in-painting method then fills in the masked area based on surrounding data, and (iii) the moments data (e.g., reflectivity, Doppler velocity, and spectrum width) are then recomputed using a coherent power technique. This combination of techniques was more effective than the median filter at removing the largest spurs from the Doppler spectra and preserved more of the underlying Doppler spectral structure of the scatterers. Performance of both the median-filter and the in-painting methods is assessed through statistical analysis of the spectral power differences. Downstream products, such as boundary layer height detection, are more easily derived from the recomputed moments.

Significance Statement

This manuscript describes a novel combination of image and signal processing techniques used to recover meteorological observations from corrupted Doppler radar spectra. This successful recovery of meteorologically significant information illustrates the importance of retaining Doppler spectra when practical. In seeking solutions to data quality issues, the atmospheric science community should remain cognizant of promising techniques offered by other disciplines. We present this data rescue study as an example to the meteorological community.
Who Will Tell the Stories of Health Inequities? Platform Challenges (and Opportunities) in Local Civic Information Infrastructure
Authors: Battocchio Ava Francesca , Thorson Kjerstin , Hiaeshutter-Rice Dan , Smith Marisa , Chen Yingying , Edgerly Stephanie , Cotter Kelley , Choung Hyesun , Dong Chuqing , Moldagaliyeva Moldir , Etheridge Christopher E.
Published: February 2024

The decline in the number and quality of local news media has led to digital platforms becoming more central in circulating local information, affecting what information and issues are accessible to community residents. We demonstrate this by focusing on health disparities related to COVID-19, examining how both news and non-news civic organizations in six Great Lakes communities addressed pandemic-related racial inequities. Our analysis of interviews and a corpus of Facebook posts suggest that (1) very little discussion of health disparities emerged on Facebook from organizations in these communities, and (2) the majority of this content was produced by local news outlets. This article offers a vision of what local content might look like in the absence of robust local news outlets and highlights potential consequences of local civic information infrastructure with digital platforms playing a central role.
How Sticky Is Pink Slime? Assessing the Credibility of Deceptive Local Media
Authors: Darr Joshua P.
Published: February 2024

The ongoing decline of local news not only deprives communities of important information, but also provides an opening for misinformation through so-called pink slime journalism: local media that poses as a news outlet and exploits the low cost of automating content to deceive readers. Is there an advantage to posing as a newspaper online? In this study, I use a survey experiment to assess how readers respond to the same headline delivered to them as a fake newspaper, a fake website, or a real television station. Respondents rated the fake local newspaper as less credible than a real television station or a fake local website, but they rated fake local websites as credibly as real local television. Readers’ preference for following local or national news and the timing of assessment moderate these effects.
Information Inequality: How Race and Financial Access Reflect the Information Needs of Lower-Income Individuals
Authors: Posey Patricia D.
Published: February 2024

The media landscape is more expansive than ever and offers increasingly fast and cheap ways to consume information. However, many racially and economically marginalized communities live in information environments that fail to provide in-depth coverage of critical topics, such as day-to-day finance. I offer an overview of financial access and news deficits to argue that financial institutions and news providers have historically underserved racially and economically marginalized communities, contributing to information gaps in financial news and the need for alternate sources of information. I investigate how the placement of brick-and-mortar fringe economy financial providers, such as payday lenders, affects how people learn about and make sense of their financial options. I show that these sorts of concrete neighborhood characteristics influence how people participate in today’s economy and share information. Because economic participation is an essential element of citizenship, I propose that these kinds of disparities in neighborhood characteristics and financial access should influence the ways in which we conceive of and deliver information to marginalized groups.
Development of the 12-Item Facial Complaints Evaluation Scale (FaCES-12)
Authors: Higgins Thomas S. , Shutt Travis A. , Ting Jonathan Y. , Illing Elisa A. , Tang Dennis M. , Kosaraju Nikitha , Potts Kevin , Cash Liz , Liu David , Sheeley Kathleen A. , Wu Arthur W.
Published: February 2024

Objectives:

Chronic rhinosinusitis and related rhinologic disorders are common in routine otolaryngologic practice. Common presenting symptoms include nasal obstruction, facial pain, facial pressure, headache, and a subjective feeling of the face feeling “swollen,” a perceptual distortion. No validated scale exists to assess facial pain in addition to perceptual distortion or headache. The objective was to develop a novel scale for assessment of facial symptoms experienced by patients presenting for rhinologic evaluation.

Methods:

This was a prospective validation cross-sectional study. A patient questionnaire, the 12-item Facial Complaints Evaluation Scale (FaCES-12), was created to evaluate facial symptoms based on clinical experience and the literature, including severity and timing of facial pain, facial pressure, facial perceptual swelling, and headache. Each item was assessed utilizing an 11-point Likert scale ranging from 0 to 10 in severity. Data was collected prospectively from 210 patients in 1 private and 2 academic otolaryngologic practices from August to December 2019 along with the PROMIS Pain Intensity Scale 3a and 22-Item Sino-nasal Outcome Test. Construct validity was determined using Pearson correlation and exploratory factor analysis. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were assessed by calculating Cronbach’s alpha and assessing test-retest scores.

Results:

A new 12-item scale named FaCES-12 was developed. FaCES-12 demonstrated high reliability with a Cronbach’s alpha of .94 and high test-retest reliability ( r = .90). The scale revealed very strong correlation with the PROMIS Pain Intensity Scale 3a ( r = .81) and moderate correlation with the Sino-nasal Outcome Test ( r = .48). Exploratory factor analysis demonstrated the scale contained interrelated variables that measured unique components of facial sensations.

Conclusion:

The FaCES-12 is a valid and reliable instrument for use in the evaluation of facial symptoms. Further research into the application of this scale is warranted.
Examining the Dynamic of Clustering Effects in Multilevel Designs: A Latent Variable Method Application
Authors: Raykov Tenko , Haddadi Ahmed , DiStefano Christine , Alqabbaa Mohammed
Published: February 2024

This note is concerned with the study of temporal development in several indices reflecting clustering effects in multilevel designs that are frequently utilized in educational and behavioral research. A latent variable method-based approach is outlined, which can be used to point and interval estimate the growth or decline in important functions of level-specific variances in two-level and three-level settings. The procedure may also be employed for the purpose of examining stability over time in clustering effects. The method can be utilized with widely circulated latent variable modeling software, and is illustrated using empirical examples.
Increasing compliance with public health guidelines among adolescents: Lessons for the future from the US COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Lee Young-Shin , Jun Hee-Jin , Yang Kyeongra , Moreno Kim
Published: February 2024

Purpose:

To explore factors influencing compliance with COVID-19 recommended preventive behaviours focusing on types of information sources about COVID-19, learning about disinfectant use and constructs of the Health Belief Model among adolescents at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design:

Cross-sectional descriptive design.

Setting:

A survey was distributed electronically to organisations, parents and student groups in Southern California 10 months after the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sample:

A total of 217 students aged between 12 and 19 years old.

Measures:

Questions were adapted from a previous nationwide online survey about COVID-19.

Analysis:

Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were used to analyse the data.

Results:

The most common type of information (communication) source was an interpersonal one (parents), and the least common type was an official (federal, school) source. Statistically significant better protective behaviours aligned with COVID-19 recommendations were seen in students who received more information from official sources; less information from social media or friends; believed in the accuracy and benefits of utilising the COVID-19 pandemic information and learned about the use of disinfectants and were confident in cleaning surfaces of devices and equipped. However, those who perceived themselves at risk of COVID-19 infection and had perceived high risks in general reported lower (but not statistically significant) compliance with protective behaviour. The level of knowledge about COVID-19 was not statistically associated with compliance with protective behaviour.

Conclusion:

Parents’ role in guiding adolescents is critical. Evidence-based information about COVID-19 should be delivered through official sources to facilitate adolescents’ understanding and active participation in public health efforts.
Implementing Harm Reduction-Based Medical Assistance via an Online Platform for People Who Use Drugs in Russia: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Davitadze Arsen , Meylakhs Peter , Rodionova Tatiana , Lakhov Aleksey
Published: February 2024

Although people who use drugs (PWUD) in Russia could benefit from harm reduction services, these services do not always reach them. Harm reduction organizations are adapting to these conditions with mHealth initiatives. The newest one involves a doctor providing medical assistance anonymously and free-of-charge to PWUD in an instant messenger (Telegram). Thematic analysis was applied to 161 anonymized text conversations between PWUD and the doctor to explore the needs of PWUD and the services provided to them. Theme 1 included needs for online only medical assistance: PWUD asked for help with drug-related health problems and consultations on drug consumption. Theme 2 consisted of needs for online and offline medical assistance: PWUD wanted to get help with more severe health problems and treat their substance misuse. The doctor helped most PWUD online by instructing them how to manage their problems by themselves, while he helped connect others to ambulances and hospitals.
Infectious Diseases Among People Experiencing Homelessness: A Systematic Review of the Literature in the United States and Canada, 2003-2022
Authors: Waddell Caroline J. , Saldana Carlos S. , Schoonveld Megan M. , Meehan Ashley A. , Lin Christina K. , Butler Jay C. , Mosites Emily
Published: February 2024

Homelessness increases the risk of acquiring an infectious disease. We conducted a systematic review of the literature to identify quantitative data related to infectious diseases and homelessness. We searched Google Scholar, PubMed, and SCOPUS for quantitative literature published from January 2003 through December 2022 in English from the United States and Canada. We excluded literature on vaccine-preventable diseases and HIV because these diseases were recently reviewed. Of the 250 articles that met inclusion criteria, more than half were on hepatitis C virus or Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Other articles were on COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus, Staphylococcus aureus, group A Streptococcus, mpox (formerly monkeypox), 5 sexually transmitted infections, and gastrointestinal or vectorborne pathogens. Most studies showed higher prevalence, incidence, or measures of risk for infectious diseases among people experiencing homelessness as compared with people who are housed or the general population. Although having increased published data that quantify the infectious disease risks of homelessness is encouraging, many pathogens that are known to affect people globally who are not housed have not been evaluated in the United States or Canada. Future studies should focus on additional pathogens and factors leading to a disproportionately high incidence and prevalence of infectious diseases among people experiencing homelessness.
How Do Social Relationships Affect Later Life Planning?
Authors: Barrett Anne E. , Mimbs Hope , Michael Cherish , Noblitt Jessica
Published: February 2024

Relatively little is known about how social relationships affect later life planning. Our study focuses on an underexamined aspect of social relationships, frequency of contact – not only with family members but also with friends. Using data from a survey of Floridians aged 50 and older conducted between December 2020 and April 2021 (n = 3,832), we examine the association between frequency of contact and five planning types: finances, health care, living arrangements, driving retirement, and end-of-life. We found that more frequent contact was associated with greater likelihood of planning, and this result was largely consistent across types of relationships and types of planning. Our findings suggest that contact with family members and friends may encourage more planning, which could reduce the stress that can accompany later life transitions. Our study offers further evidence of social relationships’ centrality to later life well-being and points to the many benefits of enhancing them.
Risk Factors and Prediction Models for Postoperative Pathologically Malignant TI-RADS 3 Thyroid Nodules
Authors: Peng Bin , Zhang Shaofeng , Du Fei
Published: February 2024

Objective: Our goal was to detect the risk factors for malignant TI-RADS 3 nodule and to construct a predictive model. Patients and Methods: All 199 patients with TI-RADS 3 nodule underwent first-time thyroid surgery from January 2018 to September 2021. Univariate analysis identified potential risk covariates and then incorporated these covariates into multivariate logistic regression to determine the risk factors for malignant TI-RADS 3 nodule and construct a predictive model. Results: Binary logistic regression analysis showed that age [odds ratio (OR): 0.926, 95% CI: 0.865-0.992; P = .029), low level of parathyroid hormone (OR: 0.940, 95% CI: 0.890-0.993; P = .027), and preoperative ultrasound features of TI-RADS 3 nodule, such as echogenicity (OR: 8.496, 95% CI: 1.377-52.406; P = .021), echogenic foci (OR: 8.611, 95% CI: 1.484-49.957; P = .016), and maximum tumor diameter (OR: 0.188, 95% CI: 0.040-0.888; P = .035) were independent risk factors for malignant TI-RADS 3 nodule. Based on these independent risk factors, a logistic regression model was established. The area under curve of the prediction model for TI-RADS 3 thyroid cancer was 0.921 (95% CI: 0.856-0.986, P < 0.001). The maximum Youden index was 0.698. The cut-off value, sensitivity, and specificity were 0.074, 84.6%, and 85.2%, respectively. Conclusion: Young age, iso/hypo/very hypo echo, echogenic foci, nodule diameter <30 mm, and low level of PTH are independent risk factors for TI-RADS 3 thyroid carcinomas. This prediction model has a high sensitivity and specificity. A prediction model value of more than 0.074 implies that the TI-RADS 3 nodule has undergone a malignant transformation, and fine needle aspiration is recommended in these cases.
Topical Hemostatic Agents and Risk of Postoperative Hemorrhage After Transoral Robotic Surgery
Authors: Maza Guillermo , Sharma Arun
Published: February 2024

Objective: Postoperative hemorrhage is the most common complication of transoral robotic surgery (TORS). The available research literature on topical hemostatic agents is deficient, despite their wide use. This study aims to evaluate the frequency and severity of hemorrhagic events after TORS procedures, performed with various topical hemostatic agents. Methods: This study was planned as a retrospective review to identify postoperative hemorrhage events in a database of all consecutive adult patients who required TORS from January 1, 2015, to April 1, 2020. All procedures were performed in one single institution by the same surgeon. In 2017, bovine gelatin matrix with thrombin (BgMT) was replaced by the porcine gelatin matrix with thrombin (PgMT) for all procedures. Postoperative hemorrhage was identified, along with hemostatic agents employed and other variables. Results: A cohort of 80 TORS procedures was obtained from a population of 78 individuals (60 males:18 females). BgMT was used in 28 procedures (35%), and five cases of postoperative hemorrhage were identified (17.8%), two of them were severe. PgMT was used in 52 procedures (65%) just observing one minor hemorrhagic event (1.92%). Although a significant difference was observed for total events between groups ( P = .0183), there was no difference between major or severe hemorrhagic events ( P = .1196). The overall rate of major and severe postoperative hemorrhage in the study population was 2.5% (n = 80). Conclusions: This is the first study to evaluate topical hemostatic agents during TORS procedures. The PgMT group had a reduced incidence of total postoperative hemorrhages, although there was no difference in the number of severe hemorrhagic events. The overall simplicity and cost-effectiveness of these agents would support their use, particularly considering the potential risk associated with airway hemorrhage.
Detecting multiple coexisting emotions from public emergency opinions
Authors: Li Qingqing , Zeng Zi Ming , Sun Shouqiang , Li Ting ting , Zeng Yingqi
Published: February 2024

To detect multiple coexisting emotions from public emergency opinions, this article proposes a novel two-stage multiple coexisting emotion-detection model. First, the text semantic feature extracted through bidirectional encoder representation from transformers (BERT) and the emotion lexicon feature extracted through the emotion dictionary are fused. Then, the emotion subjectivity judgement and multiple coexisting emotion detection are performed in two separate stages. In the first stage, we introduce synthetic minority oversampling technique (SMOTE) to enhance the balance of data distribution and select the optimal classifier to recognise opinion texts with emotion. In the second stage, the label powerset (LP)-SMOTE is proposed to increase the number of the minority category samples, and multichannel emotion classifiers and the decision mechanism are employed to recognise different types of emotions and determine the final coexisting emotion labels. Finally, the Weibo data about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are collected to verify the effectiveness of the proposed model. Experiment results indicate that the proposed model outperforms state-of-the-art models, with the F1_macro of 0.8532, the F1_micro of 0.8333, and the hamming loss of 0.0476. The emotion detection results are conducive to decision-making for public emergency departments.
Political friendship, respect, community: Hannah Arendt’s de-materialization of Aristotelian political friendship
Authors: Cain Alex
Published: February 2024

In this article I demonstrate how Hannah Arendt both appropriates and transforms Aristotle’s view of political friendship. I argue that the brief discussion of Aristotelian political friendship in The Human Condition relies on an earlier de-materialization of Aristotle’s work on friendship. This de-materialization of Aristotle’s view of friendship allows Arendt to discuss Aristotelian friendship as a kind of ‘respect’, where ‘respect’ is a philosophical notion unavailable to Aristotle. Ultimately, for Arendt, the experience of friendship opens up a space for human beings to begin to practice a distinct way of seeing one another – a ‘respect’ – that can in turn be practiced in public, making the experience of friendship an important precursor to action.
Comparative Impact of Various Fasting Periods on the Welfare of Sprague-Dawley Rats With or Without Supplementation
Authors: Adedeji Adeyemi O. , Zhong Fiona , Corpuz Janice , Hu Fangyao , Zhao Xiaofeng , Sangaraju Dewakar , Ruff Catherine F. , Dybdal Noel
Published: February 2024

In nonclinical toxicology studies, lab animals are fasted typically overnight, to reduce variability in some clinical pathology parameters. However, fasting adds undue stress, and this is particularly concerning in rodents given their fast metabolic rates. Furthermore, as rodents are nocturnal animals, an overnight fasting may cause a protracted negative metabolic state even when the fasting has technically ended, given their minimal activity and food consumption during the day. Therefore, to evaluate the impacts of different fasting durations (±DietGel supplementation) on rats’ welfare, we assessed the traditional and ancillary clinical pathology parameters in Sprague-Dawley rats, along with body weight, organ weight, and histopathology. Although most endpoints were comparable between the different fasting durations (±DietGel supplementation), the long fasting times (≥8 hr) without DietGel supplementation caused significant decreases in body weight, liver weight, liver glycogen content, serum glucose, triglyceride, and creatinine concentrations—all findings suggestive of a negative energy balance that could impact animal welfare and consequently, data quality; while the short fasting time (4 hr) and DietGel supplementation were associated with higher triglycerides variability. Hence, we propose that short fasting time should be adequate for most toxicology studies in rats, and long fasting times should only be accommodated with scientific justification.
Evaluating Sustainable Mobility: Motorized and Non-motorized Modes in Suburban Areas of Thailand
Authors: Iamtrakul Pawinee , Klaylee Jirawan , Raungratanaamporn I-Soon
Published: February 2024

The impact of sustainable mobility may be considered through the mode of non-motorization, which may vary by spatial environmental conditions, especially accessibility by active mobility in a necessarily safe, comfortable, and pleasant atmosphere. Sustainable mobility comprises willingness to allow commuting behaviors on non-motorized travel for safety and green ethics. These chiefly participate to create livable places, improve health and well-being, and promote quality of life and economic growth. By contrast, an impoverished street environment decreases the possibility of active mobility and relies on motorization. It is essential to explore the perception of road users through diverse environmental features of street networks and sidewalks directly affecting road user behavior and preferences about motorization and non-motorization. This study evaluated multi-indicators of sustainable urban mobility (SUM) for a group of road users, with data gathered by questionnaire-based survey. 1,998 Pathum Thani Province inhabitants in Thailand were asked to evaluate their neighborhood characteristics by SUM indicators. In addition to different social dimensions and socioeconomic backgrounds, transportation characteristics among diverse trip makers and different perceptions of mobility indicators were classified by factor analysis using principal components and spatial visualization. Results were that traffic management, including intersection controls and signage, as well as information, sidewalk, management, and personal mobility choices, is a key strategy to improve sustainable mobility. This is achieved by tailoring solutions to achieve a modal shift prioritized over other supportive facilities.
Validating the Teacher Version of Pediatric Symptom Checklist–17 in Chinese Elementary Schools
Authors: Liu Jin , Ding Ruyi , Liu Tuo , He Wei , Bao Yu , Gao Ruiqin , Hood Sarah K.
Published: February 2024

Before adopting a scale for a new culture, researchers should conduct systematic translation procedures and evaluations to ensure its psychometric quality. The Pediatric Symptom Checklist–17 (PSC-17) is a brief and valid scale developed by U.S. researchers to evaluate children’s emotional, attentional, and behavioral problems. This study aimed to adapt the PSC-17 to a Chinese version for use in elementary school settings. In this process, 74 teachers rated 666 students using the PSC-17. These students were also assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and additional questions (e.g., teachers’ referral status and demographic information). The scale was successfully translated into simplified Chinese using a standard procedure. Factor analysis supported a general factor model for the PSC-17. Furthermore, decent criterion validity and internal consistency were verified. Finally, a cut-off score of 17 was established, slightly higher than the original cut-off score of 15. We concluded that the PSC-17 is a high-quality screening tool in Chinese elementary schools. The findings are particularly relevant to researchers investigating children’s emotional, attentional, and behavioral development within the Chinese cultural context.
The impact of the Starting dialysis on Time, At home on the Right Therapy (START) project on the use of peritoneal dialysis
Authors: Quinn Robert R , Oliver Matthew J , Clarke Alix , Mohamed Farah , Klarenbach Scott W , Manns Braden J , Fox Danielle E , Scott-Douglas Nairne , Morrin Louise , Kozinski Anita , Schwartz Tracy , Pauly Robert
Published: February 2024

Background:

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is actively promoted, but increasing PD utilisation is difficult. The objective of this study was to determine if the Starting dialysis on Time, At Home, on the Right Therapy (START) project was associated with an increase in the proportion of dialysis patients receiving PD within 6 months of starting therapy.

Methods:

Consecutive patients over age 18, with end-stage kidney failure, who started dialysis between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2018 in the province of Alberta, Canada. Programmes were provided with high-quality data about the individual steps in the process of care that drive PD utilisation that were used to identify problem areas, design and implement interventions to address them, and then evaluate whether those interventions had impact. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients receiving PD within 6 months of starting dialysis. Secondary outcomes included hospitalisation, death or probability of transfer to haemodialysis (HD). Interrupted time series methodology was used to evaluate the impact of the quality improvement initiative on the primary and secondary outcomes.

Results:

A total of 1962 patients started dialysis during the study period. Twenty-seven per cent of incident patients received PD at baseline, and there was a 5.4% (95% confidence interval: 1.5–9.2) increase in the use of PD in the province immediately after implementation. There were no changes in the rates of hospitalisation, death or probability of transfer to HD after the introduction of START.

Conclusions:

The approach used in the START project was associated with an increase in the use of PD in a setting with high baseline utilisation.
Safety and Feasibility of Opening Tamsulosin Capsules for Enteral Feeding Tube Administration
Authors: Fazio Victoria , Altshuler Jerry , Song Yong-Bum
Published: February 2024

Purpose: Tamsulosin is formulated as sustained release beads within a capsule to prevent rapid absorption and associated hypotension. The package insert advises the capsule is swallowed whole; not crushed, chewed, or opened. To our knowledge, there are no current data on opening capsules for adults with enteral tube feeds. Given the unidentified safety and efficacy of administration via enteral tubes, alternative alpha blockers with less selectivity for alpha1A are often used. Methods: A single center retrospective chart review was conducted at two hospital sites. Adult patients that received at least one dose of tamsulosin or doxazosin while an enteral feeding tube was placed were included. Safety outcomes evaluated were the number of documented tube obstructions and incidence of medication associated hypotension. Results: 169 patients were included. Ten enteral feeding tube obstructions were reported, 4 of 110 (3.64%) in the tamsulosin arm and 6 of 59 (10.17%) in the doxazosin arm (RR .36, 95% CI .11 to 1.22, P = .099). At least 1 episode of medication associated hypotension occurred in 22 of 98 (22.45%) in the tamsulosin arm and 20 of 49 (40.82%) in the doxazosin arm (RR .55, 95% CI .33 to .91, P = .019). Conclusion: There was no statistically significant difference in the number of tube obstructions between patients receiving tamsulosin or doxazosin via enteral tube feeds. Patients receiving doxazosin were at increased risk of experiencing medication related hypotension. Tamsulosin capsules may be opened and administered via enteral feeding tubes if administered with content integrity intact.
Understanding Australian Pharmacists’ Perceptions on the Utilisation of Oral 5-HT3 Antagonists as Pharmacist-Only Anti-Emetics in Comparison to Oral D2 Antagonists
Authors: Hendry Aiden , Janetzki Jack , Chai Wern Chern
Published: February 2024

Objectives: To investigate the perception of community pharmacists on the down-scheduling of 5-HT3 antagonists to pharmacist-only-medicine for treatment of acute nausea and/or vomiting in Australia. Methods: A nationwide anonymous survey targeting Australian community pharmacists was conducted from April to May 2023. Responses were collected and analysed quantitively or qualitatively, where appropriate. Key findings: Participants reported that 5-HT3 antagonists were effective at treating nausea and/or vomiting and would likely recommend their use. Training is required to manage supply due to concerns related to their side effects. Conclusion: Participants supported down-scheduling of 5-HT3 antagonists for the treatment of nausea and/or vomiting in Australia. A pilot study on the provision of 5-HT3 antagonists by pharmacists is recommended as is the development of guidelines for pharmacist-only supply before down-scheduling is considered.
Estimating the Sex Gap in Depression-Free Life Expectancy Among Widowed Americans Aged 50 and Older: An Application Using the Interpolated Markov Chain Approach
Authors: Feraldi Alessandro , Giudici Cristina , Brouard Nicolas
Published: February 2024

Objectives

Using Interpolated Markov Chain software, we compare the length of life with and without depression among married individuals and widowers, and the related sex differences.

Methods

We applied a multi-state life table approach to estimate depression-free life expectancy among recent cohorts of older married and widowed women and men in the United States, using data from the Health and Retirement Study over a 7-year period (2012–2018).

Results

The study revealed that the difference in life expectancy between sexes widens in the context of widowhood. At age 50, the sex gap in depression-free life expectancy is 0.8 years among married people, whereas the gap almost doubles to 1.7 years among widowed people.

Discussion

By quantifying disparities in the duration of life affected by depression between married and widowed women and men, policymakers could properly allocate resources specifically to address the mental health needs of these groups.
One-step preparation of high performance Ni-MoS2 self-lubricating coatings via jet electrodeposition on additive manufactured aluminum alloy
Authors: Zhao Jiantao , Chen Ya , Shen Lida , Pang Haozhe , Yu Ziyang , Zhou Kai , Huang Dazhi , Wang Dongsheng
Published: February 2024

Composite coatings with solid lubricants can improve the tribological performance of aluminum alloy parts prepared by Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF). In this study, Ni-MoS2 self-lubricating composite coatings were one-step prepared on additive manufactured aluminum alloy surface via jet electrodeposition. The properties and lubrication performance of the coatings prepared using composite electrolyte with different MoS2 particle diameters and concentrations were investigated. The lubrication mechanism of the composite coating was discussed. The results showed that 0.8 μm MoS2 had less agglomeration than 80 nm, resulting in a uniform surface. The lubrication performance of the composite coating was affected by MoS2 particles content and coating hardness. With the increase of MoS2 concentration in the composite electrolyte, the friction coefficient and wear rate decreased, and achieved the best lubrication performance of 0.12 friction coefficient and 0.11 mg/m wear rate when MoS2 composite electrolyte is 5 g/l and MoS2 is 0.8 μm. However, the addition of soft MoS2 decreased the coating hardness, lower hardness will cause lubrication failure.
Mechanical resonance suppression of the high-speed parallel robot based on fractional order disturbance observer
Authors: Ni Jinlu , Mei Jiangping
Published: February 2024

Considering the flexibility of the transmission shaft system, this paper presents an approach for mechanical resonance suppression of the high-speed parallel robot based on fractional order disturbance observer. First, in order to evaluate mechanical resonance, a decoupled mechatronic dynamics model is built. Based on the proposed decoupled dynamics model, the mechanical resonance under different influence factors is analyzed. Then, based on the three closed-loop control structure of servo system, a model-based parameter tuning method is adopted in the controller parameter tuning. Finally, inspired by the traditional disturbance observer, a fractional order disturbance observer is established by introducing a fractional order filter. Results show that due to the flexibility of the transmission shaft system, under the combined action of mechanical disturbance torque and electromagnetic driving torque, the joint transmission system will generate mechanical resonance phenomena. Therefore, this paper proposes a method for the mechanical resonance suppression of the high-speed parallel robot based on the fractional order disturbance observer. And the proposed method can be applied to other mechatronic device including flexible transmission shaft system.
Dietary change of North Patagonian guanacos: A historical ecology perspective through the study of stable isotopes
Authors: Gil Adolfo F , Otaola Clara , Dombrosky Jonathan , Luna Martín , Quiroga Gisela , Dauverné Armado , Wolverton Steve , Pereyra Lobos Roberto , Neme Gustavo
Published: February 2024

This paper presents the results of a study on the isotopic ecology of guanacos in central western Argentina. We examine the historical population ecology of guanacos using stable isotope analysis of bone collagen from pre-Hispanic and modern guanaco populations ( n = 129), considering variability in two ecoregions: the Monte hot desert and the Andean-Patagonian cold desert. Our study addresses the consistency of guanaco diets over time, evaluating palaeoecology to provide information for conservation of this taxon. We found significant differences in isotopic niche size between modern and archaeological guanacos. When analyzed by ecoregion, there were significant differences in niche size through time, indicating that guanacos had distinctive dietary habits and occupied different ecological niches across the ecoregions. Comparing Standard Ellipse Areas (SEA) through time and across space, we observed that the archaeological SEA for guanacos is smaller than its modern counterpart in the Andean-Patagonia ecoregion. Conversely, in Monte, the archaeological SEA is larger than the one established for modern samples. The contrast between pre-Hispanic and modern populations highlight the impact of human activity and conservation efforts on the distribution and ecology of guanacos. These findings have important implications for understanding guanaco ecology with consequences for conservation policies.