bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Supplemental Table 1 from Associations Between Serum Iron Biomarkers and Breast Cancer Tumor Size
Authors: Von Holle Ann , Thompson Rachel L. , O'Brien Katie M. , Sandler Dale P. , Weinberg Clarice R.
Published: January 2024

Supplemental Table 1: Associations between iron biomarkers, tumor size, and metastatic status (excluding diagnoses within 6 months of baseline and over 4 years after baseline and women who took iron supplements 4+ days/week at baseline)
Supplemental Figure 1 from Associations Between Serum Iron Biomarkers and Breast Cancer Tumor Size
Authors: Von Holle Ann , Thompson Rachel L. , O'Brien Katie M. , Sandler Dale P. , Weinberg Clarice R.
Published: January 2024

Supplemental Figure 1: Flow diagram for the analytic sample of 2,494 women with a tumor size measure from the total of 3,007 diagnosed with invasive or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) breast cancer.
Adopting photovoice to explore teachers’ experiences in online teaching
Authors: Pratolo Bambang Widi , Rofiqoh Rofiqoh , Anggraeni Candradewi Wahyu , Armin Diah Safithri
Published: January 2024

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has caused a rapid and massive change in the education sector across the world and left no choice to teachers to maintain their status quo. As a country with very diverse geographical and technological conditions, Indonesia has felt the severe impact of this pandemic. This study explores how Indonesian English as foreign language (EFL) teachers struggle to adapt to the online teaching process, identifies the challenges they encountered during the online teaching and learning process, and investigates their strategies in coping with the associated challenges to ensure the learning objectives were achieved. This study employed photovoice as a visual research methodology to capture the new phenomena and answer the research objectives by inviting four English teachers from three different islands, Java, Sumatra, and Sulawesi to share their experiences and strategies for survival. The results indicated that Indonesian EFL teachers suffered from challenging experiences, including the trial and error of learning management system (LMS) choice, and were confronted with unpleasant feedback from the students. This study also identified poor internet connection and low online student participation as the main issues. To deal with such problems, especially with low student participation, they viewed disadvantaged situations as a trigger to improve their creativity.
Differentiated instruction based on multiple intelligences as promising joyful and meaningful learning
Authors: Anggoro Subuh , Fitriati Azmi , Thoe Ng Khar , Talib Corrienna Abdul , Mareza Lia
Published: January 2024

Boredom has previously been linked to negative academic outcomes such as academic motivation, strategies, and achievement. The understanding of multiple intelligence approaches creates opportunities for all learners to develop their potential to optimize learning through differentiated instructions. This research aims: i) to design and to develop differentiated instruction based on learners’ multiple intelligences for elementary schools; and ii) to measure the effectivity of students’ learning attitude and mastery of concepts. Using design and development research (DDR) anchored on analysis, development, design, implementation, and evaluation (ADDIE) model and quasi-experimental research, the differentiated instruction based on multiple intelligence was conducted in a private Islamic Elementary School in collaboration with 3 class teachers. Based on the results of observations conducted at the school, the findings revealed that the learners can maximize their logical-mathematical, language, kinesthetic, interpersonal, and intrapersonal intelligences through a differentiated instruction based on multiple intelligence approach. Students experienced a joyful and meaningful learning atmosphere; hence it was expected that their intelligences can be developed naturally. In addition. this instruction was found to be effective to enhance science concept mastery especially in the aspects of remembering, understanding, and applying. The differentiated instruction based on multiple intelligences should be developed further to examine the effectiveness of the model in thematic learning for students both with low and high achievement.
English teachers’ practices and beliefs towards instructional media in Indonesia
Authors: Akmal Saiful , Nastiti Diah Bunga , M. Isa Qudwatin Nisak , Muluk Safrul , Yusuf Yunisrina Qismullah , Maulida Titin Arifa
Published: January 2024

Teachers’ practices and beliefs about instructional media are crucial in teaching English, as they can motivate students’ enthusiasm if teachers use them engagingly. Despite their importance, teachers’ practices and beliefs regarding instructional media in Islamic secondary schools in Indonesia have received less attention. The purpose of this qualitative study was to discover how teachers used instructional media and their beliefs towards employing it to teach English. We gathered information from two female English teachers at selected Islamic junior high schools in Aceh, Indonesia through observations and interviews. The results revealed that teachers utilized photos, whiteboards, overhead projectors, and flashcards to teach English. In their English foreign language classrooms, they used instructional media to facilitate students’ learning by explaining the materials, and giving exercises. Teachers believed that instructional media could help boost students’ interest, facilitate the learning process, and promote the achievement of teaching and learning objectives. They specified that curriculum and topic lessons are essential factors to consider when selecting instructional media for teaching English. They alleged that students’ feedback, participation in seminars or workshops, self-discovery, and new curricula could all have an impact on their beliefs. Future research should look into potentially more comprehensive accounts of teachers’ practices and beliefs about instructional media in varied secondary school contexts as well as how engaged students in more interactive classroom activities.
The effectiveness of automated writing evaluation: a structural analysis approach
Authors: Sanosi Abdulaziz B. , Mohammed Mohammed Omar Musa
Published: January 2024

Modern advancement in learning technologies and tools has presented innovative written corrective feedback (WCF) methods based on artificial intelligence (AI) and existing corpora. Research has shown that these tools are perceived as exciting and useful by students, yet studies on their effectiveness and impact on students’ writing are relatively insufficient. To this end, the present study investigated the effectiveness of Grammarly writing assistant as perceived by 98 undergraduates who used the tool for a 14-week semester. The study adopted a questionnaire based on a modified technology acceptance model (TAM). The gathered data was analyzed using SmartPLS 3 software. The results revealed that different factors predict students’ perceptions about Grammarly and their intention to use it. Some of these factors were not presupposed. The findings imply using Grammarly as an extra learning tool rather than a basic one. It is suggested that future research on the efficacy of Grammarly should adopt longitudinal and experimental approaches.
Publishing a research paper in reputable journals: doctoral students’ perspectives
Authors: Hidayat Nur , Setiawan Slamet , Anam Syafiul
Published: January 2024

This study aimed to enquire about the English foreign language (EFL) doctoral students’ perspective, especially in the non-English department, concerning the Indonesian government policy, which obliges an article published in a reputable international journal as a requirement to receive a doctoral degree. Their challenges in publishing their papers in Scopus or Web of Science (WOS)-indexed journals and their resolutions were also analyzed. A mixed-methods technique was used to obtain quantitative and qualitative information. The study consisted of 57 respondents, comprising 25 males and 32 females, who were EFL doctoral students of education departments from five universities. The purposive sampling method with several criteria was used to determine the study participants. Data were then collected through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Subsequently, the findings showed that the policy of publishing a paper in Scopus or WOS-indexed journals to obtain an EFL doctoral degree was burdensome to the majority of the students. Other findings showed that the students faced several challenges in publishing their papers in these journals, including language problems, cost of publication, journal selection, lack of experience, duration to publish, writing difficulties, revising, and stress. The actions to resolve these challenges were also provided in this study.
Remote assessment of learning during the pandemic: junior high school teachers’ experiences
Authors: Garcia Rizaldy Escobar , Macaballug Monica Elaijan R. , Perez Edilberto I.
Published: January 2024

This paper explores the teachers’ experiences of remote assessment in the Junior High School of Rizal Technological University. The qualitative study was used to determine the assessment methods used during the remote learning in terms of written and performance task and identify the most effective among other difficulties faced by the teachers in comparison with face-to-face. Data of the paper were obtained by conducting interviews that use open-ended questions from 10 participants who teach in the School Year 2021-2022. The analysis of the study was done according to themes and categories and participants’ answers were quotes excerpted from the transcripts. The study’s conclusion emphasizes the significance of carefully planning exams to guarantee academic integrity. With emphasis on the need to focus on cognitive, emotional, and psychomotor abilities when designing learning exams, especially for online learning, as well as the use of technology tools to monitor results and prevent dishonest behavior during online assessments. Finally, a complementary technique for evaluating students while they are engaged in online learning through teaching resources or learning management systems must be available.
Diversifying Quranic revision methods using gamification-based teaching material for tahfiz education
Authors: Ahmad Abd Muhaimin , Ab Rahman Azman , Saleh Muhammad Hafiz , Daud Zainora
Published: January 2024

This study discusses the development procedure of the global tahfiz game (GTG) as a teaching aid for the Quranic revision subject for tahfiz students based on the gamification concept. Comprehensive design and development research (DDR) was used as the research method. The analysis includes conceptual and material development, expert evaluation, testing, and the final product. The development of concepts and materials used in this gamification was based on the theoretical framework of mechanics, dynamics, and aesthetics (MDA), with the application of tahfiz education elements. To examine the ability of GTG prototype to tackle the users’ needs, we have conducted the usability analysis. The expert teacher's mean score for the trial run on this gamification was high at 4.85. The trial run score for student participants was also high (4.45). The result demonstrated that most of the constructs are perceived at a high level by respondents. Thus, this indicated the high usability of GTG to be used as a teaching aid for a Quranic revision subject. The gamification of Quranic tahfiz based on board games has been finalized through recommendations and improvements based on the evaluation. The study findings are expected to be useful for educational institutions or researchers in developing teaching materials using the MDA framework for gamification, particularly in the field of Islamic education.
Analyzing students’ statistical literacy skills based on gender, grade, and educational field
Authors: Riwayani Riwayani , Istiyono Edi , Supahar Supahar , Perdana Riki , Soeharto Soeharto
Published: January 2024

Statistical literacy is fundamental competence to think critically and to conclude information based on data. This study aims to describe students’ statistical literacy according to gender, grade, and educational field. This research was a quantitative method with a cross-sectional design by explaining and analyzing the results using Rasch modeling, and students’ statistical literacy was categorized and described according to statistical literacy topics, gender, student grade level, and educational field. The respondent of this study was 271 students obtained through the stratified random sampling in Yogyakarta’s senior high school. The result of this study confirmed that the statistical literacy skills of students are still at a low level. The lowest aspect is the scope of conclusions, while the highest aspect is data production (medium level). There are no significant differences in statistical literacy skills based on gender and class. However, there are significant differences in statistical literacy based on field education. It indicates that policymakers or teachers should improve students’ statistical literacy skills by training or applying a learning model that focuses explicitly on statistical literacy skills.
Cultural intermediary in higher education based on ethical relation
Authors: Madrah Muna Yastuti , Suharko Suharko , Sartika Diana Dewi
Published: January 2024

Preliminary studies on cultural intermediaries focused on social classes that mediate the production and consumption of culture. Therefore, this study determined the importance of the cultural intermediaries of migrant worker university students who popularize the values of higher education for the working class. Habitus and replication of meaning were used as analytical tools, with an alternative perspective proposed on cultural intermediaries using an ethical approach. The results showed that the cultural intermediary based on ethical relationships produces a new individual involvement of marginalized groups. Meanwhile, community relations with a similar social context are strengthened, enabling individuals to combine their allegiances and continuously generate values to suit certain social situations.
Innovative learning methods of Islamic education subject in Indonesia: a meta-analysis
Authors: Jayanegara Anuraga , Mukhtarom Asrori , Marzuki Ismail
Published: January 2024

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of innovative learning methods in the Islamic education (ISE) subject on learning motivation, learning activity, and learning achievement of students in the elementary and secondary schools in Indonesia. This study employed the meta-analysis method which is among the quantitative research approach. There were 47 literatures that eligible to be included in the database. Results revealed that, for the learning motivation variable, effect size value in the form of odds ratio was significantly higher than 1.0 (average 3.008 [2.020-4.480]; P<0.001). For the learning activity variable, effect size value was significantly higher than 1.0 (average 2.905 [2.113-3.994]; P<0.001). For the learning achievement variable, effect size value was significantly higher than 1.0 (average 4.941 [4.136-5.903]; P<0.001). These indicated that innovative learning methods were able to elevate learning motivation, activity and achievement. There were no significant differences among the categories within most of the sub-groups, except for the sub-group of cycle, in which cycle 2 showed higher learning achievement than that of cycle 1 (P<0.05). It can be concluded that innovative learning methods are able to elevate learning motivation, learning activity, and learning achievement of students at elementary and secondary schools to study the Islamic education subject. Future work should address the interaction between each particular innovative learning method and the ISE specific topic.
Embedding higher order thinking skills in Islamic history (Sirah) education in Malaysia
Authors: Ajmain@Jima’ain Muhammad Talhah , Mohamed Ahmad Marzuki , Hehsan Aminudin , Saidalvi Aminabibi , Mohd Nasir Badlihisham , Faisal Muhammad Sobri , Awae Fareed
Published: January 2024

The promotion of integrating higher order thinking skills (HOTS) in the Malaysian education system is pivotal to producing analytical thinkers to keep up with the rapid globalization of this era. Thus, the implementation of HOTS in learning and facilitation (PdPc) has been emphasized. However, little is known about the integration of HOTS in Islamic history and civilization (Sirah) lessons. Furthermore, teachers continue to use traditional methods and disregard incorporating HOTS in PdPc. Therefore, the current study conducted an in-depth investigation into the components of Sirah lessons to support the implementation of the Malaysian education development plan (PPPM) 2013-2015 by strengthening teaching techniques through the use of HOTS for a better understanding of Sirah lessons. Using an explanatory sequential mixed method design, the findings reveal that the teaching components of Sirah lessons with the integration of HOTS are at a moderate level in the conclusion stage of a lesson. Therefore, the current study proposes a model that integrates HOTS, i.e., the element of attitude, preparation and planning, teaching aids with relevant aspects of PAK21, knowledge of HOTS, mastery of the subject content, teaching techniques and approach, assessment, and evaluation.
Reflective thinking in school: a systematic review
Authors: Titus Anto , Muttungal Peter Varkey
Published: January 2024

Everything around us changes rapidly and to adapt to these constantly changing conditions and to understand the meaning of our life in the society in which we live, we must reflectively and consciously think about our actions in each given scenario. A school is a miniature form of society where learners are exposed to situations where they need to find solutions for every problem faced. No faultless solution and conclusions can be arrived at without a carefully employed reflective thinking process. In this context, the present study reviewed 19 intervention studies on reflective thinking in schools published between 2010 and 2021 and presents a brief summary. Various theories on reflective thinking, approach of educationists on reflective thinking of students and the relation between reflective thinking and students’ academic performance, are extensively analyzed. The findings of the study reveal that there are a few generally accepted theories of reflective thinking; reflection is a useful learning strategy and reflective thinking is an essential characteristic of academic excellence. This study recommends future research with a wider scope to accommodate more theoretical perspectives and wide-ranging databases.
Steady-state Visual Evoked Potentials Reveal Dynamic (Re)allocation of Spatial Attention during Maintenance and Utilization of Visual Working Memory
Authors: Chota Samson , Bruat Arnaud T. , Van der Stigchel Stefan , Strauch Christoph
Published: January 2024

Visual working memory (VWM) allows storing goal-relevant information to guide future behavior. Prior work suggests that VWM is spatially organized and relies on spatial attention directed toward locations at which memory items were encoded, even if location is task-irrelevant. Importantly, attention often needs to be dynamically redistributed between locations, for example, in preparation for an upcoming probe. Very little is known about how attentional resources are distributed between multiple locations during a VWM task and even less about the dynamic changes governing such attentional shifts over time. This is largely due to the inability to use behavioral outcomes to reveal fast dynamic changes within trials. We here demonstrated that EEG steady-state visual evoked potentials (SSVEPs) successfully track the dynamic allocation of spatial attention during a VWM task. Participants were presented with to-be-memorized gratings and distractors at two distinct locations, tagged with flickering discs. This allowed us to dynamically track attention allocated to memory and distractor items via their coupling with space by quantifying the amplitude and coherence of SSVEP responses in the EEG signal to flickering stimuli at the former memory and distractor locations. SSVEP responses did not differ between memory and distractor locations during early maintenance. However, shortly before probe comparison, we observed a decrease in SSVEP coherence over distractor locations indicative of a reallocation of spatial attentional resources. RTs were shorter when preceded by stronger decreases in SSVEP coherence at distractor locations, likely reflecting attentional shifts from the distractor to the probe or memory location. We demonstrate that SSVEPs can inform about dynamic processes in VWM, even if location does not have to be reported by participants. This finding not only supports the notion of a spatially organized VWM but also reveals that SSVEPs betray a dynamic prioritization process of working memory items and locations over time that is directly predictive of memory performance.
Encoding-related Brain Activity Predicts Subsequent Trial-level Control of Proactive Interference in Working Memory
Authors: Samrani George , Persson Jonas
Published: January 2024

Proactive interference (PI) appears when familiar information interferes with newly acquired information and is a major cause of forgetting in working memory. It has been proposed that encoding of item–context associations might help mitigate familiarity-based PI. Here, we investigate whether encoding-related brain activation could predict subsequent level of PI at retrieval using trial-specific parametric modulation. Participants were scanned with event-related fMRI while performing a 2-back working memory task with embedded 3-back lures designed to induce PI. We found that the ability to control interference in working memory was modulated by level of activation in the left inferior frontal gyrus, left hippocampus, and bilateral caudate nucleus during encoding. These results provide insight to the processes underlying control of PI in working memory and suggest that encoding of temporal context details support subsequent interference control.
Preparation and characterisation of novel casein-gum Arabic composite microcapsules for targeted in vivo delivery of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum A3
Authors: Chang C. , Zong M. , Teng Y. , Zeng X. , Guo Y. , Pan D. , Zhang T. , Wu Z.
Published: January 2024

The health benefits of probiotics in the body are predicated on their ability to remain viable in harsh gastrointestinal conditions and complex pathological microenvironments. Casein and gum Arabic (GA), with dual emulsifying and stabilising effects in colloidal systems. Therefore, the objective of this research was to develop a novel microcapsule to encapsulate Lactiplantibacillus plantarum A3 using casein and GA as wall materials to improve the survival of the bacteria during gastrointestinal digestion, storage and lyophilization. The casein and GA composite microcapsules were prepared and characterised by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was found that the microcapsules had stable morphology, uniform size and spherical shape. The results revealed that the encapsulation of microcapsules significantly improved the survival of L. plantarum A3 in gastrointestinal fluid environment (5.52 × 109 cfu/ml) and lyophilization treatment (6.25 × 109 cfu/ml). Furthermore, the microencapsulated L. plantarum A3 exhibited an improved ability to regulate intestinal microbiota by effectively increasing the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria and decreasing the relative abundance of Firmicutes in vivo. The findings of the study will help to design a lactic acid bacteria encapsulation system based on the gastrointestinal environment and provide a basis for the development of probiotic functional products.
Two new species of Moniliophthora from Punjab, Pakistan
Authors: HAQNAWAZ MUHAMMAD , FATIMA NADIA , NIAZI ABDUL REHMAN , KHALID ABDUL NASIR
Published: January 2024

Several basidiomata of the genus Moniliophthora were found on plant debris, from the bed of the Indus River, Kot Addu, and an irrigated plantation in Chichawatni, Sahiwal, Pakistan. The morpho-anatomical examination along with phylogenetic analyses support the independent position of Moniliophthora purpurensis and M. capitata within the genus Moniliophthora. M. purpurensis is characterized, by an umbilicate and purplish pileus, bifurcate cheilocystidia, long pileal hairs, and lanceolate, lageniform-pedunculate caulocystidia. M. capitata is characterized by having a conical to applanate, dark brown stipe base, polymorphic caulocystidia, and the presence of a conical cap on terminal hair elements of pileus. We present the two new species with illustrated descriptions, molecular analyses, and comparison with morphologically similar or phylogenetically related species.
Cattleya × paulae (Orchidaceae—Laeliinae), a new nothospecies from Sempre-Vivas National Park, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Authors: DA LUZ FERNANDES MENEZES EULER , VIOTTI JULIA
Published: January 2024

Numerous species of Cattleya ser. Parviflorae often coexist in the same habitat, and hybrids can occur when their flowering seasons overlap or when one species initiates blooming shortly after another. The formation of hybrids will depend on whether the flowers of both species are structurally compatible. Most Cattleya ser. Parviflorae species are saxicolous or rupicolous and grow on granite and gneiss coastal mountains or on rock outcrops of quartzitic iron ore. Sympatric populations of Cattleya rupestris and Cattleya porphyrascens were encountered within the Sempre-Vivas National Park (PNSV), together with a new nothospecies on a rock outcrop it shared with those parent species. This study provides an illustrative plate comparing the labellum of the nothospecies with its parental species, as well as a map indicating its location within the National Park.
Spicy genus: Dicypellium anisum (Lauraceae), a newly discovered third species of the aromatic genus Dicypellium
Authors: ALVES FLÁVIO MACEDO , LOVO JULIANA , LAGE VIANA PEDRO , ZAPPI DANIELA CRISTINA
Published: January 2024

During fieldwork to assess biodiversity of the canga at the Serra de Campos, São Félix do Xingu, in the mountains of the Amazon rainforest, a new species of Lauraceae, Dicypellium anisum, was discovered, which is described and illustrated here. It is distinct from the other Dicypellium species by its shrubby habit, triplinerved leaves with domatia in the axils of the basal veins, and vegetative parts with aniseed scent.
Taxonomic review of the Strongylophthalmyia ustulata group (Diptera: Brachycera: Strongylophthalmyiidae) from China, with the descriptions of three new species
Authors: ZHOU JIALE , EVENHUIS NEAL L. , YANG DING
Published: January 2024

The Strongylophthalmyia ustulata group (Diptera: Brachycera: Strongylophthalmyiidae) from China is revised. Five species are recognized, including three new species (S. elongata sp. nov., S. flavimarginata sp. nov., and S. sivelli sp. nov.) and one new record species [S. ustulata (Zetterstedt, 1847)]. Strongylophthalmyia yaoshana Yang & Wang, 1998, previously placed in the S. ustulata group, is herein transferred to the S. fascipennis group based on its bare antennal arista and patterned wing. A key to the Chinese species of the S. ustulata group is provided.
Evolution of Internal Gravity Waves in a Mesoscale Eddy Simulated Using a Novel Model
Authors: Sebastia Saez Pablo , Eden Carsten , Chouksey Manita
Published: January 2024

We investigate the effect of wave–eddy interaction and dissipation of internal gravity waves propagating in a coherent mesoscale eddy simulated using a novel numerical model called the Internal Wave Energy Model based on the six-dimensional radiative transfer equation. We use an idealized mean flow structure and stratification, motivated by observations of a coherent eddy in the Canary Current System. In a spindown simulation using the Garret–Munk model spectrum as initial conditions, we find that wave energy decreases at the eddy rim. Lateral shear leads to wave energy gain due to a developing horizontal anisotropy outside the eddy and at the rim, while vertical shear leads to wave energy loss which is enhanced at the eddy rim. Wave energy loss by wave dissipation due to vertical shear dominates over horizontal shear. Our results show similar behavior of the internal gravity wave in a cyclonic as well as an anticyclonic eddy. Wave dissipation by vertical wave refraction occurs predominantly at the eddy rim near the surface, where related vertical diffusivities range from to .

Significance Statement

Using a novel model and observations from the Canary Current System of a coherent eddy of 100-km diameter, we explore the interaction between a realistic internal gravity wave field and this eddy. We study wave refraction and energy transfers between the waves and the eddy induced by the eddy’s lateral and vertical shear. Waves lose energy at the eddy rim by vertical shear and gain outside of the eddy rim by horizontal shear. We find large vertical wave refraction by vertical shear at the eddy rim, where waves break and mix density, which can have wide ranging effects on the ocean’s circulation. These results are important for understanding the ocean’s mixing and energy cycle and to develop eddy and wave parameterizations.
The Bear: New (stereotypical) representations of Italian Americans in contemporary television series
Authors: Grazia Serra Alessandra Olga
Published: January 2024

This article investigates the representations of Italian Americans in the successful TV series The Bear (2022–), following Ryan Calabretta-Sajder and Alan J Gravano's innovative critical framework according to which the field of Italian American cinema, TV and media studies needs to go beyond the strict notion of ethnicity and be, instead, reconsidered as an intersectional area including issues as class, gender, sexuality, power and production. The Bear portrays Carmen (‘Carmy’) Berzatto, a young top chef who returns to his hometown of Chicago to take over his family's Italian sandwich shop and who is living through an emotional breakdown because of his brother's death. The series received great praise for its ground-breaking narration style and nonconformist characters. Still, while the narrative arc of the series does not focus on the Italian roots of the protagonist and his family, many of the climatic moments recurrently exploit the commonplace repertoire of Italian American type: loud, quickly bursting into fits of rage, family obsessed, food enthusiast, somehow involved in dirty business. This analysis will explore how, in this contemporary depiction of Italian Americans, the author paradoxically departs and at the same time relies on the stereotypical dominant cliche usually employed for these characters. As a result, a transitional narration emerges, portraying figures precariously balancing between innovation and conservatism. With a discursive approach, this article will examine how The Bear follows this contradictory pattern, seemingly dismissing crystalized representational myths of Italian descent in the USA and simultaneously validating them.
A Care Paradox: The Relationship Between Older Adults’ Caregiving Arrangements and Institutionalization and Mortality
Authors: Jordan Meggan , Latham-Mintus Kenzie , Patterson Sarah E.
Published: January 2024

We investigate how the type of caregiving arrangement is associated with older Americans’ outcomes. We use the Health and Retirement Study (2004–2018) and discrete-time event history analysis to assess the odds of institutionalization or death over a 14-year period among older adults with limitations in Activities of Daily Living (ADLs; e.g., bathing). We consider caregiving arrangements as conventional (i.e., spouse or adult child), unconventional (e.g., extended family, employee, friend), or self-directed (i.e., no caregiver). We find a “care paradox” in that self-directing one’s own care was associated with a lower risk of institutionalization or death compared with having conventional care (spouse/adult caregiver) and unconventional care (employee). Relative to conventional care, having an employee caregiver was associated with increased risk of institutionalization. Findings are still observed when controlling for level of impairment and various health-related factors. More research is needed to understand older adults who self-direct their own care.
Unwelcome Immigrants Knocking on the Door: Demographic Features of Immigrants and Populist Attitudes Rising in South American Countries
Authors: Hwang Jeongnam , Choi Jeongho
Published: January 2024

Previous studies examining the link between immigration and populism have found mixed empirical results. By focusing on the populist attitude among native citizens, this article revisits the question of how immigration affects populism. In addition, we investigate this relationship in South America where immigrants are more educated, and skilled and have similar cultural or historical roots to native citizens. By using Latino Barometro data from 2000 to 2018, our empirical analysis of 10 South American countries finds that immigration fuels the populist attitude among citizens in South American countries. We also demonstrate the proportion of working-age immigrants or the level of economic development of immigrants’ home countries can change the influence of immigration on populism. These findings suggest that despite different features of immigration in this region than observed in other regions such as Europe the link between immigration and populism still holds.
Learning dexterity from human hand motion in internet videos
Authors: Shaw Kenneth , Bahl Shikhar , Sivakumar Aravind , Kannan Aditya , Pathak Deepak
Published: January 2024

To build general robotic agents that can operate in many environments, it is often useful for robots to collect experience in the real world. However, unguided experience collection is often not feasible due to safety, time, and hardware restrictions. We thus propose leveraging the next best thing as real world experience: videos of humans using their hands. To utilize these videos, we develop a method that retargets any 1st person or 3rd person video of human hands and arms into the robot hand and arm trajectories. While retargeting is a difficult problem, our key insight is to rely on only internet human hand video to train it. We use this method to present results in two areas: First, we build a system that enables any human to control a robot hand and arm, simply by demonstrating motions with their own hand. The robot observes the human operator via a single RGB camera and imitates their actions in real-time. This enables the robot to collect real-world experience safely using supervision. See these results at https://robotic-telekinesis.github.io . Second, we retarget in-the-wild human internet video into task-conditioned pseudo-robot trajectories to use as artificial robot experience. This learning algorithm leverages action priors from human hand actions, visual features from the images, and physical priors from dynamical systems to pretrain typical human behavior for a particular robot task. We show that by leveraging internet human hand experience, we need fewer robot demonstrations compared to many other methods. See these results at https://video-dex.github.io
Risk factors for hospital readmission among patients with cirrhosis and ascites in China: a retrospective observational study
Authors: Li Na , Xu Mei , Liu Shi-Ying , Yu Ming-Qin , Ruan Chun-Feng
Published: January 2024

Objective

In this investigation, we aimed to explore risk factors for 90-day hospital readmission among patients with cirrhosis and ascites in an Asian population.

Methods

In this retrospective study, we included consecutive patients diagnosed with cirrhosis and ascites hospitalized in Renji Hospital between 2018 and 2022 to elucidate risk factors for 90-day readmission. We conducted multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify readmission risk factors.

Results

We included 265 patients with cirrhosis and ascites. A 43% readmission rate was observed within 90 days. After adjustment for multiple covariates, we found that readmission within 90 days was independently linked to reduced levels of hemoglobin (odds ratio [OR] 0.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.94–0.97) and serum albumin (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.83–0.93), and higher Model for End-Stage Liver Disease and sodium (MELD-Na) scores (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01–1.07) at discharge.

Conclusions

Patients with cirrhosis who have ascites are frequently rehospitalized within 90 days after discharge. Lower hemoglobin or albumin and higher MELD-Na scores at discharge may be the main risk factors for hospital readmission.
Translating knowledge in the multilingual paradigm: Beyond epistemicide
Authors: Bennett Karen
Published: January 2024

The term ‘epistemicide’ was first coined by the Portuguese sociologist, Boaventura de Sousa Santos to refer to the systematic eradication by western science of the indigenous knowledges of the Global South. It was later applied to translation by Bennett in order to describe the way that academic texts produced in non-Anglophone cultures often have to be so radically rewritten for publication in international journals that their epistemological infrastructure is effectively destroyed. The long-term consequences of this process included, it was argued, a drift toward an epistemological monoculture, as scholarly discourses in other languages assimilated to the dominant one through a process of calquing. This argument was developed at a time when the hegemony of English appeared unassailable in the world of academic publishing and beyond. Since then, however, the multi- or translingual paradigm has profoundly challenged this assumption. This article focuses on how knowledge is generated and disseminated within this new paradigm and its implications for Translation Studies. Considering the prevalence, in this domain, of second-language writing, self-translation and paratranslational activities (like language revision and editing), and the demands of a readership with multilingual competence, it suggests that a much broader concept of translation might now be in order.
The penetration resistance behavior and corresponding size effects of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene composite laminates
Authors: Ren Wenke , Zhou Xuan , Xu Lizhi , Gao Guangfa
Published: January 2024

Focusing on the energy absorption characteristics of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber laminated panels, this study conducts ballistic tests and numerical simulations using 6 mm spherical projectiles to impact the UHMWPE laminated panels. The residual velocity characteristics, energy absorption patterns, and failure modes of the UHMWPE laminated panels under steel ball impacts were analyzed. The results show that the residual velocity of the steel ball increases with the increase of the incident velocity. In the velocity range near the ballistic limit velocity, the residual velocity of the steel ball increases sharply. When the incident velocity exceeds 340 m/s, the increase in residual velocity gradually slows down, tending towards a straight line. When the steel ball velocity is less than 330 m/s, the energy absorption of the UHMWPE laminated panels exhibits linear growth with increasing velocity, with a maximum energy absorption of 47.3 J. In the 327–340 m/s velocity range, the energy absorption of the laminated panels drops sharply from 47 J to around 30 J. In the 340 m/s–600 m/s velocity range, the decline in energy absorption gradually becomes more moderate, decreasing to around 20 J. Beyond 500 m/s, the energy absorbed by the UHMWPE laminated panels stabilizes with increasing velocity, and the fiber tensile failure is the main form of energy absorption of UHMWPE composite laminates under ballistic impact. The failure process of UHMWPE laminated panels presents a multi-stage failure mode, including fiber shear failure, tensile failure, and delamination. As the projectile’s incident velocity increases, the damage mechanism of the UHMWPE laminated panels transitions from tensile-dominated to shear plugging-dominated. Through similarity theory analysis, under certain conditions, the ballistic limit velocity and the dimensionless parameter of unit energy absorption for the UHMWPE laminated panels satisfy geometric similarity.
Development of a novel multi-fidelity meta modeling approach for robust multi-objective optimization of a natural gas-hydrogen/diesel dual fuel engine
Authors: Sehili Youcef , Cerdoun Mahfoudh , Tarabet Lyes , Loubar Khaled , Lacroix Clément
Published: January 2024

Multi-fidelity modeling (MFM) is an evolving field that matches low-fidelity models (LFM) and high-fidelity models (HFM) to get better solutions with low computational cost. However, improving the duality between accuracy and computational cost remain challenging, particularly for complex problems such as dual fuel engines. This paper contributes to the MF modeling cost-effectiveness improvement by proposing a new approach to solve large-dimensional multi-objective optimization problems. The first step is to build a meta-model based on the LF model, which will be subjected to a comet-governed analysis to detect potential areas where the uncertainty on the LF model is relatively high. Then, a design of experiment (DOE) will be developed based on the results of this analysis to construct an initial HF model. Finally, an iterative loop will be activated to improve the accuracy of the MF model using a well-weighed combination of the details delivered by the LF model correction via the HF model and the HF meta-model. The developed approach is validated on four different mathematical benchmarks with different difficulties, compared with four different MF modeling strategies. This validation shows that the proposed MF modeling is competitive and can produce solutions as accurate as the HF model while reducing significantly the overall computation time by up to 50%. As an engineering application, the operating conditions in a natural gas-hydrogen/diesel dual fuel engine in terms of compression ratio, pilot injection timing, and EGR are optimized. A reduction of 46%, 68%, and 96% was achieved for HC, NOx, and the knocking index, respectively, while an increase in thermal efficiency of about 5% was obtained.
Experimental investigation on the vibration characteristics of the compressor in the outdoor unit of a household air conditioner
Authors: Wu Junhong , Ma Yubo , Xia Zengqiang , Zhang Hongtao , Pan Xi , Xie Junlong
Published: January 2024

As a high-speed rotary type machinery, the hermetic rolling piston compressor has been widely used in household air conditioners. Due to the high quality of living standards, a low vibration characteristic becomes a key point of these white household appliances. To investigate the vibration characteristic of the compressor prototype, an experiment has been carried out and three measuring points at the compressor shell have been selected. Five acceleration sensors have been used to record the vibration accelerations in different directions at the three measuring points under the operation speed from 30 Hz to 90 Hz. Three factors including the type of connecting pipe, the vibration isolator, and the binding constraint have been considered to reduce the vibration acceleration. The experimental results show that the radial vibration acceleration of measuring point 1 and the axial vibration acceleration of measuring point 2 exceed 20 m·s−2 when the operation speed reaches 90 Hz and the connecting pipe is bent. Compared with the bent connecting pipe, the unbent connecting pipe has a significant effect on vibration mitigation. Both the vibration isolators and the binding constraint are helpful to reduce the vibration acceleration, however, the binding constraint and the vibration isolators cannot be used at the same time.
Adolescents and Psychosocial Issues: An Empirical Study
Authors: Khurshid Shabana , Manzoor Shazia , Amin Faseeh
Published: January 2024

The adolescent period is a time of many upswings and downsides which requires constant support and guidance from parents, guardians and society. Moreover, adolescent girls face more psychosocial problems in contrast to boys, especially in India due to its different social and cultural environment. The psychosocial problems can have an adverse effect on the health of adolescent girls. Thus, social investment in adolescents is important not only for their well-being but also for society as a whole. The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) is one of the social investment programmes in India which seeks to address such problems in girls. The present research study has been carried out to explore the psychosocial issues of adolescent girl beneficiaries’ of the ICDS programme in Central Kashmir. Furthermore, the role of demographic and socio-economic factors in relation to psychosocial issues has also been examined. The research was both explorative and descriptive, and the data were analysed with quantitative techniques involving ANOVA in SPSS. The results obtained provide interesting insights into the research problems which can be beneficial for many stakeholders. The study results revealed that most of the beneficiaries had psychosocial issues such as somatic complications, adjustment problems, sleep problems, attention problems and sleep problems. However, these problems varied in relation to different demographic variables such as age, gender, education, district, economic status, etc. The research also provides interesting and valuable suggestions to different stakeholders regarding their role in solving the problems of adolescent girls.
Gaps between Supply and Utilization of Social Work Evidence in Mainland of China
Authors: Duan Wenjie , Sun Xixi , Wang Zichuan
Published: January 2024

Purpose: The comparison research involving two studies aimed to explore the gap between social work evidence production and utilization in Mainland of China. Methods: Study 1 was a scoping review to screen qualified publications in the Web of Science Core Collection. Study 2 conducted correlation analysis and an analysis of variance using the data from the China Social Work Longitudinal Study 2019. Results: In Study 1, 745 publications from 35 main social work journals represented the overall improving volume and quality of evidence in Mainland of China. Study 2 showed a low intention to use evidence among the Chinese Mainland social work practitioners, which could be influenced by working region, years of work, educational level, work position, professional level, awareness of evidence-based practice (EBP), and willingness to learn EBP. Conclusions: An education gap, an intention gap, a regional development gap, and a time lag were identified between social work evidence supply and utilization in Mainland of China. Well-established education and training, as well as practice-research networks may be the solutions to bridge these gaps.