bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating the Effects of Orography and Ambient Wind on Deep Convection over Tropical Islands
Authors: Robinson Frank , Kirshbaum Daniel J. , Sherwood Steven C. , Cahill Lucinda , Juliano Erica , Liu Chuntao
Published: November 2024

Using an observation–model synthesis, we investigate variations of cumulus convection over islands with varying characteristics and under varying environmental conditions to clarify controls on convective vigor. In this paper, we define the intensity of deep convection as the average 40-dBZ-radar echo-top height or 85-GHz brightness temperature among raining precipitation features having 40-dBZ echoes (RPF40s) and the frequency of deep convection as the fraction of RPF40s to the total number of precipitation features. Examination of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite database (1994–2015) of 272 tropical and subtropical islands reveals a modest weakening of convective intensity with increased terrain height h or ambient wind U (for a given island area A) and a strengthening with increasing A. Quasi-idealized, convection-permitting simulations broadly reproduce these sensitivities to h and A, but not that to U. In both observations and simulations, intensity increases with the island-averaged convective available potential energy (CAPE). Because CAPE generally decreases over taller islands that protrude deeper into the free troposphere, convective intensity varies inversely with h. The frequency increases with the total island area over which both large CAPE and strong near-surface horizontal convergence coincide. This trend favors higher frequencies over larger islands with complex (but shallow) terrain. The model’s inability to reproduce the observed decrease of convective intensity with U stems from a negative observed correlation between CAPE and U that was neglected in the simulations. Thus, as with h, the negative observed trend between intensity and U ultimately stems from the impacts of CAPE on convective intensity.
Machine Learning Approaches for the Fusion of Near-Infrared, Mid-Infrared, and Raman Data to Identify Cartilage Degradation in Human Osteochondral Plugs
Authors: Tafintseva Valeria , Nippolainen Ervin , Virtanen Vesa , Solheim Johanne Heitmann , Zimmermann Boris , Saarakkala Simo , Kröger Heikki , Kohler Achim , Töyräs Juha , Afara Isaac O , Shaikh Rubina
Published: November 2024

Vibrational spectroscopy methods such as mid-infrared (MIR), near-infrared (NIR), and Raman spectroscopies have been shown to have great potential for in vivo biomedical applications, such as arthroscopic evaluation of joint injuries and degeneration. Considering that these techniques provide complementary chemical information, in this study, we hypothesized that combining the MIR, NIR, and Raman data from human osteochondral samples can improve the detection of cartilage degradation. This study evaluated 272 osteochondral samples from 18 human knee joins, comprising both healthy and damaged tissue according to the reference Osteoarthritis Research Society International grading system. We established the one-block and multi-block classification models using partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLSDA), random forest, and support vector machine (SVM) algorithms. Feature modeling by principal component analysis was tested for the SVM (PCA-SVM) models. The best one-block models were built using MIR and Raman data, discriminating healthy cartilage from damaged with an accuracy of 77.5% for MIR and 77.8% for Raman using the PCA-SVM algorithm, whereas the NIR data did not perform as well achieving only 68.5% accuracy for the best model using PCA-SVM. The multi-block approach allowed an improvement with an accuracy of 81.4% for the best model by PCA-SVM. Fusing three blocks using MIR, NIR, and Raman by multi-block PLSDA significantly improved the performance of the single-block models to 79.1% correct classification. The significance was proven by statistical testing using analysis of variance. Thus, the study suggests the potential and the complementary value of the fusion of different spectroscopic techniques and provides valuable data analysis tools for the diagnostics of cartilage health.
Raman Spectroscopy Detects Bone Mineral Changes with Aging in Archaeological Human Lumbar Vertebrae from Thornton Abbey
Authors: Shankland Sheona Isobel , Willmott Hugh , Taylor Adam Michael , Kerns Jemma Gillian
Published: November 2024

Archaeological human remains provide key insight into lifestyles, health, and diseases affecting past societies. However, only limited analyses can be conducted without causing damage due to the destructive nature of current technologies. The same problem exists with current clinical analyses of the skeleton, and the preferred advanced imaging techniques only provide macroscopic information. Raman spectroscopy could provide chemical information without detriment to archaeological bone samples and perhaps the need for invasive diagnostic procedures in the future. This study measured archaeological human vertebrae to investigate if chemical differences with aging were detectable with Raman spectroscopy and if differences in mineral chemistry could contribute to information on bone mineral diseases. The three lowest bones of the spine (lumbar vertebrae L3–L5), which are subject to the heaviest loading in life, of nine adults from three age groups (18–25, 25–45, and 45+ years) were provided by the Thornton Abbey Project. Three biomechanically important anatomical locations were selected for analysis; likely sites chosen to measure any chemical changes associated with aging, the vertebral body center and the zygapophyseal joints. Results detected chemical changes associated with aging. These changes relate to the minerals phosphate (∼960 cm–1) and carbonate (∼1070 cm–1), which are fundamental to bone function. Overall mineralization was found to increase with aging, but while carbonate increased with age, phosphate increased up to ∼45 years and then declined. These fluctuations were found in all three vertebrae, but were more distinct in L5, particularly in the vertebral body, indicating this is an optimal area for detecting bone mineral chemistry changes with aging. This is the first Raman analysis of bone samples from the historically significant site of Thornton Abbey. Results detected age-related changes, illustrating that ancient remains can be used to enhance understanding of modern diseases and provide information on the health and lifestyle of historic individuals.
English as a Medium of China’s National Storytelling
Authors: Lin Dejiang , Liu Wei
Published: November 2024

Foreign language education may serve many goals, but national storytelling would not be an obvious one. Due to the position of English as an international language, it has become an increasingly important tool for intercultural communication and international public relations for countries whose official language is not English. In this study, we will look into the case of China, where English has been seen as the most important medium of China’s national storytelling. Chinese youths are encouraged to learn English well and to equip themselves with the competence to tell China’s stories well in English. As a key theoretical underpinning in this study, national stories are taken as national identities to live by. To better understand this relationship, we have invited 100 undergraduate English Majors in a provincial Chinese university to each tell a China story in English. By subjecting the 100 China stories told by 100 Chinese youths in English to a rigorous thematic analysis, we hope to determine in this study what Chinese national identity is constructed through this national storytelling exercise. More importantly, by examining the Chinese case of English as a medium of national storytelling, this study aims to shed light on the specific purpose of English as a global medium for communicating a country’s national narratives and national discourses.
Moving the goalposts in Qatar: Tracing the labour reform process by and through transnational players
Authors: Foley Laura , Piper Nicola
Published: November 2024

This article traces the process which led the state of Qatar to take steps towards reforming its labour laws that had historically severely restricted the rights and freedoms of migrant workers who make up the majority of its workforce. Our premise is that the 2022 World Cup served as a catalyst for Qatar to enact significant labour reforms due to a complex array of events harnessed by the actions of key actors, notably the global labour movement. We use political process theory which we operationalise in a novel manner, that is, through the process tracing methodology which allows us to demonstrate that it was a combination of internal and external factors (events, actors, strategies) which ultimately pushed Qatar to rapidly introduce legal and policy changes as well as taking steps to amend its hostile institutional environment.
Association Between an Enhanced Clinical Pharmacy Service and Patient Experience in Hospitalized Adults: A Cohort Study
Authors: Givens Joscelin , Dull Ryan
Published: November 2024

Purpose. To determine if implementation of an enhanced clinical pharmacy service (ECPS) at a community hospital could improve patient experience as measured by medication-related Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) scores. Methods. A cohort study of 260 patients at a community hospital was conducted. Patients in the intervention group received additional pharmacy services from the standard of care (SOC) group, including daily medication counseling, pharmacist-driven medication administration, discharge medication reconciliation and education, consistent offers to enroll in a bedside medication delivery program (BMDP), and a telephone call following discharge. The primary outcome of patient experience was assessed through patients’ responses to a care transitions HCAHPS survey question regarding understanding of the purpose of taking medications following discharge. Results. Among patients in the ECPS cohort, 75.8% had a top-box response to the care transitions HCAHPS question, compared to 63.3% of patients in the SOC cohort (OR = 1.81; 95% CI [0.61-5.37]). Top-box responses increased for all assessed HCAHPS questions but were not statistically significant. The HCAHPS survey response rate was 29.3% in the SOC cohort and 29.9% in the ECPS cohort. Conclusion. Following an ECPS intervention, patient experience as determined by HCAHPS scores increased, but the results did not reach statistical significance. Further, larger studies are needed on this topic.
Use of Prophylactic or Therapeutic Anticoagulation in Critically Ill Patients With Pre-existing Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Chilbert Maya R. , Gressel Lauren , Lee Lydia , Kersten Brian , Zammit Kimberly , Woodruff Ashley E.
Published: November 2024

Purpose: The optimal anticoagulation regimen for atrial fibrillation (AF) in critically ill patients is challenging as these patients may be at an increased risk for bleeding and clotting despite an absence or presence of anticoagulation. The purpose of this study was to compare bleeding and thrombotic rates in critically-ill adults with pre-existing AF receiving therapeutic anticoagulation versus chemical or mechanical venous thromboembolism prophylaxis. Methods: A retrospective, observational study was conducted. The primary outcome identified rate of International Society of Thrombosis and Hemostasis bleeding, and secondarily assessed all venous or arterial thromboembolic events. To determine risk-factors associated with bleeding and to account for differences in baseline characteristics, a multivariable logistic regression model was used. Results: A total of 199 patients were included, 100 receiving therapeutic anticoagulation and 99 receiving venous thromboembolism prophylaxis. Patients receiving therapeutic anticoagulation compared to chemical or mechanical prophylaxis had a median (IQR) CHA2DS2VASc score of 4 (3-5) versus 4 (2-5) ( P = .5499) and HAS-BLED score of 3 (3-4) versus 3 (2-4) ( P = .0013); respectively. There was almost a threefold adjusted increased risk of bleeding in patients receiving therapeutic anticoagulation compared to venous thromboembolism prophylaxis (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.7 [95% CI 1.1-9.9]; P = .0349). One stroke occurred in a patient receiving therapeutic anticoagulation, and none occurred in patients in the prophylaxis group ( P = 1.000). Conclusion: Use of therapeutic anticoagulation in critically ill patients with pre-existing AF may increase bleed rates without protecting against stroke development.
Adaptive variable gain linear active disturbance rejection control parameter optimization in magnetic levitation
Authors: Yi Ping , Fan Kuangang , Wu Guanglong
Published: November 2024

The magnetic levitation ball system is characterized by strong nonlinearity, multiple disturbances, and intrinsic instability, which has long been a thorny problem in the field of control engineering. The magnetic levitation system can be continuously and stably levitated, even in a complex environment. In this thesis, the model of the magnetic levitation ball system is firstly constructed according to the kinetic theory and simplified according to the actual situation. After that, a linear active disturbance rejection control (LADRC) controller for the magnetic levitation ball system is designed. Considering that there are many parameters in the LADRC controller and it is difficult to obtain the optimal control effect by manual tuning, an adaptive variable gain LADRC algorithm is proposed to optimize the control strategy of LADRC parameters. An adaptive iterative algorithm is used to adaptively adjust the bandwidth of the linear extended state observer (LESO) in LADRC, and the convergence of the algorithm is demonstrated by using the Lyapunov function. To solve the problem that the proportional and differential gains of the LADRC controller can only be adjusted unidirectionally and simultaneously, this paper proposes an error variable gain algorithm. The aim is to realize the non-unidirectional and more detailed adjustment of the controller parameters, and it is rigorously analyzed and demonstrated through simulation and experiment. The results show that the proposed algorithm is better than proportional–integral–derivative (PID), sliding mode control (SMC), and LADRC in terms of dynamic performance, steady-state performance, and anti-interference.
Cannabis Vaping Among US Adults With Disabilities: Findings From the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
Authors: Olufemi Erinoso , Olatokunbo Osibogun , Wei Li , Ben Taleb Ziyad , Kalan Mohammad Ebrahimi
Published: November 2024

Objectives:

Studies have demonstrated that people with disabilities are more likely to use cannabis than people without disabilities. However, less is known about novel forms of use, such as cannabis vaping, in this population. We examined the correlates of cannabis vaping among people with disabilities and the association between cannabis vaping and the frequency of cannabis use in any form.

Methods:

We used data from the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to examine the association between disabilities and past-month cannabis vaping, as well as the number of days that cannabis was used in the past month, among US adults. We used weighted multivariable logistic and modified Poisson regression models with incidence rate ratios to examine the associations.

Results:

The prevalence of cannabis vaping was higher among adults with any disability (4.6%) than among adults without disabilities (2.8%); adults with only cognitive disabilities had the highest prevalence (8.2%). Daily nicotine vaping (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 6.04; 95% CI, 4.14-8.80), former cigarette smoking status (AOR = 1.67; 95% CI, 1.25-2.25), and being aged 18-24 years (vs ≥65 y) (AOR = 11.07; 95% CI, 7.05-17.38) were associated with higher odds of cannabis vaping among adults with any disability. Disability status modified the relationship between cigarette smoking and cannabis vaping ( P < .001). Additionally, among adults with disabilities, the rate of cannabis-use days was higher among adults who vaped cannabis (adjusted incidence rate ratio = 1.28; 95% CI, 1.19-1.36) than among adults who did not vape cannabis.

Conclusions:

Among adults with disabilities, nicotine consumption by vaping was associated with cannabis vaping. Our findings highlight the need for interventions that reduce the risk of polysubstance use (ie, nicotine and cannabis) in this population.
The physical and virtual presence of the local state and citizens’ life satisfaction in urbanising China
Authors: Chen Juan , Liu Mengyu , Gong Lin , Chang Charles
Published: November 2024

China’s rapid and ongoing urbanisation has led to the expansion of the local state. The state, traditionally exhibited as physical institutions of government, has emerged virtually in recent years based on intricate network infrastructure systems, such as social media platforms. Scholars contend that a strong physical state infrastructure enhances government function and can increase citizens’ life satisfaction; in contrast, the state’s virtual presence is unlikely to exert a substantial independent impact because of its reliance on the state’s physical infrastructure. In this research, we calibrated innovative measures of the state’s physical and virtual presence. Combined with data from the 2018 Urbanisation and Quality of Life Survey conducted in 40 sampling sites undergoing rural–urban transition, we further assessed how the local state’s physical and virtual presence is associated with citizens’ self-reported life satisfaction in the context of China’s national new-type urbanisation. Our results, based on three-level mixed-effects regressions, indicate that the local state’s bricks-and-mortar institutions do not correlate with citizens’ life satisfaction; rather, the establishment of a web-based, cost-effective, transparent, and coordinated virtual presence is associated with a higher level of life satisfaction among citizens. At a time when the Chinese central government emphasises its commitment to ‘people-centred’ urbanisation, the findings offer insight into the strategies that local governments could employ to improve governance quality and enhance citizens’ well-being.
Fishbone penetration leading to pyogenic liver abscess: A case report
Authors: Zong Yaobing , Zhang Yinggang , Zhang Huaibo
Published: November 2024

The incidence of pyogenic liver abscesses (PLAs) resulting from foreign body ingestion is relatively rare; however, it poses significant risks, necessitating timely diagnosis and intervention. This report presents an unusual case involving a 77-year-old female who developed a PLA following the ingestion of a fishbone. The patient was accurately diagnosed using high-resolution computed tomography-based three-dimensional reconstruction and subsequently underwent successful treatment through laparoscopic incision, drainage, and simultaneous removal of the fishbone.
Book review: Farhana Ibrahim. 2021. From Family to Police Force: Security and Belonging on a South Asian Border
Authors: Chakraborty Radhika Mathrani
Published: November 2024

Farhana Ibrahim. 2021. From Family to Police Force: Security and Belonging on a South Asian Border. Ithaca and London: Cornell University Press. xv + 188 pp. Notes, references, index. $ 130 (hardback–– ISBN: 9781501759536)
Book review: Yamini Narayanan. 2023. Mother Cow, Mother India: A Multispecies Politics of Dairy in India
Authors: Bhojvaid Vasundhara
Published: November 2024

Yamini Narayanan. 2023. Mother Cow, Mother India: A Multispecies Politics of Dairy in India. New Delhi: Navayana. vii + 411 pp. Notes, figures, bibliography, index. ₹599 (paperback—ISBN: 9788195838530)
Demeaned subjects, fragmented objects and the state in Hindi crime-porn magazines
Authors: Parciack Ronie
Published: November 2024

This article addresses Hindi crime-porn magazines that are mostly distributed in makeshift stalls in cities and railway stations in Central and Northern India. This scene involves formal and informal layers, actors and writing styles, creating a series of disparities within and between literal and visual planes, and forming an apparatus within which, above all, state agents and signifiers are employed: policemen, the courts, legislation and political movements. Through a strategy that combines seduction and pedagogy, crime-porn magazines turn the reader/citizen into a demeaned subject. Moreover, the visual plane displays unstable and fragmented objects, in contrast to images of the state, which are emblazoned as a single signifier of authority and stability. Through a qualitative approach that combines ethnography and textual analysis addressing dominant narrative models, I analyse the aspiration to constitute ‘moral pornography’ and identify the pivots that shape and negotiate a regulated subjectivity under the authority of state signifiers.
Mental health trajectories across COVID-19 and beyond: South African occupational health surveillance data (2019–2023)
Authors: Van Wijk Charles H
Published: November 2024

There are inconsistent reports on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated social restrictions on mental health, with initial suggestions of an increased prevalence of mental disorders in South Africa. However, the longitudinal trajectories of mental health responses across the COVID-19 pandemic are not clear. The primary aim of this study was to describe the trajectories of self-reported common mental disorders, as determined by repeat administration of clinical screening tools across five consecutive years (from 2019 to 2023). A secondary aim was to consider associations with demographic factors such as gender and age. Point prevalence estimates were obtained from a South African occupational mental health surveillance programme in a stable workplace population. Trajectories of common mental disorders across COVID-19 were determined using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 to identify Major Depressive Disorder and Generalised Anxiety Disorder, respectively. Prevalence estimates for depression and anxiety disorders initially remained stable before increasing towards mid-2021 and returning to pre-COVID-19 estimates by end-2022. Suicidal ideation decreased early into the pandemic but returned to pre-COVID-19 levels by 2021. The study suggests that on a practical level, readily available access to mental health care remains an important mechanism to protect mental health during and after major societal disruptor events. This can further be supported through regular monitoring and through providing high-intensity early intervention for at least 18 to 24 months following such events.
Measuring communication openness within adoptive families: The psychometric properties of the multi-informant Adoption Communication Openness Scale
Authors: Ranieri Sonia , Zambelli Michela , Ferrari Laura , Tagliabue Semira , Rosnati Rosa , Brodzinsky David
Published: November 2024

This study investigates the psychometric properties of the Adoption Communication Openness (ACO) Scale. Following a multi-informant approach, the study considered four versions of the ACO Scale to assess the child’s perception of adoption communication openness with both mother and father and the mother’s and father’s perceptions of communication with the child. The validation sample included 331 Italian families, with an internationally adopted child (12–18 years). The factorial structure of the ACO Scale was evaluated through confirmatory factor analyses, leading to a mono-factorial structure with good reliability for all four versions of the scale. Evidence of full cross-relational invariance and partial cross-informant invariance was obtained, as well as convergent and criterion validity. Results confirmed the psychometric properties of the multi-informant ACO Scale in the Italian context and indicated it as a particularly suitable measure to investigate family members’ perceptions of their levels of communication openness regarding adoption.
Digital transformation: The geopolitical-organizational nexus
Authors: Currie Wendy L , Weerakkody Vishanth , Van Vliet Ben
Published: November 2024

This special issue aimed to attract articles situating digital transformation in the geopolitical-organizational nexus. Unlike innovation and change panaceas (or fads) like business process reengineering (BPR) which became popular in the 1990s, digital transformation is a multi-level concept. Extending beyond the redesign of organizational and business processes, the analytical boundaries of digital transformation include ecosystems, organizational networks, business and operational processes, organizational identities, governance structures, and quality/cost dynamics. However, the extant literature on digital transformation continues to use the organization as the primary unit of analysis. Definitions of digital transformation vary widely, with some not dissimilar to the BPR era. The papers included in this special issue provide analytical and empirical examples on the pervasive effects from contemporary digital technology for society, organizations, and citizens. Future work which isolates the digital technology artefact would benefit from further refinement of the digital transformation concept. A starting point is to revisit the digital technology evolution over past decades which reveal the inflection points of technological change, specifically for mainframes, PCs, and the Internet. Such analysis will increase our understanding and contextualization of past panaceas like BPR for generating new insights on how digital technologies are front and center in debates on digital transformation.
Trust in the police and crime reporting: Reassessing assumptions in the context of violent crime in England and Wales
Authors: Timukaite Aiste , Buil-Gil David
Published: November 2024

The reporting of crime to the police is crucial for an efficient functioning of the criminal justice system. It is widely argued that victims’ decision to contact the police is based on considerations of the anticipated costs and benefits of crime reporting. Scholars have previously suggested that victims’ attitudes towards the police may influence their perceptions of the costs and benefits associated with crime reporting. However, victims’ trust in the police as a multidimensional construct has not been empirically tested as a predictor of victims’ crime reporting to the police. This study uses Crime Survey for England and Wales data from 2017/2018 to 2019/2020 to explore the relationship between victims’ trust in police effectiveness and violent crime reporting behaviour. Furthermore, this study examines the influence of victim and situational characteristics on decisions to report victimisation to the police. Our analysis reveals that victims’ trust in police effectiveness does not predict their decision to disclose violent crime victimisation to the police. However, victims’ sex and age significantly influence reporting decisions. Moreover, our findings reveal that situational factors, specifically the presence of a weapon and injury to the victim, are important predictors of violent crime reporting.
A Monte Carlo Investigation of Confidence Intervals for a Nondecreasing Series
Authors: Zalsha Shalima , Wolter Kirk M.
Published: November 2024

We consider the problem of estimating a time series of population means from a series of sample surveys when the means are known to be nondecreasing. We introduce the standard survey estimators of the series of means, which are not guaranteed to be nondecreasing. We employ the Pool Adjacent Violators Algorithm (PAVA) to turn the series of standard survey estimates into a nondecreasing series. We introduce five methods of constructing confidence intervals for the series of non-decreasing means: normal-theory intervals based on the standard survey point estimator of the mean and the Taylor series estimator of its variance; normal-theory intervals based on the nondecreasing PAVA estimator of the mean and a unique jackknife estimator of its variance developed here (jackknife-[Formula: see text]); intervals similar to the aforementioned method but based on Student’s-[Formula: see text] distribution (jackknife-[Formula: see text]); analytical intervals due to Morris; and simultaneous confidence limits due to Korn. We report the results of a Monte Carlo simulation and assess the methods’ performance under various scenarios. Jackknife-[Formula: see text] intervals exhibited coverage probabilities that are near the nominal value. Taylor, jackknife-[Formula: see text], and Korn intervals found coverage below the nominal value while Morris intervals were excessively conservative. Jackknife intervals were much narrower than Taylor intervals.
Liquid Fear, Agency and the (Un)conscious in Securitisation Processes: The Case of the UK’s Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: L. Gellwitzki C. Nicolai , Price Charlie W.
Published: November 2024

Scholarship on securitisation in International Relations is stratified into different strands of research that compartmentalise fear into narrow logics that focus on either its agential or unconscious aspects. We take Zygmunt Bauman’s notion of ‘Liquid Fear’ to develop a framework that offers a conceptualisation that allows for a more complex and nuanced understanding of the intricate relationship between the emotion of fear and agency, intentionality and unconscious. We argue that pre-existing affective dynamics outside of individual actors’ control are instrumental for securitisation to occur. Actors can attempt to stir and instrumentalise these dynamics by channelling them into particular objects, whereas every channelling always entails the risk of overflowing and unintentional side effects. We demonstrate the analytical utility of our approach through the case study of the securitisation of COVID-19 in the United Kingdom which we argue can only be understood by accounting for agential and unconscious aspects.
Encounter, Critique, and Postcritique: A Play in Two Acts
Authors: Austin Jonathan Luke , Chandler David
Published: November 2024

What’s at stake in debates over critique and postcritique in International Relations (IR)? To subvert that question, this article is written in the format of a theatre play that stages a repeated encounter between scholars who are invested, or not, in that debate. At the centre of the conversations that take place are questions linked to academic responsibility, the nature of reflexivity, and the possibility of different political futures. The play and its characters are fictions, though they are hoped to reflect the ‘narcissism of small differences’ that often pervades academia. In doing so, we seek to (1) foreground how small changes in context (here, from an academic to a practitioner conference) force radical changes on how intellectual controversies are debated, (2) emphasize that the true stakes of debates such as those between critique and postcritique are often obscured by the combative nature of academic discourse, and (3) advocate for a refusal of, or active withdrawal from, the arbitrary classification of scholars into particular intellectual camps or positions. This process of fixing identities, the false idea that we are simply our academic personas, very rarely reflects either our personal-political realities nor the complex, polyphonic, and sometimes happily contradictory qualities of our evolving intellectual lives.
The Foundation of Pi-Ramesse: Strengthening the Rule of the 19th Dynasty and Displaying Egypt to the Outside World
Authors: Franzmeier Henning
Published: November 2024

In the past, the statement from P. Anastasi II, that everybody left his city to settle in Pi-Ramesse, has mainly been interpreted in a somewhat propagandistic sense – everybody wanted to leave their old city to come to the marvellous new capital with all its wonders. While this interpretation might have been the author’s intention, based on the reality of a new capital, it can be interpreted in different ways: a new place needs people to function. This gave the founder of the new city the opportunity to carefully choose these people to enhance and stabilize his power. Moreover, the city, with its particular location, served as a gateway into Egypt and thus also as a showcase to foreigners. The Egyptian sovereigns could demonstrate their power and access to resources by monumental building. This contribution aims to highlight some rarely discussed motivations for the foundation of Pi-Ramesse.

[Formula: see text]
An Assemblage of Ceramic Figurines from the Site of Tell Nabasha
Authors: Nielsen Nicky , Bebbington Christopher
Published: November 2024

Sixteen ceramic figurines were discovered during excavations in 2015 at the site of Tell Nabasha by a team from the University of Liverpool. The figurines were found in several contexts dating from the Late to the early Ptolemaic Period. This article presents the assemblage and discusses the function of these figurines within the sacred landscape of Tell Nabasha linking them to the worship of primarily two local deities: Wadjet, Mistress of Imet, and Harpocrates. The figurines were most likely produced on the site and donated as votive offerings to the local temple, particularly during festivals conducted at the site.

[Formula: see text]
A novel proposal of using solar panels mounted on wind turbines for enhancement of power generation
Authors: Tummala Shiva Rahul , Pendyala Srinivas
Published: November 2024

To increase power generation, the next generation wind turbines are focusing more on hybrid systems. There is always a demanding need for more efficient wind power generation systems. In view of the improvements in the known types of turbines now available in the prior art, the present work proposes a novel hybrid wind and solar turbine construction wherein the same can be utilized for generating additional electrical power. A practical and feasible combination of wind turbine and solar panels has been designed. In this proposed novel arrangement, solar panels are secured to the surface of nacelle heli-hoist to supplement the power generation of a wind turbine.
Performance enhancement of horizontal axis wind turbine with guide ring
Authors: Barnard Daniel R , Fawkes Howard T , Oliver Graeme J
Published: November 2024

This study investigates the impact of integrating a guide ring upstream of the rotor plane for performance increase of a horizontal axis wind turbine rotor. The guide ring is strategically positioned near the rotor hub to reduce the radial component of wind flow and retain more axial velocity through the rotor. The methodology involved physical testing of a rotor retrofitted with guide rings ranging from 15% to 20% of the rotor diameter. Comparative experimental results demonstrate an increase in peak performance for retrofitted rotors, when compared to a standard rotor. The rotor retrofitted with an 18% guide ring emerged as the most beneficial choice, exhibiting a 4.34% peak power output increase and a broader operational range than the standard rotor. Overall, the study contributes valuable insights into post-installation optimisation strategies for horizontal axis wind turbine rotors.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the 120° Flexed-Knee Position for Detecting and Classifying Meniscal Ramp Lesion
Authors: Nonaka Satoshi , Hatayama Kazuhisa , Tokunaga Shintarou , Kakiage Hibiki , Hirasawa Satoshi , Terauchi Masanori , Chikuda Hirotaka
Published: November 2024

Background:

Detection of meniscal ramp lesions concomitant with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury using conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has low sensitivity, and these lesions are currently difficult to diagnose preoperatively.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy of MRI in detecting the presence of meniscal ramp lesions in the 120° flexed-knee position compared with that in the near–extended-knee position. It was hypothesized that the diagnostic performance of MRI in the 120° flexed-knee position would be better than that in the extended-knee position.

Study Design:

Cohort study (Diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

This retrospective study of prospectively collected data between February 2019 and January 2024 included 154 consecutive patients undergoing ACL reconstruction. All patients underwent 3-T MRI examination in the near extended- and 120° flexed-knee positions preoperatively. The presence and Thaunat classification of ramp lesions were separately detected on each MRI scan and confirmed via arthroscopy during ACL reconstruction. Diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and conditional relative odds ratios for detecting ramp lesions and the classification accuracy were compared between 2 MRI modalities. The accuracies of these MRI scans in acute and chronic cases were also evaluated.

Results:

This study included 154 patients (79 male and 75 female; mean age, 29.0 ± 14.2 years). A total of 62 ramp lesions (40.3%) were observed on arthroscopy. The sensitivity and specificity of MRI in near extension were 69.4% and 77.2%, respectively, and those in flexion were 91.9% and 94.6%, respectively, with significant superiority in MRI at knee flexion ( P = .003 and P < .001, respectively). The conditional relative odds ratio between the MRI examinations at these 2 positions was 10.3 (95% CI, 4.82-21.8). The classification accuracy of MRI in flexion was significantly higher than that of MRI in near extension (accuracy, 49 vs 11; P < .001). The diagnostic accuracy of MRI in the 120° flexed-knee position was significantly higher than that in the near–extended-knee position in the acute cases ( P < .05); however, no significant differences were observed in the chronic cases.

Conclusion:

The diagnostic accuracy of MRI in the 120° flexed-knee position for detecting and classifying meniscal ramp lesions was superior to that of MRI in the near–extended-knee position.
Physical Activity as a Predictor of Internet Gaming Disorder in a Swiss Male Cohort (C-SURF): L’activité physique comme prédicteur des troubles liés aux jeux vidéo en ligne dans une cohorte de jeunes hommes suisses (C-SURF)
Authors: Nowotarski Adam , Rothen Stephane , Kasina Filip , Zullino Daniele , Thorens Gabriel
Published: November 2024

History and Objectives

This study addresses the increasing global concerns surrounding Internet gaming disorder (IGD) by exploring their connection to physical activity (PA) as a potential preventive and early intervention measure. The research aims to examine the relationship between PA and the progression of IGD.

Methods

Longitudinal data from the Cohort research on Substance Use Risk Factors involving young Swiss men undergoing army conscription was employed. PA levels were assessed using the International PA Questionnaire (IPAQ), while the Game Addiction Scale (GAS) and Compulsive Internet Use Scale determined IGD presence. Analysis involved zero-inflated negative binomial regression models.

Results

Higher PA levels were associated with lower IGD risk. Notably, individuals engaging in high physical exercise exhibited a lower IGD prevalence compared to those with moderate or low activity levels.

Discussion

The study suggests that intensive physical exercise might serve as a preventive strategy against developing IGD. This protective effect could stem from various mechanisms. However, the study's limitations, such as a male-only sample and a small low-activity group, should be considered when interpreting results.

Conclusion

The longitudinal study demonstrates the positive influence of intense physical exercise on mitigating gaming-related issues. These findings underscore the potential of PA interventions in addressing the growing problem of IGDs and their impact on health. Further research is necessary to uncover underlying mechanisms behind the PA–IGD relationship and validate these findings across diverse demographics.
Successful Management of Parry-Romberg Syndrome With Lipografting: A Case Report
Authors: Amaya Muñoz Maria Camila , Ayala Gutierrez Maria Camila , Alviar Rueda Juan Dario , Villabona Florez Silvia Juliana
Published: November 2024

Parry-Romberg Syndrome (PRS), or progressive hemifacial atrophy, is a rare disorder marked by the progressive atrophy of skin and soft tissues, sometimes affecting muscles, cartilage, and bones. Typically manifesting in childhood, PRS has a 66% female predilection and sporadic occurrence. Diagnosis is clinical, supplemented by tests to exclude other conditions. Treatment options include bone/cartilage grafts, fat grafts, dermal fillers, and free tissue transplantation. Lipoinjection, using autologous adipose tissue enriched with stem cells, is a promising technique. A 33-year-old female with PRS exacerbated by pregnancy presented with severe right hemifacial atrophy. Initial lipoinjection elsewhere resulted in significant graft reabsorption. At our institution, a second lipoinjection was performed at age 34 after disease remission. Five months postoperatively, 30% graft reabsorption was noted, but significant improvement in facial symmetry was achieved. A second lipoinjection session further enhanced facial volume and skin quality. Four months postoperatively, the patient showed substantial improvement, with 90% facial symmetry and stable disease remission. Autologous lipoinjection is an effective treatment for PRS-related facial atrophy, offering minimal tissue rejection and satisfactory aesthetic outcomes. The presented case highlights the potential of this technique in achieving significant clinical improvement and facial symmetry in PRS patients.
Language, nature, and the framing of death: An ecostylistic analysis of Laura Wade’s Colder Than Here
Authors: Vetri Valentina
Published: November 2024

Understanding the interaction between people and the environment is one of the issues facing contemporary society. In recent dramatic works, the reflection on sustainability and ecological preservation as a crucial necessity in contemporary society has taken center stage. A case in point is Laura Wade’s Colder Than Here (2005), in which the protagonist, Myra, who is diagnosed with terminal cancer, opts for a green burial, causing incredulity in her family members. In the play, the destruction of the environment is necessarily reflected in the crisis of human relations: discussing human disconnection from the environment necessitates examining the disruption of family and community ties. Wade’s play is preoccupied with two fundamental issues: first, it challenges the dominant framing of death, which aims at separating oneself from the physical/natural process of dying. This natural process is replaced by death management practices in which nature and physicality are denied. Second, Myra’s eco-friendly choice is presented by Wade as the sole means by which family bonds can be revived: in reality, it is only through a reconnection with the environment and nature that human relationships can thrive and become meaningful. Drawing on Conversation Analysis, this paper seeks to demonstrate how discourse on sustainability in drama can open up new avenues for investigating human existence and relationships, challenging dominant frames of death and end-of-life decisions.
Capturing the Mind: Non-Driving-Related Tasks as a Window into Cognitive Engagement in Automated Driving
Authors: Bai Xiaolu , Feng Jing
Published: November 2024

Supervising automated driving requires visual, manual, and cognitive engagement from the driver. While visual and manual engagement measures are already developed and implemented, cognitive engagement is much more difficult to observe. Considering drivers’ self-regulatory behavior when involved in non-driving-related tasks (NDRTs) during partial automation, the demand and duration of these NDRTs may indicate a certain level of driver cognitive engagement. The study explores a rating measure to partially estimate driver cognitive engagement based on the demand and duration of NDRTs and evaluate the psychometric properties of the NDRT rating. We examined the internal consistency of the measure by computing split-half reliability, tested its sensitivity to factor manipulation, and assessed criterion validity. Our initial findings suggest that the method is reliable and valid, showing satisfactory internal consistency, sensitivity to experimental manipulation, and criterion validity in predicting the takeover performance of supervising vehicle automation.
Patients with multiple sclerosis have higher rates of worsening following total hip arthroplasty: a propensity-matched analysis
Authors: Lim Perry L , Sauder Nicholas , Sayeed Zain , Esantsi Michael , Bedair Hany S , Melnic Christopher M
Published: November 2024

Introduction:

The progressive nature of multiple sclerosis (MS) may adversely affect outcomes following total hip arthroplasty (THA). As patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in this specific group are not well defined, this study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes and the rates of achieving the minimal clinically important difference for improvement (MCID-I) and worsening (MCID-W) between patients with MS and those without MS undergoing THA.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 375 THAs, including 75 MS patients and 300 propensity-matched non-MS patients (4:1), performed between 2016 and 2022. Collected PROMs included Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Global Health Mental and Physical, PROMIS Physical Function short form 10-a (PF-10a), and Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score-Physical Function Short-form (HOOS-PS). Preoperative and postoperative PROMs and MCID-I/MCID-W rates were compared.

Results:

A total of 375 THAs, including 75 MS and 300 matched non-MS patients, were analysed. MS patients had higher 90-day postoperative complication rates (9.3% vs. 2.3%, p = 0.012) and infection rates (4.0% vs. 0.3%, p = 0.006). The rates of achieving MCID-I and MCID-W were similar for PROMIS Global Mental, PROMIS Global Physical, and HOOS-PS, but MS patients had a higher rate of experiencing MCID-W for PROMIS PF-10a compared to non-MS patients (16.7% vs. 6.5%, p = 0.022). Additionally, MS patients had a longer mean hospital stay (2.4 vs. 1.9 days, p = 0.005) and lower rates of being discharged home (82.7% vs. 94.3%, p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

The present study found that MS patients experience similar rates of MCID-I and MCID-W in most PROMs but have a higher rate of MCID-W for PROMIS PF-10a and increased postoperative complications. These findings highlight the need for careful consideration of postoperative risks despite potential improvements. Further research is needed to explore the impact of MS progression on PROMs and perioperative outcomes.
The construction of intolerable punishments: On the value of documenting the pains of old prisoners
Authors: Vannier Marion
Published: November 2024

This article closely reviews a selection of criminology studies on the pains of older prisoners to examine the construction of a particular type of ‘intolerable’ punishment. The term ‘intolerable’ depicts the moral line between acceptable state punitive treatments and those that become so unbearable they are being or should be abandoned. The article finds that the pains of older prisoners are characterised as quantitatively significant, qualitatively distinct, and comparatively worse. Such construction, however, misses the societal dimension of ageing in prison and perpetuates a reductive and stereotypical understanding of ‘old age’ centred on prisoners’ deteriorating bodies. In critically examining the role that criminological research may play in distinguishing between acceptable and intolerable punishments, the article sets out the value of documenting the pains of ageing prisoners.