bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk Factors for Pediatric Intracranial Neoplasms in the Kids’ Inpatient Database
Authors: Price Anthony , O’Leary Sean , Parker Hannah , Camarillo-Rodriguez Liliana , Husain Adam , Bartman Mason , Robledo Ariadna , Zhou Oliver , Mohanty Aaron , Karas Patrick
Published: June 2024

Introduction: In children and adolescents, brain and central nervous system (CNS) tumors are the leading types of cancers. Past studies have found differing rates of intracranial cancers among races and identified additional cancer risk factors. This study aimed to see if these differences can be substantiated with further investigation of the latest version (2019) of the Kids’ Inpatient Database (KID). Methods: A total of 7,818 pediatric patients <21 years old in KID with ICD-10 codes consisting of malignant neoplasms of the brain, brainstem, and cerebral meninges (C700, C709–C719) were queried. Modifiable risk factors evaluated include: hospital region, insurance type, hospital city size, the average income of patient zip code, and location/teaching status of a hospital. Non-modifiable risk factors were race and sex at birth. Dependent variables were tested in Excel and GraphPad Prism 9 using a χ2 test with Yates’ continuity correction and Tukey’s one-way and two-way ANOVAs. Results: Mortality rates of females (2.88%) compared to males (1.99%) were significant (p < 0.05). Mortality was (4.17%) in black patients compared to (1.68%) for white (p < 0.0001), Hispanic mortality (2.95%) compared to white (p < 0.01), and mortality of Asian/Pacific Islander (3.86%) compared to white (p < 0.01). Black patients had significantly higher mortality than white, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, Native American, and other races overall (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the mortality rates between children’s hospitals and large hospitals for any race. After accounting for patient race, mortality was still not significantly different for patients with Medicaid insurance compared to non-Medicaid insurance types. Of the children treated at children’s hospitals, the most transferred in from outside hospitals were Native American (20.00%) followed by Asian/Pacific Islander (15.09%) then Hispanic patients (13.67%). A significant difference between races was also seen regarding length of stay (p < 0.001) and number of charges (p < 0.001). Conclusion: These findings confirm prior studies suggesting gender and race are significant factors in mortality rates for children with intracranial neoplasms. However, the findings do not identify the root causes of these discrepancies but may serve as an impetus for clinicians, healthcare administrators, and governmental leaders to improve national resource allocation to better care for pediatric patients with intracranial neoplasms.
Future Directions for Respiratory Muscle Training in Neuromuscular Disorders: A Scoping Review
Authors: van Kleef Esmee S.B. , Poddighe Diego , Caleffi Pereira Mayra , Schuurbiers Marit L. , Groothuis Jan T. , Wijkstra Peter J. , Voermans Nicol C. , Gosselink Rik , Langer Daniel , Doorduin Jonne
Published: June 2024

Background: Respiratory muscle training (RMT) aims to improve inspiratory and/or expiratory muscle function in neuromuscular disorders (NMDs). A comprehensive overview of the available literature is lacking. This scoping review explores methodological characteristics, (adverse) effects, and adherence of RMT studies in NMDs. Moreover, it identifies limitations and research gaps in the literature and provides future research directions. Summary: Eligible studies were identified using MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases. Three reviewers independently selected articles. Inclusion criteria were English language, original research articles on RMT using a device, patients with an NMD, and pulmonary function tests or respiratory muscle strength as outcome measures. We included NMDs with slow, intermediate and fast progression. Exclusion criteria were critically ill patients, weaning from mechanical ventilation, other neurological disorders, and RMT combined with non-respiratory interventions. One reviewer extracted the data on patients’ characteristics, methodological characteristics, results of outcome measures, adverse events, and patient adherence. Forty-five studies were identified. We found a large diversity in study designs and training protocols. The effects of RMT on respiratory muscle strength and/or endurance are variable. Patient adherence was high and no serious adverse events were reported. Key Messages: The diversity in studies across the available literature precludes definitive conclusions regarding the effects of RMT on respiratory muscle function and clinically relevant outcomes in NMDs. Therefore, well-powered and -designed studies that focus on clinically relevant outcomes and assess whether RMT can improve or offset deterioration of respiratory muscle weakness in NMDs are needed.
Are Newer Drugs Better? An Analysis of Neonatal Pharmacological Treatments across Generations
Authors: Lai Nai Ming , Veettil Sajesh Kalkandi , Chaiyakunapruk Nathorn , Glasziou Paul
Published: June 2024

Introduction: We evaluated the relative effects of newer versus older medications for neonatal conditions and trends in margin of superiority across generations. Materials and Methods: We assessed network meta-analyses (NMAs) on neonatal pharmacological interventions identified from MEDLINE, Cochrane, and PROSPERO. Interventions were chronologically arranged based on the earliest study and compared for their effects against placebo or no treatment and their immediate predecessor. We assessed the time trend in effect sizes using the Mann-Kendall test. Results: From 8,048 retrieved records, 10 neonatal NMAs covering 352 trials and 102,653 participants were included. Compared to placebo, 56/61 (91.8%) interventions showed superiority with 23 (37.7%) statistically significant. Compared to previous generation, 47/72 (65.3%) showed superiority with 3 (4.2%) statistically significant. No significant trends in effect sizes were observed across generations for most conditions (p = 0.09–1). Conclusions: We found no evidence that newer generation medications in neonatal care are consistently more effective than older generation medications.
Sobre o Vocabulário Poético Brasileiro da Fase Colonial
Authors: Roche Jean
Published: June 2024

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Carotid Ultrasound‐Based Plaque Score for the Allocation of Aspirin for the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Events: The Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis and the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study
Authors: Dzaye Omar , Razavi Alexander C. , Dardari Zeina A. , Nasir Khurram , Matsushita Kunihiro , Mok Yejin , Santilli Francesca , Cobo Augusto María Lavalle , Johri Amer M. , Albrecht Gerhard , Blaha Michael J.
Published: June 2024

Background

Coronary artery calcium testing using noncontrast cardiac computed tomography is a guideline‐indicated test to help refine eligibility for aspirin in primary prevention. However, access to cardiac computed tomography remains limited, with carotid ultrasound used much more often internationally. We sought to update the role of aspirin allocation in primary prevention as a function of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis.

Methods and Results

The study included 11 379 participants from the MESA (Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) and ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) studies. A harmonized carotid plaque score (range, 0–6) was derived using the number of anatomic sites with plaque from the left and right common, bifurcation, and internal carotid artery on ultrasound. The 5‐year number needed to treat and number needed to harm as a function of the carotid plaque score were calculated by applying a 12% relative risk reduction in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events and 42% relative increase in major bleeding events related to aspirin use, respectively. The mean age was 57 years, 57% were women, 23% were Black, and the median 10‐year ASCVD risk was 12.8%. The 5‐year incidence rates (per 1000 person‐years) were 5.5 (4.9–6.2) for ASCVD and 1.8 (1.5–2.2) for major bleeding events. The overall 5‐year number needed to treat with aspirin was 306 but was 2‐fold lower for individuals with carotid plaque versus those without carotid plaque (212 versus 448). The 5‐year number needed to treat was less than the 5‐year number needed to harm when the carotid plaque score was ≥2 for individuals with ASCVD risk 5% to 20%, whereas the presence of any carotid plaque demarcated a favorable risk–benefit for individuals with ASCVD risk >20%.

Conclusions

Quantification of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis can help improve the allocation of aspirin therapy.
Bias and Fairness in Large Language Models: A Survey
Authors: Gallegos Isabel O. , Rossi Ryan A. , Barrow Joe , Tanjim Md Mehrab , Kim Sungchul , Dernoncourt Franck , Yu Tong , Zhang Ruiyi , Ahmed Nesreen K.
Published: June 2024

Rapid advancements of large language models (LLMs) have enabled the processing, understanding, and generation of human-like text, with increasing integration into systems that touch our social sphere. Despite this success, these models can learn, perpetuate, and amplify harmful social biases. In this article, we present a comprehensive survey of bias evaluation and mitigation techniques for LLMs. We first consolidate, formalize, and expand notions of social bias and fairness in natural language processing, defining distinct facets of harm and introducing several desiderata to operationalize fairness for LLMs. We then unify the literature by proposing three intuitive taxonomies, two for bias evaluation, namely, metrics and datasets, and one for mitigation. Our first taxonomy of metrics for bias evaluation disambiguates the relationship between metrics and evaluation datasets, and organizes metrics by the different levels at which they operate in a model: embeddings, probabilities, and generated text. Our second taxonomy of datasets for bias evaluation categorizes datasets by their structure as counterfactual inputs or prompts, and identifies the targeted harms and social groups; we also release a consolidation of publicly available datasets for improved access. Our third taxonomy of techniques for bias mitigation classifies methods by their intervention during pre-processing, in-training, intra-processing, and post-processing, with granular subcategories that elucidate research trends. Finally, we identify open problems and challenges for future work. Synthesizing a wide range of recent research, we aim to provide a clear guide of the existing literature that empowers researchers and practitioners to better understand and prevent the propagation of bias in LLMs.
Synopsis of Miridae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) in Atlantic Forest Dominion, Espírito Santo State, Brazil: keys, diagnoses, new species, plant associations, and geographic distribution. Part I: Bryocorinae, Cylapinae and Deraeocorinae.
Authors: FERREIRA PAULO SÉRGIO FIUZA , MARTINS DAVID DOS SANTOS , FERREIRA LUCIANO SANTANA FIUZA , FORNAZIER MAURÍCIO JOSÉ
Published: June 2024

This is the first paper in a compilation of subfamilies synoptic taxonomic treatments of the Miridae in Espírito Santo (ES), Brazil based on extensive fieldwork and review of local collections. Starting with Bryocorinae, Cylapinae, and Deraeocorinae. This manuscript recognizes three subfamilies, 8 tribes, 31 genera, and 45 species from the region. Diagnoses, hostplant/plant associations and predator prey information, distribution data, and remarks are provided. Illustrations of adults and, for most species, morphological characters of male genitalia are given to help identification. Keys are included for identification, including other subfamilies, tribes, and genera not yet found in the state of ES to increase the comparative accuracy.
Redescription of Ilyocryptus raridentatus Smirnov, 1989 (Cladocera: Ilyocryptidae)
Authors: DADYKIN IVAN A. , ÐỊNH CÙ NGUYÊN , SHIEL RUSSELL J. , KOTOV ALEXEY A.
Published: June 2024

During recent years, many taxa of water fleas (Crustacea: Cladocera) with wide distribution ranges were revised and finally accepted as groups of cryptic species. Here we provide a redescription of Ilyocryptus raridentatus Smirnov, 1989 (Anomopoda: Ilyocryptidae). Our study clearly confirms that I. raridentatus belongs to the sarsi-group based on incomplete moulting, absence of dorsal keel, structure of antennule, thoracic limb I and postabdomen. The species is widely distributed in Australia and East Asia (Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Central China, Japan, South Korea) and penetrates north to the Far East of Russia. A morphological variability among different populations of I. raridentatus does not exceed an intrapopulational level. I. raridentatus seems to be a relatively rare species with a benthic lifestyle similar to its congeners.
A new species of the small water strider genus Microvelia (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Veliidae) from the Ryukyus, Japan, with notes on the distribution of M. kyushuensis
Authors: AISO TAKUMI , ISHIKAWA TADASHI
Published: June 2024

A new species of the small water strider genus Microvelia Westwood, 1834, M. minsa sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Veliidae), is described from the Yaeyama Islands of the Ryukyus, Japan. It belongs to the subgenus Pacificovelia Andersen & Weir, 2003. This new species has long been confused with M. kyushuensis Esaki & Miyamoto, 1955, in Japan, but is distinguished from the latter by a larger and more slender body approximately 2.5 times as long as its maximum width, a pair of square gray to grayish-blue markings on abdominal mediotergites II, III, and V, and the male right paramere evenly curved with the apical half twisted.
Note on the Theory of Growth of Cloud Drops by Condensation
Authors: Srivastava R. C.
Published: June 2024

No abstract available.
Observed Relationships between Supercell Mesocyclone Intensity and Evolution, Background Environmental Characteristics, and Cell Mergers
Authors: Flournoy Matthew D. , Lyza Anthony W. , Wade Andrew R. , Fischer Jannick
Published: June 2024

Cell mergers with supercells are relatively common, but much remains unknown about how they may influence subsequent supercell hazards. Furthermore, many outstanding questions regarding mesocyclone evolution exist despite numerous studies linking supercell hazards with the background environments in which they occur. In this study, we analyze the Multi-Year Reanalysis of Remotely Sensed Storms dataset along with hundreds of observed supercell tracks to begin addressing these ideas. In line with recent studies, the outcome of a supercell–cell merger (specifically the final strength of the low-level supercell mesocyclone) is not strongly related to the background environment. Of the parameters that we tested, mixed-layer (ML) LCL exhibited the largest correlation, but the very small coefficient of determination suggests limited operational use. More significantly, the incorporation of Storm Prediction Center objective analyses yields novel quantification of observed mesocyclone strengths in different environments. Of the environmental characteristics tested, kinematic parameters like 0–3-km storm-relative helicity (SRH) and 0–3-km bulk wind difference are more correlated with peak mesocyclone intensity than thermodynamic variables like CAPE and CIN. 0–3-km SRH exhibits the largest correlation, and its variability explains roughly one-third of the variance of peak azimuthal shear. We show trends in peak mesocyclone intensity across notable environmental parameter spaces, as well as how low-level mesocyclone strength fluctuates as background environmental characteristics evolve. Environmental trends during and preceding the times of peak mesocyclone strength are quantified. These analyses may be useful for predicting short-term mesocyclone intensity changes in real time.

Significance Statement

This study addresses open research questions related to how storms merging with supercell thunderstorms may influence supercell evolution and how supercells tend to evolve in different background environments. We find that an environmental measure of cloud-base height is statistically correlated with whether a supercell–cell merger will yield a strengthening or weakening supercell, but the strength of this correlation is quite weak. We find stronger correlations between peak supercell strength across storm lifetimes and some environmental characteristics, particularly parameters related to the change in the wind with height in the lowest few kilometers above ground level. These relationships may be useful for predicting short-term changes in supercell strength in real time.
“Markets of Dispossession”: How Unaccompanied Minors Navigate Their Criminalization in Lebanon
Authors: Achilli Luigi
Published: June 2024

A widespread narrative in policy and media circles is that criminal organizations’ exploitation of migrants amounts to “modern slavery.” The research presented here argues for a different understanding that includes migrant agency. I examine the interactions of migrants—specifically Syrian unaccompanied minors—within illicit economies in Lebanon. I use the notion of “markets of dispossession” to explain the intricate relationship binding migration policy, migrant agency, and crime formation. The term shows how, rather than stemming from extensive criminal enterprises, the “crime” associated with these economies often emerges from myriad micro-interactions, decisions, and acts of resilience by disenfranchised individuals, like unaccompanied minors, navigating restrictive policies and their subsequent criminalization. I go on to argue that acknowledging the agency of the minor migrants in criminalized systems underscores the importance of addressing the poverty, inequality, and social instability that compel their participation in these markets of dispossession.
Boredom, Hope, and Intimate Labor in Transit: Young Male Refugees and Their Intimate Relationships with Older, Local Women in Indonesia
Authors: Tanu Danau , Missbach Antje
Published: June 2024

Thousands of refugees transit through Indonesia, often for prolonged periods of time. With limited access to basic rights, including the right to work, some young or underage male refugees forge intimate relationships with older Indonesians. Public perception of these relationships is, for the most part, dichotomous: the refugees are seen either as moral transgressors or victims of sexual exploitation. This research explores how these intimate, age-dissimilar relationships are formed, and the consequences of the public condemnation and criminal sanctions that can follow. We show that these relationships are often more complex than a mere exchange of money for sex, and argue that they can be best understood as intimate labor. When these relationships are extended ones, they can help refugees alleviate their economic precariousness and afford a more consumerist lifestyle, and to overcome the loneliness, boredom, and hopelessness that characterize their prolonged waiting times in transit.
Shaping Borders: Migrants’ Agency, Time Commodification, and Anticipatory Detention Strategies
Authors: Infantino Federica
Published: June 2024

This article shows how the organizational activities that filter people through borders are shaped by anticipation of migrants’ agency. Through ethnographic research in the United Kingdom’s two largest immigration detention centers, I analyze implementation practices carried out by frontline workers of the Home Office. I question the underexamined relationship between time and organizational action. I find that implementation practices are systematized, in part, by assessments of the future, and are aimed at anticipating and countering detainees’ responses to the possibility of deportation, even before these responses surface. Detainees’ responses can slow the ideal progression of the bureaucratic processes of detention and expulsion, even as speeding up those processes remains a crucial concern of the Home Office organization, largely because of a political fantasy of cost-effectiveness. I argue that more knowledge about these sorts of implementation dynamics allows for reappraisals of policies that remain salient, despite their failures and costs.
Migration and Crime in a Divided World: Strategies, Perceptions, and Struggles
Authors: Achilli Luigi , Missbach Antje , Álvarez Velasco Soledad
Published: June 2024

Contemporary research shows that current migration policies and technologies produce criminality. It would be advantageous, then, to understand how migrants make sense of and respond to these criminalizing migration policies, technologies, and practices. This volume delves deeply into criminalization processes, focusing on how migrants perceive and react to the enactment and implementation of policy. The articles take a close look at the day-to-day experiences of criminalized migrants, advancing our understanding of some of the societal effects of migration policies and of the relationship between criminalization and migration. The collection of work presented in this volume seeks to inspire more critical scholarship, given that public narratives about migration tend to present narratives of tragedy and despair only. We argue that policy and public understanding of migration can improve if we understand more about how, exactly, migrants respond to their criminalization and how they manage to sustain their migratory projects and their lives.
Biomimetic Optical-Filter Sensor System for Discrimination of Infrared Chemical Signatures Against a Cold Sky Background
Authors: McGinnis Cobey L. , Frantz Jesse A. , Sanghera Jasbinder S. , Ewing Kenneth J.
Published: June 2024

Passive infrared (IR) systems enable rapid detection of chemical vapors but are limited by size, weight, cost, and power. Previously, the authors reported a novel passive sensor that utilizes multiple IR filter/detector combinations to discriminate between different chemical vapors based on their unique IR absorption spectra in the same manner the human eye uses to generate colors. This approach enables a very small, compact, and low-power sensor system with the capability to discriminate between chemical vapors of interest and background chemicals. All previous work showed the capability of this sensor system in discriminating chemical vapors against a hot blackbody in a laboratory environment. Now the authors demonstrate the ability of this sensor system to discriminate between the chemical vapor agent simulant dimethyl methylphosphonate and ethanol against the cold sky in an outdoor environment.
National Identity and Democracy Ratings
Authors: Bush Sarah Sunn , Platas Melina R.
Published: June 2024

Global performance indicators, such as democracy ratings, are influential tools of global governance and can have a direct bearing on foreign policy, aid, and investment. Many of these indicators rely on expert assessments. Although expert assessments are generally understood to be objective, this article suggests raters’ identities may shape their assessments. It specifically examines how national identity shapes democracy ratings. Two data sources—an original survey of experts on Uganda and the Varieties of Democracy Institute—reveal significant differences in the ratings provided by national and non-national experts. In most cases, ratings by nationals are more positive. This article explores three potential reasons for the difference, finding some support for each: national differences in information access and consumption, national differences in conceptions of democracy, and in-group–out-group bias. The findings have implications for our understanding of global performance indicators, which are overwhelmingly a product of Global North organizations.
Insights from genetically stratified analyses comparing subtypes of alcohol misuse
Authors: Savage Jeanne E , Thijssen Anaïs B
Published: June 2024

In a recent publication, we applied a novel model to address phenotypic heterogeneity in genetic research on alcohol misuse by stratifying individuals based on their patterns of alcohol use behaviours and comorbid psychopathology. In this Commentary, we provide further descriptions of the subtypes of alcohol misuse that emerged from the empirical mixture modelling approach and present new results comparing these groups on sociodemographic characteristics and additional alcohol use outcomes. We take a broad perspective to discuss how these results fit with existing typologies of alcohol misuse and how the results inform future genetic research. Our findings add further evidence that conceptualisations of a binary distinction between ‘internalising’ (relief-seeking) versus ‘externalising’ (reward-seeking) subtypes does not fully capture the complexity of alcohol misuse. However, accounting for individual differences in these dimensions is a promising means to reduce heterogeneity and thereby improve power for gene discovery and, eventually, personalised medicine applications. We argue that more detailed, person-specific assessment of alcohol misuse measures, particularly with attention to longitudinal trajectories, is needed to further advance this important line of research.
Elasticity, acoustic loss and γ′ dissolution in superalloys from resonant ultrasound spectroscopy
Authors: Driver SL , Markanday JFS , Christofidou KA , Mignanelli PM , Stone HJ , Carpenter MA
Published: June 2024

The high temperature acoustic loss and elastic moduli of the Ni-based superalloys RR1000, Waspaloy, and Allvac® 718Plus™ were investigated using resonant ultrasound spectroscopy. An exponential increase in acoustic loss was seen in all alloys, which was viscoelastic in character with an activation energy of ∼ 200–400 kJ.mol−1, similar to that of the self-diffusion of Ni. The magnitude of the loss was found to be proportional to d−0.85, where d is the grain size. Deviations from the high temperature background were seen in Waspaloy and 718Plus around their γ′ solvus temperatures, attributed to increased diffusion during γ′ dissolution. It is suggested that acoustic loss in Ni-based alloys may be used as a means of determining the γ′ solvus temperatures.
Learning through the design, process, artefact, analysis and evaluation of thin-film modules in nanotechnology
Authors: Liu Jiagui , Jean MingDer
Published: June 2024

The aim of this study is to report on the implementation of the laboratory activities of the thin-film module in the learning-by-doing programme. It takes a course in nanotechnology through the implementation of design, process, artefacts, analysis and evaluation in a thin film module, which equips students with hands-on activities. Based on the evaluation results, over 70% of the students finds the use of hands-on activities to learn the thin film module of the programme is very helpful. It strengthens their skills whilst motivating them to take an interest in nanotechnology. The program further offers the benefit of implementing hands-on film modules with laboratory activities, thus creating a more effective learning environment for the nanotechnology program. In addition, the favourable response to the project indicates that the thin film module is successful in helping students understand the concepts and applications of nanotechnology. Regardless, by applying thin-film modules in ‘learning by doing’ activities, students can enhance their self-confidence in nanotechnology-related fields in terms of professional knowledge, technical skills and learning attitudes. Most of all, students get a good satisfaction and achievement. Overall, the feedback from students, both quantitative and qualitative, indicates that the thin film module in the nanotechnology programme is well received by the students.
Research on Load Estimation for Commercial Trucks Based on Air Suspension State Parameters
Authors: Bi Senyu , Fu Hongxun , Yang Bowen , Ni Shanqian , Huo Ruijian
Published: June 2024

For commercial trucks, accurate vehicle load information is crucial to preventing overloading and uneven load distribution, thereby improving transportation efficiency and reducing transportation costs. Existing research on vehicle load estimation primarily focuses on tires, axles, frames, and leaf springs, with limited studies on load estimation for vehicles equipped with air suspension. This paper presents the design of a vehicle onboard weighing system for civil commercial trucks based on the state parameters of air springs and proposes a matching method for vehicle load estimation. The system utilizes laser distance- and gas pressure sensors to collect the state parameters of the air springs. It estimates the vehicle load and displays the load information in real time on the onboard display. The vehicle load estimation method was explored through prototype testing and theoretical derivation. A fitting model was constructed using surface fitting techniques to establish the relationship between the effective contact area and the height variation and capsule pressure of the air spring. Subsequently, a load prediction model was built based on the force equilibrium equation of the air springs. Finally, the construction and accuracy of the load prediction model for a specific type of diaphragm air spring were verified using finite element analysis. The results demonstrated that the average relative error of the load prediction model could be controlled within 1%, meeting the high accuracy requirements of the vehicle weighing system.
Response of inner shelf benthic foraminiferal community to different concentrations of dissolved oxygen under laboratory culture experiment
Authors: Kurtarkar Sujata R. , Kaithwar Amrata , Saraswat Rajeev
Published: June 2024

Dissolved oxygen, a vital parameter for a majority of marine organisms, may decline in the near future due to anthropogenic eutrophication in coastal waters. The effect of depleting dissolved oxygen on the marine benthic community is difficult to assess from field studies, as dissolved oxygen often co-varies with several other parameters, especially organic matter. The controlled laboratory culture experiments can help to assess the effect of a specific parameter on marine organisms. Foraminifera constitute a substantial fraction of the marine benthic organisms, and a few species are vulnerable to depleted oxygen. A majority of the previous culture experiments have used isolated specimens of individual benthic foraminiferal species. Although such studies helped to understand the response of individual species to a particular parameter, they have to be scaled up to understand the community-level response of benthic foraminifera. Here, we assess the community-level response of the shallow subtidal benthic foraminiferal community to five different oxygen concentrations (1.67 mL/L to 5.01 mL/L) in a laboratory culture experiment. The living benthic foraminiferal abundance was considerably high at the intermediate oxygen concentration, whereas it decreased at both the lower and higher concentrations. The decreasing dissolved oxygen caused poor preservation of dead benthic foraminifera due to a drop in pH. The relative abundance trend of the species belonging to the same genus was different, suggesting a species-specific response to the dissolved oxygen. The maximum abundance at 2.91 mL/L and the varying response of individual species clearly suggest a non-linear response of the benthic foraminiferal community to the dissolved oxygen.
Influence of surface modifications on interfacial and mechanical properties in fibre-reinforced composites
Authors: Saka Dinç Zaide , Eren Semiha , Öz Yahya , Eren Hüseyin Aksel
Published: June 2024

Carbon fibres play a crucial role in fibre-reinforced composite materials. Properties of these composites are not solely determined by the fibre and matrix. In contrast, the interface between fibre and matrix also plays a pivotal role. The presence of sufficient van der Waals and hydrogen bonds between carbon fibre and matrix is vital for achieving strong interfacial adhesion during the composite fabrication. However, due to the chemical inertness and hydrophobic nature of carbon fibre surfaces, establishing effective interfacial bonding with the matrix poses a challenge. To address this, a range of methods has been developed to modify the carbon fibre surface and facilitate the formation of functional groups. Combined methods, such as sized carbon fibre and ozone treatment, have gained widespread usage in overcoming these challenges. In this study, a detailed examination was conducted to compare differences between ozonation of desized and sized carbon fibres by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). XPS results distinctly demonstrated the transformation of epoxy groups into hydroxyl and carboxyl functional groups following the ozonation process. Notably, in the 60 min ozone treatment with 5 L/min (ozone-5), carboxyl groups increased from 1.27 to 8.12 %. In addition, in ozone-5 conditions, hydroxyl groups increased by 28.37 %. An escalation in graphite regions was also identified during the ozonation of the desized carbon fibre sample. Conversely, there was no significant alteration observed in the Raman value of sized carbon fibre samples. Furthermore, mechanical test results for both desized and sized carbon fibres after ozonation were compared. Ozone treatment of carbon fibres, regardless of whether sizing is present or not, leads to an increase in the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS). ILSS values for sized carbon fibres were initially 41 MPa. However, following ozone treatment, ILSS values of sized carbon fibres increased to 64 MPa. The tensile strength of sized carbon fibres increased from 772 to 831 MPa. This behaviour can be attributed to the increased amount of functional groups detected by XPS, Raman spectroscopy and the increase in roughness.
A negative dialectics of climate change destruction: Reflecting on climate futures with Adorno
Authors: Skillington Tracey
Published: June 2024

This paper offers a brief overview of the negative dialectical turn in Adorno's post-war writings when he began to give more serious attention to the type of ‘subjective possibilities’ generated by encounters with adversity. The analysis below explores the relevance of Adorno's work to current efforts to make sense of an increasingly felt contact with climate change harm. In particular, Adorno's insights on the paradoxical relationship that emerges between scenarios inspiring despair and hope for a better future. Rather than ignore contradiction and focus only on the possibilities and potentials that inhere in the good, Adorno's preference was to examine those that also emerge from a crisis ridden present. Similar to other Frankfurt School adherents, Adorno drew attention to an important distinction between inner and outer worlds and their critical mediation via the thinking process – the bridging of inner worlds of intuition, feeling, sense perception, the free flow of thought and imagination, and the outer world, episodes of violent destruction and ongoing change, noting how insights generated by the meeting of these worlds are never singular or straightforward in a positivist sense but are often marked by plurality, contradiction and transformation. The focus in this instance will be on how thinking about the climate present can also generate a thinking beyond to other possibilities (e.g. imaginaries of a future degrowth society). It will assess current moves to institutionalise new geo-engineering technologies to stabilise climate conditions and protect capitalism's growth imperative, noting how the contradictions inherent in such proposals can trigger a dialectical turn towards other futures and other relations with nature.
Platform Convergence or Divergence? Comparing Political Ad Content Across Digital and Social Media Platforms
Authors: Ridout Travis N. , Neumann Markus , Yao Jielu , Baum Laura , Franz Michael M. , Oleinikov Pavel , Franklin Fowler Erika
Published: June 2024

When it comes to the study of the messaging of online political campaigns, theory suggests that platform divergence should be common, but much research finds considerable convergence across platforms. In this research, we examine variation across digital and social media platforms in the types of paid campaign messages that are distributed, focusing on their goals, tone, and the partisanship of political rhetoric. We use data on the content of paid election advertisements placed on YouTube, Google search, Instagram, and Facebook during the 2020 elections in the United States, examining all federal candidates who advertised on these platforms during the final 2 months of the campaign. We find that YouTube is most distinct from the other platforms, perhaps because it most resembles television, but convergence better describes the two Meta platforms, Facebook and Instagram.
Improving self-dependency in Pakistan: Experience of a locally prepared automated PD machine
Authors: Qayyum Ahad , Sabir Omer , Riaz Muhammad Mohsin , Azfar Anjum , Basit Muhammad Bilal
Published: June 2024

The increasing burden of haemodialysis on healthcare systems merits efforts to make peritoneal dialysis (PD) more accessible to the population in need of kidney replacement therapy. Automated PD (APD) may be a suitable alternative to continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis for home dialysis especially for children, elderly and patients who lead a busy schedule in their jobs thus leaving more time for personal and family activities during the day. Recently, a local bioengineering company took the initiative to develop a locally manufactured, low-cost APD cycler in Pakistan, with an aim to improve the self-dependency and home-based kidney replacement therapy. We herein present our first experience of APD on this locally manufactured APD cycler. It was an investigator-led study on the utility of a locally manufactured APD cycler and the safety and efficacy of the standard operating procedures developed and adopted by the study authors. A total of eight patients agreed to participate in this study extending from September 2021 to August 2022. There were four male and four female patients, and the mean age was 52.5 + 19.71 years. The locally manufactured cycler provided more than 1600 h of APD sessions. The APD sessions were well tolerated with only a few instances of minor mechanical and software issues that did not require termination of therapy. There were no episodes of peritonitis; however, one of the patients had an episode of exit site and tunnel infection that did not seem to be related to the procedure. Our experience with locally manufactured APD cycler was successful and without major adverse events. We believe the locally produced APD cycler is a viable cost-effective option for patients requiring PD and may herald a new era of self-dependency for patients considering or undergoing PD in Pakistan.
Influence of process variations on clinch joint characteristics considering the effect of the nominal tool design
Authors: Zirngibl C , Goetz S , Wartzack S
Published: June 2024

Focusing on upcoming challenges in lightweight design, such as increasing emission targets or novel multimaterial connections, versatile applicable and environmentally friendly production technologies are crucial. In this context, mechanical joining technology clinching offers a fast and energy-efficient procedure for assembling sheet metals, being a proper alternative to established joining methods, such as spot welding. However, the design of clinch points is a challenge, which is partly supported by numerical or data-based approaches for optimal tool dimensions assuring proper joint characteristics. While this is usually done for an ideal environment, real joining processes are characterized by multiple inevitably varying parameters, e.g. of the material, which have a significant impact on the quality of clinch points. Therefore, this contribution addresses the current gap by analyzing the effect of parameter variations or uncertainties on the resulting joint characteristics and studying the impact of the nominal tool design. Thus, an efficient meta-model-based variation simulation procedure is proposed and used for analyzing the effect of different tool design configurations and variation scenarios. Based on the results, it was found that varying process parameters have a strong impact on the resulting joint characteristics, whereby the effect significantly depends on the nominal tool design. This reveals the potential for a robust tool design and implies that the nominal tool design and the tolerancing of parameters should be done simultaneously for a reliable virtual joining point design without extensive iterations and physical tests.
Signaling pathways in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease with acupuncture: a narrative review
Authors: Ke Chao , Shan Shengtao , Tan Yan , Cao Yang , Xie Zhengrong , Shi Senjie , Pan Jiang , Zhang Wei
Published: June 2024

Background:

To date, there is no effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is increasing in prevalence worldwide. The objective of this review was to summarize the core targets and signaling pathways involved in acupuncture treatment for AD.

Methods:

We reviewed numerous signaling pathways, including mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase–protein kinase B (PI3 K/Akt), adenosine monophosphate–activated protein kinase (AMPK), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), nuclear factor (NF)-kB, p53, Wnt, nitric oxide (NO), Janus kinase / signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/ STAT), RhoA/ROCK (Rho-associated protein kinase) and Ca2+/ calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) / cyclic adenosine monophosphate-response element-binding protein (CREB). The relevant data were obtained from PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wanfang databases.

Results:

In summary, the effects of acupuncture are mediated by multiple targets and pathways. Furthermore, acupuncture can improve pathological changes associated with AD (such as abnormal deposition of amyloid (A)β, tau hyperphosphorylation, synaptic dysfunction and neuronal apoptosis) through multiple signaling pathways.

Conclusion:

Overall, our findings provide a basis for future research into the effects of acupuncture on AD.
Organizational Legitimacy: A Bibliometric Analysis of Web of Science Database
Authors: Sehgal Varsha
Published: June 2024

This study is an attempt to conduct a bibliometric review in the above-mentioned field. A bibliometric review is conducted using 644 articles from the Web of Science core collection database. The article evaluates the research article distribution based on time and geography. It also highlights notable articles, authors and journals. We make use of techniques like citation analysis, co-citation analysis and co-occurrence analysis. Software Vos Viewer and Biblioshiny are used. The article also explores the theme development in the area. The volume of publications has seen steady growth since 2003 but has seen rapid growth post 2020. On analysing the country-wide distribution, we realize that the top five positions are occupied by USA, England, China, Canada and Spain. In terms of the major sources of these publications, the list of journals has spread across various disciplines such as accounting, human resource management, economics, ethics, etc. Trending topics like corporate social responsibility, sustainability, financial performance, corruption, risk and trust whose linkages with legitimacy have gained emphasis in recent times have been highlighted. Further, the analysis emphasizes areas with research scope like social media and legitimacy, corporate governance and legitimacy, institutional pressures, etc. Additionally, co-citation clusters were developed to represent the distribution of the thematic structure. The article provides various suggestions for academicians and managers/policymakers.
Understanding the Association Between Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Cognitive Impairment: A Single-centre Experience
Authors: Suvvari Tarun Kumar , Kali Chandra Shekar
Published: June 2024

Background

The global prevalence of diabetes mellitus has been increasing, leading to a rise in morbidity associated with the disease. While diabetic nephropathy, retinopathy and neuropathy are routinely screened in diabetic patients, the cognitive decline associated with diabetes is often overlooked.

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of cognitive impairment and its associated risk factors among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods

An observational cross-sectional study was conducted for two months. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test, which consists of 30 questions, was used to assess cognitive function. In-depth clinical history along with glycaemic parameters were collected. The chi-square test was used to find out the association between categorical variables and cognitive impairment. Pearson’s correlation test was performed to determine the correlation between glycaemic parameters and cognitive impairment.

Results

A total of 96 patients participated in the study. The mean HbA1c (%) was 9.08 ± 1.73, and the mean MoCA score was 25.14 ± 1.63. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) was noted in 56% patients. Attention was the most common cognitive domain defect found in all MCI patients—100%. Delayed recall and memory were the second most common cognitive domain defect found—92.5%. Higher HbA1c, high FBS and higher PPBS were found to be statistically associated with MCI. A negative correlation was found between glycaemic parameters (HbA1c, FBS and PPBS levels) and MoCA scores.

Conclusion

More than half of our study participants reported mild cognitive impairment. It highlights the need for the implementation of routine cognitive testing for diabetes patients. There is a strong negative correlation between MoCA scores and parameters of glycaemic control; higher levels of HbA1c, FBS, and PPBS are seen in people with a lower MoCA score, indicating mild cognitive impairment. Further studies are needed to evaluate whether improving glucose levels helps in improving cognition or not.
Using Action Research and Logic Modeling to Promote Young People's Engagement, Resilience and Wellbeing in Middle Schooling
Authors: Phillips Scott , Brown Seth , Kelly Peter
Published: June 2024

An approach to action research of innovative and disruptive socioecological understandings of young people's wellbeing, resilience, and engagement in middle school was piloted with a coalition of school principals, lead teachers, police, and community development professionals by an RMIT research team. This coalition was built around the Hume-Whittlesea Local Learning and Employment Network and the Whittlesea Youth Commitment Committee in outer northern Melbourne, Australia. Action research facilitated the collaborative design of interventions for reducing middle school disengagement. These were then expressed in logic model terms to guide implementation and subsequent evaluation. Logic models clarified how local innovations, situated in an authorizing environment, can develop promising practices that contribute to system reform. Our project involved characterizing ecologies of young people's engagement, resilience, and wellbeing as part of a place-based strategy.