bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancement of Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Korarima (Aframomum corrorima) at Humid Tropical Climatic Conditions
Authors: Awoke Hassen , Kaske Karta , Mulualem Tsegaye , Shiferaw Getachew
Published: December 2024

Korarima (Aframomum corrorim) (is an indigenous spice and cash crop in Ethiopia. Korarima seed has less peppery pungent taste, and milder, sweeter flavor. Potentially it grows under the natural forests in the south and southwestern parts of the country where coffee potentially grow. But the crop shows delayed seed germination and poor field emergency at growing area. So obtaining fast seed germination and intact seedling is the main concern for farmers. The objective of this trial was to assess the potential of seed treatment chemicals on seed germination and seedling development of korarima. The trial was organized in completely randomized design with three replications. Analysis of Variance was done using statistical analysis software. Treatment means were separated using LSD at 0.05 probability level of significance. The results of the trial was designated that korarima seed germination and seedling development were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) enhanced by pre sowing seed treatment. The supreme seed germination value (83.25%) was shown by korarima seeds soaked with 80% alcohol for 30 min, whereas the lowest seed germination (47.53%) was seen from seeds soaked with 10% H2SO4 for 5 min. Based on these result, it can conclude pre-sowing seed treatment of Korarima enhanced seed germination and intact seedling development of korarima.
Microbiological Assessment of Oreochromis niloticus Treated with Calotropis procera - Silver Nanoparticles
Authors: Animashaun Oluwatoyin , Aina Daniel , Thonda Oluwakemi
Published: December 2024

Oreochromis niloticus is a highly nutritious aquatic food with limited shelf life. The mode of preservation of O. niloticus has raised concerns about its safety and public health due to food borne illnesses. Studies have shown that chemical preservatives are toxic and harmful to humans thereby leading to growing interest in Calotropis procera for its antibacterial properties, and there is limited information on the use of C. procera silver nanoparticles (CP-AgNPs) to preserve O. niloticus. Hence, this study aimed at evaluating its preservative effect of CP-AgNPs on O. niloticus. A total of one hundred and fifty-six samples of adult wild O. niloticus (97.41± 0.95 g) were sourced from a local river using simple random sampling. The O. niloticus fishes were subjected to four different treatments which included: dipping into sterile distilled water, dipping into NaCl solution, dipping into Calotropis procera silver nanoparticles (CP-AgNPs) solution and injecting CP-AgNPs. These were allowed to stand for 30 min, thereafter drained and held in clean basket at ambient conditions for 48 h. Samples were taken at 4 h interval for microbiological analysis according to standard methods. The isolated bacteria were identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. All analysis was carried out in triplicates with statistical significance set at P<0.05. The microbial count showed that CP-AgNPs exhibited antimicrobial and antifungal activities. The best treatment for preservation was the injected CP-AgNPs. Bacteria identified were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus agalactiae, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter sichuanensis, Enterobacter cloacae, Staphylococcus aureus, Citrobacter portucalensis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Klebsiella variicola, Proteus mirabilis and Aeromonas caviae. This study concluded that, injecting CP-AgNPs into O. niloticus was the best treatment option; however, CP-AgNPs displayed antibacterial activities and preservative effect on O. niloticus.
The Nature of Shared Traumatic Experiences: When, How, and How Often Do We Share Trauma With Others?
Authors: Hutchison Nadine P. , Thomas Emma F. , Takarangi Melanie K. T.
Published: December 2024

Across two studies, we investigated when, how, and how often people share traumatic events ( N = 1008). In Study 1, most participants (78.5%) perceived their most stressful/traumatic event as shared primarily due to knowing others were present during the event (physical sharing), knowing/believing others had experienced or could experience a similar event (relational sharing), discussing the event with others (verbal sharing), or having the same emotions about the event as others (emotional sharing). In Study 2, we assessed the frequency and characteristics of these forms of sharing along with attitudinal sharing (same attitudes/beliefs/opinions about the event) and perpetrator sharing (perpetrator involved in the event). Nearly all participants (98.6%–99.4%) shared their most stressful/traumatic event with others in some way. Our findings demonstrate that people commonly share a range of traumatic events in various unique ways. This framework can inform and guide research addressing the impacts of these diverging forms of sharing.
‘Neo-collectivisation’ through property rights reforms: Villager empowerment and state building in urbanising China
Authors: Wong Siu Wai , Liu Jinlong , Tang Bo-sin
Published: December 2024

Over the past two decades, property rights reforms in China’s peri-urban regions have succeeded in granting villagers individual rights to their collective assets. It has been argued that these reforms will lead to the demise of China’s long-established rural collective system. However, based on in-depth research and case studies in southern China, we conclude that these reform initiatives have been upheld by the state and villagers to sustain and improve, rather than destroy, rural collectivism. The implementation of formal titling through shareholding reforms has not engendered full privatisation and the dissolution of collective entities; instead, it has given rise to an alternative form of rural collectivity that has reshaped the power dynamics between the state and the villagers in daily governance. While this ‘neo-collectivist’ approach appears to have empowered villagers by enhancing their rights to collective assets and benefits, it has also strengthened the governing capacity of the socialist state by extending and legitimising its interventions in Chinese rural communities.
Zoning a productive city? A typology of clustering, diversity and specialisation in Melbourne’s urban industrial areas
Authors: Grodach Carl , Guerra-Tão Nícolas
Published: December 2024

This research focuses on identifying the nuanced land use dynamics of urban industrial zones. Industrial lands in major Western cities have undergone significant change in the face of increasingly competitive property markets. At the same time, many countries seek to reshore manufacturing and support local industrial activity amid changes in production technologies, global supply chain shocks and geopolitical insecurity. Yet policymakers often fail to seriously consider the contemporary character of industrial zones and research has yet to analyse this in a systematic way. In response, we employ k-means cluster analysis to develop a typology of industrial zones in Melbourne, Australia. The typology captures a range of industrial zone clusters, which vary by industry mix, specialisation and spatial pattern. While some clusters represent traditional industrial areas, others are highly diverse in terms of firm and employment mix encompassing service sector activity and specialised manufacturing industries. These variations underscore the limitations of traditional zoning frameworks focused predominately on use separation and point towards the need for more responsive and context-specific urban economic development and industrial land use policies.
Kinetic analysis on reduction process of copper slag with and without CaO
Authors: Zhang Shuhui , Wu Xiaozhang , Lan Chenchen , Wang Baoyong , Qie Yana , Wu Shuxuan
Published: December 2024

The reduction of copper slag by carbonaceous material is one of the important methods to recovery some valuable elements in copper slag, such as Fe, Zn, Cu, etc. The kinetic reaction mechanism should be mastered in order to promote the recovery rate of metallic elements in copper slag. In this work, isothermal reduction experiments of copper slag with and without CaO were carried out using the anthracite as reducing agent. The reduction behaviour of copper slag with CaO and without CaO was analysed, and the kinetics mechanism was discussed based on traditional gas–solid model and integral method, respectively. The result shows that the reaction temperature significantly affected the reduction degree of copper slag, the copper slag reduction degree can be effectively enhanced by adding a certain amount of CaO in raw materials. Based on the gas–solid model, both the reaction process of copper slag without CaO and with CaO is in accord with interfacial reaction control model before the reaction time of 1200 s and gas diffusion Jander model after 1200 s. Compared with the gas–solid model, it is better to use the integral method to calculate reaction activation energy of the reduction process of copper slag. When CaO is added into copper slag, the basicity goes up and reaction activation energy decreases subsequently. The increase of basicity from 0.06 to 1.20 promotes a decrease by 11.40 kJ/mol in reaction activation energy, illustrating that CaO has a positive effect on the reduction process of copper slag. The control link of the reduction process for each copper slag gradually changes from interfacial chemical reaction to carbon gasification reaction, followed by gas diffusion with the increase of the reduction degree of copper slag.
Case Report: Johanson–Blizzard’s Syndrome with a Novel Mutation in UBR1 Gene
Authors: Banu S. Nasreen , Vinnakota Naga Chaitanya , Alluwada Lavanya , Tripathi Parijat Ram
Published: December 2024

Johanson–Blizzard’s syndrome (JBS) is a rare cause of chronic diarrhoea in infancy. It is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, multiple characteristic dysmorphic features, multisystem involvement and developmental delay. JBS is a very rare disease with roughly about 70 cases reported in the literature. We are reporting this case of a male infant who presented with chronic diarrhoea and had typical facial features along with café-au-lait spots, and the whole exome sequencing revealed a novel homozygous UBR1 mutation.
Pancreatic Hypoplasia and Neonatal Diabetes: Case Report and Management Insights
Authors: Roy Tanima , Sk Md Habibullah , Saha Bijan
Published: December 2024

Neonatal diabetes mellitus (NDM) presents a diagnostic challenge due to its diverse phenotypic and genetic manifestations. We report a case of a term, small-for-gestational-age female neonate with pancreatic hypoplasia exhibiting persistent hyperglycaemia despite aggressive insulin therapy. The clinical course was complicated by sepsis and feed intolerance, necessitating prolonged parenteral nutrition. Genetic testing via targeted next-generation sequencing did not reveal any mutations, highlighting current limitations in genetic diagnostics for NDM. Despite efforts, the patient succumbed to infection at 10 weeks of age. This case underscores the complexities of managing NDM and emphasizes the need for a multidisciplinary approach to achieve tight glycaemic control, provide nutritional support, and address potential exocrine pancreatic involvement to optimize outcomes in neonatal diabetes.
“Play!”: Combatting Pathocentric Epistemic Injustice in Chronic Pain Care
Authors: Charette Michelle
Published: December 2024

Epistemic injustice is an analytical framework that is used to describe a wrong done to someone in their capacity as a knower. Epistemic injustice is well-documented across the healthcare spectrum, particularly in relation to the patient’s capacity to understand, and thus derive meaning from, the experience of illness. This article contributes to the body of scholarship exploring how to achieve pathocentric epistemic justice by way of ethnographic case study. Findings draw on fieldwork conducted at a small, publicly funded chronic pain clinic. At MB clinic, pain care is delivered in a group setting. Patients and doctor exhibit a playful attitude: they lean into uncertainty, tell jokes, and eschew the concept of mastery. This produces an epistemic environment that departs from the kind critiqued in studies wherein epistemic injustice is present. By way of case study, this article provides support for the broad claim that there is a link between playfulness and epistemic well-being. Therefore, playfulness may be applied as a strategy to combat pathocentric epistemic injustice.
Leading by Looking and Listening: Observation Framework to Support Equitable and Ambitious Teaching and Learning
Authors: Neel Michael , Johnson Heather Jo , Neal Kristen W.
Published: December 2024

In the wake of the events of recent years, most school leaders and educators recognize that taking equity seriously demands new attention to the instructional experiences that occupy most of students’ time in school. In what follows, we bring together key literature on ambitious teaching-learning and equitable classroom practice in an observation framework to support equitable and ambitious teaching and learning. This framework can enable school leaders to analyze classroom practice and cultivate productive instructional coaching conversations with teachers. The framework is not a means to technocratically score teacher performance. Instead, it provides an observer with four lenses to support ‘looking’ at classroom activity including attention to the 1) tasks, 2) tools, 3) talk, and 4) participant structures, while explicitly inviting attention to questions of equity and power related to instructional interactions.
Embracing the Mess in Feminist Research: Insights From Posthumanism
Authors: Anderson Briony , Lundberg Kajsa , O’Donnell Samantha
Published: December 2024

Qualitative approaches present challenges to the neat and orderly histories of research. Within this shifting climate, feminist researchers have blurred the boundaries of rigorous research, by bringing the personal into their methods and drawing attention to the liveliness of research methods. We build on this liveliness in this article to develop the conceptual framework of mess. We define messy methods as sensorial, relational, and posthuman in their resistance to binaries and predetermined notions of objectivity. We engage this framework as an excavating tool to explore three vignettes from the authors’ separate research on family violence, doxxing, and climate change. Through these explorations, we challenge understandings of the relations between human, nonhuman, and more-than-human actors, and argue that mess calls us into the “contingent tableau” of embodied feminist research praxis. This article also presents implications and challenges for qualitative research more broadly by calling for a messy movement.
“Him, Me, or the Both of Us”: Perceptions of Blame Among Israeli Ultraorthodox Women Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Vass Anat , Krane Julia , Buchbinder Eli
Published: December 2024

This study investigated how Ultraorthodox Jewish Women (UJW) survivors attribute blame in intimate partner violence (IPV) experiences, addressing a significant research gap in understanding IPV within specific cultural contexts. The research employed a phenomenological approach through 15 semistructured face-to-face interviews with UJW IPV survivors. The findings revealed diverse patterns of blame attribution, including exclusive perpetrator blame, self-blame, and shared responsibility. The study suggests the need for a broader scientific framework to understand their experiences, emphasizing how IPV must be understood within both wider social and specific cultural contexts. This understanding is crucial for developing culturally sensitive interventions and support services for IPV survivors.
The Labor of Survival: Homicide Victims and the Black Women They Leave Behind
Authors: Posey Brianne M.
Published: December 2024

The homicide rate of Black Americans continues to soar despite increasing awareness of their overrepresentation. Given this overrepresentation, Black Americans are especially vulnerable to secondary or co-victimization. Following a homicide in the Black community, loved ones are inconsolable with grief; however, it is frequently the victim’s mother, daughter, sister, aunt, female romantic partner, and grandmother who carry the social, cultural, and legal weight. Black women’s invisibility and hypervisibility as secondary victims of homicide adds to their marginalization and puts them at risk for additional harms. In response to this issue, using a Critical Race Feminism and Intersectionality theoretical lens, this paper explores three distinct types of homicide and their impacts on Black women: firearm homicide; police brutality; and intimate partner homicide (IPH). Furthermore, focusing on the often-overlooked racialized and gendered trauma following a violent death in the Black community, research, policy, and practice measures to support Black women are introduced. Overall, this paper presents a cumulative review and a springboard agenda for advancing and elevating knowledge on Black women’s experiences in the aftermath of homicide.
“A Lot of Men Have Definitely Gotten Over the Whole ‘No One Wants to Watch Women’s Sports’ Thing”: Fan Perceptions of the Masculinization of Women’s Soccer Fandom
Authors: Allison Rachel , Kossakowski Radosław
Published: December 2024

Recent research on the “feminization” of fandom in men’s sport has considered how fans interpret and respond to the increased presence of women in this masculinized social setting. We explore the converse: the masculinization of fandom in women’s sport, a feminized social setting. Based on interviews with 35 U.S. women’s professional soccer fans in 2019 and 2023, we explore fan perceptions of a greater number of boys and men attending women’s games over time and the meanings they give to this pattern. Themes of ‘beyond the fathers of daughters,’ ‘men’s changing masculinities,’ and ‘masculinization as legitimizing women’s sport’ reveal fan perceptions of men’s growing inclusive masculinities, and thus interest in women’s sport, but also continued gendered power dynamics, with the presence of men fans understood to grant women’s soccer recognition and respect as “real” sport.
Utilizing an In-silico Approach to Pinpoint Potential Biomarkers for Enhanced Early Detection of Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Gharebaghi Alireza , Afshar Saeid , Tapak Leili , Ranjbar Hossein , Saidijam Massoud , Dinu Irina
Published: December 2024

Objectives:

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prevalent disease characterized by significant dysregulation of gene expression. Non-invasive tests that utilize microRNAs (miRNAs) have shown promise for early CRC detection. This study aims to determine the association between miRNAs and key genes in CRC.

Methods:

Two datasets (GSE106817 and GSE23878) were extracted from the NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus database. Penalized logistic regression (PLR) and artificial neural networks (ANN) were used to identify relevant miRNAs and evaluate the classification accuracy of the selected miRNAs. The findings were validated through bipartite miRNA-mRNA interactions.

Results:

Our analysis identified 3 miRNAs: miR-1228, miR-6765-5p, and miR-6787-5p, achieving a total accuracy of over 90%. Based on the results of the mRNA-miRNA interaction network, CDK1 and MAD2L1 were identified as target genes of miR-6787-5p.

Conclusions:

Our results suggest that the identified miRNAs and target genes could serve as non-invasive biomarkers for diagnosing colorectal cancer, pending laboratory confirmation.
Effect of a Modern Palaeolithic Diet in Combination with a Sprint Interval Training on Metabolic and Performance-Related Parameters in Male Athletes: A Pilot Trial
Authors: Zdzieblik Denise , Waldvogel Tobias , Zierke Anna , Gollhofer Albert , König Daniel
Published: December 2024

Background:

Although a palaeolithic diet promotes healthier food choices that aid in weight management and reduce cardiovascular risks, its effectiveness in endurance sports is still debated due to its typically low carbohydrate content.

Objective:

This study examined the impact of a 6-week palaeolithic diet (PD-G) versus a mixed diet (MD-G), both paired with Sprint interval training (SIT), on various metabolic and performance-related parameters.

Methods:

Body composition, time trial (TT) performance (covered distance during a 60-minute run on a 400-metre track) and changes in metabolic (respiratory exchange ratio [RER], substrate oxidation rates) and performance-related (time at ventilatory threshold [VT] and respiratory compensation point [RCP], maximum oxygen uptake (V̇O2max) and time to exhaustion [TTE]) parameters during a ramp incremental running test were assessed in 14 male endurance athletes. Additionally, Gastrointestinal Quality of Life index (GLQI) and perceptual responses to the diets [visual analogue scale (VAS)] were measured.

Results:

After 6 weeks, both groups improved in TTE and distance covered in the 60-minute TT, without significant group differences. In the PD-G body weight, fat mass and systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased. At rest, RER and carbohydrate oxidation significantly decreased in the PD-G, with a tendency towards significance during exercise, while changes in fat oxidation rates were not statistically significant at rest and throughout the exercise test; in contrast, the MD-G exhibited smaller changes across these parameters.

Conclusion:

In this investigation, a palaeolithic diet in combination with SIT appeared to have positive effects on fat mass, blood pressure and substrate utilization under resting conditions in a group of male endurance athletes. However, based on the current findings for performance metrics, a palaeolithic diet cannot be recommended unreservedly for healthy endurance athletes.
The mercenary concepts conditions of possibility: effeminacy, modernity and the international
Authors: Riemann Malte
Published: December 2024

The 19th-century disappearance of mercenary forces within Europe is generally regarded as a cornerstone in the historical sociology of the international as it provided important conditions of possibility for the historical consolidation of the state’s monopoly on violence. Contrary to the claim that mercenaries disappeared in this time frame, this article argues that the mercenary concept was constituted within it. The argument unfolds in three steps. First, it revisits a central dichotomy within this narrative, the soldier/mercenary dualism, exposing the conceptual ambiguity surrounding these terms before the 19th century. Second, drawing on the work of Michel Foucault, it turns to an overlooked dimension of the 19th-century transformation in military force, namely a change in the conditions of knowledge and the constitution of the modern subject grounded in the modern state. Last, by investigating 19th-century discourses on ‘effeminacy’ and the formation of the social, it exposes how the mercenary enters into reflective practice as an actor threatening to undo the compact between man and state, by being simultaneously a symptomatic expression of, as well as cause for, the erosion of the masculine principle upon which this compact rests.
Internet memes, populist campaigns: Nationalism, populism, and online visual protests in China
Authors: He Kun , Eldridge Scott A , Broersma Marcel
Published: December 2024

This study examines how socially and culturally ingrained visual semiotic resources are used to demonstrate netizens’ affinities with ‘the people’ and dislikes of ‘the elite’ in expressions of online and bottom-up national populism in China. Using a methodological framework that integrates multimodal discourse analysis with a study of ideology, semiotics, and intertextuality, we study ‘weaponized’ Internet memes that were generated during three Diba Expeditions in 2016, 2018 and 2019. We identify three major social-culturally embedded visual semiotic themes: the Jiong playful style, nostalgia, and the strategic use of colour. These themes reflect the negotiation between populist dynamics, emerging online in China to express dissatisfaction with elites and nationalist appeals which emerge to push back against external ‘threats’. This study enhances our understanding of populist visual mobilization and visual protest by examining the Diaosi self-image constructed by the people in online and bottom-up populism in China. Traditionally, populist discourse has depicted ‘the people’ as pure, hardworking, and morally upright, mediated through the rhetoric of populist leaders and parties in top-down approaches. However, our research reveals a more complex and self-reflective portrayal, where the Diaosi subculture presents ‘the people’ as vulnerable, marginalized, and socio-economically disadvantaged. This self-construction challenges conventional populist narratives and highlights the dynamic and context-specific nature of populist identities.
Assessment of cardiovascular diagnoses associated with telemedicine during and after the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Shan Rongzi , Patel Neeja , Chen Jenny Y , Cho David
Published: December 2024

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic led to widespread adoption of telemedicine, which has persisted in healthcare delivery.

Objective

We aimed to characterize telemedicine use in ambulatory cardiology clinics over two years following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Retrospective cross-sectional study from 16 March 2020 to 27 June 2022 in a single-center ambulatory cardiology clinic and telemedicine visits. Mixed effects logistic regression was used to model the association of diagnosis class (based on International Classification of Disease 10th Revision codes) with whether an encounter was scheduled as telemedicine, adjusting for age, sex, race, ethnicity, date, and zip code. This was performed for telemedicine and in-office encounters across 15 University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Health System ambulatory cardiology clinics.

Results

The analysis included 76,127 patients (49.60% women, age 61.5 ± 17.30 years, 57.27% white, 12.25% Hispanic, 81.79% with zip code in a UCLA Health service area) over 255,674 encounters. Each patient had a median of two encounters (range 1–81). Of all encounters, 29,154 (11.40%) were scheduled as telemedicine. Telemedicine was more likely used in the management of chronic conditions, especially metabolic disorders (adjusted OR [aOR] 2.36, 95% CI 2.19–2.54) and cardiomyopathies (aOR 2.16, 95% CI 1.99–2.34), than for evaluation of undifferentiated signs/symptoms. Telemedicine was less likely used for general exam/screening (aOR 0.49, 95% CI 0.44–0.56) and heart transplant (aOR 0.51, 95% CI 0.40–0.64).

Conclusion

Among the outpatient encounters in this study, the most established use case for telemedicine in cardiology was for care of chronic cardiovascular conditions among nontransplant patients, suggesting that future telemedicine expansion should be targeted toward the most appropriate clinical scenarios.
Being invited. Ethics in participant-researcher relationships
Authors: Pool Hannah
Published: December 2024

This article examines the act of ‘being invited’ by research participants to explore asymmetrical power relations and research ethics in ethnographies along migration trajectories. It uses the lens of money in research relationships to explore agency and the reversal of power through hospitality and gift-giving. I examine invitations in the research process as (a) a way for researchers to gain access to their research subject and (b) a way for interlocutors to renegotiate and invert the research process. Drawing on a 9-month multi-sited ethnography along the trajectory of undocumented migration from Afghanistan to Germany, I relied on continuous invitations to revisit interlocutors. First, I argue that invitations are the necessary entry point into research sites, but are often excluded from considerations of research ethics. Second, an examination of ‘being invited’ as a concept shows that interlocutors shape the research process and exercise agency through a moral economy of research relations.
Recycling of rigid polyurethane foams via acidolysis
Authors: Agnoletto Alice , Godinho Bruno , Vieira Fernanda , Ferreira Artur , Lorenzetti Alessandra , Barros-Timmons Ana , Gama Nuno
Published: December 2024

The primary objective of this research is to advance our understanding of the recycling of polyurethane foams (PUF) through the process of acidolysis, with the specific focus on evaluating the potential of recovering rigid PUF waste. Drawing from the prior investigations on acidolysis of flexible PUF waste, we extended our research to the depolymerization of rigid PUF using succinic acid. The resulting recycled polyol (RP) exhibited comparable characteristics to the RP derived from flexible PUF. This similarity was confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses, as well as by examining the hydroxyl number (OHnumber) and acid value (AV) of the ensuing RP. Subsequently, rigid foams were produced using the RP as a partial replacement of the conventional polyol. The assessments of the PUF obtained revealed that this substitution did not compromise the morphology nor the physical properties of the foams. This was verified by scanning electron microscope (SEM) analyses, mechanical tests, and thermogravimetric analyses (TGA). In summary, our findings indicate that acidolysis is a viable method for recycling both flexible and rigid PUF, underscoring the growing significance of this recycling technique for the development of more sustainable materials.
The experimental characterization of the torsional and transverse stiffnesses of a braided parachute suspension line
Authors: Barry Catherine P , Olson Bradford G , Willis David J , Bergeron Keith , Charrette Christine , Noetscher Gregory M , Amirkhizi Alireza , Sherwood James A
Published: December 2024

GPS-guided parachutes are used by the military to deliver supplies to personnel in the field. During descent, the suspension lines can vibrate as a result of vortex shedding and oscillating aerodynamic forces. In addition to challenging the targeting accuracy, these vibrations can generate sound that can compromise silent entry operations. The availability of a fundamental understanding of the relationship between braid architecture and associated vibrations would provide insight on how changes in the design of suspension lines could mitigate these vibrations. In the current research, the torsional and transverse stiffnesses of a braided parachute suspension line are characterized as a function of the state of tension. The torsional behavior is investigated using static and dynamic torsion tests, and the transverse behavior is studied using a pluck test. The torsional and transverse stiffnesses are found to increase with increasing tension on the suspension line. The effective transverse stiffness is found to correlate to that which can be derived from the vibrating string under tension equation. These stiffness properties can be used as inputs for fluid-structure-interaction (FSI) models to develop a calibrated FSI simulation to investigate the role that the mechanical behavior of the suspension line plays in its flow-induced vibrational response.
The direct yaw-moment control based on adaptive fuzzy LQR for distributed drive electric vehicles
Authors: Wang Baohua , Zhang Jiacheng , Zhang Yu , Wang Weilong
Published: December 2024

This paper introduced a hierarchical control strategy for direct yaw moment (DYC) to enhance the handling and stability of distributed drive electric vehicles (DDEVs) at medium to high speeds. The upper controller entailed a speed-following PI controller and an adaptive fuzzy linear quadratic regulator (AFLQR) controller, with the control objectives centered on reducing the absolute value of the sideslip angle and tracking the desired yaw rate. The proposed approach utilizes a fuzzy logic-based AFLQR controller, which could dynamically adjust the weighting parameters for sideslip angle and yaw rate in response to the vehicle speed and sideslip angle, offering better adaptability to varying driving conditions. At the lower control level, a tire-dynamic-load-based torque distribution method was applied. The control strategy’s efficacy was demonstrated through co-simulation involving CarSim and Simulink. This evaluation compared AFLQR control against non-yaw control, conventional LQR control and sliding mode control (SMC), focusing on handling and stability during sinusoidal steering wheel input test and double lane change maneuver. Results highlight that AFLQR reduces the sideslip angle by 7.88% and the yaw rate error by 84.29% compared to LQR, enhancing vehicle handling and stability. Lastly, a hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) experiment verified the control strategy’s validity.
Energy targeting of abandoned mines to supply greenhouse energy demand in cold climates
Authors: Faramarzpour Hosein , Reddick Christopher , Sorin Mikhail , Raymond Jasmin , Grégoire Michel
Published: December 2024

The combination of a Solar Assisted Geothermal Heat Pump system (SAGHP) with a multi-zone greenhouse is investigated to take advantage of water flooding in abandoned open pit mines in Canada. The envisioned system includes an Air Handling Unit (AHU), Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV), daily Thermal Energy Storage (TES), and daily Domestic Hot Water (DHW). The main objective is to satisfy the greenhouse heating, cooling, and dehumidification loads, for the considered application, while minimizing energy consumption. This analysis is conducted using data extracted from a case study of a commercial, multi-zone greenhouse, considering different daily weather conditions throughout a year. To reduce the computation time, a clustering approach based on the K-Means method is applied to obtain a small number of typical weather days. Elbow, Dendrogram, and Silhouette approaches confirmed that it is possible to represent a year as six different Typical Days (TD), which can be further categorized as Heating only (TD1 and TD2), Heating/Cooling (TD3 and TD4), and Cooling only (TD5 and TD6). Dynamic Pinch Approach (DPA) showed a great ability to target the minimum energy consumption and maximize the potential heat recovery for each typical day. The study focuses on energy targeting, with discussion of preliminary design considerations, such as the solar hot water (SHW) system, Thermal Energy Storage (TES), and heat pumping. Results revealed that mine water can significantly improve the energy system efficiency, specifically where heating/cooling or only cooling is dominant (TD3, TD4, TD5, and TD6). For instance, by integrating an AHU with the greenhouse for the TDs where heating/cooling is dominant, 22.5% energy saving is achievable. The incorporation of heat pumping, waste heat recovery, and solar thermal collectors through mixed direct/indirect heat recovery (i.e. via TES) can reduce hot utility usage in the considered application by as much as 40%.
Integration of building archetypes and typological urban forms to assess energy performance and thermal comfort: Proposal of suitable parameters for Latin America
Authors: Guillén-Mena Vanessa , Martin-Escudero Koldobika , Irulegi Olatz
Published: December 2024

Compared to the European Union (EU), Latin American (LA) countries are much slower in implementing policies to improve energy performance and thermal comfort in the residential building stock. This comes at a time when cities in developing countries are experiencing faster growth than in the developed world. Understanding that the morphological characteristics of the built environment are a key issue in improving the energy performance and thermal comfort of buildings allows for better decision-making in urban planning and design. However, this field has been relatively unexplored in LA. Therefore, this study proposes a workflow that integrates two urban models adapted to the particularities of LA cities (A+TUF): building archetypes (A) and typological urban forms (TUF). This will provide valuable information to architects, engineers, urban planners, and policymakers, to enhance decision-making processes. Considering the available information and the importance of the different parameters analyzed in the context of LA, 3 parameters are proposed for the definition of A and 9 for TUF. Additionally, 4 performance indicators are determined to assess energy performance (prioritizing passive design strategies) and indoor thermal comfort. Furthermore, the proposed workflow allows the incorporation of additional evaluation objectives related to other environmental aspects for holistic assessment. This will contribute to more sustainable urban planning in LA.
Exploring urinary incontinence in hospitalised older women: A mixed methods investigation of prevalence and nurse perspectives
Authors: McMillan Isobel , Doxford-Hook Liz , Wood Julie , Fu Yu , McGowan Linda , Iles-Smith Heather
Published: December 2024

Background:

Approximately 40% of older women in the community report experiencing urinary incontinence (UI); prevalence within secondary care is unknown. Illness, comorbidities, and hospital environments are likely to lead to higher prevalence.

Objectives:

This study aimed to establish UI prevalence in older women admitted to hospitals and understand the views and knowledge of ward nurses in relation to older women’s UI.

Design:

An explanatory mixed methods study was conducted including a retrospective study of women ⩾55 years admitted to a large NHS hospital and qualitative interviews with nurses to gain an understanding of views, knowledge and perceptions of women’s UI and related care.

Method:

UI prevalence was determined using the nursing assessment (elimination) and International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision (ICD-10) codes for women ⩾55 years admitted to the hospital (November 2019 to February 2020); continence and demographic electronic patient care records data were extracted. Twenty ward nurses participated in interviews to explore views, knowledge and perceptions of UI care.

Results:

11.0% ( n = 631) of the cohort (5,757) were recorded as having UI. Nurse interviews revealed six themes: (1) Normalisation and misconceptions of UI: nurses believed UI could not be improved, (2) limited knowledge and training: nurses expressed limited UI knowledge and a training need, (3) pad culture: continence pad use was high, (4) barriers to care: staffing issues were expressed as problematic, (5) UI under-reporting: nurses only categorised women with complete UI and others as “having an accident”, (6) catheter use in relation to UI: catheters were reported as a last resort.

Conclusion:

As community UI prevalence is 40%, our results (11%) suggest that UI is being underreported. Qualitative findings suggest that nurses have limited knowledge and training on continence care and under-report based on UI misconceptions. Our results suggest that ward nurses require dedicated UI training based on older women’s needs.
The social, cultural, and health context of controlling behavior and emotional intimate partner violence among adolescent girls and young women living with human immunodeficiency virus in Uganda: A qualitative study
Authors: Ogbonnaya Ijeoma Nwabuzor , Nantongo Molly , Naigino Rose , Marsiglia Flavio F , Stockman Jamila K , Nakigudde Janet , Wanyenze Rhoda K , Wechsberg Wendee M , Kiene Susan M
Published: December 2024

Background:

Many adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) report intimate partner violence (IPV), including emotional IPV and controlling behavior. Yet, few studies have examined the association between these forms of IPV and health outcomes among AGYW living with HIV.

Objectives:

We conducted an exploratory qualitative study to understand the contexts in which controlling behavior and emotional IPV might impact the health of AGYW living with HIV in Uganda.

Design:

We used a participatory action research design involving community stakeholders (health workers, program managers of non-governmental organizations serving IPV survivors, and AGYW living with HIV).

Methods:

Data were collected through in-depth interviews and focus groups. We analyzed data using an inductive thematic analysis approach.

Results:

The following four themes related to different dimensions of controlling behavior and emotional IPV among AGYW living with HIV emerged from the data: (1) age-related controlling behavior and emotional IPV; (2) HIV-related controlling behavior and emotional IPV; (3) isolation-type controlling behavior and poor HIV health; (4) financial control and poor HIV health. Embedded throughout the four themes were issues related to male partners’ misuse of power.

Conclusion:

AGYW living with HIV experience unique forms of emotional IPV and controlling behavior that impede their ability to remain healthy. Inequitable gender norms may further increase the risk of emotional IPV and controlling behavior among AGYW living with HIV. Couples-based interventions that build healthy relationship skills and offer social support may help to reduce these forms of IPV.
The effect of Medicaid expansion on female gynecologic cancer-related inpatient admissions
Authors: Salehian Shiva , Preston Michael , Cunningham Peter , Bandyopadhyay Dipankar , Taylor Emmanuel
Published: December 2024

Background:

Mortality rate of female gynecologic cancer is higher among individuals without affordable health insurance.

Objectives:

We determined the impact of Medicaid expansion on the number of female gynecologic-related cancer inpatient admissions in Virginia (VA) relative to North Carolina (NC), the latter of which did not expand Medicaid.

Design:

This quasi-experimental study was restricted to women between 18 and 64 years old admitted to general, acute, and short-term hospitals with gynecologic cancer.

Methods:

We used Poisson fixed-effect event study regression to examine differences in the predicted number of female gynecologic-related cancer admissions in the quarters before and after Medicaid expansion (implemented in January 2019) in VA, compared to the same period in NC.

Results:

Even though not significant, the predicted number of female gynecologic cancer-related inpatient admissions in VA increased by 4.8%, 4.9%, and 5.5% in the second, third, and fourth quarter of 2019, respectively, compared to the first quarter of 2019.

Conclusion:

Medicaid expansion in VA increased access to health services for Medicaid members, possibly due to initial pent-up demand among uninsured individuals.
A density functional theory study of keto-enol tautomerism in 1,2-cyclodiones: Substituent effects on reactivity and thermodynamic stability
Authors: Juma Luqman Idd , Costa Rene
Published: December 2024

This study systematically investigated the influence of substituents (NH2, CH3, CF3, and Cl) on the keto-enol tautomerism of 1,2-cyclodiones, focusing on reactivity and thermodynamic stability. Calculations were performed using the M06-2X/6-311G++** level of theory, with a solvation model through CPCM/M06-2X/6-311G++**. Results indicate ring-size dependent tautomerism, with three-, five-, and six-membered rings favouring the keto-enol form, while four- and seven-membered rings favour the diketo form. The NH2 substituent uniquely stabilised the keto-enol form. Electron-donating groups generally stabilised the keto-enol form. Contrary to common expectations, a direct correlation between dipole moment and stability order was not universally observed within 1,2-cyclodione systems, with the NH2 group demonstrating nuanced effects. Similarly, dipole moment and electrostatic potential variance did not exhibit consistent correlation under the influence of different substituents. The diketo tautomer was generally found to be more reactive than the keto-enol form, especially in non-polar solvents. Surprisingly, substituent groups decreased the reactivity of the diketo form relative to the unsubstituted compound.
Comparison of Synapse 3D system (Version 4.4) and DirectPath system (Version 2.0) in virtual bronchoscopic navigation application for peripheral pulmonary nodules
Authors: Li Xiang , Tian Sen , Zhang Yifei , Chen Hui , Chen Yilin , Wang Qin , Zhang Wei , Shi Hui , Huang Haidong , Shen Xiaping , Fang Yao , Qu Lei , Hu Zhenhong , Dong Yuchao , Bai Chong
Published: December 2024

Background:

Differences between virtual bronchoscopic navigation (VBN) systems and their impacts on the diagnostic yield of transbronchial biopsy (TBB) of peripheral pulmonary nodules (PPNs) remain unclear.

Objectives:

To compare the Synapse 3D system (Version 4.4, Fujifilm, Japan) and DirectPath system (Version 2.0, Olympus, Japan) in the VBN application of PPNs.

Design:

Retrospective study with self-paired design and exploratory study with retrospective cohort design.

Methods:

The study analyzed patients with PPNs using the Synapse 3D system (Group S) and DirectPath system (Group D) and compared differences between the two groups in bronchial tree reconstruction, navigation pathway planning, and VBN-assisted TBB of PPNs.

Results:

In all, 289 patients were analyzed ultimately. Bronchial tree reconstruction quality was better in Group S ( p < 0.001). Navigation pathway planning duration in Group S was longer than that in Group D (median 1.35 vs 1.04 s, p < 0.001). Automated navigation pathway planning success rate in Group S was higher than that in Group D (36.7% vs 19.7%, p < 0.001), and CT image reconstruction parameter and nodule diameter, bronchus sign, and distance from the hilum had significant effects on it in both groups. Fifty-six patients in Group S and forty-two patients in Group D were analyzed ultimately. The localization success rate and diagnostic yield of PPNs between the two groups were not significantly different (85.3% vs 91.2% and 67.6% vs 61.8%, respectively, p > 0.05).

Conclusion:

Synapse 3D system (Version 4.4) and DirectPath system (Version 2.0) had their own merits. Localization success rate and diagnostic yield of VBN-assisted TBB were of no statistical difference for these two VBN systems. Improvements in segmentation algorithms of VBN systems and using the most suitable chest CT scan data for them may be the breakthrough to improve the efficiency of VBN, especially for poor experienced interventional physicians.