bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation on High-Power Interior Combustion Engine Cylinder Friction Pair Material Selection by Hot Isostatic Pressing
Authors: Lei Boyang , Sui Peng , Dou Zhenhuan
Published: April 2024

The combustion environment in cylinder of high-power interior combustion engines is very complex and extreme, which has a very high requirement for the material selection and manufacturing process of components such as air valve & valve seat etc. friction pairs in cylinder. By our
research, it is found that the properties of high entropy alloys (HEAs) AlCoCrFeNi with equal atomic ratio are very suitable for the operating requirements of components in cylinder friction pairs. In this article, the vacuum enveloping hot–isostatic press method is used to successfully
manufacture the AlCoCrFeNi (HEA) with equal atomic ratio of high strength plasticity. Compared with the HEAs made by traditional method of melting combined with heat treatment, the alloy made by hot-isostatic pressing method not only obtains a more uniform element and phase distribution, but
also obtains a more refined alloy structure. The average diameter of high entropy alloy AlCoCrFeNi grains under uniform equiaxed hot isostatic press is under 5 μm. The compressive mechanical of the hot-isostatic pressing AlCoCrFeNi HEA reached 1200 and 3000 MPa respectively, whith
a ductility of up to 38%. The properties come from the refinement of the AlCoCrFeNi grains during the hot isostatic press. High entropy alloy AlCoCrFeNi powder’s hardness and magnetic characteristics, as well as the hot isostatic pressing process’s effect on those two variables,
are also discussed.
Strained Silicon Technology: Non-Destructive High-Lateral-Resolution Characterization Through Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: La Penna Giancarlo , Mancini Chiara , Proietti Anacleto , Buccini Luca , Passeri Daniele , Gambacorti Narciso , Richy Jérôme , Rossi Marco
Published: April 2024

The semiconductor industry is undergoing a transformative phase, marked by the relentless drive for miniaturization and a constant demand for higher performance and energy efficiency. However, the reduction of metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistor sizes for advanced technology nodes below 10 nm presents several challenges. In response, strained silicon technology has emerged as a key player, exploiting strain induction in the silicon crystal lattice to improve device performance. At the same time, there has been a growing need for characterization techniques that allow in-line monitoring of sample conditions during semiconductor manufacturing, as an alternative to traditional methods such as transmission electron microscopy or high-resolution X-ray diffraction, which have several limitations in terms of measurement time and sample destructiveness. This paper explores the application of advanced spectroscopic characterization techniques, in particular µ-Raman spectroscopy and tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS), to meet the evolving needs of the semiconductor industry for quality control and failure analysis, increasingly requiring faster and non-destructive characterization techniques. µ-Raman provides insight into strain values and distributions of strained layers with different thicknesses and germanium concentrations, but its lateral resolution is constrained by the Abbe diffraction limit. TERS, on the other hand, emerges as a powerful non-destructive technique capable of overcoming diffraction limits by exploiting the combination of an atomic force microscope with a Raman spectrometer. This breakthrough makes it possible to estimate the chemical composition and induced strain in the lattice by evaluating the Raman peak position shifts in strained and unstrained silicon layers, providing crucial insights for nanoscale strain control. In particular, this paper focuses on the TERS characterization of Si0.7Ge0.3 epitaxial layers grown on a silicon-on-insulator device, demonstrating the effectiveness of this technique and the high lateral resolution that can be achieved.
Scienza, poesia e cinema. I film di Leonardo Sinisgalli
Authors: Vignati Rinaldo
Published: April 2024

Il cinema è stato una delle tante direzioni in cui si è espresso il multiforme talento del poeta-ingegnere Leonardo Sinisgalli. Si tratta di un’attività che resta tuttavia ancora poco indagata. L’articolo intende esplorare la produzione filmografica di questo autore, cercandovi collegamenti con la sua opera letteraria. La prima parte dell’articolo è dedicata ai pochi scritti che Sinisgalli ha dedicato al cinema. I paragrafi successivi esaminano in ordine cronologico tutti i film a cui – in diversi ruoli – Sinisgalli ha collaborato. In alcuni casi si tratta di film perduti, e quindi l’analisi, per questi titoli, si fonda su documenti d’epoca. Il paragrafo conclusivo pone in luce gli elementi ricorrenti nella filmografia di Sinisgalli. Sebbene non si sia dedicato in modo continuativo al cinema, Sinisgalli ha dato vita a una filmografia che non può essere vista solo come una serie di casuali committenze accettate per ragioni contingenti. I film a cui ha partecipano costituiscono tappe di una personale riflessione che si articola anche su altri media. Sul piano formale, diverse opere di Sinisgalli si caratterizzano per il tentativo di trovare un equivalente cinematografico del verso poetico. Sul piano contenutistico, questi film non sono propriamente opere didattiche, anche se ne possiedono alcune caratteristiche. Un tema cruciale è la contrapposizione tra la complessità e irregolarità del reale e lo sforzo conoscitivo compiuto per sottomettere e dominare questa complessità: per comprenderla razionalmente e per portarne alla luce la bellezza. Ha, però, forse un valore emblematico il fatto che la filmografia sinisgalliana inizi con Una lezione di geometria (1948) e termini con Ghizzardi pittore contadino (1966). Il primo film è caratterizzato dalla volontà di dominare, attraverso la razionalità, gli aspetti più complessi e irregolari della realtà. L’ultimo segna invece la prevalenza del mondo oscuro, rispetto al quale non sembrano esservi possibilità di comprensione razionale.
Lessons learnt from roadside collisions: A Canadian police perspective
Authors: Tofighi Mohammadali , Asgary Ali , Mohammadi Ahmad , Cronemberger Felippe , Podloski Brady , Park Peter Y , Liu Xia , Mukherjee Abir
Published: April 2024

This study explores roadside collision risks among Canadian police officers, investigating concerns, contributing factors, training, and technology adoption. A survey of 59 officers on traffic-related assignments reveals that 19 officers experienced at least one real collision (30 real collisions in total), and all of them experienced at least one near-miss collision (136 near miss collisions in total) during their services. In 86% of all collisions, cars approached from behind. While 81% of officers received minimal collision prevention training, 87% acknowledged the benefits of a collision warning device, emphasizing the need for comprehensive training and technology implementation to enhance officer safety.
Project GRIP: An Illustration of Participatory Action Research with Communities of People Who Own and Use Firearms
Authors: Smith Phillip N. , Cordell Christopher , Stevens Laura Taylor , West Katie , Morgan Savannah T. , Vallas Jordan , Mehari Krista R.
Published: April 2024

Firearm-related injury and mortality prevention strategies are often incompatible with and potentially ineffective for the very populations at risk. Such incompatibility is reflective of a cultural disconnect between investigators and prevention specialists and those who own and use firearms. The current paper describes Project GRIP, a research study that was guided by the principles of Participatory Action Research (PAR). We present the project as a case-example and demonstration of how PAR principles can inform an approach to partner with firearm owners in injury prevention research. Though PAR is a general approach and not a set of techniques, we describe the strategies we used in the hopes that they may be useful for investigators using PAR with firearm owners. We discuss the project and our approach across different stages of the process, including entering into PAR with firearm owners, building partnerships, developing a shared vision, mutual understanding, and co-learning, building and maintaining positive relationships, and executing the project tasks. The PAR approach and the intentional emphasis on partnership is, in our opinion, vital to ensuring that the perspectives of firearm owners are incorporated into the research literature so that more ecologically valid and potentially effective injury and mortality prevention strategies can be developed and disseminated.
Rendering, waste disposal and the production of value
Authors: Robins Daniel P. G.
Published: April 2024

This article unpacks the concept of rendering to explain how disposal produces value out of waste materials. Rendering draws attention to the management of meaning attached to waste materials, showing how cultures of environmental sustainability and market capitalism shape their valorisation during disposal. To illustrate this, I draw on ethnographic data from research on the operation of corpse disposal in England. This research reveals three mechanisms of rendering: (1) quantification where economic rationale is entangled with the legal-rational authority of environmental metrics; (2) containment where specific spaces of disposal and the movement between them shape the flow of meaning; and (3) the often hidden labour techniques that become a part of the value of the waste. Rendering provides a fuller account of disposal as a production process, which should be at the heart of sociological work that speaks to the often unbalanced relationship between environment and capitalism.
The Link Between Bullying Victimization, Maladjustment, Self-Control, and Bullying: A Comparison of Traditional and Cyberbullying Perpetrator
Authors: Liang Hanyu , Zhu Feng , Li Xinwei , Jiang Huaibin , Zhang Qinhan , Xiao Weilong
Published: April 2024

Bullying victimization, which adversely affects the physical and mental health of adolescents, may trigger bullying behaviors. This study aimed to explore the potential pathways from traditional bullying victimization to becoming a bullying perpetrator and to compare the differences between traditional and cyberbullying perpetration. This study surveyed 1,113 high school students (871 girls, Mage = 16.85 ± 4.59) using the Bully/Victim Scale, Maladjustment Scale, Brief Self-Control Scale, and Cyberbullying Scale. Results indicated that (1) traditional bullying victimization positively correlated with bullying perpetration; (2) maladjustment mediated this relationship; (3) self-control moderated the relationship between traditional bullying victimization and traditional bullying perpetration, but not between traditional bullying victimization and cyberbullying perpetration. The study highlights the dangers of becoming a bullying victimizator, the importance of mitigating adolescent maladjustment and improving self-control, and the necessity of distinguishing between research on traditional and cyberbullying perpetration. These findings have important implications for preventing bullying among high school students.
Adaptive collision detection algorithm design for six-axis industrial manipulator with accurate payload estimation
Authors: Chen Shan , Zhang Xinfu , Zhang Heng , Liu Haijun , Dong Fangfang , Han Jiang
Published: April 2024

Collision detection capabilities of industrial manipulator is essential for ensuring the human safety during human machine collaboration. The payload variations will significantly decrease the detection accuracy and sensitivity. However, difficulty in parameter tuning of time-variant threshold and time-consuming training procedure make existed collision detection methods not easily generalized to industrial manipulator systems with payload variation. This paper presents an adaptive collision detection algorithm for six-axis industrial manipulator with accurate payload estimation. Specifically, the unknown payload is estimated online through a generalized momentum-based indirect adaptation law. Compared to existed adaptive collision detection algorithms, the joint acceleration is not needed in the adaptation law, which makes the algorithm easy to be applied to industrial manipulator systems. Based on the estimated payload, a generalized momentum external force observer is developed to estimate the external collision force. Finally, the collision detection can be realized by comparing the estimated collision force with constant threshold values. Comparative simulations and experiments indicate that the proposed adaptive collision detection method can achieve accurate and robust detection under different loads.
Mathematics and science teachers’ cultural beliefs about giftedness and gifted students’ education in Ghana
Authors: Allotey Gladys Ami , Watters James Joseph , King Donna , Anamuah-Mensah Jophus
Published: April 2024

This study delves into the cultural perspectives surrounding gifted education practices in Ghana, focusing on 10 junior high school classroom mathematics and science teachers. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews and analysis of lesson plans. The results brought to light a notable gender disparity of female participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)-intensive courses compared to males. Teachers’ beliefs concerning giftedness tended to be tacitly naive, rooted in traditional notions and influenced gifted students’ development. Spiritual and supernatural giftedness emerged, perceiving the gifted to possess mystical powers. Implications underscore the implementation of gifted education within teacher educational institutions. This, in turn, addresses the tacit opinions and knowledge gaps among educators regarding gifted education in Ghana. The study advocates for a holistic approach to nurturing giftedness that extends beyond conventional academic realms, ensuring a more inclusive and equitable educational landscape.
In search of spirituality for intercultural mission: Hospitality, solidarity and marginality
Authors: Ryu Kwanghyun
Published: April 2024

Today's multicultural situation in many parts of the world requires a new missionary approach and practices. In addition, along with advanced understanding of culture and mission, interculturality is being presented as an alternative to complement the existing cross-cultural mission paradigm. In this intercultural mission paradigm, which emerges in the vision that people with various backgrounds and orientations participate in God's mission together with equal status on the Christian base, mission is not understood as a human strategy, but as a spiritual activity that involves the task of discerning God's initiatory work and of practicing a way of life appropriate for it. This article examines the possibility that the Christian mission as a joint participation in God's mission is practiced interculturally in today's multicultural situation. Focusing on the migration context, this article attempts to define “intercultural mission” within the larger framework of the missio Dei, and presents hospitality, solidarity, and marginality, which has been already recognized as important mission spiritualities in existing studies, as core mission spiritualities for intercultural mission. And, from this, this paper describes intercultural mission as a joint spiritual practice of creating space and building bridges for God's mission.
The moderating role of L2 proficiency in the predictive power of L1 fluency on L2 utterance fluency
Authors: Suzuki Shungo , Kormos Judit
Published: April 2024

The current study examined the extent to which first language (L1) utterance fluency measures can predict second language (L2) fluency and how L2 proficiency moderates the relationship between L1 and L2 fluency. A total of 104 Japanese-speaking learners of English completed different argumentative speech tasks in their L1 and L2. Their speaking performance was analysed using measures of speed, breakdown, and repair fluency. L2 proficiency was operationalised as cognitive fluency. Two factor scores of cognitive fluency—linguistic resources and processing speed—were computed based on performance in a set of linguistic knowledge tests capturing vocabulary knowledge, morphosyntactic processing, and articulatory skills. A series of generalised linear mixed-effects models revealed small-to-moderate effect sizes for the predictive power of L1 utterance fluency measures on their L2 counterparts. Moderator effects of L2 proficiency were found only in speed fluency measures. The relationship between L1 and L2 speed fluency was weaker for L2 learners with wider L2 linguistic resources. Conversely, for those with faster L2 processing speed, the L1-L2 link tended to be stronger. These findings indicate that the L1-L2 fluency link is subject to the complex interplay of phonological differences between learners’ L1 and L2 and their L2 proficiency, offering implications for diagnostic speaking assessment.
Clinical effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation and barriers to completion in patients of low socioeconomic status in rural areas: A mixed-methods study
Authors: Beleigoli Alline , Dafny Hila Ariela , Pinero de Plaza Maria Alejandra , Hutchinson Claire , Marin Tania , Ramos Joyce S. , Suebkinorn Orathai , Gebremichael Lemlem G. , Bulamu Norma B. , Keech Wendy , Ludlow Marie , Hendriks Jeroen , Versace Vincent , Clark Robyn A.
Published: April 2024

Objective

To investigate cardiac rehabilitation utilisation and effectiveness, factors, needs and barriers associated with non-completion.

Design

We used the mixed-methods design with concurrent triangulation of a retrospective cohort and a qualitative study.

Setting

Economically disadvantaged areas in rural Australia.

Participants

Patients (≥18 years) referred to cardiac rehabilitation through a central referral system and living in rural areas of low socioeconomic status.

Main measures

A Cox survival model balanced by inverse probability weighting was used to assess the association between cardiac rehabilitation utilization and 12-month mortality/cardiovascular readmissions. Associations with non-completion were tested by logistic regression. Barriers and needs to cardiac rehabilitation completion were investigated through a thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews and focus groups (n = 28).

Results

Among 16,159 eligible separations, 44.3% were referred, and 11.2% completed cardiac rehabilitation. Completing programme (HR 0.65; 95%CI 0.57–0.74; p < 0.001) led to a lower risk of cardiovascular readmission/death. Living alone (OR 1.38; 95%CI 1.00–1.89; p = 0.048), having diabetes (OR 1.48; 95%CI 1.02–2.13; p = 0.037), or having depression (OR 1.54; 95%CI 1.14–2.08; p = 0.005), were associated with a higher risk of non-completion whereas enrolment in a telehealth programme was associated with a lower risk of non-completion (OR 0.26; 95%CI 0.18–0.38; p < 0.001). Themes related to logistic issues, social support, transition of care challenges, lack of care integration, and of person-centeredness emerged as barriers to completion.

Conclusions

Cardiac rehabilitation completion was low but effective in reducing mortality/cardiovascular readmissions. Understanding and addressing barriers and needs through mixed methods can help tailor cardiac rehabilitation programmes to vulnerable populations and improve completion and outcomes.
Effectiveness of Rehabilitation Interventions in Individuals With Emerging Virtual Respiratory Tract Infectious Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Huang Jinming , Qiao Xu , Song Kangping , Liu Rong , Huang Shuangshuang , He Jing , Zhu Siyi , Reinhardt Jan D. , He Chengqi
Published: April 2024

Objective

Assessing rehabilitation effectiveness for persistent symptoms post-infection with emerging viral respiratory diseases.

Data sources

Systematic review of seven databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, PEDro, MedRxiv, CNKI, Wanfang) until 30 December 2023.

Review methods

Evaluated 101 studies (9593 participants) on respiratory function, exercise capacity, and quality of life. Methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's Risk of Bias tool for randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) for observational studies and non-RCTs, and the NIH Quality Assessment Tools for before-after studies.

Results

The most common rehabilitation program combined breathing exercises with aerobic exercise or strength training. Rehabilitation interventions significantly enhanced respiratory function, as evidenced by improvements on the Borg Scale (MD, −1.85; 95% CI, −3.00 to −0.70, low certainty), the mMRC Dyspnea Scale (MD, −0.45; 95% CI, −0.72 to −0.18, low certainty), and the Multidimensional Dyspnoea-12 Scale (MD, −4.64; 95% CI, −6.54 to −2.74, moderate certainty). Exercise capacity also improved, demonstrated by results from the Six-Minute Walk Test (MD, 38.18; 95% CI, 25.33–51.03, moderate certainty) and the Sit-to-Stand Test (MD, 3.04; 95% CI, 1.07–5.01, low certainty).

Conclusion

Rehabilitation interventions are promising for survivors of viral respiratory diseases, yet gaps in research remain. Future investigations should focus on personalizing rehabilitation efforts, utilizing remote technology-assisted programs, improving research quality, and identifying specific subgroups for customized rehabilitation strategies to achieve the best outcomes for survivors.
Co-transplantation of autologous treg cells: A groundbreaking cell therapy for brain diseases
Authors: Cheng Yue , Zhang Yueman , Li Peiying
Published: April 2024

Cell therapy and regenerative medicine have made remarkable progress in treating neurodegenerative disorders. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offer a promising source for cell replacement therapies, but their practical application faces challenges due to poor survival and integration after transplantation. Park et al. propose a novel therapeutic strategy involving the co-transplantation of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and iPSC-derived dopamine neurons. This combined approach enhances the survival of transplanted cells and protects against neuroinflammation-induced damage. In PD animal models, the co-transplantation approach significantly suppressed the host immune response, resulting in improved behavioral recovery. Additionally, Tregs demonstrate acute neuroprotection and contribute to delayed neuro-restoration in ischemic stroke. This combined approach of cell therapy with immunomodulation offers a promising avenue for advancing our understanding of neurological diseases and promoting the development of novel treatments.
Radiation dose reduction of 50% in dynamic myocardial CT perfusion with skipped beat acquisition: a retrospective study
Authors: Sliwicka Olga , Oostveen Luuk J , Swiderska Chadaj Zaneta , van Everdingen Wouter M , Michielsen Koen , Gommers Jessie , Brink Monique , Snoeren Miranda , Salah Khibar , Peters-Bax Liesbeth , Stille Tip , Habets Jesse , Sechopoulos Ioannis
Published: April 2024

Background

Dynamic myocardial computed tomography perfusion (CTP) is a novel imaging technique that increases the applicability of CT for cardiac imaging; however, the scanning requires a substantial radiation dose.

Purpose

To investigate the feasibility of dose reduction in dynamic CTP by comparing all-heartbeat acquisitions to periodic skipping of heartbeats.

Material and Methods

We retrieved imaging data of 38 dynamic CTP patients and created new datasets with every fourth, third or second beat (Skip1:4, Skip1:3, Skip1:2, respectively) removed. Seven observers evaluated the resulting images and perfusion maps for perfusion deficits. The mean blood flow (MBF) in each of the 16 myocardial segments was compared per skipped-beat level, normalized by the respective MBF for the full dose, and averaged across patients. The number of segments/cases whose MBF was <1.0 mL/g/min were counted.

Results

Out of 608 segments in 38 cases, the total additional number of false-negative (FN) segments over those present in the full-dose acquisitions and the number of additional false-positive cases were shown as acquisition (segment [%], case): Skip1:4: 7 (1.2%, 1); Skip1:3: 12 (2%, 3), and Skip1:2: 5 (0.8%, 2). The variability in quantitative MBF analysis in the repeated analysis for the reference condition resulted in 8 (1.3%) additional FN segments. The normalized results show a comparable MBF across all segments and patients, with relative mean MBFs as 1.02 ± 0.16, 1.03 ± 0.25, and 1.06 ± 0.30 for the Skip1:4, Skip1:3, and Skip1:2 protocols, respectively.

Conclusion

Skipping every second beat acquisition during dynamic myocardial CTP appears feasible and may result in a radiation dose reduction of 50%. Diagnostic performance does not decrease after removing 50% of time points in dynamic sequence.
Changes in clinical parameters and inflammatory markers after blood culture collection facilitate early identification of positive culture in adult patients with COVID-19 and clinically suspected bloodstream infection
Authors: Li Nana , Zhang Long , Gao Yang , Lai Qiqi , Tang Yujia , Du Xue , Chen Pengfei , Yue Chuangshi , Zhao Mingyan , Yu Kaijiang , Kang Kai
Published: April 2024

Objective

We explored whether changes in clinical parameters and inflammatory markers can facilitate early identification of positive blood culture in adult patients with COVID-19 and clinically suspected bloodstream infection (BSI).

Methods

This single-center retrospective study enrolled 20 adult patients with COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care unit who underwent blood culture for clinically suspected BSI (February 2020–November 2021). We divided patients into positive (Pos) and negative blood culture groups. Clinical parameters and inflammatory markers were obtained from medical records between blood culture collection and the first positive or negative result and compared between groups on different days.

Results

Patients in the positive culture group had significantly older age and higher D-dimer, immunoglobulin 6 (IL-6), and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score as well as lower albumin (ALB). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.865 for IL-6, D-dimer and ALB on the first day after blood culture collection; the AUC was 0.979 for IL-6, IL-10, D-dimer, and C-reactive protein on the second day after blood culture collection.

Conclusion

Changes in clinical parameters and inflammatory markers after blood culture collection may facilitate early identification of positive culture in adult patients with COVID-19 and clinically suspected BSI.
Impact of multimedia on academic information literacy instruction in libraries
Authors: Ramgadwala Hozefa
Published: April 2024

This study investigates the impact of multimedia within academic information literacy in the higher education sector. It considers the recent information and communications technology boom, its effect on academic information literacy preferences, and how it has affected pedagogy. Finally, it discusses the current and future trends of the influence of multimedia on pedagogical instruction. A survey of higher education students in three countries – the UK, Kenya and India – was undertaken to understand the shift towards multimedia in libraries. The aim was to determine if behavioural attributes (academic or artistic, verbalisers or visualisers) and the university’s location impacted multimedia learning. The results of the study do not support the aptitude–treatment interaction theory. In the current context, different learners (academic or artistic) need different kinds of instruction to optimise their learning. However, the survey found that students’ nature did not influence their choice of method of instruction (verbal or video). It also revealed that the university’s location facilitated or hampered students’ learning capabilities.
Evaluation of the Severity of Deadlock at a Signalized Intersection with Auxiliary Lanes Using Trajectory Data
Authors: Chen Shu , Yu Chunhui , Kofi Alimo Philip , Hu Yuehai , Yang Siyuan , Ma Wanjing , Liu Zhipeng
Published: April 2024

Intersection channelization and signal timing are important for mitigating traffic congestion in the urban transportation system. Most existing studies fail to quantitively evaluate the severity of deadlock caused by the mismatch between lane allocation and signal timing, especially at a channelized intersection with auxiliary lanes. This study proposes a new indicator —average unavailable time ratio (AUTR)—to quantitively evaluate the impacts of such deadlock on traffic operational efficiency at a channelized intersection with an auxiliary lane, based on trajectory data. Deadlock states are coded at the vehicle movement level and the state transition is analyzed with varying signal timings. They are classified into four types based on the evolution of queue length with different signal timings using discharging shockwaves. AUTR is calculated by constructing a spatiotemporal diagram using trajectory data, and simulation studies validate the effectiveness of the proposed indicator. The AUTR value has a strong positive correlation with vehicle travel time and queueing time caused by the deadlock and measures the severity of the deadlock. The storage length of the auxiliary lane has a greater impact on AUTR than the bay taper length. The impacts of lane allocation on the deadlock are affected by signal timings. This proposed method can effectively evaluate the rationality of lane allocation designs with auxiliary lanes given a signal timing scheme.
Relationship of the Japanese Old Stories Cognitive Scale With the Revised Hasegawa Cognitive Scale and Mini-Mental State Examination
Authors: Honjo Yasuyuki , Nagai Kuniaki , Yuri Takuma , Nakai Hideaki , Kawasaki Ippei , Harada Shun , Ogawa Noriyuki
Published: April 2024

The Revised Hasegawa Dementia Scale (HDS-R) is the most widely used instrument to screen for dementia in Japan and is similar to the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). The development of a quicker and simpler screening tool, the Japanese Old Stories Cognitive Scale (JOSS), was previously reported. A total of 953 new outpatients from 8 memory clinics in Japan completed the JOSS, HDS-R, and MMSE at first visit. We investigated the relationship of JOSS score with both the total and individual domain scores on the HDS-R and MMSE. We found a significant relation between JOSS score and total HDS-R and MMSE scores. In addition, JOSS score was significantly related to scores on 8 of the 9 HDS-R domains and 7 of the 11 MMSE domains. We obtained regression lines for JOSS score versus HDS-R and MMSE scores. JOSS score could be useful for predicting HDS-R and MMSE scores and thus in estimating cognitive functioning.
Recycling potential of carbon fibres in the construction industry: From a technical and ecological perspective
Authors: Bayram Berfin , Overhage Vanessa , Löwen Marco , Terörde Katharina , Raulf Karoline , Greiff Kathrin , Gries Thomas
Published: April 2024

Even though carbon fibres (CFs) have been increasingly used, their end-of-life (EOL) handling presents a challenge. To address this issue, we evaluated the use of recycled CFs (rCFs), produced through pyrolysis, as rovings to be used in textile reinforced concrete structures. Mechanical processing (hammer mill) with varying machine settings was then used to assess EOL handling, considering the separation potential of rCFs and the length of separated rCFs. The results showed that rCF rovings can be separated from concrete with an average of 87 wt.-%, whereas the highest rCF length and separation yield were observed in different machine settings. In addition, a techno-environmental assessment on the mechanical process was performed to compare different machine settings. The machine settings with the highest yield of rCF rovings also had the highest fine fraction that cannot be further separated. Furthermore, life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted covering three life cycles of CFs and an additional LCA for comparing rCF with virgin CF. LCA results revealed that CF reinforced plastic and concrete productions are the two main contributors to environmental impacts. The comparative LCA between virgin CF and rCF also showed that using rCF is environmentally advantageous, as virgin CF production causes 230% more global warming potential compared to rCF. Future studies assessing different allocation approaches, quantifying the quality of rCF, and its inclusion in LCA are relevant.
Exploring the Interplay of Intergenerational Transmission, Structural Inequalities, and Relative Resources in Domestic Violence: Evidence From a Nationally Representative Dataset
Authors: Berktaş Ezgi , Eryurt Mehmet Ali
Published: April 2024

Domestic violence persists as a significant social challenge affecting a considerable number of women globally. Some scholars have ascribed the inclination toward domestic violence to a “cycle of violence” spanning generations, while others have pointed out structural inequalities. Feminist researchers contend that a comprehensive understanding necessitates exploration within the social and institutional realms of gender inequality. While each of these perspectives contributes significantly to comprehending domestic violence, individually, they might not unveil the complete causal narrative. This study endeavors to address this gap by proposing an integrated model to elucidate domestic violence in the context of Türkiye, examining (a) the correlation between growing up in a violent household and the susceptibility to domestic violence, (b) the interrelation between structural factors and the vulnerability to domestic violence, and (c) the connection between a woman’s advantageous position in terms of the couple’s relative resources and the likelihood of experiencing domestic violence. To achieve this objective, multivariate micro-level analyses were conducted using nationally representative data from the 2014 Research on Domestic Violence Against Women in Türkiye. The outcomes affirm the significance of all three approaches, highlighting the value of integrated methodologies for a more profound comprehension of the etiology of domestic violence. This insight is crucial for the development of effective prevention programs. Furthermore, the findings highlight intra-parental violence exposure as the most robust risk factor or predictor for subsequent involvement in violent intimate relationships. As the initial study in Türkiye encompasses early-life experiences, structural inequalities, and the relative resources of couples, this research is poised to contribute significantly to the existing body of literature on domestic violence.
Speaking in Unison: The Voice Dilemma in Open Strategy
Authors: Archambault-Janvier Catherine , Cooren François , Vásquez Consuelo
Published: April 2024

In this paper, we adopt a Communication as Constitutive of Organizations (CCO) perspective to investigate how organizations implementing Open Strategy initiatives maintain openness and closure in tension by attending to a plurality of voices and their diversity (polyphony), while at the same time speaking in one strategic voice (monophony). Based on the Kiabi case, we explore what we name the voice dilemma by focusing on the ways different stakeholders involved in strategy making manage the co-authoring of strategy through voicing, negotiating, and legitimizing matters of concern. We contribute to extant literature by focusing on the management of polyphony and monophony as a way to embrace the paradox of openness that characterizes Open Strategy. More precisely, we show how some form of closure needs to be nurtured during the opening process (the co-authoring process during which multiple employees are invited to contribute to strategizing). However, we also argue that some form of opening needs to be nurtured during the closure process (the process during which the official authoring/positioning of the organization is finally defined). This study offers a longitudinal case that allows showcasing how the opening and closing strategies evolve over time.
Understanding Intimate Partner Femicide and Attempted Intimate Partner Femicide During and After COVID-19: A Comprehensive Strain-Based Approach
Authors: Cunha Olga , Caridade Sónia , Abrunhosa Gonçalves Rui
Published: April 2024

Intimate partner femicide (IPF) and attempted intimate partner femicide (AIPF) are severe forms of violence and global phenomena occurring in all societies worldwide. However, explaining IPF and AIPF is a complex and challenging endeavor. This article delves into the evolution of IPF and AIPF in Portugal during and after COVID-19, seeking to comprehend the underlying explanatory factors through a comprehensive strain-based approach. IPF rates during the COVID-19 pandemic have remained relatively stable, comparable to those observed before the pandemic, following a pattern akin to that documented in other countries. However, a significant increase in AIPF occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, and a slight uptick in IPF indicators was noted toward the end of the pandemic period (2022). Perpetrators faced various strains, such as separation and financial difficulties, along with experiencing emotions like anger, jealousy, anxiety, and depression, leading to instances of IPF and AIPF. The COVID-19 crisis and associated restrictions introduced additional strains, including social isolation, economic losses, anxiety, and widespread fear, which may contribute to psychological distress, stress, and depression, thereby heightening the likelihood of committing IPF and AIPF. The pandemic restrictions also resulted in limited access to support and protection services, hindering victims from seeking help. Establishing a contingency plan for use in future crises (including pandemics) is imperative to promote support for victims and prevent situations of IPF and AIPF.
The Prevalence and Patterns of Maltreatment, Childhood Adversity, and Mental Health Disorders in an Australian Out-Of-Home Care Sample
Authors: Harris Lottie G. , Higgins Daryl J. , Willis Megan L. , Lawrence David , Mathews Ben , Thomas Hannah J. , Malacova Eva , Pacella Rosana , Scott James G. , Finkelhor David , Meinck Franziska , Erskine Holly E. , Haslam Divna M.
Published: April 2024

This study aimed to explore key characteristics of the out-of-home care subgroup of a nationally representative Australian sample. To ensure that mental health services are appropriately targeted, it is critical that we understand the differential impacts of childhood experiences for this cohort. Using the Australian Child Maltreatment Study ( N = 8503), we explored patterns of childhood maltreatment and adversity of participants who reported ever being placed in out-of-home care, such as foster care or kinship care. In addition, the prevalence of current and lifetime diagnosis of four mental health disorders were explored. Results showed that the care experienced subgroup reported more types of maltreatment and adverse experiences than the control group. They were also more likely to meet diagnostic threshold for post-traumatic stress disorder, generalised anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder than the control group. These findings can be used to guide mental health practitioners to target interventions more effectively within the out-of-home care cohort.
Noteworthy in Cardiothoracic Surgery 2023
Authors: Rove Jessica Y. , Cain Michael T. , Hoffman Jordan R. , Reece T. Brett
Published: April 2024

Noteworthy in Cardiothoracic Surgery 2023 summarizes a few of the most high-impact trials and provocative trends in cardiothoracic surgery and transplantation this past year. Transplantation using organs procured from donation after circulatory death (DCD) continues to increase, and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons released recommendations on best practices in 2023. We review a summary of data on the impact of DCD on heart and lung transplantation. There has been increased interest in extracorporeal life support (ECLS), particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic, and we review the results of the highly discussed ECLS-SHOCK trial, which randomized patients in cardiogenic shock with planned revascularization to ECLS vs usual care. With improving survival outcomes in complex aortic surgery, there is a need for higher-quality evidence to guide which cooling and cerebral perfusion strategies may optimize cognitive outcomes in these patients. We review the short-term outcomes of the GOT ICE trial (Cognitive Effects of Body Temperature During Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest), a multicenter, randomized controlled trial of three different nadir temperatures, evaluating outcomes in cognition and associated changes in functional magnetic resonance imaging. Finally, both the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) and the American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association, American College of Chest Physicians and Heart Rhythm Society (ACC/AHA/ACCP/HRS) updated atrial fibrillation guidelines in 2023, and we review surgically relevant updates to the guidelines and the evidence behind them.
The Fiscal Costs of Public Health Crisis: Lessons from Zika in the United States
Authors: Kim Yusun , Liu Judith
Published: April 2024

How do public health crises affect public health spending at different levels of government in a federal system? This study shows that small outbreaks of communicable diseases can have sizeable fiscal impact on federal and state governments through public health insurance and intergovernmental grants. We examine the case of the Zika virus outbreak in the United States using nationwide county-level data from 2010 to 2019. Our event study and difference-in-differences estimates show that public medical assistance transfers immediately increased in areas with a higher likelihood of local transmissions but gradually decreased in counties with a larger share of reproductive-age women or Hispanic population. Medicare reimbursement to the elderly increased temporarily, coinciding with the federal decision to cover diagnostic tests under Medicare. The Zika outbreak also increased county government spending on health and welfare in Florida and Texas, much of which was financed by intergovernmental transfers.
EMDR Flash Technique in adolescents with depression: A twelve-week follow-up study
Authors: Inci Izmir Sevim Berrin , Çitil Akyol Canan
Published: April 2024

This study aims to investigate the specific effects of the EMDR Flash Technique on adolescents with depression. This follow-up study consists of 32 adolescents, 12–17 years of age ( M = 14.34, SD = 1.56), including 7 males and 25 females. They were evaluated with Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children Present, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Children Revised Impact of Event Scale-8 (Crıes-8). These were administered at baseline, at the end of the 4th and 12th weeks of treatment. The EMDR Flash Technique which can be utilized in the preparation phase of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to reduce the intensity of highly distressing memories rapidly and relatively painlessly was applied for 12 weeks, one session per week as a free-standing intervention. Also, the EMDR Flash Technique can be effective in decreasing the rate of noncompliance and drop-outs of adolescents. The baseline means of total BDI scores decreased from 48.19 to 2.16 at the end of the 12th week of treatment. Also, the CRIES scores decreased from 31.78 to 0.44 at the end of the 12th week of treatment. In addition, the baseline means of SUD scores decreased from 9.53 to zero at the end of the 12th week of treatment. Overall, our results underscore the effectiveness of the EMDR-Flash Technique in adolescents with depression.
Adolescents’ perspectives and experiences of accessing general practitioner services: A systematic review
Authors: Lawrence Stephanie M , Saab Mohamad M , Savage Eileen , Hegarty Josephine , FitzGerald Serena
Published: April 2024

Adolescents face issues regarding physical health, mental health, sexual health, drug and alcohol problems, stress, and peer pressure. Little is known about adolescents’ help-seeking behaviours in relation to health concerns. The general practitioner (GP) is usually the first point of contact for adolescents. The aim of this systematic review was to identify, describe, and summarize evidence on barriers and enablers experienced by adolescents when accessing GP-led primary care services. Systematic searches using four electronic databases (PsycINFO, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and SocINDEX) were conducted and the quality of the included studies was appraised. Six studies were included in this review. Findings indicate that barriers to GP access relate to trust, confidentiality, privacy, and communication. Adolescents also reported barriers such as transport, cost, and lack of information. Adolescents reported enablers being services that are sensitive to their needs, healthcare professionals who understand them, and services that are flexible regarding out of hours access. Listening to and acting on the voice of adolescents is important to developing youth-friendly services.
One generation apart: Individual income and life expectancy in two Swedish cohorts born before and after the expansion of the welfare state
Authors: Gurzo Klara , Rehnberg Johan , Martikainen Pekka , Östergren Olof
Published: April 2024

Aims:

Social inequalities in mortality persist or even increase in high-income countries. Most evidence is based on a period approach to measuring mortality – that is, data from individuals born decades apart. A cohort approach, however, provides complementary insights using data from individuals who grow up and age under similar social and institutional arrangements. This study compares income inequalities in cohort life expectancy in two Swedish cohorts, one born before and one born after the expansion of the welfare state.

Methods:

Data on individuals born in Sweden in 1922–1926 and 1951–1955 were obtained from total population registries. These data were linked to individual disposable income from 1970 and 1999 and mortality between 50 and 61 years of age in 1972–1987 and 2001–2016, respectively. We calculated cohort temporary life expectancies in the two cohorts by income and gender.

Results:

Life expectancy, income, and income inequalities in life expectancy increased between the two cohorts, for both men and women. Women born in 1922–1926 had modest income differences in life expectancy, but pronounced differences emerged in the cohort born in 1951–1955. Men with low incomes born in 1951–1955 had roughly similar life expectancy as those with low incomes born in 1922–1926.

Conclusions:

Compared with a period approach to life expectancy trends, the cohort approach highlights the stagnation of mortality at the lowest income groups for men and the rapid emergence of a mortality gradient for women. Future research on health inequalities in welfare states should consider underlying factors both from a cohort and period perspective.