bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“We, the parents”: The activist collective identity of parents of LGBTQ individuals in Poland
Authors: Uryga Danuta
Published: July 2024

Objective

The article presents a study on the collective identity of members of the Polish organization “We, the Parents—the association of mothers, fathers, and allies of LGBTQIA individuals.”

Background

The research contributes to the field of social movement studies, specifically focusing on the rights of sexual and gender minorities and parental activism, and is grounded in social constructionism.

Method

Using a qualitative case study with an ethnographic approach, the study employed participatory observation, interviews, document analysis, and autoethnography, analyzed through grounded theory.

Results

Findings highlight the cultural roots of the collective identity (“parent”), its interaction with individual identities, and its complex structure, identifying categories such as “accepting parenthood,” “normal parenthood,” “proxy parenthood,” and “intervening parenthood.”

Conclusions

The concept of “parenthood” both strengthens the collective identity and reveals internal tensions. Members engage with diverse audiences, including the public, the LGBTQ community, and power centers, using strategies like promoting “good parenting,” transforming social norms on sexuality and gender, supporting the LGBTQ community, and influencing public discourse on LGBTQ rights. Their modes of expression include narrative, evaluative, performative, and persuasive approaches.

Implications

The study offers valuable insights for practitioners in education, health care, and family support, especially in areas with adverse sociocultural climates. It demonstrates how parents adapt after their child's coming out, gain empowerment, and form alliances to improve LGBTQ family well‐being. The research also inspires policy initiatives and public health strategies addressing the mental well‐being and institutional discrimination faced by LGBTQ individuals.
Using cephalopod‐inspired chemistry to extend long‐wavelength ultraviolet and visible light protection of mineral sunscreens
Authors: Deravi Leila F. , Cui Isabel , Martin Camille A.
Published: July 2024

Objective

The emergence of new human and environmental‐related toxicity data associated with some common UV filters has catalysed growing interest in the inclusion of boosters and stabilizing ingredients in sunscreens. One approach is to incorporate alternative materials inspired by or mimetic of systems in biology, which offer a notable evolutionary advantage of multifunctionality and stability with increased biocompatibility. We describe the use of a natural product, Xanthochrome® (INCI: Ammonium Xanthommatin), in a series of studies designed to not only assess its safety with marine systems but also its formulation compatibility and function in water‐in‐oil mineral sunscreens. Xanthochrome is the synthetic form of the naturally occurring chromophore xanthommatin (XA) present in cephalopod skin, which doubles as a photostable antioxidant; however, it has never been explored in combination with mineral UV filters in finished formulations.

Methods

Given the recent controversies associated with the environmental toxicological effects of some chemicals used in sunscreens, the safety of XA with coral cuttings was first validated at concentrations 5× above those used in our formulations. Next, a particle‐based delivery of XA was designed and incorporated into a zinc oxide (ZnO)‐based water‐in‐oil sunscreen, where the SPF, critical wavelength, and visible light (VL) blocking potential were measured.

Results

We observed no adverse effects of XA at 100 mg/L when tested with coral cuttings, demonstrating its safety at concentrations exceeding those used in our sunscreens. When formulated with ZnO‐based sunscreens, the inclusion of XA increased the total UV absorbance profile by 28% and the total blocking potential of VL by 45%. The formulations also elicited no dermal irritation or sensitization in a human insult repeat patch test (N = 100 subjects).

Conclusions

XA is differentiated as a photostable, water‐soluble compound that is a VL booster proven safe for skin and coral cuttings. To the best of our knowledge, there are no other boosters that can be classified as such, despite a growing body of literature highlighting the need in the industry.
Calcium nitrate effectively mitigates alkali–silica reaction by surface passivation of reactive aggregates
Authors: Xiao Rui , Prentice Dale , Collin Marie , Balonis Magdalena , La Plante Erika , Torabzadegan Mehrdad , Gadt Torben , Sant Gaurav
Published: July 2024

Calcium nitrate (CN: Ca(NO3)2) has been shown to mitigate alkali–silica reaction (ASR) in concrete. Such ASR mitigation has been suggested to be on account of precipitate (i.e., barrier or passivation layer) formation‐induced dissolution inhibition of reactive/dissolving aggregate surfaces. Herein, we examine the ability of CN to mitigate ASR across two cements (Type I/II and Portland Limestone Cement), for aggregates of varying reactivity, and across different types and dosages of SCMs (supplementary cementitious materials, i.e., amorphous steel slag and Class C and Class F fly ashes). Based on expansion measurements carried out as per ASTM C1260/C1567, it is observed that CN, as a function of dosage, substantively mitigates ASR in mortar formulations across aggregate types. Careful microstructural examinations, dissolution studies, and thermodynamic calculations indicate that CN induces the formation of C–S–H, portlandite (Ca(OH)2), and calcite (CaCO3) precipitate mixtures, which form on aggregate surfaces at the expense of typical ASR gels. Such precipitates create a dissolution barrier and inhibit ASR in both SCM‐free and SCM‐containing formulations. The outcomes indicate that CN is an efficient and cost‐effective ASR mitigation additive (∼$250–$600 per tonne), particularly in a time of dwindling fly ash supplies and unaffordable lithium prices (>∼$12 000 per tonne).
Changsha ware glaze color: Composition, nanostructure, and copper and iron speciation
Authors: Yuan MingYue , Hou JiaYu , Zhang XingGuo , Wood Nigel , Molera Judit , Castillo‐Michel Hiram , Cotte Marine , Pradell Trinitat
Published: July 2024

The opacity/transparency, color, and production of designs in Changsha ware, a Tang dynasty Chinese stoneware renowned for its polychromy and pioneering high‐temperature red glaze, are studied by analyzing the composition, micro/nanostructure, and copper/iron speciation. The results shed new light on some of the most debated questions about Changsha ware. In particular, the role of glaze thickness, composition, and firing conditions on the coexistence of transparent and opaque glazes and of oxidized green and reduced red copper designs on the same object, and on the reason for the development of either green or turquoise colors. New data obtained by reproducing a copper red overglaze and underglaze painting with a similar glaze composition and thickness have provided new insights into the origin of the first high‐temperature copper reds and, in the absence of essential knowledge, their discontinuity. This study also contributes to the long debate regarding the use of overglaze versus underglaze painting techniques.
Research on viscosities and structural characteristics of coal slags with various Al2O3 contents
Authors: Xu Renze , Wang Zhen
Published: July 2024

The corrosion of the alumina‐based refractory in coal slags would increase the Al2O3 contents of the coal slag and the influences of that on coal slag performances need to be further considered. The effects of Al2O3 on viscosities and structures of SiO2‐MgO‐CaO‐Fe2O3‐(10–22 wt%)Al2O3 coal slags were investigated in this work. The viscosity of the coal slag increased first with increasing the content of Al2O3 from 10 wt% to 14 wt% and further declined with the addition of Al2O3 content to 22 wt%. The role of Al2O3 in the present coal slag was identified. Al2O3 mainly behaved as an acidic oxide in coal slags when the Al2O3 content was less than 14 wt%, which polymerized the slag structure and increased the viscosities, and with further addition of Al2O3 to 22 wt%, a part of Al2O3 behaved as network modifiers due to the deficiency of enough metal cations for charge compensation, which could simplify the slag networks and reduce the viscosity. The variations of slag viscosities were consistent with the change tendencies of structures analyzed by spectra techniques.
Assessing consumer perception on underwear products: Visual and tactile evaluations
Authors: Yin Wei , Xu Bugao , Yuan Xiaohong
Published: July 2024

Underwear is an intimate apparel with skin contact that impacts wearer's sensory experience. The visual and tactile properties of an underwear play critical roles in consumers' comfort and style considerations. This study concentrated on analyzing consumer perceptual preferences for underwear through surveys of bipolar word‐pairs describing the visual and tactile properties of underwear. A questionnaire on the word pairs was designed using semantic differential scales, and 60 selected participants were surveyed under five test modes, including visual observations and tactile explorations (such as touching, pressing, and grasping). Clustering analysis was utilized to categorize the word‐pairs into four clusters—“appearance,” “hand,” “style,” and “quality”—representing vital aspects of consumer concerns about underwear. The significance of the clusters and the test modes in assessing perceived underwear values was scrutinized, and the models to predict underwear's perceived values were established through multivariate regression analysis. It was found that consumers are likely to prioritize the “appearance” and “style” clusters over the “hand” and “quality” clusters, and the visual and grasping tests over the other tactile tests. The predictive models demonstrate high reliability in estimating the perceived values of underwear.

Practical Applications

The study findings highlight that, in assessing underwear products, consumers give greater importance to “appearance” and “style” than to “hand” and “quality.” In addition, the visual and grasping tests prove more effective than the other three methods (i.e., palm touching, fingertip touching, and fingertip pressing). These insights are valuable for underwear designers aiming to create marketable products. Moreover, the predictive models developed in the study exhibit high reliability, offering a valuable guide for consumer purchasing decisions. This is particularly pertinent in online shopping scenarios where the physical sensing of visual and tactile features of underwear is not possible.
Morphological Variability of Four Anabas testudineus (Bloch 1792) Varieties, Cultured in Pond Aquaculture Systems in Bangladesh
Authors: Mahmud Ashif , Mondal Md. Anwar Hossain , Hanif Md. Abu , Hossen Shaharior , Sukhan Zahid Parvez
Published: July 2024

Due to having high market demand and consumer preference, four varieties of Anabas testudineus (indigenous, Thai, Thai‐Vietnam, and Vietnamese) have been extensively cultured in Bangladesh over the last few decades. But high similarities in their morphometric traits make population differentiation difficult. The present study used phenotypic markers for their discrimination based on traditional morphometry and truss network measurement. We conducted a study of morphometric variability through the traditional morphometry and truss network systems based on 120 specimens of four varieties of A. testudineus cultured in a coastal region of Bangladesh. Significant (p < 0.05) variation was observed in the analysis of variance (ANOVA) for all the measured traits. In each of the truss network and morphometric measurements, three discriminant functions (DF) were found with 100% variability, which accounted for 89.7% and 65.7% for DF1; 9.7% and 25.7% for DF2 and 0.6% and 8.7% for DF3, respectively. In principal component analysis (PCA), four PCs were observed for traditional morphometry with a total variance of 97.44%, while in the truss network system, the total variance was 98.53% in five PCs. Overall, the investigation found four distinct stocks for indigenous, Thai, Thai × Vietnamese and Vietnamese varieties. The outcomes of this study might be useful for differentiating these four varieties of climbing perch population, genetic study, management and conservation of this fishery at home and abroad.
Ten years’ evaluation of periodontal status and its changes among Japanese older adults
Authors: Chairunisa Fania , Widita Elastria , Thwin Kaung Myat , Takehara Sachiko , Nohno Kaname , Hanindriyo Lisdrianto , Miyazaki Hideo , Ogawa Hiroshi
Published: July 2024

Aims

This study aims to evaluate the periodontal status and its changes among Japanese older adults over a 10‐year period.

Methods and results

A total of 206 dentate older adults aged 70 years who completely participated in 10 years of oral examination were included. The community periodontal index (CPI) was used to assess the gingival and periodontal pocket status, while the loss of attachment (LA) scoring system was used to report the extensive LA. A higher score in CPI (Code 3 and Code 4) and more extensive attachment loss were found in a majority of participants. During follow‐up evaluation, mean number of sextants with CPI code 4 remained stable, while CPI code 3 significantly decreased particularly in male participants. Whereas, sextants without attachment loss significantly decreased on average. The mean number of missing sextants significantly increased from 1.1 to 1.9, and 5.8% of subjects had all sextants excluded in the follow‐up.

Conclusion

This study indicated that majority of the older people experienced severe periodontal disease and this condition remained stable during 10‐year period. Additionally, the incidence of tooth loss increased as individuals aged. Regular oral care and maintenance are highly recommended for older population.
A Computational Design Framework for Lubrication Interfaces With Active Micro-textures
Authors: Pekol S. , Kılınç Ö. , Temizer İ.
Published: July 2024

The major goal of the present study is to develop a computational design framework for the active control of hydrodynamically lubricated interfaces. The framework ultimately delivers an electrode distribution on an elastomeric substrate such that a voltage-controlled texture may be induced on its surface. This enables the setup to attain a desired time-dependent macroscopic lubrication response. The computational framework is based on a numerically efficient two-stage design approach. In the first stage, a topology optimization framework is introduced for determining a microscopic texture and the uniform modulation of its amplitude. The objective is to attain the targeted fluid flux or frictional traction signals based on the homogenization-based macroscopic response of the texture. As a minor goal, a novel unit cell geometry optimization feature will be developed which will enable working in a design space that is as unrestricted as possible. The obtained designs are then transferred to the second stage where the electrode distribution on a soft substrate is determined along with the voltage variation that delivers the desired amplitude variation. The first stage operates in a two-dimensional setting based on the Reynolds equation whereas the second stage operates in a three-dimensional setting based on an electroelasticity formulation. The two stages are heuristically coupled by transferring the texture topology to the electrode distribution through a projection step. The viability of such an active lubrication interface design approach is demonstrated through numerous examples that methodically investigate the central features of the overall computational framework.
Coupled Multiphysics Modeling of Lithium-Ion Batteries for Automotive Crashworthiness Applications
Authors: Mallarapu Anudeep , Çaldichoury Inaki , L'Eplattenier Pierre , Sunderlin Nathaniel , Santhanagopalan Shriram
Published: July 2024

Considerable advances have been made in battery safety models, but achieving predictive accuracy across a wide range of conditions continues to be challenging. Interactions between dynamically evolving mechanical, electrical, and thermal state variables make model prediction difficult during mechanical abuse scenarios. In this study, we develop a physics-based modeling approach that allows for choosing between different mechanical and electrochemical models depending on the required level of analysis. We demonstrate the use of this approach to connect cell-level abuse response to electrode-level and particle-level transport phenomena. A pseudo-two-dimensional model and simplified single-particle models are calibrated to electrical–thermal cycling data and applied to mechanically induced short-circuit scenarios to understand how the choice of electrochemical model affects the model prediction under abuse scenarios. These models are implemented using user-defined subroutines on ls-dyna finite element software and can be coupled with existing automotive crash safety models.
Exploring the Influence of Reflectivity and Emissivity on Energy Consumption Across Varied Climate Zones in India
Authors: Thakur Rohit , Kumar Anil
Published: July 2024

With a particular emphasis on sustainability, this research investigates the influence of reflectance and emissivity qualities on the amount of energy used by residential buildings of a mid-rise height located in various temperature zones in India. In the first part of the study, the impacts of highly reflecting, cool roofs were evaluated using base case and proposed simulations. In the second phase, a comparison was made between the possible energy savings that may be obtained by switching from low to high solar reflective roofs. An analysis of the reflectance and emissivity characteristics of the roof was carried out with the assistance of the eQUEST simulation tool. The study findings were validated using the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) schedule for the residential building energy labeling program. According to the results, highly reflecting roofs, which have a reflectivity of 0.8 and an emissivity of 0.9, dramatically lowered cooling loads by 38% and 20% in hot and dry areas, 21–25% in composite climates, 17–25% in warm and humid climates, and 37% in colder climates. These cost-effective solutions could be applied to existing and new constructions and have the potential to provide large energy and monetary savings by improving the performance of the building envelope, which in turn contributes to efforts to make the building more environmentally friendly.
Large and unequal life expectancy declines during the COVID-19 pandemic in India in 2020
Authors: Gupta Aashish , Hathi Payal , Banaji Murad , Gupta Prankur , Kashyap Ridhi , Paikra Vipul , Sharma Kanika , Somanchi Anmol , Sudharsanan Nikkil , Vyas Sangita
Published: July 2024

Global population health during the COVID-19 pandemic is poorly understood because of weak mortality monitoring in low- and middle-income countries. High-quality survey data on 765,180 individuals, representative of one-fourth of India’s population, uncover patterns missed by incomplete vital statistics and disease surveillance. Compared to 2019, life expectancy at birth was 2.6 years lower and mortality was 17% higher in 2020, implying 1.19 million excess deaths in 2020. Life expectancy declines in India were larger and had a younger age profile than in high-income countries. Increases in mortality were greater than expected based on observed seroprevalence and international infection fatality rates, most prominently among the youngest and older age groups. In contrast to global patterns, females in India experienced a life expectancy decline that was 1 year larger than losses for males. Marginalized social groups experienced greater declines than the most privileged social group. These findings uncover large and unequal mortality impacts during the pandemic in the world’s most populous country.
Huntingtin is an RNA binding protein and participates in
NEAT1
-mediated paraspeckles
Authors: Yadav Manisha , Harding Rachel J. , Li Tiantian , Xu Xin , Gall-Duncan Terence , Khan Mahreen , Bardile Costanza Ferrari , Sequiera Glen L. , Duan Shili , Chandrasekaran Renu , Pan Anni , Bu Jiachuan , Yamazaki Tomohiro , Hirose Tetsuro , Prinos Panagiotis , Tippett Lynette , Turner Clinton , Curtis Maurice A. , Faull Richard L.M. , Pouladi Mahmoud A. , Pearson Christopher E. , He Housheng Hansen , Arrowsmith Cheryl H.
Published: July 2024

Huntingtin protein, mutated in Huntington’s disease, is implicated in nucleic acid–mediated processes, yet the evidence for direct huntingtin–nucleic acid interaction is limited. Here, we show wild-type and mutant huntingtin copurify with nucleic acids, primarily RNA, and interact directly with G-rich RNAs in in vitro assays. Huntingtin RNA-immunoprecipitation sequencing from patient-derived fibroblasts and neuronal progenitor cells expressing wild-type and mutant huntingtin revealed long noncoding RNA
NEAT1
as a significantly enriched transcript. Altered
NEAT1
levels were evident in Huntington’s disease cells and postmortem brain tissues, and huntingtin knockdown decreased
NEAT1
levels. Huntingtin colocalized with
NEAT1
in paraspeckles, and we identified a high-affinity RNA motif preferred by huntingtin. This study highlights
NEAT1
as a huntingtin interactor, demonstrating huntingtin’s involvement in RNA-mediated functions and paraspeckle regulation.
Plasma sphingolipids mediate the association between gut microbiome composition and type 2 diabetes risk in the HELIUS cohort: a case-cohort study
Authors: Overbeek Martin F , Rutters Femke , Nieuwdorp Max , Davids Mark , van Valkengoed Irene , Galenkamp Henrike , van den Born Bert-Jan , Beulens Joline W J , Muilwijk Mirthe
Published: July 2024

Introduction

The association between the gut microbiome and incident type 2 diabetes (T2D) is potentially partly mediated through sphingolipids, however these possible mediating mechanisms have not been investigated. We examined whether sphingolipids mediate the association between gut microbiome and T2D, using data from the Healthy Life in an Urban Setting study.

Research design and methods

Participants were of Dutch or South-Asian Surinamese ethnicity, aged 18–70 years, and without T2D at baseline. A case-cohort design (subcohort n=176, cases incident T2D n=36) was used. The exposure was measured by 16S rRNA sequencing (gut microbiome) and mediator by targeted metabolomics (sphingolipids). Dimensionality reduction was achieved by principle component analysis and Shannon diversity. Cox regression and procrustes analyses were used to assess the association between gut microbiome and T2D and sphingolipids and T2D, and between gut microbiome and sphingolipids, respectively. Mediation was tested familywise using mediation analysis with permutation testing and Bonferroni correction.

Results

Our study confirmed associations between gut microbiome and T2D and sphingolipids and T2D. Additionally, we showed that the gut microbiome was associated with sphingolipids. The association between gut microbiome and T2D was partly mediated by a sphingolipid principal component, which represents a dominance of ceramide species over more complex sphingolipids (HR 1.17; 95% CI 1.08 to 1.28; proportional explained 48%), and by Shannon diversity (HR 0.97; 95% CI 0.95 to 0.99; proportional explained 24.8%).

Conclusions

These data suggest that sphingolipids mediate the association between microbiome and T2D risk. Future research is needed to confirm observed findings and elucidate causality on a molecular level.
Extended high-frequency hearing loss among Afro-Colombian adolescents from a rural area in Colombia: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Pérez-Herrera Lucia C , Peñaranda Daniel , Moreno-López Sergio , Guerra Ana Maria , Montes Felipe , Sanchez-Franco Sharon C , Sarmiento Olga Lucia , Suetta-Lugo Nancy , Peñaranda Augusto
Published: July 2024

Objectives

Research trends concerning hearing loss within teen rural populations are limited and current evidence suggests that extended high-frequency audiometry can be a sensitive tool to detect subclinical hearing loss. Moreover, current research emphasises the importance of representing different ethnic populations in science. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of acquired hearing loss through conventional pure-tone (0.25–8 kHz) and extended high frequency (EHF) (9–20 kHz) audiometry in Afro-Colombian adolescents from a rural area in Colombia.

Design

Observational, cross-sectional study.

Participants

230 Afro-Colombian adolescents aged 13–17 years who attended high school in a rural population from Cartagena, Colombia.

Interventions

Otoscopic examination, conventional (0.25–8 kHz) and EHF (9–20 kHz) audiometry tests were performed during February-March 2021. Sociodemographic and associated factor questionnaires were also applied to assess probable factors associated with EHF hearing loss.

Main outcome measures

Prevalence of acquired hearing loss using conventional and EHF audiometry, and factors associated with hearing loss.

Results

Of 230 adolescents who met the eligibility criteria, 133 (57.82%) were female. The mean age was 15.22 years (SD: 1.62). The prevalence of hearing loss in at least one ear assessed with conventional audiometry was 21.30% and with EHF audiometry 14.78%. The main abnormal otoscopic findings included: neotympanum (1.30%), myringosclerosis (0.87%) and monomeric scars (0.43%). Factors associated with a higher probability of EHF hearing loss found through logistic regression were older age (prevalence ratio (PR): 1.45; 95% CI 1.16 to 1.80), attending the ‘Picó’ four or more times a month (PR: 6.63; 95% CI 2.16 to 20.30), attending bars more than three times a month (PR: 1.14; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.59) and self-reported hearing difficulties (PR: 1.24; 95% CI 1.22 to 4.05).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that acquired hearing loss is already widespread among this young rural population.
Subclinical rejection and allograft survival in kidney transplantation: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kalaria Arjun Lalit , Yamada Takayuki , Klein-Fedyshin Michele , Obata Shota , Cruz-Peralta Massiel , Parrish Bryce , Rahman Amaan Z , Molinari Michele , Mehta Rajil B
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Subclinical rejection (SCR) refers to the presence of acute rejection without accompanying kidney allograft dysfunction. The impact of SCR on long-term graft survival remains a subject of ongoing debate.

Methods and analysis

We will perform a systematic search of databases including MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Central, from January 1995 to November 2023. We will include English-language studies involving adult kidney transplant patients who investigated SCR. We will exclude studies focused on ‘for-cause’ biopsies. Both title, abstract screening and full-text screening will be performed by two or more reviewers. The primary outcome of this study will be death-censored allograft loss. The secondary outcome will include development of subsequent rejection. For time-dependent outcomes, we will prioritise HRs and the 95% CIs. In cases where HRs are unavailable, we will calculate risk ratios based on the recorded events. The risk of bias will be assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration’s revised tool for assessing the risk of bias in randomised trials and the Newcastle-Ottawa scale for cohort studies. We will employ a random effects model. We will evaluate heterogeneity using the I2variable. We will assess publication bias by funnel plots, Begg and Mazumdar test, and Egger’s test.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval does not apply as no original data will be collected. The results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42023463536.
Overview of global monitoring systems for the side effects and adverse events associated with medicinal cannabis use: a scoping review using a systematic approach
Authors: Wang Rebecca Qi , Bonomo Yvonne Ann , Hallinan Christine Mary
Published: July 2024

Objectives

The use of cannabis-based medicine (CBM) as a therapeutic has surged in Australia over the past 5 years. Historically, the United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961) prohibited cannabis use in Europe, the USA, the UK and Australia, leading to legislative resistance and limited preclinical data on CBM. Existing safety monitoring systems for CBM are poorly structured and do not integrate well into the workflows of busy health professionals. As a result, postmarketing surveillance is inconsistent. This review aims to evaluate international systems for monitoring CBM side effects and adverse events.

Design

To undertake a scoping review with a systematic approach, we used the Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome (PICO) framework to develop keyword elements, and two search queries to maximise search sensitivity and specificity.

Data sources

Search queries were entered into Embase and Scopus for peer-reviewed literature, and additional searches for grey literature were conducted on 23 June 2023.

Eligibility criteria

We included 54 full-text articles in the review: 39 from peer-reviewed searches, 8 from grey literature and 7 from citations of relevant texts.

Data extraction and synthesis

Our search yielded two main forms of monitoring systems: databases and registries. Out of the 24 monitoring systems identified, there were 10 databases and 14 registries, with databases often created by regulatory authorities. Systems differed in methods of causality assessment, level of detail collected, terminology and affiliations.

Results

Within the monitoring systems with enough published data for analysis, all except one remain active at the time of this review. VigiBase is the largest centralised monitoring system, receiving international case reports, however data heterogeneity persists.

Conclusions

Our study emphasises the need for a centralised, consistent and accessible system for the postmarketing surveillance of side effects and adverse events associated with medicinal cannabis use.
Defensive healthcare practice: systematic review of qualitative evidence
Authors: Lorenc Theo , Khouja Claire , Harden Melissa , Fulbright Helen , Thomas James
Published: July 2024

Objective

To synthesise qualitative evidence on clinicians’ views and experiences of defensive practice.

Design

Systematic review of qualitative data.

Data sources

MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, AMED, Maternity and Infant Care, CINAHL, ASSIA, Sociological Abstracts, Proquest Dissertations & Theses and PROSPERO were searched from 2000 to October 2023.

Eligibility criteria

We included English-language studies of clinicians which reported qualitative data on the impact of litigation or complaints on clinical practice.

Data extraction and synthesis

We coded findings data line by line using a grounded theory approach. We assessed quality using Hawkeret al’s tool and synthesised data thematically.

Results

17 studies were included. Participants identify a range of clinical decisions which may be defensively motivated, relating to diagnosis and documentation as well as to treatment. Defensive practice often relates to a diffuse sense of risk rather than the direct threat of litigation and may overlap with other motivations, such as perceived pressure from patients or the desire to avoid harm. Defensive practice is seen to be harmful in many ways, but again, these perceptions may gain force from broader narratives of mistrust and disempowerment, as much as from the risk of litigation.

Conclusions

The idea of defensive practice, as enacted, is more complex than some theoretical accounts suggest and may often function to express broader concerns about the work of clinical care. The qualitative evidence calls into question the view of defensive practice as a key mediator linking litigation risk to inappropriate treatment and excess costs.
Interpretation considerations for field study of axial stresses/forces in driven H-piles due to construction activities for fill placement
Authors: Chalajour Sepehr , Blatz James A.
Published: July 2024

A field measurement was conducted on an H-pile driven into a multilayer soil profile to analyze the axial stresses/forces generated on the pile during bridge construction activities. Vibrating wire strain gauges and piezometers were utilized, and dynamic testing was conducted for this purpose. Measurements revealed that the pile’s pre-installation and temperature changes after installation in cooler ground caused shifts in strain gauge readings. Furthermore, driving an adjacent pile into the vicinity equivalent to four pile diameters, caused a notable increase in pore water pressure, resulting in decreased stresses on the pile. Concreting on top of the pile induced compressive stress during the first day, followed by a considerable decrease and development of tension on the pile over the next two days. Considering the residual force due to pile installation, force distribution, neutral plane location, and maximum axial force along the shaft were different and higher than in the case where this force was ignored. This paper presents a robust methodology to evaluate forces/stresses in a pile subject to installation through to final loading, including drag force effects based on instrumentation measurements. This novel approach provides a better understanding of drag force impacts on actual load capacity under final production loading.
Rapid inference of larval fish recruitment potential from size spectrum models
Authors: Hinchliffe Charles , Schilling Hayden T. , Pepin Pierre , Kar Fonti , Falster Daniel S. , Suthers Iain M.
Published: July 2024

The ratio of mortality to growth of larval fish provides a metric of a cohort’s “recruitment potential”. Estimating recruitment potential is arduous, requiring growth and mortality to be estimated independently. Here, we propose using the exponent of size spectrum models to indicate recruitment potential from body measurement data alone. This approach has several advantages including (1) reducing data collection times, (2) removing uncertainty in estimates generated from age estimation, and (3) allowing re-analysis of larval fish databases or archived collections. To test the validity of this approach, we conduct simulations comparing estimates of recruitment potential from an abundance spectrum model with other common methods. By varying larval flux rates, growth, mortality, and measurement error, we show the abundance spectrum model is more accurate and precise at smaller sample sizes, and more robust to variance in individual rates and measurement error of ages, but more susceptible to measurement error of size. We highlight that a size-based approach to estimating recruitment potential provides another useful tool for understanding larval survival, reducing resource demands on research compared to traditional methods.
Did the COVID-19 pandemic disrupt food security in West African rural communities? Survey results from four regions of Senegal and Burkina Faso
Authors: Quillet Etienne , Vandeplas Isabelle , Touré Katim , Sanfo Safiétou , Baldé Fatoumata Lamarana , Vasseur Liette
Published: July 2024

Transboundary rural communities in West Africa play an important role in the exchange of goods, mainly food, among countries. The COVID-19 pandemic restricted these activities due to the closure of the borders. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in two regions of Senegal and Burkina Faso to examine the impacts of these restrictions on the pillars (availability, access, utilization, and stability) of food security in rural areas on men and women. The data set included 230 interviews, and they were analyzed through thematic content analysis. The results showed a decrease in agricultural production in all the communities due to mainly lack of labor force, and limited access to inputs, resulting in increased post-harvest losses. The disruption of trade and border and market closures affected rural families engaged in transboundary trade. Farmers experienced a sharp loss of household income leading to debts and decapitalization. Availability and diversity of and access to food was also heavily affected. Food security greatly varied among the communities and between countries. Perceptions also varied between men and women in terms of production, mobility, and food consumption. The restriction measures have triggered a spiral of effects and responses seriously impacting long-term food security in already highly vulnerable countries.
X-ray and neutron imaging for cultural heritage: the INFN-CHNet experience
Authors: Mazzinghi A. , Castelli L. , Ruberto C. , Barone S. , García-Avello Bofías F. , Bombini A. , Czelusniak C. , Gelli N. , Giambi F. , Manetti M. , Massi M. , Sodi L. , Balerna A. , Pronti L. , Romani M. , Angelucci M. , Viviani G. , Sciarra V. , Cestelli Guidi M. , Marabotto M. , Sottili L. , Vigorelli L. , Tansella F. , Magalini M. , Guidorzi L. , Re A. , Lo Giudice A. , Ricci C. , Pozzi F. , Iorio G. , Graziani V. , Fabbri A. , Branchini P. , De Carlo A. , Tortora L. , Morigi M. P. , Bettuzzi M. , Brancaccio R. , Seracini M. , Cantini F. , Grazzi F. , Marcucci G. , Clemenza M. , Alloni D. , Altieri S. , Rossini R. , Salvini A. , Sans-Planell O. , Zafiropoulos D. , Sarchiapone L. , Arneodo F. , Torres Saavedra R. A. , Castellá M. F. , Mastrangelo N. , Morales A. M. , Taccetti F. , Giuntini L.
Published: July 2024

This paper reports on the instrumentation and expertise developed within the INFN-CHNet network for X-ray and neutron imaging, which enable non-invasive identification of materials and production processes in the field of cultural heritage. INFN-CHNet is the network of the Italian National Institute of Nuclear Physics specifically dedicated to the development and application of scientific methods and technologies to cultural heritage. This article focuses on portable MA-XRF scanners, often complemented by additional techniques, PIXE imaging on a newly developed portable accelerator, X-ray radiography and tomography, exploited to their full potential also through the use of portable systems, and neutron radiography and tomography, which require large-scale facilities. In many respects, the information obtained from X-ray and neutron-based methods is complementary, facilitating a comprehensive characterisation of materials, structures, and manufacturing techniques.

Graphical abstract
Effects of Emotional Olfactory Stimuli on Modulating Angry Driving Based on an EEG Connectivity Study
Authors: Hu Fo , Yao Peipei , He Kailun , Yang Xusheng , Gouda Mohamed Amin , Zhang Lekai
Published: July 2024

Effectively regulating anger driving has become critical in ensuring road safety. The existing research lacks a feasible exploration of anger-driving regulation. This paper delves into the effect and neural mechanisms of emotional olfactory stimuli (EOS) on regulating anger driving based on EEG. First, this study designed an angry driving regulation experiment based on EOS to record EEG signals. Second, brain activation patterns under various EOS conditions are explored by analyzing functional brain networks (FBNs). Additionally, the paper analyzes dynamic alterations in anger-related characteristics to explore the intensity and persistence of regulating anger driving under different EOS. Finally, the paper studies the frequency energy of EEG changes under EOS through time–frequency analysis. The results indicate that EOS can effectively regulate a driver’s anger emotions, especially with the banana odor showing superior effects. Under banana odor stimulus, synchronization between the parietal and temporal lobes significantly decreased. Notably, the regulatory effect of banana odor is optimal and exhibits sustained efficacy. The regulatory effect of banana odor on anger emotions is persistent. Furthermore, the impact of banana odor significantly reduces the distribution of high-energy activation states in the parietal lobe region. Our findings provide new insights into the dynamic characterization of functional connectivity during anger-driving regulation and demonstrate the potential of using EOS as a reliable tool for regulating angry driving.
Asynchronous Numerical Spiking Neural Membrane Systems with Local Synchronization
Authors: Zhang Hongyan , Zhao Yuzhen , Liu Xiyu , Xue Jie
Published: July 2024

Since the spiking neural P system (SN P system) was proposed in 2006, it has become a research hotspot in the field of membrane computing. The SN P system performs computations through the encoding, processing, and transmission of spiking information and can be regarded as a third-generation neural network. As a variant of the SN P system, the global asynchronous numerical spiking neural P system (ANSN P system) is adaptable to a broader range of application scenarios. However, in biological neuroscience, some neurons work synchronously within a community to perform specific functions in the brain. Inspired by this, our work investigates a global asynchronous spiking neural P system (ANSN P system) that incorporates certain local synchronous neuron sets. Within these local synchronous sets, neurons must execute their production functions simultaneously, thereby reducing dependence on thresholds and enhancing control uncertainty in ANSN P systems. By analyzing the ADD, SUB, and FIN modules in the generating mode, as well as the INPUT and ADD modules in the accepting mode, this paper demonstrates the novel system’s computational capacity as both a generator and an acceptor. Additionally, this paper compares each module to those in other SN P systems, considering the maximum number of neurons and rules per neuron. The results show that this new ANSN P system is at least as effective as the existing SN P systems.
Sign changeable coupled ghost dark fluid in the realization of cosmological bounce inflation
Authors: Saha Sanghati , Chattopadhyay Surajit , Güdekli Ertan
Published: July 2024

In this paper, we determine the exact solutions of viscous ghost models in sign-changeable interaction scenarios for two choices of bouncing scale factor, assuming the existence of viscous interacting fluid across the flat Friedmann–Robertson–Walker universe in the form of ghost dark energy and pressure-less dark matter. The study demonstrates how the cosmological parameters evolve in viscous sign-changeable interacting scenarios to see the transition time frame. Next, a bounce inflation model is investigated, including the tensor-to-scalar ratio, scalar spectral index, and slow-roll parameters analytical results. Since inflation is usually associated with scalar fields, the study looked at a possible relationship between sign-changeable interacting ghost dark fluids and scalar field models. Lastly, the applicability of the generalized second law (GSL) of thermodynamics is examined for the scenarios that are being studied.
Symmetry analysis, optimal system, conservation laws and exact solutions of time-fractional diffusion-type equation
Authors: Yu Jicheng , Feng Yuqiang
Published: July 2024

In Liu et al. [On the generalized time fractional diffusion equation: Symmetry analysis, conservation laws, optimal system and exact solutions, Int. J. Geom. Methods Mod. Phys. 17(01) (2020) 2050013], the generalized time-fractional diffusion equation [Formula: see text] is studied by the symmetry analysis method. Liu et al. obtained two group generators [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] and only one trivial solution [Formula: see text] for the equation. In this paper, we classify the Lie symmetry group admitted by the equation, and for the case [Formula: see text], we obtain a richer set of group generators and some nontrivial solutions, including unprecedented exact solutions and power series solutions. In addition, we construct the one-dimensional optimal system of the Lie symmetry group admitted by the time-fractional diffusion-type equation by Olver’s method, and obtain the conservation laws for all the obtained Lie symmetries using the general method developed by Ibragimov. For the novel exact solutions and power series solutions, we analyze their dynamic behavior graphically.
An Induce-on-Boundary Magnetostatic Solver for Grid-Based Ferrofluids
Authors: Ni Xingyu , Wang Ruicheng , Wang Bin , Chen Baoquan
Published: July 2024

This paper introduces a novel Induce-on-Boundary (IoB) solver designed to address the magnetostatic governing equations of ferrofluids. The IoB solver is based on a single-layer potential and utilizes only the surface point cloud of the object, offering a lightweight, fast, and accurate solution for calculating magnetic fields. Compared to existing methods, it eliminates the need for complex linear system solvers and maintains minimal computational complexities. Moreover, it can be seamlessly integrated into conventional fluid simulators without compromising boundary conditions. Through extensive theoretical analysis and experiments, we validate both the convergence and scalability of the IoB solver, achieving state-of-the-art performance. Additionally, a straightforward coupling approach is proposed and executed to showcase the solver's effectiveness when integrated into a grid-based fluid simulation pipeline, allowing for realistic simulations of representative ferrofluid instabilities.
BrepGen: A B-rep Generative Diffusion Model with Structured Latent Geometry
Authors: Xu Xiang , Lambourne Joseph , Jayaraman Pradeep , Wang Zhengqing , Willis Karl , Furukawa Yasutaka
Published: July 2024

This paper presents
BrepGen
, a diffusion-based generative approach that directly outputs a Boundary representation (B-rep) Computer-Aided Design (CAD) model.
BrepGen
represents a B-rep model as a novel structured latent geometry in a hierarchical tree. With the root node representing a whole CAD solid, each element of a B-rep model (i.e., a face, an edge, or a vertex) progressively turns into a child-node from top to bottom. B-rep geometry information goes into the nodes as the global bounding box of each primitive along with a latent code describing the local geometric shape. The B-rep topology information is implicitly represented by node duplication. When two faces share an edge, the edge curve will appear twice in the tree, and a T-junction vertex with three incident edges appears six times in the tree with identical node features. Starting from the root and progressing to the leaf,
BrepGen
employs Transformer-based diffusion models to sequentially denoise node features while duplicated nodes are detected and merged, recovering the B-Rep topology information. Extensive experiments show that
BrepGen
advances the task of CAD B-rep generation, surpassing existing methods on various benchmarks. Results on our newly collected furniture dataset further showcase its exceptional capability in generating complicated geometry. While previous methods were limited to generating simple prismatic shapes,
BrepGen
incorporates free-form and doubly-curved surfaces for the first time. Additional applications of
BrepGen
include CAD autocomplete and design interpolation. The code, pretrained models, and dataset are available at https://github.com/samxuxiang/BrepGen.