bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom in Higher Education in England
Authors: McGoldrick Dominic
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACT: This article considers the context, development, and significance of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 . The Act was relatively unusual in aiming to increase the normative strength of freedom of speech. The central justification given for the Act was the need to respond to an increasing number of interferences with free speech and academic freedom occurring at universities. The growth of a "cancel culture" was having a "chilling effect" on students, staff, and visiting speakers. The article examines a range of high-profile cases and incidents that have attracted political and media attention. Many of these have concerned contemporary debates related to trans issues and identity politics. The issues discussed in the article are of wider international interest. Similar controversies have been experienced in universities in other states. The article makes comparative reference to developments in the field in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The article examines the perceived issues and evidential bases for the Act, reviews the legal duties, and analyzes the key legal concepts. It considers these in terms of compatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights (1950). It concludes by addressing three thematic issues: (i) a Model Code; (ii) challenging university ideologies; and (iii) securing cultural change.
Prevention is Better than a Cure: The Obligation to Prevent Human Rights Violations
Authors: Skogly Sigrun I.
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACT: The obligation to prevent human rights violations has received little attention in the international human rights community, including in academic commentary. This article considers the sources of the obligation to prevent violations in international human rights law and explores some of the content of the obligation. This leads to a recognition that this obligation may challenge the way we often approach human rights violations and what States need to do to comply. While much of the attention to human rights violations tend to be retrospective—after they have occurred, the obligation to prevent violations requires that action be taken before individuals and groups of individuals become victims.
Radiometric thermometry of point targets based on dual-band infrared imaging
Authors: Yang Guoqing , Sun Zhiyuan , Li Zhou , Li Yunlong , Pang Xinyu , Zhang Tao
Published: May 2024

The observation area of a point target, which is usually inaccessible,
is a necessary condition when utilizing the conventional single-band
infrared radiometric thermometry method, as the image gray level
inevitably undergoes dispersion. Otherwise, significant
errors will be generated, seriously affecting the applicability of
infrared radiometric thermometry for distant point targets in the
external field. To address the above issue, the infrared radiometric
thermometry method for point targets has been researched. A point
target radiometric thermometry method based on dual-band infrared
imaging is proposed, which can effectively measure radiance and
temperature when the area of the point target is unknown. The
experimental results show that, compared with conventional single-band
algorithms, the proposed dual-band point target thermometry algorithm
has a maximum error of 11.18°C under the condition of unknown area,
which can meet the needs of infrared radiometric thermometry of point
targets at long distances in the external field.
In vitro investigation of the mechanics of fixed red blood cells based on optical trap micromanipulation and image analysis
Authors: Rao Hongtao , Wang Meng , Wu Yinglian , Wu Ying , Han Caiqin , Yan Changchun , Zhang Le , Wang Jingjing , Liu Ying
Published: May 2024

Erythrocyte deformability correlates with various diseases. Single-cell measurements via optical tweezers (OTs) enable quantitative exploration but may encounter inaccuracies due to erythrocyte life cycle mixing. We present a three-step methodology to address these challenges. Firstly, density gradient centrifugation minimizes erythrocyte variations. Secondly, OTs measure membrane shear force across layers. Thirdly, MATLAB analyzes dynamic cell areas. Results combined with membrane shear force data reveal erythrocyte deformational capacity. To further characterize the deformability of diseased erythrocytes, the experiments used glutaraldehyde-fixed erythrocytes to simulate diseased cells. OTs detect increased shear modulus, while image recognition indicates decreased deformation. The integration of OTs and image recognition presents a comprehensive approach to deformation analysis, introducing novel ideas and methodologies for investigating erythrocytic lesions.
Ultra-high-speed four-dimensional hyperspectral imaging
Authors: Ma Jingyue , Yu Zhenming , Cheng Liming , Di Jiayu , Zhan Ning , Zhou Yue , Zhao Haiying , Xu Kun
Published: May 2024

We propose, to the best of our knowledge, a novel deep learning–enabled four-dimensional spectral imaging system composed of a reflective coded aperture snapshot spectral imaging system and a panchromatic camera. The system simultaneously captures a compressively coded hyperspectral measurement and a panchromatic measurement. The hyperspectral data cube is recovered by the U-net-3D network. The depth information of the scene is then acquired by estimating a disparity map between the hyperspectral data cube and the panchromatic measurement through stereo matching. This disparity map is used to align the hyperspectral data cube and the panchromatic measurement. A designed fusion network is used to improve the spatial reconstruction of the hyperspectral data cube by fusing aligned panchromatic measurements. The hardware prototype of the proposed system demonstrates high-speed four-dimensional spectral imaging that allows for simultaneously acquiring depth and spectral images with an 8 nm spectral resolution between 450 and 700 nm, 2.5 mm depth accuracy, and a 1.83 s reconstruction time.
3D fluorescence imaging through a scattering medium using the transport of intensity equation and Fresnel ping-pong algorithm
Authors: Matsuda Shiori , Yoneda Naru , Kumar Manoj , Murata Takashi , Matoba Osamu
Published: May 2024

A three-dimensional (3D) fluorescent imaging method through a scattering medium has been presented. The proposed method combines digital phase conjugate reconstruction of the scattered light wave by the transport of intensity equation-based 3D fluorescent imaging to the position of scattering medium and followed phase retrieval method by Fresnel ping-pong algorithm. The effectiveness of the proposed method is experimentally verified by measuring the 3D distribution of fluorescent beads and tobacco-cultured cells through a thin diffuser. Compared to other methods, the reconstructed images show enhancement of the detailed structure of the objects blurred by the diffuser in a wide area. In the simulation, the proposed method is capable of recovering images degraded by scattering in the phase modulation range from 0 to 2π. The capability to identify the depth position is also presented.
Dy-Al-Ce codoped silica: a promising yellow laser glass with enhanced resistance to X-ray-induced photodarkening
Authors: Li Zhenghao , Li Xin , Sun Yan , Shao Chongyun , Chen Wei , Wang Xin , Yu Chunlei , Hu Lili , Guzik Malgorzata , Boulon Georges
Published: May 2024

To develop Dy doped silica glass with a higher irradiation resistance, which can be adapted to high power violet or blue LD pumped yellow laser fibers, the designed Dy-Al-Ce codoped silica glasses, 0.05Dy2O3-1.5Al2O3-xCe2O3-(98.45-x)SiO2 (x = 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5), were prepared by the sol-gel method. Their excitation spectra, emission spectra and emission decay curves associated with the yellow emission from 4F9/2 to 6H13/2 of Dy were determined before and after the X-ray irradiation of 1000 Gy. The relation between these spectra and Ce-codoping concentrations is discussed, including the sensitization from Ce to Dy, the reverse energy transfer from Dy to Ce, and especially the X-ray-induced photodarkening, which is detrimental to the 576 nm yellow emission of Dy. The centers that cause the photodarkening are analyzed by electron paramagnetic resonance and radiation induced absorption spectra. It is found that Ce can effectively suppress the Al-oxygen hole center induced by the X-ray across the entire concentration range of Ce-codoping, but a new photodarkening center is generated at higher concentrations of Ce-codoping. Finally, the optimized Ce-codoping concentration of ∼0.1 mol% is used to achieve a promising yellow laser glass of Dy-Al-Ce codoped silica with enhanced irradiation resistance, resulting in its X-ray-induced photodarkening that is only 6% - 14% of that in the Ce-undoped.
External dihedral-angle error measurement based on Differential Wavefront Sensing
Authors: Yan Hao
Published: May 2024

High-precision making of cube blocks such as cube test mass, corner cube retroreflectors, and right-angle prisms faces the problem of measuring the dihedral-angle error. A new method based on optical differential wavefront sensing for external measurement of dihedral-angle error is proposed in this paper. Compared to conventional methods such as the Fizeau interferometer and autocollimation, this method has the advantages of compactness and high precision. Moreover, it can measure both arbitrary internal and external dihedral angles. A quasi-monolithic compact interferometer bench for dihedral-angle error measurement is built and tested. The experimental results show that a resolution of ± 0.15 μrad and a nonlinear residual below ± 3 μrad within a dynamic range of ± 100 μrad has been achieved.
Speckle Tracking Phase Contrast Computed Tomography at an Inverse Compton X-ray Source
Authors: Zandarco Simon , Günther Benedikt , Riedel Mirko , Breitenhuber Greogr , Kirst Miriam , Achterhold Klaus , Pfeiffer Franz , Herzen Julia
Published: May 2024

Speckle-based X-ray imaging (SBI) is a phase-contrast method developed at and for highly coherent X-ray sources, such as synchrotrons, to increase the contrast of weakly absorbing objects. Consequently, it complements the conventional attenuation-based X-ray imaging. Meanwhile, attempts to establish SBI at less coherent laboratory sources have been performed, ranging from liquid metal-jet X-ray sources to microfocus X-ray tubes. However, their lack of coherence results in interference fringes not being resolved. Therefore, algorithms were developed which neglect the interference effects. Here, we demonstrate phase-contrast computed tomography employing SBI in a laboratory-setting with an inverse Compton X-ray source. In this context, we investigate and compare also the performance of the at synchrotron conventionally used phase-retrieval algorithms for SBI, unified modulated pattern analysis (UMPA) with a phase-retrieval method developed for low coherent systems (LCS). We successfully retrieve a full computed tomography in a phantom as well as in biological specimens, such as larvae of the greater wax moth (Galleria Mellonella), a model system for studies of pathogens and infections. In this context, we additionally demonstrate quantitative phase-contrast computed tomography using SBI at a low coherent set-up.
Piloting Siyakhana: A community health worker training to reduce substance use and depression stigma in South African HIV and TB care
Authors: Regenauer Kristen S. , Rose Alexandra L. , Belus Jennifer M. , Johnson Kim , Ciya Nonceba , Ndamase Sibabalwe , Jacobs Yuche , Staniland Lexy , Sibeko Goodman , Bassett Ingrid V. , Joska John , Myers Bronwyn , Magidson Jessica F.
Published: May 2024

South Africa has one of the highest rates of HIV/tuberculosis (TB) co-infection, and poor engagement in HIV/TB care contributes to morbidity and mortality. In South Africa, community health workers (CHWs) are tasked with re-engaging patients who have dropped out of HIV/TB care. CHWs have described substantial challenges with substance use (SU) and depression among their patients, while patients have described CHW stigma towards SU and depression as barriers to re-engagement in care. Yet, CHWs receive little-to-no training on SU or depression. Therefore, we piloted Siyakhana, a brief CHW training to reduce stigma related to SU and depression while improving skills for re-engaging these patients in HIV and/or TB care. This study evaluated the preliminary effectiveness (stigma towards SU and depression; clinical competence assessed via roleplay) and implementation (quantitative ratings of feasibility, acceptability, appropriateness, adoption; semi-structured written qualitative feedback) of Siyakhana among CHWs and supervisors (N = 17) at pre- and post-training assessments. SU stigma significantly decreased (F(1,16) = 18.94, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.54). Depression stigma was lower than SU stigma at both timepoints and did not significantly decrease after training. CHW clinical competency towards patients with SU/depression significantly improved (t(11) = -3.35, p = 0.007, d = 1.00). The training was rated as feasible, acceptable, appropriate, and likely to be adopted by CHWs and their supervisors. Nonjudgmental communication was commonly described as the most useful training component. Based on this pilot, the training is being refined and evaluated in a larger randomized stepped-wedge clinical trial.
Prior resilience to trauma & coping during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Scoglio Arielle A. J. , Nishimi Kristen , Choi Karmel W. , Koenen Karestan C. , Sampson Laura A. , Jha Shaili C. , Kubzansky Laura D.
Published: May 2024

Background and objective

This study examined the potential influence of pre-pandemic psychological resilience on use of approach or avoidant coping styles and strategies to manage stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. We hypothesized that higher resilience would be associated with more approach coping and less avoidant coping.

Design and methods

Longitudinal cohort data were from the Nurses’ Health Study II, including 13,143 female current and former healthcare professionals with pre-pandemic lifetime trauma. Pre-pandemic resilience was assessed between 2018–2019 and current coping during the outbreak of the pandemic in the United States (May-August 2020). Multiple linear regression model results identified associations between continuous pre-pandemic resilience scores and use of approach and avoidant coping styles, as well as individual coping strategies, adjusting for relevant covariates.

Results

Greater resilience was associated with higher use of approach coping (ß = 0.06, 95% CI 0.05, 0.08) and lower use of avoidant coping styles (ß = -0.39, 95% CI -0.41, -0.38). Higher pre-pandemic resilience was also associated with use of eight (distraction [ß = -0.18, 95% CI -0.20, -0.16], substance use [ß = -0.15, 95% CI -0.17, -0.13], behavioral disengagement [ß = -0.29, 95% CI -0.30, -0.27], self-blame [ß = -0.44, 95% CI -0.45, -0.42], emotional support (ß = 0.03, 95% CI 0.01, 0.05), positive reframing [ß = 0.13, 95% CI 0.12, 0.15], humor [ß = 0.03, 95% CI 0.01, 0.05] and religion [ß = 0.06, 95% CI 0.04, 0.08]) of the nine coping strategies in expected directions.

Conclusion

Findings have important implications for intervention or even prevention efforts to support vulnerable groups, such as women with prior trauma histories, during this and other immensely stressful times. Supporting or building psychological resilience following trauma may promote effective coping in times of future stress.
The relationship between patient experience and real-world digital health access in primary care: A population-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Pasat Zain , Sinn Chi-Ling Joanna , Rahman Bahram , Gayowsky Anastasia , Lokker Cynthia , Tarride Jean-Eric , Alarakhia Mohamed , Costa Andrew P.
Published: May 2024

Implementing digital health technologies in primary care is anticipated to improve patient experience. We examined the relationships between patient experience and digital health access in primary care settings in Ontario, Canada. We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study using patient responses to the Health Care Experience Survey linked to health and administrative data between April 2019—February 2020. We measured patient experience by summarizing HCES questions. We used multivariable logistic regression stratified by the number of primary care visits to investigate associations between patient experience with digital health access and moderating variables. Our cohort included 2,692 Ontario adults, of which 63.0% accessed telehealth, 2.6% viewed medical records online, and 3.6% booked appointments online. Although patients reported overwhelmingly positive experiences, we found no consistent relationship with digital health access. Online appointment booking access was associated with lower odds of poor experience for patients with three or more primary care visits in the past 12 months (adjusted odds ratio 0.16, 95% CI 0.02–0.56). Younger age, tight financial circumstances, English as a second language, and knowing their primary care provider for fewer years had greater odds of poor patient experience. In 2019/2020, we found limited uptake of digital health in primary care and no clear association between real-world digital health adoption and patient experience in Ontario. Our findings provide an essential context for ensuing rapid shifts in digital health adoption during the COVID-19 pandemic, serving as a baseline to reexamine subsequent improvements in patient experience.
The Chinese version of the general benefit finding scale (GBFS): Psychometric properties in a sample of college students
Authors: Hui Zhaozhao , Wang Xuan , Teng Ziyi , Zou Wenfeng , Wang Jing , Ji Pengcheng , Wang Mingxu
Published: May 2024

Background

Benefit finding has become a central construct in the evolution of positive psychology and attracted attention in recent literature. This study aimed to translate and validate the General Benefit Finding Scale (GBFS) in Chinese college students.

Methods

Forward- and back-translation of the GBFS was followed by the assessment of semantic equivalence and content validity. A sample of 589 college students was recruited in China to conduct reliability and validity analysis. The construct validity was assessed using exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Concurrent validity was assessed using Pearson’s correlation coefficients of the GBFS with the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and World Health Organization-Five Well-Being (WHO-5). Internal consistency and two-week test-retest reliability were also evaluated.

Results

The content validity index for each item ranged from 0.83 to 1.00. EFA revealed a six-factor model, which exhibited acceptable goodness of fit in CFA (standardized root mean square residual = 0.031, root mean square error of approximation = 0.059, goodness-of-fit index = 0.860, comparative fit index = 0.904, Tucker-Lewis index = 0.890, chi-squared/degree of freedom = 2.07). The concurrent validity of the GBFS was supported by its statistically significant correlations with PSS (r = –0.271, p<0.001) and WHO-5 (r = 0.354, p<0.001). Moreover, the internal consistency for the overall scale was satisfactory, with Cronbach’s α coefficient of 0.93 and McDonald’s omega reliability of 0.94. The test-retest reliability was 0.82.

Conclusions

Although the Chinese version of GBFS was examined in a homogeneous convenience sample of college students, it provides a reliable and valid instrument for assessing benefit finding in the Chinese context.
Inverse association of the systemic immune-inflammation index with serum anti-ageing protein Klotho levels in individuals with osteoarthritis: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Zhao Jinlong , Lai Yinhua , Zeng Lingfeng , Liang Guihong , Jin Xiao , Huang Hetao , Luo Minghui , Liu Jun
Published: May 2024

Background

The association between the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and the serum soluble-Klotho concentration (pg/ml) in osteoarthritis (OA) patients is unknown. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the SII and serum soluble-Klotho levels in OA patients.

Methods

All study data were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database (n = 1852 OA patients; age range = 40–79 years). The SII and serum Klotho measurement data are from the NHANES mobile examination centre. The SII values were divided into quartiles (Q1-4: 0.02–3.36, 3.36–4.78, 4.79–6.70, and 6.70–41.75). A multivariate linear regression model was constructed to evaluate the association between the SII and serum Klotho levels in OA patients; interaction tests were conducted to test the stability of the statistical results.

Results

Multivariate linear regression revealed a negative linear relationship between the SII and serum Klotho concentration in OA patients (β = -6.05; 95% CI: -9.72, -2.39). Compared to Q1, Q4 was associated with lower serum Klotho concentrations (β = -59.93; 95% CI: -96.57, -23.28). Compared with that of Q1, the β value of Q2-Q4 showed a downwards trend as the SII increased (Ptrend <0.001). The stratified analysis results indicated that the SII had a greater sensitivity in predicting serum Klotho concentrations in OA patients aged 60–79 years (Pinteraction = 0.028).

Conclusions

There was a significant negative linear correlation between the SII and serum Klotho concentration in OA patients. The SII can serve as a predictive indicator of serum Klotho concentrations in OA patients. Klotho may be a potential anti-inflammatory drug for OA treatment.
GELT: A graph embeddings based lite-transformer for knowledge tracing
Authors: Liang Zhijie , Wu Ruixia , Liang Zhao , Yang Juan , Wang Ling , Su Jianyu
Published: May 2024

The development of intelligent education has led to the emergence of knowledge tracing as a fundamental task in the learning process. Traditionally, the knowledge state of each student has been determined by assessing their performance in previous learning activities. In recent years, Deep Learning approaches have shown promising results in capturing complex representations of human learning activities. However, the interpretability of these models is often compromised due to the end-to-end training strategy they employ. To address this challenge, we draw inspiration from advancements in graph neural networks and propose a novel model called GELT (Graph Embeddings based Lite-Transformer). The purpose of this model is to uncover and understand the relationships between skills and questions. Additionally, we introduce an energy-saving attention mechanism for predicting knowledge states that is both simple and effective. This approach maintains high prediction accuracy while significantly reducing computational costs compared to conventional attention mechanisms. Extensive experimental results demonstrate the superior performance of our proposed model compared to other state-of-the-art baselines on three publicly available real-world datasets for knowledge tracking.
Multicriteria decision making attributes and estimation of physicochemical properties of kidney cancer drugs via topological descriptors
Authors: Husin Mohamad Nazri , Khan Abdul Rauf , Awan Nadeem Ul Hassan , Campena Francis Joseph H. , Tchier Fairouz , Hussain Shahid
Published: May 2024

Based on topological descriptors, QSPR analysis is an incredibly helpful statistical method for examining many physical and chemical properties of compounds without demanding costly and time-consuming laboratory tests. Firstly, we discuss and provide research on kidney cancer drugs using topological indices and done partition of the edges of kidney cancer drugs which are based on the degree. Secondly, we examine the attributes of nineteen drugs casodex, eligard, mitoxanrone, rubraca, and zoladex, etc and among others, using linear QSPR model. The study in the article not only demonstrates a good correlation between TIs and physical characteristics with the QSPR model being the most suitable for predicting complexity, enthalpy, molar refractivity, and other factors and a best-fit model is attained in this study. This theoretical approach might benefit chemists and professionals in the pharmaceutical industry to forecast the characteristics of kidney cancer therapies. This leads towards new opportunities to paved the way for drug discovery and the formation of efficient and suitable treatment options in therapeutic targeting. We also employed multicriteria decision making techniques like COPRAS and PROMETHEE-II for ranking of said disease treatment drugs and physicochemical characteristics.
Can new urbanization pilot policies promote green technology innovation in cities: Empirical evidence from China
Authors: Cheng Jing , Chen Jiarui
Published: May 2024

The development of urbanization has brought new challenges to the ecological environment, and the promotion of green technology innovation and development is widely recognized as an essential method to achieve cities’ economic benefits and environmental protection. This paper examines whether the new urbanization pilot policies (NUP) increase green technology innovation (GTI) from both theoretical and empirical perspectives. This paper examines the impact of new urbanization on GTI by analyzing data from 285 cities in China between 2010 and 2021, using the multi-period DID model with the implementation of NUP as an exogenous policy shock. The study results indicate that NUP significantly affects GTI, and the conclusion still holds after the parallel trend test, placebo test, and other robustness tests. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the NUP significantly enhances GTI in low environmental pollution, non-resource-based, Medium-sized, and Central Region cities. The test of moderating effect shows that NUP has a "linkage effect" with the government’s environmental attention, financial investment in innovation, and regional talent pooling. The findings of this paper provide empirical evidence and decision-making reference for promoting NUP and sustainable development of cities.
Slumgullion: A neuroqueer long-distance hiker’s questions about landscapes in drama therapeutic relationality
Authors: Rabbitt Avery
Published: May 2024

I thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2016. In this episodic essay, I offer descriptions of personal encounters to contemplate specific lands and drama therapeutic landscapes. I am taking curious, meandering footsteps towards a neuroqueer, posthuman ecological drama therapy praxis. Sesame drama therapy often relies on imagination to offer itself to the conscious world, but ecosomatic experience can offer a ‘co-construct[ed]’ subjectivity, reframing Merleau-Ponty’s ‘flesh’ as a ‘relation of reversibility’ between ‘the seer and the seen’, the external and the internal – an ecological dynamic in which several liberatory frameworks take root.
Drama therapy, academia and dis/ability: Experiences of clinicians in training
Authors: McFann Caitlin , Doria Cassandra , Young Kelly , Hitt Turner , Cook Angelle
Published: May 2024

The lived experience of dis/abled drama therapists and drama therapy students is understudied. This article examines the experiences of four dis/abled researcher-participants via a phenomenological study, utilizing a critical dis/ability lens and an Emancipatory Educational Action Research framework. Through a series of interviews and a focus group, researcher-participants shared their experiences as dis/abled drama therapy students in training. Data were analysed using inductive qualitative analysis through an iterative process. The results revealed how the use of power within academic systems can both help and harm students. Uses of power and how they intersect with different aspects of being a dis/abled student and clinician in training are further explored. Suggestions for professors and others in positions of power are provided.
Chinese urban consumers' experience and consumption behavior with edible non-wood forest products
Authors:   University of Helsinki, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, Department of Forest Sciences, Tong Lingyun
Published: May 2024

Consumers globally have a long history engaging with edible non-wood forest products in both rural and urban settings, and involving diverse consumption practices. While edible non-wood forest products offer critical provisioning and cultural ecosystem services, current literature primarily emphasizes the conventional economic significance in rural areas, neglecting urban consumption patterns. This thesis aims to investigate the forms and drivers behind urban consumers’ experience and consumption behavior with edible non-wood forest products in the regional Chinese market. It explores urban consumer behavior around three key aspects: consumer purchasing, foraging, and pro-environmental consumption behavior of wild/cultivated non-wood forest products. Building upon the theoretical background of ecosystem services and the Motivation–Opportunity–Ability model, supported by the Theory of Planned Behavior model, this thesis lays out a conceptual framework of the driving factors of the consumption behavior. A mixed methods approach was employed methodologically, including the logistic regression analysis, a qualitative thematic analysis, and the structural equation model. The findings reported in three articles I-III reveal diverse patterns in urban consumer consumption behavior concerning edible non-wood forest products, emphasizing the urban-rural nexus around these products. Motivation, opportunities, and abilities emerge as key drivers of consumption behavior. Pragmatism and sustainability dominate self-consumption purchases for tea, while Chinese mianzi and renqing motives prevail in gift-giving (I). A greater diversity of motivation exists in berry-picking, particularly among younger urban families (II). Social norms and culture are influential in shaping consumer attitudes (I, II, III). High-quality product availabilities, convenience, services, and social media marketing channels offered by producers and distributors constitute vital consumption opportunities (II, III). Additional actors such as local networks will be supportive (II). Personal knowledge and consumer habits also shape consumption behavior (III). These findings provide managerial implications for farmers, marketers, and policy makers, encouraging further research in this area.
EEG Signal Analysis for Monitoring Concentration of Operators
Authors: Rykała Łukasz
Published: May 2024

Often, operators of machines, including unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) or working machines, are forced to work in unfavourable conditions, e.g. high temperatures continuously for a long period of time. This has a huge impact on their concentration, which usually determines the success of many tasks entrusted to them. Electroencephalography (EEG) allows the study of the electrical activity of the brain. It allows determining, for example, whether the operator is able to focus on the realization of his tasks. The main goal of the article was to develop an algorithm for determining the state of brain activity by analysing the EEG signal. For this purpose, methods of EEG signal acquisition were described, basic types of brain waves were discussed, and exemplary states of brain activity were recorded. Particular attention was paid to technical aspects related to signal analysis. The LabVIEW environment was used to implement the created algorithm. The results of the research showing the operation of the developed EEG signal analyser were also presented.
Automated Anonymization of Sensitive Data on Production Unit
Authors: Kujawa Marcin , Piotrowski Robert
Published: May 2024

The article presents the approach to data anonymization with the use of generally available tools. The main focus is put on the practical aspects of using open source tools in conjunction with programming libraries provided by suppliers of industrial control systems. This universal approach shows the possibility of using various operating systems as a platform for process data anonymization. An additional advantage of the described approach is the ease of integration with various types of advanced data analysis tools based both on the out-of-the-box approach (e.g. business intelligence tools) as well as customized solutions.
Algunas notas sobre la experiencia del Teatro Nuevo XX y su propuesta escenográfica (Rosario, 1942‒1947)
Authors: Veliscek Elisabet
Published: May 2024

El texto propone reconstruir aspectos ligados a la conformación y el desarrollo del Teatro Nuevo XX de la ciudad de Rosario, fundado y dirigido por el dramaturgo porteño Alberto Rodríguez Muñoz. En el contexto de las innovaciones desplegadas por los teatros independientes a nivel nacional e internacional, la compañía de Muñoz llevó a cabo entre 1942 y 1947 una propuesta estética enlazada a la idea de transformación social, en donde diferentes artistas plásticos y diseñadores de la ciudad participaron realizando las escenografías, decorados, vestimentas y puestas en escena. El trabajo indaga en los inicios de esta formación teatral, en sus características y presupuestos, así como en la perspectiva de Muñoz sobre el teatro y la escenografía, volcada en distintas publicaciones de la época. Referiremos también a las puestas en escena de los artistas y escenógrafos que integraron la experiencia desde sus comienzos, reafirmando los vínculos entre las artes plásticas y el teatro moderno.
Heart Transplantation in a Patient With Rheumatic Heart Disease and Severe Left Atrial Calcification
Authors: Song Kyungsub , Lee Seonhwa , Kim Yun Seok
Published: May 2024

A 62-year-old woman who had undergone mitral valve replacement 24 years ago was admitted to the hospital with congestive heart failure. She needed heart transplantation for stage D heart failure. Preoperative cardiac computed tomographic scans showed a severely calcified left atrium and a large right atrium. Given that the left atrium's calcification was too severe to suture, the calcified left atrial wall was broadly resected, and the resected left atrial wall was reconstructed with a bovine pericardial patch for anastomosis with the donor's left atrial wall. The operation was completed without heavy bleeding, and the patient was discharged from the hospital with no complications.
School choice strategies at the intersections of disability, race, class, and geography
Authors: Waitoller Federico R. , Lubienski Christopher
Published: May 2024

While parents of students with disabilities (SWD) select schools according to various factors, schools also choose students through different sorting mechanisms. Thus, parents of SWD may need to employ different strategies to enroll their child in their preferred school. We employed an intersectional approach for studying school choice, integrating ethnographic interviews and descriptive GIS to answer the following questions: (a) What strategies do parents of SWD utilize to secure placement in the school of their choice? and (b) How is the engagement with such strategies shaped by their social and geographical locations? We found that parents engaged in five strategies: Accepting an IEP Team’s school recommendations, securing placement through a sibling, testing into selective enrollments, changing IEP provisions, and engaging in due process. Moreover, these strategies were afforded and constrained by their intersecting social positions (i.e., race, class, and disability), their geographical locations, and the developmental school stage of their child (i.e., transitioning to kindergarten or high school).
A switching lung mechanics model for detection of expiratory flow limitation
Authors: Hennigs Carlotta , Bilda Franziska , Graßhoff Jan , Walterspacher Stephan , Rostalski Philipp
Published: May 2024

Expiratory flow limitation (EFL) is an often unrecognized clinical condition with a multitude of negative implications. A mathematical EFL model is proposed to detect flow limitations automatically. The EFL model is a switching one-compartment lung mechanics model with a volume-dependent airway resistance to simulate the dynamic behavior during expiration. The EFL detection is based on a breath-by-breath model parameter identification and validated on clinical data of mechanically ventilated patients. In the severe flow limitation group 93.9 % ± 5 % and in the no limitation group 10.2 % ± 13.7 % of the breaths are detected as EFL. Based on the high detection rate of EFL, these results support the usefulness of the EFL detection. It is a first step toward an automated detection of EFL in clinical applications and may help to reduce underdiagnosis of EFL.
Classroom-ready open-source educational exoskeleton for biomedical and control engineering
Authors: Al-Tashi Mohammed , Lennartson Bengt , Ortiz-Catalan Max , Just Fabian
Published: May 2024

In recent years, robotic arm exoskeletons have emerged as promising tools, finding widespread application in the rehabilitation of neurological disorders and as assistive devices for everyday activities, even alleviating the physical strain on labor-intensive tasks. Despite the growing prominence of exoskeletons in everyday life, a notable knowledge gap exists in the availability of open-source platforms for classroom-ready usage in educational settings. To address this deficiency, we introduce an open-source educational exoskeleton platform aimed at Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education. This platform represents an enhancement of the commercial EduExo Pro by AUXIVO, tailored to serve as an educational resource for control engineering and biomedical engineering courses.
Analysis of undergraduate chemistry students’ responses to substitution reaction mechanisms: a road to mastery
Authors: Nartey Esther , Koranteng Ernest , Oppong Emmanuel Kyame , Hanson Ruby
Published: May 2024

This study analyzed third-year undergraduate Chemistry major students’ drawings and written explanations of substitution reactions. Seventy (70) students were purposively selected for this study. The main data collection instrument was a diagnostic test and students’ responses were analyzed using deductive coding. The study aimed to unearth students’ conceptual understanding and difficulties on substitution reactions to provide significant insights into improving teaching strategies and learning outcomes. The findings revealed that: 1. Students were more familiar with SN2 reaction mechanisms and could answer questions on SN2 reaction mechanisms better than SN1 reaction mechanisms; 2. Students’ use of ‘chemical vocabulary’ did not translate into an understanding of electron movement and causal mechanistic explanation; 3. About 97 % of the students who gave a correct/partially correct description provided a description of what was happening in the reaction without any further explanation of why the reaction occurred; 4. Students had a slightly better understanding of drawing the correct mechanisms than providing accurate explanations. This study recommends that, in teaching organic reaction mechanisms, instructors should emphasize on electron-pushing formalisms and explain how and why reactions occur to encourage mechanistic thinking in students. Also, students should be given ample practice in organic reaction mechanisms to improve mastery.
Preferences, Institutions, and Policy Makers: The Case of the New Institutionalization of Science, Technology, and Innovation Governance in Colombia
Authors: Pardo Martínez Clara Inés , Cotte Poveda Alexander
Published: May 2024

Science, technology, and innovation (STI) are fundamental elements for achieving development and sustainable growth. Developing STI is also currently the main challenge faced by countries, especially those with emerging economies, making it essential that these countries implement comprehensive policies to generate a knowledge-based society. Institutions and policy-makers are responsible for defining the rules by which a society is governed. In particular, it is widely held that institutions should place special emphasis on establishing property rights, legal systems, customs, and the political systems based on which central planners should govern. From this perspective, this study integrates qualitative and quantitative analysis through a preference model with three types of STI policy-makers and projections to better clarify the requirements for new STI institutions in Colombia. It does so by using the time series of STI spending generated by the Administrative Department of STI (Colciencias) from 1968 to 2018. The simulation results show that among the chosen agents, the STI policy preferences of the scientist-manager yield economic outcomes closest to the optimal level. In contrast, the yield of the politician’s preferences is suboptimal and even negative at certain points. These results have implications for public policy, as poor policy choices may lead to undesirable results in terms of STI policy application, implementation, and execution. These findings are important for strengthening STI policy. They also indicate the important role of the government in transforming Colombia from being a receiver of technology to being a generator of knowledge, technology, and innovation in line with the requirements of the country’s population and its natural resource endowments.
Pelvic joint stiffness and fear of falling in patients over 75 years of age: a prospective cohort study of 100 patients
Authors: Laizeau Chloe , Jochmans Sebastien , Aufaure Sylvie
Published: May 2024

Context

A third of the population aged 65 and over experiences a fall during a given year, often with severe traumatic consequences, dependence, and consequently, a decline in quality of life. The fear of falling itself leads to avoidance behavior from daily activities leading to a downward spiral of dependence, loss of confidence, and therefore an increased risk of falling. Joint stiffness is often observed during clinical examination of elderly people. However, the association between lumbopelvic stiffness and fear of falling has not been studied.

Objectives

Osteopathic manipulative treatment/medicine (OMT/OMM), targeted to improve the stiffness of the pelvic girdle, may improve the prognosis of patients afraid of falling and slow down their loss of autonomy.

Methods

We performed a prospective cohort study enrolling hospitalized patients and nursing home residents over 75 years of age. Patients able to walk and without significant cognitive impairment completed the International Fall Efficacy Scale (FES-I) questionnaire to assess their intensity of fear of falling. The modified Schober test and hip goniometry (flexion and extension) were measured and compared to the FES-I score.

Results

A total of 100 patients were included. A high fear of falling (FES-I≥28) was associated with female sex (31 [79.5 %] vs. 29 [47.5 %]; p=0.002) and with a reduction in the amplitudes tested by the Schober test (2 [1.5–3] vs. 3 [2–4]; p=0.002), the hip extension goniometry (7 [4–10] vs. 10 [7–15]; p<0.001) and the hip flexion goniometry (70 [60–77] vs. 82 [71–90]; p<0.001). The association between FES-I score and each anthropometric variable was strongly linear (p<0.001 for all), especially with hip flexion goniometry (R2=30 %).

Conclusions

Lumbopelvic stiffness, especially in hip flexion, is strongly associated with a high fear of falling in patients over 75 years of age. When combined with other movement-based therapies, OMM targeted to improve the stiffness of the pelvic girdle may improve the prognosis of patients afraid of falling and slow down their loss of autonomy.
A critical review of diagnostic and prognostic markers of chronic hepatitis B infection
Authors: Hudu Shuaibu Abdullahi , Shinkafi Sa’adatu Haruna , Jimoh Abdulgafar Olayiwola
Published: May 2024

A major worldwide health concern, chronic hepatitis B necessitates precise prognostic and diagnostic indicators for clinical guidance. This article highlights the clinical importance and current issues of the major markers used in both the detection and prognosis of chronic hepatitis B. An important indicator of an ongoing and persistent infection is the hepatitis B surface antigen. Hepatitis B virus DNA quantification monitoring aids in assessing viral load and hepatic cancer risk. While limited evidence of liver damage is provided by alanine aminotransferase levels, the hepatitis B core antibody verifies acute infection. Seroconversion to the hepatitis B e antibody is linked to a lower risk of disease development, and the hepatitis B e antigen status is a critical prognostic factor. Treatment choices are guided by a biopsy of the liver or minimally invasive liver fibrosis detection. Genotypes of the hepatitis B virus and host variables influence the prognosis by adding to the disease’s variability. Noninvasive techniques to evaluate the severity of the disease are provided by serum markers of fibrosis, such as the fibrosis score based on four criteria and the aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index. The requirement for indicators that distinguish between distinct viral phases and increase specificity in evaluating liver damage is one of the challenges facing chronic hepatitis B research. Even though it is quite difficult to find reliable biomarkers for resistance especially when it comes to hepatocellular cancer risk estimation, there are advanced methods, which include imaging and omics that can help in improving the accuracy of the diagnostics and prognosis. Interventions early point that improve patient outcomes are made possible using diagnostics and prognostics as they are quite effective in managing the complicated landscape of chronic hepatitis B. Key in addressing these challenges today and improving the diagnostic and prognostic markers in the future, particularly those that would support the development of successful treatment plans for people living with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV), are scientific research, technological advances and collaborations.
Juvencus’ Präsenz im Proömium des Cento Probae: ein bisher unbemerkter Fall akustischer Imitation
Authors: Sisul Ana Clara
Published: May 2024

In the prooemium of the Cento Vergilianus de Laudibus Christi of Faltonia Betitia Proba (lines 1–23) there are fragments not only of Vergil’s works but also of Lucan’s Bellum Civile and Juvencus’ Evangeliorum Libri. This article shows that in these lines Juvencus has a particular importance, for the references to his work increase until they reach a remarkable intensity in lines 22–23 and they stand out on different levels both formally and semantically. This thesis is supported by re-examining the origin of a reference in line 22 of the Cento (erige mentem) that is usually ascribed to Lucan. The attribution to Juvencus can be established through the phenomenon of acoustic imitation.
Effect of Janus nanoparticles on foam snap off in porous media
Authors: Wang Yang , Liu Ping , Zhu Yangwen , Xu Guanli , Cui Zijing , Du Ruotong
Published: May 2024

Nanoparticles can be adsorbed at the gas-liquid interface to improve the stability of foam. However, homogeneous nanoparticles exhibit low surface activity, and their migration to the gas-liquid interface requires significant energy input. This leads to harsh foaming conditions and severely limits the application of homogeneous nanoparticles in foam stability. A microfluidic visualisation model for the study of Janus nanoparticle complex systems was used to investigate the formation behaviour of trapped bubbles in a single connected pore-throat model. The foam generated in the pore showed reduced quantities, sizes, improved quality, and enhanced stability compared to both surfactant systems and hydrophilic nanoparticle complex systems.