bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The long-term consequences of power-sharing for ethnic salience
Authors: Juon Andreas
Published: May 2024

Does power-sharing reduce or increase ethnic salience? Drawing on social psychology, I identify two countervailing mechanisms that help reconcile previously opposed findings. First, prolonged power-sharing practices attenuate between-group inequalities. Thereby, they gradually reduce the usefulness of ethnic identities as ‘rules of thumb’ and decrease their salience. Second, extended periods during which individuals live under ethnically differentiated power-sharing institutions render ethnic identities more accessible and thereby increase their salience. To test these expectations, I rely on the most extensive collection of mass surveys used in the empirical literature on ethnic salience so far, encompassing more than 900,000 respondents from a total of 132 countries. I show that power-sharing affects individuals’ self-identification and vote intentions in accordance with my arguments. As my findings are based on specifications that incorporate fixed effects at the group- and group-year levels, they are unlikely to be endogenous to the provision of power-sharing to groups whose identities are most salient in the first place. My findings have important implications for efforts to institutionalize peace in divided societies and for the literature on ethnic conflict.
Does the military lose public confidence without compliance with civilian control? Experimental evidence from Japan
Authors: Shinomoto Sou
Published: May 2024

The military’s compliance with civilian control – a requisite of democracy – is believed to be a key determinant of public confidence in the military. However, this claim is empirically inconclusive, and its analytical framework is underdeveloped at an institutional and individual level. Furthermore, most extant studies focus on the USA, and its validity in other environments is unknown. Hence, this study examined the causal relationship via an online survey experiment using hypothetical scenarios in Japan, an established democracy with a considerable armed force and civil–military norms imported from the USA decades ago. The results showed that the Japanese participants significantly lost their trust in the military for incompliance with civilian control amid an armed conflict. However, the magnitude of the impact was context-dependent; it substantially differed per the directions of incompliance (arbitrary action or inaction), the actors involved in the control (the prime minister and legislature), and the respondents’ attributes (partisanship). These findings reduce empirical inconclusiveness regarding the mechanism of public confidence in the military and could help to detect ominous signs regarding public attitudes toward democratic principles in modern society. Moreover, this study provides clues to understanding what people in Japan think about the aspect of control of their de facto military and how they evaluate this organization. These findings have significant implications for understanding international security dynamics, particularly at a time when Japan is launching its largest arms build-up since World War II to make its defense budget the third-largest worldwide, after the USA and China.
Understanding Students’ English-Speaking Difficulties: An Exploratory Practice Approach with Web 2.0
Authors: Zhuo Meifang , Tang Hongyan
Published: May 2024

Education literature has advocated the adoption of Exploratory Practice, a form of practitioner research developed for teachers and students to work on local puzzles (what puzzles them in their teaching and learning) for understanding. Despite the popularity of Exploratory Practice in different contexts, there has been little exploration of how Web 2.0 can be employed in Exploratory Practice to enhance language learning and teaching, considering the reality of a digital world for both language teachers and learners. This article bridges this gap by introducing Exploratory Practice with Web 2.0 to a Chinese high school English class, prompted by a teacher's puzzle regarding her students’ English-speaking difficulties. Normal classroom activities were used as data-collection tools. This innovation was found effective in boosting students’ confidence and comfort in speaking English in class and in enhancing teaching and learning experiences. The innovation, therefore, affirms Exploratory Practice as a viable research proposal for practitioners and the value of integrating Web 2.0 with Exploratory Practice to explore issues in language classrooms.
A reflective textile metasurface for indoor signal coverage enhancement
Authors: Zhai Menglin , zhu Xinyu , Pei Rui , tian Wandai , Xiong Bolin , Yin Wen-Yan
Published: May 2024

The design of a reflective metasurface solely based on flexible textile material is presented for indoor signal coverage enhancement in a specific scenario – reflecting and reallocating radio frequency energy that would have leaked through a large window area. The proposed reflective metasurface design, reflective metasurface is composed of layers of square conductive textile patches and dielectric textile substrates. For the unit cell design, a reflective phase difference of up to 90° can be achieved via varying the size of the conductive patches. Meanwhile, a phase difference of up to 180° can be achieved by the alignment of conductive patches on different textile substrate layers, which is an ideal design philosophy for textile material. The proposed metasurface, consisting of 12 × 12 unit cells, can achieve a main reflected beam pointing in the direction of ±35° and a secondary reflected beam at ±63°. Simulated results show that the reflected beams remain relatively stable under the crumpling conditions often seen for curtains. A prototype of the design was fabricated and tested in a real-world scenario. A maximum signal strength enhancement of 15 dB and an average enhancement of 5.97 dB in a wide range of directions can be achieved with the reflective metasurface applied.
Risk Factors for Elder Mistreatment Among Older Korean Americans
Authors: Park Juyoung , Wilber Kathleen , Wu Shinyi , Aranda Maria P. , Oh Hans , Jang Yuri
Published: May 2024

Using data from a sample of older Korean Americans ( n = 2,150), we examined the prevalence and associated factors of physical, emotional, and financial mistreatment. Given the importance of contextual factors, we examined the effect of immigration-related (years in the U.S. and acculturation) and interpersonal/community-related (family solidarity, social network, and ethnic community social cohesion) factors in addition to sociodemographic and health-related characteristics. The rate of experiencing physical, emotional, and financial mistreatment during the past year was 3%, 37.9%, and 16.1%, respectively. Younger age and lower family solidarity were common risk factors for emotional and financial mistreatment. The experience of emotional mistreatment was also more likely among females and those with higher level of acculturation, smaller social networks, and lower ethnic community social cohesion. Chronic disease was an additional risk factor for financial mistreatment. The findings suggest targeted prevention and intervention strategies for elder mistreatment.
Drug Stigma, Consumer Culture, and Corporate Power in the Opioid Crisis
Authors: Alexandrescu Liviu
Published: May 2024

Recent efforts to rethink drug-related stigma have been increasingly considering the power dimension of the concept, to show how stigma formations flow top-down from governments, as well as other political or corporate stakeholders, towards the powerless and marginalised. Stigma attaches itself to the individual and collective identities of the substance-using subject. But it equally alters the multiple lives of the substance. In the US opioid crisis of recent decades, big pharma companies could be seen lobbying the medical profession and harnessing their power to destigmatise opioid painkillers, as part of wider marketing and sales strategies. This has been subsequently linked with rising opioid-related fatalities and spiralling harms among some of the most vulnerable groups. This theoretical paper locates the object-stigma of drugs between the cultural confines of ‘limbic capitalism’ (the drive to seek pleasure and meaning through consumption) and ‘palliative capitalism’ (the drive to pathologise and medicate ills attributed to the individual, but not the system). It argues that stigma should be viewed as a dynamic force which, under the guise of consumer culture and the veil of scientific rationality, can be manipulated by business elites to shift meanings around pain, pleasure, and addiction, in ways that are potentially conducive to social harms.
On the Receiving End of Customer Creativity: Insights From Approach-Avoidance and Interpersonal Complementarity Perspectives
Authors: Lee Randy , Klotz Anthony , McClean Shawn , Ilies Remus , Zhang Jack H.
Published: May 2024

Increasingly, transactions between firms and customers are typified by the co-creation of value, wherein customers play an active role in the development of new products and services. Over the past two decades, research on co-creation has flourished across multiple disciplines, largely highlighting its benefits for firms and customers. Importantly, though, while customer engagement in the creative process may be viewed positively by customers and improve organizational performance, it may not be experienced as universally positive by the service providers who must respond to it. To gain a more complete understanding of both the positive and negative sides of customer creativity, we take an approach-avoidance perspective to build a theoretical model explaining how and why customer creative behavior can lead to divergent responses by service providers. Specifically, we describe how creativity by customers can inspire service providers, driving them to act more prosocially toward customers in return. Simultaneously, customer creativity can cause performance anxiety in service providers, leading them to withdraw from their work. Adding nuance to these predictions, we draw from interpersonal complementary theory to explain why the approach-avoidance processes triggered by customer creativity should be contingent on service providers’ creative-role identity. Across an experience-sampling field study (Study 1), a critical-incident experiment (Study 2), and a scenario-based experiment (Study 3), our results largely align with our theoretical model (overall N = 647). We close by discussing the theoretical and practical implications of our work.
Disappointing results of popliteal aneurysm endovascular treatment with a new self-expandable covered stent
Authors: Marone Enrico Maria , Brioschi Chiara , Barra Chiara , Rinaldi Luigi Federico
Published: May 2024

Purpose

To describe our clinical experience of endovascular exclusion of popliteal artery aneurysms using the new self-expandable covered stent SOLARIS® (Scitech Medical, Brazil), and to report its results in the context of surgical and endovascular treatment of popliteal artery aneurysms.

Case report

Among 20 popliteal artery aneurysms undergoing open or endovascular repair in 2022 and 2023, two patients were successfully treated with the Solaris stentgraft. Both patients had a patent popliteal artery and three run-off vessels. After stentgraft implantation, they received dual antiplatelet therapy for three months and they were followed-up with Duplex scan and clinical evaluation after three months, and every six months thereafter. After three months, one Solaris stentgraft had complete thrombosis and the other ruptured, requiring surgical removal. No complications were observed among the other aneurysms treated with open repair or with the Viabahn® stentgraft.

Conclusions

Endovascular treatment of popliteal aneurysms with the new covered self-expandable stent Solaris resulted in severe complications in the two cases reported, and in worse short-term outcomes than endovascular repair with Viabahn® and open repair. Its off-label use to treat popliteal artery aneurysms should be therefore discouraged.
Effect of AC/DC mixed current waveform on surface oxidation, microstructure and mechanical properties of TIG welded TC4 titanium alloy
Authors: Gao Yihao , Chen Yunhao , Ren Boqiao , Sui Xinchen , Zhao Xiaohui , Fan Chenglei , Chen Chao
Published: May 2024

Coarse β-grains and severe surface oxidation are major factors plaguing the comprehensive properties of tungsten inert gas (TIG) welded joints of titanium alloy. To improve the performance of welded joints, a novel current waveform, alternating current/direct current (AC/DC) mixed current waveform which was named Mix-TIG was proposed. In Mix-TIG, the oxide film on the weld surface is broken up by the cathodic crushing effect. Cyclic variations of the current waveform produce stronger arc stirring and more intense oscillations in the molten pool which results in grain refinement. In addition, the lower temperature gradient in the melt pool due to the smaller heat input in Mix-TIG also contributes to grain refinement. The elongation and microhardness of the Mix-TIG were increased.
High-temperature oxidation characteristics of 20CrMnTi electroplated with copper
Authors: Li Dongcheng , Wang Tianxiang , Zhu Pengcheng
Published: May 2024

During high-temperature forming and phase change heat treatment, the steel surface is susceptible to oxidation. This can negatively affect the surface quality of steel parts. The production of antioxidant coatings on the surface of steel parts is important for high-temperature precision forming and heat treatment. In this paper, the high-temperature oxidation tests of 20CrMnTi steel, copper, and 20CrMnTi electroplated with copper are conducted. The 20CrMnTi samples showed varying degrees of mass gain above 900 °C; the copper samples showed varying degrees of mass gain above 700 °C; and the process of mass gain for copper-plated 20CrMnTi followed the same trend as for copper during heating and holding. For heated samples of 20CrMnTi plated with copper, the copper coating was oxidized and residual copper was observed in the oxide layer. The distance between the residual copper and the surface of the sample is greater than between the residual copper and the junction of the plating layer and the substrate. Oxygen diffuses through internal defects in the material at a higher rate than copper oxidation. In this study, an oxygen diffusion model and an antioxidant protective layer model at high temperatures were suggested. The protective layer against oxidation recommended in this research is a dense coating consisting of single crystals or fine grains free of porosities and cracks.
Nonlinear Fay-Herriot Models for Small Area Estimation Using Random Weight Neural Networks
Authors: Parker Paul A.
Published: May 2024

Small area estimation models are critical for dissemination and understanding of important population characteristics within sub-domains that often have limited sample size. The classic Fay-Herriot model is perhaps the most widely used approach to generate such estimates. However, a limiting assumption of this approach is that the latent true population quantity has a linear relationship with the given covariates. Through the use of random weight neural networks, we develop a Bayesian hierarchical extension of this framework that allows for estimation of nonlinear relationships between the true population quantity and the covariates. We illustrate our approach through an empirical simulation study as well as an analysis of median household income for census tracts in the state of California.
Impact of Dynamic Wheel Loading on Flexible Pavement Responses for Non-Free Rolling Conditions
Authors: Cardenas Johann J. , Al-Qadi Imad L.
Published: May 2024

Since 2000, pavement design methodologies have transitioned from empirical to mechanistic-empirical procedures. However, the complexities of loading patterns, contact stress distribution, material characterization, vehicle maneuvering, and dynamic load amplification are still not fully considered, despite their significant effect on pavement performance. In this study, state-of-the-art numerical models were used to investigate the changes in critical pavement responses derived from the combined effect of roughness-induced dynamic loading and vehicle maneuvering. A decoupled vehicle–tire–pavement interaction approach composed of a random process to generate artificial road roughness profiles, a mechanical full truck model, and three-dimensional finite element tire and flexible pavement models allow the prediction of the impact of road roughness on vehicle dynamics. In addition, the study quantifies the effect of dynamic loading on contact stresses, and consequently, on pavement critical responses. Because of the expected increase in axle weight from truck electrification, overweight scenarios were also considered. Changes in load history and distribution of strain fields were assessed for two typical pavement structures (thin and thick). The combined effect of roughness-induced dynamic loading and vehicle maneuvering greatly altered the critical pavement responses associated with bottom-up fatigue cracking, near-surface cracking, and rutting. Under the most adverse conditions, the critical tensile strains at the bottom of the asphalt concrete increased up to 125%, the shear strain increased up to 100%, and the compressive strain escalated to 120% when compared with the reference cases. Higher temperatures exacerbated the impact of dynamic wheel loading and vehicle maneuvering.
Expanding Electric Vehicle Adoption in Disadvantaged Communities
Authors: Williams Brett D. H. , Anderson John B.
Published: May 2024

To achieve ambitious electric vehicle (EV) and equity goals, sales must reach beyond general populations and into priority groups. Better understanding of EV adoption by priority populations can inform strategies to expand it. We examine light-duty EV adoption in state-designated disadvantaged communities (DACs) in New York State (NYS). We analyze 5,097 survey responses from 21,843 consumers rebated for 2017–2019 EV purchases/leases. We use descriptive statistics, logistic regressions, and dominance analysis to identify and rank order factors associated with DAC adopters. Descriptively, demographic and related findings were largely consistent with expectations based on previous studies. In this study, DAC adopters were also compared with NYS market baseline statistics. They were found to resemble mainstream new vehicle buyers more closely than non-DAC adopters and, indeed, they already represent progress “beyond” the mainstream in several respects. For the logistic regressions, in addition to several expected findings (e.g., more frequent renting and apartment dwelling), factors that distinguished DAC adopters included the following: rebated EVs were household additions (as opposed to replacements), non-Tesla battery EVs, and/or purchased (as opposed to leased); the importance of charging and/or environmental impacts; and/or the unimportance of energy independence. Factors surprisingly not associated with DAC residence included the following: race/ethnicity; importance of various incentives; and/or awareness of rebates from consumers and dealers. Indeed, in contrast to a previous analysis for California, no enabling or awareness factors were found to help distinguish DAC adopters from non-DAC adopters, including financial considerations, when controlling for other factors such as income. Findings are discussed and compared with previous research, and observations are provided to inform program design and outreach.
Preliminary Investigation into Using Resistance Techniques to Assess Concrete Curing
Authors: Nkongolo Etienne Beya , King Dan , Taylor Peter , Kevern John T.
Published: May 2024

Concrete curing is a critical stage during construction for volume stability, long-term strength development, and ultimate durability. Poor curing can lead to shrinkage, scaling, and other durability issues. Proper concrete curing maintains sufficient moisture in the concrete and allows continuous hydration. Curing for concrete pavements often involves the application of a membrane-forming curing compound to help minimize moisture evaporation and promote desirable concrete property development. However, assessing the application rate of curing compounds and effectiveness on freshly paved concrete is difficult, as most evaluation methods are performed on hardened concrete and are not applicable or difficult to assess for fresh concrete in the field. This study proposes electrical resistance as a measure to assess the drying behavior of fresh concrete to quantify the effectiveness of curing. The findings of this study demonstrate that resistance is able to distinguish between samples with and without curing compounds and significant differences in drying observed between the surface and relatively shallow depths. In addition, the testing techniques were able to differentiate between the quality and rate of curing compound application and evaluate performance across a variety of environmental conditions. These findings indicate that a resistance-based approach could be a low-cost and non-destructive technique to evaluate the effectiveness of curing compound applications in real-time.
Use of Laser Texture Scanner to Control Quality of Chip Seal Construction
Authors: Umutoniwase Angelique , Wen Haifang , Littleton Kevin
Published: May 2024

Chip seal is a pavement surface treatment, consisting of a combination of asphalt binder or emulsion and a layer of aggregate compacted on top of a pavement substrate. Raveling and bleeding are the two major distresses that affect the performance of chip seals. Studies have shown that these distresses can be related to the embedment depth, among a few factors. Embedment depth is the depth that rock is lodged into binder and is a key parameter that significantly affects the performance of chip seals. Currently, embedment depth is evaluated by pulling out the rock from the binder (often by a plier) and visually estimating the percentage of embedment. However, this method is subjective and does not provide accurate and reliable results. This study evaluated the use of laser texture scanner as quality control of chip seal construction. The mean profile depth (MPD), which is inversely related to percent embedment in the field, was measured and used to correlate with chip seal performance for raveling and bleeding. It was found that MPD is sensitive to compaction efforts of chip seals. The shoulder MPD value of chip seals after sweeping should be at a minimum of 0.150 in. to prevent bleeding from happening for the traffic volume experienced by the selected field project. When MPD in the wheelpath drops below 0.05 in., bleeding has occurred. More field experiments are needed to cover different construction practices and conditions to validate the findings from this study.
Do Sexual Harassment Claimants’ Gender Identity and Race Influence Third-Party Observers’ Assumptions About the Harassment Incident?
Authors: Mezzapelle Jennifer L. , Reiman Anna-Kaisa
Published: May 2024

Sexual harassment research typically focuses on White cisgender women. Are harassment targets who are not White cisgender women perceived similarly? In three preregistered studies, participants (Study 1: N = 442; Study 2: N = 2,088, nationally representative U.S. sample; Study 3: N = 577) read about a formal (Studies 1 and 2) or informal (Study 3) sexual harassment claim made by a woman whose gender identity (cisgender vs. transgender) and race (Black vs. White) varied. Details about the incident were redacted, and participants wrote about what they thought the harasser had done. These free-response data indicated that cisgender (vs. transgender) women were seen as more likely to have experienced unwanted references to appearance, unwanted sexual attention (in Studies 2 and 3), or unwanted romantic attention (especially if they were White). Transgender (vs. cisgender) women, regardless of race, were seen as more likely to have experienced gender harassment. The claimant's race had little systematic effect, suggesting that perceivers are less attentive to the potential impact of race (vs. gender identity) on sexual harassment. People's inferences about the types of sexual harassment that women are most likely to face can impact the support claimants may receive when they come forward with a sexual harassment claim. Additional online materials for this article are available on PWQ's website at http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/suppl/10.1177/03616843241252658
Modifiable Risk Factors Associated With Cognitive Decline in Late Life Depression: Findings From the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging: Facteurs de risque modifiables associés au déclin cognitif dans la dépression en fin de vie : constatations de l'Étude longitudinale canadienne sur le vieillissement
Authors: Wong Melissa , Kiss Alex , Herrmann Nathan , Lanctôt Krista L. , Gallagher Damien
Published: May 2024

Objective

Depression in later life is associated with a two-fold increased risk of dementia. It is not clear to what extent potentially modifiable risk factors account for this association.

Method

Older adults (age 50 + ) with objective health measures ( n = 14,014) from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging were followed for a mean duration of 35 months. Linear regression analyses were used to determine if clinically significant depression (Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale score (CESD) ≥ 10) was associated with global cognitive decline, assessed with a neuropsychological battery during follow-up, and if modifiable risk factors mediated this association.

Results

Depression was associated with an excess of risk factors for cognitive decline including: vascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, apnoea during sleep, higher body mass index, smoking, physical inactivity and lack of social participation. In regression analyses depression remained independently associated with cognitive decline over time (beta −0.060, P = 0.038) as did cerebrovascular disease (beta −0.197, P < 0.001), HbA1C (beta −0.059, P < 0.001), visual impairment (beta −0.070, P = 0.007), hearing impairment (beta −0.098, P < 0.001) and physical inactivity (beta −0.075, P = 0.014). In mediation analyses, we found that cerebrovascular disease ( z = −3.525, P < 0.001), HbA1C ( z = −4.976, P < 0.001) and physical inactivity ( z = −3.998, P < 0.001) partially mediated the association between depression and cognitive decline.

Conclusions

In this large sample of Canadian older adults incorporating several objective health measures, older adults with depression were at increased risk of cognitive decline and had an excess of potentially modifiable risk factors. Clinicians should pay particular attention to control of diabetes, physical inactivity and risk factors for cerebrovascular disease in older adults presenting with depression as they can contribute to accelerated cognitive decline and may be addressed during routine clinical care.
Microplastics in Chinese coastal waters: A mini-review of occurrence characteristics, sources and driving mechanisms
Authors: Li SiQiong , Wang Hua , Feng XiangYu , Zeng Yichuan , Shen Yuhan , Gu Qihui
Published: May 2024

The oceans are facing global and irreversible pollution from microplastics, and China is not immune. In this mini-review, information on microplastics in four coastal waters of China and the natural and social environment of key basins were compiled. The results showed that microplastics were ubiquitous in the coastal waters, and the abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics varied significantly under different sampling methods. For trawl samples, microplastic abundance ranged from 0.045 to 1170.8 items m−3, among which the coastal waters of the East China Sea were the most polluted. For filtered samples, microplastic abundance ranged from 46 to 63,600 items m−3, and the coastal waters of the Yellow Sea were the most polluted. Meanwhile, human activities in basin were the key factors affecting microplastic pollution in coastal waters. The main terrestrial source in the coastal waters of the South China Sea was express packaging loss, whereas the main source in the other coastal waters was tyres and road markings wear from vehicle trip. The decoupling results of analytic hierarchy process showed that there was spatial heterogeneity in the impact of socio-economic and natural environmental factors in the basin on the distribution of microplastics in coastal waters. Among the five major basins, the impact weights of the latter were 20.00%, 83.34%, 66.66%, 50.00% and 25.00%, respectively. This study provides the first perspective of land–sea linkage to summarize the characteristics, sources and influencing factors of microplastics in Chinese coastal waters, providing ideas for reducing marine microplastic pollution from the source.
Research with Black Communities to Inform Co-Development of a Framework for Anti-Racist Health and Community Programming
Authors: Canie Jaimeson , Tobah Selma , Sanchez Anne-Marie , Wathen C. Nadine
Published: May 2024

Study Background

The effects of systemic racism were exacerbated and amplified throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The resurgence of the “Black Lives Matter” movement in North America brought awareness to the public, especially white people, of the impacts of systemic racism in society and the urgent need for large-scale and institutional anti-racism work.

Purpose

In collaboration with a local Community Health Centre, this research focused on identifying priority areas for tailored and co-developed anti-Black racism interventions in health services and community programming, as well as examining how purposeful relationships can be created with African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) communities in London, Ontario.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted in either French or English with nine formal or informal leaders from London's ACB communities. Interpretive description methodology guided analysis and interpretation.

Results

Participants indicated that anti-Black racism is ever-present in the community and in their lives, with systemic racism causing the most harm. Racism should be addressed by creating ACB-specific services, and education for non-Black communities; increased representation, inclusion, and engagement of ACB people within organizations, especially in leadership roles, are essential. A framework based on study findings to guide how organizations can develop authentic and purposeful relationships with ACB communities is presented.

Conclusions

Organizations will continue to perpetuate systemic racism unless they actively seek to be anti-racist and implement strategies and policies to this end. The proposed framework can guide partnerships between health and community organizations and ACB communities, and support co-development of strategies to address anti-Black racism.
Money Matters! Evidence From a Survey Experiment on Attitudes Toward Maternal Employment Across Contexts in Germany
Authors: Frodermann Corinna , Hipp Lena , Bünning Mareike
Published: May 2024

This paper examines the context dependency of attitudes toward maternal employment. We test three sets of factors that may affect these attitudes—economic benefits, normative obligations, and child-related consequences—by analyzing data from a unique survey experimental design implemented in a large-scale household panel survey in Germany (17,388 observations from 3,494 respondents). Our results show that the economic benefits associated with maternal employment are the most important predictor of attitudes supporting maternal employment. Moreover, we find that attitudes toward maternal employment vary by individual, household, and contextual characteristics (in particular, childcare quality). We interpret this variation as an indication that negative attitudes toward maternal employment do not necessarily reflect gender essentialism; rather, gender role attitudes are contingent upon the frames individuals have in mind.
Influence on solar PV performance integrated with heat sinks and nano-enhanced phase change material
Authors: Kameswara Rao D , Sudhakar Reddy K , Subba Rao V V
Published: May 2024

The inevitable advancement of solar photovoltaic (PV) system performance highly relies on temperature control, which enhances electrical efficiency. The objective of this study is to enhance electrical efficiency by incorporating phase change material of HS36 (PCM) and nano enhanced PCM (NePM). The thermal properties of PCM were improved by adding graphene flakes (GF) into PCM to enhance the thermal transfer rate between the PV panel and PCM. The phase change properties and thermal conductivity of PCM with different concentrations of GF were assessed. The results indicated that the 0.9 wt.% NePCM exhibited the highest thermal conductivity enhancement of 47% in solid states and a significant reduction in latent heat by 9.4% during freezing compared to pure PCM. The effect of cooling on PV performance was studied using a reference panel, integrated with a heat sink containing PCM (PV/PCM) and NePCM (PV/NePCM). Outdoor experiments were conducted using a 10 W panel, and the results for the use of PCM showed a reduction in temperature and an improvement in efficiency. The findings revealed that attaching a heat sink and integrating the PV panel with pure PCM and NePCM reduced the temperature by 8.65°C and 10.04°C, respectively, and improved efficiency by 11.65% and 12.15%, respectively. It can be concluded that the proposed thermal management method for PV systems offers a viable solution for increasing daily average electrical generation with maximum efficiency.
Experimental investigations with machine learning techniques for understanding of erosion wear in advanced aluminum nanocomposites
Authors: Golla Chitti Babu , Narasimha Rao Rajamalla , Ismail Syed , Gupta Manoj
Published: May 2024

This article addresses the significant challenge of erosion wear in aluminum composites, particularly in industries such as automotive, aerospace and energy, where sustained material performance is crucial. The study focuses on the experimental investigation of erosive wear characteristics exhibited by advanced aluminum nanocomposites, utilizing an air jet erosion wear test apparatus. The erosion wear tests were conducted using diverse parameters, such as angles (30°, 45°, 60° and 90°), air pressures (1–4 bar) and a fixed 600-s duration, maintaining a constant sand particle feed rate of 2.0 (g/min) and utilizing stand-off distances of 10, 15 and 20 mm. Surface assessments were conducted using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The results revealed observable specimen wear, particularly at a 45° angle, with wear rates decreasing at higher impingement angles and reaching a minimum at 90°. Notably, the Al-4 wt.%TiC nanocomposites exhibited a 25% improvement in wear resistance compared to the base alloy. Further analysis of eroded surfaces through (FE-SEM) revealed a mechanism involving micro-cutting, plowing and grain pull-out, attributing wear primarily to plastic deformation and crack formation. Evaluating erosive wear results through six machine learning (ML) models demonstrated that gradient boosting regression emerged as the most accurate, achieving an R2 value of 0.97. This highlights the effectiveness of ML in predicting erosion wear rates and offers insights for improving aluminum composite materials in demanding industrial applications.
“Even when I feel alone, I always know I’m not really alone”: An intersectional analysis of LGBTQIA+–BIPOC's experiences of community and resistance
Authors: Parmenter Joshua G. , Grace Wong Elizabeth , Khan Najia Sabahat , Pradell Lee , Galliher Renee V.
Published: May 2024

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) live at the intersection of marginalized identities, resulting in unique experiences of exclusion within their various communities. Despite experiences of community exclusion, LGBTQIA+–BIPOC find ways to resist such structures to thrive in the face of adversity and strive for transformative change. The present study uses an intersectional framework to explore LGBTQIA+–BIPOC's experiences with community exclusion and acts of resistance. Fourteen LGBTQIA+–BIPOC participated in semistructured interviews to explore their experiences of exclusion and acts of resistance. Findings supported two broad categories with subthemes: (a) “on the fringes” (i.e., invalidation of LGBTQIA+–BIPOC experiences; White supremacy, colonization, and Western imperialism; “out and proud” dynamics) and (b) resistance: “we’re here, and I’m gonna let you know” (i.e., resisting intersectional oppression; intersectional identity cohesion; coalition building). Utilizing an intersectional framework, we critique larger oppressive structures that disenfranchise LGBTQIA+–BIPOC while offering implications for social justice interventions and transformational change to best serve LGBTQIA+–BIPOC.
Sir William Osler (1849–1919) and neurology in his time
Authors: Gardner-Thorpe Christopher
Published: May 2024

Sir William Osler, physician in Montreal, in Pennsylvania, at Johns Hopkins and in England, promoted clinical medicine and its interpretation through clinical and pathological observation. He was a keen bibliophile and medical historian. He taught at the bedside and wrote a textbook that was a standard work in his time and for several decades after he died. As a generalist he practised the emerging speciality of neurology and knew many of the early clinicians in that field. The neurology of his time and his contributions to the subject are explored here.
Effects of Tanshinone IIA on Cognitive Impairment in Alzheimer’s Disease Rats Via Oxidative Stress, Inflammatory Responses and Apoptosis
Authors: Ren Wujiang , Li Xiaoxiao , Wang Tingqiao , Liu Yanxia , Dai Xueling , Huo Qing , Wang Shuo , Zheng Qiusheng , Sun Yaxuan
Published: May 2024

Background

The rationale for the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the production of amyloid-beta (Aβ) and its resultant toxic effects.

Purpose

In this work, rats with AD were used as models to assess the modulatory effects of tanshinone IIA (tan IIA) in alleviating cognitive impairment, oxidative damage, inflammation and apoptosis.

Materials and Methods

Aβ1–42 was injected bilaterally in the hippocampus to establish an AD rat model. The effects of tan II A on the learning and memory capacities of AD rats were detected by ethological experiments. Tan IIA’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacities were examined in this study using biochemical and immunohistochemical methods on rat hippocampus tissues.

Results

The experimental data showed that the cognitive ability of rats could be significantly improved by tan IIA. Furthermore, fewer injured neuron apoptosis was demonstrated in the tan IIA rats than in the AD group. More importantly, on the one hand, we discovered that the tan IIA group had considerably lower levels of interleukin 1 beta, tumour necrosis factor-alpha and inducible nitric oxide synthase. On the other hand, tan IIA was discovered to prevent oxidative stress by raising glutathione and superoxide dismutase activity and lowering malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine levels.

Conclusion

Tan IIA can alleviate cognitive impairment and neuronal cell damage by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammatory responses during AD.
Tibetan-Origin Edible Chinese Herbal Prescription C18 Protects H9C2 Cardiomyocytes from Cobalt Chloride-induced Hypoxia Injury through the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway
Authors: Chang Guoxin , Xie Hongyi , Chen Shu , Wang Ruixue , Zeng Xuxin , Lin Dingmei , Mo Zixuan , Yu Jingjing , Liu Xindan , Zheng Zhaoguang , Wang Yan
Published: May 2024

Background

Altitude sickness is often prone to occur during tourism or work in high-altitude areas. In China, traditional Tibetan medicines have a long history of preventing or treating altitude sickness, especially altitude hypoxia, which may lead to myocardial cell apoptosis and myocardial hypoxia-reoxygenation injury.

Purpose

This study investigated the effect of a Tibetan-origin edible Chinese herbal prescription (named C18) on protecting H9C2 cardiomyocytes from cobalt chloride-induced hypoxia injury and its potential mechanism.

Materials and Methods

In this study, a hypoxic injury model of H9C2 cardiomyocytes induced by cobalt chloride was established first. Then the cell viability, relevant antioxidant indicators malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and protein expression (hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-AKT)) were measured after pretreatment with or without C18. At last, the specific PI3K/AKT inhibitor LY294002 was applied to verify the antihypoxia signaling pathway.

Results

C18 could significantly promote normal H9C2 cardiomyocyte proliferation and inhibit apoptosis of hypoxic H9C2 cardiomyocytes, reduce the release of lactate dehydrogenase and MDA, and increase the levels of SOD and GSH-Px antioxidant enzymes. In addition, C18 could significantly downregulate the expression of HIF-1α protein and upregulate the expression of intracellular p-AKT. Moreover, these effects of C18 can be blocked by the specific PI3K/AKT inhibitor LY294002.

Conclusion

C18 protects H9C2 cardiomyocytes from cobalt chloride-induced hypoxia injury through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
Exploring the Novel Therapeutic Potential of N-acetylcysteine in Depression, Bipolar Disorders and Anxiety
Authors: Syiem Reuben P. , Wahlang Julie B. , R. Krishnamoorthi , Kalyan Pavan B. , Nahakpam Diana , Langstieh Arky Jane
Published: May 2024

Background

Anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and depression are prevalent mental health issues that have a substantial impact on both individuals and the community. Many people continue to have symptoms and do not get the right kind of relief from their existing drugs, even after trying conventional therapy methods. Therefore, to enhance the current treatment modalities and patient results, new therapeutic alternatives are required. In recent years, there has been an increase in interest in N-acetylcysteine (NAC) because of its many biological benefits, including its ability to modulate glutamate levels and its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. According to studies, NAC has encouraging anti-depressant properties and may help treat bipolar disease by stabilizing mood and reducing the risk of relapses. Furthermore, through lowering oxidative stress and modifying neurotransmitter networks, NAC has been shown to lessen the symptoms of anxiety. The preclinical and clinical research examining the efficacy of NAC in depression, bipolar disorders, and anxiety are thoroughly analyzed in this review.

Methodology

Books were reviewed and medical and scientific literature found in MEDLINE and PubMed were analyzed for an assessment of NAC’s therapeutic potential in psychiatric illnesses such as anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.

Conclusion

NAC exhibits potential as a therapeutic agent for psychiatric problems such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, and depression. Performing a thorough clinical study will facilitate proper understanding its efficacy, safety and mechanisms of action.
Assessment of Socio-Economic Impacts of River Bank Erosion: Enhancing Resilience in the Coastal Belt of Bangladesh
Authors: Rahim Md. Abdur , Akter Nusrat , Roy Dhiman Kumer , Hasan Irteja , Salman Md. Abdullah , Goswami Sukhen , Abir Tareq Mahmud , Biswas Raman Kumar , Rakib Md Mahmudul Hasan
Published: May 2024

River bank erosion is one of the major natural calamities of Bangladesh. The purpose of this study is to assess the socio-economic impacts of riverbank erosion in Mehendiganj Upazila, Barishal district, using quantitative and qualitative approaches. 58% of the respondents reported that the intensity of erosion is extremely high. 80% of the cultivable land of Ulania union has disappeared in the river where this amount is near 50% for the other two unions. Nearly 45% of the respondents have migrated within the last 4 years. Among the migrated people, 94% reported that their social bondage had been broken. The findings of this research indicate that river erosion significantly affects social, economic, psychological, and ethical risks in the local community. The study will provide a comprehensive guideline to the role of local government, non-government organizations and communities to reduce the adverse impact of river erosion.
BRAF-Mutated Melanoma Journey in Latin America: Expert Recommendations From Diagnosis to Treatment
Authors: Bravo-Garzón María A. , Bornstein-Quevedo Leticia , Camargo Veridiana Pires de , Sanku Gayatri , Jansen Angela Marie , Macedo Mariana Petaccia de , Rico-Restrepo Mariana , Chacón Matías
Published: May 2024

Objectives

• Gather a panel of Latin American experts in testing and treating BRAF-melanoma. • Describe the current landscape of BRAF-mutated melanoma in Latin America. • Outline the current gaps in testing and recommend improvements for testing and treating BRAF-mutated melanoma in the region.

Introduction

Melanoma prevalence in Latin America is lower than in high- and middle-income countries. However, recent data indicate that the region’s incidence and mortality are rising, with more stage IV patients being diagnosed. According to international clinical practice guidelines, conducting BRAF-mutation testing in patients with stage III or stage IV melanoma and high-risk resected disease is imperative. Still, BRAF-mutation testing and targeted therapies are inconsistently available in the region.

Methods

Americas Health Foundation convened a meeting of Latin American experts on BRAF-mutated melanoma to develop guidelines and recommendations for diagnosis through treatment.

Results and Conclusions

Some recommendations for improving diagnostics through improving access and reducing the cost of BRAF-mutation testing, enhancing efficiency in pathology laboratories, and creating country-specific local guidelines. The panel also gave treatment recommendations for neo-adjuvant therapy, adjuvant therapy, and therapy for patients with metastatic disease in Latin America.