bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact Risk Assessment of Gravity-Based Foundation of Offshore Wind Turbine Under Tsunamis
Authors: Zhang Longfei , Ji Baifeng , Liu Haosen , Wang Jinwen , Xu Dongsheng , Xu Haiwei
Published: September 2024

As an important renewable engineering structure, offshore wind turbine foundation is threatened by tsunami bore. A three-dimensional numerical model of dam-break wave tsunami is established and validated based on computational fluid dynamics to study the impacting effects of gravity-based foundation (GBF) of offshore wind turbines under tsunamis. The impacting process of the small, middle, and large tsunami on the GBF is numerically simulated, and the load effects characteristics of the GBF of the wind turbine at different stages of the tsunami impact process are analyzed. The research results show that the GBF is subjected to two peak impact forces under tsunami-impacting action. The tsunami bore has a frontal impact on the GBF, and the force peak of the flow direction is the largest, which has the greatest impact on the foundation of the wind turbine. Specifically, the middle tsunami exerts a maximum frontal impact force of 16.8[Formula: see text]N, with a peak dynamic pressure of 678.2 Pa, and a maximum base moment of 1.24[Formula: see text]N[Formula: see text]⋅[Formula: see text]m. Besides, the variation on the base moment in the incident flow direction of the incoming is larger than that in the transverse direction. The research provides valuable insights into the tsunami-resistant GBF, offering recommendations and guidelines for ensuring the long-term stability of offshore wind turbines in tsunami-prone regions.
Virtualized Delta moves for virtual knots and links
Authors: Nakamura Takuji , Nakanishi Yasutaka , Satoh Shin , Wada Kodai
Published: September 2024

We introduce a local deformation called the virtualized [Formula: see text]-move for virtual knots and links. We prove that the virtualized [Formula: see text]-move is an unknotting operation for virtual knots. Furthermore we give a necessary and sufficient condition for two virtual links to be related by a finite sequence of virtualized [Formula: see text]-moves.
Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on Adolescents’ Mental Health Based on Coping Behavior - Statistical Perspective
Authors: Jabarali A. , Williams Jemima Wesley
Published: September 2024

Recent research indicates a rising occurrence of mental health issues among children and adolescents globally during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the existing literature reveals a notable inconsistency in the reported prevalence rates. College students, in the midst of a transitional phase, confront numerous stressors associated with young adulthood, alongside the academic demands specific to their stage in life. A common challenge faced by college students is the difficulty in recognizing mental health problems and a reluctance to seek help. Both schools and colleges have not been spared from the psychological challenges brought on by the unexpected crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic. In light of these circumstances, this study endeavors to identify and elucidate the characteristics of depression, anxiety, and stress resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, given its profound repercussions on adolescents. It is also worth exploring whether adolescents with a history of early life stress (ELS) are particularly vulnerable to these mental health challenges. This research aims to shed light on how the pandemic has affected college students, potentially leading to the development of anxiety, stress, and depression during and in the aftermath of the pandemic. To achieve these objectives, a research design involving both descriptive and diagnostic elements has been employed to investigate the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among college students. Primary data have been collected using a straightforward random sampling technique. The research employs various tools, including demographic information about respondents, examining the COVID-19 pandemic’s contextual factors, exploring coping behaviors during the pandemic, and self-reported assessments of depression, anxiety, and stress. Furthermore, to gain insights into the impact of coping behaviors, appropriate statistical methods have been employed to examine how adolescents have been affected by depression, anxiety, and stress following the COVID-19 pandemic. Leveraging machine learning classifiers, a predictive dashboard has been created to estimate the severity of depression, anxiety, and stress experienced by college students based on significant factors associated with their symptoms.
Disclosing Fraud and Subsidizing Arbitration as a Trust Promoting Mechanism: Theory and Evidence from Laboratory Data
Authors: Lee David Kuo Chuen , Li Yang , Liu Fan , Xu Weibiao
Published: September 2024

Establishing trust among strangers online can be challenging, especially with the prevalence of fraud in e-commerce. Advocates of blockchain technology argue that it can effectively prevent misconduct and promote trust among users. However, without the right mechanisms in place, fraud can persist in blockchain-based marketplaces. This paper presents a new design for a blockchain-based marketplace, incorporating a blockchain oracle to provide external arbitration information to smart contracts. The platform also has the authority to expose sellers of counterfeit goods and support buyers seeking arbitration against sellers. This approach aims to improve sellers’ incentives to offer genuine products and enhance trust in blockchain-based markets through extensive data analysis and observation of participant behavior.
Coupled modelling of brine availability in salt-based disposal facilities – learning from DECOVALEX-2023
Authors: Benbow Steven , Watson Claire , Bond Alex , Norris Simon , Parsons Sam , Kuhlman Kristopher L.
Published: September 2024

Salt is a potential host rock or caprock for deep geological disposal facilities for radioactive waste and has several favourable properties compared to other candidate rock types. In particular, intact salt has an extremely small porosity and permeability, which limits water availability and transmissivity. This has tended to lead to disposal concepts in salt being considered as ‘mostly dry’ and hence ideally suited to limiting groundwater interactions which could otherwise lead to corrosion of waste packages and mobilization of radionuclides over isolation timescales (10
5
–10
6
years). However, there is plentiful experimental evidence to suggest that excavations in bedded salt can exhibit non-trivial inflows. These inflows often increase on heating and are thought to arise due to complicated interactions between thermal, hydrogeological and mechanical processes in the salt. Task E in the international collaborative DECOVALEX-2023 programme was established to attempt to better understand how these coupled processes affect brine availability in bedded salt. A summary of the UK team's learning from the task is given in this paper, which may be of relevance when constructing models to inform future safety cases for radioactive waste disposal in salt and in other energy geoscience applications where brine interactions are a potentially complicating factor.
Test Accounts: A Hidden Risk
Authors: Vachon Phil
Published: September 2024

A test account that's shared among many can be used by anyone who happens to have the password. This leaves a trail of poorly managed or unmanaged accounts that only increases your attack surface. A test account could be a treasure trove of information, even revealing information about internal system details. If you really need to take this approach, give your developers their own test accounts and then educate them about the risks of misusing these accounts. Also, if you can periodically expire these accounts, all the better.
Theoretical and Practical Approach to the Soundness and Completeness of Operational Semantics based on Denotational Semantics for MDESL
Authors: Zhao Hongyan , Zhu Huibiao , Sheng Feng , He Jifeng , Bowen Jonathan
Published: September 2024

Verilog is a hardware description language (HDL) that has become an industry-standard HDL of IEEE. Multithreaded discrete event simulation language (MDESL) is a Verilog-like language. Previously, we have studied the operational semantics and denotational semantics for MDESL. This paper investigates the soundness and completeness of the operational semantics for MDESL based on the denotational semantics. We introduce the concepts of transitional condition and phase semantics for each transition to show the relationship between a transition and variables in the denotational model. Then, we give the definition for the soundness and completeness of the operational semantics for MDESL. Based on our definition of the operational semantics of MDESL, we investigate the detailed theoretical proof for the soundness and completeness. Finally, a practical approach complements the theoretical one. We apply the proof assistant Coq to verify the soundness and completeness of the operational semantics for MDESL. Our research demonstrates the consistency between operational and denotational semantics for MDESL through theoretical and practical approaches.
I2P Registration by Learning the Underlying Alignment Feature Space from Pixel-to-Point Similarities
Authors: Sun Yunda , Zhang Lin , Wang Zhong , Chen Yang , Zhao Shengjie , Zhou Yicong
Published: September 2024

Estimating the relative pose between a camera and a LiDAR holds paramount importance in facilitating complex task execution within multi-agent systems. Nonetheless, current methodologies encounter two primary limitations. First, amid the cross-modal feature extraction, they typically employ separate modal branches to extract cross-modal features from images and point clouds. This approach results in the feature spaces of images and point clouds being misaligned, thereby reducing the robustness of establishing correspondences. Second, due to the scale differences between images and point clouds, one-to-many pixel-point correspondences are inevitably encountered, which will mislead the pose optimization. To address these challenges, we propose a framework named
I
mage-to-
P
oint cloud registration by learning the underlying alignment feature space from
P
ixel-to-
P
oint
SIM
imilarities

(I2P

\({}_{\mathbf{ppsim}}\)

)

. Central to

\(\text{I2P}_{\text{ppsim}}\)

is a Shared Feature Alignment Module (SFAM). It is designed under on a coarse-to-fine architecture and uses a weight-sharing network to construct an alignment feature space. Benefiting from SFAM,

\(\text{I2P}_{\text{ppsim}}\)

can effectively identify the co-view regions between images and point clouds and establish high-reliability 2D-3D correspondences. Moreover, to mitigate the one-to-many correspondence issue, we introduce a similarity maximization strategy termed point-max. This strategy effectively filters out outliers, thereby establishing accurate 2D-3D correspondences. To evaluate the efficacy of our framework, we conduct extensive experiments on KITTI Odometry and Oxford Robotcar. The results corroborate the effectiveness of our framework in improving image-to-point cloud registration. To make our results reproducible, the source codes have been released at
https://cslinzhang.github.io/I2P
Efficient State Sharding in Blockchain via Density-based Graph Partitioning
Authors: Yin Bo , Zhang Peng , Chen Tingxuan
Published: September 2024

Sharding is a promising technique for increasing a blockchain system’s throughput by enabling parallel transaction processing. The main challenge of state sharding lies in ensuring the atomicity verification of cross-sharding transactions, which results in double communication overhead and increases the transaction’s confirmation time. Previous research has primarily focused on developing cross-shard protocols for the fast and reliable validation of transactions involving multiple shards. These studies typically generate a large number of cross-shard transactions because they primarily use simple address mapping for state sharding, that is, the prefix/suffix of the account address. In this article, we propose a state sharding scheme via density-based partitioning of the account-transaction graph. In order to reduce cross-shard transactions, the scheme groups correlated accounts into the same shard by generating the densest subgraphs, as the graph density describes the correlation among accounts, i.e., how often transactions have occurred among accounts. We formulate the graph density-based state sharding problem, with the goal of maximizing the average density across all shards under the workload constraint. We prove the NP-completeness of the problem. To reduce the complexity of finding the densest subgraph, we propose the pruning-based algorithm that reduces the search space by pre-pruning some invalid edges based on the concept of core number. We also extend the linear deterministic greedy algorithm and PageRank algorithm to handle new transactions in the dynamic scenario. We conduct extensive experiments using real transaction data from Ethereum. The experimental results demonstrate a strong correlation between the shard density and the number of cross-shard transactions, and the pruning-based algorithm can reduce the running time by an order of magnitude.
Evaluation of Electrochemical Properties and Life Prediction of Sensor Wire in Leak Detection Systems of Underground Heating Pipelines
Authors: Lee Yun-Ho , Kim Seung-Hyun , Kang Un-Su , Kim Woo-Cheol , Kim Jung-Gu
Published: September 2024

In this study, we investigated the electrochemical properties and lifespan of the NiCr (NiCr 8020) sensor wire of a resistance leaking detection (LD) system to detect pipe corrosion and leakage in an actual district heating (DH) system. The temperature and applied stress of the sensor wire during the actual operation of the resistance LD system of the DH system were derived through simulations and calculations. The anodic dissolution of the sensor wire was accelerated with the increased temperature and the applied current. The corrosion type changed from localized corrosion, such as pitting, to uniform corrosion. The applied stress caused ductile fracture of the thinned sensor wire by anodic dissolution. In conclusion, we confirmed that in the resistance LD system of a DH system, where current and stress are applied at high temperatures, the sensor wire becomes thin due to the anodic dissolution and subsequent ductile fracture. In addition, the lifespan of the sensor wire was derived according to the resistance level measured in the resistance LD system of the DH system. Our findings contribute to preventing failure and improving the reliability of the resistance LD systems of DH systems.
From the Editor: Godspeed, Glenn Stoner
Authors: Kelly Robert G.
Published: September 2024

As you read this in October or later, I will have finally stopped writing “2023” and will have fully embraced the new year. What I haven’t done is gotten over the loss of Glenn Stoner last summer.
Websites of Note - Fall 2024
Authors: Suroviec Alice H.
Published: September 2024

Websites of Note selected for you by Alice Suroviec
Insights into Thermal Runaway of Cylindrical Lithium-ion Batteries by Internal Temperature Sensors
Authors: Feinauer Max , Hölzle Markus , Waldmann Thomas
Published: September 2024

This study presents a novel method for implementing internal temperature sensors in cylindrical lithium-ion batteries by laser ablation to enhance the understanding of thermal runaway (TR) behavior. Using commercial 21700 cells, Accelerating Rate Calorimetry (ARC) experiments were conducted at various states of charge. The results showed that internal temperature changes during safety-critical events, such as venting and TR, were significantly higher compared to externally measured cell surface temperatures.
Prevalence of autonomic dysreflexia during spinal cord stimulation after spinal cord injury
Authors: Veith Daniel D. , Asp Anders J. , Gill Megan L. , Fernandez K. A. , Mills Candee J. , Linde Margaux B. , Jahanian Omid , Beck Lisa A. , Zhao Kristin D. , Grahn Peter J. , Solinsky Ryan J.
Published: September 2024

Spinal cord stimulation for motor recovery after spinal cord injury is a popular research intervention, though off-target effects are a concern. Using continual blood pressure and heart rate recordings during passive spinal cord stimulation parameter testing, we identified frequent episodes of autonomic dysreflexia that were rarely associated with symptoms. This presents a previously unrecognized risk of spinal cord stimulation and appropriate vigilance in targeted monitoring is urged to maintain participant safety.
Service User Perspectives of Family Involvement and Mental Health Care Outcomes in Queensland
Authors: Cameron Sarah L. A. , Gallo Cordoba Beatriz , Maybery Darryl
Published: September 2024

Family‐focussed practice is an important component of mental health care. In Australia, service users’ views about their experience of service are collected using instruments such as the Your Experience of Service (YES) survey. This study examined 10,579 Queensland (Australia) service users’ experiences of mental health services during 2019–2021, with a particular focus on their perspectives of how family and carers are involved in their care. The study examined if family‐focussed practice is welcomed by service users and if it is important in terms of predicting recovery‐related outcomes (e.g., hopefulness, managing day‐to‐day life, well‐being, and experience of care) and which demographics (e.g., age, gender, and Indigenous status) and service characteristics (e.g., time in service, duration, year of service, and setting type) are associated with these outcomes and with family member involvement. A substantial majority of service users reported a positive experience of care (very good or excellent), feeling they had opportunities for family involvement and that their opinions about family involvement were respected (usually or always). Chi‐square tests and nonlinear regression models showed that family involvement predicts care outcomes. Specifically, where individuals felt that their perspectives were recognised, their outcomes were consistently rated as more positive. The results also revealed that setting, age group, time in service, and admission status were significantly correlated with all user experience outcome variables and family‐oriented variables. Future research has the potential to further strengthen this understanding of service users’ preferred opportunities and opinions about family involvement and how to improve family engagement and better meet the needs of service users and their families.
Evaluation of Spatiotemporal Transit Accessibility: Weighted Indexing Using the CRITIC‐MCDM Approach and Performance Gap Analysis
Authors: Rathod Rohit , Joshi Gaurang , Shriniwas Arkatkar
Published: September 2024

Transit performance is greatly influenced by its accessibility, which considers the spatial distribution of transit facilities with different periods of operation. The present study analyzes the spatiotemporal variation in transit accessibility and proposes a modification to enhance the evaluation process. The proposed modification involves assigning weighted indexing to the public transport coverage index (PTCI) using the CRITIC (criteria importance through intercriteria correlation) MCDM technique. The indicators exhibit temporal and spatial variations based on network and operational characteristics, with temporal variations relying on the number of scheduled transits and spatial variations influenced by the network and other operational attributes. The case study conducted in Surat, India, reveals that areas such as the city center and inner fringe have a higher concentration of scheduled transits and bus stops. However, demand fulfillment, measured by the offered seat capacity per population, is relatively low in most zones. To prioritize areas for resource allocation and policy implementation, the use of “RAdial REferenced Scatter QUAdRant (RARE SQUARE) Performance” charts are developed, which provide a straightforward tool to validate findings. The study highlights a low relative transit demand in the city, resulting in a mode share of approximately 2.5%.
Enhancing Friction Stir Spot Welding of Al 5754 and Al 6111 Joints Using Taguchi’s Technique
Authors: Gowda Vikram P N , R. Keshavamurthy , B. E. Naveena , Muthiya Solomon Jenoris , Arockia Dhanraj Joshuva , Rushman Johannex Fefeh , Verma Amit
Published: September 2024

The present study investigates the impact of varying process parameters on the mechanical properties of friction stir spot welding (FSSW) joints involving Al 5754 and Al 6111. Taguchi’s L16 design of experiment approach was employed to conduct experiments and optimize the process parameters. Key parameters, including tool pin profile, dwell time (5–30 sec), rotating speed (250–1400 rpm), and plunge depth (1.5–1.8 mm), were systematically considered. The results indicated that the optimized welding conditions for attaining higher tensile‐shear strength are a spindle speed of 1400 rpm, dwell time of 10 sec, plunge depth of 1.7 mm, and a tool pin profile of a triangular pyramid. As for bending strength, the optimal conditions are a spindle speed of 250 rpm, dwell time of 30 sec, plunge depth of 1.8 mm, and a tool pin profile of a square pyramid, representing higher bending strength. The analysis of variance technique revealed that the tool pin profile and plunge depth significantly influenced the tensile‐shear strength and bending strength of the developed FSSW joint, respectively. Regression analysis was employed to formulate mathematical models predicting tensile and bending strength, and the predicted values closely matched experimental results with 80% accuracy.
The Place of Intuition in the Clinical Reasoning of Occupational Therapists: A Multiple‐Case Study
Authors: Vermeulen Perrine , Dyer Joseph Omer , Rochette Annie
Published: September 2024

Background. Clinical reasoning is a crucial process for healthcare professionals, involving both intuitive and analytical components. Intuition, which can be defined as immediate and context‐sensitive thoughts, would play an important role in the clinical reasoning of occupational therapists (OTs). However, understanding of how OTs use their intuition remains limited. Thus, this study aimed to better understand the place of intuition in the clinical decision‐making of OTs in a real‐life context. Methods. Adopting a constructivist epistemological stance, this qualitative multiple‐case study involved four OTs. For each OT, data were collected through a video‐recorded clinical session and a subsequent explicitation interview. Conversational analysis of the video data and inductive thematic analysis of the interviews were conducted. Results. The OTs, with 2 to 34 years of experience, demonstrated a nuanced use of intuition in their clinical reasoning. Experienced OTs relied more heavily on intuitive reasoning, seamlessly integrating it into their analytical approach, while novice therapists alternated between the two modes, giving equal importance to both. Key themes highlighted the central role of practice context, professional experience, the therapeutic relationship, and emotional management in the expression of intuition. Conclusion. The study highlights the decisive influence of the practice context whether routine or unusual, on the expression of OTs’ intuition. Additionally, the findings underscore the regulatory role of the clinicians’ emotions and the importance of empathic management of the clients’ emotional aspects, which shape the intuitive reasoning processes.
Psychedelics: From Cave Art to 21st-Century Medicine for Addiction
Authors: Vamvakopoulou Ioanna A. , Nutt David J.
Published: September 2024

Background: Psychedelic substance use in ritualistic and ceremonial settings dates back as early as 8,500 BCE. Only in recent years, from the mid-20th century, we have seen the re-emergence of psychedelics in a therapeutic setting and more specifically for the treatment of addiction. This article aims to review research over the past 40 years using classic (psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide [LSD], dimethyltryptamine [DMT], mescaline) and atypical (ketamine, ibogaine, 5-MeO-DMT, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) psychedelics for the treatment of addiction. Summary: We will start with an overview of the pharmacology and physiological and psychological properties of psychedelic substances from pre-clinical and clinical research. We will then provide an overview of evidence gathered by studies conducted in controlled research environments and naturalistic and ceremonial settings, while we identify the proposed therapeutic mechanisms of each psychedelic substance. Key Messages: Classic and atypical psychedelics show promise as therapeutic alternatives for the treatment of addiction, through the improvement of psychological and physiological symptoms of dependence. A more comprehensive understanding of the ancient and present-day knowledge of the therapeutic potential of psychedelics can facilitate hope for psychedelic therapeutics in the treatment of addiction, especially for individuals who have failed other conventional treatment methods.
NEIL3 Upregulated by TFAP2A Promotes M2 Polarization of Macrophages in Liver Cancer via the Mediation of Glutamine Metabolism
Authors: Zhang Fabiao , Wang Binfeng , Zhang Wenlong , Xu Yongfu , Zhang Caiming , Xue Xiangyang
Published: September 2024

Introduction: Tumor-associated macrophages, which are part of the tumor microenvironment, are a major factor in cancer progression. However, a complete understanding of the regulatory mechanism of M2 polarization of macrophages (Mø) in liver cancer is yet to be established. This study aimed to investigate the potential mechanism by which NEIL3 influenced M2 Mø polarization in liver cancer. Methods: Bioinformatics analysis analyzed NEIL3 expression and its enriched pathways in liver cancer tissue, as well as its correlation with pathway genes. The upstream transcription factor of NEIL3, TFAP2A, was predicted and its expression in liver cancer tissue was analyzed. The binding relationship between the two was analyzed by dual-luciferase reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments. qRT-PCR assessed NEIL3 and TFAP2A levels in liver cancer cells. Cell viability was detected by CCK-8, while CD206 and CD86 expression was detected by immunofluorescence. IL-10 and CCR2 expressions were assessed using qRT-PCR, and M2 Mø quantity was detected using flow cytometry. Reagent kits tested glutamine (Gln) consumption, α-ketoglutarate, and glutamate content, as well as NADPH/NADP+ and GSH/GSSG ratios. Expression of Gln transport proteins was detected using Western blot. An animal model was established to investigate the influence of NEIL3 expression on liver cancer growth. Results: NEIL3 was highly expressed in liver cancer and promoted Mø M2 polarization through Gln metabolism. TFAP2A was identified as the upstream transcription factor of NEIL3 and was highly expressed in liver cancer. Rescue experiments presented that overexpression of NEIL3 reversed the suppressive effect of TFAP2A knockdown on Mø M2 polarization in liver cancer. In vivo experiments demonstrated that the knockdown of NEIL3 could significantly repress the growth of xenograft tumors. Conclusion: This study suggested that the TFAP2A/NEIL3 axis promoted Mø M2 polarization through Gln metabolism, providing a theoretical basis for immune therapy targeting the liver cancer TME.
A Scoping Review of Fall-Risk Screening Tools in the Emergency Department for Future Falls in Older Adults
Authors: Wickins Daniel , Roberts Jack , McPhail Steven M. , White Nicole M.
Published: September 2024

Background: Approximately one-third of adults over the age of 65 experience falls annually, with half resulting in injury. Peak bodies have recommended the use of fall-risk screening tools in the emergency department (ED) to identify patients requiring in-depth assessment and potential fall-prevention intervention. This study aimed to examine the scope of published studies on fall-risk screening tools used in the ED and evidence of associations between screening and future falls. Summary: PubMed, Embase and CINAHL were searched for peer-reviewed journal articles published since 2012 that examined one or more screening tools to identify patient-level fall risk. Eligible studies described fall-risk tools applied in the ED. Data extracted included sample information, variables measured, and statistical analysis. Sixteen studies published since 2012 were included after full-text review. Fourteen unique screening tools were found. Eight tools were fall-risk screening tools, one tool was a functional screening tool, one tool was a frailty-screening tool, two tools were rapid physical tests, one tool was a trauma triage tool, and one tool was a component of a health-related quality-of-life measure. Studies that evaluated prognostic performance (n = 11) generally reported sensitivity higher than specificity. Previous falls (n = 10) and high-risk medications (n = 6) were consistently associated with future falls. Augmentation with additional variables from the electronic medical record (EMR) improved screening tool prognostic performance in one study. Key Messages: Current evidence on the association between the use of fall-risk screening tools in the ED for future falls consistently identifies previous falls and high-risk medications as associated with future falls. Comparison between tools is difficult due to different evaluation methods and different covariates measured. Augmentation of fall-risk screening using the EMR in the ED requires further investigation.
Intracorporeal versus Extracorporeal Anastomosis in Laparoscopic Right Hemicolectomy: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Control Trials
Authors: Wei Pengyu , Li Yang , Gao Jiale , Wu Si , Shu Wenlong , Yao Hongwei , Zhang Zhongtao
Published: September 2024

Introduction: Laparoscopic right hemicolectomy has become the standard surgical procedure for the treatment of right colon disease; however, the choice of anastomosis remains controversial. This study aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of intracorporeal anastomosis and extracorporeal anastomosis in laparoscopic right hemicolectomy. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. Randomized controlled trials that compared intracorporeal anastomosis with extracorporeal anastomosis in patients with laparoscopic right hemicolectomy until June 4, 2023, are selected. The primary outcomes measured were incidence of anastomotic leakage within 30 days post-operation. Statistical analyses were performed using Review Manager (version 5.4.1). Results: Seven RCTs, including 720 patients, were eligible for the meta-analysis. The incidence of anastomotic leakage showed no significant difference between the intracorporeal anastomosis group and the extracorporeal anastomosis group (RR 0.93, 95% CI: 0.49, 1.76, p = 0.83, and I2 = 0%). However, the intracorporeal anastomosis group had significantly lower rates of postoperative ileus (RR 0.67, 95% CI: 0.45–0.99, p = 0.04, I2 = 46%) and surgical site infections (RR 0.34, 95% CI: 0.16–0.74, p = 0.007, I2 = 0%) compared to the extracorporeal anastomosis group. Additionally, patients in the intracorporeal anastomosis group experienced earlier postoperative passage of gas and stool (WMD –0.39, 95% CI: −0.60, −0.19, p = 0.0002, and I2 = 67%; WMD −0.53, 95% CI: −0.85, −0.21, p = 0.001, and I2 = 75%), as well as shorter hospital stays (WMD –0.46, 95% CI: −0.74, −0.18, p = 0.001, and I2 = 34%). Conclusion: In laparoscopic right hemicolectomy, intracorporeal anastomosis does not increase the incidence of anastomotic leakage within 30 days post-operation compared to extracorporeal anastomosis. In addition, intracorporeal anastomosis resulted in faster recovery of bowel function. This suggests that intracorporeal anastomosis is safe and effective.
Off-Label Use of Mycophenolate Mofetil in Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Feng Luda , Song Xuan , Shi Xinyi , Qin Mingzhen , Liang Ning , Li Boyang , Zhang Boya , Qin Jianguo
Published: September 2024

Introduction: Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is widely used off-label in patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN), although the literature does not consistently agree on its efficacy and safety. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, CNKI, VIP, Wanfang Data, and SinoMed from their inception to August 2023. We included randomized controlled trials that enrolled patients of IgAN who received MMF treatment and compared effects with placebo or as an add-on therapy to usual care. Literature screening, risk of bias assessment, and data extraction were independently conducted in duplicate. Fixed-effects or random-effects meta-analyses were performed for pooling data where eligible. The primary outcomes were the composite kidney outcomes of major adverse kidney events (MAKDE) defined as doubling of serum creatinine, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), or death from a kidney disease-related or cardiovascular cause. Results: Of 13 studies identified, 918 participants (463 [50.4%] treated with MMF) with IgAN were included in the analysis. MMF treatment in IgAN was associated with decreasing the occurrence of MAKDE (relative risk [RR], 0.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.13–0.77), reducing proteinuria (RR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.22–1.64), and lessening the probability of doubling blood creatinine (RR, 0.32, 95% CI, 0.14–0.72). No significant differences were detected in the incidence of ESRD (RR, 0.87, 95% CI, 0.38–2.03), or progression of chronic kidney disease (RR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.22–4.57). Patients receiving MMF had a higher risk of infection (RR, 2.20; 95% CI, 1.21–4.00). Conclusion: MMF administration in IgAN indicates promising in decreasing the occurrence of MAKDE, reducing proteinuria level, and lessening the probability of doubling blood creatinine, but also comes with the risk of infection. These findings tend to be introduced to non-Caucasian population. The long-term favorable effects that MMF improved kidney outcomes still need further cross-regional and cross-ethnical verification.
Alpha-band fluctuations represent behaviorally relevant excitability
changes as a consequence of top–down guided spatial attention in a
probabilistic spatial cueing design
Authors: Gundlach Christopher , Forschack Norman , Müller Matthias M.
Published: September 2024

Spatial attention is a key function enabling the selection of relevant information and meaningful behavioral responses and is likely implemented by different neural mechanisms. In previous work, attention led to robust but uncorrelated modulations of Steady-State-Visual-Evoked-Potentials (SSVEPs) as a marker of early sensory gain and visual as well as motor alpha-band activity. We probed the behavioral relevance of attention-modulated trial-by-trial fluctuations of these measures. For this purpose, in an experiment with a classical probabilistic visuospatial attention cueing task, a to-be-discriminated target stimulus was validly, neutrally, or invalidly cued, while behavioral responses and EEG were recorded. Single-trial flicker-driven SSVEPs, visual and motor alpha-band activity were measured and the relationship between their amplitudes and reaction times was modeled via Bayesian regression models, respectively. We replicated previous findings that these neural measures and behavioral responses were overall modulated by the attentional cue. Beyond that, SSVEP amplitudes were not associated with behavior, while single-trial alpha-band amplitudes were predictive of reaction times: For trials with a valid or neutral cue, lower visual and motor alpha-band amplitudes measured contralateral to the target in the cue–target interval were associated with faster responses (and for valid cues also higher amplitudes ipsilateral to the target). For invalid cues, which required attentional reallocating to the uncued side, no such relationship was found. We argue that behavioral relevance of alpha-band modulations is a consequence but not a mechanism of top–down guided spatial attention, representing neural excitability in cortical areas activated by the attentional shift.
Shi‘ism Unveiled: Italian Converts and Trends of Inculturation
Authors: Mirshahvalad Minoo
Published: September 2024

This article delves into the impact of anti-modern convictions on the doctrinal evolutions of Shi‘ism among Italian converts, employing a synergy between history and sociology. To illustrate this impact, the digital and paper publications of select converts have been analysed. Editorial initiatives serve as primary channels through which converts express their intellectual inclinations and impart a new cultural dimension to Shi‘ism. This new cultural dimension is shaped by the motivations that have driven converts toward religious mobility. In this framework, Shi‘a tenets and its relations with other religions have been redefined based on converts’ socio-psychological needs. As a result, Italian Shi‘ism, with its anti-modern substructure, has acquired certain traits that align it with the pre-political manifestations of the religion. Notably, converts exhibit a preference for metaphysical perspectives over juridical and sociological developments within Shi‘ism, delineating a distinct trajectory in their engagement with the faith.
A U-Net Retrieval of Tropical Cyclone Inner-Core Wind Fields from Microwave and Infrared Satellite Imagery
Authors: Wimmers Anthony J. , Griffin Sarah , Velden Christopher
Published: September 2024

Deep learning frequently leverages satellite imagery to estimate key benchmarked properties of tropical cyclones (TCs) such as intensity. This study goes a step further to investigate the potential for using this two-dimensional information to produce a two-dimensional wind field product for the TC inner core. Here, we train a product on flight-level in situ wind from center-crossing aircraft transects and focus on the ability to reproduce a full two-dimensional field of flight-level wind. The wind model, named “TC2D,” is a unique multibranched U-Net design with a loss function that efficiently compensates for the relative sparsity of labeled data. This model accurately captures many challenging radial wind profiles, including large eyewalls, profiles with secondary wind maxima, and TCs in transition between various states. It performs well in a variety of environments including strong vertical wind shear. The RMS error of the estimated radius of maximum winds is 15.5 km for category 2–5 TCs, and half of the tested cases have error less than 1.3 km. The RMS error of wind speed is 5–6 m s−1 for tropical depression to category 1 TCs and 5–10 m s−1 for category 2–5 TCs, depending on radius. The model generally lacks the ability to reproduce the storm-relative azimuthal variability of flight-level wind, but it successfully captures Earth-relative variability due to the more straightforward corrections for TC translation. TC2D offers to be a good nowcasting aid to provide low-latency, TC inner-core wind distribution estimates several times per day.
Hemisphere-Dependent Impacts of ENSO and Atmospheric Eddies on Hadley Circulation
Authors: Hasan Mahdi , Larson Sarah M. , McMonigal Kay , Robinson Walter A. , Aiyyer Anantha
Published: September 2024

The variability of the Hadley circulation strength (HCS), crucial to tropical climate variability, is attributed to both oceanic and atmospheric forcings. El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and variations in the extratropical upper-tropospheric eddies are the known drivers of the interannual HCS variability. However, the relative contributions of these oceanic and atmospheric forcings to the hemispheric HCS variability are not well understood. In particular, how much anomalous wind stress–driven ocean dynamics, including ENSO, impact HCS variability remains an open question. To address these gaps, we investigate the drivers of the interannual HCS variability using global coupled model experiments that include or exclude anomalous wind stress–driven ocean circulation variability. We find that the anomalous wind stress–driven ocean circulation variability significantly amplifies HCS variability in the Southern Hemisphere (SH). ENSO is the leading modulator of the SH HCS variability, which offers the potential to improve the predictability of Hadley circulation (HC)–related hydrological consequences. On the other hand, the Northern Hemisphere (NH) HCS variability is predominantly influenced by the eddy-driven internal atmospheric variability with little role in ocean dynamics. We hypothesize that the large eddy variability in the NH and concentrated ENSO-associated heating and precipitation in the SH lead to the hemisphere-dependent differences in the interannual HCS variability.
Cultural Norms and the Gendered Impact of Entrepreneurship Policy in Mexico
Authors: Raines Grady W. , Polhill Peter S. , Hiatt Shon R. , Coles Ryan S.
Published: September 2024

This article explores how policies that reduce barriers to entrepreneurship impact underrepresented groups differently depending on local norms and cultural beliefs. While prior studies suggest that underrepresented groups should benefit more than other groups do from policies lowering entry barriers, the empirical evidence is mixed. We argue that the absence of normative and cognitive support can undermine the effectiveness of these policies for underrepresented groups. To explore this, we leveraged the staggered rollout of a policy that reduced entry barriers to entrepreneurship in Mexico. The results show that while the policy increased the number of businesses founded by men, it had a small and statistically insignificant impact for women, thus exacerbating the gender gap in entrepreneurship. Further analyses suggest that while women were not more likely to become involved in entrepreneurship as founders, they did become engaged in alternative roles within new ventures, often leaving other forms of employment to enter unpaid work in businesses founded by men in their household. The effects of the policy on the gender gap in entrepreneurship and unpaid work were more pronounced in areas with a strong patriarchy logic and among married individuals. This research highlights the need to consider context in the design of policies intended to encourage entrepreneurship.
Complications of Oral Corticosteroid Use in Otolaryngology
Authors: Mitchell Margaret B. , Workman Alan D. , Bhattacharyya Neil
Published: September 2024

Objective:

Oral corticosteroids (OCS) are frequently prescribed by otolaryngologists. However, there are limited quantitative data on OCS-related adverse events (AEs) in otolaryngology. We sought to quantify OCS-related AEs in otolaryngology.

Methods:

All outpatient otolaryngology encounters in our healthcare system (2018-2023) at which an OCS was prescribed were identified via the electronic medical record. The diagnoses indicating OCS were categorized as sinonasal, otologic, pharyngo-laryngeal, and other. The medical record was subsequently examined to assess for OCS AEs during the 21-day period following the prescription. OCS AEs were grouped into (1) gastrointestinal, (2) metabolic, (3) bone/muscle, (4) ophthalmologic, and/or (5) psychiatric complications. The frequency and types of OCS related AEs were determined.

Results:

A total of 20 746 otolaryngology encounters with OCS prescribed were examined. Seventy OCS courses had 1 or more AEs, implying a number needed to harm of 296.4 (240.2-386.8). There were 83 total OCS-related AEs, yielding an AE incidence rate of 4.0:1000 (95% CI, 3.0-5.0:1000) OCS prescriptions. The mean age of subjects with AEs (61.5 years) was significantly higher than those without (50.3 years; P < .001). Forty-seven (56.6%) of the complications were metabolic, with hyperglycemia and hypokalemia the most common, followed by gastrointestinal (26.5%), ophthalmologic (3.6%), psychiatric (2.4%), and musculoskeletal (2.4%).

Conclusion:

AEs related to OCS prescribed by otolaryngologists occur at a rate of once per 296 courses of treatment and older populations may be at increased risk for AEs. Otolaryngologists should balance AE rates against anticipated benefits of steroid therapy.

Level of evidence:

3.
Implied Market Shares and Antitrust Markets as Fuzzy Sets
Authors: Jhun Jennifer S. , Panhans Matthew T.
Published: September 2024

Market definition is an important aspect of antitrust analysis, but the exercise requires designating each potentially relevant good as either completely in or out of the market. In a market with differentiated goods, this often necessitates making unsatisfactory designations. This article introduces the concept of the antitrust market as a fuzzy set, where each relevant good can have a degree of membership in the market, rather than only the traditional binary in or out designation. A product’s degree of membership in the market is assigned based on its closeness of substitutability to the focal products. We then show how implied market shares can be calculated from a defined fuzzy antitrust market. We illustrate an implementation of these concepts using data from the grocery retail market and demand estimations from prior literature. We also discuss how this concept serves as a middle way between supporters and detractors of market definition, as implied market shares are objects that not only reflect demand substitutability but also allow for the rhetorical benefits of having delineated a market to focus discussion and analysis of competitive issues.
Supporting the Next Generation of Indigenous Psychologists: An Illustrative Case Example
Authors: Fetter Anna Kawennison , Wiglesworth Andrea , Rey LittleDove F. , Young Amanda R. , Azarani Michael , Gone Joseph P.
Published: September 2024

To effectively increase American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) representation in the psychological workforce and prepare AI/AN psychologists to serve AI/AN communities, transformation is critically needed in graduate training programs. Therefore, we provide an illustrative case example of a graduate student-led, cross-institutional Indigenous Research Group (IRG) mentored by an Indigenous faculty member. Using first-person and synthesized narratives, we summarize our transformative experience in the IRG as a journey in which we found belonging and community, culturally responsive mentorship and training, and the support to become emergent Indigenous psychologists. Informed by the student and faculty mentor reflections on the IRG, we then provide recommendations for graduate programs to support Indigenous students. Ultimately, the IRG is a testament to the creative ways Indigenous scholars navigate the academy and serves as well as a call for faculty to support the next generation of AI/AN psychologists.
Resilient cooperative platoon control for leader-following uncertain vehicular systems subject to cyber-physical attacks
Authors: He Lin , Wang Xin , Zhang Yanpeng , Yu Tingting
Published: September 2024

This paper develops a resilient cooperative platoon control protocol for vehicle following systems under unreliable switching communication networks with cyber composite attacks, which includes actuator and sensors attacks, as well as denial of service (DoS) attacks. In this framework, to achieve leader-following platoon task, a novel resilient distributed adaptive control algorithm is designed by exploiting relative neighborhood information. First, a switching resilient turning mechanism with controller parameter updating laws is introduced into platoon controller architecture, which can compensate sensor and actuator attacks. Second, a topology-dependent analysis shows that cooperative leader-following platoon objective is achieved under some sufficient conditions, then the robust stability of the closed-loop coordination tracking error system is built. Finally, the simulation studies on a platoon of autonomous vehicles are provided to testify the design.