bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parlamentarismo de Ocasião: debates sobre a mudança do sistema de governo no Brasil em crise (2016-2018)
Authors: Santos Diego dos
Published: June 2024

Este artigo apresenta o debate em defesa da adoção do parlamentarismo durante a crise política brasileira (2016-2018). O espaço temporal analisado compreende os últimos meses do governo Dilma Rousseff (2016) e o mandato presidencial do sucessor Michel Temer (2016-2018). O estudo foi realizado a partir dos conteúdos informativos e opinativos publicados pelo jornal O Estado de S. Paulo. Dessa forma, tem-se como objetivo apresentar as “vozes” que participaram do debate sobre a proposta de alteração do sistema de governo nas páginas do periódico e o posicionamento deste sobre o tema. Os resultados apontam para uma maior aproximação do jornal com partidos de centro-direita (PSDB e MDB) e de nomes como José Serra, Michel Temer e Gilmar Mendes. Quanto ao posicionamento do jornal O Estado de S. Paulo, veremos que num primeiro momento a instituição do parlamentarismo foi classificada como uma proposta de “ocasião” política, para mais tarde ser vista como “solução” para as crises políticas da República brasileira.
Alcohol Intake and Risk of Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Nonexperimental Cohort Studies
Authors: Cecchini Marta , Filippini Tommaso , Whelton Paul K. , Iamandii Inga , Di Federico Silvia , Boriani Giuseppe , Vinceti Marco
Published: June 2024

BACKGROUND:

Alcohol consumption has been associated with higher blood pressure and an increased risk of hypertension. However, the possible exposure thresholds and effect-modifiers are uncertain.

METHODS:

We assessed the dose-response relationship between usual alcohol intake and hypertension incidence in nonexperimental cohort studies. After performing a systematic literature search through February 20, 2024, we retrieved 23 eligible studies. We computed risk ratios and 95% CI of hypertension incidence using a nonlinear meta-analytic model based on restricted cubic splines, to assess the dose-response association with alcohol consumption.

RESULTS:

We observed a positive and almost linear association between alcohol intake and hypertension risk with risk ratios of 0.89 (0.84–0.94), 1.11 (1.07–1.15), 1.22 (1.14–1.30), and 1.33 (1.18–1.49) for 0, 24, 36 and 48 g/d, respectively, using 12 g alcohol/d as the reference value. In sex-specific analyses, the association was almost linear in men over the entire range of exposure but only observed above 12 g/d in women, although with a steeper association at high levels of consumption compared with men. The increased risk of hypertension above 12 to 24 g alcohol/d was similar in Western and Asian populations and considerably greater in White than in Black populations, mainly due to the positive association in women at moderate-to-high intake.

CONCLUSIONS:

Overall, our results lend support to a causal association between alcohol consumption and risk of hypertension, especially above an alcohol intake of 12 g/d, and are consistent with recommendations to avoid or limit alcohol intake. Sex and ethnicity appear to be major effect-modifiers of such association.
Sophie de Grouchy and the Recovery Project: Her Originality and Contribution to Philosophy
Authors: Brown Karin
Published: June 2024

In 1798 Sophie de Grouchy (1764–1822) appended her eight Lettres sur la sympathie to her translation of Adam Smith’s The Theory of Moral Sentiments. In recent years her Lettres have attracted considerable scholarly attention, but interpretative errors, resulting from considering selections in isolation, have slipped into readings of de Grouchy’s work that undermine her originality and the unity of her views regarding ethical theory. The purpose of this paper is to correct prior readings and to properly recover Sophie de Grouchy’s voice for the philosophical canon. Topics include the origin of sympathy, the significance of pleasure and pain in de Grouchy, sympathy and social relations, the role of reason and sentiments in our moral disposition, and mislabeling de Grouchy’s philosophy. In all, de Grouchy grounds her complex ethics and political philosophy in sympathy, reason, reflection, and human dependency in an overarching vision of humanity that is hopeful and optimistic.
Leucoagaricus rosuliformis sp. nov. (Agaricales, Basidiomycota) from Changa Manga Forest, Punjab, Pakistan
Authors: JABEEN SANA , NASEER AROOJ , IJAZ HIRA , TUBA  , YASMEEN ANEELA , NIAZI ABDUL REHMAN , ZHAO CHANG-LIN
Published: June 2024

Leucoagaricus rosuliformis is described as a new species from the Changa Manga Forest, Punjab, Pakistan. This species can be separated from its close relatives, L. lahorensis and L. changamangaensis by its rosette-like central disc and with dense squamules becoming scattered towards margins. Molecular phylogenetic analyses using nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences from the internal transcribed spacer region also supported this taxon as a distinct species.
Light and Scanning Observations on a Denticula species reported from South Africa and endemism of the diatom genus Tetralunata (Rhopalodiales, Bacillariophyceae)
Authors: KOCIOLEK J. PATRICK , GREENWOOD MEGAN , ROGERS DILLAN , HAMSHER SARAH E. , MILLER SCOTT , LI JINGCHUN , CHANG AIMEE CAYE G. , TAYLOR JONATHAN
Published: June 2024

Denticula costata Hustedt was originally described from fossil material from Sumatra and later assigned to the genus Tetralunata. Although Tetralunata was thought to be endemic to Indonesia, D. costata has been reported from wetwalls from South Africa. This disparity in locality prompted us to investigate the D. costata in South Africa further. D. costata (now T. costata) specimens and the species reported from South Africa were different in size, shape, and structure of the raphe system. These differences, as well as comparisons to other Denticula species, allowed us to determine that the South African specimens have not been described previously. Valve ultrastructure, including the canal raphe, areolae with volate occlusions, and presence/structure of the septa suggest this new species belongs to the genus Tetralunata. This is the first report of Tetralunata from outside of Indonesia. Herein, we describe Tetraluanata schoemanii sp. nov. and its systematic placement close to, but separate from, Epithemia. This first report of Tetralunata from outside of Indonesia, increases our understanding of the genus range and displays a unique biogeographical pattern that warrants further investigation in the future.
Rosa forrestiana var. maculata, a new variety of Rosa (Rosaceae) from Yunnan, China
Authors: TANG YU-WEI , LUO LE , LIU XUE-SEN , TIAN XIAO-LING , LYU PEI-FENG , YU CHAO , ZHANG QI-XIANG , YANG YU-YONG
Published: June 2024

Rosa forrestiana var. maculata, a new variety of the genus Rosa from northwest Yunnan, China, is described and illustrated here. This new variety is primarily distinguished from the type variety, Rosa forrestiana var. forrestiana, by its purple spots at the petal base, a rare character in wild Rosa resources. We show the morphological features of this new variety with illustrations and photographs.
Phelipanche cingularum (Orobanchaceae), a new species from southern France
Authors: CROZE THOMAS , CARLÓN RUIZ LUIS , TISON JEAN-MARC , MICHAUD HENRI , MOLINA JAMES , MORENO MORAL GONZALO
Published: June 2024

A new species of Phelipanche has been discovered in various steep places in southern France at meso- and supra-mediterranean levels. It is always parasitic on Brassicaceae, almost exclusively on Hesperis laciniata, a plant that had never been reported as host for any Orobanchaceae previously. The new species, named Phelipanche cingularum for its rocky ledge (cingula) habitat, is described and illustrated. Diagnostic characters against up to 16 presumably related species are given. We also present the results of molecular analyses well-supporting its independence. The distribution and the unusual ecology of the plant are considered and illustrated, and its conservation status is evaluated.
A Tale of Two Novembers: Confounding Influences on La Niña’s Relationship with Rainfall in Australia
Authors: Tozer Carly R. , Risbey James S. , Pook Michael J. , Monselesan Didier P. , Irving Damien B. , Ramesh Nandini , Richardson Doug
Published: June 2024

Despite common background La Niña conditions, Australia was very dry in November 2020 and wet in November 2021. This paper aims to provide an explanation for this difference. Large-scale drivers of Australian rainfall, including El Niño–Southern Oscillation, Indian Ocean dipole, Southern Annular Mode, and Madden–Julian oscillation, were examined but did not provide obvious clues for the differences. We found that the absence (in 2020) or presence (in 2021) of an enhanced thermal wind and subtropical jet over the Australian continent contributed to the rainfall anomalies. In general, La Niña sets up warm sea surface temperatures around northern Australia, which enhances the meridional temperature gradient over the continent and hence thermal wind and subtropical jet. In November 2021, these warm sea surface temperatures, coupled with a persistent midlatitude trough, which advected cold air over the Australian continent, led to an enhanced meridional temperature gradient and subtropical jet over Australia. The enhanced jet provided favorable conditions for the development of rain-bearing weather systems across Australia. In 2020, the continent was warm, displacing the latitude of maximum meridional temperature gradient south of the continent, resulting in fewer instances of the subtropical jet over Australia, and little development of weather systems over the continent. We highlight that although La Niña tilts the odds to wetter conditions for Australia, in any given month, variability in temperatures over the continent can contribute to subtropical jet variability and resulting rainfall in ways which confound the normal expectation from La Niña.

Significance Statement

Forecasts of El Niño–Southern Oscillation are eagerly awaited, as the state of this climate driver has profound impacts on the likelihood of rainfall in regions around the world. While El Niño and La Niña do change rainfall likelihoods, the actual outcomes of these events are sometimes counter to expectation. This work explores one of the confounding factors to those expectations in the Australian context—the role of the meridional temperature gradient over the continent in modifying the storm track over Australia, which can disrupt the expected El Niño and La Niña teleconnections. We present case studies for two La Niña springs, highlighting that the Australian continent can help shape its own weather toward wetter or drier outcomes.
Organizational learning capacity and international development project success in West Africa: A case study
Authors: Adanzounon Noel Honorat , Meddeb Brahim , Ika Lavagnon A.
Published: June 2024

Very few studies have focused on organizational learning within a team as a key success factor for international development projects. In particular, the relationship between organizational learning capacity, organizational efficacy, and project success has received little attention. This is the objective of this case study. It explores this relationship based on 23 semi-structured interviews with project coordinators, team members, and beneficiaries of two projects financed by the West African Development Bank (WADB) in Benin and Senegal. The results show that the social process of developing organizational learning capacity within a project team is a crucial issue for organizational efficacy and project success.

Points for practitioners

Within a team, establishing a framework for developing organizational learning capacity, characterized by autonomy, experimentation, and interaction with stakeholders, is a key project success factor. Flexible and adaptive approaches may foster organizational learning and help explore, through action, new project capacities. Such approaches may help increase the odds of project success in terms of international development and, thus, create value for stakeholders including beneficiaries.
Accommodating and Extending Various Models for Special Effects Within the Generalized Partially Confirmatory Factor Analysis Framework
Authors: Zhang Yifan , Chen Jinsong
Published: June 2024

Special measurement effects including the method and testlet effects are common issues in educational and psychological measurement. They are typically covered by various bifactor models or models for the multiple traits multiple methods (MTMM) structure for continuous data and by various testlet effect models for categorical data. However, existing models have some limitations in accommodating different type of effects. With slight modification, the generalized partially confirmatory factor analysis (GPCFA) framework can flexibly accommodate special effects for continuous and categorical cases with added benefits. Various bifactor, MTMM and testlet effect models can be linked to different variants of the revised GPCFA model. Compared to existing approaches, GPCFA offers multidimensionality for both the general and effect factors (or traits) and can address local dependence, mixed-type formats, and missingness jointly. Moreover, the partially confirmatory approach allows for regularization of the loading patterns, resulting in a simpler structure in both the general and special parts. We also provide a subroutine to compute the equivalent effect size. Simulation studies and real-data examples are used to demonstrate the performance and usefulness of the proposed approach under different situations.
Compression Moulded Ethylene Homo and Copolymer Foams I. Effect of Formulation
Authors: Sims G.L.A. , Khunniteekool C.
Published: June 2024

Various foam formulations based on polyethylene and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers were investigated. Interactions between crosslinking and blowing agent concentrations were systematically studied for each base polymer using a two-stage compression moulding technique to manufacture the foams and the effects on physical properties were determined.

Initial studies progressively increased blowing agent concentration, whilst maintaining a fixed crosslinking agent level, resulting in density and relative density reduction as expected. However, it was observed that at any specific blowing agent concentration, foam density increased with increasing chain branching in polyethylene and with increasing vinyl acetate content in the copolymers.

This phenomenon was satisfactorily explained in terms of increasing crosslinking efficiency with increasing tertiary hydrogen concentration in the base polymer by comprehensive studies on gel content, melt strength at the expansion temperature and cell size trends. Surprisingly, cell size increased with vinyl acetate content at any particular gel content suggesting absolute cell size is a function of nucleation in the first stage of the process.
Compression Moulded Ethylene Homo and Copolymer Foams II. Effect of Processing Conditions and Crystallinity on Cell Structure Development
Authors: Sims G.L.A. , Khunniteekool C.
Published: June 2024

Crosslinked polyethylene and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer foams were produced by single stage and two-stage heat and chill compression moulding techniques. At a fixed blowing agent concentration, crosslinking agent concentrations were adjusted to give similar gel contents independent of base polymer.

Relative densities of fully expanded foams produced by either the single stage or heat and chill process did not show significant variation. However, relative densities of partially expanded material after the first stage of the heat and chill process showed a considerable decrease at higher vinyl acetate contents resulting in a consequent reduction in further expansion in the second stage.

Cell structures of foams from single stage expansion and after each stage of the heat and chill process were observed by scanning electron microscopy. Micrographs were analysed to give mean cell sizes and cell size distributions. The studies showed reasonable regularity of cell structure for all foams expanded by the single stage process and for high vinyl acetate content foams produced by the heat and chill process. However heat and chill processed foams from polyethylene and low vinyl acetate content base polymers showed a pronounced bimodal cell size distribution. This was attributed to possible crystallinity, solubility and diffusion effects. It was concluded that cell structure regularity was adversely affected if the cooling cycle after the first stage allowed crystallisation of the polymer.
Impact of Rigid Polyurethane Post Consumer Waste on the Texaco Gasification Process*
Authors: Hicks D.A. , Soderberg D.J. , Winter J.D. , Cantero H.
Published: June 2024

Gasification is a leading feedstock recycling process for managing large volumes of post-consumer plastics waste. ICI Polyurethanes, Texaco and Gent University have conducted an experimental evaluation of adding polyurethanes from Dutch refrigerator waste to a mixed plastics gasifier feed.

Results show that polyurethanes are an acceptable feedstock for gasification. Nitrogen in the polyurethanes is shown to be beneficial to the process, reducing the impact of chlorine content and giving a “gate fee” equivalent to mixed plastics waste. Details of the experimental work, process economics and commercial possibilities are given. Gasification is shown to be applicable to a wide range of polyurethanes waste streams.
Advanced Hydrocarbon Blown Formulations for Domestic Appliances Applications*
Authors: Cappella A. , Hoffmann W. , Barettini S.
Published: June 2024

After 272 years consolidated production experience with hydrocarbon blowing agent options, where high safety margins were used in terms of moulded density, ICI Polyurethanes has now addressed a general reduction of moulding densities at its European appliances RDC (regional development centre) in Ternate, Italy.

Suitable performance in terms of progressive cabinet deformation and foam physical/mechanical properties were maintained. Attention was also paid to ensuring continued acceptable performance in terms of thermal conductivity and energy consumption.
Hysteresis Behaviour and Specific Damping Capacity of Negative Poisson's Ratio Foams
Authors: Martz Erik O. , Lakes Roderic S. , Park Joon B.
Published: June 2024

Previously open cell polyurethane foams have been made to be re-entrant, in that their cell ribs are inwardly bent, which results in the foam exhibiting a negative Poisson's ratio(1). Untransformed control and transformed negative Poisson’s ratio foams were cyclically loaded at various levels of pre-strain to determine their hysteresis behaviour, and from this, to elucidate their specific damping characteristics. Both untransformed and transformed foams exhibited non-linear hysteresis behaviour at high cyclic strains, regardless of their initial levels of pre-strain. The specific damping capacity of the transformed foam with extreme compressive pre-strain was higher than that of the untransformed foam. This effect was attributed to the rubbing of the inwardly buckled cell ribs of the transformed foam. The specific damping capacity varied with both the level of pre-strain and with the amplitude of cyclic strain about that level.
Synthesis of Poly(AA-co-AMPS) and its Behaviour vs. pH of Reaction Media
Authors: Rosa Fatima , João Bordado and  , Casquilho Miguel
Published: June 2024

A new type of super-absorbent polymer has been synthesised and studied. The group of polymers studied were obtained by free radical solution polymerisation of acrylamide and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulphonic acid with sodium persulphate used as an initiator. These copolymers were produced at different pH values, and the swelling behaviour in water was studied or, alternatively, viscosity was determined whenever measurable by conventional viscometry.

It was demonstrated that the extent of swelling of the copolymers changed at the different values of pH in the reaction solution. Above pH = 5 in the reaction medium the polymers get solubilised in water, a circumstance in which special attention was paid to viscosity measurement. Preliminary interpretation of this behaviour is presented.
Recycling of PVC Packaging into Extruded Cellular Products
Authors: Thomas N.L. , Quirk J.P.
Published: June 2024

New packaging recovery legislation will be introduced in the UK later this year, obliging producers to recover and recycle a certain percentage of packaging waste. EVC has carried out development work to find applications for recycled post-consumer PVC bottles and PVC supermarket trays.

One successful application is to use the recycled PVC packaging as the foamed core in co-extruded cellular profiles. Production-scale trials have been carried out to extrude cladding containing pulverised post-consumer PVC bottles and pulverised PVC tray material. The products had satisfactory density, foam structure, colour and surface finish. Using up to 100% bottle recylate did not affect the impact properties of the foam profile. Recycled supermarket trays actually gave an improvement in impact properties: this is attributable to the high levels of impact modifier used in tray formulations.

These trials have demonstrated that PVC packaging can be recycled into foamed extrusions for use in the building industry.
Effects of Crosslink Characteristics on Density and Swelling Behaviour of Expanded Natural Rubber Vulcanisates
Authors: Sombatsompop N.
Published: June 2024

Expanded natural rubber was vulcanised using different techniques to obtain various types of crosslinking including flexible and rigid sulphur and peroxide linkages. Stress-strain measurement based on the Mooney-Rivlin equation was utilised to determine overall crosslink density of the rubber. The expanded NR vulcanisates produced were then characterised with respect to the apparent density and swelling behaviour, these properties being found to be dependent not only on the degree of crosslinking, but also on the type of chemical structure of the crosslink. This was also a suggestion that swelling behaviour was related to apparent foam density.
The Effects of Foaming and Annealing on Mechanical Properties and DSC Scans of Gas Saturated and Non-gas Saturated High Impact Polystyrene
Authors: Hong-Ru Lin
Published: June 2024

A series of high impact polystyrene (HIPS) specimens was prepared under different processing conditions to study the effects of CO2 sorption and annealing conditions on thermal response and mechanical properties of gasified and/or foamed materials. The process variables included gas-saturation, non gas-saturation, foaming temperature and annealing temperature. In this study, samples were first saturated with CO2, foamed if necessary then desorbed, and finally followed by sub-Tg annealing. The thermal response and mechanical properties followed the opposite trend of materials which were first sub-Tg annealed then exposed to CO2 performed by previous workers. This suggests that gas sorption and annealing produce opposite effects. Gas sorption followed by annealing may annul a portion of the gas sorption effect, and vice versa. The glass transition temperature is an important factor that affects the trend of the results of mechanical properties in the foamed then annealed materials.
Elevation of cardiac enzymes and B-type natriuretic peptides following venous recanalization and stenting in chronic venous obstruction
Authors: Yan Yan , Barbati Mohammad E , Avgerinos Efthymios D , Doganci Suat , Lichtenberg Michael , Jalaie Houman
Published: June 2024

Background

B-type natriuretic peptides (BNP) and cardiac enzymes are both recognized biomarkers of heart health. Many studies have reported that using these indicators can assess cardiac condition and predict prognosis of patients undergoing surgery. Currently little is known on the effect of increased cardiac input after venous recanalization on cardiac physiology in patients with chronic venous obstruction (CVO).

Objectives

The aim of this study was to explore the effect of iliocaval recanalization and stenting on cardiac biomarkers in patients with CVO.

Methods

This was a prospective study involving 60 patients in a single unit. Blood tests were collected 1 day before and 1 day after venous intervention. Three groups as group 1: patients with iliofemoral post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) but without involvement of inferior vena cava (IVC) ( n = 33); group 2: patients with iliofemoral PTS and involvement of IVC ( n = 19) and group 3: patients with non-thrombotic vein lesion (NIVL) ( n = 8) were compared based on cardiac biomarker levels.

Results

Median concentration of post-operative BNP (259.60 pg/mL) was greater than preoperative levels (49.80 pg/mL) [interquartile range (IQR), 147.15/414.68 versus 29.85/82.88; p < 0.001]. The levels of CK-MB [preop: 3 U/l (IQR, 1.40/11.00) versus postop: 14 U/l (IQR, 12/17), p < 0.001] and troponin T [preop: 3.00 pg/mL (IQR, 3.00/5.25) versus postop: level of 6 pg/mL (IQR, 3.00/9.50), p < 0.001]. Post-procedure increases in cardiac enzymes showed significant differences in BNP ( p = 0.023) and troponin T ( p = 0.007) across the three groups, while CK-MB levels were not significantly different ( p > 0.05). Intergroup comparisons of postoperative BNP: group 1 versus group 2 ( p = 0.013), group 2 versus group 3 ( p = 0.029), group 1 versus group 3 ( p = 0.834); and postoperative troponin T: group 1 versus group 2 ( p = 0.018), group 2 versus group 3 ( p = 0.002), group 1 versus group 3 ( p = 0.282). According to multiple linear regression analysis, length of stenting and level of preoperative BNP were independent determinants of postoperative BNP levels ( p < 0.05), and preoperative troponin T affected postoperative troponin T independently ( p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Troponin T, CK-MB and BNP seem to increase after venous recanalization and stent implantation, the elevation being more prominent for longer lesions.
Privilege, place, and patronage: ‘Giving something back’ to Wales
Authors: Power Sally , Caerwynt Flossie , Heley Jesse , Sanders Amy , Zaidi Najia
Published: June 2024

This article explores the complex relationship between civil society, social inequality, and nationhood through examining the motivations of elite members of Welsh civil society as they volunteer to serve on the boards of a wide range of Welsh charities. We interviewed nearly 60 trustees and patrons, all of whom enjoyed successful and influential careers in business, politics, or public service. Their narratives reveal diverse vocabularies of motive, but prominent within these is the desire to ‘give something back’, and not just to society in general but to Wales in particular. While their desire to ‘give back’ reflects an awareness of their own privileged position, their commitment to Wales can be seen as a response to the country’s historic and current dominance by England, as well as a legacy of non-conformism and community. The article concludes by discussing the implications of these narratives for understanding the specificities of ‘geographies of responsibility’, civil society, and nationhood.
The effectiveness of social prescribing in the management of long-term conditions in community-based adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: O’Sullivan Declan J , Bearne Lindsay M , Harrington Janas M , Cardoso Jefferson R , McVeigh Joseph G
Published: June 2024

Objective

The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effectiveness of social prescribing interventions in the management of long-term conditions in adults.

Data sources

Eleven electronic databases were searched for randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials.

Review Methods

Outcomes of interest were quality of life, physical activity, psychological well-being and disease-specific measures. Bias was assessed with the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool. A narrative synthesis and meta-analysis were performed.

Results

Twelve studies ( n = 3566) were included in this review. Social prescribing interventions were heterogeneous and the most common risks of bias were poor blinding and high attrition. Social prescribing interventions designed to target specific long-term conditions i.e., cancer and diabetes demonstrated significant improvements in quality of life ( n = 2 studies) and disease-specific psychological outcomes respectively ( n = 3 studies). There was some evidence for improvement in physical activity ( n = 2 studies) but most changes were within group only ( n = 4 studies). Social prescribing interventions did not demonstrate any significant changes in general psychological well-being.

Conclusion

Social prescribing interventions demonstrated some improvements across a range of outcomes although the quality of evidence remains poor.
Vibrotactile spatial acuity on the back
Authors: Plaisier Myrthe A. , Vleeshouwers Cahelle S.J.M. , Boonstra Nynke , Shi Yueying , van der Velden Sam J.I. , Vos Wouter K. , Kappers Astrid M.L.
Published: June 2024

Vibrotactile feedback can be built into clothing such as vests. This means that often vibrotactile information is presented to the back. It is known that the back has a relatively low spatial acuity. Spatial acuity varies across different limbs and sometimes with different locations on a limb. These known anisotropies suggest that there might be systematic variations in vibrotactile spatial acuity for different areas of the back and also for different orientations (i.e. horizontal vs. vertical). Here we systematically measured spatial acuity in four areas of the back for both horizontal and vertical orientations. The results show no significant differences in spatial acuity for the back areas that were tested. Spatial acuity was, however, higher in the horizontal direction than in the vertical direction by roughly a factor of two. This means that when designing vibrotactile displays for the back the tactor density can be lower in the vertical direction than in the horizontal direction and density should be constant for different areas of the back.
Is Sustainability a Liability? Green Marketing and Consumer Beliefs About Eco-Friendly Products
Authors: Chernev Alexander , Blair Sean , Böckenholt Ulf , Mishra Himanshu
Published: June 2024

Prior research has suggested that consumers believe sustainable products tend to underperform compared with those made using traditional methods, a phenomenon referred to as the “sustainability liability.” Despite early conceptual justification and evidence supporting this argument, recent research has not attempted to validate this effect and assess its practical relevance. By employing a variety of scenarios adapted from prior studies, the authors quantify the magnitude of the sustainability-liability effect and show that it is relatively small and unlikely to be meaningful. This research also estimates the boundary conditions to identify scenarios in which a significant sustainability-liability effect might occur. Using archival data, the authors demonstrate that the association between sustainability and inferior product performance has decreased over time, explaining the discrepancy between their findings and prior research. These findings have important public policy implications, providing decision makers with empirical evidence that designing and promoting eco-friendly products can benefit society without detracting from the perceived performance of the company's offerings.
Rags to riches: A critical analysis of social mobility discourse, ideology and power in neoliberal Indonesia
Authors: Ahlstrand Jane Louise
Published: June 2024

The discourse of social mobility has become a central tenet of democratic societies worldwide. Commonly deployed as a panacea for inequality and source of social justice, the discourse can conceal and even perpetuate inequalities. Intertwined with neoliberal ideology, social mobility discourse is contextually contingent, manifesting differently according to local conditions. This paper critically analyses social mobility discourse in the Indonesian context through ‘rags to riches’ stories of female celebrities in media interviews. Applying a contextually sensitive approach to agency within a CDA framework, this paper contributes new knowledge to the study of social mobility discourse in the Global South. The findings illustrate the pervasiveness of neoliberalism and its coalescence with local ideologies of gender, class and place, and how upwardly mobile women deploy ideological resources to create a mobility niche. The discourse strategies they use legitimise their mobility but reproduce unequal relations of power, undermining the objectives of social mobility.
Book review: Shaver, K. G. Psychological Foundation of the Entrepreneurial Mindset
Authors: Manna Reshmi
Published: June 2024

Shaver, K. G. Psychological Foundation of the Entrepreneurial Mindset (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2024), 226 pp.
Assessing the Impact of COVID-19 on Banks’ Profitability: The Role of Size in an Emerging Economy
Authors: Bortoluzzo Adriana Bruscato , Minardi Andrea , Bortoluzzo Mauricio Mesquita , Fernandes Marcella Magda de Abreu Andrade
Published: June 2024

This work investigates the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on Brazilian banks’ profitability, and if the impact was stronger for smaller banks. Brazil was highly affected by COVID-19 crisis, has a highly concentrated banking sector, and is well known for the high technology of its financial market. We collected information from 42 banks on the quarterly financial statements available in Brazilian Central Banks during the period between January/2016 and March/2021. We ran Arellano–Bond generalized method of moments dynamic panel regression and our results confirm that the COVID-19 crisis negatively impacted the profitability of the Brazilian banks and that large banks were the most affected. Brazilian government adopted anti-crisis measures that relaxed regulations in order to decrease credit spreads. This may have alleviated the impact of the crises on small banks and also encouraged the appearance of fintech companies, which competed directly with banks.
Unveiling the Path: A Qualitative Study on the Initial Sexual Experiences of Cambodian Adolescents
Authors: Yang Youngran , Park Gloria , Kim Hae Bin
Published: June 2024

Introduction:

There still remains a significant gap in understanding the sexual and reproductive health challenges faced by adolescents, particularly in the context of early sexual activity, teenage pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases. This study seeks to fill this gap by exploring the initial sexual experiences of Cambodian adolescents, highlighting the complex interplay of cultural, social, and personal influences that shape their sexual health decisions and outcomes.

Methodology:

A descriptive qualitative research design was used. Thirty Cambodian adolescents were interviewed from March to June 202 and data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results:

Participants met their sexual partners in school and through friendships and social networking sites. Their motivations for sexual activities ranged from intrinsic desires to influences of inebriation, love, and trust. Consent was crucial but some were influenced by partners. Awareness of sexual protection varied, affecting condom use and information-seeking behaviors. After initial encounters, participants grappled with complex emotions and physical changes.

Discussion:

The findings suggest the need for educational interventions that address substance use; promote safe behavior, consensual conduct, open communication, and mutual respect; and provide coping strategies.
Thromboinflammatory Biomarkers of Cardiorenal Syndrome in Patients With End-Stage Renal Disease
Authors: Karumanchi Pranathi , Sridharan Divya , Hoppensteadt Debra , Siddiqui Fakiha , Fareed Jawed , Bansal Vinod
Published: June 2024

Cardiovascular disease is a prevalent complication in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on maintenance hemodialysis. In the ESRD patient population, cardiovascular mortality is 20 times higher compared to the general population. The strong relationship between both illnesses can be explained through cardiorenal syndrome (CRS). CRS encompasses a spectrum of disorders involving both the heart and kidneys in which acute or chronic dysfunction in one organ may induce a similar effect in the other organ. Current literature reveals that inflammation and thrombosis are integral to CRS development. Hence, this study aims to demonstrate whether thromboinflammatory biomarkers and laboratory parameters correlate with ESRD progression and the development of CRS. Ninety-five ESRD patients were recruited at Loyola University Medical Center hemodialysis unit. Epic chart analysis was used to determine patients with CRS. Biomarkers (C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6, Annexin V, L-fatty acid binding protein, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, nitric oxide, von Willebrand factor, D-dimer, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1) were profiled using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method in patients with and without CRS in the ESRD cohort. All biomarkers were significantly elevated in ESRD patients compared to normal controls ( P < .05) and laboratory parameters, ferritin (521.99 ± 289.33) and PTH (442.91 ± 1.50). Through EPIC chart analysis 47% of ESRD patients have CRS. D-dimer and TNF-α were significantly elevated in patients with CRS compared to patients without CRS. This study suggests that biomarkers, D-dimer, and TNF-α, can be good predictors of CRS in ESRD patients.
Use of Pleth Variability Index as a Non-invasive, Dynamic Indicator of Left Atrial Pressure Change During MitraClip: Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair
Authors: Vaidyanathan Ashwin , Guruswamy Jayakar , Saluja Abhishek , Eng Marvin , Szymanski Trevor
Published: June 2024

Background

Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) with MitraClip is a safe and effective alternative to surgical mitral valve repair/replacement in patients with high operative risk. Pleth Variability Index (PVI) is a non-invasive, dynamic index based on analysis of the respiratory variations in the plethysmographic waveform recorded transcutaneously by the pulse oximeter.

Objectives

The objective of the study was to evaluate if the hemodynamic effect of improved left-sided output after successful transcatheter mitral valve repair would lead to a significant change in PVI, and if it would correlate with the decrease in left atrial pressure (LAP).

Design

Prospective, observational cohort study (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03993938).

Setting

Single academic hospital in Detroit, Michigan (USA), from October 2019 to February 2021.

Participants

The authors included adult patients with severe mitral regurgitation who underwent successful MitraClip placement.

Measurements and Main Results

Of 30 patients, all components of the LAP ( a wave, v wave, and mean) decreased significantly after successful MitraClip placement ( P < .01). The median (IQR) PVI increased from 21 (11-35) to 23 (13-38) after clip placement; however, this change was not statistically significant ( P = .275). No significant correlation between change in PVI and change in LAP was observed ( P = .235).

Conclusions

In patients with severe mitral regurgitation, successful MitraClip resulted in a significant reduction in LAP without a significant change in PVI. A larger sample size may provide more insight on the utility of using PVI as an indicator of LAP change in patients with mitral regurgitation.
Prenatal Gut Microbiota Predicts Temperament in Offspring at 1–2 Years
Authors: Cao Yanan , Zhang Xu , Zhang Qianping , Fan Xiaoxiao , Zang Tianzi , Bai Jinbing , Wu Yuanyuan , Zhou Wenjie , Liu Yanqun
Published: June 2024

The purpose of this study was to explore whether prenatal gut microbiota (GM) and its functions predict the development of offspring temperament. A total of 53 mothers with a 1-year-old child and 41 mothers with a 2-year-old child were included in this study using a mother-infant cohort from central China. Maternal fecal samples collected during the third trimester were analyzed using 16S rRNA V3-V4 gene sequences. Temperament of the child was measured by self-reported data according to the primary caregiver. The effects of GM in mothers on offspring’s temperament were evaluated using multiple linear regression models. The results demonstrated that the alpha diversity index Simpson of prenatal GM was positively associated with the activity level of offspring at 1 year (adj. P = .036). Bifidobacterium was positively associated with high-intensity pleasure characteristics of offspring at 1 year (adj. P = .031). Comparatively, the presence of Bifidobacterium found in the prenatal microbiome was associated with low-intensity pleasure characteristics in offspring at 2 years (adj. P = .031). There were many significant associations noted among the functional pathways of prenatal GM and temperament of offspring at 2 years. Our findings support the maternal-fetal GM axis in the setting of fetal-placental development with subsequent postnatal neurocognitive developmental outcomes, and suggest that early childhood temperament is in part associated with specific GM in the prenatal setting.
Establishing veritocracy: Society, truth and science
Authors: Collins Harry
Published: June 2024

In the west, truth is being eroded by post-modernist ideas such as alternative facts. Once truth is no longer valued it is a short route through nationalistic populism to fascism. To combat this we need to establish the idea of ‘veritocracy’ as a form of government. A veritocracy is a democracy in which truth is so highly valued that promising to tell the truth will become a central feature of politicians’ election manifestos feeding back the idea of veritocracy deeper into national culture. A proper understanding of the nature of science can support the idea of veritocracy. This proper understanding will not repeat the mythology of post-World War II philosophy and history of science, but will begin with the much more socially cognisant revolution in our understanding of science that began in the 1960s and 1970s. Nevertheless, a ‘wave three’ of science studies will justify science, not as a certainty-maker for policy, but as the way to bet in developing the best understanding of the observable world. The key is that science depends on moral truth in its attempts to develop correspondence truth. Science, like the law, should be a ‘check and balance’ in pluralist democracies and an object lesson in how to pursue truth in decision-making.
User experience of a family health history chatbot: A quantitative analysis
Authors: Soni Hiral , Morrison Heath , Vasilev Dinko , Ong Triton , Wilczewski Hattie , Allen Caitlin , Hughes-Halbert Chanita , Ritchie Jordon B , Narma Alexa , Schiffman Joshua D , Ivanova Julia , Bunnell Brian E , Welch Brandon M
Published: June 2024

Objective: Family health history (FHx) is an important tool in assessing one’s risk towards specific health conditions. However, user experience of FHx collection tools is rarely studied. ItRunsInMyFamily.com (ItRuns) was developed to assess FHx and hereditary cancer risk. This study reports a quantitative user experience analysis of ItRuns. Methods: We conducted a public health campaign in November 2019 to promote FHx collection using ItRuns. We used software telemetry to quantify abandonment and time spent on ItRuns to identify user behaviors and potential areas of improvement. Results: Of 11,065 users who started the ItRuns assessment, 4305 (38.91%) reached the final step to receive recommendations about hereditary cancer risk. Highest abandonment rates were during Introduction (32.82%), Invite Friends (29.03%), and Family Cancer History (12.03%) subflows. Median time to complete the assessment was 636 s. Users spent the highest median time on Proband Cancer History (124.00 s) and Family Cancer History (119.00 s) subflows. Search list questions took the longest to complete (median 19.50 s), followed by free text email input (15.00 s). Conclusion: Knowledge of objective user behaviors at a large scale and factors impacting optimal user experience will help enhance the ItRuns workflow and improve future FHx collection.
An asymmetric rotor model under external, parametric, and mixed excitations: Nonlinear bifurcation, active control, and rub-impact effect
Authors: Elashmawey Randa A , Saeed Nasser A , Elganini Wedad A , Sharaf Mohamed
Published: June 2024

This article explores the nonlinear dynamical analysis and control of a [Formula: see text] DOF system that emulates the lateral vibration of an asymmetric rotor model under external, multi-parametric, and mixed excitation. The linear integral resonant controller ([Formula: see text]) has been coupled to the rotor as an active damper through a magnetic actuator. The complete mathematical model, governing the nonlinear interaction among the rotor, controller, and actuator, is derived based on electromagnetic theory and the principle of solid mechanics. This results in a discontinuous [Formula: see text] DOF system coupled with two [Formula: see text] DOF systems, incorporating the rub-impact effect between the rotor and stator. The complicated mathematical model is investigated using analytical techniques, employing the perturbation method, and validated numerically through time response, basins of attraction, bifurcation diagrams, [Formula: see text] chaotic test, and Poincaré return map. The main findings indicate that the asymmetric system model may exhibit nonzero bistable forward whirling motion under external excitation. Additionally, it can whirl either forward or backward under multi-parametric excitation, besides the trivial stable solution. Furthermore, in the case of mixed excitation, the rotor displays nontrivial tristable solutions, with two corresponding to forward whirling orbits and the other one corresponding to backward whirling oscillation. These findings are validated through the establishment of different basins of attraction. Finally, the performance of the [Formula: see text] in mitigating rotor vibrations and averting nonlinear catastrophic bifurcations under various excitation conditions. Furthermore, the rotor’s dynamical behavior and stability are explored in the event of an abrupt failure of one of the connected controllers. The outcomes demonstrate that the proposed [Formula: see text] effectively eliminates dangerous nonlinearities, steering the system to respond akin to a linear system with controllable oscillation amplitudes. However, the sudden controller failure induces a local rub-impact effect, leading to a nonlocal quasiperiodic oscillation and restoring the dominance of the nonlinearities on the system’s response.
Human–AI communication in initial encounters: How AI agency affects trust, liking, and chat quality evaluation
Authors: Pan Wenjing , Liu Diyi , Meng Jingbo , Liu Hailong
Published: June 2024

Artificial intelligence (AI) agency plays an important role in shaping humans’ perceptions and evaluations of AI. This study seeks to conceptually differentiate AI agency from human agency and examine how AI’s agency manifested on source and language dimensions may be associated with humans’ perceptions of AI. A 2 (AI’s source autonomy: autonomous vs human-assisted) × 2 (AI’s language subjectivity: subjective vs objective) × 2 (topics: traveling vs reading) factorial design was adopted ( N = 376). The results showed autonomous AI was rated as more trustworthy, and AI using subjective language was rated as more trustworthy and likable. Autonomous AI using subjective language was rated as the most trustworthy, likable, and of the best quality. Participants’ AI literacy moderated the interaction effect of source autonomy and language subjectivity on human trust and chat quality evaluation. Results were discussed in terms of human–AI communication theories and the design and development of AI chatbots.