bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recursive Icp Scan Placement for Lowering Registration Errors in Geoengineering Applications
Authors: Aubertin Jonathan. D.
Published: July 2024

Remote sensing-based model generation for geoengineering applications requires a robust computational framework to quantify uncertainty and evaluate thresholds of measurable intervals. The combination of partially mutually-inclusive scans induces inherent and quantifiable uncertainty for engineering measurements. Iterative Closest Point (ICP) registration with recursive weighing of excessively far-off datapoints presents an acknowledged solution for scan placement. The resulting quality of conventional ICP is severely impacted by localized mutual-exclusions (i.e. relative occlusions). The present work proposes a recursive ICP (R-ICP) followed by systematic excessive bias filtering loops to enhance the quality of scan registration, while offering an intuitive and explicit perspective on quantifiable placement quality. The method is exemplified with a series of examples, followed by validation schemes to quantify the limitations of the proposed method.
Facilitators of inappropriate antibiotic prescription for respiratory tract infections: A qualitative study in Jinja City -Uganda
Authors: Igirikwayo Zablon K , Kabakyenga Jerome
Published: July 2024

Introduction
Inappropriate use of antibiotics is the major cause of antibiotic resistance (ABR) which is a public health threat today and predicted to worsen in future. Most respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are caused by viruses and do not require treatment with antibiotics. High rates of antibiotic use in RTIs have been confirmed by various studies. Few studies had been conducted in Uganda to determine why prescribers continue to prescribe antibiotics for RTIs. We set out to determine the facilitators of antibiotic prescription (ABP) for RTIs in Jinja City.
Methods
16 prescribers had their views explored by interviewing them using an in-depth interview guide for which responses were voice recorded. The voice recorded responses were transcribed manually, analyzed and summarized into themes and subthemes.
Results
We found that inappropriate prescription for RTIs was influenced by prescriber perceptions about the patient, prescriber intrinsic factors, interpersonal relations, health system factors. At patient level, prescribers considered patients with severe RTIs, prolonged symptoms, those re-attending with similar symptoms, non-responsiveness to supportive treatment, young and elderly and immune compromised patients as reasons for immediate prescription of antibiotics. The prescribers’ intrinsic factors that influenced ABP were prescribers’ age and clinical experience, skepticism about Uganda clinical guidelines (UCG), misconceptions about the causes of RTIs. Interaction with medical representatives and perception of patient expectation as well as direct demand from patients influenced ABP at interpersonal level. The health system facilitators of ABP were: inaccessible and inconvenient to use UCG, limited continuous training of prescribers on antibiotic use, lack of prescribing audit and support supervision, focus on prescribing rather than patient education and unavailability of point care tests (POCTs), stock out of first line treatment medicines and availability of huge stocks of nearly expiring antibiotics.
Conclusion
We found that several factors interplayed to determine the inappropriate antibiotic prescription for RTIs in Jinja City. Increasing prescribers’ awareness of ABR resistance and or improving availability of standard treatment guidelines can go a long way in solving the inappropriate prescribing challenge. There is need for dealing with several factors if this challenge is be controlled.
Distribution Patterns of Neurography in Diabetic Neuropathy
Authors: Owolabi Lukman Femi , Alghamdi Mushabab
Published: July 2024

Background
Diabetic neuropathy (DN), a prevalent complication of diabetes, significantly impacts nerve function. Utilizing nerve conduction studies (NCS), this investigation delves into the intricate patterns of neuropathy in diabetic patients. The study aimed to determine the neuropathy pattern and neuropathy types in DN and their relationships with clinical parameters.
Methods
This study employed NCS using the Natus Nicolet Viking Quest electromyography machine. Assessments were conducted on the median, ulnar, tibial, peroneal, superficial peroneal and sural nerves. Abnormal NCS results were determined based on local reference values. Diabetic neuropathy was defined by NCS, disregarding subjective symptoms. Standard NCS was performed to identify abnormalities indicative of demyelination or axonal damage. Neuropathy patterns were classified as mononeuropathy, multiple mononeuropathy, and polyneuropathy. Bilateral NCS were conducted using Ag–AgCl surface electrodes, following a standardized protocol for motor and sensory nerve conduction recordings.
Results
Among participants, 62.69% with NCS-determined diabetic neuropathy (DN) exhibited subjective symptoms, compared to 26.76% without DN. Distal polyneuropathy was predominant in those with DN (49.5%), followed by multiple mononeuropathy (31.1%), unilateral mononeuropathy (10.7%), and bilateral mononeuropathy (8.7%). Mononeuropathies collectively constituted 50.5% of DN cases. Mononeuropathy cases demonstrated demyelination, while polyneuropathy cases exhibited axonal damage or a combination of axonal-demyelination. Comparing combined mononeuropathy to polyneuropathy across types (demyelination vs. axonal-mixed), p = 0.015. Longer diabetes duration correlated with unilateral and multiple mononeuropathy, and polyneuropathy. Significant associations were found between HbA1c and all mononeuropathy and polyneuropathy forms (p < 0.05). Similarly, BMI correlated with all forms of mononeuropathy and polyneuropathy (p < 0.05). The relationships of HbA1c, diabetes duration, and BMI with neuropathy types were significant for axonal and mixed axonal-demyelinating neuropathy (p < 0.05).
Estimating unintended pregnancy and induced abortion in Liberia: A nationally representative cross-sectional survey
Authors: Ushie Boniface Ayanbekongshie , Giorgio Margaret , Juma Kenneth , Donzo Vekeh , Philbin Jesse , Lu Lily , Bankole Akinrinola , Massaquoi Moses , Ouedraogo Ramatou , Dunbar Nelson
Published: July 2024

Background: More than 60% of unintended pregnancies end in induced abortions globally. In Liberia, limited access to contraceptives caused by health system challenges and sociocultural barriers leads to many unintended pregnancies. Nevertheless, very little is known about the incidence of induced abortion and unintended pregnancy in the country. This study aimed to estimate the incidence of induced abortion and unintended pregnancy in Liberia in 2021.
Methods: The study utilized the Abortion Incidence Complications Method. First, we estimated the total number of induced abortions that resulted in women seeking facility-based post-abortion care in 2021 using data from a nationally representative sample of health facilities (n=128). Next, we used data from a survey of experts on abortion in Liberia (n=89) to estimate the proportion of induced abortions that resulted in complications treated in health facilities in 2021. The inverse of this proportion is a multiplier, which was applied to the estimate of the total number of induced abortion-related complications treated in health facilities to obtain the total number of induced abortions in 2021. We complemented this estimate of induced abortion with the Demographic Health Survey data to estimate the incidence of unintended pregnancies in Liberia in 2021.
Results: We estimated that 14,555 patients received post-abortion (PAC) treatment in Liberia in 2021. Approximately 58% of these post-abortion care cases (n=8,461) were due to induced abortions. Accounting for induced abortions that had complications that did not require facility-based treatment and those without complications, we estimated that 38,779 induced abortions occurred in Liberia in 2021, corresponding to a national induced abortion incidence rate of 30.7 per 1,000 women of reproductive age (15–49). The unintended pregnancy rate among women of reproductive age was 86.54 per 1,000, and approximately 35% of all pregnancies ended in an abortion.
Conclusions: Despite the legal restrictions on abortions, study findings show that unintended pregnancy and induced abortion are common in Liberia. There is a need for strengthened efforts to increase access to contraceptives, safe abortion care under legal indications, and quality PAC to improve socioeconomic and health outcomes for women and girls in Liberia.
Super-resolution 3D Tomography of Vector Near-fields in Dielectric Optical Nano-resonators
Authors: Tao zhensheng , Zhu Bingbing , Cai Qingnan , Liu Yaxin , Zhang Sheng , Liu Weifeng , he qiong , Zhou Lei
Published: July 2024

All-dielectric optical nano-resonators, exhibiting exotic near-field distributions upon excitations, have emerged as low-loss, versatile and highly adaptable components in nanophotonic structures for manipulating electromagnetic waves and enhancing light-matter interactions. However, achieving experimental full three-dimensional characterization of near-fields within dielectric nano-resonators poses significant challenges. Here, we develop a novel technique using high-order sideband generation to image near-field wave patterns inside dielectric optical nano-resonators. By exploiting the phase-sensitivity of various harmonic orders that enables the detection of near-field distributions at distinct depths, we achieve three-dimensional tomographic and near-field imaging with nanometer resolution inside a micrometer-thick silicon anapole resonator. Furthermore, our method offers high-contrast polarization sensitivity and phase-resolving capability, providing comprehensive vectorial near-field information. Our approach can potentially be applied to diverse dielectric metamaterials, and becomes a valuable tool for comprehensive characterization of near-field wave phenomena within dielectric materials.
Suprachiasmatic nucleus dysfunction induces anxiety- and depression-like behaviors via activating the BDNF-TrkB pathway of the striatum
Authors: Xie Wei , L Xiaotao , Ding Yuewen , Zhu Xiaoyu , Qiu Jing , Shen Xiaoqin , Xiong Yifan , Zhou Jieli , Liang Xiaoshan
Published: July 2024

The circadian rhythm system consists of a master clock located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus and peripheral clocks dispersed throughout other brain areas (including striatum, Str) as well as various tissues and organs. Circadian rhythm disturbance is a major risk factor and common comorbidity for mood disorders, especially anxiety and depression. Bmal1 is one of the fundamental clock protein genes that is required to maintain circadian rhythm. Recent research has revealed a link between suprachiasmatic nucleus dysfunction and anxiety and depression, but the underlying mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated. This study aimed to investigate how circadian rhythm disturbance may lead to anxiety and depression-like behaviors. Through behavioral tests, virus tracing, molecular biology and other techniques, we found neural connection from the suprachiasmatic nucleus to the striatum. SCN lesions and Bmal1flox/flox+pAAV-hSyn-Cre-GFP (conditional knockout, cKO) mice exhibited disruptions in core body temperature rhythm, as well as anxiety- and depression-like behaviors. Importantly, these mice displayed altered expression patterns of clock protein genes and an upregulation of the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) - Tyrosine Kinase receptor B (TrkB) signaling pathway within the striatum. Microinjection of the TrkB inhibitor ANA-12 can effectively reverse anxiety and depression-like behaviors. These findings indicate that suprachiasmatic nucleus dysfunction may contribute to the pathogenesis of anxiety and depression through upregulation of the BDNF-TrkB pathway in the striatum, potentially mediated by neural projections from the SCN. Bmal1 gene within SCN may represent a novel therapeutic target for mood disorders.
Energy-aware Real-time Task Partitioning on Multi-core Processors with Shared Resources
Authors: Konswa Amina , El-Henawy Ibrahim , Abdelatif Amr Mohamed
Published: July 2024

Nowadays, multi-core processors are increasingly adopted in embedded systems. These processors can achieve energy consumption minimization by employing dynamic voltage/frequency scaling techniques (DVFS). Several energy-aware real-time task partitioning algorithms have been suggested for multicore processors. While many of these algorithms focus on independent real-time tasks, there has been relatively limited research dedicated to task synchronization. This paper focuses on optimizing energy consumption by assigning dependent real-time tasks to a multi-core processor. When multiple tasks on different cores access shared resources simultaneously, it can result in longer blocking times, consequently increasing the execution time of tasks. This situation can result in missing hard deadlines, potentially causing system failure. The Highest Task-Based Partitioning (HTBP) algorithm is structured to decrease overall energy consumption while ensuring deadlines are met. It allocates tasks with high similarity (accessing the same set of resources) to the same core, effectively minimizing the occurrence of remote blockings. In the evaluation of the HTBP algorithm, we compared it with similarity-based partitioning (SBP), worst-fit decreasing (WFD) and best-fit decreasing (BFD). Our results indicate that our proposed (HTBP) algorithm outperforms SBP, WFD, and BFD algorithms (bin-packing algorithms), minimizes the overall energy dissipation, and improves schedulability.
Effect of Rounded Trailing Edges on Unsteady Airfoil Loading at Low Reynolds Numbers
Authors: Lee Yi Tsung , Ramesh Kiran , Gopalarathnam Ashok
Published: July 2024

The steady potential flow past a traditional airfoil with a round leading edge and a sharp trailing edge can usually be simulated using the assumption of Kutta condition at the trailing edge. However, for the airfoil undergoing unsteady motion, especially at high reduced frequencies, numerical and experimental studies have shown that the flow can curve around the trailing edge, resulting in the stagnation point moving away from the trailing edge. This phenomenon becomes increasingly apparent when the airfoil has a round trailing edge instead of the usual sharp one. In this work, the effect of trailing edge roundness on the unsteady airfoil flow is studied by generating airfoil shapes with various amounts of roundness. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) studies of unsteady flow past airfoils with different rounded trailing edges are performed to study the effects of the trailing-edge suction force on the flowfield. A composite pressure difference model universally valid on the entire airfoil is derived in this work to take into account the edge radii and the corresponding edge suction effect. We show that, in scenarios where the stagnation point moves away from the trailing edge, a trailing edge suction force associated with the flow curving around the trailing edge is necessary to better estimate the airfoil unsteady load distribution.
QxEAI: Quantum-like evolutionary algorithm for automated probabilistic forecasting
Authors: Xin Kevin , Xin Lizhi
Published: July 2024

Forecasting, to estimate future events, is crucial for business and decision-making. This paper proposes QxEAI, a methodology that produces a probabilistic forecast that utilizes a quantum-like evolutionary algorithm based on training a quantum-like logic decision tree and a classical value tree on a small number of related time series. We demonstrate how the application of our quantum-like evolutionary algorithm to forecasting can overcome the challenges faced by classical and other machine learning approaches. By using three real-world datasets (Dow Jones Index, retail sales, gas consumption), we show how our methodology produces accurate forecasts while requiring little to none manual work.
Automatic 12 Volts Battery Charge Controller for Telecommunication Applications
Authors: Tirones Sylvester , Kumar Raj
Published: July 2024

Everyday electronic applications involve the use of electric energy to do work. The increase in the supply of electric appliances has put enormous pressure on the electricity demand. In most remote locations with equipped electronic applications, DC power is required for their functionality, and thus batteries also play a vital role in terms of energy storage. Rechargeable batteries are extensively used as backup power in applications that require constant use, but these batteries can become quite worthless without a battery charger. Telecommunication applications provide an essential role in transmitting and receiving information in a variety of places, and as such, to enable constant use of power supply to those instruments, a battery charger with correct battery specification for charging and discharging becomes very handy. Therefore, the proposed design of an automatic 12-volt battery charge controller for telecommunication applications is paramount during the disruption of the main power source and enables the further run-time for these telecommunication appliances to operate smoothly. It details the experimental aspect of the design to the component level, and software-based simulation to test the working of the prototype to be within a specific control limit for charging and discharging of the 12-volt Lead-acid battery.
Healthcare Seeking Behavior of Mothers of Under-five Children With Febrile Illness and Associated Factors in Uyo Metropolis
Authors: OKPOKOWURUK FRANCES SAM
Published: July 2024

Background
The under-five mortality rate which is an index of population health continues to be high in sub Saharan Africa, Nigeria and Akwa Ibom state of Nigeria which is the setting for this study. The healthcare seeking behaviour of mothers is an important determinant of illness outcome in children. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the percentage of mothers of febrile under five children exhibiting appropriate healthcare seeking behaviour and the factors that predict this behaviour.
Methods
This quantitative study was carried out using a self-administered/online structured questionnaire which elicited sociodemographic information from mothers aged 18–49 years with under-five children who had had a fever in the four weeks prior to the study. The variables were subjected to statistical analysis to test for association between appropriate healthcare seeking behaviour and various sociodemographic variables and to identify significant predictors of appropriate healthcare seeking behaviour.
Results
Three hundred and twenty mothers/caregivers were recruited into this study. Only 12.5% of the mothers exhibited appropriate healthcare seeking behaviour. Multivariate analysis identified increasing levels of educational attainment (aOR = 0.18, p = 0.002), increased family size ≥ 7(aOR = 7.03, p = 0.02), increasing average monthly family income (aOR = 3.44, p = 0.027) and the reason proffered for going to the health facility which was to prevent worsening of the condition (aOR = 11.72, p = 0.021) as significant predictors of appropriate healthcare seeking behaviour.
Conclusion
The level of appropriate healthcare seeking behaviour in mothers/caregivers in this study was abysmally low. Social determinants of health amongst other factors were found to be significant predictors of healthcare seeking behaviour.
Impact of Primary Health Care data quality on their use for infectious disease surveillance
Authors: Florentino Pilar T. V. , Bertoldo-Junior Juracy , Barbosa George C. G. , Cerqueira-Silva Thiago , Oliveira Vinicius A. , Souza Kate T. , Garcia Márcio H. O. , Penna Gerson O , Boaventura Viviane , Ramos Pablo Ivan P. , Barral-Netto Manoel , Marcilio Izabel
Published: July 2024

Background
The surge of emerging and re-emerging infectious disease outbreaks underscores the need for robust Early Warning Systems (EWS) to inform mitigation and response measures. Administrative healthcare databases offer valuable epidemiological insights without imposing additional burdens on health services. However, administrative data are primarily collected for operational use, making data quality assessment crucial to ensure accurate interpretation of epidemiological analysis results. This study focuses on the development and implementation of a Data Quality Index for surveillance integrated into an EWS for influenza-like illness outbreaks based on a nationwide Primary Health Care (PHC) dataset.
Methods
We established a composite indicator measuring completeness and timeliness of PHC data from the Brazilian National Information System on Primary Health Care. Completeness was defined as the proportion of weeks within an 8-week rolling window with any register of encounters. Timeliness was assessed by calculating the interval between the date of encounter and its corresponding registry in the information system. Using the backfilled PHC dataset as a gold standard, we evaluated the impact of data quality in the EWS for influenza-like illness outbreaks using different levels of data quality of the weekly updated real-time PHC dataset across all 5,570 Brazilian municipalities from October 10, 2023, to March 10, 2024.
Results
In the study period, the backfilled PHC dataset registered 198,335,762 encounters due to influenza-like illness, averaging 8,623,294 encounters per week. Analysis of concordant warnings between the backfilled and the real-time dataset showed that 100% completeness and at least 80% timeliness were optimal for the highest concordance. Municipalities with at least 60% of weeks featuring a suitable Data Quality Index showed the highest concordance of warnings between the backfilled and real-time datasets.
Conclusion
Our study highlights the critical role of data quality in enhancing the performance of early warning systems based on PHC data. In addition, we provide a practical approach for monitoring data quality in real time. Our findings demonstrate that optimal completeness and timeliness of data significantly impact the EWS's ability to detect ILI outbreaks. Continuous monitoring and improvement of data quality should be prioritized to ensure the reliability and effectiveness of surveillance systems.
Grocery store workers knowledge, attitudes, and barriers influencing uptake of COVID-19 vaccine: A qualitative study
Authors: Kaur Harpriya , Esqu Nikie Sarris , Payne Julianne , Durocher Becky , Strazza Karen , Sivén Jacqueline , Flynn Michael A. , Viator Catherine , Menéndez Cammie Chaumont
Published: July 2024

Objective
The objective of the study was to gain insight into the knowledge, behavior, attitudes and beliefs related to COVID-19 vaccines, and communication preferences of U.S. grocery store workers.
Methods
In-depth interviews were conducted from May 2021 through June 2022 with 75 grocery store workers across the United States (US) who identified themselves as Asian, Black, Hispanic, or White persons. Researchers used maximum variation sampling to recruit a diverse sample by race and ethnicity, age, gender, union status, and geographic location. Rapid Turn-Around (RTA) techniques were utilized to conduct qualitative data analysis.
Results
Of the 75 total participants, 39 were female and 36 were male. Participants identified as Asian (n = 16), Black or African American (n = 19), Hispanic or Latino (n = 16) and White (n = 22) persons and ranged in age: 18–34 years (n = 28), 35–49 years (n = 20) and ≥ 50 years (n = 27). Most (79%) participants reported that they were vaccinated against COVID-19 and considered various factors when deciding to get vaccinated such as protecting oneself and loved ones, vaccine safety and potential side effects, others’ experiences with vaccination, the vaccine development process, beliefs regarding their immune systems, vaccine effectiveness, and similarities between the COVID-19 and influenza vaccines. Most unvaccinated women expressed concerns about side effects, compared to about half of the unvaccinated men. Specifically, most unvaccinated female workers had concerns related to fertility issues. Participants’ attitudes regarding employer vaccine incentives and mandates and sources used to learn about the vaccine varied by vaccination status. Although participants’ employers had provided them information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, these communications were not in participants’ preferred formats.
Conclusion
Unvaccinated participants’ attitudes and beliefs suggest there is a critical need to address misinformation related to COVID-19 vaccines and potential side effects among grocery store workers. To promote fair and equitable access to health information, culturally and linguistically appropriate health communication efforts aligned to grocery workers’ health communication preferences are needed.
Investigating Flow-Induced Changes in Coaxial Cylindrical Dielectric Barrier Discharge Using Equivalent Circuit Modelling and Chemical Workbench Simulations
Authors: Pathak Ram Mohan , Jayanarasimhan Ananthanarasimhan , Nandi Sounak , Rao Lakshminarayana
Published: July 2024

This study presents the development of an equivalent electrical circuit model using MATLAB/Simulink to simulate the discharge behaviour of a coaxial cylindrical dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) and explores the influence of the flow regime on its electrical characteristics. Validation of the experimental findings was performed using Chemical Workbench (CWB). The simulations provided valuable insights into the DBD behaviour, facilitating its performance optimization. The equivalent circuit model demonstrated accurate predictions of peak current amplitude\({ (I}_{peak})\), root mean square of total current \(\left({ I}_{rms }\right)\), and microfilament discharge resistance \(\left({ R}_{f }\right)\). The study unveiled a significant impact of the flow regime on the electrical properties of the DBD. As the flow rate (Q) transitioned from the laminar flow regime (Reynolds number, Re = 300) to the turbulent flow regime (Re = 4500), the peak current \({ (I}_{peak})\) exhibited an increase from 60 mA to 80 mA for Argon (Ar) and 90 mA to 140 mA for Nitrogen (N2) gas. Simultaneously, the \({ R}_{f }\) decreased from 3.0 mΩ to 0.6 mΩ for Ar and 2.0 mΩ to 0.1 mΩ for N2. The impact of the flow regime on \({ R}_{f }\) was analyzed using the Peclet number (Pe) to gain a better understanding of heat/mass transport from the discharge to the surroundings. The MATLAB/Simulink and CWB models corroborated these findings, demonstrating excellent agreement with the experimental results. This validation underscores the reliability of the models in effectively characterizing the discharge parameters of the DBD.
Modal analysis reveals imprint of snowflake shape on wake flow structures
Authors: Tagliavini Giorgia , Holzner Markus , Corso Pascal
Published: July 2024

This study investigates the complex interplay of wake flow structures, particle shape, and falling behavior of snowflakes through advanced flow analysis. We employ Proper Orthogonal Decomposition and Dynamic Mode Decomposition to analyze the wake flow patterns of three distinct snowflake geometries at Reynolds number of 1500: a dendrite crystal, a columnar crystal, and a rosette-like particle. Proper Orthogonal Decomposition reveals that spatial resolution significantly impacts the capture of flow structures, particularly for particles with with more intricate wake flow structure, corresponding to unstable falling motion. Dynamic Mode Decomposition demonstrates high sensitivity to temporal resolution, with data of the forces exerted on the snowflake incorporated in the matrix prior to the decomposition mitigating information loss at lower sampling rates. We establish a linear relationship between snowflake shape porosity and minimum and maximum Dynamic Mode Decomposition eigenfrequencies, absolute decay or growth rates, and wavenumbers of the most energetic mode, linking particle geometry to wake flow characteristics. Higher porosity corresponds to more stable, small-scale flow structures and steady falling motion, while lower porosity promotes larger, unstable structures and falling trajectories with random particle orientations. These findings reveal the interdependence of snowflake geometry, wake flow configuration, and falling behavior and highlight the importance of considering both spatial and temporal resolutions when dealing with modal analysis. This research contributes to improved predictions of snowflake falling behavior, with potential applications in meteorology and climate science.
Funcionamiento familiar, salud mental, ansiedad, autoestima y calidad de vida en familias en situación de vulnerabilidad
Authors: Rodríguez de Ávila Ubaldo Enrique , Munera Luque Kenia Melissa , Hernández-Vargas Breiner , Luengas Durán Andrea Paola
Published: July 2024

Se presenta un estudio analítico y transversal, con el objetivo de explorar los niveles de funcionamiento familiar, salud mental, ansiedad, autoestima y calidad de vida en familias en situación de vulnerabilidad de una ciudad del caribe colombiano. La muestra final fue compuesta por 50 familias, para un total de 100 sujetos (50 Padres/cuidador, 50 adolescentes). Se utilizaron como instrumentos el APGAR Familiar, el Self reporting questionnaire (SRQ), el Whoqol-Bref, el Inventario de Ansiedad Rasgo-Estado (IDARE) y la escala de autoestima de Rosenberg. Se encontraron altos niveles de disfunción familiar, ansiedad y 67 correlaciones significativas entre las diferentes variables, a su vez, se encontró diferencias significativas en la variable de autoestima entre el grupo de padres/cuidador y adolescentes. Se concluyó la existencia de una asociación entre funcionamiento familiar, ansiedad, autoestima y calidad de vida en familias en situación de vulnerabilidad, asimismo, que existe diferencia significativa entre la autoestima de padres/cuidador y adolescentes. Se hace énfasis en la importancia del funcionamiento familiar en la calidad de la salud mental.
Diferencias e influencia en la Conducta Adaptativa por las regiones colombianas
Authors: De la Hoz Escorcia Jhonatan , Bolaños García Rocio , Fernandez Daza Martha , Acosta Barreto Rocio , Mejía Zuluaga Cesar , Montoya Arenas David Andrés , Corrales Benedetti José de Jesús , Beltrán Espitia Manuel , Fernández Cardona Andrés
Published: July 2024

La presente investigación tuvo por objetivo describir las diferencias e influencia de las regiones colombianas en las Habilidades Adaptativas Específicas y Dominios de la Conducta Adaptativa en niños colombianos entre 0-15 años, sin alteraciones en el neurodesarrollo y sin etiología de daño cerebral. Participaron padres y profesores de 2081 niños, divididos por 4 regiones geográficas: Andina, Caribe, Orinoquía y Pacífico. Se aplicó el cuestionario de conducta adaptativa ABAS-II en sus versiones Infantil padres a los padres de niños de 0 a 1,11 años, y las versiones escolar padres y escolar profesores a los padres y profesores de niños de 2 a 15 años. Los resultados indicaron que existen diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los menores de las diferentes regiones, siendo los resultados más altos los de la región Pacífico y los más bajos los de la región Orinoquía. Con estos resultados se considera que es importante tener en cuenta los aspectos culturales, sociales, ambientales e históricos de cada región del país para la evaluación de su conducta adaptativa, entendiendo que estas diferencias no marcan o indican mayor susceptibilidad a patología, sino variaciones culturales dentro de los términos considerados como lo esperado
Therapeutic treatments to cope with a love breakup: a systematic review
Authors: Yanez Peñúñuri Libia Yanelli , Rey-Anacona Cesar Armando , Bolívar-Suárez Yolima
Published: July 2024

The study aimed to conduct a systematic review of therapeutic treatments to cope with a love breakup from 1992 to 2023 in Spanish, English and Portuguese in EBSCO, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (WOS). Two independent researchers performed the searches and data extraction. Out of 156 records, 13 articles are included addressing treatments to cope with love breakups. Most of the studies found were in the United States and Iran and aimed to women. The studies showed a significant decrease in symptoms of depression and anxiety during the love breakup. Empirical evaluation of the efficacy of future interventions to deal with breakups is recommended, based on experimental designs in adolescents and young people of both sexes.
Intervenciones en salud mental en estudiantes universitarios: Una revisión sistemática de la literatura
Authors: Bruna Braulio , Rozas Graciela , Guerra Cristobal , García Felipe E.
Published: July 2024

La salud mental en estudiantes universitarios es un tema de creciente interés y preocupación en la investigación actual. Existe un número importante de estudios que dan cuenta de que los estudiantes universitarios enfrentan altos niveles de estrés, ansiedad y trastornos psicológicos, lo que se agudizó durante la pandemia por COVID-19. La presente revisión sistematiza la literatura sobre intervenciones vinculadas a ansiedad y el estrés realizadas por instituciones de educación superior en estudiantes universitarios entre los años 2010 y 2021. De un número inicial de 126 artículos, fueron finalmente seleccionados 13 artículos para ser analizados en profundidad en función de sus objetivos, tipo de investigación, muestra, instrumentos utilizados, tipo de intervención, resultados y conclusiones. Los resultados muestran que las intervenciones son eficaces, siendo los modelos cognitivo conductual y basados en mindfulness los más utilizados, en modalidad grupal y presencial. Aunque los hallazgos son útiles para diseñar nuevas intervenciones, es necesario profundizar en investigaciones que consideren variables como adherencia, género e integración de intervenciones no psicológicas como complemento a estrategias estandarizadas.
Simple and Fast Preparation of Transparent Conductive Films of Silver Nanowires Obtained by a Salt Assisted Polyol Method
Authors: Silva Barbara , da Silva Willian , Saraiva Stefany , Otubo Larissa
Published: July 2024

Silver nanowires thin films have gained attention due to their excellent optical and electrical properties, being a potential material to be applied in optoelectronic devices as transparent conductive films, deposited on a substrate in a such way that forms a percolated network. We report the synthesis of silver nanowires with average length of 9.5 ± 0.4 µm and diameter of 75 ± 3 nm by a modified polyol method and fabrication of transparent and conductive thin films using a simple and low-cost technique as drop-casting. Additionally, we examined the influence of the drop-casting method in function of number of deposition cycles on the optical and electrical properties of the films through optical absorption and electrical resistance measurements using the two-point methodology. Increasing the number of silver nanowire deposition layers, the optical transmittance decreased from 97 (for one layer) to 60% (for five layers), and electrical resistance decreased from 940 ± 0.35 Ω for the 2-layer film to 32 ± 0.02 Ω, for the 5-layer film. Due to the electrical conductivity range of the produced silver nanowires films, we suggested their application in low-voltage circuits.
Revisiting the Synthesis and Characterization of Hybrid Nanomaterial Constituted by Folate Intercalated into M2+/Al3+ (M2+ = Mg2+ and Zn2+) Layered Double Hydroxide
Authors: Magri Vagner , de Matos Caroline , Rocha Michele , Taviot-Gueho Christine , Constantino Vera
Published: July 2024

Intercalation of deprotonated folic acid (FA; vitamin B9) is of great interest for nutraceutical and cosmeceutical purposes. Although some studies have already reported the intercalation of divalent (HFol2- ) or trivalent (Fol3- ) folate anions into layered double hydroxides (LDH), the structure, spectroscopic, and thermal behavior of such hybrid materials still need to be better understood. This work revisited the synthesis of LDH constituted by M2+/Al3+ (M2+ = Mg or Zn) intercalated with HFol2- or Fol3- . Insights concerning how the physicochemical properties of the materials are tuneable according to the synthetic approach (slow or fast coprecipitation) and pH value (7.5 or 9.0/9.5) of synthesis were pointed out. Materials synthesized at pH above 9.0 (Fol3- ) presented larger particles and lower loading capacity than the ones synthesized at pH 7.5 (HFol2- ). The fast coprecipitation approach led to the formation of materials with smaller particles. This work could address the following research concerning LDH-FA applications.
“Mass” Operations of the NKVD in 1937–1938 аgainst Criminal and “Declassed Elements”
Authors: Ablazhey N. N. ,   Novosibirsk State University, Zhanbossinova A. S. ,   L. Gumilev Eurasian National University,   L. Gumilev Eurasian National University
Published: July 2024

In the context of studying mass political repressions in the USSR, an attempt was made to look at the role of terror in order to radically transform a marginal and transitional society into a socialist society. The processes of politicization of common crimes and social anomalies, and the intensification of extrajudicial repressions in the 1930s against criminal and deviant segments of the population are shown. For the first time, the materials of extrajudicial “Kulak” and “Militia” troikas in the Kazakh SSR and the processed data of protocol statistics are introduced into scientific circulation. The evolution and specifics of extrajudicial bodies are demonstrated, an in-depth analysis of the contingent of the repressed is carried out. The purpose of the article is to study the scale of social purge among criminal, marginal and deviant groups of the population in the Kazakh SSR during the implementation of the two large-scale repressive campaigns of the Great Terror period, namely, the “Kulak” and “Militia” operations of the NKVD of the USSR. It has been established that during the period of the most massive repressive campaign of the Great Terror, known as the “Kulak” operation, almost 27 thousand people were repressed in Kazakhstan, including almost 3.7 thousand people as “criminals”, and a third of them were shot. In total, during 1937–1938 in the Kazakh SSR, more than 15 thousand people were repressed by extrajudicial bodies as criminal and declassed elements. It is concluded that the politicization of the status of marginals made it possible to exaggerate their social danger, which led to mass repressions against them.
Argument Composition in N+LV Complex Predicates of Kannada
Authors: Nadimpalli Satish Kumar ,   Dept. of English, SRKR Engineering College, Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh, Lakshmi Bh V N
Published: July 2024

Complex Predicates (CPs hereafter) are abundant in Dravidian Languages spoken in the Southern part of India. A CP is a multi-word expression that acts as one verbal unit where a Light Verb (LV hereafter) plays a vital role (Amberber et al., 2010). LVs, with their syntactic and semantic features and preverbs, determine the argument structure of the whole CP construction. LVs have a distinctive feature of acquiring contextual meanings in combination with the preverbal elements, and this phenomenon is common across language families. (Hook 1991, 1993, Butt 1995). N+LV CPs and Noun Incorporation (NI) structures, which appear to be the same phenomenon, are two different structures altogether, though both have N+V composition. Baker (1988) proposes some defining characteristics for NI structures, which are indeed short for Dravidian languages like Kannada and Telugu, which are highly rich in morpho-syntactic features. According to SK Nadimpalli et al. (2022), additional characteristics exist that can effectively distinguish CPs from NIs. These were demonstrated using Telugu data. The present research concentrates on the difference between NIs and CPs with regard to the argument composition of the whole predicate. The study will also investigate how preverbal nouns in CPs, with specific semantic features, combine with different LVs and how the whole argument structure is composed, with the help of Kannada data as a case in point. The LVs exhibit a wide range of syntactic and semantic properties in consonance with the preverbal noun it combines with to constitute a CP construction. The selection of LVs is inherently language-specific, with LVs in Kannada potentially exhibiting different syntactic and semantic behaviors compared to their counterparts in Telugu. This study, with data from Kannada, would add to the syntactic and semantic repertoire of LVs and N+ LV CPs in Dravidian languages in particular and to the Universal Grammar at large.
Assessing Landscape and Seasonal Controls on Soil CO2 Fluxes in a Karst Sinkhole
Authors: Thompson Taryn K. , Mclaughlin Daniel L. , Schreiber Madeline E. , Stewart Ryan D.
Published: July 2024

Carbon dioxide (CO2) gas diffusion is an important component of carbon cycling in soils. This process is particularly relevant in karst landscapes, which contain easily weathered rock, subsurface fractures, and cave networks. We instrumented three soil profiles—the shoulder, back slope, and toe slope of a sinkhole—above a karst cave in Virginia. Each profile had solid-state CO2 sensors and soil water content/temperature sensors at 20 and 60 cm depth that collected hourly measurements from 2017 to 2019. We calculated CO2 fluxes using Fick’s first law along with measured soil and assumed atmospheric CO2 concentrations. With this approach, we identified occasional near-surface zero-flux planes, in which CO2 likely diffused both upward and downward. All profiles had upward CO2 fluxes during warm-season months, with maximum fluxes of 1.2 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1 in the shoulder and back slope versus 2.0 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1 in the toe slope. During cool-season months, upward CO2 fluxes were smaller (0–0.3 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1) and were often counteracted by downward fluxes in the toe slope, possibly driven by ventilation into the underlying cave. The toe slope had a cumulative annual efflux of 14.5 mol CO2 m−2, which was >3 times greater than the other profiles. Fluxes were sensitive to soil porosity, with an order-of-magnitude difference when porosity was assumed to be 0.40 versus 0.56 cm3 cm−3. The results of this study offer new insight into short-term and seasonal variations in diffusive CO2 gas transport in karst soils, and they may inform other investigations of non-uniform diffusion processes.
Recommended Planning and Response for Hazardous Material Releases in Karst Terrains
Authors: Schindel Geary M. , Rosen Rudolph , Schindel Graham M.
Published: July 2024

In the United States, as much as 20 percent of the land surface is considered karst, and 40 percent of the groundwater for municipal and domestic consumption comes from karst aquifers. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recognized karst aquifers as the groundwater type most vulnerable to contamination from anthropogenic sources, including hazardous materials and other pollutants. This paper presents a series of recommendations to assist first responders, water resource managers, and community leaders during a hazardous materials release in karst terrains. Hazardous materials releases have the potential to adversely impact human health and the environment. Karst aquifers are noted for rapid and direct recharge through caves, sinkholes, and sinking streams; groundwater velocities can exceed 1 km per day and are often complex and poorly understood. Best management practices in karst include pre-event planning, response, remediation, and long-term monitoring for hazardous materials releases.
Geologic Model for Alluvium-Buttressed Landslides
Authors: Johnson Philip L. , Nolan Samuel W. , Shires Patrick O.
Published: July 2024

Large, deep-seated landslides typically occur in hillside settings without any natural buttressing, and many of these landslides remain relatively unstable and prone to reactivation. However, where large, deep-seated landslides have moved into incised valleys that subsequently experienced alluvial aggradation, a natural buttress of alluvium may cover the toes of these landslides, increasing stability. This study presents three examples of large, deep-seated landslides that are buttressed by Quaternary alluvium. The McCracken Hill Landslide in southern California and the Potrero Canyon Landslide Complex in central California are proximal to the Pacific coast. The Knights Valley Landslide Complex in northern California is much farther inland than the other examples. We analyzed the stability of one of the example landslides to demonstrate that a buttress of alluvium increases stability. In most settings, base level primarily controls alluvial aggradation. Base-level rise may result from either climatically driven late Quaternary eustatic sea-level rise or local factors such as damming of streams or downstream tectonic uplift. Late Quaternary eustatic sea-level rise caused alluvial aggradation at the McCracken Hill and Potrero Canyon sites. Downstream tectonic uplift likely caused local base-level rise and alluvial aggradation at Knights Valley.
Need for a Multi-Sensor Monitoring Approach for Embankment Failures: Lessons Learned from the Edenville Dam Failure
Authors: Thomas Jobin , Klida Ryan , Oommen Thomas , K.S. Sajinkumar , Zhang Bin , Hu Xie
Published: July 2024

The Edenville Dam, an earthen embankment in Midland, MI, failed on May 19, 2020, after 3 days of elevated rainfall (3.83–8.0 in.; 9.7–20 cm), which caused flooding downstream of the dam. Dam infrastructure similar to that at the Edenville Dam is not uncommon in the United States and hence requires periodic monitoring. A pre-failure analysis was conducted in the dam to explore the application of remote sensing in dam monitoring. Persistent scatterer interferometry (PSI), a form of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) interferometry, was used to analyze 97 Sentinel-1 images to measure the line-of-sight (LOS) displacement prior to the failure. The PSI analysis showed hardly any signs of deformation at the failure location and implied stable embankments with velocities ranging from 3.1 to −5.4 mm/yr. The soil moisture index (SMI) derived using 14 Landsat-8 images between 2016 and 2020 suggested the presence of subsurface seepage and a potential failure zone. This study illustrates the requirement for multi-sensor remote sensing–based approaches for continuous dam monitoring and analysis.
Effect of Various Aspects of Joints on Permeability of Jointed Glacial Till, Northeastern Ohio
Authors: Prvanovic Aleksandar , Shakoor ABDUL
Published: July 2024

Glacial till bluffs along Lake Erie’s shoreline, northeastern Ohio, contain three sets of joints that influence the hydraulic behavior of till mass like joints in rock influence the hydraulic behavior of rock mass. According to the Unified Soil Classification System, the till classifies as low plasticity silt to low plasticity clay, with a clay content of 36–41 percent. Mineralogically, it consists of quartz, illite, and kaolinite. The joints in till are either open or filled with sand, silt, or both from the overlying lacustrine material or with disintegrated till from the joint walls. We used double-ring infiltration and dye tests to estimate field permeability. Laboratory permeability tests were performed on dry and saturated samples of till material, with manually created joints that were either kept open or filled with sand or disintegrated till material to simulate field conditions. Field and laboratory test results showed that permeability of jointed till depended upon whether the joints were open or filled, the nature of the joint-filling material, and the water content of the till (dry versus saturated) and that permeability generally decreased with increasing test time. Dry samples exhibited a substantially larger decrease in permeability than saturated samples, with the largest decrease occurring during the first 24 hours. Open joints in dry samples collapsed during the test procedure, and the permeability of these samples was generally similar to the permeability of the collapsed till material. Permeability tests on saturated samples with open joints were inconclusive. We present a comparison of field and laboratory test results.