bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design and experimental study of piezoelectric energy harvester from driving motor system of electric vehicle based on high–low excitation frequency profiles
Authors: Yang Ping , Saad Abdullah Aziz , Ahmad Mazlan Ahmad Zhafran
Published: August 2024

There is a lot of wasted vibration induced from the driving motor system of an electric vehicle. Due to this, the vibration characteristics of the driving motor are performed, and the acceleration vibration responses are measured and analyzed. This investigation will explore an opportunity in vibration energy harvesting technology of a vehicle drive motor. Based on the vibration characteristics of the drive motor, two rectangular piezoelectric energy harvester (PEH) beams and two optimized T-shaped PEH beams with 15 Hz and 250 Hz of frequencies are designed, and the electro-mechanical characteristics and stress distribution of the PEHs are simulated using finite element method. The optimized T-shape PEHs are selected and fabricated for the experimental validation, and the result proves that the output performance of T-shape PEHs is reliable and can be used for further research. The voltage outputs of the optimized PEHs under different test points and similar steady-state operation are measured, with the maximum output voltage of 15 V determined from the motor casing. The voltage outputs under cyclic operational conditions load are also obtained, which indicates that the operation of driving motor generates an abundance of high and low-frequency vibration energy, with the maximum voltage up to 144 V. The optimized PEHs can efficiently convert the high and low-frequency vibration energy of the drive motor. This provides a practical method for supplying electrical energy to electronic devices and offers new insights for the vibration energy harvesting technology in automobiles.
Bubble-graft coverage after Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty depending on gaze angle
Authors: Friedrich Maximilian , Son Hyeck-Soo , Buhl Rebecca Charlotte , Meyer Christine Maria , Yildirim Timur Mert , Khoramnia Ramin , Auffarth Gerd Uwe , Augustin Victor Aristide
Published: August 2024

Purpose

In Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) a gas bubble is usually used to attach the graft to the host cornea. In this study, we observed the bubble size and bubble-graft coverage at different gaze angles following DMEK.

Methods

This observational prospective study analyzed 465 images of patients who underwent an uneventful DMEK. Intraoperatively, the anterior chamber was filled up to 90% of its volume with a 20% Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) gas-air mixture. Postoperatively, the bubble was photographed daily in different gaze angles ranging from a supine position (0°) to an upright position (90°) and a slightly inclined position (105°). The primary outcomes were bubble-graft coverage and bubble diameters depending on the gaze angle and time after DMEK.

Results

The highest bubble-graft coverage was achieved at a 0° gaze angle at all times of measurement. In the first 48 h after DMEK, the mean bubble-graft coverage was over 85% at a gaze angle between 0° and 45°. Starting 72 h after DMEK, the graft coverage declined at all gaze angles. The graft coverage at a 0° gaze angle was 88.61 ± 10.90% after 96 postoperative hours, while the graft coverage was below 85% at all other gaze angles.

Conclusion

Our clinical results provide novel insight into variation in bubble-graft coverage as a function of gaze angle and may be used to aid in patient counselling for appropriate body positioning following DMEK to prevent early graft detachment. Maintaining supine positioning seems to be most advantageous starting 48 h after DMEK.
Community Perceptions on Health Risks Associated With Toxic Chemical Pollutants in Kwekwe City, Zimbabwe: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Ngwenya Sheunesu , Mashau Ntsieni Stella , Mudau Azwinndini Gladys , Mhlongo Sphiwe Emmanuel , Traoré Afsatou Ndama
Published: August 2024

Globally, environmental pollution continues to be a significant public health problem, and according to the World Health Organisation, pollution-induced deaths account for 23% of deaths yearly, which could be prevented if people lived in healthier environments. Despite implementing multilateral agreements and international treaties such as the Bamako, Basel, Rotterdam, Minamata, and Stockholm conventions, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and national laws, toxic pollutants remain a serious environmental and public health problem in low-income countries. In the specific context of Kwekwe City, an industrial and mining area in Zimbabwe, where environmental and pollution-induced health problems associated with industries have been widely reported, this study was conducted in close collaboration with the local community. The study aimed to assess community members’ perceptions regarding health risks associated with potentially toxic elements and cyanide pollution in Kwekwe City. An explorative cross-sectional study was conducted with key stakeholders and industrial settlements’ residents. Face-to-face interviews with key informants and focus group discussions with residents and workers were used to gather data. A thematic approach was utilised in data analysis. Study participants, who played a crucial role in the research process, perceived that industrial pollution principally linked to cyanide, mercury and chromium posed significant environmental and health risks. This participatory approach in risk perception assessment is critical in providing insight into the scope of the problem and formulating intervention strategies. However, given that qualitative study results lack generalisability and replicability, quantitative studies need to be undertaken to determine environmental levels of toxic chemical pollutants as a complementary and validative measure.
Effect of micro-surface-texturing on the friction between cam/tappet interface of a commercial vehicle engine
Authors: Siddiqui Muhammad Rizwan , Ali Mian Ashfaq , Mufti Riaz Ahmed , Aslam Jawad , Bhutta Muhammad Usman , Zahid Rehan , Khurram Muhammad
Published: August 2024

Reduced wear and friction are directly related to longer component service lives and increased energy efficiency. The mechanisms used to achieve this goal in mechanical systems include the study of lubricant chemistry, surface coating, and surface modification. Significant research has been conducted on friction reduction of valve trains of internal combustion engines using surface modifications such as coatings and surface texturing. Here, an experimental approach has been adopted to investigate the effect of micro surface texturing on Thermo-Elastohydrodynamically Lubricated cam/tappet contact in a direct-acting valve train. A commercial vehicle valve train has been instrumented to study the effect of varying surface texture area density on friction under realistic engine operating conditions. Fiber laser surface texturing has been used to microtexture three samples of tappet shims with texture densities of 5%, 8%, and 10%. The tests have been run at four engine speeds—300, 500, 700, and 900 RPM—and three temperatures—30 °C, 60 °C, and 90 °C. The experimental results show a significant friction reduction of up to 18.33% for textured shims at the temperature of 90 °C. The friction reduction performance of the 8% textured shim has been optimum for all RPMs at the higher temperatures.
Poverty as capability deprivation: Considering the relational approach, group-based analysis, and socio-structural lens
Authors: Pitasse Fragoso Katarina
Published: August 2024

Amartya Sen has argued that poverty means much more than lacking income: it means that a person falls short of securing a basic level of capabilities. His main justification for this claim is that we need to look at what is important in a person's life (what a person's actual functionings are, and what alternative outcomes could be achieved), rather than just at what a person has. In this article, I argue that, although Sen's conceptualisation expands our understanding of poverty, it can limit us when evaluating what is wrong with poverty. Conceptualising poverty in a diverse and unequal society rather requires a broader perspective, one capable of including an explicitly relational approach, group-based analysis, and a socio-structural lens. Otherwise, we miss the fundamental role played by systematic oppression in the context of poverty. In developing these ideas, my aim is to update the picture of poverty as capability deprivation.
When fieldwork is forbidden: Ontological dilemmas, subjectivity and moral imperatives as constraints in the field
Authors: MacCarthy Michelle
Published: August 2024

Undertaking fieldwork in a remote location with limited health care and transportation comes with inherent risks, but doing so with a small child, in a place where understandings of illness and malice may be of a fundamentally different nature than in the ethnographer’s home e, brings additional challenges and highlights the ethical dilemmas we may face in the field. This paper describes how continued fieldwork became impossibe when my infant son’s illness led to dilemmas that precluded the continuation of fieldwork. I take this experience as a starting point to interrogate the nature of being and reality and its real-world affects when working cross-culturally, especially in the realm of “metahuman” actors; issues of gender, identity and power in a discipline that is coming to terms with its colonialist roots, and the ethics of fieldwork in precarious situations. It takes a “hesitant” approach to the writing of a reflexive ethnography that includes more than human agents in one of anthropology’s most iconic locales.
Remote qualitative research after the COVID-19 pandemic: Ethical reflections from a prepandemic study with families of the enforced disappeared in Perú
Authors: Rivera-Holguín Miryam , de Smet Sofie , Cavero Huapaya Victoria , Corveleyn Jozef , De Haene Lucia
Published: August 2024

This article considers the ethical complexities of remote research practices in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. It draws on an analysis of prepandemic in-person fieldwork with survivors of collective violence and families of the enforced disappeared in Perú. We shed light on the specific challenges of using remote research processes with victims of human rights abuses. We propose a reflective research practice that is oriented on closely aligning the remote research process to the relational and social context of the research participants. Our main contribution is to reflect on the potential implications and challenges of conducting remote qualitative research with survivors of political violence, and on remote qualitative research more broadly. We outline three challenges and propose key recommendations.
People with dementia and family carers are welcoming of a model of dementia palliative care, but sceptical of its implementation
Authors: Fox Siobhan , Faherty Mary , Drennan Jonathan , Guerin Suzanne , Kernohan W George , Murphy Aileen , Timmons Suzanne
Published: August 2024

Introduction

A palliative care approach can improve quality-of-life for people with dementia. It is the preference of many people with dementia to remain living at home until death, with the appropriate care. To develop a successful model for dementia palliative care in the community, it is essential to assimilate the perspectives and experiences of those affected. The guiding research question for this study was: What are people with dementia and family carers’ views on a model for dementia palliative care?.

Methods

Focus groups ( n = 3) were conducted with bereaved or current family carers ( n = 11), and people with dementia ( n = 2). Discussions centred around a proposed model of dementia palliative care. These were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Three main themes were identified: living and dying well with dementia; reducing carer burden to fulfil the wish for home care; and lack of faith in the healthcare system. One statement which summarised the analysis was: “Dementia palliative care is a dream, but not a reality.” This reflected participants’ repeated “wish” for this “ideal” model of care, but simultaneous scepticism regarding its implementation, based on their prior experiences of healthcare services.

Conclusion

All participants were welcoming of the proposed model for dementia palliative care and were generally positive about palliative care as a concept relating to dementia. There was consensus that the model would allow people to live and die well with dementia, and reducing the carer burden would fulfil the wish to remain at home. However systemic changes in the healthcare system will be needed to facilitate a truly person-centred, holistic, individualised and flexible model of care.
Distributed observer-based position-based fuzzy formation control for unmanned surface vessels with input saturation
Authors: Li Jixiang , Liu Tao , Liu Yuhang , Guan Tianhang , Zeng Zesong
Published: August 2024

In this article, a control issue is investigated for achieving distributed formation forming and tracking of multiple unmanned surface vessels (USV) subjected to unknown model dynamics and external disturbance. Additionally, the constraints posed by the lack of velocity measurements and input saturation are considered for each USV. For this purpose, two types of distributed position-based control schemes are presented to constitute formation shape and track target trajectory by steering multiple USVs. The first control scheme is based on acquiring absolute position measurements and communication data, while the second control scheme relies on relative position measurements. In the two aforementioned control schemes, two different types of observers are scheduled to provide essential data support for the corresponding controllers. Then, the unknown data that include unknown model dynamics and external disturbance are approximated by a fuzzy logic system and adaptive laws, respectively. In addressing the issue of controller input saturation, a smooth function and auxiliary system are imported to eliminate the effect of actuator saturation. Finally, suitable Lyapunov functions are selected to analyze the theoretical feasibility of the two designed schemes. Corresponding digital simulations are exhibited to further examine the robustness and effectiveness of the designed control schemes.
The impact of perceived walking environment on social support for older adults
Authors: Liu Meinuo , Chen Anyu , Chen Na
Published: August 2024

The idea of new urbanism advocates for promoting social support, defined as the network of care or help a person receives from non-family members, by improving the walking environment and other components of new urbanism. However, the impact of the walking environment on social support, especially from the perspective of older adults’ perceptions, remains unclear. In a rapidly aging urban environment, the demand for walkable living spaces has increased among older adults. One typical measure of the walking environment, walking accessibility, often focuses on travel time and/or distance to different urban opportunities but ignores travelers’ subjective feelings and experiences about the walking environment. These subjective factors are important for policymakers to design, implement, and regulate appropriate plans and strategies to enhance social interaction among older adults at the community level. This study examines how, in the Chinese context, the perceived walking environment is associated with social support, mediated by walking time and perceived level of safety, using generalized structural equation models with data from the 2021 Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS). The results show that, as compared to walking time, perceived safety is more likely to be influenced by the perceived walking environment, which positively correlates with social support. This suggests that older adults feel more socially supported by their neighbors when they perceive their living environment as safe and walkable. These findings provide new evidence for decision-makers to develop and implement targeted policies on walking accessibility for older adults with better understanding of the relationship between the perceived walking environment and social support.
The Europeanization of Honour: Wehrmacht Veterans and European Integration in the 1950s
Authors: Hobe Alexander
Published: August 2024

This article analyses the Europeanization of West German associations of Wehrmacht veterans in the 1950s. Using archival sources concerning the foundation of a European veterans’ umbrella organisation, the article argues that the veterans’ attempts at political reassertion in the post-war decades cannot be understood without accounting for their European dimension. Indeed, the veterans considered their European outreach to be a core pillar of their ‘politics of honour’, which manifested itself mainly in the agitation for the war criminals in Allied custody. Thus, aiming to establish themselves as effective and legitimate interest representatives, the veterans Europeanized. This process was consciously modelled after the ongoing process of integration while simultaneously exhibiting distinct characteristics stemming from the veterans themselves. The article tracks the veterans’ transnational interactions, their competitive dynamics in West German associational politics and the veterans’ associational interests to explain their specific form of an alternative Europeanization.
In silico analysis of precursor messenger RNA as a potential biomarker of myasthenia gravis thymoma
Authors: Jovičić Snežana M
Published: August 2024

The manuscript analyzes potential pre-mRNA biomarkers of Myasthenia gravis (MG) in thymoma in silico. GSE11967 data set and platform5188 from the Gene Expression Omnibus database apply for data preprocessing, normalization, and quality control. Quality metrics indicated high overall data integrity, with no significant outliers or batch effects detected. Differential expression analysis (DEG.) uses the limma package in R. We compared thymoma samples to normal thymus tissue to identify DEGs. The significance criteria are adjusted p-value <0.05 and a |log2 fold change| > 1. Functional enrichment and pathway analysis, ontology analysis, and KEGG pathway analysis further investigate the potential underlying biological processes. Despite the extensive use of gene expression profiling for identifying potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets, this study identifies DEGs ENSG00000112345 and ENSG00000234567 and pathways like hsa04110, hsa03013 and hsa04115 in thymoma with MG compared to normal thymus tissue using the GSE11967 dataset Plots like UMAP, Boxplot, Expression density and Mean variance demonstrate differential expression in disease and control group. The GSE11967 data set shows the presence of significant DEG and pathways in thymoma-associated MG tissue, compared to healthy tissue. A broader and integrative approach is needed to understand the complex expression biomarkers in thymoma in MG patients and other regulatory mechanisms that may contribute to the disease by multi-omic approaches.
Assessment of building design strategies to enhance energy efficiency and thermal comfort: Case study in Morocco’s climate zones
Authors: Lachir Asia , Noufid Abdelhamid
Published: August 2024

Energy efficiency in the context of building design is a significant concern in Morocco. This paper offers a comprehensive analysis of how various design variables can impact both energy consumption and thermal comfort in the Moroccan context. Rather than isolating individual design variables, we investigate synergistic combinations of these variables. To achieve this, we develop multiple building design scenarios, each employing different combinations of design options, focusing on building orientation, window-to-wall ratio, building envelope construction, and window shading. We use EnergyPlus to conduct energy simulations for all scenarios under the hypothesis of air-conditioned houses and free-running houses with and without natural ventilation. Our results reveal that building design has the potential to significantly enhance energy efficiency and thermal comfort, but not for the same design strategies. In comparison to the most energy-efficient design scenario, the least favorable design scenario can lead to an increase in energy consumption between 237% in Agadir and 130% in Ifrane. Meanwhile, design scenarios favoring comfort can increase the number of comfortable hours by 85% in Agadir and 59% in Ifrane. We identify optimal building design scenarios that simultaneously offer the highest comfort levels with the lowest energy requirements. The findings provide valuable guidance for architects, allowing them to design high-performance buildings in all climate zones in Morocco.
Towards the prediction of flame transfer functions: Evaluation of a hybrid LES-CAA with compressible LES
Authors: Reinhardt Hanna , Alanyalıoğlu Çetin Ozan , Fischer André , Lahiri Claus , Nicolai Hendrik , Hasse Christian
Published: August 2024

The prediction of flame transfer functions, particularly in practically relevant systems, remains challenging and computationally demanding. Numerical approaches are a valuable addition to experimental acoustic characterizations of industrial configurations. Conventionally, fully compressible numerical simulations are used that naturally include acoustic fluctuations in their computations, but can be computationally expensive depending on the configuration. Therefore, a convenient approach to use tailored numerics for the underlying physics is considered in this work. In this work, this is realized by applying a runtime-coupled method of computational fluid dynamics and computational aeroacoustics to a single-sector aero-engine combustor. This hybrid computational fluid dynamics and computational aeroacoustics method captures fluid flow behavior and combustion dynamics in a low-Mach computational fluid dynamics domain while allowing for acoustic perturbations in the computational aeroacoustics. Runtime exchange of hydrodynamic and acoustic quantities between the two solvers allows for a bidirectional coupling and, by extension, a complete description of the combustion system. In this work, the hybrid computational fluid dynamics and computational aeroacoustics is applied in a high-fidelity large eddy simulation configuration. The flame transfer function is evaluated for both compressible and hybrid simulations. The results for both numerical approaches are validated with each other and compared to the experimentally obtained flame transfer function. Finally, the computational effort for the numerical approaches is considered. This article presents the first application of a high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics framework using large eddy simulation with bidirectional coupling with the acoustic solver to an industry-relevant configuration. The aim is to provide a roadmap towards investigating thermoacoustic instabilities in a real gas turbine engine at reduced computational costs.
Incremental coverage path planning method for UAV ground mapping in unknown area
Authors: Yang Zuqiang , Yang Yi , He Xingxiu , Qi Weicheng
Published: August 2024

Coverage in unknown environment is a commonly concerned problem in ground mapping field of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). Based on the concept of incremental cell construction, a practical online coverage path planning method is proposed for mapping in unknown environments with obstacles and boundaries. This method consists of the Boustrophedon motion and D* algorithm. Based on the information from onboard ranging sensor, the UAV uses Boustrophedon motion to incrementally construct coverage cells while exploring the environment. When there are no alternative cells for Boustrophedon motion, the D* algorithm is utilized to plan the backtracking path to the next starting point. Particularly, the backtracking path replanning will be carried out if an unknown obstacle suddenly appears on the path. The static and hardware-in-loop dynamic simulation results show that the proposed method can achieve near-complete coverage in complex unknown environments with low computational and sensor accuracy requirements.
In the Shadow of War: Public Opinion in the Baltic States, 2014 and 2021
Authors: Ekman Joakim
Published: August 2024

Drawing on research on political culture and research on geopolitical orientations, this article analyses public opinion in the three Baltic states (2014 and 2021), focusing on political support, inter-ethnic relations and geopolitical attitudes. In the first section, the empirical analysis demonstrates widespread public support for the national communities in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Most respondents feel a sense of attachment to or pride in their respective homeland, and a relative majority of all respondents feel that their contemporary political systems are preferable to other systems in the past. At the same time, the analysis alert us to distinct ethnic differences: the Russian-speakers in the three countries tend to be decidedly more nostalgic about the Soviet past and less satisfied with the present regimes. Confirming and updating findings familiar from previous studies, this article also notes that the population groups in the three Baltic states were growing more or less accustomed to the domestic situation, up until the escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian war in 2022. In the second part of the article, we turn to geopolitical belonging and security perceptions in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
Actors’ Perceptions of Profitability Along a Bushmeat Commodity Chain in West Africa (Southern Benin)
Authors: Vodouhe Fifanou , Nago Sedjro Gilles Armel , Djagoun Chabi A.M.S. , Zanvo Stanislas , Dossou Ayidé A.A. , Djagoun Joël , Azihou Fortuné , Djossa Bruno A. , Assogbadjo Achile E. , Sinsin Brice , Gaubert Philippe
Published: August 2024

Background and Research Aims: The bushmeat trade is one of the main drivers of faunal extinction in tropical Africa. We assess the profitability of the bushmeat trade along the commodity chain in southern Benin and study the perceptions of the actors on the profitability of the trade. Methods: Data were collected through direct interviews. A total of 120 bushmeat trade actors were interviewed in southern Benin. Economic and financial indicators were estimated and compared using descriptive statistics. Factors affecting the actors’ perception of wild animal hunting, trading or supply sustainability were assessed using binary logit. Results and discussion: A total of 15 species were traded along the bushmeat commodity chain in southern Benin. During the dry season, hunters’ gross product is higher because of greater hunting effort, and traders earn more commercial margin. Throughout the chain of actors, bushmeat trade profitability is seen as positively affected by the number of hunters per household and the availability of large preys (hunters), household size (sellers) and monthly income (consumers); whereas negative factors affecting profitability are distance from hunting sites (hunters), supply issues (sellers) and the cost of the meat (consumers). Both hunters and consumers see hunting and trade regulation measures as negatively impacting bushmeat profitability. Conclusion and implications for conservation: The perception of profitability by bushmeat commodity chain actors in southern Benin is conditioned by a set of socio-economic factors that should be considered in national conservation policies and development programs to keep bushmeat hunting profitable and sustainable.
Navigating concerns about students’ suitability: Exploring nurse teachers’ perspectives in a qualitative interview study using vignettes
Authors: Natterøy Cathrine Selsvold , Tveit Bodil , Raustøl Anne
Published: August 2024

Assessing students' suitability for the nursing profession is the nurse teachers' responsibilities. Clinical placements serve as typical arenas for conducting such assessments. Nurse teachers collaborate closely with nurse mentors during student assessments, and they also receive student-related concerns from mentors. This study aims to explore nurse teachers' experiences with suitability assessments in clinical placement, including how nurse teachers handle and assess suitability concerns reported by nurse mentors. This study is an explorative qualitative study. Focus group interviews was conducted, using a semi-structured interview guide and vignettes. The study included 15 nurse teachers from three universities in Norway who conduct student follow-up in clinical placement. The study was reported in accordance with the SRQP checklist. The analysis identified three themes: 1) introducing questions about suitability has a high threshold, 2) building a solid case for ‘the system’ and 3) responding critically to concerns from the practice field. Suitability assessments impact nurse teachers on a personal level. Nurse teachers express a critical attitude toward reports originating from the practice field. They want to investigate concerns independently and assist students in moving forward. The effort put into building solid cases sometimes leads to critical views of the system.
Use of Hybrid Stage I to Stratify Between Single Ventricle Palliation and Biventricular Repair
Authors: Smith Justin , Zampi Jeffrey D. , Balasubramanian Sowmya , Mosher Bryan , Uzark Karen , Lowery Ray , Yu Sunkyung , Romano Jennifer C.
Published: August 2024

Background: Hybrid stage I palliation (HS1P) has been utilized for patients with single ventricle (SV) congenital heart disease (CHD). To date, reports on the use of HS1P for other indications including biventricular (BiV) CHD have been limited. Methods: We performed a single-center retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent HS1P with an anticipated physiologic outcome of BiV repair, or with an undetermined SV versus BiV outcome. Patient characteristics and outcomes from birth through definitive repair or palliation were collected and reported with descriptive statistics. Results: Nineteen patients underwent HS1P with anticipated BiV repair. Extracardiac and intracardiac risk factors (ICRF) were common. Ultimately, 13 (68%) patients underwent BiV repair, 1 (5%) underwent SV palliation, and 5 (26%) died prior to further palliation or repair. Resolution of ICRF tracked with BiV outcome (6/6, 100%), persistence of ICRF tracked with SV outcome or death (3/3, 100%). Twenty patients underwent HS1P with an undetermined outcome. Ultimately, 13 (65%) underwent BiV repair, 6 (30%) underwent SV palliation, and 1 (5%) underwent transplant. There were no deaths. Intracardiac risk factors were present in 15 of 20 patients (75%); BiV repair only occurred when all ICRF resolved (67%). Post-HS1P complications and reinterventions occurred frequently in both groups, through all phases of care. Conclusions: Hybrid stage 1 palliation can be used to defer BiV repair and to delay decision between SV palliation and BiV repair. Resolution of ICRF was associated with ultimate outcome. In this high-risk group, complications are common, and mortality especially in the marginal BiV patient is high.
Revisiting the Role of Balloon Atrial Septostomy Prior to the Arterial Switch Operation
Authors: Subramanian Sujata , Jani Sagar , Well Andrew , Mikulski Matthew F. , Agrawal Hitesh , Byron Holt D , Venardos Neil , Mery Carlos M. , Fraser Charles D.
Published: August 2024

Objectives

Patients with dextro-transposition of the great arteries (d-TGA) frequently undergo balloon atrial septostomy (BAS) prior to the arterial switch operation (ASO) to promote atrial-level mixing. Balloon atrial septostomy has inherent risks as an invasive procedure and may not always be necessary. This study revisits the routine utilization of BAS prior to ASO.

Methods

Single-center, retrospective review of d-TGA patients undergoing the ASO from July 2018 to March 2023. Preoperative patient characteristics, pulse oximetry oxygen saturations (SpO2), cerebral/renal near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) readings along with prostaglandin status at the time of the ASO were analyzed with descriptive and univariate statistics.

Results

Thirty patients underwent the ASO. Of these, 7 (23%) were female, 25 (83%) were white, and median weight at ASO was 3.2 kg (range 0.8-4.2). Twenty-two (73%) patients underwent BAS. There were no demographic differences between BAS and no-BAS patients. Of those who underwent BAS, there was a significant increase in SpO2 (median 83% [range 54-92] to median 87% [range 72-95], P = .007); however, there was no change in NIRS from pre-to-post BAS. Six (27%) patients in the BAS group were prostaglandin-free at ASO. Balloon atrial septostomy patients underwent the ASO later compared with no-BAS patients (median 8 [range 3-32] vs 4 [range 2-10] days old, P = .016) and had a longer hospital length of stay (median 13 [range 7-43] vs 10 [range 8-131] days, P = .108).

Conclusions

While BAS is an accepted preoperative procedure in d-TGA patients to improve oxygen saturations, it is also an additional invasive procedure, does not guarantee prostaglandin-free status at the time of ASO, and may increase the interval to ASO. Birth to direct early ASO, with prostaglandin support, should be revisited as an alternative, potentially more expeditious strategy.
Socio-Emotional Behaviors of Japanese Children during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Moriguchi Yusuke , Sakata Chifumi , Meng Xianwei , Todo Naoya
Published: August 2024

A novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has spread widely throughout the world. To reduce the spread of infection, children are prevented from going to school and have fewer opportunities for in-person communication. Such changes in the everyday lives of children might influence their socio-emotional behaviors; however, the whole picture of the possible impact was not well known. This study examined socio-emotional behaviors of Japanese children (aged 4–9) during the pandemic and compared the data to the data before the pandemic. Children’s socio-emotional behaviors in an everyday context was assessed using the parent-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. The results indicated that during the pandemic, children were more prosocial and experienced more problems in their peer relationships, but no differences were found in emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity between before and during the pandemic. The findings suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic has mixed impacts on children’s socio-emotional behaviors, implying that this topic should be considered in broader and fuller perspectives.
Ambidextrous Learning, Resource Acquisition, and Venture Performance: The Moderating Effect of the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Network Relationships
Authors: Xiang Guopeng , Peng Mixiang , Su Xin
Published: August 2024

The entrepreneurial ecosystem (EE) has always been a current research hotspot. However, there is currently limited empirical research at the micro-level of EE. Based on organizational learning theory, this study constructs a model integrating the ambidextrous learning, resource acquisition, venture performance, and EE network relationships of new ventures under EE. Based on survey data of 193 new ventures in EE in Hangzhou, China, our results illustrate that (1) the ambidextrous learning of new ventures in EE positively affects venture performance through resource acquisition and (2) the EE network relationships have a negative moderating effect between ambidextrous learning and resource acquisition. We contribute to research on the bidirectional connection between the entrepreneurial activities of new ventures and EE from the perspectives of ambidextrous learning and EE network relationships, organizational learning theory, and micro-foundations of EE.
Overloaded by Information or Worried About Missing Out on It: A Quantitative Study of Stress, Burnout, and Mental Health Implications in the Digital Workplace
Authors: Marsh Elizabeth , Perez Vallejos Elvira , Spence Alexa
Published: August 2024

With growing numbers of workers relying on the digital workplace to get work done, attention is increasingly focused on the well-being impacts of digital working. This study explored the stress, burnout and mental health implications of employees’ digital workplace experience. Using the Job Demands-Resources model as a theoretical foundation, 142 workers were surveyed about their experiences of dark side of digital working effects (stress, overload, anxiety, and Fear of Missing Out) and well-being (exhaustion and mental health). Results from regression analyses indicated that the fear of missing out on information (IFoMO) is a risk factor for employee mental health and, along with information overload (IO), may lead to greater exhaustion. Additionally, both IFoMO and IO elevate digital workplace stress, further impacting well-being negatively. The results suggest that organizations need to optimize the flow of work-related information in the digital workplace and support employees to leverage information effectively.
Influence of Virtual Live Streamers’ Credibility on Online Sales Performance
Authors: Ji Xiaowei
Published: August 2024

With the development of artificial intelligence technology, virtual live streamers emerge in the field of live streaming e-commerce. Previous studies have identified how human live streamers affect online sales performance. However, little is known about the virtual live streamer. Can virtual live streamers play a role in e-commerce as well as their human counterparts? The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of virtual live streamers on online sales performance from the perspective of source credibility. The perceived credibility of virtual live streamers can modify viewer behavior in the virtual live streaming room. The relevant data is thus generated and recorded by the e-commerce platform. We collected data from 300 virtual live streaming rooms in the e-commerce platform known as Taobao.com. Using the behavior data, a multiple regression model was built to empirically study the relationship between the characteristics of virtual live streamers and online sales performance. The results showed that virtual live streamers’ characteristics of trustworthiness, attractiveness, and expertise had a positive effect on online sales performance, whereas the characteristic of interactivity had an adverse effect. This study provides insight into the virtual live streamer. Virtual live streamers are still unable to interact with viewers in a human live streamer manner. Marketing managers should improve virtual live streamers to meet viewers’ hedonic shopping motivations in the future.
The Relationship Between Anti-Mattering Perceptions and Social Health Among University Students
Authors: Filiz Mustafa , Johnson Kaprea F.
Published: August 2024

This study investigated the effect of anti-mattering perceptions on social health levels among university students in Turkey. A total of 494 university students, including 311 domestic and 183 immigrants from Syria, participated in the study. Anti-mattering and social health scales were used to collect data. The LIFESCREEN for College Students (TLS-C) is an 18-item scale that measures the social health needs of college students, the measure is guided by the five key areas of social determinants of health (SDOH) and asks questions related to topics such as safety and food security. Descriptive, difference, correlation, and regression analyses were conducted to analyze the data. The findings showed that anti-mattering perceptions had a significant impact on social health levels. Additionally, the immigrants and economically disadvantaged students had higher social health needs and behaviors. The study concluded that anti-mattering perceptions, which are shaped during childhood and adolescence, are an influential factor on social health behaviors and needs of university students.
The Relationship Between Medial Meniscal Extrusion and Outcome Measures for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review
Authors: Kahat David H. , Nouraee Cyrus M. , Smith Jesse S. , Santiago Cassiano C. , Floyd Edward R. , Zbyn Stefan , Abbasguliyev Hasan , Kajabi Abdul Wahed , Ellermann Jutta M.
Published: August 2024

Background:

Medial meniscal extrusion (MME) has been associated with knee osteoarthritis (OA). However, there is no standardized method to measure MME.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between MME and outcome measures related to knee OA and discuss different magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods of measuring MME. It was hypothesized that MME would be associated with outcome measures of OA and that the distance extruded over the tibial plateau would be the most common MRI method to measure MME.

Study Design:

Systematic review; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

The MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, Global Index Medicus, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases were systematically searched. The inclusion criteria were studies that (1) measured MME on nonoperated knees using MRI; (2) evaluated knee OA with at least 1 knee OA grading scale, outcome measure, or direct characterization of cartilage or bone; (3) statistically evaluated the association between MME and knee OA outcome measure; (4) were randomized controlled trials, nonrandomized controlled trials, cohort studies, or case series; and (5) reported original results.

Results:

A total of 19 studies were included, of which 14 reported MME as the distance extruded over the tibial plateau, 7 reported MME as the volume extruded over the tibial plateau, and 1 reported MME as the percentage of the tibial plateau covered by the meniscus. All studies reported that MME was significantly associated with at least 1 OA outcome measure—including increased Kellgren-Lawrence grade, osteophytes, cartilage damage, varus alignment, knee pain, bone marrow lesions, and progression to arthroplasty. Eight studies found that MME was associated with worse OA outcomes over time (range, 2-10 years).

Conclusion:

All 19 reviewed studies reported that MME was associated with at least 1 knee OA outcome measure reflective of worsening arthritis, suggesting a strong association between OA and MME. Future research is needed to investigate this relationship and standardize the methods of measuring MME.
Modelling sprawl in a medium-sized urban area considering the future arrival of autonomous vehicles
Authors: Cordera Rubén , Nogués Soledad , González-González Esther , Moura José Luis
Published: August 2024

Cities may undergo important changes in the coming years driven by various economic, social, and technological innovations, such as those related to autonomous mobility. Among other effects, autonomous vehicles may affect morpho-functional patterns of urban development and, especially, may reinforce or reduce dispersed development patterns, which have been relevant in many cities, particularly in the last decades. In order to offer an assessment of these possible effects, we propose a new urban sprawl index to measure the degree of dispersion/concentration of settlements in the medium-sized urban area of a Spanish city (Santander, Cantabria). Further, we explain the distribution of this index by means of a regression model, showing that variables such as average household income, trip time to the main urban centre, or the percentage of people using cars to commute to work are relevant factors that correlate positively with urban sprawl. Finally, we apply the proposed model to different scenarios to examine how the development of autonomous mobility could affect the characteristics of the analysed settlements. The results obtained suggest that, in scenarios with higher car usage and longer trip times to the urban centre because of the larger number of circulating vehicles, the form of urban settlements, especially those at an intermediate distance from the urban core, could experience an increase in sprawl. Therefore, Autonomous Vehicles could promote, under certain conditions, an urban form with more sustainability problems.
Understanding autistic camouflaging: The use of online community discussions and stigmatized identity research
Authors: Durben Deanna L
Published: August 2024

To avoid the pervasive stigma surrounding autism, autistic people often strive to appear neurotypical by using camouflaging to conceal their natural behaviors and traits. Camouflaging may enable autistic people to navigate social interactions more smoothly, but we lack clear empirical data on its effectiveness. Furthermore, the stress and exhaustion caused by camouflaging seem to be highly detrimental to mental health. This review discusses the need to elucidate the benefits and harms of camouflaging, understand how autistic people make decisions about camouflaging, and evaluate how it compares to other strategies to avoid stigma. To shed light on these questions, I suggest that researchers consult two underutilized existing sources of information: online community discussions and research into other concealable stigmatized identities (CSIs). Online community discussions provide a valuable window into how autistic people make decisions about camouflaging within their daily lives, including a recent movement of “unmasking” and rejecting camouflaging. Situating autistic camouflaging within the larger framework of CSI research allows us to better understand the effects of camouflaging and provides a basis to theorize about how it compares to other strategies of stigma management.
Minijobs as stepping stones to regular employment: overall trends and the role of Midijob reforms
Authors: Collischon Matthias , Herget Anna , Riphahn Regina T.
Published: August 2024

Minijobs are subsidized small jobs below a fixed earnings threshold. Since a reform in 2003, they are viewed as stepping stones to the first labor market. However, the Minijob subsidy generates a ‘Minijob trap’ that causes vast bunching at the Minijob earnings threshold. Therefore, Midijobs were designed to reduce this bunching and to eliminate the ‘Minijob trap’. Midijobs are employments that earn between the Minijob earnings threshold and the Midijob earnings threshold. In this range, Midijobs subsidize social insurance contributions on a sliding scale. This paper describes time trends in the propensity to leave Minijobs for regular employment and studies the role of Midijobs for transitions out of Minijobs. We find a strong increase in transitions from Minijobs to regular employment over time. However, there is no convincing evidence that Midijobs are connected to this development. Instead, behavioral changes and aggregate developments such as the business cycle and a booming labor market may have contributed to this development.