bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus and breastmilk are associated with a decreased risk of atopic dermatitis in very low birth weight premature infants
Authors: Uberos J. , Garcia-Cuesta A. , Carrasco-Solis M. , Ruiz-López A. , Fernandez-Marı́n E. , Campos-Martinez A.
Published: November 2023

In this study, we analyse the influence of nutrition during the early neonatal period on the development and prevention of atopic dermatitis (AD) in children with a history of very low birth weight (VLBW). A retrospective cohort study was performed of VLBW preterm infants to assess the risk of their developing AD during childhood, according to nutrition with breastmilk and/or probiotic supplementation during the neonatal period. The analysis focused on nutritional and early childhood follow-up data for 437 newborns, of whom 184 received probiotics up to 36 weeks postmenstrual age. AD was present in 23.5% of the study sample. Of the children who did not develop AD, 44.9% had received probiotics from birth to 36 weeks of gestational age. Therefore, the administration of probiotics to infants at less than 36 weeks postmenstrual age is associated with a protective effect against the development of AD (odds ratio (OR) 0.57; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.34-0.93). Moreover, a protective interaction was observed between probiotic administration and breastmilk (OR 0.46; 95% CI 0.25-0.82). The adjusted data in the regression model allow us to observe a statistically significant association with the protective effect of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus with the development of AD at school age (OR 0.55; 95% CI 0.30-0.99). Probiotic supplementation in VLBW newborns is associated with a decreased risk of subsequent development of AD. Breastmilk strengthens the protective effect of probiotics against the development of AD.
Beauty of construction, richness of expression
Authors: Hyman Larry M. , Leben William R.
Published: November 2023

A History of the Hausa Language is the first book-length historical study of any language of the Chadic branch of Afro-Asiatic. It synthesizes and updates the scholarly output on the topic by Paul Newman, for many decades Hausa’s most productive and influential scholar. In this review article we discuss Newman’s most striking findings on the history of Hausa’s phonology, morphology, syntax, and lexicon, adding questions and critiques where called for. We find the book to be a contribution without parallel to Hausa and to African linguistics.
“I Was the Only Goyim There”: Linguistic Imitation and Socialization among Sephardic New Mexicans
Authors: Leiter Sarah
Published: November 2023

This article explores linguistic imitation as a strategy of socialization. It focuses on the ethnographic context of New Mexico’s Jewish community, which some Hispanic New Mexicans are beginning to join after discovering their Sephardic, or Iberian Jewish, ancestry. Although several are choosing to formally ‘return,’ or convert, to Judaism, they often feel unwelcome in the community and, therefore, do not always have interlocutors who might help to linguistically integrate them. In this context, they adopt various strategies for learning community language norms, including imitating the speech of veteran community members and reproducing Jewish English as learned from books and internet resources, even if doing so results in non-normative usages. They may also use elements of Yiddish to mirror language used within the local Jewish community, positioning themselves as Sephardic through the use of an Ashkenazi language.
Diasporic Papers
Authors: Sommer Tim
Published: November 2023

This article explores the impact of the Nobel Prize in Literature on the acquisition policies of literary archives. Focusing on laureates and the twenty-first-century fate of their manuscripts, it argues that the international reach of the prize is mirrored by a contemporary archival landscape that is at once global and unequal. Although many archives concentrate on collecting material from the linguistic and cultural context of which they themselves form part, the past two decades have also seen the emergence of a competitive international market for the papers of authors whose writings are marked – through high-profile distinctions such as the Nobel Prize – as belonging to the world literary canon. Illustrating its larger argument with the help of three case studies (Harold Pinter, J.M. Coetzee, Gabriel García Márquez), the article suggests that archivization consecrates laureates’ papers as global heritage at the same time that it reinforces the logic of literary nativism.
A World Prize for a World Thinker?
Authors: Spoerhase Carlos
Published: November 2023

To reconstruct the history of the Nobel Prize and its impact on the making of world literature is a task of staggering dimensions. Nevertheless, letters and archival documents offer a glimpse into its workings. This paper examines Hannah Arendt’s efforts to secure the Nobel Prize for Karl Jaspers, as a case study in the globalization of the literary field after the Second World War. It is shown how Arendt and her allies in the German and American publishing trade mobilized an international network of supporters in Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, France, Italy, Great Britain, Japan, and the United States in order to secure the “world prize” for the German “world thinker”. The paper also tries to explain why these intensive international efforts ultimately failed.
A new species of genus Tephritis Latreille and a new distribution record of genus Urophora Robineau-Desvoidy, from India
Authors: SINGH MANEESH PAL , DAROCH RAKESH , KORNEYEV SEVERYN V. , SHARMA ISHA
Published: November 2023

A new species of Tephritis Latreille, Tephritis himalayae Maneesh and Korneyev, sp. n. is described from the higher hills of Himachal Pradesh (India). The species was found breeding on the very common orchard weed Cirsium falconeri (Hook.f.). The new species belongs to the hyoscyami-conura group of species and is very closely related to T. cardualis Hardy. An identification key for the genus Tephritis known from the Indian subcontinent is given. In addition, Urophora terebrans (Loew), a Palearctic species, is recorded from the mid-hills of Himachal Pradesh, India. Illustrations for both species are given.
A new genus of Omaliini from China (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Omaliinae)
Authors: SHAVRIN ALEXEY V.
Published: November 2023

A new omaliine genus from China is described and illustrated: Sinacrulia gen. n. The description of the genus is based on the study of two species from Yunnan, one of which was described and illustrated: S. fortiterpunctata sp. n. (Diancang Shan). The other species from Gaoligong Shan is unnamed due the absence of the male. The main morphological features of the new genus and its taxonomic relations with other genera of the tribe Omaliini MacLeay, 1825 are briefly discussed.
Thermogravitational Convection in a Multiple Baffled Enclosure Filled with Magneto-Hybrid Nanofluid Subjected to Magnetic Field Dependent Viscosity
Authors: Pandit Swapan K. , Chattopadhyay Anirban , Malo Rupchand , Goswami Krishno D.
Published: November 2023

This study explores the significant impacts of thin baffles and magnetic field dependent viscosity on magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) thermogravitational convection of Cu-Al2O3 (50%–50%) water hybrid nanoliquid in a cavity. Considering different arrangements of
baffle sticks on both the vertical walls, four geometrical configurations (Case-I, Case-II, Case-III and Case-IV) have been analyzed. Numerical simulation has been performed for the governing Navier-Stokes (N-S) equations in streamfunction - vorticity form having energy equation. These coupled
equations are solved by proposing a higher-order compact finite difference method. The combination of five important aspects (hybrid nanofluid, multiple baffles, magnetic field dependent viscosity (MFDV), magnetic field and compact computation) signifies the novelty of this work. Fluid flow
and transportation of thermal energy within the stipulated domain are presented for various flow pertinent parameters. The outcomes show that the increase in number of baffles diminishes the average Nusselt number values. It is concluded here that an increase in Hartmann number from 0 to 90
leads to a decrease in average Nusselt number up to 23.7% for Case-I, 23.8% for Case-II, 21.2% for Case-III and 28% for Case-IV in presence of MFDV effects.
A Revised Work on the Rayleigh-Bénard Instability of Nanofluid in a Porous Medium Layer
Authors: Ruo An-Cheng , Yan Wei-Mon , Chang Min-Hsing
Published: November 2023

To reveal the mechanism of the enhanced heat transfer in nanofluids, Buongiorno (ASME J. Heat Transfer, vol. 128, 2006, pp. 240–250) developed a convective transport model by considering the slip mechanisms of nanoparticles migration. By now, many extended researches are
based on his model. Among them, the study on porous medium flow pioneered by Nield & Kuznetsov (Int. J. Heat & Mass Transfer, vol. 52, 2009, pp.5796–5801) has received much attention. Their work employed the Darcy model and Buongiorno’s model to investigate the thermal
instability in a horizontal porous medium layer saturated by a nanofluid. Through a sophisticated analysis, they obtained an approximate formula capable of predicting the stability threshold. However, a potential contradiction exists in their analysis owing to an improper assumption about
the thermophoretic coefficient, which may lead to an unphysical result. To date, much of current works still adopted this improper assumption in various extended problems. To resolve this contradiction, the present study revises their work by considering the dependence of thermophoretic coefficient
on the volume fraction of nanoparticles. A nonlinear basic-state solution of concentration is obtained and then used to implement the linear stability analysis. In comparison with Nield’s formula, the present result shows that the threshold of instability shifts to a lower concentration
by more than one order of magnitude. The mechanism causing the shift is discussed and the novelty of the present study is stressed.
Yield Stress Impact on Magnetohydrodynamic Jeffery Hybrid Nanofluid Flow Over a Moving Porous Surface: Buongiorno’s Model
Authors: Rashad Ahmed M. , Nafe Mohamed A. , Eisa Dalia A.
Published: November 2023

The main goal of the present study is to explore the flow of Jeffrey hybrid nanofluid crossing through a moving porous surface with the existance of magnetic field, heat sink/source, yield stress and chemical reaction impact. Nusselt number is characterized by the process of thermal
radiation. The partial equations are governed during the moved coordinate’s porous regime that is depicting the flow for Buongiorno’s model. Employing similarity transformations, the obtained equations were turned into non-linear ordinary differential equations. The controlled
equations were solved by RKF45 via shooting technique. The focus is in examining physical characteristics such as heat flux at the wall, temperature distribution, velocity of flow, and surface friction for a variety of related parameters. The analysis explained that higher permeability and
parameters of yield stress, generation of heat and magnetic field enhance distribution of temperature and slow down the heat transfer. The mass transport is upsurged with increasing chemical reaction and heat source. The model is prepared as an application in processes of thermal engineering.
Mixed Convective Flow of Tri-Hybrid Nanofluid TiO2–Al2O3–SiO2/H2O Past a Variably Thicked Stretching Sheet with Newtonian Heating
Authors: Thakur Archie , Sood Shilpa , Sharma Diksha
Published: November 2023

Tri-hybrid nanofluids are formed by involving three different types of nanoparticles in the base fluid. In recent years, studies have been done to properly understand the factors that affect the heat transfer properties of these tri-hybrid nanofluids under various circumstances. The
purpose of this study is to execute a study on an advanced tri-hybrid nanofluid model for heat transfer. No previous analysis has been executed for the flow of tri-hybrid nanofluid TiO2–Al2O3–SiO2/H2O past a variably thickened
stretching sheet with the inclusion of Newtonian heating, magnetic field, mixed convection, thermal radiation, and viscous dissipation. This investigation confronts the heat transfer characteristics of boundary layer mixed convective flow of TiO2–Al2O3–SiO2/H2O
tri-hybrid nanofluid on a variably thickened stretching sheet along with the inclusion of thermal radiation, viscous dissipation, and Newtonian heating. The ruling boundary layer equations are manipulated into an arrangement of ODEs using appropriate similarity transformations which are worked
out with the bvp4c program in MATLAB for solutions. The plots obtained reveal that the variation in the non-dimensional discrete parameters induced in the investigation significantly affects the flow inside the boundary layer. The variation in Cfx and Nux
are presented via 3D graphs. The reason for picking the tri-hybrid nanoparticles TiO2, Al2O3, and SiO2 is the raise in thermal conductivity with the addition of Al2O3 in comparison with low thermal conductivity values of SiO2
and TiO2 combination. This study reports that the Newtonian heating at the surface of the sheet assists the flow of tri-hybrid nanofluid TiO2–Al2O3–SiO2/H2O and conducts heat at a better rate. Also, the temperature
profile of the tri-hybrid nanofluid TiO2–Al2O3–SiO2/H2O is more prominent than the plots of hybrid nanofluid TiO2–Al2O3/H2O, nanofluid TiO2/H2O, and fluid
H2O.
Mixed Convection Flow Analysis of Carreau Fluid Over a Vertical Stretching/Shrinking Sheet
Authors: Swain Sradharam , Sarkar Golam Mortuja , Sahoo Bikash , Rashad Ahmed M.
Published: November 2023

The current investigation aspires to unravel the steady mixed convection flow of Carreau fluid over a permeable vertical stretching/shrinking sheet near a stagnation point. The system of governing equations is reduced into ODEs utilizing appropriate similarity transformations. The similarity
transformations are obtained via the Lie scaling group of transformations. Dual similarity solutions are detected depending on the opposing flow parameter for stretching and shrinking cases. The effects of pertinent parameters on the skin friction coefficient, Nusselt number, velocity, and
temperature fields are examined in detail. The influence of the suction parameter on the variations of skin friction coefficient for the stretching case shows various behavior than in the shrinking case. However, on the variations of the Nusselt number, a similar trend in both the stretching
and shrinking cases is observed. The fluid velocity decreases, and the temperature rises with the increment of non-Newtonian parameter in the upper branch, whereas the lower branch depicts opposite trends. Due to the different characteristics of the lower branch than the upper branch, it is
necessary to find a physically reliable solution branch. Thus, a linear temporal stability analysis is conducted based on the sign of the smallest eigenvalue. The smallest eigenvalues are determined numerically using the shooting technique, revealing that the upper branch is the only stable
solution branch.
Analyzing “Gray Zone” Turbulent Kinetic Energy Predictions in the Boundary Layer from Three WRF PBL Schemes over New York City and Comparison with Aircraft Measurements
Authors: Hope Austin P. , Lopez-Coto Israel , Hajny Kris , Tomlin Jay M. , Kaeser Robert , Stirm Brian , Karion Anna , Shepson Paul B.
Published: November 2023

We investigated the ability of three planetary boundary layer (PBL) schemes in the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model to simulate boundary layer turbulence in the “gray zone” (i.e., resolutions from 100 m to 1 km). The three schemes chosen are the well-established MYNN PBL scheme and the two newest PBL schemes added to WRF: the three-dimensional scale-adaptive turbulent kinetic energy scheme (SMS-3DTKE) and the E–ε parameterization scheme (EEPS). The SMS-3DTKE scheme is designed to be scale aware and avoid the double counting of TKE in simulations within the gray zone. We evaluated their performance using aircraft measurements obtained during three research flights immediately downwind of Manhattan, New York City, New York. The MYNN PBL scheme simulates TKE best, despite not being scale aware and slightly underestimating TKE from observations, whereas the SMS-3DTKE scheme appears to be overly scale aware for the three flights examined, in particular, when combined with the MM5 surface layer scheme. The EEPS scheme significantly underestimates TKE, mostly in the elevated layers of the boundary layer. In addition, we examined the impact of flow over tall buildings on observed TKE and found that only the windiest day showed a significant increase in TKE directly downwind of Manhattan. This impact was not reproduced by any of the model configurations, regardless of the land-use data selected, although the better resolved National Land Cover Database (NLCD) land use led to a slight improvement of the spatial distribution of TKE, implying that more explicit representation of the impact of tall buildings may be needed to fully capture their impact on boundary layer turbulence.

Significance Statement

Because the majority of the world’s population lives in cities, it is important to accurately simulate the atmosphere above and around these cities including the turbulence caused by tall buildings. This turbulence can significantly impact the mixing and dilution of air pollutants and other toxins in highly populated urban environments. The scale of cities often falls into what is known as the “gray zone” for turbulence modeling, which has been analyzed theoretically before but rarely in varied real-world conditions. Our analysis around New York City, New York, suggests that model turbulence schemes can match observations relatively well even at gray zone scales, although newer schemes require refinement, and all schemes tend to underestimate turbulence downwind of tall buildings.
Using Ensembles to Analyze Predictability Links in the Tropical Cyclone Flood Forecast Chain
Authors: Titley H. A. , Cloke H. L. , Stephens E. M. , Pappenberger F. , Zsoter E.
Published: November 2023

Fluvial flooding is a major cause of death and damages from tropical cyclones (TCs), so it is important to understand the predictability of river flooding in TC cases, and the potential of global ensemble flood forecast systems to inform warning and preparedness activities. This paper demonstrates a methodology using ensemble forecasts to follow predictability and uncertainty through the forecast chain in the Global Flood Awareness System (GloFAS) to explore the connections between the skill of the TC track, intensity, precipitation, and river discharge forecasts. Using the case of Hurricane Iota, which brought severe flooding to Central America in November 2020, we assess the performance of each ensemble member at each stage of the forecast, along with the overall spread and change between forecast runs, and analyze the connections between each forecast component. Strong relationships are found between track, precipitation, and river discharge skill. Changes in TC intensity skill only result in significant improvements in discharge skill in river catchments close to the landfall location that are impacted by the heavy rains around the eyewall. The rainfall from the wider storm circulation is crucial to flood impacts in most of the affected river basins, with a stronger relationship with the post-landfall track error rather than the precise landfall location. We recommend the wider application of this technique in TC cases to investigate how this cascade of predictability varies with different forecast and geographical contexts in order to help inform flood early warning in TCs.

Significance Statement

This study demonstrates a methodology to analyze the cascade of predictability and uncertainty through the various stages of the tropical cyclone (TC) flood forecasting chain, illustrating how it can provide useful information to modelers interested in optimizing flood forecast skill, and to those who prepare and communicate flood forecasts with stakeholders and end-users in TC cases. The results highlight the importance of improving verification of ensemble TC precipitation forecasts, and of focusing on more than just the category of the storm and landfall location when forecasting and communicating flood impacts in TC cases.
Model Development and Simulation for Predicting Proportional Changes in Traffic Volume as a Consequence of Natural Weather Hazards
Authors: Roh Hyuk-Jae
Published: November 2023

This study used a model to calculate the proportional drop for every vehicle class based on 266 climate patterns consisting of seven temperature groups and varied snowfalls. The winter traffic models use weigh-in-motion (WIM) traffic collected on the commuter roadway for 5 years. The marginal impact and combined effect of meteorological conditions on the proportional decrease in winter traffic volume are evaluated. The predicted percentage decrease in traffic for all three vehicle classes increases as temperature decreases and snowfall increases. Mathematical functions are fitted for the decreased patterns for the considered vehicle type. Roadway authorities may utilize traffic percentage decrease to identify weather-related traffic changes when planning winter highway operation and maintenance.
Effectiveness of Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2) Vaccine Among Adolescents (Aged 12-15 Years): An Observational Study in Qatar
Authors: Azeez Maktoum Abdul , Hussain Mir Saad , Veettil Shajitha Thekke , Al Mesallam Maha Saif , Muhammed Aysha Chalappurath , Abdulmajeed Jazeel , Krishnan Jeyaram Illiayaraja
Published: November 2023

In May 2021, Qatar launched the BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine campaign for adolescents aged 12 to 15 years across all 27 health centers. Our study assessed the safety and efficacy of the vaccine among vaccinated and nonvaccinated adolescents in Qatar. Using a retrospective observational study, we analyzed the medical records of 1956 adolescents who were severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) positive from June 17 to December 17, 2021. The mean age for the vaccinated group was 13.89 ± 0.93 years, and for the nonvaccinated group, it was 12.99 ± 0.93 years. In the vaccinated group, 46% were male (n = 185) compared with 53% in the nonvaccinated group (n = 827) and 54% were female in the vaccinated group (n = 217) versus 47% in the nonvaccinated group (n = 727). Our findings demonstrate satisfactory protection provided by the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, with only one fifth of the study population contracting SARS-CoV-2 infections after the double-dose regimen. These results highlight the importance of maximizing vaccination coverage and considering booster doses for adolescents to enhance protection.
Mechanical spectroscopy to determine the torsion modulus from hollow glass microspheres fillers in unsaturated polyester resin
Authors: Pintão Carlos Alberto Fonzar , Baggio Airton , Piedade Lucas Pereira , Sanchez Luiz Eduardo de Ângelo , Gonçalves Gilberto de Magalhães Bento
Published: November 2023

This work presents an alternative to studying and determining the torsion modulus, G, in composites. For this purpose, a measuring system used a rotational motion sensor coupled to a torsion pendulum. The determination of the angular position as a function of time and an equation derived from studies of mechanical spectroscopy, allowed to determine the value of G, so experiments focused on samples of different quantities of hollow glass microspheres (HGMs) in unsaturated polyester resins. The G results show that the addition of HGMs (16.67 %W) reduces the value of torsion modulus by 31% when compared to the unsaturated resin (100 %W). On the other hand, considering the same two samples, there is a material density reduction of approximately 43% with the addition of HGMs, which makes these materials lighter, and of great practical interest. The relationship between G and material density shows that it is possible to change the amount of HGMs for optimal torsion resistance. The advantage of this technique, compared to other dynamic methods, is that it is not necessary to know the Poisson’s ratio of the material.
Mother–Child Conversations of Latina Immigrant and U.S.-Born Mothers in the United States
Authors: Hoff Erika , Shanks Katherine F.
Published: November 2023

The present study examined heritage culture influences on the roles of adult and child in the conversations Latina immigrant mothers in the United States have with their young children. Spanish monolingual Latina mothers ( n = 17), Spanish-English bilingual Latina mothers ( n = 30), and English monolingual European American mothers ( n = 22) were recorded in toy play interaction with their 2.5-year-old children; the bilingual Latina mothers were recorded twice, once interacting in Spanish and once in English. Analyses of transcripts of those conversations revealed that the monolingual Spanish-speaking Latina mothers talked more and asked fewer questions of their children and their children talked less compared with the monolingual English-speaking European American mothers and their children, consistent with differences that have been observed between mothers in Latin America and in the United States. The Spanish and English conversations between the bilingual mothers and their children similarly differed in the ratio of adult to child speech, although the Latina mothers’ English conversations still differed from the English conversations of European American mothers. In addition, the ratio of mother to child speech in the immigrant mothers’ Spanish language conversations declined as their years of U.S. residence increased. These findings argue that children of Latina immigrant mothers in the United States are socialized to talk less (and listen more) in conversation with adults compared with children from European American families. These findings also provide new evidence for cultural frames as the mediators of cultural influences on behavior and for language priming of cultural frames.
Middle School Principals Perceptions About LGBTQ+ Students in Their Schools
Authors: Rauch Chrisitan , Madsen Jean
Published: November 2023

Though bullying is a near universal experience for middle school students at some point, LGBTQ + students experience additional stress and poorer academic outcomes than their peers do. This qualitative study interviewed six middle school principals from rural, suburban and urban schools. Data collection for this study included two semi-structured interviews over a four-month period. Data analysis included a constant comparative method using minority stress prior-research themes. Principals noted that many of the LGBTQ + students experienced prejudice and stigma. They also stated, that some of the LGBTQ + concealed their identity and at times internalized their phobias.
Capacity and Priority: Explaining the Regulatory Roles of Labor Brokers in China's Newly Established Guestworker Program
Authors: Huang Chuling (Adam)
Published: November 2023

Why do states delegate regulatory responsibilities to labor brokers in guestworker programs? Though much has been written about how labor brokers not only mediate migrant mobility but also participate in guestworker governance, there is limited research on why states grant them such regulatory roles. Drawing on a case study of a guestworker program newly implemented in China in 2017, which incorporated a large number of Vietnamese temporary migrants, I examine why the local government in charge of the program chose to engage private labor dispatch agencies in regulating guestworkers. Based on interviews conducted in the winter of 2021, I argue that the fragmented capacities of local state actors and their divergent policy priorities from the central state contributed to labor brokers’ regulatory roles in guestworker governance. The lack of resources and interdepartmental collaboration constrained the local government's ability to enforce regulations and created opportunities for labor agencies to fill in as informal regulators. Furthermore, the local government's struggle to balance economic development goals with the national government's priorities on border security led to selective enforcement of rules, which strengthened the labor agencies’ regulatory positions. At the same time, labor agencies’ opportunistic behaviors also help stabilize the guestworker system by easing the tension between developmental gains and border security concerns resulting from labor migration.
Navigating Ethical Complexities Through Epistemological Analysis of ChatGPT
Authors: Chavanayarn Siraprapa
Published: November 2023

This article undertakes an epistemological analysis to explore the ethical complexities of ChatGPT, an AI system. While ethical concerns regarding AI have received considerable attention, the epistemological dimension has been largely neglected. By integrating epistemology, the study aims to deepen our understanding of the ethical issues associated with ChatGPT. Four specific issues are examined: ChatGPT's role in testimony, its potential designation as an expert, the influence of user epistemic limitations and vices, and the impact of algorithmic bias on ChatGPT. The study's findings contribute to an inclusive comprehension of the ethical implications arising from the epistemological complexities of ChatGPT. They reveal the limitations of ChatGPT as a trustworthy source of testimony, attributable to its lack of genuine understanding. The blurring of boundaries between AI-generated information and authentic expertise is identified as a significant concern. Furthermore, the study underscores the necessity of addressing the epistemic limitations and biases of users to foster responsible decision-making and prevent the perpetuation of flawed knowledge. Finally, the ethical ramifications of algorithmic bias in ChatGPT are explored, emphasizing its impact on societal fairness and justice.
A unified educational mobile application to aid in teaching solid mechanics using interactive Mohr's circle
Authors: Campos Mikaelly dos Santos , Rodrigues Marcos Antonio Campos , Camargo Rodrigo Silveira , Kiepper Leonardo Silveira
Published: November 2023

The interpretation and visualization of engineering problems are complex. Therefore, engineers have always developed graphic procedures to solve these problems, one technique being Mohr's circle. The study of geometric properties of the cross-sections, plane stress, and plane strain are some applications of such techniques in Solid Mechanics. In practically all literature adopted in undergraduate courses on these topics, the efforts of authors to teach with the greatest clarity are remarkable, using all possible resources in books, with very well-designed graphics. However, concerning Mohr's circle, the mental visualization of some movement is needed, be it the rotation of points on the circle, the rotation of the cross-section, the axes, or the differential element. This need makes such topics ideal to be taught through interactive animations, impossible in books. Computer programs about these subjects do exist, however, with reduced user interactivity. Thus, this work presents a new unified mobile application with several useful interactivity features for teaching plane stress, plane strain, and moment of inertia in engineering courses, using Mohr's circle. The application is developed in Java programming language, using Android Studio software. The graphical environment was developed with the aim of being a didactic and intuitive way to study and learn about cross-section properties, plane stress, and plane strain. The results provided by the application are compared with examples from the literature, presenting accurate responses, with easy visualization and interpretation. The usage of the program makes studying the initial concepts of solid mechanics and Mohr's circle enjoyable for engineering students.
Residents' Fear of Retaliation in America’s Nursing Homes: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Caspi Eilon
Published: November 2023

The phenomenon of residents’ fear of staff retaliation when voicing care concern and making mistreatment complaints in nursing homes has been shown in research to be common. Despite longstanding concerns by care advocacy organizations about this phenomenon and its impact on residents (including emotional suffering, inadequate care, and mistreatment due to fear-driven lack of reporting, investigation, and resolution), little research examined it to date. Using 100 standard survey and complaint investigation reports from state survey agencies in nursing homes in 30 states, the researcher of this qualitative study aimed to improve understanding of residents’ lived experience of four aspects of this phenomenon—fear of retaliation, allegations of threats of retaliation, perceived retaliation, and actual (confirmed) retaliation—and their emotional consequences. The findings could inform practice and policy changes necessary to realize residents’ federal right to speak up without fear of retaliation when advocating for dignified and safe care.
Thrombotic Microangiopathy After Hematopoietic Stem Cell and Solid Organ Transplantation: A Review for Intensive Care Physicians
Authors: Nusrat Sanober , Davis Hugh , MacDougall Kira , George James N. , Nakamura Ryotaro , Borogovac Azra
Published: November 2023

Intensive care physicians may assume the primary care of patients with transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA), an uncommon but potentially critical complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCTs) and solid organ transplants. TA-TMA can have a dramatic presentation with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) associated with high morbidity and mortality. The typical presenting clinical features are hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, refractory hypertension, proteinuria and worsening renal failure. Intestinal involvement, with abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, gastrointestinal bleeding, and ascites are also common. Cardiopulmonary involvement may develop from various causes including pulmonary arteriolar hypertension, pleural and pericardial effusions, and diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. Due to other often concurrent complications after HSCT, early diagnosis and effective management of TA-TMA may be challenging. Close collaboration between ICU and transplant physicians, along with other relevant specialists, is needed to best manage these patients. There are currently no approved therapies for the treatment of TA-TMA. Plasma exchange and rituximab are not recommended unless circulating factor H (CFH) antibodies or thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP; ADAMTS activity < 10%) are diagnosed or highly suspected. The role of the complement pathway activation in the pathophysiology of TA-TMA has led to the successful use of targeted complement inhibitors, such as eculizumab. However, the relatively larger studies using eculizumab have been mostly conducted in the pediatric population with limited data on the adult population. This review is focused on the role of intensive care physicians to emphasize the clinical approach to patients with suspected TA-TMA and to discuss diagnosis and treatment strategies.
How Does Facebook Retain Segregated Friendship? An Agent-Based Model Approach
Authors: Firmansyah Firman M.
Published: November 2023

Facebook, the largest social networking site in the world, has overcome the structural barriers that historically constrain individuals to reach out to different others. Through the platform, people from all walks of life and virtually any location can develop diverse friendships online. However, friendships on Facebook have been as segregated as friendships in real life. This research sought to understand why the leading social networking site intended to “bring the world closer together” retains segregated friendship. In doing so, I employed a series of agent-based simulations based on the Framework for Intergroup Relations and Multiple Affiliations Networks (FIRMAN). As demonstrated, Facebook has primarily enhanced users’ capacity to maintain a larger number of friendships (tie capacity), but it has done little to empower users’ ability to accept diversity and befriend different others (tie outreachability). Facebook must focus on the latter should they truly wish to contribute to the development of a more inclusive society. While in this study I focus on ethnically segregated friendship on Facebook, I argue that the same explanation might also hold for racially and ideologically segregated friendships on other bidirectional social networking sites.
Multidimensional outline of experimental techniques for human skin tribology: A scoping review
Authors: Srivastava Ashish Kumar , Rathore JS , Shrivastava S
Published: November 2023

Human skin tribology involves the study of friction behaviour of skin, with other materials in contact. Numerous studies have been conducted based both on the simulations and experimentations for the tribological investigations. Present study reports key experimental findings post year 2000 in which human skin (in vivo) is taken as test specimen. This review study highlights the latest technologies and trends that is in practice for tribological investigations on the human skin. For the selection of articles, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) technique is adapted. Articles were screened out using various inclusion and exclusion criteria. Classifications were made based on the site of investigations viz. fingertip (22%), finger pad (36%), volar forearm (32%), and other regions (10%) as the anatomical regions. Study concludes that the maximum investigations have been performed on fabric/ textile followed by polymers, metals, plastics, and many others. Shearing has come up as the prominent factor for the erosion of soft surfaces. Study concludes the stick- slip friction to be the foremost contributor to the adhesion friction.
Life cycle assessment study on glove box assembly of Indian passenger vehicles
Authors: Jujjavarapu Sreeram , Kota Srinivas , Kotkunde Nitin R , Krishna Jasti Naga Vamsi , Saxena Kuldeep K
Published: November 2023

The automotive sector is one of the major greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions contributors and it accounts for around 17% of the total GHG emissions across the world. Most of these passenger vehicles in India are sub-4-meter vehicles hence, it becomes important to analyze the environmental impacts of these vehicles. Even though emissions are a major contributor to GHG emissions, the interiors are also one of the major contributors to GHG emissions during the life cycle of a passenger vehicle. The Glove box contributes significantly to the interior consideration. The present study focuses on analyzing the environmental impacts of a glove box with multiple option scenarios using the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology in accordance with ISO 14040: 2006. A cradle-to-grave approach was chosen to perform LCA on various design alternatives made of different raw materials (PPTD15, PPTD20, and PPTD25), manufacturing process (hotplate welding, vibration welding, and fastening), latching concept (side and central), and storage concept (rotating bin, fixed bin part of substrate, and fixed bin not part of substrate) of the glove box. The life cycle impacts are analyzed, and it was observed that the fixed bin not part of the substrate has the least environmental impacts with PPTD15 raw material, central latching mechanism, and fastening manufacturing process combination. In addition, this study observed that the use phase is the major contributor to overall impacts, which accounts for around 72–75% of total impacts. It was recommended to use recycled and renewable energy sources during raw material manufacturing and renewable energy as a source of fuel/electricity during the use phase of the glove box to reduce the environmental burden.
Arms-length influence: Public sector wage setting and export-led economic growth in Czechia and Slovakia
Authors: Kahancová Marta , Staroňová Katarína
Published: November 2023

Studies on the drivers of public sector wage setting (PSWS) within the broader political and economic conditions in Central and Eastern Europe are scarce. To fill this gap, the paper questions to what extent the export-led growth model, based on foreign direct investment as driver of economic growth, influenced PSWS in Czechia and Slovakia after the 2008–2009 crisis. The paper provides new evidence of the appropriateness of the growth model literature, integrated by consideration of global production chains integration, for understanding PSWS in CEE conditions. The analysis shows that PSWS followed institutional traditions and established practices that only indirectly related to the countries’ export orientation and integration into global production chains. The indirect growth model impact on PSWS in CEE conditions is channeled through a strong role of the statutory minimum wage, which serves as a wage benchmark both for the export sector and PSWS.
Tanshinone I induces ferroptosis in gastric cancer cells via the KDM4D/p53 pathway
Authors: Xia Minming , Wu Yifeng , Zhu Hui , Duan Wenbiao
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Tanshinone I (Tan I) is one of the bioactive components of Salvia miltiorrhiza. Whether it inhibits gastric cancer through ferroptosis has not been reported. This study aimed to confirm the effect of Tan I on ferroptosis in gastric cancer cells.

Methods

AGS and HGC27 cells were treated with Tan I. First, oxidative stress-related parameters and the expression of ferroptosis-related proteins were examined. Combined with a ferroptosis inhibitor, Tan I was found to inhibit gastric cancer cells via the ferroptosis pathway. Finally, with bioinformatics analysis, the target protein of Tan I was identified.

Results

Tan I significantly inhibited the expression level of GPX4. This molecule also increased ROS, MDA, and Fe2+ contents and decreased GSH enzyme activity. Therefore, we hypothesized that Tan I may inhibit gastric cancer cells by inducing ferroptosis. Western blotting results showed that Tan I inhibited the expression levels of the ferroptosis resistance-related proteins GPX4, SLC7A11, and FTH1, while the pro-ferroptosis-related proteins TFR1 and ACSL4 were significantly upregulated. A ferroptosis inhibitor effectively reversed these regulatory effects of Tan I in gastric cancer. With these data combined with the bioinformatics analysis, KDM4D was identified as a key regulatory target of Tan I. Mechanistically, Tan I induced positive regulation of ferroptosis resistance-related indicators by inhibiting KDM4D to upregulate p53 protein expression. Overexpression of KDM4D significantly reversed the effect of Tan I-induced ferroptosis resistance in gastric cancer cells.

Conclusions

Tan I induced ferroptosis inhibition in gastric cancer by regulating the KDM4D/p53 pathway.
Impact of combined chronic exposure to low-dose bisphenol A and fructose on serum adipocytokines and the energy target metabolome in white adipose tissue
Authors: Liu Xiaocheng , Li Guojuan , Zhong Jing , Rang Ouyan , Ou Guifang , Qin Xinru , Tang Yonghong , Wang Mu
Published: November 2023

Background: Adipose tissue is a dynamic endocrine organ that plays a key role in regulating metabolic homeostasis. Previous studies confirmed that bisphenol A (BPA) or fructose can interfere with the function of adipose tissue. Nonetheless, knowledge on how exposure to BPA and fructose impacts energy metabolism in adipose tissue remains limited.

Purpose: To determine impact of combined chronic exposure to low-dose bisphenol A and fructose on serum adipocytokines and the energy target metabolome in white adipose tissue.

Method: 57 energy metabolic intermediates in adipose tissue and 7 adipocytokines in serum from Sprague Dawley rats were examined after combined exposure to two levels of BPA (lower dose: 0.25, and higher dose: 25 μg/kg every other day) and 5% fructose for 6 months.

Results: combined exposure to lower-dose BPA and fructose significantly increased omentin-1, pyruvic acid, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine monophosphate (AMP), inosine monophosphate (IMP), inosine, and l-lactate; however, these parameters were not significantly affected by higher-dose BPA combined with fructose. Interestingly, the level of succinate (an intermediate of the citric acid cycle) increased dose-dependently in adipose tissue, and the level of apelin 13 (a versatile adipocytokine) decreased dose-dependently in serum after combined exposure to BPA and fructose. Phosphoenolpyruvic acid, phenyl-lactate, and ornithine were significantly correlated with asprosin, omentin-1, apelin, apelin 13, and adiponectin, while l-tyrosine was significantly correlated with irisin and a-FABP under combined exposure to BPA and fructose.

Conclusions: these findings indicated that lower-dose BPA combined with fructose could amplify the impact on glycolysis, energy storage, and purine nucleotide biosynthesis in adipose tissue, and adipocytokines, such as omentin-1 and apelin 13, may be related to metabolic interference induced by BPA and fructose exposure.
Deaths averted: An unbiased alternative to rate ratios for measuring the performance of cancer screening programs
Authors: Deck Wilber , Hanley James A
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Screening trials and meta-analyses emphasize the ratio of cancer death rates in screening and control arms. However, this measure is diluted by the inclusion of deaths from cancers that only became detectable after the end of active screening.

Methods

We review traditional analysis of cancer screening trials and show that ratio estimates are inevitably biased to the null, because follow-up (FU) must continue beyond the end of the screening period and thus includes cases only becoming detectable after screening ends. But because such cases are expected to occur in equal numbers in the two arms, calculation of the difference between the number of cancer deaths in the screening and control arms avoids this dilutional bias. This difference can be set against the number of invitations to screening; we illustrate by reanalyzing data from all trials of tomography screening of lung cancer (LC) using this measure.

Results

In nine trials of LC screening from 2000 to 2013, a total of 94,441 high-risk patients were invited to be in screening or control groups, with high participation rates (average 95%). In the older trials comparing computed tomography to chest X-ray, 88,285 invitations averted 83 deaths (1068 per death averted (DA)). In the six more recent trials with no screening in the control group, 69,976 invitations averted 121 deaths (577 invitations per DA).

Discussion

Screens per DA is an undiluted measure of screening's effect and it is unperturbed by the arbitrary duration of FU. This estimate can be useful for program planning and informed consent.