bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Dialectic Behavior Therapy on Self-conscious Emotions and Family Quality of Life in Mothers of Children with Intellectual Disability
Authors:   Department of Child Psychology, Faculty of Human Sciences, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran., Sari Nasirlo Karim Aali , Naderi Farah ,   Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Sciences, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran., Homaei Rezvan ,   Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Sciences, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran., Makvandi Behnam ,   Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Sciences, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran.
Published: September 2023

Background and Aims having children with intellectual disability can cause psychological, emotional and social problems for the parents, especially mothers. The present study aims to examine the effect of dialectic behavior therapy (DBT) on self-conscious emotions and family quality of life (QoL) in mothers of children with intellectual disability. Methods This is a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test/post-test/ follow-up design. The study population consists of all mothers of children with intellectual disability in Ardebil, Iran in 2021. Of these, 37 were selected using a purposive sampling method and randomly divided into intervention and control groups. The mothers in the intervention group received eight sessions of DBT for two months. Tangney et al.’s test of self-conscious affect and the beach center family QoL scale were used in this study. The data were analyzed using mixed ANOVA. Results The DBT had a significant effect on positive self-conscious affect (F=75.20; Eta squared=0.68; P=0001), negative self-conscious affect (F=45.19; Eta squared =0.56; P=0001) and family QoL (F=71.74; Eta squared=0.67; P=0001) in mothers. Conclusion The DBT can improve self-conscious emotions and family QoL in mothers of children with intellectual disability by employing techniques such as distress tolerance, mindfulness, and emotional regulation.
Effect of Aerobic Training on the Relationship Between Loading Rate and Quadriceps Muscle Activities in Men With Diabetic Neuropathy: A Clinical Trial
Authors:   Department of Sports Management and Biomechanics, Faculty of Education Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran., Jafarnezhadgero AmirAli , Mamashli Elahe ,   Department of Sports Management and Biomechanics, Faculty of Education Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran., Noorian Ebrahim ,   Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Ardabili Branch, Payam Noor University, Ardabili, Iran.
Published: September 2023

Background and Aims The increase in loading rate is associated with lower limb injuries such as tibial stress fracture. Quadriceps muscle activities absorb ground reaction force (GRF) shocks by eccentric activation. This study aims to evaluate the effect of aerobic training on the relationship between loading rate and quadriceps muscle activities in men with diabetic neuropathy (DN). Methods In this double-blinded, randomized, controlled clinical trial, participants were 40 men with DN who were selected by a convenience sampling method and randomly divided into two groups of training (n=20, age: 54.9±7.3, body mass index: 28.4±5.4) and control (n=20; age: 54.1±7.3, body mass index: 28.5±5.1). The GRF data was recorded using a force plate system during walking. The electrical activity of selected lower limb muscles was recorded using electromyography method. The training group performed aerobic training for 12 weeks (three sessions per week). Results The results showed an increase in the negative relationship between vertical loading rate and vastus lateralis activities after training (P=0.028). The activities of vastus medialis and rectus femoris muscles showed no significant relationship with loading rate after training (P>0.05). Conclusion Aerobic training can improve the relationship between vastus lateralis muscle activity and vertical loading rate in men with DN.
Substantiation of thermal engineering reliability of VVER-1200 with mixing grids installed in fuel assemblies
Authors:   Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, Lazareva I. A. , Paramonova I. L. ,   Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University
Published: September 2023

One of the most important issues when it comes to the safety of a nuclear power plant is the need to ensure it not only during operation, but also at the design stage. To accomplish this task, it is important to correctly organize and accurately establish the conditions of heat transfer. This is necessary for the performance of a nuclear power plant. The work was focused on substantiating the thermal reliability of the VVER-1200 core with improved fuel assemblies. In this assembly, the design solution was the inclusion of mixing grates (MR) of the «vortex» and «running» types. As a result, it was found that this design feature makes it possible to increase the amount of electricity generation by increasing the critical power of fuel assemblies for the VVER reactor. The subject of the study were: the phenomenon of the crisis of heat transfer of the first kind, as well as thermalhydraulic processes in the core. In accordance with the intended purpose of the study, a solution technique was determined, for which the whole work was divided into two stages. During the first stage, a thermalhydraulic calculation was carried out, the temperature and heat flux distributions were obtained in the cross section and along the height of the fuel element, in which it is maximally loaded, taking into account the surface boiling zone. As a result of the second stage, it was found: the safety factor before the heat transfer crisis. Thus, this technique made it possible to obtain a result on the assessment of the heat engineering reliability of the reactor plant, based on the criteria found. As a final result, the following factors were determined: the reserve before the heat transfer crisis, pressure losses in the reactor plant in the near-wall boiling zone, flow parameters in a two-phase state, and uneven heat flows. Based on the results, it was proved and shown that the improvement of the FA design by adding four «vortex» and «running» gratings made it possible to increase the thermal reliability of the reactor core. This, in turn, makes it possible to operate the power unit at an increased power level, which will lead to an increase in the energy efficiency of the NPP. The significance of this work is: determination of indicators of thermal reliability of the AZ, responsible for the safety of the reactor plant.
Machine learning-based detection of Denial-of-Sleep attacks in wireless sensor networks
Authors:   Petersburg Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Desnitsky V. A.
Published: September 2023

The paper comprises detection of Denial-of-Sleep attacks in wireless sensor networks. Such attacks are applicable to IoT devices that operate autonomously and switch between two modes of operation, namely general and power-efficient (sleep) modes, depending on the business rules of the devices. Although being quite effective in general, such attacks are quite stealthy and can significantly reduce and even completely drain the battery life of the device, thereby bringing it into a disabled state. The paper analyzes the source data and applies artificial intelligence methods to detect Denial-of-Sleep attacks. The detection model is built using specific machine learning techniques. The model is validated on real data collected on a test bench with ZigBee wireless modules representing both benign wireless sensor nodes and attackers. The detection quality indicators confirm the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed detection methods in practice.
Designing a reinforcement scheme for a structure made of composite materials during bending deformation
Authors:   Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University, Polyakov V. A.
Published: September 2023

The paper considers the reinforcement of a pipe during bending deformation. In the Siemens NX environment, a model is created and an analysis of the stress-strain state is carried out. Using the concept of synthesis of reinforcement schemes, trajectories are determined along which the reinforcing material is subsequently laid. The efficiency of this concept is tested on a simple example, then to move on to more complex details. The identification of reinforcement trajectories and the introduction of reinforcement showed that the deformation has decreased. The result is a reinforcement scheme for pipe bend deformation in the general case. Optimization of the reinforcement scheme consists in selecting the optimal amount of reinforcement and its dimensions.
Como Deve Ser um Material Educativo? Percepção dos Familiares de Crianças com Leucemia
Authors: Soeiro Gabriella , Pacheco Sandra  Teixeira de Araújo , Costa Cicero Ivan Alcantara , Nunes Michelle Darezzo Rodrigues , Silva Liliane Faria da , Araújo Bárbara Bertolossi Marta
Published: September 2023

Introdução: A criança com leucemia, quando no domicílio, requer cuidados especiais. Nesse contexto, os familiares deparam-se com demandas de cuidados que precisam ser aprendidas em função da condição clínica de sua criança. Este artigo é um recorte da pesquisa “As demandas de aprendizagem dos familiares de crianças com leucemia para o cuidado domiciliar”. Objetivo: Conhecer as percepções de familiares de crianças com leucemia sobre a proposta de construção de materiais educativos para o cuidado domiciliar e descrever os temas que os familiares julgarem significativos na composição desses materiais. Método: Estudo participativo desenvolvido em uma enfermaria de hematologia infantil no Rio de Janeiro. A teoria utilizada para fundamentar o estudo foi a educação problematizadora de Paulo Freire. Os dados foram coletados por meio de três círculos de discussão e, posteriormente, examinados a partir da análise de conteúdo de Bardin. Resultados: Oito familiares de crianças com leucemia participaram do estudo. Duas categorias emergiram: “a proposta de construção de materiais educativos para o cuidado domiciliar” e “temas relevantes para compor os materiais educativos”. Conclusão: Considerar a percepção dos familiares na construção de material educativo pode contribuir de maneira assertiva na escolha de conteúdos e na forma de abordá-los, e ser uma estratégia mais eficaz nesse processo contínuo da educação em saúde dos familiares das crianças com leucemias.
SYNTHESIS AND MESOGENIC PROPERTIES OF NEW AROMATIC SCHIFF BASE’S ESTERS
Authors:   Faculty of Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Jln Universiti, Bandar Barat, 31900 Kampar, Perak, Malaysia, Lee Teck-Leong , Chelsea Mei-Ing Quek ,   Faculty of Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Jln Universiti, Bandar Barat, 31900 Kampar, Perak, Malaysia, Ha Sie-Tiong ,   Faculty of Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Jln Universiti, Bandar Barat, 31900 Kampar, Perak, Malaysia, Yeap Guan-Yeow ,   Liquid Crystal Research Laboratory, School of Chemical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Minden, Penang, Malaysia
Published: September 2023

A homologous series of new Schiff base’s esters, 4-bromobenzylidene-4’-alkanoyloxyanilines were syn-thesized. The structure of the synthesized compounds was elucidated using IR and NMR spectroscopic techniques along with mass spectrometric method. Nine homologous members were prepared whereby the length of alkanoyloxy chain, Cn-1H2n-1COO is varied from n = 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18. Their thermotropic properties were analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry and polarized optical mi-croscopy techniques. Whilst short chain members (number of carbons, n = 2, 4) are non-mesogens, member with n = 6 exhibited monotropic smectic A (SmA) phase. As the n increased to 8, this com-pound becomes the only member that exhibited SmA and SmB as enantiotropic phase. Varying from n = 10 to n = 16, these members displayed enantiotropic SmA and monotropic SmB phases. Longest chain member, n-octadecanoyloxy derivatives exhibited only single mesophase (monotropic SmA). The ester linkage and polar terminal (bromo) group in the present series are essential for the smectic polymorphism in Schiff bases
NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF THE HEAT TRANSFER AND THE ENTROPY GENERATION FOR A CuO-Al2O3-WATER HYBRID NANOFLUID FLOW THROUGH AN EXTENDED CURVED DUCT
Authors:   Laboratory of Maritime Sciences and Engineering LSIM Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Science and Technology of Oran, Mohamed Boudiaf, El Mnaouar, B.P.1505, 31000, Oran, Algeria, Derbal Djamila , Bouzit Mohamed ,   Laboratory of Maritime Sciences and Engineering LSIM Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Science and Technology of Oran, Mohamed Boudiaf, El Mnaouar, B.P.1505, 31000, Oran, Algeria, Mokhefi Abderrahim ,   Mechanics, Modeling and Experimentation Laboratory L2ME, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Bechar University B.P.417, 08000, Bechar, Algeria
Published: September 2023

The present paper focus on the theoretical analysis of the convective heat transfer and the irreversibility state of a laminar flow of a hybrid nanofluid inside a extended curved duct of circular cross section. This nanofluid is obtained from the suspension of the Al2O3 and CuO nanoparticles in the pure water. The flow of the nanofluid start from a narrowed part of a curved duct of a semi-circular shape, its enlarged part is subjected to a uniform hot temperature. The present analysis deals with highlighting the impact of some parameters namely: Dean number (13.83 ⩽ De ⩽ 55.33), Richardson number (0 ⩽ Ri ⩽ 0.1) as well as the effect of the hybrid nanoparticles on the heat transfer rate and the generated entropy. The resolution of the governing equations that include mass, momentum and energy has been performed by the use of the finite element method. The results have shown that the rate of the heat exchange rise according to the augmentation of the Dean number and the hybrid nanofluid volume fraction. However, the flow system irreversibility is more important in the case of the highest Dean number and volume fraction. Moreover, a comparison between different simple and hybrid nanofluids has demonstrated that the latter is more efficient especially for technological and economic reasons
Au@Fe3O4 NANOPARTICLES: PREPARATION, CHARACTERIZATION AND CYTOTOXIC EVALUATION
Authors:   Department of biochemistry, I.K.Akhunbaev Kyrgyz State Medical Academy, Bishkek, 720020, Kyrgyzstan, Kelgenbaeva Z.
Published: September 2023

Gold-coated iron oxide nanoparticles are a class of potential theranostic nanoparticles that have been studied for their multitude of magnetic and optical properties with possible medical applications. In this work, spherical Au@Fe3O4 nanoparticles were successfully synthesized from Fe electrodes immersed in HAuCl4 solution using a very simple method - pulsed plasma in liquid, without any dopants or special conditions for stabilization. Vibrating sample magnetometer indicated ferromagnetic behavior of the particles at room temperature with coercivity and saturation magnetization of Hc=175 and Ms= 3.56 emu/g, respectively. Face-centered cubic Au and spinel inverse structure of FCC- Fe3O4 were determined by X-Ray diffraction analysis. High-resolution transmission electron microscopic analysis revealed that Fe3O4 particles with 14 nm in size are connected to 18 nm Au particles. The cytotoxicity of the nanoparticles was evaluated using a XTT assay on Hela cells, revealing very low (cell viability: 98-89% with Fe3O4 and 99-91% for Au@Fe3O4 NPs). This indicates that Au improves biocompatibility of magnetic nanoparticles, enabling their application in biomedicine
FINANCIAL MECHANISMS OF PUBLIC MANAGEMENT OF THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE MEDICAL SYSTEM OF UKRAINE IN MARKET CONDITIONS
Authors:   National Academy of Management, Ivanchov Pavlo
Published: September 2023

The features of the main models of financing the health care system in the world are described in the article. The priorities for the development of a multi-channel system of medical financing in Ukraine, which should be based on the budget-insurance financing model with the obligatory harmonious use of all other available financial sources (both budget and private resource), are identified. The modern financial mechanism of state management of the transformation of the medical system, which provides for the departure from medical subventions to more efficient distribution and use of funds through a single customer paid for actually provided medical services and provides the following elements: state guaranteed package of medical services for all citizens, a single national customer of medical services, payment for medical services upon request (“money follows the patient”) on the basis of the standard per person for a particular unit, as well as on the basis of payment for the treated case in case of specialized care of all units of medical care is described. The principles of financing primary, secondary (specialized) and tertiary (highly specialized) medical care institutions during the 2018-2020 reform is determined. It is proposed to develop compulsory health insurance, which would guarantee citizens the opportunity to receive medical care in accordance with the approved programs of compulsory health insurance. At the same time, it is essential that all segments of the population can receive guarantees of medical protection. It is envisaged that the insurance medicine system, which allows, on the one hand, to organize full funding of the industry and control the targeted use of funds, and on the other – to directly interest doctors, administrative and service staff in the results of their work.
THE FACTOR ANALYSIS OF INNOVATION AND INVESTMENT SUPPORT OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Authors:   Lutsk National Technical University, Pogulyayko Yuriy
Published: September 2023

The article reveals the peculiarities of the formation of a group of factors of innovation and investment development of the Volyn region. In order to assess the impact of indicators, the equations of linear multifactorial dependence and correlation trend lines of two-factor dependences are constructed. The main directions of development of the region in the context of increasing the use of innovation and investment support are outlined. It is determined that one of the determining factors for innovative growth of gross regional product is the number of employees involved in the implementation of research and development, which have a scientific degree, and investment – the amount of capital investment. The analysis of the structure of expenses for the implementation of research and development and sources of funding for innovation of industrial enterprises.
PECULIARITIES OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SPORTS INDUSTRY IN THE CONDITIONS OF THE EUROPEAN INTEGRATION VECTOR OF UKRAINE
Authors:   National Academy of Management, Shtuler Iryna
Published: September 2023

The article identifies the features of the development of the sports industry in the European integration vector ofUkraine. The componentsthat form the concept of the sportsindustry are revealed. The peculiarities of the phenomena of sports product and sports relations are established. Information on expendituresfor the sportsindustry fromthe StateBudget ofUkraine for 2020 is provided. The non-financial problems of the sports industry market development are characterized. The experience of realization of strategy of development of the sports industry in the European countries is studied. The list of measures that solve the problems of sports industry development is substantiated. The principles of development of the sports ndustry at the state level are determined. The algorithm of development of the sports industry which provides active use of the certain principles and tools directed on development of the organizational and economic mechanism of strategic development of the sports industry taking into account its features is proved.
RESEARCH OF THE CONCEPT OF BUSINESS UNIVERSITY AND INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS OF ITS ACTIVITY
Authors:   Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design, Gryshchenko Ivan , Belyalov Talat ,   Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design
Published: September 2023

The article considers and analyzes the existing views on the essence of the category of business university from the standpoint of domestic and foreign authors. Five key elements of the University of Entrepreneurship are presented and described, which are the main directions of transformation of any university into an entrepreneurial one: integrated business culture, academic stronghold, diversified funding base, expanded development periphery and strengthened guiding core. Based on the study of the scientific achievements of scientists of Ukraine and the world and the analysis of existing conceptual approaches, the author's vision of the essence of the term "business university" was formulated. The main directions are identified, the significance of external and internal institutional factors influencing the activity of business universities is determined and evaluated. The need to implement the conceptual provisions of the University of Entrepreneurship in the activities of higher education institutions is justified according to the Kyiv National University of Technology and Design. It is determined that on formal grounds this higher education institution fully corresponds to the conceptual model of the entrepreneurial university and has all the opportunities for innovative development in the field of education and science in combination with entrepreneurial activity
El comercio y la inversión entre México y Chile: una visión desde el tratado de libre comercio
Authors:   Universidad de Guadalajara, Flores Urbaneja Christian Jared
Published: September 2023

La suscripción del Acuerdo de Complementación Económica en 1992 y el Tratado de Libre Comercio en 1998 han determinado que la relación comercial entre Chile y México sea exitosa Los niveles de intercambio comercial han crecido de manera importante impulsados por la liberalización arancelaria que hoy alcanza a 99 7% del comercio bilateral Este tlC es un acuerdo de última generación, que incluye todos los temas relativos al comercio y la inversión El acuerdo ha beneficiado a ambos países con una institucionalidad que da seguimiento a los compromisos conseguidos, a los mecanismos constituidos para la resolución de conflictos, junto con un diálogo constante entre ambos gobiernos, lo que agiliza la solución de problemas A pesar de la lejanía geográfica, se ha creado una verdadera zona de libre comercio y el tratado ha sido evaluado como excelente en ambas partes.
Transferencia dinámica de calor en muros de block hueco en una vivienda con ventilación natural
Authors:   Universidad de Sonora, Mexico, Ochoa José , Lovriha Irene ,   Universidad de Sonora, Mexico, Huelsz Guadalupe ,   Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México, Barrios Guillermo
Published: September 2023

Este estudio presenta una investigación experimental sobre la transferencia dinámica de calor a través de un muro exterior de bloques huecos de concreto en una vivienda sin aire acondicionado en un clima cálido-seco. El estudio busca determinar si la parte sólida del bloque hueco, que se considera un puente térmico en este tipo de sistema constructivo, es o no el camino principal para la transferencia de calor en condiciones climáticas cálidas y secas. Los resultados muestran que la proporción entre el calor transferido por la trayectoria de la cavidad y el correspondiente a la trayctoria sólida varía a lo largo del día. Durante la noche, por la trayectoria dentro de la cavidad se transfiere casi el mismo calor que por la trayectoria de la parte sólida, y durante el di?a, por la trayectoria dentro de la cavidad se transfiere menos calor que por la trayectoria de la parte sólida, mientras que por lapsos cortos esta última proporción se invierte. Por lo tanto, se concluye que el camino sólido de un bloque hueco no puede considerarse automáticamente un puente térmico, ni el camino en la cavidad como la parte de baja transferencia de calor, debido a que esta proporción varía a lo largo del día. Este trabajo proporciona un análisis dinámico de la transferencia de calor a través de un material ampliamente utilizado en viviendas de bajos ingresos en México para una mejor comprensión del fenómeno.
25-Hydroxyvitamin D supplementation and health-service utilization for upper respiratory tract infection in young children
Authors: Omand Jessica , To Teresa , O’Connor Deborah L. , C. Parkin Patricia , Birken Catherine S. , Thorpe Kevin E. , L. Maguire Jonathon
Published: September 2023

Objective: Upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) are the most common and costly condition of childhood. Low vitamin D levels have been hypothesized as a risk factor for URTI. The primary objective was to determine if serum vitamin D levels were associated with health-service utilization (HSU) for URTI including hospital admission, emergency department visits and outpatient sick visits. The secondary objectives were to determine whether oral vitamin D supplementation in pregnancy or childhood was associated with HSU for URTI.

Design: Cohort study. HSU was determined by linking each child's provincial health insurance number to health administrative databases. Multivariable quasi Poisson regression was used to evaluate the association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D, vitamin D supplementation and HSU for URTI.

Setting: Toronto, Canada.

Subjects: Children participating in the TARGet Kids! network between 2008 and 2013.

Results: Healthy children aged 0-5 years (n 4962) were included; 52 % were male and mean 25-hydroxyvitamin D was 84 nmol/l (range 11-355 nmol/l). There were 105 (2 %), 721 (15 %) and 3218 (65 %) children with at least one hospital admission, emergency department visit or outpatient sick visit for URTI, respectively. There were no statistically significant associations between 25-hydroxyvitamin D or vitamin D supplementation and HSU for URTI.

Conclusions: A clinically meaningful association between vitamin D (continuously and dichotomized at <50 and <75 nmol/l) and HSU for URTI was not identified. While vitamin D may have other benefits for health, reducing HSU for URTI does not appear to be one of them.
Cow’s Milk Fat Obesity pRevention Trial (CoMFORT): a primary care embedded randomised controlled trial protocol to determine the effect of cow’s milk fat on child adiposity
Authors: Vanderhout Shelley M. , Aglipay Mary , Birken Catherine , Li Patricia , O’Connor Deborah L. , Thorpe Kevin , Constantin Evelyn , Davis Marie-Adele , Feldman Mark , Ball Geoff D. C. , Janus Magdalena , Jüni Peter , Junker Anne , Laupacis Andreas , L'Abbé Mary , Manson Heather , E. Moretti Myla , Persaud Nav , Omand Jessica , Relton Clare , Wong Peter , Yamashiro Hirotaka , Tavares Erika , Weir Shannon , L. Maguire Jonathon
Published: September 2023

Introduction Cow’s milk is a dietary staple for children in North America. Though clinical guidelines suggest children transition from whole (3.25% fat) milk to reduced (1% or 2%) fat milk at age 2 years, recent epidemiological evidence supports a link between whole milk consumption and lower adiposity in children. The purpose of this trial is to determine which milk fat recommendation minimises excess adiposity and optimises child nutrition and growth.

Methods and analysis Cow’s Milk Fat Obesity pRevention Trial will be a pragmatic, superiority, parallel group randomised controlled trial involving children receiving routine healthcare aged 2 to 4–5 years who are participating in the TARGet Kids! practice-based research network in Toronto, Canada. Children (n=534) will be randomised to receive one of two interventions: (1) a recommendation to consume whole milk or (2) a recommendation to consume reduced (1%) fat milk. The primary outcome is adiposity measured by body mass index z-score and waist circumference z-score; secondary outcomes will be cognitive development (using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire), vitamin D stores, cardiometabolic health (glucose, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, non-high density lipoprotein (non-HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), triglyceride, HDL and total cholesterol, insulin and diastolic and systolic blood pressure), sugary beverage and total energy intake (measured by 24 hours dietary recall) and cost effectiveness. Outcomes will be measured 24 months postrandomisation and compared using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), adjusting for baseline measures.

Ethics and dissemination Ethics approval has been obtained from Unity Health Toronto and The Hospital for Sick Children. Results will be presented locally, nationally and internationally and published in a peer-reviewed journal. The findings may be helpful to nutrition guidelines for children in effort to reduce childhood obesity using a simple, inexpensive and scalable cow’s milk fat intervention.
Information asymmetry, east-west cultural differences, and divergence in investor reactions
Authors: Lee Seungho , Walker Thomas , Zhang Aoran , Zhao Yunfei
Published: September 2023

This paper investigates the divergence in investor behaviour between the United States and China following the abolition of the Chinese presidential term limit in 2018, which may, in part, have reflected the heterogeneous opinions expressed in public online media regarding this event. Compared with Chinese investors, the sentiment among US investors was considerably more pessimistic. Accordingly, we find that Chinese companies listed in the United States significantly underperformed relative to a sample of propensity score-matched firms listed in China. Additionally, we find that the political connectedness of firms to the Chinese government strongly influenced the stock prices of US-listed Chinese firms.

 
Fatigue Analysis of Actuators with Teflon Impregnated Coating - Challenges in Numerical Simulation
Authors: Bi Zhuming , Kang Bongsu , Ouyang Puren
Published: September 2023

Actuators are essential components for motion in machines, and warranty service lives are basic specifications of actuators. However, fatigue damage or wear of actuators are very complex and related to many design factors, such as materials properties, surface conditions, loads, and operating temperature. Actuator manufacturers still rely heavily on physical experiments to determine the fatigue lives of actuators. This paper investigates the state-of-the-art of using numerical simulations for fatigue analysis of mechanical actuators. Failure criteria of machine elements are discussed extensively; existing works on using finite element methods for machine element designs are examined to (1) explore the feasibility of using a numerical simulation for fatigue analysis and (2) discuss the technical challenges in practice. Moreover, a systematic procedure is suggested to predict fatigue lives of mechanical actuators with Teflon impregnated hard coatings. A virtual fatigue analysis allows for optimizing a mechanical structure, reducing design verification costs, and shortening the development time of actuators.
Trajectory Optimization Algorithm for a 4-DOF Redundant Parallel Robot Based on 12-Phase Sine Jerk Motion Profile
Authors: Hu Shengqiao , Kang Huimin , Tang Hao , Cui Zhengjie , Liu Zhicheng , Ouyang Puren
Published: September 2023

To improve high motion accuracy and efficiency in the high-speed operation of a 4-DOF (4 degrees of freedom) redundant parallel robot, this paper introduces a trajectory planning of the parallel robot in joint space based on the twelve-phase sine jerk motion profile. The 12-phase sine jerk motion profile utilizes the characteristics of a sine function. Furthermore, the penalty function is used to optimize the trajectory energy consumption under the constraint condition. The simulation and experimental results show that the energy consumption of joint space is slightly higher than that of the three-phase sine jerk motion profile, but the overall operation is more accurate and stable. Specifically, the sudden change of force and velocity in each joint is eliminated, which is the cause of mechanism oscillation. Moreover, the force of each joint is more average. The results indicate that each movement is closer to the maximum allowable limit and the running efficiency is higher. 
Did Covid-19 lockdown positively affect the urban environment and UN- Sustainable Development Goals?
Authors: Nigam Ritwik , Tripathi Gaurav , Priya Tannu , Luis Alvarinho J. , de Noronha Vaz Eric , Kumar Shashikant , Shakya Achala , Damásio Bruno , Kotha Mahender
Published: September 2023

This work quantifies the impact of pre-, during- and post-lockdown periods of 2020 and 2019 imposed due to COVID-19, with regards to a set of satellite-based environmental parameters (greenness using Normalized Difference Vegetation and water indices, land surface temperature, night-time light, and energy consumption) in five alpha cities (Kuala Lumpur, Mexico, greater Mumbai, Sao Paulo, Toronto). We have inferenced our results with an extensive questionnaire-based survey of expert opinions about the environment-related UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Results showed considerable variation due to the lockdown on environment-related SDGs. The growth in the urban environmental variables during lockdown phase 2020 relative to a similar period in 2019 varied from 13.92% for Toronto to 13.76% for greater Mumbai to 21.55% for Kuala Lumpur; it dropped to −10.56% for Mexico and −1.23% for Sao Paulo city. The total lockdown was more effective in revitalizing the urban environment than partial lockdown. Our results also indicated that Greater Mumbai and Toronto, which were under a total lockdown, had observed positive influence on cumulative urban environment. While in other cities (Mexico City, Sao Paulo) where partial lockdown was implemented, cumulative lockdown effects were found to be in deficit for a similar period in 2019, mainly due to partial restrictions on transportation and shopping activities. The only exception was Kuala Lumpur which observed surplus growth while having partial lockdown because the restrictions were only partial during the festival of Ramadan. Cumulatively, COVID-19 lockdown has contributed significantly towards actions to reduce degradation of natural habitat (fulfilling SDG-15, target 15.5), increment in available water content in Sao Paulo urban area(SDG-6, target 6.6), reduction in NTL resulting in reducied per capita energy consumption (SDG–13, target 13.3). 
Analysis of Wetland Landcover Change in Great Lakes Urban Areas Using Self-Organizing Maps
Authors: Penfound Elissa , de Noronha Vaz Eric
Published: September 2023

Wetland loss and subsequent reduction of wetland ecosystem services in the Great Lakes region has been driven, in part, by changing landcover and increasing urbanization. With landcover change data, digital elevation models (DEM), and self-organizing maps (SOM), this study explores changing landcover and the flood mitigation attributes of wetland areas over a 15-year period in Toronto and Chicago. The results of this analysis show that (1) in the city of Toronto SOM clusters, the landcover change correlations with wetland volume and wetland area range between −0.1 to −0.5, indicating that a more intense landcover change tends to be correlated with small shallow wetlands, (2) in the city of Chicago SOM clusters, the landcover change correlations with wetland area range between −0.1 to −0.7, the landcover change correlations with wetland volume per area range between −0.1 to 0.8, and the landcover change correlations with elevation range between −0.2 to −0.6, indicating that more intense landcover change tends to be correlated with spatially small wetlands that have a relatively high water-storage capacity per area and are located at lower elevations. In both cities, the smallest SOM clusters represent wetland areas where increased landcover change is correlated with wetland areas that have high flood mitigation potential. This study aims to offer a new perspective on changing urban landscapes and urban wetland ecosystem services in Toronto and Chicago.
COVID-19 in Toronto: A Spatial Exploratory Analysis
Authors: de Noronha Vaz Eric
Published: September 2023

 

COVID-19 has had a significant impact on a global scale. Evident signs of spatial-explicit characteristics have been noted. Nevertheless, publicly available data are scarce, impeding a complete picture of the locational impacts of COVID-19. This paper aimed to assess, confirm, and validate several geographical attributes of the geography of the pandemic. A spatial modeling framework defined whether there was a clear spatial profile to COVID-19 and the key socio-economic characteristics of the distribution in Toronto. A stepwise backward regression model was generated within a geographical information systems framework to establish the key variables influencing the spread of COVID-19 in Toronto. Further to this analysis, spatial autocorrelation was performed at the global and local levels, followed by an error and lag spatial regression to understand which explanatory framework best explained disease spread. The findings support that COVID-19 is strongly spatially explicit and that geography matters in preventing spread. Social injustice, infrastructure, and neighborhood cohesion are evident characteristics of the increasing spread and incidence of COVID-19. Mitigation of incidents can be carried out by intertwining local policies with spatial monitoring strategies at the neighborhood level throughout large cities, ensuring open data and adequacy of information management within the knowledge chain.
Archaeological Sites in Small Towns—A Sustainability Assessment of Northumberland County
Authors: de Noronha Vaz Eric
Published: September 2023

Background: Land-use change, resulting from urban expansion, has led to the unprecedented importance of rethinking our interactions with the environment in general. The consequences of anthropogenic activity on natural land, as well as sustainable land use types, is a significant concern to the detriment of small towns. In this article, I assess the changes in the urban footprint morphology of Northumberland County while evaluating the consequences of urban fragmentation on archaeological sites. Northumberland has a total population of 85,598 divided into seven municipalities and the Alderville First Nation reserve. Northumberland County is a commuting distance of one hour from Toronto, one of North America’s most important economic hubs. It is of the highest importance to measure and understand the current characteristics of land-use change and its impacts on the sustainability of small towns and local communities. Methods: A total of archaeological sites are used to test the impacts of urbanization and land-use change throughout the perimeter of Northumberland county. Spatial analysis is conducted employing spatial autocorrelation techniques (global and local) to assess the existence of hotspots of archaeological sites and the potential endangerment of these sites due to urban pressure. A hexagonal topology is used to derive a regional understanding of impacted regions within the county, allowing the richness of archaeological heritage sites as well as the possible concerns of these spatial clusters to be examined. Results: It is shown that a significant number of archaeological sites are present in Northumberland county, with a clear indication of a hotspot around Rice Lake. Future urbanization as well as land-use fragmentation may have an impact on the sustainability of these archaeological sites. It is shown that hexagonal geometries may establish relevant spatial surfaces to compare urban and archaeological sites as criteria to understand the endangerment of archaeological sites. The availability of the Global Urban Footprint (GUF) creates a particularly rigorous framework for the detection of impact on archaeological sites. Conclusion: The findings suggest that archaeological sites in small towns can benefit from high-resolution urban land-use footprints to detect impacts on archaeological sites and the relations of land-use change and intrasite management. This is of utmost importance in times of significant anthropogenic change brought by increasing urban pressure on small and medium-sized towns.
Sources of confusion in global biodiversity trends
Authors: Boënnec Maëlys , Dakos Vasilis , Devictor Vincent
Published: September 2023

Populations and ecological communities are changing worldwide, and empirical studies exhibit a mixture of either declining or mixed trends. Confusion in global biodiversity trends thus remains while being of major social, political, and scientific importance. Part of this variability may arise from the difficulty to reliably assess global biodiversity trends. Here, we conducted a literature review of studies documenting the temporal dynamics of global biodiversity. We classified the differences among approaches, data and methodology used by the reviewed papers to reveal common findings and sources of discrepancies. We show that reviews and meta-analyses, along with the use of global indicators, are more likely to conclude that trends are declining. On the other hand, the longer the data are available, the more nuanced are the trends they generate. Our results also highlight the lack of studies providing information on the impact of synergistic pressures on a global scale, making it even more difficult to understand the driving factors of the observed changes and how to decide conservation plan accordingly. Finally, we stress the importance of taking into account the sources of confusion identified, as well as the complexity of biodiversity changes, in order to implement effective conservation strategies. In particular, biodiversity dynamics are almost systematically assumed to be linear, while non-linear trends are largely neglected. Clarifying the sources of confusion in global biodiversity trends should strengthen large scale biodiversity monitoring and conservation.
Time of naturalization is key to explaining non-native plant invasions on islands
Authors: Mologni Fabio , Bellingham Peter , Cameron Ewen , Wright Anthony
Published: September 2023

AimRelatively long periods of time can elapse between the naturalization and spread of non-native plant species. However, time lags on islands are poorly understood, especially if integrating plant life histories. We asked whether (1) there is a time lag in the invasion process, (2) there were distinct periods of naturalization in the non-native plants that invaded islands and (3) non-native plants that naturalized more recently occur more frequently on islands that are large, less isolated and close to urban areas. Then, we contrasted trends across growth forms, dispersal modes and biogeographic origins.Location264 offshore islands in northern Aotearoa New ZealandTaxa Vascular plant speciesMethodsWe combined field surveys and published data for 848 non-native plant species. We categorized each species according to its growth form, dispersal mode and biogeographic origin and identified its year of naturalization in Aotearoa New Zealand. We contrasted period of naturalization, time lags and relationships with island area, isolation and distance from the nearest urban area by growth form, dispersal mode and biogeographic origin using ANCOVA and generalized linear models (GLMs).ResultsWe identified time lags, similar across all trait and biogeographic origin categories. Species with different trait and biogeographic origin categories first naturalized at different periods in time. Herbaceous species, those with unspecialized dispersal modes, and those originating from Eurasia and the Mediterranean basin were disproportionately introduced earlier than other categories. Non-native plants that naturalized more recently occur more frequently on large islands close to urban areas, but not less isolated ones. Relationships with island characteristics did not differ among trait and biogeographic origin categories.Main ConclusionsOverall, we found that the time of naturalization is more important than trait and biogeographic origin categories in explaining non-native plant invasion patterns on islands. Since similar time lags were identified for all categories, management bodies should focus on species of trait and biogeographic origin categories that naturalized more consistently in recent times (e.g. woody species from other regions within Oceania), and on large islands close to urban areas. Plant life histories do not always play a role in explaining plant distributions on islands.
An Analysis of Aesthetic Modernity in Yeats’ Poems
Authors: Fu Yuqing
Published: September 2023

When modern society marches toward post-modern society, people are still experiencing the same alienation and spiritual impoverishment as in Yeats’ times. It’s known that both modernity and aesthetic tradition are embodied in Yeats’ poems. Previous studies, however, have tried to interpret each individually, usually combining theories convenient to their purposes, but seldom intend to include both when studying Yeats’ poetry. Through an intensive reading of Yeats’ poems, this thesis tries to analyze how Yeats exhibits his aesthetic modernity in the tension between his nationalism and aesthetic pursuits. With the help of pertaining theories on aesthetic modernity, it can be found that in Yeats’ reflection and criticism of modern society, his efforts to establish the aesthetic space with the help of traditional Irish images, and his persistent pursuits for a spiritual homeland in eternal art, his aesthetic modernity is manifested and his concept of spiritual salvation for a nation is clarified. The analysis of Yeats’ poems from the perspective of aesthetic modernity is therefore significant not only to the reinterpretation of Yeats’ poetry but also to individuals or even nations who are still stuck in spiritual crisis.
Editorial: Transformative Play Seminar 2022 -- Role-playing, Heritage, and Culture
Authors: Torner Evan , Bowman Sarah Lynne , White William J.
Published: September 2023

Editorial for IJRP Special Issue Transformative Play Seminar 2022: Role-playing, Heritage, and Culture. Part 2 of 2.
Towards the Post-Modern Art Week: Anthropophagic Reflexes in the Brazilian Larp Scenes
Authors: Iuama Tadeu Rodrigues
Published: September 2023

The Brazilian Modern Art Week of 1922, a milestone in the Brazilian artistic avant-garde, completed its centenary last year. The intention of this text is to reflect on larp using the concept of anthropophagy: a cultural metaphor created by Oswald de Andrade, one of the members of the Art Week. Anthropophagy is characterized by the de-hierarchization of the hegemonic places of culture and by the critical digestion of the Other. Andrade’s reflections crossed time: they influenced literature, theater, painting, cinema and music, to name a few. Applied to larps, the concept of anthropophagy is discussed from the point of view of the communicology of Vilém Flusser, who was also influenced by Andrade’s thought. Finally, this essay seeks to reveal larp’s resonance with the Theatre of the Oppressed, proposed by Augusto Boal – also one of those influenced by anthropophagic thinking. With this resonance, I seek to highlight the transformative potential of anthropophagy, here considered inherent to larps, interpreting one Brazilian larp as a case study. Although this essay does not commit the naivety of treating larp as a panacea, its ultimate intention is to highlight the dialogical and social character of larps, as well as their potential to challenge power structures.