bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multi-tactile sensor calibration via motion constraints with tactile measurements
Authors: Yu Hexi , Liu Jin , Ma Daolin
Published: December 2024

This paper addresses a fundamental problem in multi-finger robot dexterous manipulation, Multi-Tactile Sensor Calibration (MTSC). It involves estimating the relative poses between multiple tactile sensors using their intrinsic measurements, crucial for coordinating multiple fingers in a dexterous robotic hand, especially when accurate encoders are unavailable. Unlike conventional multi-sensor calibration methods (like cameras), which rely on overlapping sensing regions and feature point matching, calibrating multiple tactile sensors presents unique challenges because these sensors cannot have overlapping sensing regions, precluding the use of shared key-points visible from different sensors. In this paper, we establish the theoretical basis for the MTSC problem, constructing constraint equations based on motions measured at multiple locations on the same grasped object from different tactile sensors. The key is that all these measurements correspond to a shared rigid body motion. A calibration scheme is proposed accordingly, with theoretical analysis conducted to enhance precision. Results in simulation, with objects of different shapes, confirm the validity of the proposed calibration approach. Furthermore, calibration of the relative pose between two GelSlim vision-based tactile sensors in real experiments demonstrates good agreement with the ground truth. The proposed theory and method not only shed light on explaining the accuracy gap between proprioception and tactile sensing in multi-finger manipulation but also pave the way for tactile-encoder-mixed or encoder-free solutions in dexterous multi-finger coordination.
Bridging bench to bedside: The evolution and impact of translational research in oncology. The experience of the Gruppo Oncologico Italiano di Ricerca Clinica (GOIRC)
Authors: Pellegrino Benedetta , Giovanardi Filippo , Tibaldi Carmelo , Moscetti Luca , Vingiani Andrea , Calabrò Luana , Zoppoli Gabriele , Didone Stefania , Ferrando Lorenzo , Franceschi Enrico , Todeschini Renata , Tognetto Michele , Leonetti Alessandro , Minari Roberta , Tommasi Chiara , Serra Olga , Boni Luca , Pruneri Giancarlo , Musolino Antonino
Published: December 2024

The Gruppo Oncologico Italiano di Ricerca Clinica (GOIRC) is Italy's first cooperative oncology research group, evolving to conduct academic clinical trials since 1985. With 167 publications and collaborations with national and international partners, GOIRC has significantly impacted clinical practices. The group emphasizes training and has developed robust internal standard operative procedures (SOPs) to enhance data quality. GOIRC is poised to tackle future challenges in translational research, focusing on innovative trial designs, precision medicine, and leveraging different laboratory resources across its 42 units.
Application of neural network in steelmaking and continuous casting: A review
Authors: Zhang Chaojie
Published: December 2024

With the improvement of computer computing power and the development of big data technology, neural networks have rapidly developed and been effectively applied in multiple fields. Steelmaking and continuous casting are key stages in steel production, involving complex physical changes and chemical reactions under high-temperature conditions. Neural networks, with the advantage of intelligently mining patterns from massive data, have been extensively researched and applied in the control of steelmaking and continuous casting processes. This paper uses a systematic literature review method to summarise the applications of neural networks in converter steelmaking, electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking, secondary refining and continuous casting over the past two decades. The main areas include the prediction of endpoint temperature and composition in converter and EAF smelting, optimisation of EAF power supply parameters, prediction of breakout in continuous casting and predictive control of billet and slab defects in continuous casting. It summarises and analyses the advantages and effects of different types of neural networks applied in steelmaking and continuous casting. Finally, the paper highlights the potential and challenges of neural networks in the application of steelmaking and continuous casting and points out future development directions.
The fault diagnosis method for overall wind turbine systems with an integrated feature extraction method
Authors: Peng Xiaoqiang , Zhuo Huashuo , Peng Shaobing , Li Yuhong , Hu Shengqing , Sun Shanxun
Published: December 2024

Wind power has become one of the most important clean energy sources today, and the complex environment and physical structures lead to high operation and maintenance costs. Achieving rapid and precise wind turbine fault diagnosis can potentially decrease wind power’s operational and maintenance expenses. The conventional fault detection methods of the wind turbine system usually focus on one specific component, with multiple limitations, high computational complexity and low prediction efficiency. In this paper, a kind of feature extraction method integrated heatmap with MMSVM-RFE is applied on XGBoost model to diagnose overall wind turbine faults. The heatmap-MMSVM-RFE model presented in this paper fuses the advantages of the physical interpretability of the heatmap model with the mathematical statistics of the SVM model. A new criterion Ψ(α) is defined to assess whether the multi-faults model is comprehensively diagnosed. In the case study, the heatmap-MMSVM-RFE-XGBoost model has achieved the highest classification accuracy rate of 91%, which can broadly categorize faults. Compared to Random Forest and LightGBM, the integrated fault diagnosis model we propose improves Ψ(α) by 0.4% and 0.3%.
Impact of Global Supply Chain Pressure on International Trade: Evidence from Turkey’s Container Traffic
Authors: Açık Abdullah
Published: December 2024

I aimed to econometrically determine the reflection of pressure-increasing events in the global supply chain on the container traffic in Turkish ports, since any disruption or pressure can have negative consequences such as shortages and high prices for consumers, a decline in profitability for companies, reduced job opportunities for workers, a slowdown in economic growth for countries, and a slowdown in trade for the world. I used the Global Supply Chain Pressure Index (GSCPI) to model the impact of events occurring in the global supply chain, and the export and import container traffic at Turkish ports. Instead of examining the relationship between the variables over the whole sample, I used the time-varying causality analysis, which makes it possible to detect the relationship at different periods in time by analyzing it with the rolling window approach. The dataset includes 230 monthly observations and covers the period between January 2004 and February 2023. The pressure in the supply chain differs according to export and import container loads. The Russia–Ukraine war, the Suez Canal closure, economic sanctions between the U.S. and China, economic crisis, geopolitical conflicts, hurricanes, and port congestion in the U.S. all affected the traffic in Turkish ports. Since this research was conducted with a time-varying approach and the GSCPI variable successfully represented many global supply chain events, it was possible to examine which events affected international trade through a single variable. Thus, event-based assessments become possible instead of just saying that supply chain pressure affects international trade.
CT image super-resolution under the guidance of deep gradient information
Authors: Shen Ye , Liang Ningning , Zhong Xinyi , Ren Junru , Zheng Zhizhong , Li Lei , Yan Bin
Published: December 2024

Due to the hardware constraints of Computed Tomography (CT) imaging, acquiring high-resolution (HR) CT images in clinical settings poses a significant challenge. In recent years, convolutional neural networks have shown great potential in CT super-resolution (SR) problems. However, the reconstruction results of many deep learning-based SR methods have structural distortion and detail ambiguity. In this paper, a new SR network based on generative adversarial learning is proposed. The network consists of gradient branch and SR branch. Gradient branch is used to recover HR gradient maps. The network merges gradient image features of the gradient branch into the SR branch, offering gradient information guidance for super-resolution (SR) reconstruction. Further, the loss function of the network combines the image space loss function with the gradient loss and the gradient variance loss to further generate a more realistic detail texture. Compared to other comparison algorithms, the structural similarity index of the SR results obtained by the proposed method on simulation and experimental data has increased by 1.8% and 1.4%, respectively. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed CT SR network exhibits superior performance in terms of structure preservation and detail restoration.
Correlation between pelvic floor four-dimensional ultrasound parameters and POP-Q score
Authors: Li Zuling , Jiang Li , Xu Fei , Chen Qifang , Wang Fengmei , Lin Lisa
Published: December 2024

Background

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a prevalent ailment that lowers a woman's quality of life and for which precise diagnosis techniques are required for successful treatment. Advanced imaging techniques may be beneficial for traditional clinical assessments like the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) system.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to look into the relationship between the POP-Q score and four-dimensional pelvic floor ultrasonography parameters in women who have been diagnosed with pelvic organ prolapse.

Methods

We included 120 female patients who presented with symptoms consistent with pelvic floor dysfunction. Pelvic cancers, a history of hysterectomy, and the incapacity to execute Valsalva maneuvers were among the exclusion criteria. The pelvic floor was imaged in three dimensions using a color Doppler ultrasonography equipment (GE, Voluson E8 Edition) both at rest and during Valsalva maneuvers. Important variables, such as the posterior bladder angle and bladder neck distance, were examined and contrasted with POP-Q evaluations.

Results

According to the study, an ultrasonography was used to detect Green II prolapse in 63 individuals and Green III prolapse in 57 patients. The ultrasonography results and clinical POP-Q diagnosis agreed rather well (Kappa = 0.572). Furthermore, there was a substantial association found between the four-dimensional ultrasound characteristics and the POP-Q stages, suggesting that ultrasonography is a useful tool for visualizing pelvic floor structures.

Conclusions

According to the results, four-dimensional ultrasonography has a strong correlation with the POP-Q score and is a useful method for evaluating pelvic floor dysfunction. This imaging modality advances our knowledge of the dynamics of the pelvic floor and might lead to more accurate diagnoses for female patients with prolapsed pelvic organs.
‘Demandez à une personne de confiance, comme votre mère’: Representations of mothers and daughters in Mademoiselle Âge Tendre, 1968–1971
Authors: Evelyn Ryan
Published: December 2024

This article considers visual and narrative representations of mothers and daughters in the understudied publication Mademoiselle Âge Tendre. Issues spanning the years 1968 to 1971 suggest a marked interest – in some cases, a reliance – on the mother figure who, from an adolescent's point of view in the late 1960s, would most likely have been considered conservative, traditional and belonging to the older generation of women. A closer look at advertisements for menstrual products, advice columns, health and wellness write ups and celebrity exposés reveal diverse representations of the mother–daughter link ( le lien mère-fille) that oscillates between reliance and independence, thus bringing into focus the larger question of intergenerationality, la jeunesse and the socio-cultural implications of May 1968.
Examining the Moderating Role of Affective Commitment on the Influence of Job Satisfaction on Intent to Stay: Evidence from Healthcare Technical Staff
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Chiradip
Published: December 2024

Background

Healthcare technical workers are responsible for service delivery and are indispensable to the organisation. However, being in a client facing role, they perform under client pressures thereby experiencing stress. The enormity of the healthcare industry ensures the existence of multiple competing organisations. Therefore, attrition is a cause of concern for these industries. Not only do organisations suffer as a consequence of such actions, the end users of such services may also be affected by attrition.

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine whether the intent to stay of healthcare workers is influenced by their job satisfaction and affective commitment. It also attempts to understand if affective commitment moderates the influence of job satisfaction on the intent to stay

Methods

The study has adopted a quantitative survey-based and primary data-based approach. The sample consists of technical healthcare staff such as medical imaging technicians, pathology laboratory technicians and medical equipment technicians. Two stage sampling has been adopted, with convenience sampling being used to approach private sector hospitals, and random sampling being used to select the respondents. Standard and established scales have been used in the study.

Results

The results indicate a significant correlation among job satisfaction, affective commitment and intent to stay. Further, the findings of analysis indicate that job satisfaction significantly influences the intent to stay. Affective commitment also significantly impacts the intent to stay. Moreover, affective commitment moderates the influence of job satisfaction on the intent to stay.

Conclusion

Healthcare organisations need to focus not only on enhancing the job satisfaction of healthcare staff but also pay attention effective commitment. They therefore need to focus not only on enhancing job skills and competencies but also provide a congenial organisation climate conducive to growth and development.
Globalisation of Higher Education: A Bibliometric Analysis and Future Research Directions
Authors: Chahar Shikha , Tripathi Gunjan
Published: December 2024

This research aims to analyse the publication structure of academic research on globalisation of higher education. Data on globalisation of higher education was extracted from Scopus database between 2000 and 2022, and a total of 232 documents analysed data through RStudio and VOSviewer software. The research findings revealed the top producing nations, institutions, authors, journals, country scientific production, three-field plot, most relevant sources and co-authorship analysis and citation analysis. The study’s primary contribution is offering an overview of globalisation trends in higher education, which can aid researchers and practitioners in understanding current patterns and identifying future research directions.
Successful Perinatal Management and Resection of Large Sacrococcygeal Teratoma in an Extremely Premature Neonate
Authors: Koe Emily , Elkhwad Mohammed , Bae Jae-O , Bhopal Navin
Published: December 2024

Objectives

Sacrococcygeal teratomas are the most frequently diagnosed fetal neoplasms, with premature birth remaining one of the greatest risk factors for poor prognosis. We report an exceptional case of survival to discharge of an extremely premature infant with a large sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT).

Case Presentation

An extremely premature infant with a large SCT was delivered via Cesarean section at 27 weeks gestational age (GA) due to preterm labor. At birth, the SCT measured 14.2 × 11.6 × 8.4 cm, and was ruptured with mild hemorrhage that was controlled with topical hemostatic agent and compression. The infant required positive pressure ventilation and intubation at birth due to apnea. She was transferred from the birth hospital to a level IV neonatal intensive care unit for surgical management. She underwent urgent surgery early on second day of life because of worsening heart failure and ongoing hemorrhage from the capsular rupture. The infant survived to discharge on room air without any major complications.

Conclusions

Despite multiple negative prognostic factors, we report the success and feasibility of SCT management and repair at 27 weeks GA.
Human Development Index: Methodology for Aggregation Revisited
Authors: Mondal Debasish , Mookherjee Subikash , Pattanayek Sanjoy Kumar
Published: December 2024

Since 1990, the United Nations Development Programs (UNDP) have presented the Human Development Index (HDI) with different technical applications. Latest by 2010, it undertook comprehensive reviews of all critiques so far available and introduced several major changes. The revolutionary change, in our view, was to introduce the application of geometric mean (GM) in place of arithmetic mean (AM) as the aggregation technique of all dimension indices to form the composite HDI. This article is an attempt to raise some questions, both theoretical and empirical, regarding that particular change in aggregation technique. Following a theoretical discussion on the rationale of ‘Arithmetic Mean’ vis-à-vis ‘Geometric Mean’, this article suggests that, for the construction of HDI, application of GM is not that suitable because of not only the complex and varied nature of its (i.e., HDIs) underlying dimension indices but also those of their comprising individual indicators. On the basis of available UNDP data, an analysis is offered here for the years 2010, 2015 and 2020. Going through this analysis, we may conclude that, at least in the present context, application of AM as the aggregation technique may not be fully perfect, but the application of GM leads us to a situation of more imperfection.
FEA-based Virtual Operation and Stress Distribution Analysis of DHS Screws in Proximal Femoral Bone Fractures: A Strategic Guide for Orthopedic Surgeons in Operational Planning
Authors: Joshi Aashish , Karande Kailash , Gunaki Ravindra
Published: December 2024

Background

Accidents are the major reasons causing hip bone fractures. These are due to reduced bone density due to aging effect which may cause fractures typically in proximal part of the femur bone.

Purpose

The purpose of this work is to concentrate on preoperative planning by using a 3D model developed with a virtual operation using a dynamic hip screw (DHS).

Methods

DHS is generally preferred for the stabilization of stable fractures. The virtual operation was performed on the proximal femoral fracture site, typically for stable fractures. Finite element analysis (FEA) of operated bone was performed to estimate Von Misses stress distribution on the implant post-operatively, resulting in less stress on the fracture site.

Results

FEA indicates a transfer of stress of the fracture site (35–62%) on the implant, resulting in the operation’s success. Such work will assist orthopedic surgeons in determining load-bearing capacities after the mobilization of the patient.

Conclusion

Virtual surgery helps the surgeon to identify fracture geometry, the success of the operation, and proper fixation of the implant to avoid post-surgery complications. This aids in the quick recovery of patients, resulting in early rehabilitation.
Advanced Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches for Effective Management of Bladder Malignancies
Authors: Alotaibi Badriyah Shadid , Ibrahim Nihal Abdalla , Azhar Saira , Shah Aamna , Omar Hamdah , Ijaz Munaza
Published: December 2024

Background

Effectual management of bladder malignancies (BMs) is currently a global challenge due to their expensive therapeutic and diagnostic cost burden, together with augmented progression/recurrence rate.

Purpose

This review aimed to explore cutting-edge diagnostic and therapeutic techniques for meeting the current clinical requirements for effectively managing BMs encompassing dual muscle-invasive bladder tumors (MIBT) and nonmuscle-invasive bladder tumors (NMIBT).

Methods

A comprehensive review of relevant literature (including data review from 2019 to 2024) was performed to collect valuable information regarding the utilization of advanced diagnostic and therapeutic techniques for the effective management of BMs.

Results

Studies investigating the potential applications and possible limitations of various methods, including UroVysion, continuous bladder irrigation (CBI), transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT), laparoscopic, and robot-abetted extended pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND), 3D culture models and nerve spring technique (NST) in robotic intracorporeal Studer’s orthotopic neobladder (RISON) have been examined. Similarly, the role of Urothelial Piezo channels (Piezo1 and Piezo2) in urinary system modulation, human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2)-selective therapy in metastatic urothelial carcinoma (MUC) patients, and diagnostic benefits of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in BMs have been analyzed. Current report enlisted the major clinical applications associated with the advanced diagnostic and therapeutic techniques with consequent management of lower urinary tract malfunctions (LUTMs), stress urinary incontinence, and BMs, including both MIBT, NMIBT, and MUC.

Conclusion

This review provided detailed information on numerous benefited outcomes attained from different approaches such as augmented bladder functioning, implementation of collective optical and cancer-specific imaging systems, utilization of tumor-specific biomarkers, precise tumor amputation, reduced urinary complications and hospital stay, postoperative comfort, limited invasiveness, limited blood loss, and ultimately reduced recurrence rates. BMs management at the clinical level needs to be effectively rationalized to enhance the patient’s quality of life and reduce the ultimate cost burden over bladder cancer patients together with appropriate management of associated limitations like urinary tract infections, bladder perforation, bladder infections, and carcinoma relapse in postoperative cases should effectively be encountered to further improve the therapeutic potential of advanced techniques in the near future.
Understanding the Needs and Experiences With Health Services of Gay and Bisexual Men (GBM) Who Engaged in Chemsex During the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Quebec, Canada
Authors: Gaudette Maxi , Ortiz-Paredes David , Bourne Adam , Gaudette Yannick , Flores-Aranda Jorge , Knight Rod , Ferlatte Olivier
Published: December 2024

Gay and bisexual men (GBM) engaging in chemsex can face various health and well-being-related challenges, the extent of which remains unknown given the limited research in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper examines the pandemic impacts on the health needs of GBM who engaged in chemsex and their experiences with related services. We applied interpretive description to produce knowledge with direct implications for improving practices and policies. Data were collected between July 2020 and January 2021 using in-depth semi-structured interviews with eight key informants who held chemsex expertise and 13 GBM with chemsex lived experiences. Interviews were transcribed, anonymized, and analyzed thematically, yielding three interrelated themes. First, participants argued that the COVID-19 public health response was heteronormative and moralizing, reinforcing feelings of shame among GBM who engaged in chemsex and further isolating them. This added a layer of stigma and exposed them to increased drug-related risks by obstructing harm reduction practices. Second, participants contended how the pandemic worsened the scarcity and shortcomings of chemsex-specialized services. The mandatory shift to online services made it harder to form meaningful therapeutic relationships, especially given the unique sensitivity and stigma associated with chemsex, further heightened during the pandemic. Third, this online shift simultaneously facilitated access to personalized and culturally sensitive care, especially for those with less urgent needs. Our findings’ implications emphasize the importance of adopting a comprehensive approach in chemsex care, integrating both in-person and online methods, to counteract health iniquities reinforced by the pandemic and the institutional responses to it.
Numerical investigation on vortex-induced vibration characteristics and vortex shedding mechanism of the triple-box girder
Authors: Li Xiao-zhen , Zhang Yang-hao , Wang Ming
Published: December 2024

Box girders are increasingly utilized in extensive-span bridges due to their favorable aerodynamic stability and excellent traffic capacity. Nevertheless, the presence of gaps between these girders renders them highly sensitive to vortex-induced vibrations (VIV). This study utilized numerical simulation approach to explore the induced mechanism and vibration characteristics of vertical VIV of a triple-box girder with linear webs at [Formula: see text] attack angle. By using the numerical model verified with the wind tunnel data, the aerodynamic characteristics of the triple-box girder are detailed analyzed from the aspects of fundamental flow features, vortex shedding mechanism, force coefficients, vibration response and transient pressure coefficient distribution at various reduced wind speeds and vibration stages. The results indicate that the flow states and vortex structures differ significantly across different reduced wind speeds. The vortices shed from the upstream and middle box girders impact the windward side of the middle and downstream box girders in different forms, then separate and reattach, resulting in a significant pressure difference between the upper and lower surfaces of the middle and downstream box girders, thus driving the vortex-induced vibration of the triple-box girder. In the process of vortex-induced vibration, the lift force and lift contribution of the downstream box girder increase rapidly, which exceeds the increase of the upstream and middle box girder, and is the main cause of vortex-induced vibration of the triple-box girder. Control measures should be carried out for the downstream box girder to suppress vortex-induced vibration. Moreover, during the ascent of VIV, the phase between aerodynamic lift and displacement responses is closely aligned, whereas during the descent phase, the phase difference sharply increases, ultimately stabilizing at [Formula: see text].
Shame or Pride? The Effect of Emotional Appeals on Overordering Intentions in Social Dining
Authors: Liu Jingyan , Liu Jiaman
Published: December 2024

Food waste is a significant global issue in which the hospitality industry plays an increasingly important role. In behavioral economics, emotions can serve as interventions to promote sustainable customer behavior. However, the effectiveness of self-conscious emotions, such as shame and pride, in reducing food waste in social dining contexts remains uncertain. Using the cognitive appraisal theory of emotion, we examine how shame and pride appeals influence customers’ overordering intentions (OOIs) in the Clean Your Plate Campaign in China. Our findings suggest that shame appeals associated with waste and pride appeals linked to frugality effectively reduce OOI by arousing impression management motivation. Additionally, including authoritative information in these appeals significantly enhances the interactivity of emotional appeals and impression management motivation and further reduces OOI. This study fills the research gap of emotions in overordering decision-making, offering practical guidance for preventing food waste and promoting environmental sustainability.
The kindness of strangers: Trust, recognition, and the co-production of desistance
Authors: Ugelvik Thomas
Published: December 2024

This article explores the significance of new relationships between former offenders who have made changes to their lives and the people they meet as part of their desistance journeys. Many studies of individual desistance processes have focused on the experience of stigma and exclusion, but the related concept of trust rarely appears in the literature. What does it mean for ongoing desistance and identity reconstruction processes when strangers are willing to take a chance and place trust in former offenders? Through a close look at the connections between desistance processes and the experience of mutual interpersonal trust, this article examines the role trust may play in the co-production of desistance.
Dynamic response of SDOF systems with inerter or clutching inerter damper under harmonic excitations
Authors: Wu Tian , Liu Xiaoyan , Shen Yongjun
Published: December 2024

In this study, the dynamic response of single degree-of-freedom (SDOF) systems equipped with an inerter or a clutching inerter damper (CID) under harmonic force or base excitation is investigated. Under harmonic force excitation, an inerter must work with an appropriate damping element to prevent the kinetic energy it absorbs from being returned to the primary system. However, the addition of the damping element introduces extra damping force, which can deteriorate the force transmissibility within certain frequency ranges. In comparison, the piecewise nature of the CID effectively overcomes this limitation. Since this piecewiseness is a typical nonlinear feature, the averaging method is employed to solve the system response. The obtained approximate analytical solution is compared with the solution derived from the equivalent linearization method (ELM). It is found that the resonant frequency calculated by the ELM is significantly higher than the numerical solution for inertance [Formula: see text]. In contrast, the results indicate that the averaging method provides higher accuracy and avoids overestimating the resonant frequency. Under harmonic base excitation, an increase in the inertance of the inerter reduces both the system damping ratio and the excitation amplitude. The reduction in the damping ratio theoretically increases response sensitivity, leading to higher resonance amplitudes. However, this potential increase in resonance amplitude is outweighed by the substantial decrease in excitation amplitude. As a result, the dominant effect of reduced excitation amplitude leads to an overall decrease in the resonance amplitude. In addition, due to the low-pass filtering characteristic of the inerter, its vibration suppression effectiveness rapidly deteriorates in the high-frequency range. Similarly, the CID experiences a decline in vibration suppression at high frequencies for the same reason. Nevertheless, it outperforms the inerter in the resonant region, owing to its distinctive energy-dissipating properties.
Gendered EUropean careers? Representation and the challenges in women's political careers
Authors: Frech Elena
Published: December 2024

The European political arena, particularly the European Parliament, is considered a more favourable environment than the national political spheres for women. However, nearly half a century passed before a woman was appointed president of the European Commission. Women remain underrepresented in both the European Parliament and the Council. Against this backdrop, this special issue offers a comprehensive analysis of women's political careers in the European Union addressing barriers to gender equality and examining their influence on political representation. By bringing together distinguished scholars and new insights from two previously rather separate research areas—political careers in the European Union and gender representation studies—this issue sheds new light on the challenges women face. This introduction presents a multidimensional framework addressing who, what, when and how regarding key challenges women face as political leaders in the EU, such as legislated gender quotas, gendered norms, and societal stereotypes. The articles in this special issue reveal that women in European Union politics face challenges from individual and collective actors, with party gatekeeping and institutional structures playing critical roles. Gendered stereotypes and the multilevel nature of European Union politics significantly impact women's career trajectories, highlighting the need for reforms at both the European Union and national levels.
Materials selection for produced water based on electrochemical parameters and chemical composition Index
Authors: Candido Maia Laisa C. , Ponciano Gomes José A. C.
Published: December 2024

Materials selection criteria is a challenging step in the design of global industrial facilities operating with aggressive environments in which corrosion resistance is a basic requirement. In this work, the selection of materials to be used in a produced water environment is presented. The main goal was to develop an integrated methodology considering not only the PREN but also critical environmental characteristics, together with electrochemical parameters obtained from an experimental approach. Three different classes of produced water were considered and temperature and dissolved oxygen conditions were controlled. The candidate materials were selected based on two classes: Carbon steel and Stainless Steels and Alloys. Gravimetric and electrochemical methods were used. Results obtained for carbon steel revealed that assessment based on electrochemical polarization and gravimetric methods were required. Results obtained with stainless steels and alloys based on PREN calculations would indicate an order that does not correspond to validation via electrochemical tests. However, electrochemical methods show that the same material can be considered acceptable or not, within limit values of parameters that came out from electrochemical tests, that would not be affected by the PREN.
Gender Doesn’t Matter—Except When it Does: Exploring Officers’ Gendered Experiences Within the Community Corrections Organization
Authors: Wilson Amber , Koons-Witt Barbara
Published: December 2024

Limited research has explored how gender impacts community corrections officers’ (CCOs) work experiences. Using interviews with 22 CCOs from a community corrections department in the southeastern U.S., the current study considers how gender matters to those working in the field. Participants asserted that gender was irrelevant to their professional experiences; however, when discussing their professional interactions more broadly, CCOs described gendered norms embedded within the organization. They focused on the masculine ethic, but CCOs also discussed the differential treatment experienced by men and women officers, sexual harassment, gendered symbols, and the presence of homosocial reproduction in the department.
Hope, self-efficacy, and motivation as predictors of academic success: A comparison between a German and a Finnish business school
Authors: Hormuth Julia , Ferencz Marlene , Heikkilä Jutta , Ihamäki Taija
Published: December 2024

Student academic success plays an important role in higher education institutions, as it is often used as a core measure of university performance. Internationally, there is an extensive literature on the predictors of academic success. In addition to intellectual variables, the effects of psychological factors have received increased attention. However, there is little literature on cross-cultural differences in the predictors of academic success. This study examines three psychological predictors (hope, self-efficacy, and motivation) and investigates differences between the scores of business students at a university in Germany and a university in Finland. The results indicate differences in students’ scores on the predictor hope. In addition, some differences were found in relation to the students’ demographics. Regarding the predictive power of the factors examined, for hope and self-efficacy this was higher in Finland than in Germany.
Enhancing menstrual equity: An observational study assessing the impact of free little period product pantries
Authors: Glayzer Jennifer E , Glayzer Edward J , Jennings Claire T , Schlaeger Judith M , Lee Adriene , Bray Bethany C
Published: December 2024

Background:

Two in five menstruators struggle to afford period products at some point in their lives. Menstruators experiencing period poverty are often dictated which and how many period products they receive. Products received by menstruators experiencing period poverty may not be the right type or absorbency and are discarded without use. To address period poverty in Dayton, Ohio, USA the Free Flo Box (FFB) organization created period product pantries, which allow menstruators to choose which and how many products they need. FFB operates two-period product pantries, which are free-standing cabinets. Pads, tampons, and menstrual cups are available anonymously, 24 h a day, and 7 days a week.

Objective:

This article aims to: (1) determine if FFB pantries are an effective model for period product distribution (2) analyze pantry utilization trends, and (3) compare the pantry model of distribution to existing methods of period product distribution.

Design:

This is a longitudinal observational study of period product pantry utilization.

Methods:

Descriptive statistics and zero-inflated binomial regressions were conducted to analyze FFB utilization.

Results:

FFB pantries have provided over 30,000 products in less than 2 years, with a monthly average of 1736. Utilization of the pantries continues to grow. As gas prices increased, significantly more reusable and significantly less single-use products were taken. Pantries were more likely to be utilized on days when it rained but utilization was not affected by temperature. The pantry model overcomes barriers of fixed hours, perquisites for use, regular and reliable supply, and predetermined amounts and types of products provided.

Conclusion:

Period product pantries are an effective model of period product distribution and highlight the need for greater access to period products. While period product pantries will not solve period product poverty, they can help menstruators in need on a local level.
Observational study on the prescription practices of family and pulmonary physicians for airway clearance devices in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease management
Authors: Alghamdi Saeed Mardy , Alzahrani Abdulaziz A. , Dairi Mohammad S. , Alwafi Hassan , Aldhahir Abdulelah M. , Alqahtani Jaber S. , Alqahtani Mohammed M. , Alanazi Abdullah M. , Alqarni Abdullah A. , Siraj Rayan A. , Alghamdi Noha Saeed , Alzahrani Hassan A. , Alhindi Abdulghani A.
Published: December 2024

Background:

Productive cough with sputum is a prominent sign generally associated with respiratory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Airway clearance devices are an option for COPD management, but physicians’ preferences for and clinical practice with them are not known.

Objective:

This study aims to explore preferences for and clinical practice with airway clearance devices among physicians in Saudi Arabia.

Design:

An observational, cross-sectional survey.

Methods:

A self-administered questionnaire was conducted between October 2022 and September 2023, which included a review of respiratory medication prescriptions by physicians for patients with COPD. The analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences.

Results:

The participants were 445 physicians. The majority were female, accounting for 64.3% of the sample. Flutter and Acapella were the most commonly preferred airway clearance devices (45.8% and 20.7%, respectively). Among the participants, 12.6% reported unfamiliarity with any of the mentioned devices. Of the participants, 43.6% “usually” suggested the devices for patients with daily, difficult-to-clear, thick sputum, while 27% “sometimes” recommended them to COPD patients who had experienced four exacerbations or more. In routine clinical practice, physicians prescribe pharmacological therapies as the main treatment. The prescribing data showed that in the last year, there was no record of prescribed airway clearance devices for COPD by physicians.

Conclusion:

Family and pulmonary physicians prefer Flutter and Acapella devices, but a significant number of physicians are unaware of such devices. Prescribing data showed no record of prescribed airway clearance devices for COPD management. Further initiatives are needed to increase awareness in clinical practice.
Empowerment in Hospitality: Does Leader–Follower Congruence in Family-Supportive Supervisor Behaviors Empower Follower Creativity?
Authors: Li Miaomiao , Kwan Ho Kwong , Chen Si-qi , Tian Qi-Tao
Published: December 2024

Despite the burgeoning literature on family-supportive supervisor behaviors (FSSB), FSSB congruence remains underexplored. Drawing on the person-environment fit perspective and data collection from the hospitality industry, we examine the congruence of FSSB supplied and needed for employees’ psychological empowerment and creativity. Performing a polynomial regression analysis of 102 supervisor and 339 employee dyads indicated that employees’ psychological empowerment was highest when FSSB supplied provided aligned with their specific needs, rather than being deficient or excessive. In addition, psychological empowerment was most pronounced when absolute levels of FSSB congruence were high. Psychological empowerment was positively related to creativity and mediated the congruence effects of FSSB supplied and needed on employees’ creativity. Provision of the right amount of FSSB has positive consequences and benefits both organizations and employees. The study expands the FSSB literature by revealing that FSSB supplied interact with FSSB needed to account for employees’ psychological empowerment and creativity.
Preferential abstention in conjoint experiments
Authors: Miller David R. , Ziegler Jeffrey
Published: December 2024

Conjoint experiments are often used to mimic political choices that people face, such as voting for public officials or selecting news stories. Conjoint designs, however, do not always mirror the real-world decision-making contexts that individuals engage in because respondents are typically forced to select one of the available options. Theoretically, we illustrate how offering respondents an abstention option can produce average marginal component effects (AMCEs) of differing signs and magnitudes relative to a forced-choice outcome. This difference depends on (1) the proportion of respondents who would rather abstain than select profiles lacking their preferred attribute-levels and (2) those respondents’ preference orderings. Empirically, we replicate two conjoint experiments and demonstrate how omitting a realistic abstention option could lead to different AMCE estimates.
Influence of social media fitness influencers’ credibility on users’ physical activity intentions
Authors: Wang Lidong , Li Xiuhong , Wang Donghai , Zhu Jianyong
Published: December 2024

Objective

This study explores how trustworthiness, expertise, and attractiveness of fitness influencers affect Chinese users’ attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and intentions to engage in fitness activities on social media. By integrating the Theory of Planned Behavior with source credibility theory, this research examines the effectiveness of digital health communication in China, offering a novel approach.

Methods

Data were collected through a cross-sectional survey using convenience sampling, targeting 339 active fitness video viewers on DouYin, China's premier short video platform. The survey was administered via the professional online platform Sojump.com. Participants, active followers of various fitness influencers, engaged with diverse types and durations of fitness videos. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling validated the measurement and structural models, rigorously examining the hypothesized relationships within the study.

Results

Trustworthiness and expertise of influencers significantly influenced users’ attitudes and perceived behavioral control, crucially affecting their intentions to engage in fitness activities. Unlike trustworthiness and expertise, attractiveness had no significant impact on subjective norms. Gender did not moderate these effects, indicating a consistent influencer impact across male and female users.

Conclusions

This research underscores the critical role of credible fitness influencers in enhancing engagement with health-promotive behaviors on social media. It emphasizes that authenticity and reliability are more influential than attractiveness in promoting health behaviors. This study advances our understanding of effective health communication on social media and offers practical insights for leveraging influencer credibility in public health campaigns.
Critical design decisions and user demographics in enhancing real-time digital mental health interventions: A systematic review
Authors: Fouyaxis John , Bidargaddi Niranjan , Du Wei , Looi Jeffrey C.L. , Lipschitz Jessica
Published: December 2024

Background

Real-time digital mental health interventions, primarily enabled by smartphone technology offer continuous, personalised support, that adapts in response to the changing needs of individuals. Despite being prominently explored in populations with psychiatric disorders, there remains a notable gap in the systematic analysis of demographic characteristics, as well as the foundational design decisions or rules that underpin the personalisation of these interventions.

Objectives

(a) Identifying the prevalent design decisions to enable personalisation within real-time digital mental health interventions, (b) the influence of these design decisions on the clinical outcomes of the interventions, and (c) the demographic characteristics of populations with psychiatric disorders targeted by real-time digital health interventions.

Methods

Following PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses) guidelines, a systematic literature review was conducted of peer-reviewed literature focusing on real-time digital interventions in populations with clinically diagnosed psychiatric disorders. We undertook a narrative synthesis to derive the demographics and personalisation design decisions of the interventions and conducted a pooled meta-analysis to evaluate clinical outcomes.

Results

Interventions predominantly targeted female and Caucasian demographics, yielding modest clinical improvements. Our analysis identified nine critical personalisation design decisions concerning measurement, intervention, and interactions with health professional with varying influence on clinical outcomes.

Conclusion

Understanding the complex nuances of design decisions that shape real-time digital health interventions, as well as identifying which patient demographics benefit most, is fundamental for their effective clinical impact and safe use.

Prospero Registration

PROSPERO CRD42020161663.