bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Religious Doubt and Mental Well-Being in Later Life: Is Humility a Protective Resource?
Authors: Upenieks Laura , Ellison Christopher G.
Published: April 2024

This study sought to integrate the study of virtue into the study of religious doubt and mental health by considering how a salient virtue, humility, may moderate the relationship between religious doubt and lower mental well-being. Drawing on data from a national sample of midlife and older adults ( N = 1,443) from the United States, regression results suggest that religious doubts were associated with greater depression and lower life satisfaction, and that humility was independently associated with lower depression and greater life satisfaction. Humility was also found to buffer the pernicious association between religious doubt and both indicators of mental well-being. Taken together, our study makes an important contribution by adding the study of the virtue of humility to a growing body of work on religious doubt. The process of dealing with religious doubt is complex and difficult, but the attempt to develop the virtue of humility may be efficacious in thwarting the deleterious consequences of managing the ebbs and flows of faith.
Correctional Officer Responses to Workplace Trauma: Refining the Vicarious Trauma Toolkit
Authors: Ferdik Frank , Gist Jon T. A. , Smith Hayden P.
Published: April 2024

The Vicarious Trauma Toolkit (VTT) was created as a mental health resource for first-responders such as police officers and fire fighters who are routinely exposed to vicarious workplace trauma. While VTT services are appropriate for these occupational groups, they seem less so for correctional officers who are also exposed to secondary trauma at work. To widen the VTT’s reach to a correctional context, open-ended questionnaire data gathered from correctional officers ( N = 193) working in a Southeastern state prison system were analyzed inductively to understand the different types of trauma they encounter in their job, and their responses to trauma. Respondents cited both direct and vicarious trauma sources, including assaults, self-injury, and suicide. Their responses were categorized as either negative (alcohol use), neutral (professional detachment), or positive (gratefulness). Additional VTT resources that can reach an international audience of frontline workers are proposed in light of these findings.
Metabolic Rift and Structural Crisis of Capital: The Productive Specialization Pattern Based on Commodities and the Progressive Elimination of Ecological and Natural Resources in Brazil
Authors: Firmiano Frederico Daia , Teixeira Paula Maria Rattis
Published: April 2024

In recent decades, Brazil has experienced a pattern of commodity-based productive specialization as part of the nation’s subordinate entry into the global structure of capital. As a result, the accumulation process has been based primarily on the intensive and extensive exploitation of available natural and ecological resources. From a historical perspective, we apply the theory of the metabolic rift and the structural crisis of capital to analyze the contemporary processes of social degradation of nature resulting from Brazil’s economic development. We focus on the cases of the Brazilian Amazon and Cerrado regions to examine the trend towards the progressive elimination of the elementary conditions for the social reproduction of life in the current stage of development of the productive forces on a global scale.

Nas últimas décadas, o Brasil tem experimentado um padrão de especialização produtiva baseado em commodities, na presença de seu ingresso subordinado na estrutura global do capital. Com isso, o processo de acumulação tem se apoiado, dominantemente, sobre a exploração intensiva e extensiva dos recursos naturais e ecológicos disponíveis. Desde uma perspectiva histórica, mobilizamos a teoria da fenda metabólica e da crise estrutural do capital para analisar os processos contemporâneos de degradação social da natureza no curso do particular desenvolvimento econômico brasileiro. Lançamos luz nos casos da Amazônia e do Cerrado brasileiros para examinar a tendência à eliminação progressiva das condições elementares da reprodução social da vida no atual estágio do desenvolvimento das forças produtivas em escala global.
Autonomy by Decree: How Administrative Law Shapes Bureaucratic Autonomy in Four Administrative Traditions
Authors: Carelli Daniel , Peters B. Guy
Published: April 2024

Administrative law is a not a frequent subject of research in public administration, but it can reveal a great deal about the functioning of the public sector and governance in general. The nature of administrative law is, we argue, closely linked with administrative traditions, and therefore administrative law is an especially apt focus for comparative analysis. This article discusses administrative law in four countries representing different administrative traditions. The perspective is that of the student of public governance, rather than that of the lawyer, with the principal concern here understanding bureaucratic autonomy within the administrative system.
Unveiling the tapestry of mother–child interactions through text mining and sentiment analysis
Authors: Liu Chao , Waltz Kira
Published: April 2024

The interaction between a mother and child stands as one of the most profound and intricate human connections, weaving a rich tapestry of behavioral and emotional bonds during the formative years. Although mother–child interactions have received substantial attention in the developmental science literature, few studies have tapped into the extensive corpus of speech data available to uncover the nuances of these interactions across developmental stages. This study applied text mining and sentiment analysis on narratives extracted from mother–child conversations to identify the developmental trend of mother–child interactions from early to middle childhood. The results, based on three key areas of dyadic interactions, demonstrated a shift toward more balanced turn-taking dynamics and linguistic congruence as children age. Also, there was a significant interdependence of mother and child expressed emotions across time. Further investigation of the dyadic emotionality revealed a nonlinear effect of mother-expressed emotion on child-expressed emotion: mother-expressed negative emotions followed a cubic-like pattern, while positive emotions followed a mild quadratic trend. Taken together, the findings of this study present a picture of progressive augmentation of mother–child synchrony over time.
Attitudes About Inclusive Preschool Education Among Parents of Children Without Disability: Generalized Social Justice Orientation and Specific Inclusive Concerns
Authors: Rudrabhatla Asha , Morgan Lindee , Siller Michael
Published: April 2024

To make inclusive learning environments accessible, it is critical that parents of children without disability select inclusive alternatives when making decisions about their child’s preschool placement. This study examined attitudes toward inclusive education among parents of children without disability across 18 state-funded pre-kindergarten (pre-k) programs in the U.S. state of Georgia. Participants were 114 parents of children without disability attending either a standard ( n = 78) or inclusive classroom ( n = 34). Results showed that most parents (79%) did not intentionally select one classroom type over another and that attitudes about inclusive education did not differ by classroom type. Attitudes about inclusive education were associated with specific inclusion concerns and parents’ generalized social justice attitudes. The relation between generalized social justice attitudes and attitudes about inclusive education was mediated by parents’ specific concerns about inclusive education. Implications for efforts to promote positive attitudes about inclusive preschool education among parents of children without disability are discussed.
Response of Articular Cartilage to Hyperosmolar Stress: Report of an Ex Vivo Injury Model
Authors: Unterguggenberger Clemens , Jahangir Shahrbanoo , Salzmann Gian M. , Stoddart Martin J. , Grad Sibylle , Schmal Hagen , Kubosch Eva Johanna
Published: April 2024

Background:

Physiological 0.9% saline is commonly used as an irrigation fluid in modern arthroscopy. There is a growing body of evidence that a hyperosmolar saline solution has chondroprotective effects, especially if iatrogenic injury occurs.

Purpose:

To (1) corroborate the superiority of a hyperosmolar saline solution regarding chondrocyte survival after mechanical injury and (2) observe the modulatory response of articular cartilage to osmotic stress and injury.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

Osteochondral explants were isolated from bovine stifle joints and exposed to either 0.9% saline (308 mOsm) or hyperosmolar saline (600 mOsm) and then damaged with a sharp dermatome blade to attain a confined full-thickness cartilage injury site, incubated in the same fluids for another 3 hours, and transferred to chondropermissive medium for further culture for 1 week. Chondrocyte survival was assessed by confocal imaging, while the cellular response was evaluated over 1 week by relative gene expression for apoptotic and inflammatory markers and mediator release into the medium.

Results:

The full-thickness cartilage cut resulted in a confined zone of cell death that mainly affected superficial zone chondrocytes. Injured samples that were exposed to hyperosmolar saline showed less expansion of cell death in both the axial ( P < .007) and the coronal ( P < .004) plane. There was no progression of cell death during the following week of culture. Histological assessment revealed an intact cartilage matrix and normal chondrocyte morphology. Inflammatory and proapoptotic genes were upregulated on the first days postexposure with a notable downregulation toward day 7. Mediator release into the medium was concentrated on day 3.

Conclusion:

This in vitro cartilage injury model provides further evidence for the chondroprotective effect of a hyperosmolar saline irrigation fluid, as well as novel data on the capability of articular cartilage to quickly regain joint homeostasis after osmotic stress and injury.

Clinical Relevance:

Raising the osmolarity of an irrigating solution may be a simple and safe strategy to protect articular cartilage during arthroscopic surgery.
Sclerotherapy in the Treatment of Hydroceles: A Comprehensive Review of the Efficacy, Types of Sclerosants, and Comparative Outcomes Against Hydrocelectomy
Authors: Rashid Sana , Kishore Ajit , Ahmad Basil , Liang Lorraine Min-Shan , Mironov Oleg , Mahmood Syed Umair
Published: April 2024

While hydrocelectomy is the gold-standard for treating hydroceles, it poses an increased risk to patients and a greater burden to the healthcare system. Sclerotherapy is an alternative treatment for hydroceles that involves injecting a sclerosant into the hydrocele under ultrasound guidance. This literature review aimed to assess the types of sclerosants used and how sclerotherapy compares to hydrocelectomy. A literature search was conducted of MEDLINE and EMBASE using the terms “sclerotherapy” and “hydrocelectomy,” which yielded 1058 studies, of which 29 met the inclusion criteria. Only studies published after 2000 were included to ensure the most recent information was reviewed. The results showed hydrocele sclerotherapy is done using a variety of sclerosants. The most used agents are polidocanol, phenol, and STS. Of these, phenol had the highest clinical success rate of 96.5%. There was evidence for the use of atypical agents, such as tetracycline antibiotics, which yielded cure rates up to 93%, and alcohol, which was found to be especially useful for treating multiseptated hydroceles. The results comparing sclerotherapy to hydrocelectomy indicated hydrocelectomy to be a more effective method in completely curing hydroceles. However, this came at the cost of more complications. Additionally, sclerotherapy was found to be more advantageous for secondary outcomes, such as healthcare costs and burden to patients. In conclusion, this review shows that while hydrocelectomy is more effective, sclerotherapy is a valuable alternative for treating hydroceles. Due to the lack of standardization among studies, a definitive conclusion cannot be made regarding which sclerosant is best to use.
Influence of Obesity on the Relationship of Cardiometabolic Risks Factors With Cardiovascular Disease in Older African and European Americans
Authors: Moore-Harrison Trudy , Keane Kivana , Brandon L. Jerome , Smith Gabrielle , Brown Candace S.
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study evaluated the impact of obesity on cardiometabolic risk factors (CRF) interrelationships and predictive efficiency of CVD development in older African (AA) and European Americans (EA).

Design

A comparative research design evaluated CRF risk profile differences between participant groups.

Setting

Seven neighborhoods in a southern US city.

Subjects

A sample of 179 older AA (n = 128) and EA (n = 51) adults.

Measures

Non-fasting blood samples were evaluated for lipids and lipoproteins, glycosylated hemoglobin, systolic –(SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (BF%) and physical function.

Analysis

Data were analysis with descriptive statistics, t-tests, and correlations.

Results

AA were heavier than EA although all had above average age-appropriate fitness. Means and relationships between CRF and other variables were different ( P < .05) based on race. Both AA (41.3 + 5.8) and EA (38.6 + 6.4) BF% were CRF risks. Holding BMI constant, CRF were generally not related, and the relationships were different for AA and EA. AA had a range of 13.0 to 27.2% more favorable values for cholesterol, HDL-C, and triglyceride. EA had favorable A1c (EA 5.8 vs AA 6.2%) values.

Conclusions

A limitation of this report is the small sample size. Although further research is warranted, these findings suggest population specific CRF selections would improve CVD prediction in AA.
Application of titanium dioxide nanorod (TNr)@SiO2 with low photocatalytic effect and high UV resistance in poly(vinyl chloride) film
Authors: Cheng Jianhao , Shi Chen , Dong Yubing , Han Jian
Published: April 2024

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation has a detrimental effect on the outdoor lifetime of PVC film materials. TiO2 nanoparticles, as commonly used UV absorbers, still suffer from poor transparency, high photocatalytic effect, and poor dispersion in PVC matrix. To mitigate these effects effectively, titanium dioxide nanorod @ silicon dioxide (TNr@SiO2) was synthesized and used as an anti-UV aging agent for polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The agglomeration effects of TiO2 nanoparticles in PVC films were solved by synthesizing TNr, and the catalytic effects of TiO2 was reduced by growing SiO2 on the TNr surface. Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and UV-visible spectroscopy were utilized to demonstrate the excellent dispersion and low photocatalytic effects of the synthesized TNr@SiO2. Compared with pure PVC film, the color change of TNr@SiO2/PVC composite film is not evident after 800h of UV aging, and the retention of mechanical properties were 93.94%. Compared with TiO2/PVC, TNr@SiO2/PVC composite film has better transparency. Results show that TNr@SiO2 can maintain the properties of PVC better because the electrons of TNr@SiO2 are excited to form a positively charged hole after the absorption of UV light, and then the hole electron pairs are recombined and converted into thermal energy, which improves the durability of PVC. Therefore, this highly transparent TNr@SiO2/PVC composite film with low photocatalytic activity and high UV resistance will soon be applied in large-scale industrial production.
Research on collaborative adaptive cruise control based on MPC and improved spacing policy
Authors: Yang Fan , Wang Hongliang , Pi Dawei , Sun Xiaowang , Wang Xianhui
Published: April 2024

A Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control (CACC) algorithm based on Model Predictive Control (MPC) and an improved spacing policy is proposed in this study to address the current issues of low road utilization and inadequate dynamic regulation during platoon driving. First and foremost, the state of the leader vehicle and the minimum safe following distance are incorporated into the spacing policy to create an enhanced constant time headway (CTH) spacing policy. Secondly, following the MPC principle, the optimization problem of vehicle platoon is converted into a constrained quadratic programming problem that fulfills the requirements of driving safety, following distance, and ride comfort in a platoon. Finally, six-homogeneous-vehicle platoon is constructed for simulation verification, and the results show that the designed algorithm can not only ensure the string stability of platoon, but also effectively improve the road utilization rate. And in the vehicle of platoon cut-in/cut-out conditions, CACC is proven to have good ability of dynamically adjusting and restoring platoon stability.
Bearing fault diagnosis based on data missing and feature shift suppression strategy
Authors: Zhao Yunji , Xu Jun
Published: April 2024

To mitigate the impact of fault iconic feature shift and feature missing due to missing data values on bearing fault diagnosis, this paper proposes a fault diagnosis method based on a spatial frequency filter and a Multi-Scale feature recombination calibration network (MSRCN). First, the fault features are converted into frequency band features and feature enhancement is realized using Mel filters to weaken the effect of fault feature offset. Then, the spatial calibration module (SC) in the MSRCN is utilized to further improve the fault feature distribution and eliminate the fault feature offset problem. Next, to solve the fault feature missing problem, the remaining fault features are sampled by multi-scale reorganization using MSRCN to obtain new fault features, which overcomes the effect of fault feature missing on fault diagnosis. Finally, experiments are conducted on CWRU and XJTU-SY rolling bearing datasets to verify that the algorithm can effectively solve the fault feature offset and missing problem. Meanwhile, the experimental results prove that the algorithm proposed in this paper can realize high-precision fault diagnosis.
Barriers to Healthcare Access Scale for People with Physical Disabilities: Development, Validation and Use
Authors: Tamboli Aspiya , Nagarkar Aarti
Published: April 2024

The study was designed to develop and validate a scale for measuring barriers to healthcare and to examine barriers in the case of people with physical disabilities. A 35-item scale with a four-factor structure was developed using principal component analysis, and the scale’s psychometric properties were examined using confirmatory factor analysis. The scale was administered to a sample of 402 people with a physical disability. Descriptive analysis and a chi-square test were performed to study the distribution of barriers across various sociodemographic characteristics. The scale identified four barriers: Health system, transportation and geographical, attitudinal and social and financial barriers. The Cronbach’s α was 0.976, indicating high reliability. The sample consisted of 57.2% men and 42.8% women. More than 90% reported facing barriers while accessing healthcare, but the financial barrier was significantly more. Increasing age and low levels of education were significantly associated with all four categories of barriers. Rural residence was associated with geographical and transportation barriers ( P value = 0.02), while working status was associated with the financial barrier ( P value = 0.03). Greater attention is needed to the financial and transport assistance for people with disabilities. The new tool, d-BAR, is contextual and valuable in identifying barriers to accessing healthcare among people with disabilities.
KMC and Brain Development: A Plea for Starting KMC as Early as Possible and as Long as Possible
Authors: Charpak Nathalie , Rivera Catalina Lince- , Hernandez Jose Tiberio
Published: April 2024

The kangaroo mother care (KMC) method is a “45-year-old innovation” in health care to care for premature or low birth weight (LBW) infants: the KMC position with direct skin-to-skin contact on the chest of the mother, KMC nutrition based on breast milk and early home discharge in KMC position with close monitoring are the three key elements of this intervention. Created in 1978 to compensate for the lack of incubators in a huge maternity hospital in Colombia, it has always met with resistance from health professionals. Rigorously studied, it has shown benefits far beyond the reduction in mortality, to ensure a proper quality of life for these fragile babies. KMC has become an example of evidence-based care for premature or LBW infants, and it is no longer ethical not to apply it. Exploratory analysis results on brain growth according to the duration in days of KMC position are presented in this article and should help accelerate the systematic introduction of KMC as early as possible and for as long as possible from birth, as published by the WHO in 2022.
Examining BA v The King: Can a ‘home’ provide security from domestic violence?
Authors: Swannie Bill
Published: April 2024

This article examines the High Court decision in BA v The King, which involved the relationship between tenancy law and the criminal offence of burglary. It argues that the Court should have given greater weight to the safety of victims of domestic violence, rather than privileging the rights of the accused under tenancy law.
Being Seen as a Unique Person is Essential in Palliative Care at Home and Nursing Homes: A Qualitative Study With Patients and Relatives
Authors: Kochems Katrin , de Graaf Everlien , Hesselmann Ginette M. , Teunissen Saskia C. C. M.
Published: April 2024

Context

Incorporation of a palliative care approach is increasingly needed in primary care and nursing home care because most people with a life-limiting illness or frailty live there.

Objectives

To explore patients’ and relatives’ experiences of palliative care at home and in nursing homes.

Methods

Generic qualitative research in a purposive sample of patients with an estimated life expectancy of <1 year, receiving care at home or in a nursing home, and their relatives. Data is collected through semi-structured interviews and thematically analyzed by a multidisciplinary research team.

Results

Seven patients and five relatives participated. Three essential elements of palliative care and their contributing factors emerged: 1) be seen (personal attention, alignment to who the patient is as a person, and feeling connected) 2) information needs (illness trajectory and multidimensional symptoms and concerns, and 3) ensuring continuity (single point of contact, availability of HCPs, and coordination of care). Patients and relatives experienced loss of control and safety if these essentials were not met, which depended largely on the practices of the individual health care professional.

Conclusion

In both primary care and nursing home care, patients and relatives expressed the same essential elements of palliative care. They emphasized the importance of being recognized as a unique person beyond their patient status, receiving honest and clear information aligned with their preferences, and having care organized to ensure continuity. Adequate competence and skills are needed, together with a care organization that enables continuity to provide safe and person-centered care.
Convergent Validity Between the Motor Domain of PediaTracTM and Ages and Stages in Term and Preterm Infants at 2, 4, 6, and 9 Months of Age
Authors: Lasutschinkow Patricia C. , Bo Jin , Warschausky Seth , Raghunathan Trivellore , Berglund Patricia , Huth-Bocks Alissa , Taylor H. Gerry , Staples Angela D. , Cano Jennifer , Le Doux Gabrielle N. , Lukomski Angela , Larson Jennifer C. Gidley , Lajiness-O’Neill Renée ,   PediaTrac Project Consortium
Published: April 2024

The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the convergent validity of the Motor domain (MOT) of PediaTracTM v3.0, an online developmental tracking instrument based on caregiver reports, with fine and gross motor domains (ASQ-FM and ASQ-GM) of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3) in infants between 2- and 9 months of age. Participants were caregivers of 571 infants born term or preterm (gestational age <37 weeks) enrolled in a multi-site psychometric study of PediaTracTM. Findings revealed significant correlations between MOT and ASQ-3 scores at 2, 4, 6, and 9 months across time periods, term-preterm status, and biological sex. A significantly higher percentage of infants born preterm, compared with those born at term, was identified as a moderate or high risk on both the ASQ-3 and PediaTrac. Future investigations are warranted to further examine the psychometric properties of the MOT domain, including sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value.
Theories of Uncertainty Communication: An Interdisciplinary Literature Review
Authors: Lammers Wouter , Ferrari Sacha , Wenmackers Sylvia , Pattyn Valérie , Van de Walle Steven
Published: April 2024

This systematic literature review presents an interdisciplinary overview of theories tested in experiments on the effects of communicating uncertainty. Using a machine learning-aided pipeline, we selected and manually coded 413 experimental studies. We discuss core assumptions and predictions of the main theories of uncertainty communication. Most normative theorizing (e.g., Bayesianism, Expected Utility Theory) is rooted in Probability Theory, which is only suitable for addressing shallow and medium uncertainty. This explains the underrepresentation of experimental research into deep uncertainty communication. To foster a more comprehensive understanding of uncertainty communication effects, we identify research questions and theories deserving greater attention.
Rotary inverted pendulum control using neuro-adaptive robust generalized dynamic inversion
Authors: Bajodah Abdulrahman H , Ansari Uzair
Published: April 2024

The objective of this research is to design a robust control system for trajectory tracking of the under-actuated Rotary Inverted Pendulum (RIP). The focus is on achieving semi-global asymptotic stability in the absence of knowledge about the RIP geometric and inertia parameters. The control design commences by formulating differential servo constraint dynamics (VCD) that encapsulates the control objectives for the RIP. The baseline generalized dynamic inversion (GDI) control law is derived by inverting the VCD for the control voltage input using the Moore–Penrose generalized inverse. To enhance robustness against modeling uncertainties and exogenous disturbances, a sliding mode control (SMC) element is integrated within the GDI control system, resulting in the robust GDI (RGDI) control system. Furthermore, an adaptive estimator that is based on Radial Basis Function Neural Networks (RBF-NN) is adopted to eliminate the dependency of the RGDI control system on the RIP mathematical model. The weighting matrices of the RBF-NN are updated with the aid of a Lyapunov control function. The proposed control system offers robust solution and guarantees semi-global asymptotic stability to the unstable equilibria of the RIP dynamics in the absence of a mathematical model. The proposed control system’s performance is evaluated through computer simulations and experimental tests on a real RIP system. Comparative analyses with traditional SMC and linear quadratic control methodologies are conducted to show the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Low-velocity impact damage of bionic turtle shell sandwich laminates with different suture shapes
Authors: Zhang Xu , Min Benzhi , Zhao Shouji , Fu Qiang , Zhang Di , Wang Zhenqing
Published: April 2024

Turtle shells have evolved over millions of years, developing exceptional mechanical properties such as high relative strength and toughness, rendering them highly effective in resisting impacts. This study delves into the impact resistance of bionic turtle shell structures with various suture shapes. This article analyzes the low-velocity impact of carbon fiber epoxy resin prepreg (CF/EP) composite sandwich panels with a suture interface by using the finite element simulation. The simulations encompass closed and unclosed models featuring bonded and unbonded tips, each with diverse trapezoidal geometries (triangular, trapezoidal, anti-trapezoidal, and rectangular). The findings reveal that sandwich structures with suture interfaces demonstrate significantly enhanced impact resistance compared to those lacking sutures, displaying 3–9 times greater deformation capacity and 20–30 times higher energy absorption capacity. The impact resistance of the triangular suture interface exceeded that of other bioinspired suture shapes, with trapezoidal and anti-trapezoidal sutures also enhancing stiffness, strength, and toughness. Additionally, a 6° bonded tip angle resulted in optimal performance for the triangular suture interface across all analyzed perspectives. The simulation study in this paper provides comprehensive and reliable data on low-velocity impact results, offering fundamental insights for researchers to design composite material structures that meet specific mechanical requirements effectively. Additionally, it offers novel ideas for the connection of protective structures, such as artificial armor.
Challenges of PICC placement via the popliteal vein under ultrasound guidance in a patient with severe burns: A case report
Authors: Shi Lihua , Chen Qiyu , Yang Rongrong , Liao Lihong , Zhang Jianfang , Liu Yingchun
Published: April 2024

Peripherally inserted central catheters are widely used in patients with extensive burns, with the guidelines recommending insertion through unburned skin. This case report describes a patient who was burned over 88% of their surface area and suffered severe inhalation injury. For him, the popliteal vein was the only vein on unburned skin available for catheter catheterization. Based on evidence, we successfully placed a peripherally inserted central catheter through the popliteal vein under ultrasound while the patient was in the prone position and avoided associated complications.
Intergenerational transmission of traumatic stress and relational disruptions among Cambodian refugee families in the United States
Authors: Mak Chansophal , Wieling Elizabeth
Published: April 2024

Cambodian refugees resettled in the United States were severely affected by genocidal trauma and have been trapped in decades of intergenerational transmission of traumatic stress and relational disruptions without much public attention. This manuscript reports on data collected as part of a Cambodian needs assessment that employed methodological principles of critical ethnography and was grounded by a human ecological theoretical model. Eighteen professionals who served Cambodian communities were interviewed. The interviews were transcribed in Khmer or/and English and analyzed using the Developmental Research Sequence resulting in three domains (Pre-Migration, During Migration, and Post Resettlement in the United States) and four categories (i.e. Impact on Self, Couple Relationships, Parent-Child Relationships, and Context) within each domain. The thematic findings emphasize intergenerational transmission of psychopathology, disruptions in parent-child relationships, and a critical need to support parents to promote positive child development within Cambodian communities.
Urban heat island phenomenon in Istanbul: A comprehensive analysis of land use/land cover and local climate zone effect
Authors: Ögçe Hüseyin , Erdem Kaya Meltem
Published: April 2024

The relationship between urban heat island (UHI) and land use/land cover (LULC), and local climate zone (LCZ) is apparent and takes rising attention in the current literature. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between meteorological data collected from 30 stations between 2016 and 2022 and Istanbul’s LULCs and LCZs. Several notable findings were uncovered, providing light on the UHI phenomenon and its consequences for the city’s characteristics. The stations in urban areas (typology A) had higher temperatures than stations in rural/suburban (typology B) and forested landscape (typology C). Those yearly values were ∼1°C for monthly mean temperatures and ∼1.5°C for monthly minimum temperatures. Moreover, urban areas possessed +4 and +2 hot days (35°C and above) for typologies B and C, respectively. Another remarkable result was that stations situated close to water surfaces exhibited a lower tendency to exceed temperatures of 35°C. Furthermore, built-type LCZs wind velocity achieved a lower value than land cover type, and humidity in typology A was 5% and 10% less than the typologies B and C, respectively. Consequently, the southern part of Istanbul emerged as the most vulnerable location to the UHI phenomena, suffering greater temperatures.
Write, record, optimize? How musicians reflect on music optimization strategies in the creative production process
Authors: Polak Nick , Schaap Julian
Published: April 2024

Musicians are believed to increasingly “optimize” their music to positively influence discoverability and engagement on music and social media platforms. Common examples of such optimization strategies are skipping intros, quickly moving to the chorus, or inserting danceable “hooks.” But to what extent are optimization strategies actively considered in the creative production process? And, if so, in what stage of production? In this article, we explore how professional musicians reflect on the opportunities and constraints that optimization strategies offer in the creative music production process. Based on 20 in-depth interviews with early to mid-career professional musicians and songwriters, we identify four different positions between “pure” artistic autonomy and “pure” commercialism that musicians typically take on in relation to these optimization strategies. We demonstrate that musicians are aware that sonically “working towards” platforms may bring economic success, while simultaneously maintaining a general reluctance towards outright commercial, “full optimization” ideologies.
Numerical modeling of combustion in gas engines with prechamber ignition
Authors: Nguyen Hoang Dung , Kuppa Kalyan , Dohrmann Sabine , Korb Benjamin , Dinkelacker Friedrich
Published: April 2024

A numerical model is developed to predict the combustion processes in large-bore gas engines featuring prechamber ignition systems and being coupled with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The proposed combustion model is based on the simultaneous modeling of premixed and partially-premixed flames by an extended progress variable approach. By introducing an additional fuel scalar to track the externally injected fuel of the scavenged prechamber and depending on a gradient criteria of the fuel scalar, regions of locally premixed or partially-premixed state can be differentiated. The reaction rate for premixed combustion is described through a turbulent flame speed closure approach, whereas the partially-premixed combustion is described by a pre-tabulated flamelet chemistry approach. For the validation of the combustion model and its performance in the different flame propagation phases, that is, prechamber flame ignition and main-chamber flame propagation, experimental data of two large-bore gas engines with different operating conditions, prechamber configurations and engine geometries are taken into account. A good agreement of the simulations with the experimental results is shown for the variety of operating conditions and engine configurations. The developed combustion model is able to predict the combustion process in the prechamber as well as the ignition of the main chamber charge by means of the protruding flame jets through the prechamber nozzles. The prechamber ignition system accelerates the early flame phase and hence shortens the burning duration due to the deep-penetrating and turbulence-inducing flame jets in comparison to a conventional spark plug engine.
LQTI boost pressure and EGR rate control of a diesel air charge system with eBoost assistance
Authors: Gamache Corey , Van Nieuwstadt Michiel , Martz Jason , Zhu Guoming
Published: April 2024

Turbocharged diesel engines often suffer significant response delay due to so-called turbo-lag, especially engines with large displacement. For this reason, many technologies have been developed to reduce turbo-lag. This paper develops a coordinated control strategy for a diesel engine equipped with an eBoost (electrical compressor) system to significantly reduce turbo-lag. A multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) Linear Quadratic Tracking with Integral (LQTI) control strategy, along with its scheduling logic, is developed for the Ford 6.7 L 8-cylinder diesel engine equipped with a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT), exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), and added eBoost along with a bypass valve. Note that the existing production engine does not have an eBoost and bypass valve. Multiple model-based LQTI controllers were designed at different engine operational conditions based on the associated linearized models, and the control outputs are scheduled based upon the engine load condition and bypass valve position. The developed control strategy is validated in both simulation and experimental studies, and the test results show a reduction in engine response time by up to 81.36% in terms of reaching target intake manifold (boost) pressure following a load step-up, compared with the production configuration (without eBoost and bypass valve) with no significant impact on NOx emissions.
Digital comfort amidst precarity: New middle classes’ experience of well-being and hardship in pandemic times in Brazil
Authors: Frid Marina , Pinheiro-Machado Rosana , Mayworm Perrut Igor , Pertierra Anna Cristina
Published: April 2024

During the pandemic, digital platforms had a boom in revenue or subscriptions. Despite their increasing relevance, few studies explore how different social strata experience such access. Based on 31 in-depth interviews in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, this article discusses the meanings and practices of digital consumption among the ‘new middle class.’ By focusing on three platforms—ride-sharing apps, food delivery apps, and audio-visual streaming—we interrogate how digital consumption has shaped experiences of well-being and hardship during pandemic times and how it relates to social mobility. We argue that digital platforms brought comfort amidst precarity as mechanisms for accessing relaxing and fun moments while responding to structural issues of Brazilian megacities. Our data also suggest these digital platforms enhance middle-class symbolic status related to individualised and private practices, though collectiveness is still present in participants’ liminal class experience.
Angry leaders and coworkers: Cross-cultural evaluation of anger expression through high-status and equal-status roles
Authors: Hong Seoungbeom , Moon Rosemary Hyejin , Chang Jae Yoon , Choi Jin Nam , Park Jiyoung
Published: April 2024

Anger expressed in organizations conveys potent social information that influences social perceptions and determines subsequent relationships among employees. The present research examined how cultural contexts and hierarchical structure of a given relationship interact to shape perceptions of anger expression. Conducting a survey on subsidiary employees of a multinational high-tech company, Study 1 showed that employees from the Confucian Asian culture (specifically Korea) evaluate anger expressed by high-status counterparts (i.e., managers) more positively in terms of appropriateness and effectiveness compared to those from the Anglo culture (specifically the United States). Study 2, which was based on different samples from the same company, showed that employees from another Confucian Asian country (Japan), compared to those from the Anglo culture (the United States), provide more positive evaluations of the anger expressed by high-status counterparts. In contrast, Study 2 further showed that this cultural difference is reversed when anger is expressed by equal-status counterparts (coworkers). Finally, Study 3 replicated the findings of Study 2 using online-recruited samples and further demonstrated that Confucian Asian sample (Koreans) is more likely to decide to hire a job applicant who expressed anger as a leader than Anglo sample (Americans) is. In contrast, this pattern is reversed when considering a job applicant who expressed anger as a coworker. Theoretical and practical implications for social emotions and cross-cultural management are discussed.
A Qualitative Case Study of Teachers’ Perceptions on a Two-model System; Adhering to Chinese and International Baccalaureate Mandated Standards
Authors: Clark John Stewart , Terrett Matthew
Published: April 2024

National curriculum standards for different countries mean some International Baccalaureate (IB) schools must often balance IB and national standards. Literature on how schools find this balance is limited. Using a qualitative case study design, we examined the perspectives of teachers of English in a Chinese IB school that recently employed a two-model system to address government mandates while still adhering to IB policies. A two-model system occurs when the two curricula are taught separately rather than in an integrated way. Our findings describe teachers’ understanding of a two-model system, identify challenges for teachers in its implementation, and suggest improvements. Results are confined to a single context of an English department in China and cannot therefore be generalized. Our findings reveal an overall theme of separateness identifying structural and conceptual factors affecting the relationship between the two models. The article discusses new ideas for curriculum structures that might inform school decisions for similar IB schools and schools with integrated curricula.
Glocalising Education: Reflections from an International School in Delhi, India
Authors: Daw Bianca
Published: April 2024

This article documents, describes and discusses the dynamics of an international school located in south Delhi, India. It discusses the means and ways via which the international school designs and delivers its curricular and pedagogic content that tend to shape and reinforce an element of ‘internationalism’ among its pupils. The international school form of education primarily embeds teaching and learning processes within the domain of the school as well as outside of it. While the school places enormous emphasis on the concept of ‘global’ or at times even ‘international’ to promote and brand itself, it is deeply rooted to the local and national conditions and cultures as well. This aspect of inter-mixing the global with the local and national is strongly emphasized by the school, whose stakeholders believe that the true spirit of internationalism lies in becoming ‘glocal’ and not simply global. The school as well as parents want their students and children to possess a holistic understanding of the world, and not an exclusive one. Thereby, it can be argued that there is a transition from the much-hyped era of globalisation to one of ‘glocalisation’. Thus, this system of schooling is critically analysed through this article, which centrally argues that the school functions in a manner that enables students’ global compatibility of body and mind, and aims to lend them a competitive edge in the global education and job market.
MS-DenseNet-GRU tool wear prediction method based on attention mechanism
Authors: Cheng Yaonan , Xue Jing , Lu Mengda , Zhou Shilong , Gai Xiaoyu , Guan Rui
Published: April 2024

Tool wear was an inevitable physical phenomenon in the cutting procedure. Serious tool wear has a direct effect on the level of processing quality and the effectiveness of production, and it even leads to abnormal cutting processes and a series of safety problems. Effective tool wear prediction can provide a basis for the rational use and replacement of tools to improve tool efficiency and ensure the stable operation of the machining process. Therefore, a tool wear prediction method combining multiple deep learning modules was proposed. To begin, the vibration signal was broken up using the complete ensemble empirical mode decomposition with adaptive noise algorithm. Then, the intrinsic mode functions with a strong correlation with the original signal were screened out according to the Pearson correlation coefficient for signal reconstruction. Additionally, the DenseNet module, the gate recurrent unit (GRU) module and the efficient channel attention module were deeply integrated to build a multi-scale DenseNet-GRU tool wear prediction model with attention mechanisms by learning the relationship of mapping between signal features and tool wear. Finally, the model was trained and tested using milling experimental data. The experiments’ outcomes demonstrated that the suggested method can accurately and reliably estimate the tool wear value. Compared with the DenseNet model, convolutional neural network–long short-term memory model, and DenseNet-GRU model, it further shows that it had superior performance in prediction accuracy and generalization ability. The research results can provide certain technical support for the prediction of tool wear intelligently, which is vital to raising the quality of processing, reducing production costs, and promoting the manufacturing industry’s intelligent development.
Social Choice and Citizen Participation: Bringing Democratic Theory to Public Administration
Authors: Dacombe Rod , Wojciechowska Marta
Published: April 2024

Recent years have seen a rapid growth of interest in the inclusion of citizen participation in the work of public institutions, advancing a well-established literature in public administration, which aims to reconcile the goals of public bureaucracies with those of democracy. Consequently, a rich body of literature and empirical work has emerged, which explores the extent to which the aspirations of the literature are reflected in practical experiences of participatory initiatives. In this article, we argue that this literature would benefit from a deeper connection with democratic theory. In particular, we suggest that our ability to make assessments over the functioning of citizen participation initiatives would be strengthened by a closer engagement with the contributions made by social choice theorists. We aim to promote a constructive dialogue, suggesting that considering social choice perspectives in analyses of participation might allow the claims made by proponents of citizen involvement in public administration to be strengthened considerably.
Prediction and optimization of hobbing parameters for minimizing energy consumption and gear geometric deviations
Authors: Wang Jun , Wang Jun , Dong Jianpeng
Published: April 2024

Improving gear precision and achieving green sustainability in gear machining are two important aspects of the gear manufacturing process. However, to achieve these two goals simultaneously, it may be necessary to make trade-offs when selecting the gear processing parameters. In this work, both energy consumption and gear geometric deviations were considered simultaneously to optimize the hobbing parameters. The relationships between the hobbing parameters, energy consumption, and gear geometric deviations were modeled using the response surface method (RSM). The statistical significance of the model was tested using analysis of variance (ANOVA). An improved multi-objective particle swarm optimization (IMOPSO) was then performed to solve optimization problems that involved multiple and conflicting objectives in the hobbing process. The results obtained indicate that both the energy consumption ( E) and the gear geometric deviations are parameter-dependent. The feed rate ( f) and the spindle speed ( n) have opposing effects on both energy consumption E and the gear geometric deviations. The optimum hobbing parameter sets obtained from the calculated Pareto frontier can provide a feasible solution for manufacturers to solve the trade-off problems that occur in the hobbing process, and the experimental results confirmed the effectiveness of the IMOPSO approach.