bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cannabis Perceptions and Patterns of Use Among Older Adult Cancer Survivors
Authors: Fahey Margaret C. , Walters Kyle J. , Benitez Andreana M. , Tomko Rachel L. , Kleykamp Bethea A. , McClure Erin A.
Published: February 2024

Objectives: To descriptively assess cannabis perceptions and patterns of use among older adult cancer survivors in a state without a legal cannabis marketplace. Methods: This study used weighted prevalence estimates to cross-sectionally describe cannabis perceptions and patterns of use among older (65+) adults ( N = 524) in a National Cancer Institute-designated center in a state without legal cannabis access. Results: Half (46 %) had ever used cannabis (18% following diagnosis and 10 % currently). Only 8% had discussed cannabis with their provider. For those using post-diagnosis, the most common reason was for pain (44%), followed by insomnia (43%), with smoking being the most common (40%) mode of use. Few (<3%) reported that cannabis had worsened any of their symptoms. Discussion: Even within a state without a legal cannabis marketplace, older cancer survivors might commonly use cannabis to alleviate health concerns but unlikely to discuss this with their providers.
The Relation Between Perceived Racial Discrimination and Civic Engagement Among People of Asian Descent
Authors: Tran Long , Baluran Darwin , Hassan Russell
Published: February 2024

Although people of Asian descent are the fastest-growing ethno-racial group in the United States, there has been limited research on how racialized experiences are related to their civic engagement behaviors. This study examines how perceived racial discrimination relates to political and community civic engagement among people of Asian descent living in California. Analyzing novel data from the 2021 California Health Interview Survey, we find that after the onset of COVID-19 people of Asian descent showed both the sharpest rise in perceived racial discrimination and the lowest level of civic engagement among all ethno-racial groups in California. Moreover, perceived racial discrimination was significantly associated with political engagement but not with community engagement among people of Asian descent. Finally, people of Asian descent showed some unique dynamics in comparison with other minoritized groups. We discuss the implications of these findings for nonprofit and voluntary sector research on the racialization of civic engagement.
The role of values in the interorganizational network response to wicked problems
Authors: Zonneveld Nick , Raab Jörg , Kenis Patrick , Minkman Mirella MN
Published: February 2024

Values are seen as important in both interorganizational networks and wicked problems. However, in both academia and practice the exact implications of these values remain unclear. In this article we examine the role of values in interorganizational networks dealing with wicked problems, by conducting a case study in a pregnancy and childbirth network. Our analysis identified both actor and network values, three value tensions among actors, and a variety of coping strategies to deal with these tensions. The findings indicate that value differentiation in networks should not be only seen as a problem, but also as an important ingredient for the achievement of network goals. Furthermore, our study revealed functional-structural and cognitive-cultural coping strategies to respond to value tensions among actors, applied by both the network administrative organization and the individual actors in the network. Lastly, we elaborate on the position and skill set of the network leader. We leverage these research results to formulate insights and recommendations for network practice.
Optimization of robotic polishing process parameters for mold steel based on artificial intelligence method
Authors: Pan Ri , Cheng Xiaofang , Xie Yinhui , Li Jun , Huang Weilong
Published: February 2024

Aimed to achieve quantitative control of workpiece surface after robotic polishing and improve polishing efficiency, a two-step processing optimization method involves artificial intelligence algorithms is investigated. Firstly, based on XGBoost algorithm, a prediction model for polished workpiece surface depending on key parameters is proposed, and the accuracy of the model is verified by experiments. After that, by using the above model, the influence of each parameter on the roughness was evaluated quantitatively. Subsequently, target roughness-driven optimization of processing parameters was presented by combining the roughness prediction model with NSGA II-TOPSIS algorithm based on the influence of each parameter on the roughness. To verify the proposed processing optimization method, polishing experiments of mold steel samples were conducted. The experimental results show that the maximum absolute error between the predicted and experimental roughness is 0.035 μm, and the maximum relative error is <9%. At the same time, when the minimum is set as the optimization objective. With the same length of polishing path, the feed rate is increased from 0.25 mm/s to 0.37 mm/s, and the efficiency is improved to 48%. The NSGA II-TOPSIS algorithm can achieve quantitative control of mold steel surface roughness after robotic polishing to improve polishing efficiency, and provide a basis for reasonable selection of processing parameters, which have certain practical value.
Nonlinear dynamic analysis of auxetic-FGM sandwich plates resting on a Kerr elastic substrate under blast loading
Authors: Dang Xuan-Hung , Nguyen Van-Long , Tran Minh-Tu , Tran Binh-Dinh , Nguyen Van-Loi
Published: February 2024

This study examines the nonlinear dynamic response of sandwich plates placed on the Kerr elastic substrate under blast loading. The plate is composed of an auxetic honeycomb core and functionally graded material (FGM) coating layers. The volume fraction of FGM is determined following the power-law model (P-FGM). The equations of motion of the plate are formulated by using the first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT) in conjunction with the use of the Airy stress function. The Runge-Kutta scheme, with the assistance of the Galerkin technique, is utilized in the present study to obtain numerical results for the nonlinear dynamic response of the plate. After verifying the proposed solution, the influences of material characteristics, blast loading, elastic substrate, and geometry parameters on the free vibration and nonlinear dynamic behavior of the plate are investigated comprehensively. The results show that negative Poisson’s ratio has a significant effect on the linear and nonlinear vibration characteristics of the auxetic-FGM sandwich plate.
Experimental investigation on mechanical performance and drilling behavior of hybrid polymer composites through statistical and machine learning approach
Authors: Pankaj  , Kant Suman , Jawalkar C.S. , Khatkar Sandeep Kumar , Singh Manjeet , Jindal Manish Kumar
Published: February 2024

The current study focuses on fabricating partially biodegradable composites added with nettle and grewia optiva fibers in epoxy. The mechanical properties of various fiber reinforcement combinations, such as tensile, impact, and flexural strength were evaluated. One of the main issues when drilling natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites is delamination damage. Therefore, the drilling ability of the hybrid composites was investigated by various drilling operation conditions: drill diameter (4, 6, 8 mm), feed rate (0.125, 0.212, 0.3 mm/rev) and spindle speed (400, 600, 800 rev/min). The experimental investigation was carried out using a twist drill at dry and ambient temperatures. The response surface methodology (RSM) was adopted during the investigation and the contribution of feed rate (65.31%) was found as the dominant factor, followed by spindle speed (35.83%) and drill diameter (10.72%) to influence the delamination factor of hybrid composites. The grey relation analysis was further applied to the experimental results to rank the experiments. Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the fractured surface of tested samples and delamination damage caused by drilling operations. The developed composites offered a maximum tensile strength (34.3 MPa), impact strength (11.13 J) and flexural strength (23.91 MPa) observed in the hybrid composites for a reinforcement combination of 5% nettle and 15% grewia optiva fibers. The prediction models developed by RSM and artificial neural network (ANN) were matched with the investigated results and ANN was noticed to be more accurate than the RSM. The research work will be beneficial for the industries involved in the development of structural panels reinforced with nettle and grewia optiva fibers.
Tibial fractures treated with mono-lateral fixation: Principles of design and application
Authors: Ogrodnik Peter Jan , Thomas Peter Brian MacFarlane , Collingwood Alexander
Published: February 2024

This paper presents the outcome of a data review of patients treated with the IOS external fixation system at the Royal Stoke University Hospital: a fixation designed to meet four requirements for external fixation proposed in this paper. Demographic data and outcome were collected and assessed. From 69 initial patients, 64 patients (55 males and 9 females) had an average age of 35.9 years. The mean time to union was 127 days. There were no incidences of malunion, or refracture post fixation removal attributable to the treatment method. In addition, in this cohort, there was no incidence of pin tract infection resulting in osteomyelitis. Of all the factors assessed the only factor to have any significant effect on healing was smoking: an average delay of 31 days. An examination of RUST (radiographic union score tibia) and modified RUST scores illustrated a potential false negative of up to 80%. Hence, this study cannot support the use of either scoring system to diagnose fracture healing. IOS external fixation was shown to be an effective method for the treatment of unstable tibial fractures. The reduction at fixation removal was shown to be very good. There was no incidence of osteomyelitis. It is, therefore, suggested that appropriately used external fixation is a viable alternative to intramedullary nailing if designed and surgically applied using four design principles outlined in this paper. Furthermore, it is proposed that external fixation be designed and applied to meet these four principles.
Deep learning-based tooth segmentation methods in medical imaging: A review
Authors: Chen Xiaokang , Ma Nan , Xu Tongkai , Xu Cheng
Published: February 2024

Deep learning approaches for tooth segmentation employ convolutional neural networks (CNNs) or Transformers to derive tooth feature maps from extensive training datasets. Tooth segmentation serves as a critical prerequisite for clinical dental analysis and surgical procedures, enabling dentists to comprehensively assess oral conditions and subsequently diagnose pathologies. Over the past decade, deep learning has experienced significant advancements, with researchers introducing efficient models such as U-Net, Mask R-CNN, and Segmentation Transformer (SETR). Building upon these frameworks, scholars have proposed numerous enhancement and optimization modules to attain superior tooth segmentation performance. This paper discusses the deep learning methods of tooth segmentation on dental panoramic radiographs (DPRs), cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images, intro oral scan (IOS) models, and others. Finally, we outline performance-enhancing techniques and suggest potential avenues for ongoing research. Numerous challenges remain, including data annotation and model generalization limitations. This paper offers insights for future tooth segmentation studies, potentially facilitating broader clinical adoption.
Impacts of anthropogenic eutrophication on the carbon transfers in lacustrine food webs: A paleolimnological assessment in four mountain lakes
Authors: Essert Valentin , Millet Laurent , Verneaux Valérie , Belle Simon , Etienne David , Masclaux Hélène
Published: February 2024

Over the last decades, the intensification of anthropogenic activities and associated disturbances on lake watersheds have led to major changes in lakes trophic functioning through accelerated eutrophication. In many lakes, these changes are characterized by an unprecedented increase in organic carbon fluxes, potentially leading to a shift in biogeochemical cycles and in the balance between carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions. Understanding the response of the carbon cycle to natural and anthropogenic environmental changes is becoming a crucial challenge in the context of increasing global pressures. In this study, we reconstructed the changes in the trophic functioning of the benthic and pelagic food web, in response to accelerated eutrophication in four lakes over the last millenium. Changes in carbon pathways in food webs were assessed using stable carbon isotope analysis of chitinous subfossil remains of Daphnia, Bosmina, and Chironomini archived in sedimentary records. Changes in the trophic state were inferred from sedimentary geochemical analysis, including carbon accumulation rates, Chl a accumulation rates and carbon-to-nitrogen ratios. Agro-pastoral activities were tracked by analysis of coprophilous ascospores. Results provided by this multi-proxy approach highlight recent disruptions in carbon sources and transfer pathways in lakes food webs. In particular, changes in the carbon isotopic signature of pelagic consumers suggest a recent increase in the use of 13C-depleted carbon sources such as methanogenic or respiration-derived carbon linked to recent changes in trophic state under the intensification of anthropogenic pressures.
RNA-Seq Analysis Reveals Potential Neuroprotective Mechanisms of Pachymic Acid Toward Iron-Induced Oxidative Stress and Cell Death
Authors: Hu Shuyang , Yang Baili , Li Binbin , Fan Qianqian , Wu Tinglong , Li Shanshan , Wang Dong , Yang Tao , Song Zhenghua
Published: February 2024

Iron dysregulation is a crucial factor in the development of neurological diseases, leading to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress, triggering inflammatory responses, and ultimately causing neurological impairment. Pachymic acid (PA) is an active ingredient extracted from the medicinal fungus Poria cocos, which has been reported with multiple pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory, anti-ischemia/reperfusion, and anticancer actions. In this study, we test whether PA have neuroprotection effect aganist ferrous ions induced toxicity in SH-SY5Y cells. It was found that pre-treatment with PA reduced intracellular ROS levels, increased mitochondrial membrane potential, and protected cells from apoptotic death. RNA-seq and qRT-PCR results indicated that PA can regulate the key genes IL1B, CXCL8, CCL7, and LRP1 on the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways, such as NF-κB signaling pathway, IL-17 signaling pathway, to prevent Fe2+-induced apoptotic cell death. Our research indicated that PA has potential therapeutic effects on the neuroprotection by regulating neuroinflammation and oxidative stress damage.
Assessment of Platelet Indices as Biomarker for Neonatal Sepsis
Authors: Yadav Brij Bhushan , Maini Baljeet , Jhinger Prabhjot , Gaur Bablu Kumar
Published: February 2024

Introduction

There is a need to increase the diagnostic capability of the traditional septic screen by adding additional markers. Platelet indices are one such marker that is readily available in routine hemogram reports.

Materials and Methods

In this cross-sectional study, all newborn babies were recruited who had signs or symptoms of sepsis or had high-risk factors. Those who had clinical sepsis with positive cultures and/or a positive sepsis screen were classified under group “cases” ( n = 174), whereas all neonates suspected to have sepsis but who had a negative blood culture and a negative sepsis screen were classified under group “control” ( n = 126). Blood culture, sepsis screen, and platelet indices [platelet count, mean platelet volume (MPV), and platelet distribution width (PDW)] were performed on all babies. Babies with congenital or acquired causes of platelet abnormalities (including medication use by mothers with antiplatelet activity) were excluded from this study.

Results

In this study, a total of 300 newborn babies were recruited for final analyses. Overall culture positivity was 38%. The mean platelet count was lower in the cases group ( P < 0.001). MPV and PDW were higher in septic babies with statistically significant differences ( P < 0.0001 and P = 0.012, respectively). Thrombocytopenia was the most sensitive marker (85.60%). However, it had low specificity (28.2%). On combining all three platelet markers, specificity increased to 48.4% (with a sensitivity of 64.5%) in detecting babies with neonatal sepsis. The sensitivity of the septic screen alone was 58% (with a specificity of 32.62%). When combining the sepsis screen and platelet indices, the specificity for the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis increased to 62.6%. On receiver operator curve analyses, thrombocytopenia had the highest area under the curve (0.692), followed by MPV (0.644).

Conclusion

Platelet indices may be used as sensitive markers in combination with traditional sepsis screening to make an early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.
Pivotal Legislation Supporting College and Career Readiness for Students With Disabilities
Authors: Kwiatek Stephen M. , Mazzotti Valerie L. , Wood Charles L.
Published: February 2024

Historically, students with disabilities experience less in-school preparation and postschool success compared with their peers without disabilities. Federal legislation has evolved in an effort to promote successful in-school and postschool success for students with disabilities. Since 1990, legislation has emphasized the importance of postschool preparation (the Individuals with Disabilities with Education Act), and more recently, the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 mandated all students be prepared for college and careers. In this article, we overview one court case ( Brown v. Board of Education) and seven pieces of pivotal legislation that had substantive impact on college and career readiness efforts. In addition, we discuss successes over time and suggest opportunities for change to enhance college and career readiness efforts.
Educator Perspectives on Advantages and Disadvantages of Alternative Schools
Authors: Afacan Kemal , Wilkerson Kimber L.
Published: February 2024

Many students experience school failure due to academic and/or behavioral challenges that are deemed problematic by school personnel. School districts provide alternative school options for those students based on an assumption that their success hinges on supports beyond those that are provided by traditional schools. Because educators who work in alternative schools are key implementers of programming in them, the purpose of this qualitative interview study was to investigate their perspectives of the advantages and disadvantages of alternative schools. We collected qualitative data from interviews with 17 educators from 11 alternative schools. The findings from our analyses showed both the advantages and disadvantages, with the advantages grouped into four main categories: (a) instructional practices, (b) relationships, (c) policy, and (d) planning for postsecondary. The disadvantages were grouped into six thematic categories: (a) limited options, (b) barriers to instruction, (c) exclusion and stigma, (d) weak social networks, (e) poor management, and (f) sustainability.
Group Warranty Contracts to Coordinate Assembly Supply Chains With Nontestable Components
Authors: Duenyas Izak , Iravani Seyed MR , Li Linlin , Najafi Sajjad
Published: February 2024

We consider a supply chain where multiple suppliers and a manufacturer contribute to the assembly of a product (through providing components or labor). The product fails if any of its components (or elements of work) fails, but finding the faulty component can be prohibitively difficult. We study group warranty contracts for the manufacturer to induce suppliers to improve their quality levels. When information is symmetric and the manufacturer can contract on his own quality level, we show that a group warranty contract can achieve the first-best outcome. When the manufacturer’s quality level is not contractible, we show that the manufacturer and all the suppliers under-invest in qualities. We then extend our model to the asymmetric information case where suppliers have private quality cost information. Further, we consider whether the manufacturer benefits from sourcing multiple components from a single supplier, that is, supply consolidation. We find that supply consolidation benefits the manufacturer when his quality level is not contractible, but hurts him in the presence of asymmetric quality cost information of the suppliers.
Optimal Subsidy Policy for Innovation: Technology Push and Demand Pull
Authors: Chung Hakjin , Ahn Hyun-soo , Lee Myeonghun , Kim Sang Won
Published: February 2024

Government plays a critical role in developing and adopting new products with social benefits. We study how the government should mix two different subsidies—a technology-push subsidy, which awards manufacturers for cost-reducing R&D efforts, and a demand-pull subsidy, which directly rewards customers—when multiple firms compete in the presence of spillover. We develop a model with the government and two firms: The government first announces a subsidy policy, then the two firms decide R&D investments to reduce production costs and sell the products. We analyze how the optimal subsidy policy and resultant market outcomes change in the social benefit of the product and the spillover level. We find that the government should use a different subsidy policy depending on the social benefit of the product. When the social benefit is low, no subsidy should be given, letting the two firms make discretionary R&D efforts without any inducement. When the social benefit is modest, the government should only give a push subsidy and let the firms lead production adoptions with cost-reducing R&D. When the social benefit is large, the government should provide both subsidies, but the dependence on the pull subsidy increases. We also study how the spillover level influences the optimal subsidy. As knowledge spillover increases, we find that the government should increase the push subsidy to offset the losses incurred by the cost leader. We contribute to the literature by offering policy insights on how the government should design subsidies to maximize the adoption of products with social benefits.
How Socially Perceived Threat Shapes Preventive Behavior in the Context of COVID-19
Authors: Hou Jingbo , Liang Chen , Chen Pei-yu
Published: February 2024

Social technologies have revolutionized global connectivity, enabling instant sharing of information and virtual experiences of real-time events. In the context of natural disasters, including pandemics like COVID-19, these technologies can facilitate the dissemination of crucial localized information via social connectivity, enhancing awareness and preventive behavior even in areas not immediately threatened by the disaster or virus. Our paper investigates the relationship between socially perceived threats, shaped by social technologies and shared information on social media, and individuals’ preventive behavior, while controlling for immediate virus threats in local and neighboring areas. In Study 1, we establish that socially perceived threats, measured by the volume of COVID-19-related tweets in socially connected areas, positively correlate with preventive behavior after accounting for immediate virus threats. Study 2 delves into this phenomenon, revealing a notable association between COVID-19-related communication, particularly tweets regarding self-infection or severe symptoms, and increased preventive behavior. Intriguingly, subjective expressions of this social information are found to correlate with a heightened socially perceived threat, further promoting preventive behavior. Our paper contributes to the emerging field of operations management and information systems by highlighting the pivotal role of social technologies in shaping public perception and response during disaster early stages. We achieve this through the integration of diverse datasets, advancing our understanding of societal resilience and sustainability in the face of catastrophic events.
Inspiring Critical Consciousness: A Case for a Decolonized Journalism Study Abroad Curriculum
Authors: Bhayroo Shenid
Published: February 2024

This study explores how a study-abroad program that combines journalism best practices in diversity, equity, and inclusion with decolonized curricular materials can foster critical consciousness in journalism education. Against the backdrop of a multiethnic world, growing diversity in student demographics, and a recognition of the lack of diversity in newsrooms and news content, journalism education can explore innovative and radical options to equip future journalists. Data analysis of five cohorts of a journalism study abroad in South Africa finds that using such options translates into journalists-in-training producing news content that reflects a critical consciousness about equity, justice, and colonialism.
Career Pathway Strategies That Reduce Barriers for Nontraditional Nursing Students
Authors: Lee Mona , Cook Kim
Published: February 2024

Everyone recognizes the current nursing scarcity, but not everyone recognizes the need for a diverse nursing workforce to adequately serve patients whose social determinants of health include racism, racial bias, and reduced access to care. This article explores how building innovative partnerships between health-care providers and nursing institutions to advance the incumbent workforce can increase capacity and reduce staff burnout. Such partnerships can drive a culture of employee engagement through the development of career pathways while reducing barriers for nontraditional nursing students in advancing their credentials. This article reports on a strategy to address the nursing shortage and to increase the diversity of the nursing workforce through a licensed vocational nurse-to-registered nurse partnership between a school of nursing and a Federally Qualified Health Center.
Enhanced beam and plate finite elements with shear stress continuity for compressible sandwich structures
Authors: Hauck Bence , Szekrényes András
Published: February 2024

This paper concerns and presents new improved beam and plate finite elements for analysing sandwich structures from the structural and modal points of view. In this study, the material behaviour is supposed to be linear elastic and orthotropic, but the method could be extended for nonlinear problems as well. The current models are able to treat the compressibility of the soft core materials, besides the interlaminar continuity conditions and the zero shear stresses on the shear-free surfaces are granted by the Lagrange multiplier method. In order to provide stress continuity along the element boundaries, the Hermite interpolation is employed for the elementary formulations that yields subparametric finite elements. On the contrary, the semi-analytical solutions of these enhanced beam and plate models are also discussed here for particular boundary conditions. The verification of the new finite elements is carried out by two case studies. The test examples are modelled and solved in commercial finite element software (ANSYS) with general shell and solid elements, too. The results derived from different models are subjected to a comprehensive comparison. Also, the structural and modal analyses of the test examples are presented during the case studies. The structural analysis of an overconstrained sandwich panel is also discussed to point out the significance of the proper shear stress distributions. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of the newly developed elements and semi-analytical solutions are revealed in detail.
Outcomes of “a new modification of Jensen technique combined with medial rectus recession” in patients with complete sixth cranial nerve palsy
Authors: Farvardin Hajar , Norouzpour Amir , Farvardin Hadi , Farvardin Majid
Published: February 2024

Background

To report the outcomes of “our modified Jensen technique” for treating esotropia in cases with complete sixth cranial nerve (CN VI) palsy.

Methods

This study is a 30-year case series of isolated complete CN VI palsy who underwent combined medial rectus recession and our modified Jensen operation. We modified the original technique by anchoring the muscle-unifying sutures to the sclera near the equator using a non-absorbable suture. Major outcomes such as postoperative diplopia, face turn, horizontal and vertical eye deviations, and abduction limitation were assessed. Successful surgery was defined as orthotropia or esotropia equal to or less than 8 prism diopters (PD) and the absence of any vertical deviation.

Results

Fifty-three cases with a mean age of 28 years old were included in this study. The male-to-female ratio was 3 to 1. Forty-five cases (85%) presented with unilateral palsy, whereas 8 patients (15%) had bilateral palsy. Trauma was the most common etiology (85%). Diplopia or face turn, presented in 42 patients before the operation, remained in seven cases after the operation. Primary position esotropia, which was the main complaint in all patients, decreased from 49 PD to 4 PD in unilateral palsy and from 101 PD to 10 PD in bilateral palsy. The mean reduction of abduction deficit was 1.78 in unilateral and 1.75 in bilateral palsy. The success rate was 76% in unilateral and 62% in bilateral palsy.

Conclusion

Our modified Jensen operation was effective in treating patients with complete CN VI palsy, producing no significant permanent complications.
Retro-mode imaging in acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy
Authors: Rabinovich Mark , Mehanna Carl-Joe , Lopez Juan Manual , Souied Eric H.
Published: February 2024

Aim

to provide a detailed description and multimodal imaging (MMI) including retro-mode imaging of acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy (APMPPE).

Methods

Case report of a young male patient presenting with APMPPE picture. Initially, visual acuity testing was performed, followed by biomicroscopic and fundus examinations along with MMI including Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), fundus autofluorescence (FAF), fluorescein angiography (FA), Indocyanine Green (ICG) angiography, and Retro-mode imaging. The patient was then monitored over a duration of two months.

Results

visual acuity was 20/20 with normal biomicroscopic examination; fundus examination detected multiple pale placoid lesions. MMI was consistent with typical APMPPE. Notably, Retro-mode imaging revealed numerous crater-like round lesions that corresponded to those observed on angiography.

Conclusion

Retromode imaging in APMPPE can serve as a non-invasive tool that highlights the number and distribution of lesions as well as on angiography.
The association between rurality, dual Medicare/Medicaid eligibility and chronic conditions with telehealth utilization: An analysis of 2019–2020 national Medicare claims
Authors: Bogulski Cari A , Pro George , Acharya Mahip , Ali Mir M , Brown Clare C , Hayes Corey J , Eswaran Hari
Published: February 2024

Introduction

Telehealth services have the potential to increase healthcare access among underserved populations, such as rural residents and racial/ethnic minority groups. The COVID-19 public health emergency led to unprecedented growth in telehealth utilization, but evidence suggests the growth has not been equitable across all patient populations. This study aimed to explore whether telehealth utilization and expansion changed equitably from 2019 to 2020 among sub-groups of Medicare beneficiaries.

Methods

We conducted an analysis of telehealth utilization among a 20% random sample of 2019–2020 Medicare beneficiaries on a national level. We fit multivariable logistic regression models and calculated average marginal effects (AME) to assess the association between demographic and clinical characteristics on telehealth utilization.

Results

We found telehealth utilization was less likely among non-Hispanic Black/African-American (2019: adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.77, AME = −0.15; 2020: aOR = 0.85, AME = −3.50) and Hispanic (2019: aOR = 0.79, AME = −0.13; 2020: aOR = 0.87, AME = −2.89) beneficiaries, relative to non-Hispanic White beneficiaries in both 2019 and 2020, with larger disparities in 2020. Rural beneficiaries were more likely to utilize telehealth than urban beneficiaries in 2019 (aOR = 2.62, AME = 0.84), but less likely in 2020 (aOR = 0.57, AME = −14.47). In both years, dually eligible Medicare/Medicaid beneficiaries were more likely than non-dually eligible beneficiaries to utilize telehealth (2019: aOR = 4.75, AME = 0.84; 2020: aOR = 1.34, AME = 2.25). However, the effects of dual eligibility and rurality changed in both models as the number of chronic conditions increased.

Discussion

We found evidence of increasing disparities in telehealth utilization among several Medicare beneficiary sub-groups in 2020 relative to 2019, including individuals of minority race/ethnicity, rural residents, and dually eligible beneficiaries, with disparities increasing among individuals with more chronic conditions. Although telehealth has the potential to address health inequities, our findings suggest that many of the patients in greatest need of healthcare are least likely to utilize telehealth services.
What are the autism research priorities of autistic adults in Scotland?
Authors: Cage Eilidh , Crompton Catherine J , Dantas Sarah , Strachan Khiah , Birch Rachel , Robinson Mark , Morgan-Appel Stasa , MacKenzie-Nash Charlie , Gallagher Aaron , Botha Monique
Published: February 2024

Studies investigating autistic community research priorities indicate a mismatch between what autism research focuses on and what autistic people want to see researched. Furthermore, there has not been a research priority-setting exercise specifically with autistic people in Scotland, where there are unique cultural, political and social contexts. Using a community-based participatory design, we aimed to identify the research priorities of autistic adults living in Scotland. Autistic and non-autistic researchers designed and conducted a survey where 225 autistic adults rated and ranked research topics in order of importance and provided qualitative feedback on issues and questions important to them. The top five research priorities were mental health/well-being, identification and diagnosis of autistic people, support services, knowledge and attitudes towards autistic people and issues impacting autistic women. There were differences in priorities according to different intersections of identity, and qualitative responses indicated a desire for research to focus on support and understanding. The bottom three priorities concerned genetics, treatments and interventions and causes. These findings emphasise the need to address the gap between what autism research focuses on and the everyday lives of autistic people.

Lay abstract

Although research has the potential to improve autistic people’s lives, lots of funding goes towards research looking at topics which autistic people say has little impact in their everyday lives. Autistic people’s lives can be different depending on where they live, and Scotland is a unique country in many ways. We wanted to find out which topics autistic people in Scotland want to see research on. Our team of autistic and non-autistic researchers (including university-based and community researchers) created a survey where 225 autistic adults rated and ranked the importance of possible research topics and shared their thoughts on what topics mattered to them. The five most important topics were mental health and well-being, identifying and diagnosing autistic people, support services (including healthcare and social care), non-autistic people’s knowledge and attitudes and issues impacting autistic women. The three least important topics were genetics or biological aspects of autism, autism treatments/interventions and causes of autism. Our findings indicate that autistic people in Scotland want research to focus on things that matter to their day-to-day lives. Also, the Scottish government says they will be listening to autistic people in their latest policy plans, and we believe that considering autistic people’s research priorities is an important part of this. Our findings also add to growing calls for change to happen in how and what autism researchers do research on.
School participation of autistic youths: The influence of youth, family and school factors
Authors: Li Boya , Heyne David , Scheeren Anke , Blijd-Hoogewys Els , Rieffe Carolien
Published: February 2024

Many autistic youths experience restricted school participation. The present study investigated the influences of youth, family and school factors on autistic youths’ school participation. Parents of 200 Dutch autistic youths (age range: 4–16 years, Mage = 12.23 years, SDage = 2.93 years) filled in questionnaires in a national survey for autistic individuals, reporting the school participation, age and autistic traits of their child, parents’ education level and self-efficacy for supporting their child’s schoolwork, and the impact of problems their child experienced with the physical and social environments of the school. Multivariate linear regression analysis using imputed data revealed that among the six predictor variables, only the impact of problems autistic youths experienced with the physical environment of school was negatively associated with their school participation. This study provided support for the essential role of the school environment in predicting autistic youths’ school participation, indicating that problematic aspects in the school environment could have a greater impact on autistic youths’ school participation than youth factors or family factors. This highlights the need to create a more accommodating environment at school, where autistic youths can participate easily and comfortably.

Lay abstract

School-aged youths have a basic human right to participate in educational and recreational activities at school. Yet, autistic youths are at high risk of being excluded from school and from school-based activities. It is important to understand how this occurs, to ensure that all autistic youths have opportunities to participate in school activities that are equal to the opportunities of their non-autistic peers. The present study investigated multiple influences on the school participation of autistic youths, including youth factors (age and autistic traits), family factors (parent education level and parental self-efficacy for supporting their child’s schoolwork) and school factors (the impact of problems autistic youths experienced with the physical and social environments of school). Using an online survey, we gathered the views and experiences of the parents of 200 autistic youths aged between 4 and 16 years, in the Netherlands. We found that among the factors, only the impact of problems that autistic youths experienced with the physical environment of school was associated with their school participation. In particular, autistic youths who experienced greater difficulties with the physical environment of school had lower levels of school participation. Our findings highlight the pressing need to modify school environments to better accommodate the needs of autistic youths so that they can participate easily and comfortably.
Phonological planning in Cantonese–English bilingual speech production
Authors: Wing-Kuen Wong Andus , Yuen-King Ng Terri , Tsang Yiu-Kei , Chen Hsuan-Chih
Published: February 2024

Purpose:

Findings from previous speech production research suggest that the nature of phonological planning units is language-specific, with phonemes as the planning units in Dutch and English but syllables in Cantonese and Mandarin Chinese. However, little is known about how multilingual speakers possessing languages with distinctive phonological planning units plan for their speech. This study was conducted to investigate the roles of syllable and phoneme in Cantonese (L1) and English (L2) production among Cantonese–English bilinguals.

Design:

A picture version of the form-preparation task was employed, where participants named aloud (in their L1 and L2) small sets of pictures repeatedly. The names of the pictures in a set either shared the same word-initial syllable, word-initial phoneme, or were unrelated. Participants’ L1 and L2 proficiencies were measured.

Data and analysis:

53 Cantonese–English bilinguals participated. The naming latency data were submitted for linear mixed effects modeling analyses.

Findings:

Significant priming effects on naming latency, relative to an unrelated control, were found when the response words shared the same word-initial syllable but null effects were found when they shared merely the same word-initial phoneme in both L1 and L2 production. Critically, in L2 English production, a significant negative association was observed between the size of syllable priming and the participant’s English vocabulary size. Furthermore, significant English phonemic priming was observed among the participants higher in spoken English proficiency but not among the lower proficiency counterparts.

Originality:

This study provides clear evidence showing the multifaceted effects of L2 proficiency on L2 phonological planning using a picture naming task.

Significance:

The present findings indicate the significant impact of L1 on L2 phonological planning. Yet, this L1-to-L2 influence would be modulated in different ways by the different aspects of one’s L2 proficiency.
Social media posts as source for political news coverage inside and outside election campaigns: Examining effects on deliberative news media quality
Authors: Oschatz Corinna , Gil-Lopez Teresa , Paltra Dylan , Stier Sebastian , Schultz Tanjev
Published: February 2024

Journalists increasingly cite and/or embed social media posts in news articles. While social media posts have been found to be of little deliberative quality, we do not know whether this also affects the deliberative quality of the news. Against the background of a hybrid media system and deliberative news media standards, we answer this research question with a content analysis of news articles including or not including posts from X (formerly Twitter) in the twelve widest-reaching German news websites prior and after the German general election 2021. We were particularly interested in the differences inside and outside election campaigns as the interdependence of the mass media and the political sphere is particularly pronounced during campaign periods. Results show that posts are more often cited and/or embedded in news articles inside than outside election campaigns. Articles including posts feature a greater number of actors but are not more diverse as mainly actors from the political center are referenced. Moreover, articles with posts are associated with a higher position responsiveness but on the other hand a decreased civility of the represented political discourse. This pattern only emerged inside but not outside campaign periods. These findings add to our understanding of contemporary hybrid media systems and the nature of political journalism during contentious political periods.
Investigation of injection parameters coupled with fuel reactivity on combustion and emissions in dual direct-injection GCI engine
Authors: Wu Haoqing , Mi Shijie , Qian Yong , Zhang Yaoyuan , Zhao Wenbin , Lu Xingcai
Published: February 2024

Fuel injection parameters and fuel reactivity significantly affect engine performance, combustion, and emissions. The dual direct-injection strategy could compensate for the insufficient heat release rate to improve the gasoline compression ignition (GCI) mode with medium injection pressure for high loads. This research aims to couple injection parameters and fuel reactivity to optimize the combustion, emissions, and engine performance of the dual direct-injection GCI mode at high loads. The effect of research octane number (RON) of gasoline, injection timing, and injection pressure of dual injection system on combustion and emissions was investigated. Results show that the optimized dual direct-injection GCI mode can simultaneously achieve high thermal efficiency, low emissions, and low maximum pressure rise rate (MPRR) at high loads with the maximum indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP) of about 16 bar with indicated thermal efficiency (ITE) of 48.5%. Delaying the injection timing of injector-1 reduced the peak pressure (Ppeak), MPRR, and NOx emissions. Ppeak, CO, NOx, and indicated specific fuel consumption (ISFC) decreased compared to the dual-injector simultaneous injection case when the injection timing of injector-2 was retarded to between 5 and 10°CA ATDC. Increasing the injection pressure of injector-2 reduced CO, THC, ISFC, and particulate emissions. Lower RON gasoline obtains higher ITE while higher RON gasoline obtains lower particulate emissions.
From Objectivist Bias to Positivist Bias: A Constructivist Critique of the Attitudes Approach to Populism
Authors: Kim Seongcheol , Mondon Aurelien
Published: February 2024

This article undertakes a critique of the attitudes approach to populism, predicated on survey-based operationalisations of populism as a set of attitudes. Our critique is threefold: first, the move of reducing ‘the elite’ to ‘the politicians’ in survey items – beginning with the foundational Akkerman scale – is at odds with the constructivist underpinnings of Mudde’s ideational definition that this literature largely draws on, where ‘the people’ and ‘the elite’ are understood as contingent constructions that can take on a wide range of meanings depending on the ideological permutation. Second, our corpus linguistics-based overview of empirical patterns within the ‘populist attitudes’ literature indicates a skewed focus on the far right within this literature, contrary to the ideological variability of populism following the ideational definition. Third, the reliance on public opinion surveys points to the danger of reifying public opinion and attributing objective qualities to ‘the people’ as such. In assuming categories such as ‘the elite’ to stand for determinate referents such as ‘the politicians’ in survey-based operationalisations, the positivist bias of the attitudes approach paradoxically mirrors the objectivist bias (following Sartori) of early populism research that reduced the identity of ‘the people’ in populism to determinate socio-structural categories such as the peasantry.
On the Term “Environmental Refugee”: Normative Assumptions and Empirical Realities
Authors: Hoye J Matthew , Hednäs Gustaf , Rowland Michael , Sodhi Umang , Kantorowicz Jaroslaw
Published: February 2024

Activist groups debate the complex connection between climate change and migration but generally agree on the normative value of describing those migrants as “environmental refugees.” They argue that using such a term, even though unrecognized under international law, might increase the urgency of this issue in the eyes of the public. Does the term do the normative work that has been assumed? To our knowledge, the idea has not been subject to empirical confirmation. In this research note, we present data from two experimental surveys conducted in the UK and the Netherlands (N = 2261) directly addressing that question. The findings significantly undermine the assumption that “environmental refugee” is normatively persuasive outside activists and academic circles. We demonstrate that using “environmental refugees” frames compared to “environmental migrants” does not increase the urgency of the climate migration problem in the eyes of the public, and as our results show, such frames may slightly lower perceptions of urgency. Yet, this result is rather negligible.