bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functional Outcome of Cast Immobilisation and Functional Treatment in Management of Lateral Ankle Sprain (Grade 1 and 2)
Authors: Sharma Akhil , Joseph George
Published: November 2024

Background: Pain and functional constraints from ankle sprains, which mostly impact the lateral ligamentous complex, can lead to the consumption of medical facilities and unavailability from workplace. No single technique is regarded as the most effective, despite the fact that this injury occurs frequently. This study evaluates the management modalities for lateral ankle sprain i.e. functional treatment and cast immobilization with pain and function as outcome variables.  Materials and methods: Seventy patients with lateral ankle sprains (grade 1 and 2) were included in this study. Each alternate participant was placed in a functional treatment (group A), while the other participants were placed in a cast immobilization group (group B). Every patient was assessed at a follow up of 2 and 6 weeks using Visual analog scale and Karlsson score for quantifying pain and function respectively.  Results: Thirty-two patients in the functional therapy group and twenty-eight in the cast immobilization group finished the study. The functional therapy group's mean age was 27.7 years, while the cast immobilization group's was 29.4 years. While both the right and left ankles were similarly impacted in the cast immobilization group, the dominant ankle involved in the functional treatment group was the right ankle in 19 patients and the left ankle in 16 patients. In both groups, a male preponderance was seen. By the end of the study, the mean differences between the two groups' Karlsson scores and visual analog scale scores were statistically significant.  Conclusion: Our study's findings show that a functional treatment outperforms immobilization in terms of both functional outcome and pain reduction.
A Study of Various Clustering Algorithms Used for Radar Signal Sorting
Authors: Elnour Hammed Fathi , Abdalla Ali Ahmed , Awad Ahmed
Published: November 2024

Radar signal sorting plays a significant part in radar countermeasure technology and reconnaissance systems. By means of radar signal sorting, several radars and their parameters in the battlefield are precisely recognized and placed in the radar records for subsequent positioning and jamming processing. The basic sorting methods cannot fulfill the sorting process with accurate and efficient results. Therefore, in this paper, we conduct a study on two main classes clustering techniques, the first is hierarchical based clustering, and the second one is partition based clustering, which have different characteristics into groups of pulses and they can sort and handle large number of radar sequence with high precision and accuracy. The numerical simulations studied and compared both methods under different perspectives to clarify a new directions based on the insightful investigations of these sorting techniques.
Perceptions of Primary School Teachers on Quality Assurance to Feedback Reports in Shinyanga Municipality
Authors: Liuye Ally
Published: November 2024

This study seeks to explore primary school teachers’ perceptions on quality assurance to feedback reports Shinyanga Municipality. A quantitative research approach was employed to conduct the research. The study’s target population included teachers from 10 government and 10 private primary schools. The sample size comprised 119 respondents. A simple random sampling techniques was used to select the 10 government, 10 private primary schools and 119 teachers from the 17 wards in Shinyanga Municipality. Data collection involved the use of questionnaires. The collected quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study found that while over half of teachers regularly use Quality Assurance feedback reports for instructional planning and alignment, a significant portion either rarely or never engage with them. Barriers such as access, training, or perceived relevance likely contribute to this inconsistency. Although nearly half of the teachers view the feedback as well-aligned with classroom needs. These findings suggest a need for better support and more tailored feedback to ensure its effective use across diverse teaching contexts.
More Lessons of the Accord: The 1986–87 Plumbers’ Union Dispute
Authors: Newsome Lucie , Miller Danielle , Ramsay Tony
Published: November 2024

The early phases of the Price and Incomes Accord sought to constrain money-wage increases in order to reduce the rate of inflation. Despite this, in 1986 and 1987 the Plumbers and Gasfitters Employees’ Union of Australia engaged in industrial action to pressure employers into increasing wages. Using this case study, we examine the capacity for individual trade union agency for wage increases in the context of Accord Mark II. The article draws on document analysis combined with interviews with six of the dispute’s key actors and close observers. It finds that trade union agency was quashed by various political and industrial actors and institutions. This threatened the financial survival of the NSW Australian Plumbers and Gasfitters Employees’ Union, which faced legal sanctions during the dispute.
Overview of the Fiber System for the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument
Authors: Poppett Claire , Tyas Luke , Aguilar J. , Bebek Christopher , Bramall D. , Claybaugh T. , Edelstein J. , Fagrelius P. , Heetderks H. , Jelinsky P. , Jelinsky S. , Lafever Robin , Lambert A. , Lampton M. , Levi Michael E. , Martini P. , Rockosi C. , Schmoll J. , Sharples Ray M. , Sirk Martin , Wishnow Edward , Yu Jiaxi , Ahlen S. , Bault A. , BenZvi S. , Brooks D. , Cole S. , de la Macorra A. , Dey Arjun , Doel P. , Fanning K. , Font-Ribera A. , Forero-Romero J. E. , Gaztañaga E. , Gontcho A Gontcho S. , Gonzalez-Morales A. X. , Hahn C. , Honscheid K. , Jimenez J. , Juneau S. , Kirkby D. , Kremin A. , Landriau M. , Le Guillou L. , Manera M. , Meisner A. , Miquel R. , Moustakas J. , Mueller E. , Muñoz-Gutiérrez A. , Myers A. D. , Nie J. , Niz G. , Palanque-Delabrouille N. , Percival W. J. , Prada F. , Rabinowitz D. , Rezaie M. , Rossi G. , Sanchez E. , Schlafly Edward F. , Schlegel D. , Schubnell M. , Seo H. , Sprayberry D. , Tarlé G. , Vargas-Magaña M. , Weaver B. A. , Zhou R.
Published: November 2024

The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) is a revolutionary instrument designed for precise measurements of cosmic distances and the investigation of dark energy. DESI utilizes 5000 optical fibers to simultaneously measure the spectra of distant objects and aims to measure 40 million galaxies and quasars in a 5 yr survey. One of the critical challenges to DESI’s success was ensuring that the fiber system was not only highly efficient but also delivered a highly stable beam enabling more reliable sky subtraction for measurements of faint objects. We achieved this stability by minimizing the stress on the fiber system during the manufacture and operation of the telescope and fiber positioning robots. We installed the DESI fiber system on the 4 m Mayall telescope with ≥99% of fibers intact, and the instrument has delivered superb optical performance throughout the initial years of the DESI survey, including ≥90% average throughput when injected with a focal ratio of ∼f/3.9 as delivered by the primary focus corrector, excluding fiber absorption losses. The design of DESI required multiple innovations to achieve these requirements, such as cleaved fibers bonded with a UV-curing epoxy to glass ferrules in the focal plane and fusion splicing instead of physical connectors. In this paper, we describe the development, delivery, and installation of the fiber system, the innovations that made the state-of-the-art performance possible, and the key lessons learned that could benefit future projects.
Migration of Accreting Planets and Black Holes in Disks
Authors: Laune JT , Li 李 Rixin 日新 , Lai Dong
Published: November 2024

Nascent planets are thought to lose angular momentum (AM) to the gaseous protoplanetary disk via gravitational interactions, leading to inward migration. A similar migration process also applies to stellar-mass black holes (BHs) embedded in the disks of active galactic nuclei. However, AM exchange via accretion onto the planet/BH may strongly influence the migration torque. In this study, we perform 2D global hydrodynamic simulations of an accreting planet/BH embedded in a disk, where AM exchange between the planet/BH and disk via gravity, accretion, pressure, and viscosity are considered. When accretion is turned off, we recover the linear estimate for Type I migration torque. However, for the two planet masses we investigated with our accreting simulations, we find outward migration due to the positive AM deposited onto the accreting body by the disk gas. Our simulations achieve the global steady state for the transport of mass and AM: The mass and AM fluxes are constant across the disk except for jumps (

Δ

M

̇

and

Δ

J

̇

) at the planet’s location, and the jumps match the accretion rate and torque on the planet. Our findings suggest that caution is needed when applying the standard results of disk migration to accreting planets and BHs.
Spectroscopic Study of Heating Distributions and Mechanisms Using Hinode/EIS
Authors: Ishigami Shun , Hara Hirohisa , Oba Takayoshi
Published: November 2024

Heating distributions along coronal loops are obtained from spectroscopic data with the Hinode/EUV Imaging Spectrometer. The loop half-lengths L
half are in the range of 24–107 Mm for our analysis of 18 loops. By using the analytical approximations to 1D hydrostatic numerical calculations of electron temperature T

e
(s) and density distributions n

e
(s) along a loop, the heating distribution that decreases with a heating scale height s

H
toward the loop top with a heating rate E
0 at the height of the transition region is estimated by applying a Bayesian analysis to the observed T

e
(s) and n

e
(s) derived by emission line ratios. We obtain s

H
= 10 ± 4 Mm increasing with L
half, E
0 = 10−2.0±0.5 erg cm−3 s−1 decreasing with L
half, and the heating flux F

H
= 107.0±0.4 erg cm−2 s−1. These loops show s

H
/L
half = 0.21 ± 0.07, suggesting the concentration of the heating near the lower part. Compared to the previous study using imaging data, s

H
is comparable, while E
0 and F

H
are about an order of magnitude larger. We find that using the imaging data leads to the underestimation of the electron density and consequently the underestimation of E
0 and F

H
. We examine heating mechanisms using the power-law relation for F

H
, the field strength B
base and L
half:

F

H

∝

B

base

β

L

half

λ

. We find

β
=

1.04

−
0.36

+
0.18

and

λ
=
−

0.99

−
0.05

+
0.04

, which show that the reconnection heating model is the most plausible.
Ensemble Kalman Filter Data Assimilation into the Surface Flux Transport Model to Infer Surface Flows: An Observing System Simulation Experiment
Authors: Dash Soumyaranjan , DeRosa Marc L. , Dikpati Mausumi , Sun 孙 Xudong 旭东 , Mahajan Sushant S. , Liu 刘 Yang 扬 , Hoeksema J. Todd
Published: November 2024

Knowledge of the global magnetic field distribution and its evolution on the Sun’s surface is crucial for modeling the coronal magnetic field, understanding the solar wind dynamics, computing the heliospheric open flux distribution, and predicting the solar cycle strength. As the far side of the Sun cannot be observed directly and high-latitude observations always suffer from projection effects, we often rely on surface flux transport (SFT) simulations to model the long-term global magnetic field distribution. Meridional circulation, the large-scale north–south component of the surface flow profile, is one of the key components of the SFT simulation that requires further constraints near high latitudes. Prediction of the photospheric magnetic field distribution requires knowledge of the flow profile in the future, which demands reconstruction of that same flow at the current time so that it can be estimated at a later time. By performing Observing System Simulation Experiments, we demonstrate how the ensemble Kalman filter technique, when used with an SFT model, can be utilized to make “posterior” estimates of flow profiles into the future that can be used to drive the model forward to forecast the photospheric magnetic field distribution.
Astrometric Jitter as a Detection Diagnostic for Recoiling and Slingshot Supermassive Black Hole Candidates
Authors: Uppal Anavi , Ward Charlotte , Gezari Suvi , Natarajan Priyamvada , Chen Nianyi , LaChance Patrick , Di Matteo Tiziana
Published: November 2024

Supermassive black holes (SMBHs) can be ejected from their galactic centers due to gravitational wave recoil or the slingshot mechanism following a galaxy merger. If an ejected SMBH retains its inner accretion disk, it may be visible as an off-nuclear active galactic nucleus (AGN). At present, only a handful of offset AGNs that are recoil or slingshot candidates have been found, and none have been robustly confirmed. Compiling a large sample of runaway SMBHs would enable us to constrain the mass and spin evolution of binary SMBHs and study feedback effects of displaced AGNs. We adapt the method of varstrometry—which was developed for Gaia observations to identify off-center, dual, and lensed AGNs—in order to quickly identify off-nuclear AGNs in optical survey data by looking for an excess of blue versus red astrometric jitter. We apply this to the Pan-STARRS1 3π Survey and report on five new runaway AGN candidates. We focus on ZTF18aajyzfv: a luminous quasar offset by 6.7 ± 0.2 kpc from an adjacent galaxy at z = 0.224, and conclude after Keck LRIS spectroscopy and comparison to ASTRID simulation analogs that it is likely a dual AGN. This selection method can be easily adapted to work with data from the soon-to-be commissioned Vera C. Rubin Telescope Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST). LSST will have a higher cadence and deeper magnitude limit than Pan-STARRS1, and should permit detection of many more runaway SMBH candidates.
Thermodynamics of Giant Molecular Clouds: The Effects of Dust Grain Size
Authors: Soliman Nadine H. , Hopkins Philip F. , Grudić Michael Y.
Published: November 2024

The dust grain size distribution (GSD) likely varies significantly across star-forming environments in the Universe, but its impact on star formation remains unclear. This ambiguity arises because the GSD interacts nonlinearly with processes like heating, cooling, radiation, and chemistry, which have competing effects and varying environmental dependencies. Processes such as grain coagulation, expected to be efficient in dense star-forming regions, reduce the abundance of small grains and increase that of larger grains. Motivated by this, we investigate the effects of similar GSD variations on the thermochemistry and evolution of giant molecular clouds (GMCs) using magnetohydrodynamic simulations spanning a range of cloud masses and grain sizes, which explicitly incorporate the dynamics of dust grains within the full-physics framework of the STARFORGE project. We find that grain size variations significantly alter GMC thermochemistry: the leading-order effect is that larger grains, under fixed dust mass, GSD dynamic range, and dust-to-gas ratio, result in lower dust opacities. This reduced opacity permits interstellar radiation field and internal radiation photons to penetrate more deeply. This leads to rapid gas heating and inhibited star formation. Star formation efficiency is highly sensitive to grain size, with an order-of-magnitude reduction when grain size dynamic range increases from 10−3–0.1 μm to 0.1–10 μm. Additionally, warmer gas suppresses low-mass star formation, and decreased opacities result in a greater proportion of gas in diffuse ionized structures.
Alleviating H
0 and S
8 Tensions Simultaneously in K-essence Cosmology
Authors: Hosseini Mansoori Seyed Ali , Moshafi Hossein
Published: November 2024

The present work begins by examining the early-Universe inflationary epoch of a special K-essence model, which incorporates a linear coupling term between the scalar field potential and the canonical Lagrangian. For the power-law potential, we both numerically and analytically prove that the inflationary parameters such as the spectral index and tensor-to-scalar ratio are compatible with the recent BICEP/Keck observations. Continuing this work, our analysis based on comparing early-Universe observations with late-Universe measurements indicates that the tension on the Hubble parameter H
0 and the growth of structure parameter S
8 can be alleviated simultaneously. More precisely, compared to the standard ΛCDM model, our model can reduce H
0 tension to roughly 2.2σ, and the S
8 discrepancy diminishes to 0.82σ.
FluxCT V2.0: Updates to a Web Tool Identifying Contaminating Flux in Space Telescope Data
Authors: Dong Zilin , Schonhut-Stasik Jessica , Stassun Keivan
Published: November 2024

We present FluxCT V2.0, an updated web tool for identifying contaminating flux in Kepler and TESS target pixel files. FluxCT V2.0 focuses on enhancing functionality, user experience, and data processing capabilities. We resolved existing issues to allow for an extended user base, removed known bugs, and extended the tool to any TESS pixel file, allowing the user to search any TESS point object. A batch code for TESS is now available on the companion GitHub. Additional output parameters, such as amplitude dilution and a magnitude cut, have been added to the tool, allowing users more freedom to analyze the possible effects of target sources.
Pour un réarmement moral de la nation
Authors: Lecointre François
Published: November 2024

En affirmant que l’esprit de défense est aujourd’hui malmené, le général Lecointre s’appuie sur un double constat : un émiettement de notre société doublé d’un manque de clairvoyance, par exemple par le biais d’un mauvais discernement dans la réception d’informations. En réaction, le Général convoque les acteurs les plus concernés, qu’ils soient politiques ou professionnels de l’information, pour un réveil des consciences vers une lutte contre les préjugés et les opinions toutes faites. Il en résulte, pour les autorités préfectorales en particulier, l’urgence de “réarmer” le moral de la société, notamment en s’attaquant à la résolution des problématiques énoncées plushaut.
Le cadre institutionnel de la défense
Authors: Cazanave Gilles
Published: November 2024

Des qualité et clarté d’un cadre institutionnel dépendent défense et sécurité nationales, ainsi que l’esprit de défense. Dans la France de 2024, aux lendemains de deux élections générales, et de Jeux olympiques et paralympiques, lesquels ont mobilisé aussi les armées, il s’agit de conjuguer (ou de concilier) : – autorités civiles et militaires ; – sécurités intérieures et extérieures, – action diplomatique ; – responsabilités ministérielles (industrie et économie ; transports, éducation ) ; – administrations déconcentrées, sous l’autorité des préfets, et décentralisées des trois niveaux ; – pouvoirs du Parlement et de l’exécutif ; – attributions du Président et du Premier ministre ; – autorités nationales, européennes et atlantiques (OTAN).
Le secrétariat général de la défense et de la sécurité nationale, socle interministériel de la protection française
Authors: Bouillon Stéphane
Published: November 2024

L’esprit de défense, c’est la force d’un collectif et une force morale. S’il s’agit d’abord d’assurer une protection, ce concept recouvre également des valeurs d’engagement et de solidarité. Le Secrétariat général à la défense et à la sécurité nationale (SGDSN), rattaché aux services du Premier ministre, participe à cet esprit de défense en interministérialité, entre autres dans sa lutte contre les ingérences étrangères. De nouveaux défis apparaissent pour le SGDSN, à travers toutes sortes de crises. Pour y faire face, les outils sont multiples : les réserves, mais également la préparation citoyenne dans la lutte contre ces risques, l’appui du secteur privé, ainsi que l’organisation d’exercices de grande ampleur, comme ORION en 2023.
Les attributions du préfet de zone de défense et de sécurité
Authors: Mirmand Christophe
Published: November 2024

Instituées en 1950 et réorganisées au fil du temps, les zones de défense et de sécurité sont devenues des divisions administratives essentielles à la coordination des efforts civils et militaires pour la défense et la sécurité nationales. Dirigées par un préfet de zone, assisté d’un préfet délégué et d’un officier général, elles assurent la sécurité civile, intérieure et économique, en lien avec l’État. Alors que leurs missions incluent notamment la gestion des crises, la prévention des menaces et la coordination interarmées, l’organisation zonale continue de prouver sa pertinence et son efficacité lors d’événements majeurs comme les incendies, la pandémie de Covid-19, ou encore la préparation des Jeux olympiques.
Politique de sécurité et de défense de la Pologne après le changement de gouvernement fin 2023
Authors: Orlowski Tomasz
Published: November 2024

Après plusieurs invasions et partages, la Pologne, de par sa position géographique, s’est trouvée au XX e siècle sous la double menace de l’Allemagne et de la Russie soviétique. L’occupation par l’Allemagne nazie a été atroce. Puis la réconciliation germano-polonaise s’est accomplie au sein de l’Union européenne. En revanche, l’agression de l’Ukraine par la Russie a reposé un problème existentiel à la Pologne et a déplacé le centre de gravité de l’Union européenne vers l’Est. Dès lors, la Pologne a fourni une aide militaire considérable à l’Ukraine, a accueilli plus de 950 000 réfugiés permanents et a fortement augmenté ses propres dépenses militaires. Si l’OTAN demeure le pilier de la défense collective, l’autonomie stratégique européenne, avec, en son sein, le Triangle de Weimar, demeure un objectif commun et particulièrement du nouveau gouvernement Tusk.
Coopération de défense francojaponaise : enjeux et évolutions
Authors: Chardon Jérôme
Published: November 2024

Le Japon connaît une évolution rapide de sa politique de défense, dans un environnement régional qu’il perçoit comme de plus en plus menaçant. Sa nouvelle stratégie de sécurité, caractérisée par un objectif inédit de renforcement de ses capacités défensives et une réflexion étendue à de nouveaux domaines (cyber, économie, espace), se traduit par un approfondissement des liens avec ses grands partenaires, dont la France, à travers une coopération opérationnelle de plus en plus ambitieuse.
La cohésion nationale, facteur clé de la résilience : les armées à la manœuvre
Authors: Barbry Frédéric
Published: November 2024

La cohésion nationale est un facteur clé de la résilience de notre pays, face à la menace que représente le retour de la guerre sur le sol européen depuis 2022. Fragilisée, ses failles sont autant de vulnérabilités exploitées par nos adversaires. Renforcée, elle constitue un élément clé pour « gagner la guerre avant la guerre ». Les armées y contribuent, tant par les ponts qu’elles édifient avec l’éducation nationale au bénéfice de la jeunesse que par la constitution d’une réserve crédible et élargie.
Pour que s’apprivoisent les subjectivités
Authors: Braida Loïc
Published: November 2024

L’article vise l’observation et l’analyse des activités des personnes en situations d’apprentissages. Il s’agit notamment d’identifier les manières de faire des étudiants primo-entrants à l’université afin de comprendre comment ils composent avec les situations auxquelles ils ont affaire et de donner à voir les tentatives mises en oeuvre pour être efficace dans leur travail. L’accès au terrain de travail ordinaire des étudiants a été possible grâce à des recueils de traces de l’activité systématiquement enrichies d’une analyse en première personne par l’intermédiaire d’entretiens d’autoconfrontations. Si ces modalités favorisent le maintien à distance de la subjectivité du chercheur, elles laissent toutefois subsister des zones de « flous » interprétables. Afin de sécuriser le processus analytique, l’auteur a développé un processus collaboratif permettant de croiser des regards multiréférencés (étudiants, enseignants, conseillers pédagogiques) à propos des données de terrain recueillies.
L’ Encyclopédie de Gestion et de Management ( EGM ) : une aventure universitaire
Authors: Durand Christophe , Cliquet Gérard
Published: November 2024

L’ Encyclopédie de Gestion et de Management ( EGM ) fut l’une des grandes œuvres du Professeur Robert Le Duff. Cette aventure démarrée en 1994 dura cinq années, mobilisa plus d’une centaine de collègues et aboutit à un ouvrage de 1 644 pages publié chez l’éditeur Dalloz.
Ressources naturelles, environnement : le management public ne sert-il qu’à gérer la pénurie et le déclin ?
Authors: Favreau Florian , Bastiège Marine
Published: November 2024

Les États-Unis, l’Union européenne et la Chine opèrent actuellement un véritable tournant industriel, qui remet en avant les notions de souveraineté économique, de management technologique et de gestion du savoir, dans un contexte de compétition pour les matières premières et l’énergie. Dès lors, le management public est-il condamné à devenir un ensemble d’outils de gestion de la pénurie ? Si l’on considère que la consommation de ressources naturelles non renouvelables est le cœur de l’économie, le management public ne peut que retarder l’inévitable déclin. Si l’on considère, au contraire, que le travail humain est d’abord un phénomène permettant l’inventivité, au travers de la production collective de savoir, alors, la redéfinition des objectifs de l’action publique est incontournable. En ce sens, la recherche des conditions de possibilité d’une collaboration avec autrui, d’un management des sentiments moraux est l’horizon du management public.
Health Literacy Directed Weight Loss Intervention in Primary Care Clinics
Authors: Davis Terry , Arnold Connie , Zhang Dachuan , Martin Corby K. , Newton Robert L. , Myers Candice , Denstel Kara D. , Mire Emily F. , Höchsmann Christoph , Apolzan John , Katzmarzyk Peter T. ,   for the PROPEL Research Group
Published: November 2024

Background

Low income and low health literacy are associated with poorer health knowledge, health behaviors and poor health outcomes. The effectiveness of health literacy-directed weight loss treatment interventions in primary care clinics is lacking.

Objective

The aim of this study was to conduct a pragmatic cluster-randomized trial (PROmoting Successful Weight Loss in Primary CarE in Louisiana ([PROPEL]) to test the effectiveness of a 24-month, patient-centered, literacy-directed obesity treatment program delivered within primary care in an underserved population. This study reports the association between health literacy and program effectiveness, examining potential correlates of weight loss related to patient adherence to the program.

Methods

We randomly assigned 18 clinics to usual care (UC) or a health literacy-directed lifestyle intervention (HLI). The primary outcome was percent weight loss at 24 months.

Key Results

Of 803 adult participants (84% women; 67% Black), 31% had limited health literacy. Patients in UC lost an average of 0.44%of their enrollment weight after 24 months. Those with adequate literacy lost 0.57% and those with limited literacy lost 0.30%, which was not significantly different. The HLI patient group lost an average of 4.9% of their enrollment weight. Those with adequate literacy lost 5.2% and those with limited literacy, 4.7%, which was not significantly different. The advantage of adequate health literacy was consistent across the 24-month study period, though not significant. Patients in the HLI group with adequate health literacy had greater percent weight loss by a margin of 0.50 ± 0.75 (
p
= .50), while the UC margin was 0.27 ± 0.84 (
p
= .74). The percent weight loss difference between HLI and UC groups was 4.6 ± 0.8 (
p
< .001) among patients with adequate health literacy and 4.4 ± 1.0 (
p
< .001) among patients with limited health literacy. The difference in percent weight loss between the HLI and UC groups was 0.2 ± 1.1 (
p
= .84) higher for adequate literacy patients.

Conclusions

A health literacy directed health coaching intervention in community clinics led to significant weight loss over 24 months but did not vary by level of patient health literacy. [

HLRP: Health Literacy Research and Practice
. 2024;8(4):e204–e211.

]
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Influenza Vaccination Among Healthcare Workers in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Almutairi Laila M. , Almusawi Mona A. , Albalawi Abeer M. , Abu Hassan Musallam Y. , Alotaibi Adel F. , Almutairi Tariq M. , Alalweet Randah M. , Asiri Abdullah M.
Published: November 2024

Objectives: Influenza vaccination is important for healthcare workers in order to prevent both the illness itself and transmission to patients. Previous studies in Saudi Arabia have revealed low influenza vaccine coverage among healthcare workers due to misconceptions. This study aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding influenza vaccination among healthcare workers during 2021, addressing the current data gap.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, including 1273 healthcare workers from the Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to participants via email.Results: Most participants had an appropriate extent of knowledge, with 37.1% having a high level and 26.6% having a moderate level. Positive attitudes toward the influenza vaccine were observed in 41.2% of participants, and 80.2% demonstrated good vaccine practices. However, the vaccine coverage was 50.8% in the past 12 months. Factors associated with vaccine uptake included previous vaccination, workplace availability, awareness of guidelines, engagement in training programs, type of workplace settings, and having positive attitudes toward the vaccine. The most common reason for not getting vaccinated was the perception of being at low risk, making vaccination unnecessary.Conclusions: Participants exhibited positive knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding influenza vaccination. However, the observed vaccine uptake rate fell below the recommended coverage rate, indicating the presence of a knowledge-behavior gap. Targeted interventions are recommended to improve vaccination uptake among healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia.
A Proposed Perspective for the Successful Deployment of Internet of Things in a Smart Home Environment
Authors: Eltayeb Galal Eldin Abbas
Published: November 2024

The Internet of Things (IoT) technology is used in smart homes to enhance comfort, security, and energy efficiency. This study outlines a theoretical framework for the deployment and dissemination of IoT technologies in intelligent residential environments. The framework of this study highlights the significance of many components that cater to people’s individual needs. The study offers a systematic explanation of IoT principles, tangible devices, services, data creation, software, applications, and logistical needs. Furthermore, it contains an extensive table that assists users in choosing the most appropriate resources and components. The study points to smart home systems based on IoT, which utilize sensors, controllers, and cloud solutions to manage data and provide user control while ensuring privacy and confidentiality. The study addresses various needs of users by utilizing a semantic vision framework for smart house design that guarantees economic advantages, enhanced security, and user contentment, ultimately leading to enhanced community interactions and the overall welfare of residents.
IoT-Enabled Smart Greenhouse for Robotic Enhancement of Tomato Production: Leveraging 5G and Edge Computing for Advanced Data-Driven Automation, Precision Irrigation, and Scalable Zoning Principles
Authors: Ariss Anass , Ennejjai Imane , Lamjid Asmaa , Mabrouki Jamal , Kharmoum Nassim , Ziti Soumia
Published: November 2024

There are many difficulties in growing tomatoes, such as erratic weather patterns, variable yields, and short shelf lives. Tomatoes are a staple food that is grown all throughout the world, particularly in climate-friendly areas such as Morocco. These areas are not free from the difficulties that present major obstacles for farmers, though. Modern agricultural techniques are increasingly using cutting-edge technologies, such as Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled smart greenhouses, to address these problems. In order to improve tomato output, this study presents an enhanced smart greenhouse model that incorporates the zoning principle. The method provides optimal plant growth and resource efficiency by separating the greenhouse into various zones, each tailored for specific growth stages and environmental circumstances. Precision farming and sustainable practices are made possible by the suggested systems real-time monitoring and control, which integrates sensors, actuators, and data analytics. The automatic irrigation system of the intelligent greenhouse prototype is additionally set up to offer the best possible support for the growth of tomato plants. The functionality and efficacy of the prototype are investigated through extensive laboratory testing and experimentation, providing insight into its potential influence on agricultural practices and practical practicality. The greenhouse that has been created with the help of IoT capabilities and the zoning concept has proven to be an effective instrument in assisting farmers in their attempts to grow tomatoes in an efficient and sustainable manner. Our comprehensive testing yielded data that demonstrate the zoning principle-integrated IoT-enabled smart greenhouse greatly improves tomato quality and production. This system demonstrates the benefits and practical applicability of sophisticated data-driven automation in agriculture by providing a scalable and sustainable solution to the problems encountered by tomato producers.
Péchés de jeunesse
Authors: Nuq Amélie
Published: November 2024

Dans Los mares del Sur (1979), le détective Pepe Carvalho, héros des romans de l’écrivain Manuel Vázquez Montalbán, affirme faire partie de la génération de Barcelonais qui a grandi sous la menace d’un internement à l’Asilo Durán. Si elle est encore présente aujourd’hui dans la mémoire collective barcelonaise, cette institution corrective est, comme celles qui étaient réparties sur l’ensemble du territoire espagnol depuis le début du xxe siècle, très peu connue des historiens. L’ouvrage se propose de combler cette lacune et de documenter le sort des « voyous » et des « filles déchues » internés durant la période de la dictature franquiste (1939-1975) dans deux maisons de redressement, l’Asilo Durán et la Colonia San Vicente Ferrer de Valence. Il s’agit tout autant d’en franchir les murs pour documenter, malgré les silences des archives, la vie quotidienne des pensionnaires, que d’observer durant toute la durée de la dictature les rapports entre le pouvoir franquiste, l’Église catholique et les habitants des quartiers populaires et marginaux des grandes villes espagnoles.Même pendant la période de l’immédiat après-guerre civile, marquée par une répression impitoyable et par la volonté d’écraser les vaincus, les maisons de redressement ne constituent étonnamment pas un lieu de répression politique dans lequel les enfants de « rouges » seraient surreprésentés. En revanche, le caractère profondément traditionnaliste et religieux de la prise en charge de la jeunesse dangereuse et en danger est très clair, ce qui permet de caractériser plus finement encore la nature d’un régime qui ne cesse de poser question aux historiens.
De nouvelles données sur un sanctuaire diablinte : le site de la Fermerie à Juvigné (Mayenne) du iie s. av. n. è. au ive s. de n. è.
Authors: Bossard Stanislas , Dufay-Garel Yann , Aubin Gérard , Meissonnier Jacques , Reich Guillaume , Camus Adrien , Garnier Nicolas , Mathé Vivien , Mortreau Maxime , Rolland Joëlle
Published: November 2024

Des prospections pédestres (2015), suivies d’une campagne de fouille programmée et d’investigations géophysiques (2016), ont fourni de multiples informations inédites sur un sanctuaire de l’âge du Fer et de l’époque romaine découvert et sondé dans les années 1980 à Juvigné (Mayenne). Cet article présente les résultats de ces récentes interventions, en décrivant d’abord le mode de clôture de l’aire sacrée, puis en s’intéressant à son organisation interne et à ses équipements. Un imposant fossé, des trous de poteau, témoins de probables constructions en matériaux périssables, et une série de fosses, ayant notamment servi à enfouir des objets manipulés dans le cadre des activités religieuses, constituent les aménagements d’un premier sanctuaire de l’époque gauloise. À ces structures succèdent ensuite, au cours du Haut-Empire, un péribole maçonné et un temple, d’abord de plan circulaire, puis à cella centrale et galerie périphérique de plan quadrangulaire. Aussi, l’examen du mobilier est riche en enseignements au sujet des pratiques rituelles, en particulier pour l’âge du Fer, période à laquelle peut être rattaché un grand nombre d’objets (armes, parures et accessoires vestimentaires, outils, monnaies, céramique et plaques foyères). Quelques fibules, des monnaies, une figurine de cervidé et de rares fragments de céramique, renvoient à la phase romaine du site et peuvent correspondre, en tout ou partie, à des offrandes. Ce sanctuaire, dont l’évolution peut être retracée dans les grandes lignes à partir des données recueillies depuis les années 1980, devait constituer l’un des espaces cultuels les plus importants de la cité dont il relevait, que l’on suppose avoir été celle des Aulerques Diablintes, dont il occupait vraisemblablement les confins occidentaux. Au regard de sa longévité, de son ampleur, de ses équipements et de son évolution, il semble alors probable d’y voir l’un des lieux de culte publics de la civitas, mais on ignore encore s’il intégrait une agglomération de son territoire ou s’il était isolé dans les campagnes diablintes.
Non-Wooden Cellulose Materials Sourced From Plant Wastes
Authors: Carrillo Karla L. Tovar , Ibaraki Ayano , Kobayashi Takaomi
Published: November 2024

Cellulose is the most abundant plant waste material, making it a strong candidate to replace petroleum products as a future polymer material. Since cellulose is also abundant in food wastes, upcycling technology to obtain functional materials from these wastes is reviewed from the perspective of resource recycling. Cellulose, which is particularly difficult to handle as a material, has the property of being insoluble in solvents due to its strong cohesive nature. For this reason, recycled cellulose also is discussed as regenerative celluloses. However, compared to these chemically modified celluloses, the utilization of biomass cellulose fibers obtained from plant waste, which are a less scientific process and inexhaustible, enable to contribute to a sustainable society. The current status and technology of unmodified cellulose fibers is presented.Especially, the properties of cellulose hydrogels, which are agglomerated cellulose, and films are introduced in this chapter.
Chitosan-Based Hydrogels
Authors: Vo Tu Minh Tran , Kobayashi Takaomi
Published: November 2024

Chitosan holds appeal as an inventing sustainable green material because of the sources of crab and shrimp shell wastes and encompasses applications in the medical, agriculture, and water treatment fields, and the biomass polymer consisting glycoconjugate backbone having amino groups makes it water soluble and can be gelatinized. This chapter highlights the properties of chitosan hydrogels used as several applications. Notably, providing a better understanding of hydrogels and utilization of chitosan-based hydrogels, the preparation methods of chitosan hydrogels involving numerous “green” techniques. The promising properties of chitosan hydrogels are extensively explored in this chapter. Also, the unique properties of chitosan making these hydrogels a powerful bio-friendly material are described in agriculture purpose, applied for slow control release of fertilizer, and in water purification
Pectin Materials Sourced From Agriculture Waste
Authors: Chuenkaek Tapanee , Vo Tu Minh Tran , Nakajima Keita , Kobayashi Takaomi
Published: November 2024

For abundant citrus fruits, the perspective involves effectively utilizing waste materials such as citrus peels and apple pomace. The pursuit of sustainable pectin sourcing has also driven innovation in extraction techniques. Conventional pectin extraction methods are gradually giving way to more environmentally friendly and green extraction methods. The appeal of pectin lies in its diverse range of applications across various industries. Apart from its traditional uses in the food industry as a gelling agent and stabilizer, pectin has ventured into new frontiers in fields such as packaging, moisturizers, drug delivery, wound healing, and tissue engineering. This chapter provides a comprehensive review of the chemical structure of pectin, its conventional sources, and pectin extraction, with a particular focus on its physical, chemical, and functional properties within the context of various industrial applications.
Pollutant Remediation Using Inorganic Polymer-Based Fibrous Composite Adsorbents
Authors: Le Thi Anh Phuong , Thu Ngan Phan Thi , Kobayashi Takaomi
Published: November 2024

In the prospective of building sustainable development society, environmental remediation technology is important for reconstruction of polluted nature. This chapter highlights new remediation technology of fibrous adsorbents consist of inorganic-polymer composites having several merits on combining both properties of polymer and inorganic components. These materials possess a fibrous structural arrangement, providing them with a substantial surface area that facilitates efficient pollutant capture. Their characters address several topics of a wide range of environmental issues for removal of heavy metals, organic compounds, and gases, as customized to specific pollutant removal requirements. Becasue environmental concerns are increasingly issued, it is clear for decontamination process that fibrous adsorbents have great potential in reducing the negative effects of pollutants on both the environment and human health.
Removal of Metal Ions With Biomasses and Bioremediation
Authors: Satoh Minoru
Published: November 2024

Eco-friendly technologies using biomasses and bioremediation are presented, since remediation technologies for serious heavy metal pollution are necessary to protect the global environmental. In the perspective of the 3Rs (Recycle, Reuse, Reduce), one of such approaching is used with biomasses, plants and microbe resource derived from living organisms. The removal of metal ions via biomasses and bioremediation, especially with waste biomasses materials, becomes environmentally and friendly technologies in addition with another merit of waste reduction and effective utilization of unused biomass. Thus, bioremediation is gaining attention as a sustainable and effective method of cleaning up environmental pollutants using certain plants and animals. In particular, the method using plants as called phytoremediation, plant roots absorb water and nutrients from contaminated soil, sediment, surface water, and groundwater, removing metals and other toxic chemicals.
A Review of Welding Techniques for Dissimilar Alloys: Titanium-Nickel System
Authors: Yaseen Qazi Muhammad , Gul Rizwan Mehmood , Khan Fahd Nawaz , Baig Mirza Nadeem
Published: November 2024

Welding of dissimilar alloys, specifically that of titanium (Ti) and nickel (Ni), poses numerous challenges due to their significant differences in properties. This review paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the challenges associated with the welding of Ti alloys to Ni alloys and explore welding techniques, especially Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding, Metal Inert Gas (MIG) welding, Laser beam welding, Laser-Arc hybrid welding and friction stir welding processes employed in this context. The challenges primarily involve the formation of brittle intermetallic phases, which can compromise joint quality. Additionally, issues such as thermal distortion, oxidation, and corrosion resistance further complicate the welding process. The paper also highlights recent advancements and innovations in dissimilar welding, such as the use of hybrid welding processes and advanced filler materials, to address the challenges and enhance joint performance. The knowledge shared in this review can guide future research and developmental efforts aimed at improving welding techniques, joint quality, and overall performance of Ti to Ni alloys welds.
An Experimental Investigation on Enhancing Nitrogen Oxides Reduction of Non-Thermal Plasma (NTP) Aftertreatment System with Silver-Base Catalyst with NTP Downstream SCR Catalyst Configuration
Authors: Temwutthikun Warirat , Promhuad Panya , Iamcheerangkoon Teerapong , Sawatmongkon Boonlue , Theinnoi Kampanart , Sittichompoo Sak
Published: November 2024

This paper delves into the understanding of how dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) non-thermal plasma (NTP) system affects the flue gas compositions and the synergistic effects of DBD-NTP and SCR systems using NTP-downstream-SCR configuration on nitric oxide reduction through the experimental investigation. Simple gas feeds were used to observe the interaction between gases when high voltage discharge was applied. Overall, DBD-NTP was effective in oxidising NO and NH3 into NO2 while also reducing NO in the presence of NH3. When DBD-NTP was installed downstream the SCR catalyst, it demonstrated substantial additional deNOx and reduction of NH3 slippage. This proposed SCR+DBD-NTP configuration showed a potential to help mitigate low deNOx performance at low temperatures.
Investigation of the Influence of Bonding Parameters on the Homogenous Diffusion Bonding of Copper
Authors: Khan Salman , Khadija Khadija , Junaid Massab
Published: November 2024

Solid-state diffusion bonding (DB) of Copper-Copper (Cu/Cu) was carried out under varying bonding parameters (time and temperature) in argon shielding gas environment. Initially, the bonding was performed at bonding temperatures of 800, 850, and 900 °C for 60 minutes. Secondly, the bonding was carried out at holding times of 90, 120, and 150 minutes at 900 °C. The microstructural and mechanical properties of the bonding interface were evaluated via lap shear and micro hardness tests, X-ray diffraction, and Optical microscopy. It was found that the optimal bonding parameters for the joint interface was 950 °C for 150 minutes, resulting in maximum shear strength of 133 MPa. The X-ray diffraction also shows the formation of solid solution of Cu without the formation of any intermetallic compounds (IMC). The micro hardness test revealed a maximum hardness of 89 HV at the joint interface. Optical microscopy shows the formation of voids at the joint interface take place due to the Kirkendall effect, which increased with higher temperatures for longer time, and cause a wide diffusion-affected zone (DAZ).
Hydrogel for Aqueous Methylene Blue Removal: Natural Rubber/ Poly(ethylene Glycol) Methyl Ether Methacrylate Semi-IPN
Authors: Thusanaphoom Panachai , Yingshataporn-A-Nan Thanathach , Sunthornwaree Laksanaporn , Laohasathit Pakin , Martwong Ekkachai , Jitcharoen Juthamas , Sukhawipat Nathapong
Published: November 2024

This study focuses on synthesizing and characterizing a semi-Interpenetrating Network (semi-IPN) elastomeric hydrogel comprising natural rubber (NR) and polyethylene glycol methacrylate (PEGMA) for efficient removal of Methylene Blue (MB) dye from aqueous solutions. The impact of varying PEGMA/NR ratios (100/0 to 0/100) was investigated. SEM images displayed a porous and uniform structure with interconnected pores of different sizes. FTIR analysis confirmed the formation of a semi-IPN structure, showcasing functional groups in both NR and PEGMA. Adsorption studies revealed the hydrogel's efficacy in MB dye removal, achieving a maximum adsorption capacity of 6536 mg/g at a PEGMA/NR ratio of 90/10. UV-vis spectroscopy validated the reduction in MB concentration post-exposure to the hydrogel. These findings highlight the cationic ionic nature of the PEGMA/NR semi-IPN elastomeric hydrogel as a promising adsorbent for MB dye removal in wastewater applications, particularly in industrial wastewater treatment.