bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human influence at the Holocene treeline in the Julian Alps, Slovenia
Authors: Caf Nina , Sabatier Pierre , Cucinotta Julia , Rapuc William , Dolenec Matej , Šmuc Andrej
Published: January 2025

Fluctuations in timber/treeline have largely been subjected to past climatic changes; but throughout the Holocene humans became one of the leading drivers of these changes. By understanding the reasons for timber/treeline changes, we retraced past climate variability and/or anthropogenic impact on the alpine environment. This study focussed on the sedimentary sequence of the Lake ‘Jezero v Ledvicah’ (Julian Alps, Slovenia), which is currently located at the treeline and covers the last ca. 6200 years. We used mineralogical and geochemical analyses to understand sedimentary changes in the lake and its catchment area. By combining this dataset with palynological data we tracked the causes of vegetation changes with a focus on human impact. Geological analyses indicate slow continuous and undisturbed sedimentation with a combined biogenic and detrital calcite input throughout the Holocene. High percentage of clay minerals indicate that they were eroded from the catchment bedrock and/or were brought to the catchment indirectly by wind. The palynological results indicate that area around the lake was forested around 6200–4300 cal. BP, with predominant occurrence of coniferous taxa. Infrequent but fairly continuous grazing indicators during this period suggest a human presence in the highlands. By 4300–1100 cal. BP, the human influence in the area increased, resulting in a gradual decrease in tree taxa. Since 1000 cal. BP relatively open landscape developed with increased grazing indicators suggesting a continuous use of highlands.
Reconstruction of Holocene aridity, fire, and vegetation patterns using lake sediments from Dog Lake, Oregon, USA
Authors: Saban Chantel , Gavin Daniel G
Published: January 2025

The Holocene history of vegetation and fire in the northern Great Basin (USA) is poorly understood, especially concerning forest-steppe ecotones. Dog Lake is a rare perennial freshwater landslide-dammed lake located near the lower elevation of conifer forests. The lake has a maximum water depth of 8 m which often lowers by several meters during late summer. A 13 m, 9600-yr sediment core revealed periods of increased aridity from indicators of lake levels (aquatic macrophytes, elemental analysis of carbon and nitrogen, and sediment composition), vegetation change (pollen assemblages) and fire (macroscopic charcoal). From 9200 to 8700 cal yr BP, 122 cm of dense Chara matting indicates that lake levels were periodically lower than ca. 3 m. From 8700 to 8200 cal yr BP, high detrital silt input and lower C:N suggests high levels of regional dust and/or erosion, consistent with increased drought, reduced terrestrial plant cover, and dust-fertilized aquatic productivity. Fire activity was also low between 8700 and 8200 cal yr BP, consistent with limited herbaceous fuel availability. Following 8200 cal yr BP, silt levels declined, and pollen assemblages show vegetation trending toward mesic conditions. Deposition of 12 cm of Mazama tephra had no discernable effect on vegetation or fire. Fires increased during the mid-Holocene between 6000 and 4000 cal yr BP during higher grass cover, consistent with cooler conditions relaxing fuel limitation on the fire regime. Vegetation changed little during the late Holocene, with Cupressaceae increasing at 5400 cal yr BP through to current day, and Pinus fluctuating, peaking at 800 cal yr BP and declining through to current day. Our findings matched other regional paleodrought studies and reveals the millennial-scale pattern of climate and fuel limitation on the fire regime at lower treeline.
School library professionals’ perspectives on current and future workforce challenges
Authors: Merga Margaret Kristin , Mat Roni Saiyidi
Published: January 2025

While school library professionals work across many nations, supporting student learning and wellbeing, there is limited current research capturing shared issues faced by this educational workforce. The International School Library Workforce Survey collected insights from 971 respondents across 63 countries derived from analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data. Findings suggest that in an international context, school library professionals are experiencing notable issues that impact upon their morale and their ability to enact their professional roles. Respondents were more likely to disagree then agree that school library professionals were typically valued in their country. While the vast majority of respondents had strong collaborative relations with at least some colleagues, only 58.7% agreed that it was easy to build new collaborative relationships with classroom teachers, and analysis indicates that the classroom teacher is the key social agent to be won over if collaboration is to thrive between school library professionals and classroom teachers. Concerning levels of deprofessionalization were reported, with more than two thirds of respondents noting that retired school library professionals were often replaced by less qualified staff in their country. The majority of respondents (87.6%) had concerns about the future of the school library profession in their country. Current and future challenges at school and country level were related to funding and resourcing; training; policy and politics; and role clarity and valuing. Equity is an issue; less wealthy public schools are reported as being far less likely to have them than private schools in some countries. Inadequate staffing at school level may be related to limited initial training pathways at country level. Physical, economic and legal threats to school library professionals for providing access to diverse materials were raised. Findings highlight the need for immediate steps to secure workforce stability and growth into the future.
Utilisation patterns of immunomodulators and pregnancy outcomes in systemic lupus erythematosus: Insights from Korean national data
Authors: Jung Yu-Seon , Song Yeo-Jin , Lee Hyeon Ji , Kim Eunji , Cho Soo-Kyung , Sung Yoon-Kyoung , Jung Sun-Young
Published: January 2025

Objectives

To investigate the trends in immunomodulator use and pregnancy outcomes among pregnant women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a condition requiring medication to maintain disease activity.

Methods

This descriptive study used data from the National Health Information Database in Korea from 2002 to 2018. We included 5,044 pregnancies initiated between 2005 and 2017 in 3,120 SLE patients. Annual trends in SLE therapy, drug utilisation patterns during the preconception and pregnancy periods, and pregnancy outcomes were analysed.

Results

Pregnancy compatible immunosuppressant (PC-IS) and hydroxychloroquine use during the first trimester were 10.7% and 41.4%, respectively. Most SLE medications exhibited a decline in usage from the preconception period to the first trimester. A prescription rate of 0.9% for pregnancy incompatible immunosuppressants (PIC-IS) was observed during the first trimester, and the incidence of live births, stillbirths, and abortions remained consistent from 2005 to 2017.

Conclusions

Insufficient usage of hydroxychloroquine and PC-IS, along with a reduction in PIC-IS usage primarily during early pregnancy rather than before conception, highlights the unmet need for preconceptional family planning with appropriate medication management strategies in SLE pregnancies.
An ethical model for smart home-based elder care
Authors: Cao Lina , Feng Shengjie , Chen Kunfeng , Wu Xinchun , Jia Yuxiu
Published: January 2025

Background

The smart home-based elder care presents a promising technological solution to address the challenges of aging. However, it has also unveiled a spectrum of ethical concerns, which may cause older adults to submit to negative emotions and psychological pressure.

Aim

To delineate the ethical dilemmas encountered by older adults in the context of smart home-based elder care, and to construct a model that elucidates the ethical issues across different dimensions.

Research design

This study follows a qualitative phenomenological research design.

Participants and research context

The sample comprised 15 older adults and 10 adult children in two communities in Jinan, Shandong, China. Structured, in-depth interviews were performed to collect data and the Colaizzi descriptive analysis framework was adopted to analyze data. An ethical dilemma model was constructed based on framework of the Society Ecosystems Theory.

Ethical considerations

The proposal was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Second Hospital of Shandong University, China. Participation in this study was voluntary. Written and verbal consent was gained. All recordings were kept under the principle of confidentiality.

Results

Ethical dilemmas of smart home-based elder care were grouped into three themes with 10 sub-themes, and a model composed of three systems was built based on these findings.

Discussion

The ethical dilemmas experienced by the older adults with smart home-based elder care were various and multi-layered, which could be elucidated by the ethical dilemma model.

Conclusion

The model emphasizes the necessity for collaborative efforts among the whole society and the elderly individuals. Tailored support strategies should be implemented to address the ethical dilemmas of the macro, meso, and micro system. The results may improve the elderly population to receive a more content and convenient elder care experience.
Monetary Policy, Interbank Liquidity, and Lending Behavior of Banks in India
Authors: Ansari Md Gyasuddin , Sensarma Rudra
Published: January 2025

We investigate the role of interbank liquidity in monetary policy transmission in India. We employ standard and dynamic panel regression methods to analyze data for 48 commercial banks during the period 1999–2018 and 2019–2023. We find a significant role of interbank liquidity in easing the negative impact of monetary policy tightening on bank lending during the first period when the reliance of banks on the interbank market was rising. We also find a heterogeneous role of interbank liquidity in monetary policy transmission across public sector and private sector banks. The policy implication for the monetary authority in India is that, at times of high reliance on the interbank market, managing the net liquidity positions of banks is necessary to realize the desired effects of monetary policy.

JEL Codes: C23, E52, E58, G21
The Australian Constitution in a time of climate crisis
Authors: Rogers Nicole
Published: January 2025

The Australian Constitution, although not designed to address the exigencies of climate change, has and could have a role to play in this crisis. Expansive readings of various heads of power ensure that the Commonwealth has legislative power to achieve climate mitigation goals, notwithstanding the constitutional property rights guarantee and phenomenon of state capture. The powerful political influence of the fossil fuel industry could be challenged through s 44. Climate activists have already leveraged the Constitution to challenge a state tax on electric vehicles and an anti-protest law. Finally, recent constitutional case law has significant implications for the climate displaced people of the future.
Contextualizing Psychological First Aid for the Pacific Island Countries
Authors: Nair Malini , Meirmanov Serik
Published: January 2025

Objective

This article explores the views towards contextualizing Psychological First Aid (PFA) to address the specific needs of communities in Pacific Island Countries (PICs) impacted by disasters. The methodological approach involved a review of existing literature on PFA’s relevance, adaptation, and effectiveness in disaster response settings.

Findings

In disaster response, PFA is a recognized, evidence-informed psychosocial support activity internationally, yet measuring its effectiveness in real-time disasters remains challenging. Practical evaluation of evidence-based PFA requires a more strategic approach emphasizing localization and incorporating community participation and needs contextualization. This approach is essential to ensuring cultural relevance and acceptance within the diverse environments of the PICs.

Conclusion

A contextualized understanding of PFA can enhance its effectiveness and contribute to psychological resilience in communities marked by significant diversity and disaster vulnerability.
Research on multi-support bearing load identification method based on improved regularization parameter selection
Authors: Xin Dakuan , Zhu Junchao , He Congshuai , Hua Hongxing
Published: January 2025

The ill-posed phenomenon exists in the load identification of multi-support bearing structure, which leads to the solution seriously deviating from the original value. The Generalized Cross Validation (GCV) method of selecting regularization parameters has the problems of inaccurate positioning, large search range, and long calculation time when solving the ill-posed problem of the system. In this paper, the measurement point optimization and Tikhonov method are used. Furthermore, a GCV regularization parameter selection method combined with the gradient descent (G-GCV) method is proposed to effectively improve the load identification accuracy and significantly shorten the calculation time. On this basis, the median solution method is proposed by using the alternative measurement points to further improve the accuracy of load identification. In order to verify the effectiveness and accuracy of the method proposed in this paper, the load identification results of the proposed method and the traditional method are compared and analyzed based on the multi-support bearing model simulation. The feasibility and accuracy of the proposed method are further verified by the multi-excitation load identification experiment of the plate structure. The results show that the G-GCV method can not only reduce the number of calculation iterations and calculation time, but also improve the accuracy of load identification. The median method can make full use of the information from the measurement points and further improve the accuracy of load identification.
Fatigue crack damage detection based on improved energy-power entropy under dynamic temperature
Authors: Zhang Xiaozhen , Wang Tiantian , Yang Jinsong , Xie Jingsong , Peng Chang , Xue Yuan
Published: January 2025

High-speed train structures, operating under time-varying conditions, present a significant challenge in the field of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) due to uncertainties introduced during the extraction of damage indexes from signals. In this paper, a novel method for quantifying fatigue crack based on improved energy-power entropy under dynamic temperature environments is introduced. Two new types of information entropy, namely energy singular spectral entropy (ES) and power singular spectral entropy (PS) are proposed. A baseline Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) is constructed using the information entropy acquired under dynamic temperature when the structure is in a healthy state. Subsequently, an online GMM is constructed via an online update mechanism utilizing a moving feature sample set. The minimum matching Kullback–Leibler (KL) distance of the probability component is employed to quantitatively depict the cumulative migration trend of the GMM under damage conditions, thereby aiding in damage detection. The experimental results verify the reliable performance of the GMM-KL method in detecting fatigue cracks under dynamic temperature.
Pesticide Residues, Glyphosate Adsorption and Degradation Characteristics in Ethiopian Agricultural Soils
Authors: Ayenew Bereket , Getu Endalkachew
Published: January 2025

Background:

The decline in wheat output in Ethiopia is widely attributed to pests, which has led to a rise in the usage of pesticides to boost productivity. The degree of pesticides sorption and degradation which influence the likelihood of environmental contamination from pesticides seeping into water bodies from soil has not yet been published for Ethiopian soils. The study aimed at to quantify the levels of pesticide residues, assess glyphosate’s adsorption capabilities and degradation rate in the soils.

Materials and methods:

QuEChERS method of extraction was employed to determine the concentration of the respective pesticides. The adsorption capacities of glyphosate in agricultural soils of Cheha and Dinsho districts were measured using batch adsorption techniques.

Results:

Six pesticide residues were found in 12 soil samples at varied quantities. Glyphosate (24.00-219.31 µg kg−1), s-metolachlor (23.67-220.67 µg kg−1), chlorpyrifos (27.74 202.67 µg kg−1), pyroxulam (14.67-50.65 µg kg−1), florasulam (78.00-250.67 µg kg−1), malathion (15.00-49.67 µg kg−1). The experimental results showed that glyphosate was slightly sorbed at SD10 soil (18.91 μg−1−n mLn g−1) in comparison to SC1 soil (114.66 μg−1−n mLn g−1). Organic matter and clay content proving to be the principal factors influencing the process. According to adsorption experimental data, chemisorption is the major process in glyphosate adsorption, with the pseudo-second order kinetic model providing the best fit ( R2 = .99). The soils in the study area exhibit notable variations in glyphosate rate of degradation (0.0076-0.0221 week−1). The findings show that the main soil variables affecting the half-life (glyphosate degradation) were clay concentrations ( R2 = .48; P = .013), pH ( R2 = .55; P = .0055), Organic matter ( R2 = .74; P = .00027), Feox ( R2 = .50; P = .0105), and Alox ( R2 = .73; P = .00046).

Conclusion:

The weak glyphosate adsorption capabilities of soils can be a good indicator that the pesticide residues in the soil are poised to endanger soil organisms and contaminate nearby water bodies through runoff and leaching.
Botulinum Therapy for Pain Caused by Spasticity in Advanced Stages of Brain Tumor in Adolescents: A Case Report
Authors: Mano Tomoo , Murakami Toshiharu , Mori Haruki , Masuda Takashi
Published: January 2025

Background:

Spasticity is an upper motor neuron syndrome that exacerbates motor paralysis and is rarely associated with pain. This report elucidates the management of drug-resistant pain attributed to an adolescent brain tumor using botulinum therapy.

Case presentation:

A 15-year-old female patient experienced dizziness, developed muscle weakness in her upper extremities, and was diagnosed with diffuse glioblastoma of the pons. The tumor responded partially to radiation therapy. Three years later, at the time of recurrence, she had high muscle tone and pain in her extremities. On stimulation, her upper and lower extremities would bend and extend, respectively, causing excruciating pain. Despite experiencing pain-induced insomnia and restlessness, she was reluctant to use drugs, citing concerns about respiratory depression. She received botulinum therapy for her extremities 3 times (200, 300, and 500 U), with pain improvement after repeated treatments (Numerical rating scale from 7.5 to 1 and Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire-2 score from 78 to 16). The effect lasted for more than three months after the final injection.

Conclusion:

Thus, botulinum therapy can potentially alleviate spasticity-associated pain in advanced stages of brain tumors in adolescents.
Unusual Presentation of Large Retroperitoneal Lipoma in a 3-Year-Old Child: A Case Report
Authors: Wubishet Mesfin , Shimelis Betre , Tigabie Workye , Lemma Ashenafi
Published: January 2025

Background:

Lipomas can occur almost anywhere in the body, but they are exceptionally rare in the retroperitoneal region. While lipomas are common in adults, they are quite uncommon in children. Even among adults, retroperitoneal lipomas are not frequently encountered. When symptomatic, retroperitoneal lipomas may present with abdominal swelling, pain, or constipation, as noted in previous literature. However, there have been no reported cases of retroperitoneal lipomas causing recurrent diarrhea in children.

Case presentation:

We present a rare case of a large retroperitoneal lipoma in a 3-year-old child who experienced recurrent diarrhea and intermittent abdominal pain for 2 months, without any urinary symptoms. All Laboratory investigations were within reference ranges for his age. A CT scan showed a large abdominal mass likely from the retroperitoneum, potentially a lipogenic tumor, though liposarcoma could not be excluded. The patient was successfully treated with complete surgical excision, and histopathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of a benign lipoma.

Conclusion:

Retroperitoneal lipoma is a rare variant of lipoma in children, often presenting with various nonspecific and misleading symptoms. Due to the rarity of this condition and the limited awareness among clinicians, it frequently leads to misdiagnosis. Radiologic imaging, particularly CT and MRI scans, are essential diagnostic tools for identifying these tumors. This case report emphasizes the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for this rare condition when clinicians encounter recurrent diarrhea and concerning radiological findings. The characteristic behavior of retroperitoneal lipomas in children is still not well-defined; therefore, long-term follow-up is recommended.
Unlocking the potential: Recognizing same-sex marriages conducted abroad in vietnam – A quest for legal innovation
Authors: Nguyen Trinh Thi Hong
Published: January 2025

The article analyzes the legal hurdles that same-sex couples face when seeking recognition of their same-sex marriages abroad, using the case of Vietnam as an example. By logically assessing how the national legal framework responds to foreign same-sex marriages, the article highlights the need to be aware of the nature and proper application of the following private international law techniques: preserving public order, the possibility of claiming legal effects of same-sex marital relationships, and indirect recognition. The article also proposes harmonization of legal rules and innovative judicial solutions to unlock the global potential of the cross-border recognition of the legal effects and rights of same-sex couples, especially taking into account the experiences of a developing Asian country.
Bhikhu at 90
Authors: Modood Tariq
Published: January 2025

Bhikhu Parekh is a leading philosopher and political theorist of multiculturalism and has combined this with a dedication to public and community service in Britain and India. Here Gurpreet Mahajan, Geoffrey Brahm Levey, Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, Charles Taylor, Varun Uberoi and Tariq Modood, in a symposium edited by the last two, come together to celebrate Bhikhu Parekh’s 90th birthday.
Listen to Me! Target Perceptions of Digital Hate: A Scoping Review of Recent Research
Authors: Khaleghipour Maryam , Koban Kevin , Matthes Jörg
Published: January 2025

Digital hate is typically targeted toward individuals or groups based on distinct attributes. Despite numerous studies on targets of digital hate, there is a lack of a systematic meta-perspective on targets’ perceptions of digital hate. Therefore, this scoping review aims to assess available definitions and characteristics of targets, consequences of digital hate together with targets’ reactions and coping strategies, dominant methodologies, and identified future outlooks of digital hate victimization research. To achieve this goal, we systematically searched two established databases (i.e., Web of Science and Scopus) for research published from 2020 onwards using a comprehensive search string of digital hate terms. Out of the 12,978 publications screened for eligibility, 230 studies met the inclusion criteria for this review. All selected studies were in English and featured targets of digital hate as the sample. The findings indicate a lack of conceptual clarity, a strong dominance of Global North perspectives, a scarcity of research on children, older adults, men, and people from minority groups, and a need for experimental and longitudinal quantitative research methods, as well as qualitative and mixed-method research. Most importantly, we found that victimization consequences and coping strategies adopted by targets have been researched without sufficiently accounting for inconsistently privileged and intersectional identities and without examining contextual effectiveness. This review, therefore, emphasizes the necessity of taking an intersectional approach to gain a thorough understanding of targets’ digital hate victimization experiences and both short- and long-term coping effectiveness.
An approach on sustainable leather production system and method: Chromium tanning in vacuum operated reaction vessel for sheepskins
Authors: Onem Ersin , Yorgancioglu Ali , Bitlisli Behzat Oral , Yilmaz Onur , Cavdar Ugur , Yilmaz Yalcin , Isbecer Alperen
Published: January 2025

Conventional leather chromium tanning requires long process time, excessive water usage and results in low float exhaustion of chrome salts. Our study aimed to eliminate the negative aspects of chromium tanning by designing a vacuum operated reaction vessel/drum and suitable production recipe for sheepskins. Tanning time decreased from 10 h to 6 h under vacuum. Float uptake was increased almost 30% according to the chrome oxide (Cr2O3) contents in leather and residual floats. Using the process water was also considerably saved. Process success was proved with Cr2O3 contents in leather and wastewater by chemical analyses after tanning operations. Shrinkage temperature (Ts) controls as hydrothermal stability indicator of collagen were also realized on the tanned skins. Pollution loads of conventional and vacuum operated chromium tanning were discussed with chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), conductivity and salinity in the tanning baths. Physico-mechanical properties were also compared of the final products by tensile strength and tear load analyses. The results showed that vacuum operated chromium tanning was highly effective and promised for the sustainable production of leather products.
Assessing Physiological Signal Utility and Sensor Burden in Estimating Trust, Situation Awareness, and Mental Workload
Authors: Buchner Savannah L. , Kintz Jacob R. , Zhang Johnny Y. , Banerjee Neil T. , Clark Torin K. , Hayman Allison P.
Published: January 2025

Effective human-autonomy teaming is increasingly important to ensuring mission success in operational environments. Modeling operators’ cognitive states, including trust, situation awareness (SA), and mental workload (WL), may improve human-autonomy team performance by informing autonomous systems about human operators. Subjective questionnaires are often used to measure these states but are obtrusive and impractical for real-world operations. Integrating observable and physiological measures could enable unobtrusive measurements of cognitive states. We created models to estimate trust, SA, and WL using observable, physiological, and operator background information (OBI) measures. We collected data from 15 subjects during a spacecraft docking simulation. We developed a LASSO-based algorithm to select features, generated multivariate regression models, and assessed predictive capabilities. Observable and OBI features combined led to the best performing model, indicating that physiological signals do not add significant predictive power. Simultaneous feature selection of SA and WL yielded performance comparable to that of models fit to a single cognitive state, but did not reduce the number of required physiological sensors. The developed algorithm, use of multiple feature modalities, and simultaneously fitting capability can be leveraged for better estimating human cognitive states for human-autonomy teaming.
Digital health interventions in adult intensive care and recovery after critical illness to promote survivorship care
Authors: da Silva Alisha A , Merolli Mark , Fini Natalie A , Granger Catherine L , Gustafson Owen D , Parry Selina M
Published: January 2025

Digital health refers to the field of using and developing technology to improve health outcomes. Digital health and digital health interventions (DHIs) within the area of intensive care and critical illness survivorship are rapidly evolving. Digital health interventions refer to technologies in clinical interventional format. A DHI could support clinicians with increasing clinical demands to have improved oversight of their patients’ recovery trajectory or potential for deterioration, improve efficiency of healthcare delivery, and/or predict patient outcomes. In this narrative review, DHIs are explored across the continuum from in the ICU (recognising and managing clinical deterioration, identifying individuals at risk of poor recovery outcomes, tailoring care of the ICU patient and supporting the emotional needs of their family) through to integration in the primary care setting (adjuncts to ICU follow-up clinics and tracking, coaching and remote monitoring). Some of the DHIs discussed in this narrative review (to name a few) include interventions delivered via: Telehealth, artificial intelligence, wearable devices, virtual reality, and mobile phone applications (apps). Additionally, exploration of DHIs used successfully in other health fields are discussed to highlight potential opportunities for adaptation to the ICU context. Finally, the review provides an overview of considerations needed in the development of new DHIs. Development should consider the intended user, barriers to technology engagement and design. In the implementation of a new DHI, the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Strategy on Digital Health and appropriate evaluation should be considered prior to scaling up. Optimal implementation of DHIs could help address the key challenges of the ICU field.
Evaluating the Role of Professional Identity and Future Orientation in Enhancing Learning Engagement Among Special Education Majored Students: A Moderated Mediation Effect
Authors: Shaojie Tan
Published: January 2025

This research delves into the intricate relationship between special education majored students’ perceptions of classroom atmosphere and their learning engagement, while also investigating the mediating influence of professional identity and the moderating effect of future orientation. A survey involving 582 special education majored students was conducted, utilizing the Student Perceived Class Atmosphere Scale, Learning Engagement Scale, College Students Professional Identity Scale, and Future Orientation Questionnaire for data collection. The collected data underwent thorough organization and statistical analysis using SPSS 24 software.

The research results show that: (1) Special education majored students’ perception of class atmosphere has a positive predictive effect on learning engagement; (2) Professional identity plays an important mediating role between perception of class atmosphere and learning engagement; (3) Future orientation significantly moderates the direct path between special education majored students’ perceived class atmosphere and learning engagement, and moderated the second half of mediation models, the relationship between professional identity and special education majored students’ learning engagement. These research results enrich the theory of special education and have practical significance for improving the quality of special education teacher training.
Interweaving Threads: Untangling the Moderating Relationship of Parent-Child Conflict and Closeness in the Association Between Interparental Conflict and Emotion Regulation
Authors: Abela Katrina R. , Hussain Alia , Law Danielle M.
Published: January 2025

The capacity to regulate emotions is central to children’s physical, emotional, and mental well-being as they develop. The influence of adverse childhood experiences on diminished emotion regulation (ER) has been linked to internalizing and externalizing problem behaviours in both children and adolescents. This cross-sectional study, including 479 Canadian emerging adults aged 17–19 years, examined how exposure to different levels of interparental conflict (IPC) during childhood was associated with ER (i.e., expressive suppression and cognitive reappraisal) during emerging adulthood, and how parent-child closeness and parent-child conflict moderated this link. Findings revealed that at higher levels of parent-child closeness, IPC was associated with increased expressive suppression, while there were no significant differences in expressive suppression at lower levels of parent-child closeness. Similarly, IPC was more strongly associated with reduced cognitive reappraisal in the context of high parent-child conflict compared to low conflict. Findings from this work will inform interventional therapeutic and counselling practices to support the well-being of children and families.
Left ventricular disease as a risk factor for adverse outcomes and stroke recurrence in patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source
Authors: Cascio Rizzo Angelo , Schwarz Ghil , Bonelli Andrea , Magi Andrea , Agostoni Elio Clemente , Moreo Antonella , Sessa Maria
Published: January 2025

Background:

Severe left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction [EF] < 30%) is a known cardiovascular risk factor and a major cause of cardioembolism. However, less severe forms of LV disease (LVD), such as mild-to-moderate LV dysfunction and LV wall motion abnormalities (LVWMAs), are considered potential minor cardiac sources in Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source (ESUS), but their role is underexplored. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of LVD in ESUS and its association with adverse vascular events and mortality.

Methods:

Retrospective, single-center study including consecutive ESUS patients admitted from January 2016 to May 2024. LVD was defined as either global systolic dysfunction (LV ejection fraction 30%–49%) or regional LVWMAs, unrelated to acute or recent (within 4 weeks) myocardial infarction. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses evaluated the association of LVD with a primary composite outcome (including ischemic stroke recurrence, acute coronary events, and all-cause mortality), and its components separately.

Results:

Among the 556 ESUS patients (median age 71 years [IQR 60–80], 44.6% female), 95 (17.1%) had LVD, including 51 (53.7%) with reduced LVEF (30%–49%), and 81 (85.3%) presenting LVWMAs. During follow-up (median 30 months), LVD(+) patients had significantly higher rates of the composite outcome (41.0% vs 21.3%, p < 0.001), ischemic stroke recurrence (13.7% vs 5.9%, p = 0.007), acute coronary events (7.4% vs 2.4%, p = 0.012), and all-cause mortality (28.4% vs 15.2%, p = 0.002), compared to LVD(−) patients. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that LVD independently increased the risk of ischemic stroke recurrence (adjusted HR 2.13, 95%CI 1.08–4.24, p = 0.032) and the composite outcome (aHR 1.92, 95%CI 1.27–2.90, p = 0.002), but not acute coronary events (aHR 1.65; 95%CI 0.54–5.01, p = 0.374), or all-cause mortality (aHR 1.62; 95%CI 0.98–2.70, p = 0.062).

Conclusions:

LVD is significantly associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke recurrence and adverse outcomes in ESUS patients. These findings highlight the clinical importance of identifying and optimizing LVD management among ESUS to improve long-term outcomes in this population.
Enhanced heat transfer analysis of Casson hybrid nanofluid in blood with thermal radiation through a stretching sheet: A comprehensive study of analytical and numerical method
Authors: Gireesha Bijjanal Jayanna , Pavithra Chuttikere Ganapathi , Gorla Rama Subba Reddy
Published: January 2025

The investigation of the nonlinearly expanding surface using the Casson model has been conducted, with a focus on a unique mixture known as a hybrid nanofluid. This specific nanofluid consists of blood suspended with copper and Al2 O3 oxide. The distinct shape of the nanoparticles enables swift mobility within the nanofluid, accelerating their movement. We derived a novel set of similarity transformations, where the similarity variable is dimensionless and appears in the formulation as a function of all independent variables. The Runge-Kutta Fehlberg 4–5 th methodology was employed to numerically solve the modified equations. In prior research papers, the Homotopy perturbation Sumudu transform method (HPSTM) was utilized to derive the analytical solution solely for the momentum equation. However, in this current study, the Homotopy perturbation Sumudu transform method (HPSTM) is applied to solve the coupled momentum and heat equations of the hybrid nanofluid, resulting in an innovative analytical solution that has not been previously explored. Comparison with the numerical results demonstrates the precision of the present work. The impact of unique components on thermal and velocity plots is explained.
Centring students’ roles in promoting inclusion: An ethnographic evaluation of an informal STEM education program
Authors: Peralta Karie Jo , Eberly Mann Sloan , Coss Madalyn , Sawyers Deicie
Published: January 2025

This article presents findings from an ethnographic evaluation of an informal STEM education program that was informed by the maker movement and intended to foster the inclusion of students that have been marginalised historically from STEM fields, particularly individuals from low-income families and communities of colour. The purpose is to describe students’ roles and the conditions that supported them in promoting inclusion in the 12-session program that occurred from the years 2021–2024 at four sites and included five cohorts of mostly children from ages 11–13. Based on a qualitative, thematic analysis of field notes from participant-observation, informal interviews with program participants and staff, photos, and videos, three student roles emerged, including reinforcer, demonstrator, and witness. Additionally, three structural conditions of open participation, iteration, and parallel engagement were found to facilitate these roles. This project builds on the emerging, specialised body of literature on making and tinkering in informal education by recognising how students play a part in creating inclusive makerspaces and by identifying the conditions that make their contributions possible.
Three-dimensional 0–10 Hz physics-based simulations of the 2020 Magna, Utah, earthquake sequence
Authors: Xu Ke , Olsen Kim Bak , Yeh Te-Yang
Published: January 2025

Earthquakes on the Salt Lake City Segment of the Wasatch fault (WFSLC) represent the most significant seismic hazard to the Salt Lake Valley, populated by 1 million+ people. The 2020 Magna, UT, earthquake, which likely occurred on the WFSLC, generated peak ground accelerations (PGAs) as large as 0.55  g in the Salt Lake Valley. Here, we present three-dimensional (3D) physics-based wave propagation simulations of the Magna earthquake sequence in the Wasatch Front Community Velocity Model (WFCVM) up to 10 Hz to better constrain both linear and nonlinear parameters in the soils of the Salt Lake Valley. We first calibrate the WFCVM via linear simulations of a [Formula: see text]4.59 Magna aftershock, obtaining the best fit between the recordings and synthetics, including a statistical distribution of small-scale heterogeneities with 10% standard deviation and [Formula: see text] for frequencies [Formula: see text] Hz and [Formula: see text] for frequencies [Formula: see text] Hz ([Formula: see text] in m/s). Spectral ratios from our simulations of the 2020 Magna mainshock using a finite-fault source model generally overestimate those for the recordings in the linear regime at higher frequencies, in particular at stations with the largest PGAs, suggesting the presence of nonlinear soil effects. Using a fully hysteretic multi-yield-surface 3D nonlinear modeling approach, we find that damping from the reference strain–depth relations proposed by Darendeli significantly reduces the bias in terms of spectral amplification ratios at stations with the shortest epicentral distances. We find an optimal fit between the recordings and nonlinear synthetics for reference strains at about 2 standard deviations below Darendeli’s relations, with reduction of the spectral amplification bias by more than a factor of two. Our findings suggest significant nonlinear soil effects in the Salt Lake Valley and provide a basis for improved seismic hazard analysis of the greater Salt Lake City region.
Application of Fuzzy Inference System in Gas Turbine Engine Fault Diagnosis Against Measurement Uncertainties
Authors: Ma Shuai , Wu Yafeng , Hua Zheng , Gou Linfeng
Published: January 2025

Robustness against measurement uncertainties is crucial for gas turbine engine diagnosis. While current research focuses mainly on measurement noise, measurement bias remains challenging. This study proposes a novel performance-based fault detection and identification (FDI) strategy for twin-shaft turbofan gas turbine engines and addresses these uncertainties through a first-order Takagi-Sugeno-Kang fuzzy inference system. To handle ambient condition changes, we use parameter correction to preprocess the raw measurement data, which reduces the FDI’s system complexity. Additionally, the power-level angle is set as a scheduling parameter to reduce the number of rules in the TSK-based FDI system. The data for designing, training, and testing the proposed FDI strategy are generated using a component-level turbofan engine model. The antecedent and consequent parameters of the TSK-based FDI system are optimized using the particle swarm optimization algorithm and ridge regression. A robust structure combining a specialized fuzzy inference system with the TSK-based FDI system is proposed to handle measurement biases. The performance of the first-order TSK-based FDI system and robust FDI structure are evaluated through comprehensive simulation studies. Comparative studies confirm the superior accuracy of the first-order TSK-based FDI system in fault detection, isolation, and identification. The robust structure demonstrates a 2%–8% improvement in the success rate index under relatively large measurement bias conditions, thereby indicating excellent robustness. Accuracy against significant bias values and computation time are also evaluated, suggesting that the proposed robust structure has desirable online performance. This study proposes a novel FDI strategy that effectively addresses measurement uncertainties.
Feasibility and staff acceptability of implementing Xpert HIV-1 viral load point-of-care testing: a pilot study in San Francisco
Authors: Moore Kelvin , Tourneau Noelle Le , Alvarez Jasmin , Rodriguez Santos , Broussard Janessa , Crouch Pierre-Cédric , Roman Jorge , Defechereux Patricia , Bena Jason , Koester Kimberly A. , Moran Lissa , Pilcher Christopher , Grant Robert , Christopoulos Katerina A.
Published: January 2025

Background

Point-of-care HIV viral load testing may enhance patient care and improve HIV health services. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of implementing such testing in a high-volume community sexual health clinic in the United States.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional, mixed-methods study. Remnant venipuncture specimens from clients undergoing HIV and other sexual health screenings were analyzed using the Xpert® HIV-1 Viral Load assay. Results were compared to COBAS® AmpliPrep/COBAS® TaqMan® HIV-1 Test. Clinical staff observations, study meeting notes, and two semi-structured in-depth interviews with clinical staff were used to understand perspectives on incorporating this testing into clinical practice.

Results

We analyzed 113 samples from 111 clients. The Xpert assay showed excellent agreement with COBAS, with no clinically significant difference in viral load measurements. Clinical staff found Xpert testing acceptable, based on its ability to provide rapid, accurate test results and potential for bridging patient care gaps. Respondents noted that this testing would be particularly beneficial for individuals in whom barriers to care engagement may complicate follow-up. Challenges in implementation included machine errors as well as concerns related to staff workload, testing logistics, and the need for comprehensive equipment training.

Conclusions

This study represents the first effort in the United States to describe the feasibility of HIV viral load point-of-care testing in routine care. While the Xpert demonstrated comparable results to standard-of-care testing and staff found it acceptable, further work is needed to develop the workflow and implementation strategies that would enable real-time use and improved patient care.

Clinical trial

Not applicable.
Cessation of thumb/finger sucking habit in children using electronic habit reminder versus palatal crib: a randomized clinical pilot study
Authors: Eltager Tassneim , Bardissy Adel El , Abdelgawad Fatma
Published: January 2025

Background

There are different intraoral appliances for cessation of thumb/finger sucking habit, but they have many disadvantages and to overcome it, extra oral appliances with colourful and attractive shape were developed. Electronic habit reminder in the form of wristwatch with alarming sound was assessed in cessation of thumb/finger sucking habit in children versus palatal crib after 6 and 9 months.

Methods

This study is a randomized clinical pilot study, with allocation ratio 1:1 parallel group. Recruitment was at the diagnostic clinic, Paediatric Dentistry and Dental Public health Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University. Blinding was not feasible except for the statistician.

Twenty-two children were included with age range (6–14), erupted upper first permanent molar and with thumb/finger sucking habit that resulted in open bite. After random allocation of participants into two groups: intervention group (electronic habit reminder) and control group (palatal crib), impressions were performed for fabrication of the appliances in both groups. Follow up was performed at 2 weeks, 1, 3, 6 and 9 months. Primary outcome was assessing cessation of thumb/finger sucking habit in children.

Results

The total number of participants who were randomized and analysed was 22 (11 per group). Cessation of thumb/finger sucking habit in the intervention group was 27.3% while in the control group was 54.5% but with no statistically significant difference (P˃0.05). Positive feedback from the parents about the useful instructions, success, and ease of using the appliances but all with no statistically significant difference (P˃0.05).

Harms

Regarding the palatal crib appliance, there was gingival inflammation that resolved by proper oral hygiene care. Also, interference with speech which disappeared after adaptation.

Regarding appliances breakage or dislodgment, it was repaired or replaced with another one.

Conclusion

Although most of the parents and children accepted both appliances, cessation of the habit was higher in the control group than in the intervention group.

Trial registration

The trial was registered on clinicaltrials.gov, ‘Trial registration number: NCT04075617 [first submitted -29/8/2019]’.