bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tsigane voices in the 1960s: The first decade of Romani activism in France (1960–1971)
Authors: Barrera Begoña
Published: February 2024

This article investigates the emergence and development of Romani activism in France during the 1960s. Its purpose is to analyse the way in which its leaders set themselves up as representatives of an ethnic community and helped to define its profiles and aspirations. Although the Romani movement clearly aimed at becoming international, this article argues that its growth during its first decade of activity was closely linked to trends and developments concerning other national phenomena, such as French anti-racism organizations and tsiganologie, a form of expert knowledge on the Tsiganes. Furthermore, this paper maintains that despite being united around common objectives, the movement’s leaders had different sensibilities and pursued different strategies within this frame of reference. They did so both to confront the experts and their paternalistic policies and to seize the opportunities provided by the anti-racist movement. These strategies are analysed through a wide range of sources, which include the publications of Romani organisations, tsiganologue circles, anti-racist organisations, as well as police reports on Tsigane leaders.
Prediction of thermal behavior of Earthen-Straw composite material with 3D numerical modeling of a random geometry without overlapping
Authors: Regragui Soukaina , Gsim Jamal , Taha Janan Mourad , ES-Sadek
Published: February 2024

Nowadays, stabilizing raw soil with straw fibers represents a sustainable eco-building practice. Moreover, the rebirth of the earth’s construction is primarily driven by the material’s thermal properties. In the present work, a 3D study of the earthen-straw composite material’s thermal behavior has been carried out to promote its use in construction and ensure satisfactory living conditions for the building. To consider the most possible influencing factors, the effect of fibers concentration on thermal conductivity was investigated for the straw contents of 5%, 10% and 15% by volume of earthen. Thus, a 3D model with a random distribution of straw fibers considered as cylinders without overlapping was designed under Catia V5. The distribution uses datasets from a hybrid algorithm developed for this purpose, which is then imported to Ansys Software to carry out the simulation allowing the computation of the thermal conductivity of the homogeneous material. It can be concluded that the proposed hybrid algorithm was efficient since the 3D numerical results based on the geometry generated by the algorithm’s output were satisfactory in comparison with those deducted from the 2D study and the existing theoretical models. On the other hand, adding straw fibers in the raw earth matrix with thermal conductivity equal to 0.75 W/(m.K) has enhanced its thermal insulation. Indeed, for 15% of straw fiber’s contents, we have found 0.633 W/(m.K) for the thermal conductivity of the earthen-straw composite material, which is equivalent to a decrease of 15.6% in this intrinsic parameter.
Investigation of parasitic motion in 3-

R

RS parallel manipulator
Authors: Jain Anshul , Jawale Hemant P.
Published: February 2024

This paper investigates the Parasitic Motion (PaMo) in a 3-Degree of Freedom (DoF) 3-RRS Spatial Parallel Manipulator (SPM) for its different link proportions. The position kinematic analysis of the manipulator is addressed initially. The PaMo is investigated and quantified as the percentage of Reachable Workspace (RW) for each link proportion at the tip of an End-Effector (EE), which is attached at the centroid of the moving platform. The PaMo which happens in the constrained DoF is an unwanted motion, and this entire process allows to know the total occupancy of PaMo in comparison to RW for each link proportion. The results are depicted with the aid of 3D plots of the reachable work-volume and the volume of PaMo for each link proportion. In order to evaluate the performance measure, a performance index called as the parasitic motion index ( PaMoI) is proposed. The PaMoI variation pattern is also discussed based on the obtained results. The conclusions are drawn at the end based on this investigation that also identify the provisions to minimize the PaMo.
Sepsis and multi-organ failure due to genital herpes in a healthy person
Authors: Li Ruolin , Zhou Junying
Published: February 2024

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is highly prevalent in several regions of the world and is the main pathogen causing genital herpes, which is transmitted almost exclusively through sexual contact. Systemically disseminated infections caused by HSV-2 are rare and most often seen in newborns, pregnant women, or immunocompromised populations. The virus can invade multiple organs and cause damage. In this paper, we present an extremely rare case of an immunocompetent 36-year-old male who came to our hospital with a high fever with abdominal pain and died of sepsis and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome within a short period. After the exclusion of common pathogens such as bacterial and fungal infections during hospitalization, metagenomic next generation sequencing of the patient’s peripheral blood and ascites gave us the answer, and very high nucleic acid sequence counts of HSV-2 were detected in both his peripheral blood and ascites, confirming HSV-2 as the causative virus. In addition, this paper provides a brief review of the relevant literature.
Intensified Late-Holocene aeolian activity in Vesterålen, northern Norway – increased storminess or human impact?
Authors: Nielsen Pål Ringkjøb , Dahl Svein Olaf , Prestegård Ingvild , Vasskog Kristian , Robson Benjamin Aubrey
Published: February 2024

This study reconstructs Mid- to Late-Holocene aeolian activity based on lacustrine sediments from a small pond, Nøkktjønna, situated ~1.5 km northeast from the coast, and stratigraphical investigations of coastal dunes at Fjærvoll, Langøya in Vesterålen, northern Norway. Several methods have been used to reconstruct catchment processes from the lacustrine record, including analyses of lithostratigraphy, organic content, magnetic susceptibility, and grain size, combined with high-resolution X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and Computed Tomography (CT) scanning. The content of coarse mineral grains (>125 μm) has been quantified throughout the lacustrine core by manual wet sieving and by conducting threshold analysis from the high-resolution CT-scans. Considering the setting of the drainage basin of Nøkktjønna, the mineral grains (>125 μm) in the sediment core are suggested to have been deposited by aeolian transportation from the nearby aeolian dunes and beach sand during storm events. Five periods of intensified aeolian influx (defined here as influx values above the 90th percentile) are identified. These periods occurred around ~6950, ~6500, ~6100–6000, 5800–5750 and ~350–20 cal. yr BP cal. yr BP, with the last period being the most intense. The increased influx in aeolian sand to Nøkktjønna is suggested to be associated with a combination of changes in the storm track pattern, sea-level fluctuations, conditions of snow cover/frozen surface and increased anthropogenic influence. The highest influx rates are recorded between CE 1600 and 1930, corresponding to the ‘Little Ice Age’ (LIA), which is a well-known period of high storminess in the North Atlantic region.
States’ Accountability for Facilitating Parent Involvement under IDEA
Authors: Elbaum Batya
Published: February 2024

Since the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 2004, U.S. state IDEA programs have been required to report annually on a set of performance indicators. Indicator 8 of the Part B State Performance Plan is the “percent of parents who report that schools facilitated parent involvement as a means of improving services and results for children with disabilities.” The purpose of this study was to investigate whether changes over time in national and state-level performance on Indicator 8 provide evidence in support of the effectiveness of the accountability requirement related to parent involvement. Data were extracted from states’ Annual Performance Reports and other publicly available documents. Findings indicated that national performance on Indicator 8 increased from 63% in 2006 to 76% in 2018. Within-state change in performance from 2014 to 2019 ranged from –13.47% to +42.50%, with several states indicating dramatic year-to-year changes in their reported performance. The findings raise important questions about the extent to which the indicator in its current form can support the dual purpose of holding states accountable for their facilitation of parents’ involvement and supporting improvement efforts. Implications for both federal policy and state-level action are discussed.
Opioid Use Among Social Security Disability Insurance Applicants
Authors: Wu April Yanyuan , Hoffman Denise , O’Leary Paul
Published: February 2024

Our study is the first to provide statistics on opioid use among Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) applicants. We use an innovative machine-learning method to identify opioids in open-ended text fields in SSDI administrative data. We find that more than 30% of applicants between 2007 and 2017 reported using one or more opioids, a rate that is about 50% higher than in the general population. Rates of reported opioid use varied over time, peaking at 32% in 2012. Reported opioid use also varied by age, gender, education, receipt of SSI, and across states. There was a positive and statistically significant association between (a) reported opioid use and SSDI awards and (b) reported opioid use SSDI award and death; these are associations and do not demonstrate a causal relationship.
The Sales Impacts of Traffic Acquisition Promotion in Live-Streaming Commerce
Authors: Zhang Wenchang , Liu Chewei , Ming Liu , Cheng Yue
Published: February 2024

Live-streaming commerce, a combination of live streaming and e-commerce on social media platforms, has been a huge phenomenon over the past few years. Recently, the lucky draw (also known as sweepstakes) stands out as one of the most popular promotion innovations for traffic acquisition in live-streaming commerce. As a non-price-based operational lever, lucky draws offer not only utilitarian benefits (i.e., winning rewards) but also social values that engage and entertain participants (i.e., participating in a social event). Exploiting a comprehensive dataset collected from TikTok (China), we examine lucky draws’ sales impacts on live-streaming events. Although the adoption of lucky draw results in an overall sales improvement, it can backfire when streamers stop offering the promotion: The sales of post-adoption events without lucky draws are substantially worse off than pre-adoption ones. These findings highlight both lucky draws’ benefits and their backfiring effects, providing operational implications associated with utilizing this type of promotion. In addition, we find that the lucky draw promotion exhibits significant heterogeneity in terms of impacting sales of streamers with various levels of popularity. Less well-known streamers benefit from the promotion remarkably better than more well-known streamers. Further, we explore the underlying mechanisms of lucky draws’ sale effects by analyzing their traffic effects on follower flow and non-follower flow.
Optimal Data-Driven Hiring With Equity for Underrepresented Groups
Authors: Zhu Yinchu , Ryzhov Ilya O.
Published: February 2024

We present a data-driven prescriptive framework for fair decisions, motivated by hiring. An employer evaluates a set of applicants based on their observable attributes. The goal is to hire the best candidates while avoiding bias with regard to a certain protected attribute. Simply ignoring the protected attribute will not eliminate bias due to correlations in the data. We present a provably optimal fair hiring policy that depends on the protected attribute functionally, but not statistically. The policy does not set rigid quotas, and does not withhold information from decision-makers. Both synthetic and real data indicate that the policy can greatly improve equity for underrepresented and historically marginalized groups, often with negligible loss in objective value.
Characterizing the Retailer's Preference for Demand–Control and Demand–Promotion Efforts
Authors: Duhaylongsod Jose Benedicto , Zhao Yingshuai
Published: February 2024

This article investigates a setting where the retailer invests costly effort to shape demand, such as reducing demand fluctuation through demand–control effort or increasing demand levels with demand–promotion effort. We explore the preference bias between these two effort types and examine the impact of such a bias on profit performance. The experimental findings reveal that actual effort investments exhibit a significant preference bias for promotion effort in the low-profit condition, while no significant preference bias is observed in the high-profit condition. This behavioral pattern can be captured by a reference-dependent behavioral model incorporating the retailer's optimism level in the reference point. Additional analyses, such as robustness experiments and model extensions, provide further support for the promotion-effort bias in the low-profit condition. Our analysis presents a comprehensive understanding of demand-shaping effort preferences and extends the application of the reference-dependence framework. It provides insights for managers in identifying potential biases and mitigating profit loss in demand-shaping activities.
Prioritization in the Presence of Self-ordering Opportunities in Omnichannel Services
Authors: Kang Kang , Doroudi Sherwin , Delasay Mohammad
Published: February 2024

Motivated by the popularity of mobile-order-and-pay applications, especially in fast-casual food restaurants and coffee shops, we study omnichannel service systems—where customers can employ mobile applications for self-ordering—with respect to sojourn times, throughput, and social welfare. Our models are two-stage queues with two customer classes: Walk-ins and mobiles. We identify Pareto efficient prioritization policies, highlighting trade-offs between each class’s mean sojourn times. We allow customers to make strategic joining decisions based on their anticipated delays under an information structure where walk-ins observe partial queue length information. We draw from a wide array of techniques, including steady-state, transient, busy period, hitting-time analyses, and matrix analytic methods. We showcase the significance of prioritization on the system throughput and social welfare. We demonstrate settings where a traditional service system’s (typically beneficial) transformation to an omnichannel reduces throughput. Our analysis highlights the importance of prioritization policy choice for an efficient transition to an omnichannel service system. The throughput-optimal policy choice highly depends on the operational parameters and customer patience levels; implementing a wrong policy can yield a significant loss in throughput and profitability.
Development and Psychometric Validation of the Body Trust Scale
Authors: Grunewald William , Waitz-Kudla Sydney N. , Levinson Cheri A. , Brown Tiffany A. , Smith April R.
Published: February 2024

Interoception (e.g., abilities to recognize/attend to internal sensations) is robustly associated with psychopathology. One form of interoception, body trust, is relevant for the development of disordered eating and suicidal thoughts/behaviors. However, measures of body trust are narrow, despite research suggesting body trust is multifaceted. The aim of this study was to develop a comprehensive measure of body trust: The Body Trust Scale (BTS). 479 U.S. adults completed self-report surveys containing the BTS and psychopathology measures. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed a three-factor structure: Comfort with One’s Body, Physical Attractiveness, and Comfort with Internal Sensations. Factors showed strong construct, convergent, and divergent validity, as well as moderate predictive validity for suicidal thoughts/non-suicidal self-injury. Furthermore, factors showed strong internal consistency, test–retest reliability, and were invariant across the gender binary. The BTS can be used in research and clinical settings to understand how specific facets of body trust relate to psychopathology.
Embedded Remediation in Journalism & Mass Communication: Exploring Faculty Perceptions of an Experiential Approach
Authors: Abernathy Andrew M.
Published: February 2024

Little research exists about embedded remediation (ER) in college journalism and mass communication (JMC) programs. ER could support students who are underprepared for college-level writing. Because ER would affect faculty’s professional practice, this study explored its feasibility by investigating JMC faculty perceptions of ER and its feasibility. Qualitative inquiry via focus groups with a purposeful sample ( n = 17) was used to explore perceptions and barriers to implementation and a conceptual framework including Experiential Learning Theory and the Teaching-for-Learning model was used in analysis. Four themes were identified: (a) growing concerns, (b) externalizing remediation, (c) institutional challenges, and (d) taking action.
Inner retinal thickness in Stargardt disease
Authors: Battaglia Parodi Maurizio , Arrigo Alessandro , Bianco Lorenzo , Antropoli Alessio , Saladino Andrea , Pili Lorenzo , Pina Adelaide , Battista Marco , Bandello Francesco
Published: February 2024

Purpose

To analyze the alterations at the level of the inner retina in patients affected by Stargardt disease (STGD1).

Methods

Cross-sectional investigation involving STGD1 patients with genetically confirmed diagnosis, who underwent optical coherence tomography (OCT), optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), and microperimetry.

Results

Overall, 31 patients (62 eyes) with genetically confirmed STGD1 were included in the study. Mean inner retinal thickness, vessel density of plexa, and retinal sensitivity resulted significantly reduced in STGD patients, compared with healthy controls ( p < 0.05), both in the outer and in the inner ETDRS rings. Overall, 43% of eyes revealed an inner retinal thinning, whereas 21% and 35% showed a thicker or within normal range inner retina.

Conclusions

Inner retina is irregularly altered in STGD1, showing variable quantitative alterations as detected on OCT. Inner retinal status might represent a useful biomarker to better characterize STGD1 and to ascertain the effects of new treatment approaches.
Process Evaluation of Services for HIV-Infected Post-Partum Women and HIV-Exposed Infants in Primary Health Care Blantyre Malawi
Authors: Suwedi-Kapesa Leticia Chimwemwe , Nyondo-Mipando Alinane Linda , Choko Augustine , Obasi Angela , MacPherson Peter , Desmond Nicola
Published: February 2024

HIV testing among HIV-exposed infants (HEI) in Malawi is below global targets and, affected by low utilisation of health services after birth. We conducted a mixed methods evaluation of the implementation of services for early infant diagnosis (EID) of HIV against national guidelines in Blantyre, Malawi, to inform the development of strategies to improve EID services uptake. We estimated coverage of HEI enrolment in HIV care and HIV testing at 6 weeks through a retrospective data review. We qualitatively explored implementation gaps in EID services through process mapping of 8 mother-infant pairs (MIP); and investigated healthcare workers’ (HCW) perspectives on the implementation gaps through group interviews with 16 HCWs. We analysed the quantitative data descriptively and conducted a thematic content analysis of qualitative data. Of 163 HEIs born at the study sites, 39 (24%) were enrolled in an HIV care clinic before post-natal discharge, and 85 (52%) received HIV testing by 6 weeks. The median time for MIP to receive EID services was 4 (1-8) hours. The implementation gaps observed during process mapping included: failure to identify and enrol HEI in HIV care clinic; lack of immunisation, counselling for HEI testing, HIV testing, drug refilling, and family planning; and different appointment dates for mother and infant. HCWs reported delays and gaps influencing optimal service provision including: lack of screening to identify MIP, limited supervision for student HCWs when providing services, inadequate capacity of point of care machines, challenges with integrating services, and role confusion. Use of unique identifiers for MIP and establishing a booking system to schedule appointments to suit point of care machine capacity were primary service improvement recommendations. This study identified suboptimal EID services in Malawi due to process, capacity, and system factors. Context-appropriate interventions accommodating systems thinking are needed to enhance service provision.
Peripheral Blood CD8+ CD28+ T Cells as an Independent Predictor of Treatment Response and Survival After Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy in Pediatric High-Grade Glioma Patients
Authors: Wang Shuo , Mu Xiaofeng , Wang Xiaoli , Chen Li , Lu Changyu , Song Linan
Published: February 2024

Backgroud:

The tumor immune microenvironment influences the efficiency of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in high-grade glioma (HGG). This study investigated peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets as clinical indicators of therapeutic response and prognosis in pediatric high-grade glioma (pHGG).

Methods:

This retrospective study included 77 patients with postoperative pHGG who were treated concurrently with temozolomide and external beam radiotherapy between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2018. The median follow-up was 26 (range: 5-106) months. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected before and after CCRT. The proportions of peripheral blood T lymphocytes and their association with treatment outcome and survival were determined.

Results:

Sixty-four (83.1%) patients achieved complete remission, partial remission, and stable disease, and 13 (16.9%) patients had progressive disease. Higher CD3+ T cell, CD4+ T cell, and CD8+ CD28+ T cell ratios were predictive of better response, while a higher CD8+ CD28− T cell ratio was predictive of poorer response. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that the CD8+ CD28+ T cell ratio was a significant independent predictor of CCRT response (odds ratio [OR] = 53.521, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.294-667.119, P = .002). Univariate and multivariate analysis of prognostic factors associated with survival showed that the CD8+ CD28+ T lymphocyte ratio was a significant independent predictor of progression-free survival (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.80, 95% CI = 1.06-3.08, P = .03), but none of the subsets were significantly associated with overall survival.

Conclusion:

Peripheral blood T lymphocytes have potential as predictors of CCRT response and prognosis in pHGG.
Disability and Spatial Exclusion Under COVID-19 in South Africa
Authors: McKinney Vic , McKinney Emma Louise , Swartz Leslie , Ned Lieketseng
Published: February 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed a range of existing inequalities. People with disabilities are disadvantaged worldwide and frequently denied spaces within personal and public contexts. This article focuses on the environmental and functional experiences of people with disabilities and service providers in South Africa during the pandemic. Lockdown conditions resulted in diminished spaces and loss of agency, consequent to increased dependence on families, the state and the non-governmental organization sector. Service providers had to suspend most services and experienced a lack of government support and collaboration. Mental health issues emerged as a key concern. Despite challenges, online technology provided opportunities for ongoing support, learning, and delivery of certain services. Such findings highlight the need for greater stakeholder collaboration with people with disabilities and their organizations toward increasing their agency and representation, and assessing disability-inclusive policy.
Trust in COVID-19 information sources and vaccination status: Exploring social inequalities and differences within the four United Kingdom nations using a representative survey
Authors: Skafida Valeria , Heins Elke
Published: February 2024

Objectives

To explore how the use of, and trust in, different sources of advice and information on COVID-19 differed across the four UK nations and between different sociodemographic groups and their associations with COVID-19 vaccination status.

Methods

We used a UK-wide representative survey conducted in July 2021, which included data on uptake of COVID-19 vaccination, trust in information sources, use of sources and geographical and sociodemographic variables. We used multivariate logistic regression to identify factors associated with completed or planned COVID-19 vaccination.

Results

Trust in the NHS, followed by trust in scientists, were the strongest predictors of vaccination intention. NHS websites were the most used (56% across the UK); only the Scottish government website had a higher level of reported use (58%). Using either source was associated with a positive vaccination status as were use of the GP and television as sources of advice. Use of social media, family and friends, and ‘none’ of the sources enquired about, were all linked to a lower likelihood of being or intending to get vaccinated. Compared to those in England, respondents in other UK nations were less likely to trust the central UK government for advice on COVID-19. There was considerable variation by age in trust and use of some, but not all, sources of advice, with predicted probabilities ranging from 35% among the youngest age group to 62% among those aged 65 years or older. There were also significant differences by annual household income and by occupational class for trust in government, with higher incomes correlating with greater likelihood of trust.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates high levels of trust in the key sources of public health advice and there was a positive association between using official sources of advice and vaccination intentions, even in the context of overall high vaccination rates. Our findings highlight the need for the UK and devolved governments to value the importance of public trust in the health system and take appropriate measures to avoid undermining such trust.
A cluster randomized controlled trial of a brief positive healthy eating intervention
Authors: Ho Henry CY , Lai Agnes Y , Mui Moses Wai-keung , Wan Alice , Yew Carol Wing-see , Lam Tai Hing
Published: February 2024

Excessive sugar intake poses a significant risk factor for non-communicable diseases. A positive healthy eating (PHE) intervention was developed to promote low-sugar dietary practices in families. The PHE intervention capitalized on positive psychological constructs to overcome barriers to health behavior change by helping families associate feelings of joy, gratitude, and savoring with healthy eating. In a cluster randomized controlled trial, 1983 participants from 1467 families were recruited in Hong Kong. PHE included a core and booster session. Data were collected at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at 1-month and 3-month follow-up. Compared to the control, PHE showed greater increase in intention to change at post-intervention, engagement in low-sugar dietary practices individually and with family members at 3-month follow-up, and greater reduction in sugar-sweetened beverage intake at 1-month and 3-month follow-up. Intentions to change mediated PHE’s effects on low-sugar dietary practices. Focus group interviews revealed the behavior-change process and family quality of life.
Tactical hedging as coalition-building signal: The evolution of Quad and AUKUS in the Indo-Pacific
Authors: Koga Kei
Published: February 2024

How are the rise, fall, and evolution of minilateralism in the Indo-Pacific region explained? To address this question, I examine the cases of the Quad and AUKUS, and argue that they were caused by the success and failure of coalition-building efforts made through ‘tactical hedging’. As the world transitions from a unipolar to a non-unipolar world, states attempt to formulate coalitions to safeguard their national interests. However, the challenge is to figure out which states are truly ‘like-minded’ and can strategically coordinate their policies for mutual interests. Under this circumstance, states send signals through ‘tactical hedging’ – ‘an ambiguous, temporal declaratory policy doctrine’ – that assists the hedger in assessing whether its allies and partners are willing to cooperate; in this case, building a coalition towards the same or similar strategic objectives. The key is the initial ambiguity in signalling, which becomes critical to the future success of building a coalition among parties whose interests are not always congruent.
Digital communication and social support for disadvantaged youth: A social network survey of youth experiencing homelessness
Authors: Marler Will , Hsu Hsun-Ta , Petry Laura , Rice Eric
Published: February 2024

Digital technologies provide people new means for exchanging social support, though the extent to which disadvantaged populations benefit is unclear. Youth experiencing homelessness (YEH) are a vulnerable population with a range of support needs who are active digial media users. We examined the core networks of 621 YEH in the United States to assess how digital-only communication compared with any other form of contact in terms of the social support youth reported receiving. Participants were more likely to receive emotional support, as well as find role models and support for their personal goals, though not material support, through contacts that were digital-only (internet, phone, or social media) in the last month. YEH appear to rely on—and in some cases prefer—digital-only communication to tap into resources for survival and advancement. We discuss the implications for research on ICT use by disadvantaged populations and for interventions to support YEH.
An attack on free speech? Examining content moderation, (de-), and (re-) platforming on American right-wing alternative social media
Authors: Shaughnessy Brittany , DuBosar Eliana , Hutchens Myiah J. , Mann Ilyssa
Published: February 2024

Contemporary research on social media looks different than it did in the late 2010s, with users facing a high-choice social media environment as new platforms emerge. Subsequently, alt-right sites have experienced a rise in users—sometimes those who have experienced content moderation by traditional social media sites. As such, scholars have investigated the impact of this content moderation (e.g. de-platforming) on users and the content posted on new alt-right platforms. This work seeks to expand extant research through analyzing a survey of Gab, Parler (now defunct), Truth Social, and Rumble users ( N = 427) who have experienced content moderation on other social media sites. While we find that those temporarily or permanently banned from traditional sites are unlikely to leave the platform altogether for a right-wing alternative social media (RWASM) site, there are active users on these sites worth studying.
Fabrication of stainless steel 308L wall through wire + arc additive manufacturing: Microstructure and numerical prediction of tensile test
Authors: Thirugnanasambandam Arunkumar , Subramaniyan Mohan Kumar , Gobiraman Anand , Maharajan SG
Published: February 2024

The purpose of this study is to provide functional knowledge on finite element simulation of additively manufactured SS308L plate fabricated through wire + arc additive manufacturing for nuclear and pressure vessel application. To overcome the limitations of conventionally fabricated plates, a wall is built using ideal process parameters identified through trial-and-error experiments. The wall exhibits dendritic (columnar and equiaxed) microstructure, which enhances the tensile strength. The enhancement in strength is evident as the wire + arc additive manufacturing-processed plate exhibited 642 ± 5 MPa while the wrought alloy exhibited 615.7 ± 8 MPa. Finite element simulation was used successfully to simulate the tensile test, and outcomes were predicted with an error percentage of less than 1. The enhancement in strength is due to changes in microstructure and the presence of residual δ-ferrite as evidenced by using evaluation of ferrite number. The ferrite number of a wall from top to bottom varied from 5.0 to 5.3.
Syrians in Turkey and their naturalization as Turkish citizens: A computational text analysis of newspaper data
Authors: Istif Inci Elçin , Speelman Dirk
Published: February 2024

Following the civil war in Syria in 2011, migration from Syria in massive numbers has caused various political, demographic, societal, and cultural challenges in Turkey. The focus of this research is on how the issue of naturalization of Syrians as Turkish citizens has been presented in Turkish newspapers and to what extent the dominant perspective on the issue has shifted over time. For our computational textual analysis of Turkish newspaper materials published between 2012 and 2019, we compiled a corpus consisting of 15,276 news items from four newspapers featuring the co-occurrence of the words “Syria*” (Suriye*) and “citizen*” (vatandaş*) in the main body of their text. The newspapers include mainstream and pro-government (Milliyet with liberal tendencies, Sabah with center-right tendencies), and left-wing (Sol, Evrensel) perspectives. A two-step textual analysis was conducted on the corpus. First, dictionary-based topic modeling was used to chart which broader topics Turkish citizenship of Syrians is predominantly linked to the data, and how the predominance of topics shifted over time. Second, a collocation analysis of the word “refugee” (mülteci) yields a more fine-grained picture of the specific words and expressions that tend to appear often when Syrian refugees are discussed. In both steps, an aggregated general analysis was complemented with separate newspaper-specific analyses, thus allowing for the comparison of different newspapers. Findings show that Syrians in Turkey predominantly feature in the context of diplomatic and societal topics. While mainstream news sources approach the issue less critically, left-wing newspapers show more sensitivity to migrant rights in Turkey.
Polish History up to 1795 in Polish Games and Game Studies
Authors: Mochocki Michał , Krawczyk Stanisław , Mochocka Aleksandra
Published: February 2024

Situated within historical and regional (CEE) game studies, this article is an overview of games made in Poland after 1989 about Polish history up to the eighteenth century. It also outlines research made on those games, and it comments on changing cultural and political factors shaping the development of Polish history/heritage-themed games over the last three decades. We group the games in thematic-chronological categories: early medieval Slavic settings up to 1000, medieval to Renaissance Poland, and Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth 1569–1795. Main findings: (a) Slavic fantasy became very popular with game developers after Witcher 3, but it has received little scholarly attention beside the witcher series. (b) Medieval Polish monarchies have barely caught the eye of game developers, which translates to the absence of related research. (c) The PLC period is well-represented in digital and nondigital games, and well-researched in historical games studies by Polish scholars in Polish and English.
Research on noise reduction of drive axle hypoid gear based on tooth surface mismatch modification
Authors: Nie Shaowu , Chen Jinyu , Liu Shaohang
Published: February 2024

In order to reduce the transmission noise of drive axle hypoid gear, a method of tooth surface mismatch modification was proposed. Firstly, on the basis of establishing the grinding mathematical model of hypoid gear with cutter tilt, the theoretical tooth surface equation was derived, and the numerical tooth surface was calculated by dividing the grid points on tooth surface. Secondly, the pinion tooth surface which was full conjugated with gear tooth surface was constructed, and the tooth surface mismatch topography was established and decomposed into the first order and second order mismatch coefficients. According to the modification requirements, the pinion target surface was constructed by modifying the tooth surface mismatch coefficients, and the pinion modified machine setting parameters were acquired by establishing the pinion processing parameters corrected mathematical model. Finally, the loaded tooth contact analysis with finite element simulation and drive axle NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) simulation were carried out for a pair of hypoid gear, therefore the loaded tooth contact areas, transmission errors curves, and noise simulation curves were obtained, and the simulation results show that after modification the tooth contact stress, loaded transmission errors amplitude, and NVH simulation curves value are all reduced. The road test results indicate that the drive axle hypoid gear howling phenomenon under the high speed operation can be eliminated, so the effectiveness of tooth surface modification method and NVH simulation method were verified.
The quality of pharmacist-led community warfarin management across 2 provinces in Canada: A cross-sectional observational study
Authors: Morrison Laura , Nagge Jeff
Published: February 2024

Background:

Guidelines for anticoagulation management services recommend personnel be specially trained in warfarin management and suggest using tools such as decision-support software. To date, there have been no Canadian studies documenting the quality of warfarin management using a similar guideline recommended approach.

Methods:

A cross-sectional, retrospective observational study was conducted to measure the quality of pharmacist-led warfarin management using point-of-care international normalized ratio (INR) testing and decision-support software in various ambulatory settings in Canada. Settings included 4 family health teams in Ontario and 40 community pharmacies across Nova Scotia. Quality was measured using time in therapeutic range (TTR) and was reported in 3 manners: mean TTR, median TTR and time-weighted mean TTR.

Results:

The primary outcome included 963 patients. The combined mean and median TTR for the 2019 Ontario family health teams and Nova Scotia pharmacies was 74.2% and 77.3% (interquartile range 64%-87.9%), respectively. The time-weighted mean TTR was 76.3%.

Discussion:

To the best of our knowledge, the TTR achieved by this model of care is the highest reported in Canadian general practice. Since Thrombosis Canada defines good-quality warfarin management as a TTR of 60% or greater, and many studies have reported an association between higher TTR values and lower rates of thrombosis and hemorrhage, this model of care may have significant benefits for patients.

Conclusion:

This study demonstrates the high quality of anticoagulation management provided by specially trained pharmacists using point-of-care INR testing and decision-support software. These results support expanded access to this service for all Canadians. Can Pharm J (Ott) 2024;157:xx–xx.
Approximate parameter estimation and mis-specification analysis of degradation model with asymmetric random effects
Authors: Tang Shengjin , Wang Fengfei , Sun Xiaoyan , Yu Chuanqiang , Si Xiaosheng
Published: February 2024

Asymmetric distributions such as the skew-normal (SN) distribution have been used for modeling the unit-to-unit variation of the degradation rate of products, and its superiority for model fitting and lifetime estimation has been demonstrated in literature. However, there still exist two issues that need to be further studied. That is, how to simply estimate the parameters of the degradation model with asymmetric random effects and whether the asymmetry or skewness affects the remaining useful life (RUL) prediction. Driven by these two issues, the parameter estimation and RUL prediction of the degradation model with general random effects are first introduced and a two-step maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) method for parameter estimation is proposed, which could greatly simplify the parameter estimation of the degradation model with asymmetric random effects. Then, the SN distribution is used as an example to analyze the second issue regarding the effect of model mis-specification on RUL prediction based on regression models and Wiener processes with different asymmetric random effects in theory. Finally, the parameter estimation and mis-specification analysis of degradation models with other asymmetric random effects are conducted through numerical examples and two case studies. The results demonstrate that the proposed two-step MLE method is satisfactory and the effect of asymmetry on RUL prediction is negligible. Therefore, there is no need to consider the asymmetry of random effects for RUL prediction.
State of the art review. Complications after carpal tunnel release
Authors: Sprangers Philippe N. , Westenberg Ritsaart Frederik , Langer Martin F. , Oflazoglu Kamilcan , van der Heijden Egberta P. A.
Published: February 2024

Carpal tunnel release (CTR) is the most performed surgery of the upper extremity. It is effective but not without complications. This state-of-the-art review covers most common intra- and postoperative complications after CTR. As endoscopic carpal tunnel release (ECTR) has developed over time, severe complications, such as nerve lesions, have diminished. ECTR still has a higher risk on transient nerve lesions. Open CTR on the other hand has a higher incidence of wound-related problems, including scar tenderness, irrespective of incision used. Most complications, such as pillar pain and infection, are ill-defined in the literature, leaving the exact incidence unknown and proposing challenges in treatment. The same is true for failure of treatment. Optimizing the length and location of incisions has played a vital role in reducing intra- and postoperative complications in CTR. It is expected that technical advances, such as ultrasound-guided percutaneous carpal tunnel release, will continue to play a role in the future.

Level of evidence: V.
Overview and management of complications after digital replantations
Authors: Chen Chao , Chen Jing , Liu Wen-Chih , Tuaño Krystle R.
Published: February 2024

The main complications after digital replantation are discussed in this review article. These complications include vascular compromise, infection, partial necrosis, delayed union or nonunion, atrophy and so on. The countermeasures for these complications are reviewed and the authors’ methods are also introduced and discussed.
Complications after arthroscopic triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) surgery
Authors: Mak Michael Chu Kay , Ho Pak Cheong
Published: February 2024

Wrist arthroscopy is a valuable and widely utilized tool in the treatment of triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injuries. These procedures include synovectomy alone, peri-capsular or transosseous repair, and arthroscopic-assisted reconstruction, and each are associated with specific complications. This review describes the types of complications and their rates in different types of arthroscopic TFCC surgery reported in the literature and in our centre. Across the spectrum of arthroscopic TFCC surgery, complication rates and the learning curve increase with surgical complexity. Relevant anatomy, prevention and management of complications including nerve injury and irritation, extensor tendon injury and tendinitis, fracture, stiffness, and persistence of symptoms or instability are discussed. Vigilance to anatomical details and careful dissection can help to reduce complications that may result in disturbing pain and functional loss.
Harmonization of individual case safety reports transmission requirements among PAHO reference authorities: a review of their current regulation
Authors: Lomeli-Silva Antonio , Contreras-Salinas Homero , Barajas-Virgen Mayra Yolanda , Romero-Lopez Maria Soledad , Rodríguez-Herrera Lourdes Yolotzin
Published: February 2024

To perform optimal monitoring of the safety profile in the postmarketing phase, Marketing Authorization Holders and National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) must evaluate the adverse drug reactions (ADRs) that occurred and characterize their nature, frequency, and severity. Management is possible through Individual Case Safety Reports (ICSRs), which are the reports of organized and processed data. Globally, the International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) E2B guideline suggests harmonized activities for the ICSR electronic content and transmission. In America, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is the agency responsible to implement cooperation among its members, which are recognized as National Regulatory Authorities of Reference (NRARs) such as Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, and the United States. PAHO published the ‘Good Pharmacovigilance Practices for the Americas’ suggesting improvement and harmonization in the region. After reviewing the regulatory framework, it is assumed that all NRARs have a regulated ICSR transmission system (i.e. a systematic vigilance system for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating information from ADRs). However, significant differences exist, such as the requirement for social media vigilance, expedited and non-expedited ICSRs, coding, severity, and transmission. The volume of ICSRs has significantly increased, due to using electronic standards managed by the NRAs, which facilitates early identification of new ADRs, allowing the implementation of novel minimization activities, contributing to the continuous assessment of the benefit-risk balance of medicines. Nevertheless, there is still area for improvement, especially in Latin America.
Urethral entrapment by an overlapping dislocation of the pubic symphysis in a cat
Authors: Pereira Tiffany , Besson Julie , Rault Delphine N , Delaune Tiare
Published: February 2024

Case summary

A 1-year-old neutered male domestic shorthair cat was referred with suspected uroperitoneum. Ultrasonography showed peritoneal effusion. CT further revealed a bilateral sacroiliac joint disruption associated with an overlapped dislocation of the pubic symphysis, resulting in an abnormal trajectory of the urethra with extramural urethral compression. An open reduction and internal fixation of the pubis with correction of the urethral trajectory was performed under general anaesthesia. The uroperitoneum was determined to originate from a cystocentesis.

Relevance and novel information

This report describes an unusual case of urethral obstruction secondary to overlapping dislocation of the pubic symphysis with urethral entrapment and concurrent bilateral sacroiliac luxation. To the authors’ knowledge, acute urethral obstruction owing to fractures of the pubis, without urethral laceration, has never been described.
Use of Interactive Visualization and 3D Printing in the Repair of Complex Congenital Heart Disease Presenting in Adult Life
Authors: Lobbestael Adam J. , Vettukattil Joseph J. , Haw Marcus P.
Published: February 2024

We report a case of a 25-year-old male with a heterotaxy-like constellation of congenital heart defects consisting of complete atrioventricular septal defect, transposition of the great arteries, subpulmonary stenosis, L-looped ventricles, hypoplastic right ventricle, and a distant aorta arising from the right ventricle. This case demonstrates how 3D printing and interactive 3D visualization may facilitate a unique surgical repair.