bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The first new species of Leptelmis Sharp, 1888 (Coleoptera, Elmidae) from the Philippines in the last 50 years
Authors: De Vera Gavin Christian M. , Sia Johann Isaac L. , Freitag Hendrik , Delocado Emmanuel D.
Published: November 2023

This paper describes Leptelmis kodadai sp. n., the first species of Leptelmis discovered from the Philippines in the last 50 years. Previously, Leptelmis Sharp, 1888 was represented in the Philippines with only one species, namely L. tawitawiensis Delève, 1973 documented from Tawi-Tawi, the southwestern tip of the country. Due to habitus and genital differences with L. tawitawiensis, L. kodadai sp. n. collected from Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, and Bukidnon from the island of Mindanao was deemed new to science. Additionally, using the generated COI-3ʹ gene sequences, the intraspecific distance of the L. kodadai sp. n. specimens was determined to be 0.72%. This paper generates the first barcodes of Philippine Leptelmis and provides an updated checklist for Southeast Asian species.
Comparing the Accuracy of Motor Reproduction and Timeline Estimation Methods for Interval Timing in Children
Authors: Hallez Quentin
Published: November 2023

This brief report aims to compare the performance of motor reproduction and timeline estimation tasks in two groups of children aged 5–6 and 7–8 years old. The study included 80 children and used a computer-based experiment with two sessions for each method. The findings suggest that motor reproduction and timeline estimation tasks differ in accuracy and variability, with timeline estimation yielding more accurate and less variable estimates. These differences between the two tasks are even more pronounced in younger children. The discussion highlights the importance of using the timeline estimation task for future research on children’s time perception.
Projecting Future Energy Production from Operating Wind Farms in North America. Part III: Variability
Authors: Coburn Jacob , Pryor Sara C.
Published: November 2023

Daily expected wind power production from operating wind farms across North America are used to evaluate capacity factors (CF) computed using simulation output from the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model and to condition statistical models linking atmospheric conditions to electricity production. In Parts I and II of this work, we focus on making projections of annual energy production and the occurrence of electrical production drought. Here, we extend evaluation of the CF projections for sites in the Northeast, Midwest, southern Great Plains (SGP), and southwest U.S. coast (SWC) using statewide wind-generated electricity supply to the grid. We then quantify changes in the time scales of CF variability and the seasonality. Currently, wind-generated electricity is lowest in summer in each region except SWC, which causes a substantial mismatch with electricity demand. While electricity of residential heating may shift demand, research presented here suggests that summertime CF are likely to decline, potentially exacerbating the offset between seasonal peak power production and current load. The reduction in summertime CF is manifest for all regions except the SGP and appears to be linked to a reduction in synoptic-scale variability. Using fulfillment of 50% and 90% of annual energy production to quantify interannual variability, it is shown that wind power production exhibits higher (earlier fulfillment) or lower (later fulfillment) production for periods of over 10–30 years as a result of the action of internal climate modes.

Significance Statement

Electrical power system reassessment and redesign may be needed to aid efficient increased use of variable renewables in the generation of electricity. Currently wind-generated electricity in many regions of North America exhibits a minimum in summertime and hence is not well synchronized with electricity demand, which tends to be maximized in summer. Future projections indicate evidence of reductions in wind power during summer that would amplify this offset. However, electrification of heating may lead to increased wintertime demand, which would lead to greater synchronization.
Adam Smith’s Virtue of Prudence in E-Commerce: A Conceptual Framework for Users in the E-Commercial Society
Authors: Schlag Martin , Rocchi Marta , Turnbull Richard
Published: November 2023

As founder of modern political economics and prominent theorist of the commercial society, Adam Smith’s importance is universally recognized. Little, however, has been done so far to develop Adam Smith’s virtue ethics in the context of modern business, characterized by digitalization. This article aims to rediscover Adam Smith’s virtue of prudence and its relevance for the “e-commercial society”: It presents a framework that considers the central place of prudence in the relationship between a prosperous e-commercial system and societal flourishing. In Smith’s view of the commercial society, prudence enables people to develop habits of character related to industriousness, genuineness, spirit of sacrifice, and self-command, which help in the conduct of a prosperous business activity. This article translates Smith’s virtue of prudence into a language typical of consumers in the current e-commerce scenario, considering their development as persons and the contribution of their activities to the good of society.
Sanctity of Life or God’s Command? Investigating Religious Determinants of Attitudes Toward Three Cases of Unnatural Death: Capital Punishment, Abortion, and Euthanasia
Authors: Sabriseilabi Soheil
Published: November 2023

Whether individuals may decide to end other people’s or their own lives has always been a matter of ethical and social debate. The current research explores attitudes toward three cases of unnatural death: capital punishment, abortion, and euthanasia. One considerable factor that shapes individuals’ attitudes toward human intervention in death is religion. This paper argues that religion causes significant changes in individuals’ mindsets toward human intervention in the death process. Therefore, the present research examines how religion affects attitudes toward the death penalty, abortion, and euthanasia. This study proposes differentiating religion into four dimensions: religiosity, spirituality, afterlife beliefs, and religious affiliation. Using data from the 2018 wave of the General Social Survey (GSS), the present research found that religion’s various dimensions have distinct effects on attitudes toward the death penalty, abortion, and euthanasia.
“We Know About Things Too”: Exploring the Labors of Love Involved in Cultivating Youth Voice in Online Youth Civic Engagement Programs With Youth of Color
Authors: Jimenez Carlos , Schofield Clark Lynn , Ramirez Johnny
Published: November 2023

Online youth civic engagement programs are often designed to support the cultivation of youth voice, yet working with youth of color who are particularly skeptical of civic life takes a certain form of labor that often remains unexamined in the scholarship of youth civic engagement. Drawing on concepts of invisible, emotional, and relational labor and the work of critical race theory (CRT), this article examines what is often termed the “labor of love” that characterizes the behind-the-scenes work. Utilizing a critical ethnographic approach, we identify three stages in the labor of love involved in cultivating youth voice in five different online youth civic engagement programs as we sought to highlight youth voice, perspective, and expertise with local policymakers. We argue that the behind-the-scenes invisible, emotional, and relational labor needs to be better understood to address the barriers youth of color face in relation to gaining full access to democratic participation.
Exploring Accountability Choices in Service Contracts for Collaborative Public Safety Services Provision
Authors: Zhang Shuwen , Zehra Mashal-E-
Published: November 2023

There is limited evidence on how local governments adopt formal contractual mechanisms to hold partners accountable and mitigate defection in the context of differing power dynamics. What kind of monitoring mechanisms do local governments choose to check opportunism and align incentives as they delegate service provision to another actor? Does the choice of monitoring mechanisms vary if the partner government is another local government, higher-level government, or a non-government actor? Does the choice of monitoring mechanisms used by local governments vary by the nature of service provision? To explore these questions, we examine a randomly selected sample of 163 public service contracts involving local governments in Iowa. Our findings suggest that the use of monitoring mechanisms is not homogenous and varies across different service areas and collaboration directions. In practice, our findings are useful for enhancing local governments’ internal contract management capacity for preventing contract failure, establishing accountability, and mitigating risk.
The necessity of healthcare supply chain resilience for crisis preparedness
Authors: Wright Alexandra M. , Snowdon Anne , Saunders Michael , Trampas Dana
Published: November 2023

Prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic, Canadian provincial health systems and governments did not sufficiently consider healthcare supply chain in their crisis preparedness plans, leading to an exposed and vulnerable healthcare system. There have been many opportunities to learn from past Canadian and global crises, which have emphasized the importance of healthcare supply chain resilience in providing essential care to patients; however, considerations of healthcare supply chain resilience remain a significant gap in preparedness planning. Illustrated through the Canadian response to COVID-19 pandemic, this article will explore how healthcare supply chain resilience should be a necessary consideration in any crisis preparedness plans. Further, without this consideration of healthcare supply chain resilience, it is the person (the patient and healthcare worker), and especially vulnerable populations, that are most put at risk in the event of a future crisis.
Investigation of flame retardancy and physical-mechanical properties of mineral-based polyethylene composites
Authors: Yücetürk Mert , Yücetürk Buket , Yegane Gizem
Published: November 2023

Mineral-based flame retardants are widely used worldwide as they are both effective and inexpensive solutions. Especially alumina trihydrate (ATH) and magnesium hydroxide (MDH) are the first mineral additives that come to mind industrially due to their environmental friendliness and easy availability. In this study, the effectiveness of huntite-hydromagnesite mineral, which is not as widely used as the other two minerals, and its differences from its counterparts were investigated. For this purpose, composites with polyethylene carrier were produced by extruder method using binders at various ratios, and various physical, mechanical, and combustion properties of these samples were investigated. According to the data obtained, the samples containing huntite-hydromagnesite showed UL94 V0 class flame retardant performance with 5% less filler than their counterparts. The same samples showed superior mechanical properties in tensile strength between 23.4% and 70.8% and elongation at break between 60.7% and 73.1%.
Holistic Nursing and Quran Recitation and its Impact on Floods Survivors in Indonesia
Authors: Ariani Tutu A. , Hernawaty Taty , Keliat Budi A. , Konara Mudiyanselage Sriyani P. , Lin Mei-Feng
Published: November 2023

Purpose: The purpose of the study was aimed to explore the trajectory of thoughts and feelings related to religiosity and spirituality using a holistic approach following attendance at group—Quran Recitation (QR) sessions among annual flood victims. Design: This is a qualitative study with an in-depth retrospective interview conducted data in 2019. Methods: The purposive sampling was applied to conduct face-to-face individual video-recorded semistructured interviews. Seventeen participants followed six QR chanting sessions in Bandung, Indonesia. Data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using inductive analysis. Findings: After extracting evidence expressions of participants, the research team generated the central theme of “Holism of Religiosity and Spirituality,” using three influential sub-themes, including obedience to God's will, growing a positive mindset through spirituality and life started to be delighting from nine categories. Conclusion: The relationship of body-mind concepts of holism through QR among flood sufferers was explored. The effect of QR chanting is beneficial to change awareness about the wisdom of spirituality. The holistic approach of religiosity and spirituality in nursing care is recommended to promote all service settings, especially community and disaster nursing in the Indonesian context. Future research is needed to develop QR chanting activities among multiethnic and socio-cultural groups as alternative therapy quantitatively.
Cooling-assist friction stir welding: A case study on AA6068 aluminum alloy and copper joint
Authors: Derazkola Hamed Aghajani , Elyasi Majid
Published: November 2023

This study evaluates the impact of cooling-assist friction stir welding (CA-FSW) tool rotational and traverse velocities on the bonding quality of Al-Cu-Mg and copper lap joints. A modified computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technique analyzes heat generation and distribution during dissimilar CA-FSW joints between AA6068 alloy and copper. The relationship between CA-FSW tool velocities and metallurgical properties of the final joint is assessed. Simulation results provide insights into metallurgical phenomena during the CA-FSW process. Findings reveal greater plastic deformation and heat generation on the AA6068 aluminum alloy side due to raw material placement, resulting in more significant microstructure changes in AA6068 aluminum alloy compared to copper. Increased heat generation leads to higher copper-rich intermetallic compound (IMC) formation, resulting in increased hardness of the stir zone at the base metals’ interface.
Disparate Contact Stress Behavior of Thermoplastic Gears against Steel Gear using 2D and 3D FEA
Authors: Sugunesh AP , Johnney Mertens A
Published: November 2023

Based on the applications, the polymer gears are paired with different gear pair combinations such as Polymer – Polymer, Polymer – Steel, and Steel – Polymer. Finite Element Analysis is one of the effective techniques utilized to investigate the contact stress behavior of those gear pairs. Depending upon the selected conditions, such as two-dimensional finite element analysis with plane stress, plane strain conditions, and 3D FEA, the surface and subsurface contact stress occurrence between the gear pairs were observed. And, no proper explanations have arrived on such behaviors till date. Thus, the present study aimed to do a detailed 2D and 3D FE analysis for various thermoplastic gears with different gear pair combinations (S – P, P – S, and P – P) and investigated the occurrence of surface-subsurface stresses among the selected gear pairs. A comparison was done between the 2D and 3D FE analysis and validated with the assumed condition with regard to the face width. A gear with face widths of 5 and 20 mm has opted to reproduce the 2D plane stress and plane strain conditions, and their results were compared with 3D FEA. The contact stress data were extracted at 10 subsequent face width planes along the face width of a gear tooth. Higher directional stresses were noticed at the gear tooth mid-surface and reduced stress on the edges of the gear tooth for all the thermoplastic materials paired with all gear pairs. Surface stress for 2D FEA and subsurface stress for 3D FEA were detected for all the gear pair combinations. The maximum stress occurrence of 5 mm face width Steel – PP, Steel – ABS, Steel – DELRIN, ABS – Steel, DELRIN – Steel gear pairs exhibit a minimum depth value of 0.135 mm whereas 20 mm face width PC – Steel gear pair exhibits a maximum depth value of 0.3 mm. The maximum contact stress increases as a function of depth according to the proportional limit to elastic modulus dimensionless ratio.
Computational approach for structural and thermal behavior of laser-machined micro-grooves on alumina ceramic using ANSYS
Authors: Pradhan Subhadip , Panda Samir Kumar , Panigrahi Kalyani , Dhupal Debabrata
Published: November 2023

Heat affected zone on the micromachined material, a hindrance in achieving good precision and accuracy, which are adequate requirements for micromachined materials, is a drawback of nanosecond micromachining assisted by laser. The primary objective of this paper is to take into consideration a number of input parameters, such as the pulse width and the temperature of the laser beam, and study the effect that these parameters have on the heat flux generated as well as on the temperature distribution along the square grooves of 200 µm width and depth that are to be micro-machined on an alumina ceramic workpiece. However, processing of alumina ceramic on a micron-scale requires careful consideration to raise the quality standard. This will be accomplished by analyzing the data collected from the micro-machining process. Using the ANSYS® software, it is possible to visualize not only the region where heat is generated but also the way in which the input parameters influence the structural qualities of the micro machined groove surface. The many thermal models that have been constructed have revealed specific changes in the structural qualities that have had a significant impact on the upper width, the lower width, and the depth of the groove when applied to a variety of different parametric settings. Finally, developed analytical model is compared with the experimental models. The highest prediction error was found to be 1.68%, while, for constant 50 W power and 150–250 mm/s of speed, the average prediction error was determined to be 1.18%. As a result, the proposed model closely matches the experimental findings, and the proposed model can be used to estimate channel profile.
Co-electrospun PCL-collagen nanofibers containing saffron-synthesized gold nanoparticles as an antioxidant wound dressing
Authors: Javadi Parisa , Derakhshan Mohammad Ali , Asghari Fatemeh , Kharrazi Sharmin , Faridi-Majidi Reza
Published: November 2023

Oxidant environment and inflammation are the leading cause of chronic wounds such as diabetic ulcers. A dressing containing antioxidants would ensure accelerated wound healing. In this study, electrospun gold nanoparticle (GNP)-embedded nanofibers were developed. GNPs (about 7 nm) were synthesized using saffron extract as a reducing and capping agent (GNP-EXT). For comparison, nanoparticles of the same size were also synthesized using citrate (GNP-CIT). Nanoparticle colloids showed a zeta potential of -27 mV. FTIR confirmed the presence of the extract molecules on the nanoparticles. DPPH assay demonstrated the significant radical scavenging properties of the GNP-EXT. The effect of nanoparticles on the viability of NIH3T3 mouse fibroblast cells was evaluated with an MTT assay that showed no significant toxicity of nanoparticles even in the highest concentration of 250 ppm. Then poly (ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL)- Collagen nanofibers containing GNPs were electrospun. By using SEM, TEM, ATR-FTIR, and contact angle measurement, the nanofibers were characterized. Proper cell adhesion and spreading was observed on nanofibers by SEM and Alamar blue assay illustrated appropriate cyto-compatibility on the obtained nanofibers after 5 days of cell seeding. Wound healing assay also confirmed the cell supporting properties and biocompatibility. The results suggest that saffron-synthesized GNP-loaded nanofibers would be considered as potential wound dressings.
From the proscenium: The influence of Konstantin Stanislavski and the psychology of acting in Vygotsky’s work
Authors: Pelfrey G. Logan , Glassman Michael , Kuznetcova Irina , Tilak Shantanu
Published: November 2023

The Soviet psychologist L. S. Vygotsky was immersed in theater and the arts through much of his life, collaborating with scholars of the psychology of acting, including Konstantin Stanislavski’s close confidante and long-time editor Liubov Gurevich, on terms and theories expressed in his historically defining text, An Actor’s Work. This article connects linguistic, theoretical, and methodological aspects of Stanislavski’s work with Vygotsky’s quest to develop a new psychology, finding its apogee in the works of his final years, especially after he gained access to an extended draft of Stanislavski’s chapters. As Vygotsky’s theories continue to influence the field of psychology, this article looks to provide a guidepost for refining understanding of Vygotsky’s theories based on archival evidence and a close reading of contemporary translations of Vygotsky’s major works.
Clustering minimal inhibitory concentration data through Bayesian mixture models: An application to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistance mutations
Authors: Grazian Clara
Published: November 2023

Antimicrobial resistance is becoming a major threat to public health throughout the world. Researchers are attempting to contrast it by developing both new antibiotics and patient-specific treatments. In the second case, whole-genome sequencing has had a huge impact in two ways: first, it is becoming cheaper and faster to perform whole-genome sequencing, and this makes it competitive with respect to standard phenotypic tests; second, it is possible to statistically associate the phenotypic patterns of resistance to specific mutations in the genome. Therefore, it is now possible to develop catalogues of genomic variants associated with resistance to specific antibiotics, in order to improve prediction of resistance and suggest treatments. It is essential to have robust methods for identifying mutations associated to resistance and continuously updating the available catalogues. This work proposes a general method to study minimal inhibitory concentration distributions and to identify clusters of strains showing different levels of resistance to antimicrobials. Once the clusters are identified and strains allocated to each of them, it is possible to perform regression method to identify with high statistical power the mutations associated with resistance. The method is applied to a new 96-well microtiter plate used for testing Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Plumbagin Attenuates Ovalbumin-induced Allergic Asthma in Mice through Inhibition of Inflammatory Response
Authors: Yiming Dong , Alzahrani Abdullah R , Mohideen Abubucker Peer
Published: November 2023

Background

Asthma is a prominent non-communicable inflammatory disease that affects both children and the elderly. Younger people are more prone to asthma, and most prescribed anti-asthmatic medicines relieve symptoms but do not cure the condition completely. We investigated the ability of a phytochemical plumbagin to alleviate ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma in BALB/c mice.

Materials and Methods

The allergic asthma-induced mice were treated with two different doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg bwt plumbagin, and to compare the efficacy of plumbagin, a standard drug dexamethasone treatment was given. OVA-specific IgE and eotaxin were quantified to determine the induction of asthma and the inhibitory role of plumbagin. Total leukocyte and differential count were done to assess the effect of plumbagin on inflammatory cells. Inflammatory cytokines inducing both atopic and non-atopic asthma were quantified to examine the efficacy of plumbagin against allergic and non-allergic-induced asthma. Nitric oxide (NO) and myeloperoxidase activity were measured to investigate the anti-asthmatic potential of plumbagin. The antioxidant potency of plumbagin was assessed by quantifying the levels of antioxidants and the oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde. Lung weight index and histopathological analysis of lung tissue were done to confirm the ameliorative potency of plumbagin against OVA allergen-induced asthma.

Results

Plumbagin treatment significantly decreased the status of OVA-specific IgE and eotaxin, thereby prevented the eosinophilic infiltration. It also inhibited the synthesis of both atopic and non-atopic inducing inflammatory cytokines. Plumbagin treatment also increased the levels of antioxidants and prevented the lung tissue damage, which was evidenced with our histopathology study of lung tissue.

Conclusion

Overall, our finding confirms that plumbagin is persuasively alleviated OVA allergen-induced asthma complications in mice model and may be an alternative for currently available anti-asthmatic drugs.
Rhapontigenin Improves Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease by Inducing Lipophagy Through the ACOX1 and mTOR/ULK1 Pathways
Authors: Wang Ying-Xiao , Ke Xin-Ge , Wang Chen , Peng Kang-Bo , Wu He-Zhen , Yang Yan-Fang
Published: November 2023

Background

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is severely affecting the quality of people’s life. Rhapontigenin (RA) is a stilbene compound isolated from Rhubarb L., which has been reported to have an effect on cholesterol diet-induced hyperlipidemia in rats. This study aims to explore the pharmacodynamics and the mechanism of RA obtained from Rheum franzenbachii Munt. against NAFLD. RA was extracted from the roots of the Rheum L. (Polygonaceae) plant Rheum franzenbachii Munt.

Materials and Methods

RA was extracted by Sephadex-gel column and identified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-UV and HR-ESI-MS. The pharmacodynamic indexes of L-02 cells and mice treated with RA were determined by histological staining and ELISA, while the expression of autophagy-related proteins was analyzed by Western blot.

Results

The results in vivo showed that the liver structure of RA-treatment mice was normal, and the organ coefficient was significantly decreased. It also showed that RA could significantly reduce the expression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the liver as well as inhibit oxidative stress and inflammatory response. Interestingly, the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) could reverse the effect of RA on NAFLD, which further confirmed that RA plays an anti-NAFLD role through activating lipophagy.

Conclusion

It suggested that RA has an effect on NAFLD by down-regulating the expression of Acyl-CoA oxidase 1 (ACOX1), p-mTOR, and p-Unc-51-like kinase 1 (ULK1), then inhibiting Acetyl-CoA (A-CoA) production, and up-regulating the expression of autophagy protein 5 (Atg5) to promote the lipophagy of lipocytes.
Normalizing real-time PCR results in routine testing
Authors: Armenta-Leyva Betsy , Munguía-Ramírez Berenice , Cheng Ting-Yu , Ye Fangshu , Henao-Díaz Alexandra , Giménez-Lirola Luis G. , Zimmerman Jeffrey
Published: November 2023

Normalization, the process of controlling for normal variation in sampling and testing, can be achieved in real-time PCR assays by converting sample quantification cycles (Cqs) to “efficiency standardized Cqs” (ECqs). We calculated ECqs as E−ΔCq, where E is amplification efficiency and ΔCq is the difference between sample and reference standard Cqs. To apply this approach to a commercial porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) RT-qPCR assay, we created reference standards by rehydrating and then diluting (1 × 10−4) a PRRSV modified-live vaccine (PRRS MLV; Ingelvac) with serum or oral fluid (OF) to match the sample matrix to be tested. Sample ECqs were calculated using the mean E and reference standard Cq calculated from the 4 reference standards on each plate. Serum ( n = 132) and OF ( n = 130) samples were collected from each of 12 pigs vaccinated with a PRRSV MLV from −7 to 42 d post-vaccination, tested, and sample Cqs converted to ECqs. Mean plate Es were 1.75–2.6 for serum and 1.7–2.3 for OF. Mean plate reference standard Cqs were 29.1–31.3 for serum and 29.2–31.5 for OFs. Receiver operating characteristic analysis calculated the area under the curve for serum and OF sample ECqs as 0.999 (95% CI: 0.997, 1.000) and 0.947 (0.890, 1.000), respectively. For serum, diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the commercial PRRSV RT-qPCR assay were estimated as 97.9% and 100% at an ECq cutoff ≥ 0.20, and for OF, 82.6% and 100%, respectively, at an ECq cutoff ≥ 0.45.
Optimal lateral embedded position of piezoelectric energy harvesters under various traffic conditions with wheel-path distribution
Authors: Zhang Yangyang , Lai Qi , Zhang He , Yang Yingwu , Wang Ji , Lü Chaofeng
Published: November 2023

Piezoelectric energy harvesting from traffic load has gained extensive attention for potentiality as a renewable energy source. In existing in situ experiments, generally only one vehicle is employed, while the wheel-path of the vehicle and embedded positions of piezoelectric energy harvester (PEH) units are both fixed. However, in an actual traffic condition, vehicles travel randomly along width of pavements, which means the wheel-path varies over time and among vehicles. In this study, an electromechanical model is established for the PEH units under actual traffic conditions with wheel-path distribution, and is validated with finite element analysis and experiments. Then the electrical performance of PEH units embedded at various locations along pavements’ lateral direction is investigated under various traffic speeds. It is found that the optimal lateral embedded locations of the PEH units should be adjusted according to the prescribed traffic speed of the roads. Specifically, PEH units should be embedded at the tire-road contact areas for road with low traffic speeds (<15 m/s), while they should be embedded at the center of the pavement with high traffic speeds (>25 m/s). These mathematical results may serve as guidelines for selecting optimal lateral embedded locations for PEH units embedded in pavements.
Intimate Partner Violence, Animal Maltreatment, and Barriers to Safety for Survivors with Companion Animals and Livestock: Findings From a Qualitative Study
Authors: Giesbrecht Crystal J. , Fletcher Amber J. , Wuerch Melissa A.
Published: November 2023

This article examines the co-occurrence of violence against women and violence against animals based on interviews with 15 survivors in Saskatchewan, Canada. The qualitative data reveal complex dynamics of the human–animal bond for victims/survivors. Insufficient social supports exacerbate barriers for leaving relationships with animals when experiencing intimate partner violence; nonetheless, the participants perceived animals as crucial to their well-being. Care of horses and livestock is further complicated by financial issues and difficulty evacuating large animals. Survivors emphasized the need for social programs to assist survivors who care for companion animals and large animals.

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of violence and abuse toward companion animals, horses, and livestock, as well as examples of animals being killed.
Toward an Increased Attention on ADHD Symptoms and Traits in Young Adults: Prevalence Data From Screening Tools in a Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic
Authors: Sanguineti Claudio , Nisticò Veronica , Folatti Irene , Santangelo Giulia , Faggioli Raffaella , Bertani Angelo , Gambini Orsola , Demartini Benedetta
Published: November 2023

Objective:

to analyze the prevalence of ADHD symptoms and traits in a heterogeneous clinical psychiatric sample of young adults (aged 18–24 years old), who referred to a specialized outpatient clinic for various psychiatric and psychological disturbances.

Method:

259 participants completed three validated self-report screening questionnaires for ADHD: the Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS), the Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Self-Report Screening Scale for DSM-5 (ASRS-5), and the Conners’ adult ADHD rating scale (CAARS).

Results:

12.4% of our sample scored above the cut-off at both the WURS and the ASRS-5 and was considered at risk of ADHD.

Conclusion:

the prevalence rate in our sample is higher than the one found in the adult general population (6.76%), and in the lower range of the one found in the adult clinical population (6.9%–38.8%). The potential role of sociodemographic (age, sex, gender identity, and employment) and comorbidity factors is discussed.
Limiting Public Expenditure to Ensure Public Debt Sustainability in the EMU
Authors: Menguy Séverine
Published: November 2023

In the European Economic and Monetary Union, the fiscal background must ensure the sustainability of the public debt, but fiscal policies must also keep enough flexibility to stabilize global economic activity in case of large shocks, as the common monetary policy becomes less efficient. In the prospect of a reform of the Fiscal Compact after the standby of European fiscal rules with the COVID-19 health crisis, and in conformity with theoretical studies underlying the advantages of such rules, the current paper suggests a rule related to nominal public expenditure excluding interest rates, with a debt feedback mechanism to ensure the sustainability of the public debt path. According to this rule, it appears that six Economic and Monetary Union member countries are particularly highly indebted and should probably control and reduce their public expenditure in order to make their public debt sustainable: France, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Portugal, and Greece.
A running-in strategy based on an efficient wear simulation model for double circular-arc spiral bevel gears
Authors: Zhong Ao , Tang Weimin , Yao Ligang , Pan Ling , Zhang Jun
Published: November 2023

A proper running-in process is necessary for double circular-arc spiral bevel gears to achieve desirable meshing performance. However, this type of gear transmission lacks a suitable running-in wear model, which brings great difficulties to the design of appropriate running-in strategies. To address this problem, the present study establishes an efficient numerical wear model to reveal the wear behavior of double circular-arc spiral bevel gear pairs, based on which a step-wise load running-in strategy is proposed. The established Archard's wear model considers the meshing characteristics of double circular-arc spiral bevel gears and sets a small threshold value, which can reflect the wear behavior of this gear in the running-in stage. To improve the computation efficiency, a two-step parameter updating strategy is proposed to enhance the iteration of p and s. The wear simulation reveals the quantitative relationship contact pressure and running-in cycle during the running-in process. Based on the reveal relationship, a step-wise load running-in strategy is proposed to sharpen the running-in period. The developed wear model and the proposed running-in strategy can be extended to other types of gears with circular-arc profiles.
Using a foreign language does not make you think more: Null effects of using a foreign language on cognitive reflection and numeracy
Authors: Milczarski Wojciech , Borkowska Anna , Paruzel-Czachura Mariola , Białek Michał
Published: November 2023

Aims and objectives/purpose/research questions:

Using a foreign language is suggested to affect how we think, even reducing bias. However, the exact mechanisms of its influence are still unknown. In this project, we tested two variants of the “thinking more” mechanism driving the foreign language effect: increased cognitive reflection and greater task engagement.

Design/methodology/approach:

We analyzed previously collected data from five experiments employing the Cognitive Reflection Test (CRT) and/or the Berlin Numeracy Test (BNT), each administered in the native or foreign language. If the increased reflection explanation is true, the CRT score should be higher in participants using a foreign language. If the greater task engagement explanation is true, the BNT score should be higher in participants using a foreign language.

Data and analysis:

We report data from N = 1,288 participants who filled the CRT and N = 413 who filled the BNT. Data were analyzed using the NHST approach and its Bayesian alternative over a spectrum of liberal, default, and conservative priors. Data are publicly available at https://osf.io/m8tn9

Findings/conclusions:

All the test results were nonsignificant and showed anecdotal to strong evidence that neither the CRT nor the BNT scores improved in the foreign language condition, also when controlling for proficiency. The proportion of intuitive to computational errors was also unaffected.

Originality:

We are the first to comprehensively test the thinking-more explanation of the foreign language effect.

Significance/Implications:

Our results undermine the claim that using a foreign language promotes more cognitive reflection or engagement. The foreign language effect likely has a different cause.
Capitalism and the state: A new materialist perspective
Authors: Fox Nick J.
Published: November 2023

This article considers how the relational, post-anthropocentric and monist ontology of the new materialisms can inform a theory of the contemporary capitalist state, and how this perspective offers a distinctive resolution of some of the negative consequences of a capitalist mode of production. It summarises Deleuze and Guattari’s analysis of capitalism as an international/ecumenical social formation, founded upon a ‘capitalist axiomatic’: namely, the free flows of capital and labour required for the everyday workings of the capitalist market. The state is a material realisation of this capitalist axiomatic. The article then undertakes a more-than-human analysis of capitalist production and markets, supply and demand, in terms of affects and assemblages. The article invokes the metaphor of a ‘black hole’ to suggest that capitalism is not merely exploitative of workers, but a formation from which neither worker nor entrepreneur can escape once a participant. Furthermore, it is these more-than-human affects that produce undesirable consequences including uncertainty, waste and social inequalities. This second analysis further refines a monist understanding of the capitalist state and suggests immediate measures to counter the unintended consequences of a market economy.
Exploration of an Prognostic Signature Related to Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Colorectal Adenocarcinoma and Their Response Targeting Immunotherapy
Authors: Xu Yu , Xie Yang-Mei , Sun Wen-Sha , Zi Rong , Lu Hong-Qiao , Xiao Le , Gong Kun-Mei , Guo Shi-Kui
Published: November 2023

Background: Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress plays a pro-apoptotic role in colorectal adenocarcinoma (COAD). This study aimed to develop a novel ER-stress-related prognostic risk model for COAD and provide support for COAD cohorts with different risk score responses to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies. Methods: TCGA-COAD and GSE39582 were included in this prospective study. Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses were performed to identify prognostic ER stress-related genes (ERSGs). Accordingly, the immune infiltration landscape and immunotherapy response in different risk groups were assessed. Finally, the expression of prognostic genes in 10 normal and 10 COAD tissue samples was verified using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: Eight prognostic genes were selected to establish an ERSG-based signature in the training set of the TCGA-COAD cohort. The accuracy of this was confirmed using a testing set of TCGA-COAD and GSE39582 cohorts. Gene set variation analysis indicated that differential functionality in high–low-risk groups was related to immune-related pathways. Corresponding to this, CD36, TIMP1, and PTGIS were significantly associated with 19 immune cells with distinct proportions between the different risk groups, such as central memory CD4T cells and central memory CD8T cells. Moreover, the risk score was considered effective for predicting the clinical response to immunotherapy, and the immunotherapy response was significantly and negatively correlated with the risk score of individuals with COAD. Furthermore, the immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment was less effective in the high-risk group, where the expression levels of PD-L1 and tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion scores in the high-risk group were significantly increased. Finally, the experimental results demonstrated that the expression trends of prognostic genes in clinical samples were consistent with the results from public databases. Conclusion: Our study established a novel risk signature to predict the COAD prognosis of patients and provide theoretical support for the clinical treatment of COAD.
The Context of Care: Abstraction Hierarchy Modeling of Therapeutic Foster Care Programs
Authors: Wurst Connor , Chen Huei-Yen Winnie , Bisantz Ann M. , Hall Seventy F. , Maggiulli Laura , Joseph Kenneth , Sage Melanie
Published: November 2023

Therapeutic foster care agencies provide temporary placements and a range of services to at-risk youth to help ensure their safety, permanency, and wellbeing. The practitioners that plan such care operate under heavy caseloads, limited resources, and high stakes. There is significant interest in supporting these practitioners with various technological interventions, but their work and the context around it is still poorly understood. This study aims to better understand the current assessment and treatment planning work in therapeutic foster care. We used the abstraction hierarchy modeling approach to outline the purposes, values, constraints, processes, and tools that define the workplace ecology encountered by care coordinators and clinicians from therapeutic foster care programs at Hillside, a collaborating human service organization. The resulting abstraction hierarchy was closely examined to identify areas for interventions and design implications.
The Efficacy and Safety of Tranexamic Acid in Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty: A Literature Review
Authors: Borsinger Tracy M. , Chandi Sonia K. , Puri Simarjeet , Debbi Eytan M. , Gausden Elizabeth B. , Chalmers Brian P.
Published: November 2023

Historically, total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have been associated with significant perioperative blood loss and a relatively high rate of allogeneic blood transfusions. However, in recent years, tranexamic acid (TXA), a competitive inhibitor of tissue plasminogen activator, inhibiting fibrinolysis of existing thrombi, has substantially decreased the need for blood transfusion in THA and TKA. Various administration strategies have been studied, but there remains a lack of consensus on an optimal route and dosing regimen, with intravenous and topical regimens being widely used. A growing body of literature has demonstrated the safety and efficacy of TXA in primary and revision THA and TKA to reduce blood loss, allogeneic transfusions, and complications; it is associated with lowered lengths of stay, costs, and readmission rates.
A Systematic Approach to Evidence-Based Design for Measurable Health and Wellness Outcomes: Curating and Translating Evidence to Practice
Authors: Harris Debra , Baker Erich , Svacina Jan , Funderburk LesLee
Published: November 2023

Objectives:

Evaluating evidence from peer-review literature for use in evidence-based design is often challenging for the design disciplines, requiring access to the peer-reviewed literature, expertise in evaluating methods and findings, and translating the results into actionable design and operational recommendations.

Purpose:

The purpose of this methods paper is to elucidate the process for systematic evaluation of research to translate evidence into practical application to improve design for occupant health and wellness.

Background:

Researchers have found strong connections in environmental design influence on health and wellness that have proven to be substantiative in the effort to improve health and well-being. Design has the capacity to encourage healthy choices and decisions within the built environment. Translation of evidence into applied design solutions may improve public health.

Methods:

A protocol is presented that culminates in the translation of evidence into design recommendations focused on improving occupant health. The protocol includes preparation for the literature search and review, search strategy, study selection, data analysis, and development of the literature review.

Results:

After evaluation of the evidence is completed, there were several positive findings in the example that stakeholders could utilize to improve the health of building occupants with programs and design to support nutrition, physical activity, and circadian entrainment.

Conclusions:

There are a variety of software tools and processes to utilize in the curation of evidence to improve the built environment with relevant design recommendations and operational considerations affecting the personal, social, and economic health of our society.
Examining motivation factors for African American students’ use of consumer wearables
Authors: White Monique , Malone Shelia , Berhie Girmay , Pizzetta Candis , Davidson Edith , Azevedo Mario , Hines Andre , Ikem Fidelis , Jones Lena M
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This study was initiated to examine factors that motivate African American students who use wearable devices at an HBCU in Mississippi.

Method

We conducted a correlational research study on undergraduate and graduate students from a southern USA university. The stratified random sample comprised a total of 239 students. The responses of the students were analyzed using the Fisher exact test to determine whether or not there was a significant association between the categorical demographic variables (age, gender, ethnicity, and student classification) and the students’ motivation for using a wearable device.

Results

Students used wearables for one main reason, to help them increase their awareness of their health status because they understand the importance of tracking their health metrics to boost their health status and reduce risk factors for developing chronic diseases. Students also demonstrated that they understand the value of tracking health information, such as heart rate and blood pressure, as a way to reduce the prevalence and impact of risk factors that can lead to chronic diseases.

Conclusions

Wearables enable individuals to regularly observe, measure, and record their physical status and physiological measures, and facilitate medication adherence by enabling individuals to maintain their prescribed medication regimen adequately. The data collected and stored through these wearables can provide data that will be useful for medical personnel in their treatment of patients and in developing strategies for prevention and intervention for the larger community.