bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Dual Impact of the Social Media Platforms on Psychological Well-being: A Multiple-Option Descriptive-Predictive Framework
Authors: Oprea Simona-Vasilica , Bâra Adela
Published: September 2024

A comprehensive and recent exploration into the relationship between Social Media Platforms (SMP) usage and Social Media Disorders (SMD) is currently investigated as a topic of increasing importance given the surge in SMP use over the last two decades. The approach of analyzing data from 479 individuals across various SMP using clustering is particularly noteworthy for identifying the risk profile of the users and understanding the diverse impacts of SMP on mental health. In this paper, a multiple-option descriptive-predictive framework for assessing the impact of the SMP on the psychological well-being is proposed. This method effectively categorizes mental health states into distinct groups, each indicating different levels of need for professional intervention. Out of 5 clustering algorithms, K-prototypes proved to bring the best results with a silhouette score of 0.596, whereas for predicting clusters, Random Forest (RF) and eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGB) outperformed K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) and Support Vector Classifier (SVC), providing the highest accuracy and F1 score (0.993). Moreover, we analyze the connectedness between each SMP, anxiety and depression. Two distinct clusters emerged: Cluster 0 “Stable Professionals”, Cluster 1 “Vibrant Students”, and new instances are seamlessly predicted. While Youtube is the most popular platform among the respondents, Instagram shows a relatively higher correlation with both anxiety (0.256) and depression (0.186), indicating a stronger association with these disorders compared to other platforms.
Mathematical discussion in classrooms as a technologically-supported activity fostering participation and inclusion
Authors: Giberti Chiara , Arzarello Ferdinando , Beltramino Silvia , Bolondi Giorgio
Published: September 2024

Whole-class mathematical discussion in a problem-solving activity is recognized as a powerful pedagogical activity but also a challenge for teachers who must consider several difficulties that learners might face, particularly in terms of an overload of Working Memory and Executive Functions. This study investigates how the use of a digital platform (Padlet) can support participatory and inclusive mathematical classroom discussion. We proposed a teaching experiment based on graphical tasks anticipating integral calculus to grade 13 students, and we examined how the use of the digital platform plays a role in the construction and interpretation of new mathematical objects emerging from the activity. The use of Instrumental Genesis and Double Instrumental Genesis frameworks allowed us to make the affordances of the tool emerge. As a result, we got evidence of how mathematical discussion may develop as a network of interactions, feedback, and connection of input and discuss examples of how active participation and inclusion are enhanced by the tool affordances. Indeed, the digital platform allowed easy interaction, with many ways to represent and express the ongoing evolution of personal and shared meanings and the possibility to manage the time of the activity. This fostered students’ participation and students which did not participate in previous discussions were actively engaged in it.
Societalized Politics in the German Civil Sphere: The 2015 “Refugee Crisis” and Post-Potsdam Civil Backlash
Authors: Mast Jason L. , Šuber Daniel
Published: September 2024

This article introduces a theory of societalized politics to investigate crisis events in the German civil sphere between 2015 and 2024, and to proffer an answer to the disputed question of the preconditions that facilitated the rapid rise of right-wing populism in the German context. Drawing on civil sphere and societalization theory, the article specifies the foundational cultural elements, or binary cultural codes (BCCs), upon which German political elites crafted meso-level narratives to contest and manage strains in the civil sphere. Through an analysis of communicative and regulative institutions’ responses to the arrival of refugees in 2015, and the publication of the Correctiv.org report and the backlash protests it inspired in 2024, the article charts the rise of the far-right party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), and explains its success as due in part to its leaders’ capacities to represent themselves and their supporters as embodying the BCC’s civil democratic signifiers. Introducing a theory of societalized politics, the analysis demonstrates a processual approach to the construction and contesting of crisis events that emerge within the civil sphere itself. The article also introduces a civil sphere theory of right-wing populism, which frames the phenomenon as the elevation of nativist, primordial signifiers born foremost of the noncivil spheres of ethnicity and religion. It concludes by arguing that while the German civil sphere is in flux, the post-Potsdam civil protests indicate a significant portion of the nation’s publics remain committed to universalistic, civil democratic principles.
An Archival Study of the Relationship Between Treatment Duration, Functioning, and Out-of-Home Placement for Youth with Serious Emotional Disturbance in a State-Wide Intensive In-Home Family Treatment Program
Authors: Jones C. Wayne , Simms Steve , Troy Jesse , Suhring Scott , Warner Dan , Byers Tara
Published: September 2024

The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Pennsylvania’s state-wide intensive in-home treatment for youth with serious emotional disturbance (SED), EcoSystemic Structural Family Therapy-Family Based Mental Health Services (ESFT-FBMHS). Despite its long history of implementation, the program remains empirically under-evaluated. In this archival study, out-of-home placement and youth functioning outcomes were compared across four tiers of length of stay. Given the high-risk population treated in ESFT-FBMHS, it was hypothesized that the families and youth who completed the full duration of treatment (169–224 days) would have better outcomes than those who stopped treatment after 168 days or less. We utilized an ex post facto quantitative research design analyzing archived medical claims data of 2251 youth treated between 2018 and 2022 to assess out-of-home placement rates and analyzed archived data from six domains of the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS; Problem Presentation, Risk Behaviors, Functioning, Child Safety, Caregiver Needs, and Child Strengths) to assess changes in youth functioning post-discharge (90 and 180 days). An analysis using generalized estimating equations (GEE), controlling for potential confounding variables such as demographics and clinical features, suggest that length of stay in ESFT-FBMHS was significantly associated with out-of-home placement and youth improvement on the CANS at both 90- and 180-days post-discharge. As a group, youth with SED who did not complete the full duration of the program had 2–3 times the odds of out-of-home placement at 90 days post-discharge and 1–3 times the odds at 180 days post-discharge as compared to program completers. CANS scores showed improvement in 40.1% of youth who completed the program as compared to only 11.7%–18.2% for those who did not. The results of this study suggest that ESFT-FBMHS is effective for youth with SED as a group and can improve youth functioning and reduce out-of-home placement.
Formation and retrieval of cell assemblies in a biologically realistic spiking neural network model of area CA3 in the mouse hippocampus
Authors: Kopsick Jeffrey D. , Kilgore Joseph A. , Adam Gina C. , Ascoli Giorgio A.
Published: September 2024

The hippocampal formation is critical for episodic memory, with area Cornu Ammonis 3 (CA3) a necessary substrate for auto-associative pattern completion. Recent theoretical and experimental evidence suggests that the formation and retrieval of cell assemblies enable these functions. Yet, how cell assemblies are formed and retrieved in a full-scale spiking neural network (SNN) of CA3 that incorporates the observed diversity of neurons and connections within this circuit is not well understood. Here, we demonstrate that a data-driven SNN model quantitatively reflecting the neuron type-specific population sizes, intrinsic electrophysiology, connectivity statistics, synaptic signaling, and long-term plasticity of the mouse CA3 is capable of robust auto-association and pattern completion via cell assemblies. Our results show that a broad range of assembly sizes could successfully and systematically retrieve patterns from heavily incomplete or corrupted cues after a limited number of presentations. Furthermore, performance was robust with respect to partial overlap of assemblies through shared cells, substantially enhancing memory capacity. These novel findings provide computational evidence that the specific biological properties of the CA3 circuit produce an effective neural substrate for associative learning in the mammalian brain.
High-throughput exploration of the Na2O-ZrO2-SiO2-P2O5 composition space using thin film material libraries
Authors: Mockute A. , Ludwig A.
Published: September 2024

The composition space Na2O-ZrO2-SiO2-P2O5 was explored using thin film material libraries and high-throughput characterization methods. The combinatorial synthesis comprised non-reactive magnetron co-sputtering at room temperature from two elemental targets Zr and Si, and a compound Na3PO4 target followed by a two-step annealing process. The NASICON phase formed for all compositions on the material library produced at the optimized deposition parameters, also displaying a phase-pure Na1+xZr2SixP3−xO12 (x = 0.4—2.9) region. Analytical TEM analysis of the NASICON phase at a measurement area with stoichiometric composition revealed a fine-grained microstructure and homogeneous Si distribution, in contrast to Na-P excess conditions, where large Si-free NASICON grains have formed.
Coupling between the photoactivity and CO2 adsorption on rapidly thermal hydrogenated vs. conventionally annealed copper oxides deposited on TiO2 nanotubes
Authors: Lipińska Wiktoria , Grochowska Katarzyna , Ryl Jacek , Karczewski Jakub , Sawczak Miroslaw , Coy Emerson , Mauritz Vincent , Crisp Ryan W. , Siuzdak Katarzyna
Published: September 2024

Highly ordered spaced titanium dioxide nanotubes were fabricated via electrochemical anodization and modified with titania nanoparticles and copper oxides. Such materials were rapidly annealed in hydrogen atmosphere or conventionally in a tube furnace in air, in which the temperature slowly increases. Applied synthesis procedure can be considered as simple, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly as it allows for reduction in used materials and enhances sustainable engineering. Manipulating the chemical composition of materials by different thermal treatments resulted in various photoelectrochemical activities and density of CO2 adsorption sites. Rapidly annealed nanotubes decorated by copper oxides exhibit excellent electrochemical properties where one electrode combines both: solar to electricity conversion (photocurrent under visible light 30 µA/cm2) and CO2 adsorption systems (18 times higher current after CO2 saturation). Rapidly thermal hydrogenated TiO2 nanotubes with copper oxides had 17 times higher photocurrent and wider absorption band (380–780 nm) than conventionally annealed ones. Furthermore, the crystal planes such as Cu (111), Cu (220), Cu2O (110), CuO (002) and Cu0, Cu+, Cu2+ oxidation states, and oxygen vacancies were recognized for hydrogenated sample. It should be highlighted that thermal annealing conditions significantly affects ability of copper oxide to CO2 adsorption and CO2 reduction reaction for hydrogenated electrode.

Graphical abstract
Luminescence and scintillation properties of TlCdCl3:Sb crystals
Authors: Ishida Miyu , Watanabe Akito , Kawamoto Hiroki , Fujimoto Yutaka , Asai Keisuke
Published: September 2024

An ideal scintillator for X- and gamma-ray detection should have a high light yield and a high effective atomic number (Zeff). In this study, we developed undoped TlCdCl3 crystals and TlCdCl3:Sb (Sb: 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mol%) crystals with high Zeff (TlCdCl3:68.7), as candidate scintillators. The crystals were grown using the self-seeding solidification method, and their photoluminescence (PL) and scintillation properties were investigated. For the undoped TlCdCl3 crystals, emission peaks were observed at 460 nm and 485 nm in the PL and X-ray-induced radioluminescence (XRL) spectra, respectively. For the TlCdCl3:Sb crystals, the PL spectra showed emission peaks at 480, 480 and 500 nm, while the XRL spectra exhibited peaks at approximately 510 nm. The emission bands of the TlCdCl3:Sb crystals were shifted to longer wavelengths than those of the undoped TlCdCl3 crystals. The scintillation decay time constants for the undoped TlCdCl3 crystals were 51 and 2613 ns, whereas for the TlCdCl3:Sb crystals, they were in the range of 65–81 and 4550–7350 ns. These results suggest that the incorporation of Sb3+ ions induces long components of several thousand nanoseconds. The redshift and appearance of these long components indicate that Sb3+ ions act as new luminescence centers in the undoped TlCdCl3 crystal. The scintillation light yield of the TlCdCl3:Sb 1.0 mol% crystal was measured at 10,300 photons/MeV. The doping of Sb3+ ions into the TlCdCl3 lattice improved the scintillation light yield by up to four times compared to the undoped TlCdCl3 crystal.
Domestic Violence and Custody Proceedings: An Analysis of Judicial Decisions in Portugal
Authors: Ferreira Ana Rita , Sani Ana Isabel
Published: September 2024

Purpose

To understand court decisions in custody cases involving allegations of domestic violence, a qualitative study was conducted among Portuguese family court magistrates.

Methods

A nonprobabilistic snowball sampling process, which involved six judges from Portuguese family courts who were authorized by the Superior Magistrate’s Court to participate in an interview, was used to construct the sample.

Results

When the data were analyzed, three main themes emerged, namely, the characteristics of the processes, the factors considered in the judicial decisions, and the impact of shared custody. The results also revealed several legal and extralegal aspects that influence judicial decisions, such as the characteristics of the violence, the mediation process, and the status attributed to victims, suggesting that there are objective and subjective factors in the perpetuation of violence.

Conclusions

Allegations of domestic violence in custody proceedings are not uncommon, and these allegations can complicate the process and delay a decision. Efforts by one parent to restrict contact with the other parent raise suspicions of attempted alienation that tend to undermine the risk assessment. There can also be overreliance on shared custody, potentially undermining children’s safety. The negative impacts of exposure to domestic violence and the instrumentalization of children are recognized, but it is questionable whether they are being prevented to the extent advocated by the Istanbul Convention. The effectiveness of communication between criminal and family courts is also debatable, despite its importance for protecting victims.
Incidence, Causes and Outcomes of Postpartum Hemorrhage in Eastern Ethiopia: A Multicenter Surveillance Study
Authors: Girma Sagni , Tura Abera Kenay , Ahmed Redwan , Knight Marian , van den Akker Thomas
Published: September 2024

Objectives

Maternal mortality remains an unfinished global agenda and postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) remains one of the leading causes. The aims of this study were to describe the incidence, underlying causes, and case fatality rate of PPH in public hospitals in eastern Ethiopia.

Methods

This study was part of a larger Ethiopian Obstetric Surveillance System (EthOSS) project — a multicenter surveillance of women admitted to 13 public hospitals in eastern Ethiopia due to any of the five major obstetric conditions: obstetric hemorrhage, eclampsia, uterine rupture, sepsis, and severe anemia – conducted from April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022. All registers in maternity units of those hospitals were reviewed to identify eligible women and collect data on sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics, management and maternal outcomes at discharge or death. Findings were reported using descriptive statistics.

Results

Among 38,782 births registered during the study period, 2043 women were admitted with at least one of the five major obstetric conditions. Of these 2043, 306 women (15%) had PPH corresponding with an incidence rate of 8 (95% CI: 7–9) per 1000 births. Uterine atony was the main underlying cause in 77%; 81% of women with PPH received at least one uterotonic drug, and 72% of women for whom blood was requested received at least one unit. Of the 70 hospital based maternal deaths, 19 (27%) died from PPH, making a case fatality rate of 6 per 100.

Conclusions

Although the overall incidence of PPH appeared low, it was still the underlying cause of death in one out of four women who died. The contributing factors might be that one in five women with PPH did not receive any uterotonic drug and the low blood transfusion. Ongoing audit, followed by targeted action, is essential to improve care quality and reduce adverse maternal outcome. The relatively low incidence may reflect under-recording in paper-based records, implying that further research into methods to optimize the surveillance is needed.
A Bhattacharyya-type Conditional Error Bound for Quadratic Discriminant Analysis
Authors: Kabán Ata , Palias Efstratios
Published: September 2024

We give an upper bound on the conditional error of Quadratic Discriminant Analysis (QDA), conditioned on parameter estimates. In the case of maximum likelihood estimation (MLE), our bound recovers the well-known Chernoff and Bhattacharyya bounds in the infinite sample limit. We perform an empirical assessment of the behaviour of our bound in a finite sample MLE setting, demonstrating good agreement with the out-of-sample error, in contrast with the simpler but uninformative estimated error, which exhibits unnatural behaviour with respect to the sample size. Furthermore, our conditional error bound is applicable whenever the QDA decision function employs parameter estimates that differ from the true parameters, including regularised QDA.
Meal Delivery Routing Problem with Stochastic Meal Preparation Times and Customer Locations
Authors: Kancharla Surendra Reddy , Van Woensel Tom , Waller S. Travis , Ukkusuri Satish V.
Published: September 2024

We investigate the Meal Delivery Routing Problem (MDRP), managing courier assignments between restaurants and customers. Our proposed variant considers uncertainties in meal preparation times and future order numbers with their locations, mirroring real challenges meal delivery providers face. Employing a rolling-horizon framework integrating Sample Average Approximation (SAA) and the Adaptive Large Neighborhood Search (ALNS) algorithm, we analyze modified Grubhub MDRP instances. Considering route planning uncertainties, our approach identifies routes at least 25% more profitable than deterministic methods reliant on expected values. Our study underscores the pivotal role of efficient meal preparation time management, impacting order rejections, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency.
Perceptions of Self-Love Among Orthodox Christians: Clinical and Pastoral Implications
Authors: Buju S.
Published: September 2024

Using an interdisciplinary, empirical perspective, the study explored Orthodox Christians’ perceptions of self-love and its relationship to love of neighbour, love of God and self-sacrifice. Three scales with good reliability were designed and used with 153 Orthodox Christian adults. The main results obtained are as follows: Orthodox Christians have positive perceptions of self-love – they do not see it as a passion or sin as it is described in Christian ascetic literature; they appreciate the importance and benefits of self-love when they perceive it as a separate reality from the love of neighbour and the love of God; some of them have negative or unclear perceptions on the relationship between self-love, love of neighbour and love of God. In this last respect the empirical results of the study contradict important philosophical and theological views. In the study, less than one-quarter of the Orthodox Christians scored high in practising healthy self-love and agreed that self-love can coexist with self-sacrifice in a certain dose or balance. The clinical and pastoral implications of the findings are discussed, and practical suggestions for intervention are proposed.
Interactions of nitrogen and phosphorus in plant nutrition - Analysis of a 60-years old field experiment
Authors: Spohn Marie
Published: September 2024

Background and aims

The aims are to determine to which extent different plant species increase nitrogen (N) acquisition in response to phosphorus (P) addition and P acquisition in response to N addition as well as to analyze resulting nutrient limitations.

Methods

The field experiment is replicated at ten sites in Sweden and comprises three fertilization regimes (low, medium, and high) each consisting of a control and a N, P, and NP treatment. Yields as well as N and P contents of the yields of four species (winter wheat, spring barley, oat, and sugar beet) were analyzed over 60 years.

Results

The relative increase in yield P in response to N fertilization was larger than the relative increase in yield N in response to P fertilization for three species. Synergistic NP co-limitation was observed for all species at some sites. The synergistic growth effect in response to NP addition occurred at more sites at high than at low fertilization. At one nutrient-poor site, all species in all fertilization regimes were (synergistically) NP co-limited. Sugar beet was (synergistically) NP co-limited at all sites in all fertilization regimes.

Conclusion

Species differed in nutrient acquisition, but most species used added N more effectively to acquire P than they used added P to acquire N. Synergistic NP co-limitation was observed for all plant species at some sites, and it increased with fertilization rate, which is likely due to the limits to which plants can use N to acquire P and P to acquire N.
On the periods of twisted moments of the Kloosterman connection
Authors: Chuang Ping-Hsun , Yu Jeng-Daw
Published: September 2024

This paper aims to study the Betti homology and de Rham cohomology of twisted symmetric powers of the Kloosterman connection of rank two on the torus. We compute the period pairing and, with respect to certain bases, interpret these associated period numbers in terms of the Bessel moments. Via the rational structures on Betti homology and de Rham cohomology, we prove the $$\mathbb {Q}$$
Q
-linear and quadratic relations among these Bessel moments.
The role of tissue oxygenation in obesity-related cardiometabolic complications
Authors: Li Geng , Meex Ruth C.R , Goossens Gijs H.
Published: September 2024

Obesity is a complex, multifactorial, chronic disease that acts as a gateway to a range of other diseases. Evidence from recent studies suggests that changes in oxygen availability in the microenvironment of metabolic organs may exert an important role in the development of obesity-related cardiometabolic complications. In this review, we will first discuss results from observational and controlled laboratory studies that examined the relationship between reduced oxygen availability and obesity-related metabolic derangements. Next, the effects of alterations in oxygen partial pressure (pO2) in the adipose tissue, skeletal muscle and the liver microenvironment on physiological processes in these key metabolic organs will be addressed, and how this might relate to cardiometabolic complications. Since many obesity-related chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and obstructive sleep apnea, are characterized by changes in pO2 in the tissue microenvironment, a better understanding of the metabolic impact of altered tissue oxygenation can provide valuable insights into the complex interplay between environmental and biological factors involved in the pathophysiology of metabolic impairments. This may ultimately contribute to the development of novel strategies to prevent and treat obesity-related cardiometabolic diseases.
How to Assess Livelihoods? Critical Reflections on the Use of Common Indicators to Capture Socioeconomic Outcomes for Ecological Restoration workers in South Africa
Authors: Pasgaard M. , Fold N.
Published: September 2024

Social outcomes from conservation and development activities on a local scale are often assessed using five livelihood assets—Natural, Physical, Human, Financial and Social—and their associated indicators. These indicators, and the variables used to measure them, are typically based on ‘common practice’ with limited attention being paid to the use of alternative indicators. In this article, we present a typical survey of socioeconomic benefits for ecological restoration workers in South Africa, and ask whether the common livelihood indicators used are adequate and sufficient, or whether any relevant indicators are missing. Results from the livelihood survey show the value of income, food and education as strong indicators of financial and human assets, and the importance of open-ended questions in eliciting details of workers’ perceived changes in their livelihoods. However, by complementing the survey results with qualitative data from semi-structured interviews and stakeholder workshops, we show how unconventional livelihood indicators and aspects provide a deeper understanding of changes in livelihoods that are tied to restoration projects. We guide scholars and practitioners to advance their process of selecting livelihood indicators, in particular to include three additional types of indicators: intangible indicators to assess life quality; relative indicators reaching across spatial and temporal scales to capture community outcomes and livelihood resilience; and, political indicators to uncover causal relationships.
Exploring preservice teachers’ social domination orientation and prejudice toward Syrian refugees: the mediation of empathy
Authors: Kirisci-Sarikaya Aylin , Guner Halim
Published: September 2024

With the global increase in refugees, understanding and improving the educational experiences of refugees has received more attention in academic research. This study aims to investigate the perspective of preservice teachers (PSTs) towards Syrian refugees, who are one of the largest groups of refugees in Turkey. The study explores the relationship between PSTs’ empathy, their social dominance orientation (SDO), and prejudice against Syrian refugees. The aim is to understand how PSTs’ perspectives on refugees can help prevent discrimination in education and develop targeted interventions and educational strategies. The study analyzed data from 726 PSTs using structural equation modelling. The findings show that there is a positive correlation between SDO and prejudice, and empathy partially mediates this relationship. Moreover, socioeconomic status and ethnicity significantly predict prejudice against refugees. The results are discussed in relation to the understanding of the bases and relations of prejudice, SDO, and empathy. The study suggests some practical implications for those working with PSTs and policymakers.
Teachers’ daily positive and negative affect and their relationship with teachers’ emotion regulation strategies and daily work engagement – results of a diary study among team teachers
Authors: Muehlbacher Franziska , Mejeh Mathias , Keller Melanie M. , Hagenauer Gerda
Published: September 2024

Team teaching as a close form of teacher collaboration entails frequent interactions between the team-teaching partners in the classroom. During these interactions, the team teachers experience a variety of positive and negative emotions, triggered by their team partner. The teachers may express or suppress these emotions, depending on their habitual use of these emotion regulation strategies. In turn, the teachers’ daily emotions may be related to an important facet of teacher well-being, namely their daily work engagement. This study aims to investigate the related factors (habitual emotion regulation, daily work engagement) of team teachers’ daily positive and negative emotions triggered by the team partner in the classroom. Forty-seven Austrian team teachers working in secondary education completed a daily diary study, consisting of 15 diary entries, measuring their habitual emotion expression and suppression strategies, their daily positive and negative affect and daily work engagement. Multilevel regression analyses were conducted. Results show that positive and negative affect and work engagement vary substantially within and between team teachers. Random-intercept fixed-slope multilevel models indicate that the habitual use of authentic display of positive emotions is associated with daily positive affect, and teachers’ daily positive and negative affect significantly relate to their daily work engagement both on the within- and between-person level. This study underscores the important role that team teachers’ emotional experiences play regarding their work engagement. We draw theoretical and practical implications for the role of emotions during team-teaching practices.
Staying on-shell: manifest properties and reformulations in particle physics
Authors: Hunt Josh
Published: September 2024

The empirical success of particle physics rests largely on an approximation method: perturbation theory. Yet even within perturbative quantum field theory, there are a variety of different formulations. This variety teaches us that reformulating approximation methods can provide a tremendous source of progress in science. Along with enabling the solution of otherwise intractable problems, reformulations clarify what we need to know to obtain solutions, which can in turn make previously hidden properties manifest. To develop these lessons, I compare and contrast three compatible formulations of perturbative QFT: (i) elementary perturbation theory, (ii) the method of Feynman diagrams, and (iii) a recent reformulation known as on-shell recursion. I propose and defend a novel account of what it means to ‘make a property manifest,’ based on the inferences that a formulation warrants.
Bidding behaviour in experimental auctions under risk and uncertainty
Authors: McCallum Chloe S. , Cerroni Simone , Derbyshire Daniel , Hutchinson W. George , Nayga Rodolfo M.
Published: September 2024

This paper explores bidding behaviour under risk and uncertainty using the Becker-DeGroot-Marschak mechanism (BDM) and second price auction (SPA). It investigates whether values elicited via the two mechanisms are consistent and whether bidding behaviour can be influenced by differences in the number and type of sources of risk and uncertainty that people face when exposed to the two mechanisms. In our experiment, subjects are exposed to non-monetary lotteries where they bid for a high-quality seafood product, but there is a chance (known or unknown) that they receive a lower quality seafood product instead. Results indicate that bidding behaviour can be influenced by the number and type of sources of risk and uncertainty that subjects face and subjects’ bidding behaviour is only consistent with standard theories of decision making under risk and uncertainty when they bid on a risky product in the SPA. Despite this, BDM and SPA elicit equal values under risk and uncertainty in this study.
Learning design for short-duration e-textile workshops: outcomes on knowledge and skills
Authors: Ioannou Andri , Miliou Ourania , Georgiou Yiannis , Timotheou Stella , Barkhuus Louise , Rode Jennifer
Published: September 2024

E-textiles provide an interesting field of research as they “blend traditional craft with modern science” (Peppler, 2016) and help learners “broaden their own perceptions of computing” (Searle et al., 2016). Despite the promising findings by primarily long-term interventions structured around e-textiles, educational curriculum reform has been slow to materialize. Educators who embrace a STEAM philosophy are more likely to endorse short workshops, integrating them in existing courses or initiatives; this could serve as a steppingstone for longer interventions and bottom-up curriculum reform. This study examines whether shorter e-textile workshops (lasting four hours) can result in significant gains in understanding. We present an investigation of e-textiles with 22 young children who have no prior experience with e-textiles or working with microprocessors. We present details of our learning design, as well as findings related to circuitry knowledge and computational making skills. We find that the children advanced their circuitry knowledge and practice a range of computational making skills. We further document a series of emerging challenges, including the children’s unwillingness to engage or lack of adeptness with software, a tension between aesthetics and construction, creativity limited by samples of previous e-textile projects, and the difficulty in grasping the materiality of e-textiles. We propose that some direct instruction and facilitation is not incompatible with the making ethos; the approach can help address these challenges, allowing young children to benefit from their participation in short-duration e-textile workshops.
Sleep Health among Community-Recruited Opioid-Using People Who Inject Drugs in Los Angeles, CA and Denver, CO
Authors: Ruth Avaion , Ganesh Siddhi S. , Shah Pooja , Gould Erin E. , Ninh Katrina , Ceasar Rachel Carmen , Duncan Dustin T. , Bluthenthal Ricky N.
Published: September 2024

Chronic insufficient and poor-quality sleep are linked to hypertension, diabetes, depression, heart attack, and stroke. While studies on substance use and sleep typically focus on people in or entering treatment, there is a lack of research on sleep health among community-recruited people who inject drugs (PWID). To address this literature gap, we examined factors associated with insufficient and poor-quality sleep among community-recruited PWID. We recruited and interviewed 472 active opioid-using PWID (injected within the last 30 days) in Los Angeles, CA and Denver, CO between 2021 and 2022. Participants completed computer-assisted interviews covering demographics, subsistence measures, drug use patterns, injection-related behaviors, health risks, and sleep duration and quality in the last 3 months. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze all variables for subjects with complete responses to sleep items (n = 464). Bivariate analyses determined factors associated with sleep measures using chi-square and t-tests. Collinear variables were removed, and binomial linear multivariable regression calculated risk ratios (RR) for insufficient and poor-quality sleep in the last 3 months. Participants exhibited low sleep duration (mean = 4.99, standard deviation (SD) = 2.70), with 76% reporting insufficient sleep and 62% poor-quality sleep. Bivariate analyses associated both sleep measures with drug use, high subsistence scores, violent victimization, and poor health outcomes. Multivariable analyses showed a high subsistence score predicting insufficient (RR = 1.31) and poor-quality sleep (RR = 1.69) compared to low subsistence. Poor sleep health is common among structurally vulnerable community-recruited PWID, as measured by subsistence index associated with adverse sleep outcomes. Further research on structural interventions to address sleep and subsequent health outcomes among PWID is imperative.
Psychische Gesundheit bei Menschen mit intellektuellen Beeinträchtigungen
Authors: Moritz Paula Charlott , Komenda-Schned Sophie , Hillenkamp Louise , Landskron Sarah Jasmin , Zeilinger Elisabeth Lucia
Published: September 2024

Menschen mit intellektuellen Beeinträchtigungen (IB) sind in ihrem Alltag mit einer Vielzahl gesundheitsbezogener Barrieren konfrontiert, die ihnen eine gleichberechtigte Teilhabe erschweren. Obwohl Menschen mit IB, wie alle anderen auch, psychisch gesund und psychisch erkrankt sein können, ist bisher unklar, was psychische Gesundheit in dieser Personengruppe ausmacht. Dieser Artikel der Zeitschrift für Psychodrama und Soziometrie gibt Einblicke in ein partizipatives Forschungsprojekt an der Universität Wien, das die Annäherung an ein gemeinsames Verständnis psychischer Gesundheit bei Menschen mit IB zum Ziel hat. Dabei werden die Perspektiven von Menschen mit IB als Expert*innen in eigener Sache und die Sichtweisen von Expert*innen aus dem Bereich psychische Gesundheit bei Menschen mit IB gleichermaßen berücksichtigt.
Location-Dependent Phase Transformation Kinetics During Laser Wire Deposition Additive Manufacturing of Ti–6Al–4V
Authors: Huck Andrew , Verma Amit K. , O’Donnell Katie , Smith Lonnie , Karra Venkata Satya Surya Amaranth , Guzel Ali , Chen Hangman , Pistorius Petrus C. , Webler Bryan A. , Rollett Anthony D.
Published: September 2024

This work models the microstructural evolution as a function of position in laser-wire deposited Ti–6Al–4V parts using a classical multi-component JMAK nucleation and growth model with additive isothermal time-steps. Model predictions are compared to experimental observations. The model can be used to interpret nucleation and growth kinetics of various characteristic features of the microstructure that are inaccessible by experiments. It explains the presence of “layer bands” at specific locations unrelated to the weld bead structure. The last re-heating (of multiple thermal cycles) of a solidified layer, and where it peaks, plays a key role in increasing the nucleation density at specific locations, resulting in full $$\alpha $$
α
-colony microstructures constituting the “layer bands,” while the rest of the build is predominantly basketweave. Additionally, changes in the basketweave $$\alpha $$
α
-lath thickness as a function of the distance from the substrate are studied and compared with an Arrhenius-type function, with results highlighting a more complex relationship than an Arrhenius-type function would suggest.
Chest wall muscle area, ventilatory efficiency and exercise capacity in systemic sclerosis
Authors: Galea Nicola , Colalillo Amalia , Paciulli Serena , Pellicano Chiara , Giannetti Martina , Possente Emanuele , Paone Gregorino , Romaniello Antonella , Muscaritoli Maurizio , Rosato Edoardo , Gigante Antonietta
Published: September 2024

To investigate the potential contribution of chest wall muscle area (CWMA) to the ventilatory efficiency and exercise capacity in patients with Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) without interstitial lung disease (ILD). Forty-four consecutive SSc patients [F = 37, median age 53.5 years (IQR 43.5–58)] were examined using chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), pulmonary function tests and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). The CWMA was evaluated at the level of the ninth thoracic vertebra on CT images by two independent evaluators blinded to the patient information. CPET parameters analyzed were maximum oxygen uptake (VO2 max) and VO2 at anaerobic threshold (VO2@AT); minute ventilation (VE); maximum tidal volume (VT). A statistically significant positive correlation was found between CWMA and maximum workload (r = 0.470, p < 0.01), VO2 max ml/min (r = 0.380, p < 0.01), VO2@AT (r = 0.343, p < 0.05), VE (r = 0.308, p < 0.05), VT (r = 0.410, p < 0.01) and VO2/heart rate (r = 0.399, p < 0.01). In multiple regression analysis, VO2 max (ml/min) was significantly associated with CWMA [β coefficient = 5.226 (95% CI 2.824, 7.628); p < 0.001], diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLco) [β coefficient = 6.749 (95% CI 1.460, 12.039); p < 0.05] and body mass index (BMI) [β coefficient = 41.481 (95% CI 8.802, 74.161); p < 0.05]. In multiple regression analysis, maximum workload was significantly associated with CWMA [β coefficient = 0.490 (95% CI 0.289, 0.691); p < 0.001], DLco [β coefficient = 0.645 (95% CI 0.202, 1.088); p < 0.01] and BMI [β coefficient = 3.747 (95% CI 1.013, 6.842); p < 0.01]. In SSc-patients without ILD, CWMA represents an important variable in exercise capacity and can be evaluated by the mediastinal window available in the HRCT images required for lung disease staging.
A frailty census of older adults in the emergency department and acute inpatient settings of a model 4 hospital in the Mid-West of Ireland
Authors: Carroll Ida , Leahy Aoife , Connor Margaret O.’ , Cunningham Nora , Corey Gillian , Delaney David , Ryan Sheila , Whiston Aoife , Galvin Rose , Barry Louise
Published: September 2024

Background

Frailty is a risk factor for presentation to the ED, in-hospital mortality, prolonged hospital stays and functional decline at discharge. Profiling the prevalence and level of frailty within the acute hospital setting is vital to ensure evidence-based practice and service development within the construct of frailty. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to establish the prevalence of frailty and co-morbidities among older adults in an acute hospital setting.

Methods

Data collection was undertaken by clinical research nurses and advanced nurse practitioners experienced in assessing older adults. All patients aged ≥ 65 years and admitted to a medical or surgical inpatient setting between 08:00 and 20:00 and who attended the ED over a 24-h period were screened using validated frailty and co-morbidity scales. Age and gender demographics, Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), Charlson Co-morbidity Index (CCI) and admitting specialty (medical/surgical) were collected. Descriptive statistics were used to profile the cohort, and p values were calculated to ascertain the significance of results.

Results

Within a sample of 413 inpatients, 291 (70%) were ≥ 65 years and therefore were included in the study. 202 of these 291 older adults (70%) were ≥ 75 years. Frailty was investigated using validated clinical cut-offs on the CFS (not frail < 5; frail ≥ 5). Comorbidities were investigated using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (mild 1–2; moderate 3–4; severe ≥ 5). The median CFS was 6 indicating moderate frailty levels, and the median CCI score was 3 denoting moderate co-morbidity. In the inpatient cohort, 245 (84%) screened positive for frailty, while 223 (75%) had moderate-severe co-morbidity (CCI Mod 3–4, severe ≥ 5). No significant differences were observed across genders for CFS and CCI. In the ED, 81 patients who attended the ED were ≥ 65 years. The median CFS was 6 (moderate frailty), and the median CCI was 5 (severe co-morbidity level). Seventy-four percent (60) of participants screened positively for frailty (CFS ≥ 5), and 31% (25) had a CFS of 7 or greater (severely frail). Ninety-six percent (78) of patients had a moderate-severe level of comorbidity. No significant associations were found between the CFS and CCI and ED participants age, gender, and medical/surgical speciality usage.

Conclusion

There is a high prevalence of frailty and co-morbidity among older adults who present to the ED and require inpatient care. This may contribute to increased waiting times, lengths of stay, and the need for specialist intervention. With an increased focus on the integration of care for older adults across care transitions, there is a clear need for expansion of frailty-based services, staff training in frailty care and multidisciplinary team resources across the hospital and community setting.
Sexual Minority Athletes Between Concealment and Disclosure: A Multilevel Perspective on Coming Out in Sport
Authors: Menzel Tobias , Braumüller Birgit , Schlunski Tim , Hartmann-Tews Ilse
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Sexual orientation disclosure is a complex, multifaceted process and has not yet been sufficiently explored with regard to LGB + athletes.

Methods

Based on a multilevel model for understanding sexual minority athletes’ (SMA) experiences in sports, we adopt a mixed-method approach, analysing data from a European survey conducted in 2018 with 1749 LGB + athletes to identify factors that influence the decision of disclosure in sports.

Results

Multivariate analyses include factors at the macro level (legal situation, population density and gender-typing of sport), meso level (composition of friendships, type of sport and performance level) and micro level (age, sexual orientation, education level and athletic capital). The analysis shows that sexual orientation disclosure is less likely when respondents were younger, had a bisexual or other sexual orientation (compared to lesbian or gay), lower athletic abilities, fewer non-heterosexual friends, participated in individual sports (rather than in team sports) and lived in a country with less inclusive LGB + laws and regulations. Responses to open-ended survey questions highlight the relevance of inclusive sport contexts in terms of trust, safety and LGB + visibility.

Conclusions

Coming out in sports is influenced by manifold factors on macro, meso and micro levels, and only few of them have gender impact.

Policy Implications

Policymakers, administrators, coaches, and teammates are relevant stakeholders in sports to establish an environment of trust and safety that eventually leads to an upward spiral of LGB + visibility and the coming out of other SMA.
How Effective is the Regional Joint Environmental Policy in China? Evidence from Inverse Difference-in-Differences
Authors: Zhang Ningning , Yu Huayi , Zhu Ke
Published: September 2024

This paper aims to evaluate the effects of the “2+26” policy launched by the Chinese government to improve air quality in Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei and its surrounding region. In order to evaluate such policy interventions, we propose a new inverse difference-in-differences (IDID) framework, which can identify the average quasi-causal effect under the inverse common trend condition. Using a baseline IDID regression model, we find that the “2+26” policy has a significant effect on improving the air quality, since the policy would reduce the value of Air Quality Index by 9.338 on average, if it had been implemented in the pre-treatment period. In the supplementary materials, we also investigate the co-existing spatial–seasonal policy effects by using several heterogeneous IDID regression models and show the remarkable long-run quasi-benefits over the quasi-costs of the “2+26” policy in Beijing and Tianjin through a cost–benefit analysis. Supplementary materials accompanying this paper appear online.