bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chronic Health Conditions and Patient Portal Use in Caregivers of People With Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias
Authors: Oh Kyeung Mi , Inoue Megumi , Koizumi Naoru , Beran Krista , Lee Jung-Ah (Anna)
Published: November 2023

This study aimed to investigate both chronic health conditions and the utilization of patient portals, focusing particularly on caregivers responsible for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). Data from the Health Information National Trends Survey 2018–2020 were analyzed, involving a sample of 304 family and unpaid caregivers of individuals with ADRD. Among caregivers of individuals with ADRD, 77.6% had at least one chronic disease. A significant proportion (46.6%) of ADRD caregivers had never accessed their patient portals. The limited utilization of patient portals among caregivers responsible for individuals with ADRD, particularly those with lower education, advanced age, and few chronic conditions, becomes apparent due to challenges associated with digital literacy and discomfort with computers. Recognizing the crucial role caregivers play for individuals with ADRD and their health risks, there’s a need for tailored training to enhance their health management skills and caregiving capabilities.
Mapping Palliative Care Availability and Accessibility: A First Step to Eradicating Access Deserts in the Low- and Middle-Income Settings
Authors: Segarmurthy Malar Velli , Lim Richard Boon-Leong , Yeat Choi Ling , Ong Yu-Xiang , Othman Salimah , Taher Sri Wahyu , Spence Dingle , Ahmad Fazlina , Sullivan Richard , Rosa William E. , Bhoo-Pathy Nirmala
Published: November 2023

Objective

Palliative care is unavailable and/or inaccessible for the majority of people in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). This study aims to determine the availability and accessibility of palliative care services in Malaysia, a middle-income country that has made good progress toward universal health coverage (UHC).

Method

Publicly available data, and databases of registered palliative care services were obtained from governmental and nongovernmental sources. Google Maps and Rome2Rio web-based applications were used to assess geographical disparities by estimating the median distance, travel time, and travel costs from every Malaysian district to the closest palliative care service.

Results

Substantial variations in availability, components, and accessibility (distance, time, and cost to access care) of palliative care services were observed. In the highly developed Central Region of Peninsular Malaysia, specialty care was available within 4 km whereas in the less-developed East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia, patients had to travel approximately 46 km. In the predominantly rural East Malaysia, basic palliative care services were 82 km away and, in some instances, where land connectivity was scarce, it took 2.5 h to access care via boat. The corresponding median travel costs were USD2 (RM9) and USD23 (RM114) in Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia.

Conclusion

The stark urban–rural divide in the availability and accessibility of palliative care services even in a setting that has made good progress toward UHC highlights the urgent need for decentralization of palliative care in the LMICs. This may be achieved by capacity building and task shifting in primary care and community settings.
Comparison of SAT and SBT Conduct During the ABC Trial and PILOT Trial
Authors: Alkhateeb Tuqa , Semler Matthew W. , Girard Timothy D. , Ely E. Wesley , Stollings Joanna L.
Published: November 2023

Background

Implementation of the “B” element—both spontaneous awakening trials (SATs) and spontaneous breathing trials (SBTs)—of the ABCDEF bundle improves the outcomes for mechanically ventilated patients. In 2021, the Pragmatic Investigation of optimal Oxygen Targets (PILOT) trial investigating optimal oxygenation targets in patients on mechanical ventilation was completed.

Objectives

To compare SAT and SBT conduct between a randomized controlled trial and current clinical care.

Methods

The 2008 Awakening and Breathing Controlled (ABC) Trial (2003-2006) randomized mechanically ventilated patients to paired SATs and SBTs versus sedation per usual care plus SBTs. The PILOT trial (2018-2021) enrolled patients years later where SAT + SBT conduct was observed. We compared SAT and SBT conduct in ABC's interventional group (SAT + SBT; n = 167, 1140 patient days) to that in PILOT (n = 2083, 8355 patient days).

Results

Spontaneous awakening trial safety screens were done in all 1140 ABC patient-days on sedation and/or analgesia and in 3889 of 4228 (92%) in PILOT. Spontaneous awakening trial safety screens were passed in 939 of 1140 (82%) instances in ABC versus only 1897 of 3889 (49%) in PILOT. Interestingly, SAT was performed in ≥95% of passed SAT safety screens in both trials and was passed in 837 of 895 (94%) in ABC versus 1145 of 1867 (61%) in PILOT. SBT safety screens were performed in all 983 ABC instances and 8031 of 8370 (96%) in PILOT. SBT safety screens were passed in 647 of 983 (66%) in ABC versus 4475 of 8031 (56%) in PILOT. Spontaneous breathing trial was performed in ≥93% of passed SBT safety screens in both trials and was passed in 319 of 603 (53%) in ABC versus 3337 of 4454 (75%) in PILOT.

Conclusion

This study compared SAT/SBT conduction in an ideal setting to real-world practice, 13 years later. Performance of SAT/SBT safety screens, SATs, and SBTs between a definitive clinical trial (ABC) as compared to current clinical care (PILOT) remained high.
“We Try to Fix Things Quietly, and We Do Not Take Revenge”: Christian Arab Teachers’ Experiences Coping with Child Sexual Abuse Among Their Pupils in Israel
Authors: Sigad Laura Ilene , Shehadeh Kathrin , Lusky-Weisrose Efrat , Tener Dafna
Published: November 2023

Teachers are at the frontlines of the fight to identify and cope with child sexual abuse (CSA) among their pupils. Their methods of coping with CSA cases, both personally and professionally, are strongly influenced by their socio-cultural contexts and religious beliefs. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the experiences of Christian Arab teachers in Israel coping with the CSA of their pupils. Twelve Christian Arab elementary school teachers in Israel were recruited for the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and a qualitative thematic analysis was employed based on a descriptive phenomenological-psychological approach. Two key themes emerged from the analysis: (a) The teachers’ intense emotional reactions regarding the CSA of their students and the empowerment some found in handling such difficult situations, and (b) The teachers’ Christian beliefs and identity strongly affected their understanding of CSA and their approach to intervention. The findings indicated the dialectical position of the teachers’ religio-cultural context, particularly the duality of the Christian value of forgiveness, a powerful resource for their coping, yet with adverse implications for children’s vulnerability. This unique risk should inform training teachers regarding CSA matters. Teachers must also have systems that support them and allow them to reflectively examine their coping styles.
Mate or Menace? Exploring Organizational Identity Threats in Nonprofit-Business Partnerships
Authors: Kandel India J. , Baluch Alina M. , Piening Erk P.
Published: November 2023

Nonprofit organizations frequently engage in partnerships with profit-oriented businesses to fulfill their goals and social mission. Although nonprofit-business partnerships can benefit both parties, they are a potential source of intra-organizational controversy and conflict, especially when social objectives clash with business interests. An increasingly recognized risk of nonprofit-business partnerships lies in organizational identity threats. Adopting a sensemaking perspective, we investigate how nonprofit members make sense of nonprofit-business partnerships and how these appraisal processes influence whether they perceive these inter-organizational partnerships as organizational identity threats. Our qualitative study draws on semi-structured interviews and shows that nonprofit members’ evaluations of partnership congruence (i.e., the perceived fit of a partnership with members’ organizational identity expectations) and partnership relevance (i.e., the perceived meaning of a partnership for an organization’s identity) influence whether they perceive partnerships as organizational identity threats. In doing so, we extend research on organizational identity threats (and opportunities) of nonprofit-business partnerships.
Sliding mode control of AUV trajectory tracking in the presence of disturbance
Authors: Jalalnezhad Mostafa , Fazeli Sadegh
Published: November 2023

In this paper, trajectory tracking control of AUV in the horizontal plane is investigated. Due to the disturbances in ocean environment, as well as uncertainty of AUV parameters, a two-layer adaptive and robust control is proposed. The conventional sliding mode control as a robust and nonlinear control technique is one of the most applicable methods for AUVs. Unfortunately, it leads to a chattering that is an undesirable phenomenon for driver and motors circuits of AUV. The bound of the switching part of the control signal in the sliding mode control, which is chosen according to disturbances, is a cause of chattering. The greater the gain of the switching control, the lower the tracking error, and the chattering takes place instead. Therefore, a compromise between chattering and tracking error should be made. Combination of adaptive and sliding mode control, while increasing the robustness against disturbances, is also effective in reducing chattering. Furthermore, disturbance is estimated by an adaptive scheme. Using estimationed data, the control effort is calculated and applied to the control system. As a result, chattering decreases and robustness against disturbance is also maintained. In the proposed method, the control objectives are realized by using an adaptive controller based on the conventional sliding mode control; which is robust against the uncertainty and disturbance caused by ocean waves, assuming that the disturbance and its derivative are bounded by unknown boundary values. This methodology is based on a two-layer adaptive law which is not dependent upon the prior knowledge of disturbance boundary and its derivative. The stability of the proposed adaptive-robust control law is proved by the use of Lyapunov theory and the controller's performance is verified through the simulation results. The proposed controller performance is evaluated, in terms of error and control effort. According to the results of comparison and investigation in various disturbance scenarios, the tracking error in the proposed control is found much less than the conventional sliding mode control. In addition, the amplitude of control effort is greater in conventional sliding mode control and is accompanied by chattering, while no chattering is observed in the proposed adaptive-robust control, when the required amplitude of the control effort is estimated. The study is verified through analytical approach as well as simulations.
Computational simulation of applying mechanical vibration to mesenchymal stem cell for mechanical modulation toward bone tissue engineering
Authors: Mohseni Mohammadreza , Vahidi Bahman , Azizi Hamidreza
Published: November 2023

Evaluation of cell response to mechanical stimuli at in vitro conditions is known as one of the important issues for modulating cell behavior. Mechanical stimuli, including mechanical vibration and oscillatory fluid flow, act as important biophysical signals for the mechanical modulation of stem cells. In the present study, mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) consists of cytoplasm, nucleus, actin, and microtubule. Also, integrin and primary cilium were considered as mechanoreceptors. In this study, the combined effect of vibration and oscillatory fluid flow on the cell and its components were investigated using numerical modeling. The results of the FEM and FSI model showed that the cell response (stress and strain values) at the frequency of [Formula: see text] mechanical vibration has the highest value. The achieved results on shear stress caused by the fluid flow on the cell showed that the cell experiences shear stress in the range of [Formula: see text]. Mechanoreceptors that bind separately to the cell surface, can be highly stimulated by hydrodynamic pressure and, therefore, can play a role in the mechanical modulation of MSCs at in vitro conditions. The results of this research can be effective in future studies to optimize the conditions of mechanical stimuli applied to the cell culture medium and to determine the mechanisms involved in mechanotransduction.
Form-finding using the Force Density Method: Existence of solutions, singularities, and an analogy to electric circuits
Authors: Guerra Riaño Andrés F , Várkonyi Péter L
Published: November 2023

The Force Density Method is the oldest computational method for form-finding of funicular structures. The method is based on solving a linear system of equilibrium equations. Linearity ensures existence and uniqueness of the solution, provided that the coefficient matrix is non-singular. In the opposite case, the method often fails to deliver a feasible solution. In this study, we highlight a mathematical analogy between force density networks and electric circuits. Motivated by standard reduction steps in networks of electric resistors, inductors, or capacitors, we develop a new sequential reduction technique applicable to networks of force density elements. Network reduction enables analytic detection of singularity in many cases. Several examples illustrate the feasibility of the proposed singularity test, furthermore the role of singularities in classification of emergent structural forms is discussed.
Spatiotemporal heterogeneity of the impact of renewable energy and energy efficiency on carbon dioxide emissions in Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership member countries
Authors: Li Minjie , Chen Yihui
Published: November 2023

As a major greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide emissions (CO2E) are the main cause of global warming and environmental pollution. Thus, the reduction in carbon emissions has become a global concern. The widespread use of renewable energy and the improvement of energy efficiency seem to provide a feasible path for countries to achieve carbon emissions reduction, and have received the attention of governments and academics. However, very little literature has focused on the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of the effects of renewable energy use and energy efficiency on carbon emission intensity. This study applies the geographically and temporally weighted regression (GTWR) model and complies with a balanced panel of data from member countries of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) between 2000 and 2019 to investigate the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of the effects of renewable energy and energy efficiency on CO2E. The results show that CO2E per capita (CO2EP) increases over time, but its distribution across RCEP member countries remains largely stable. Overall, the usage of renewable energy tends to decrease CO2EP, while energy efficiency tends to increase it. However, with the passage of time and changes in geographical location, renewable energy consumption and energy efficiency show significant temporal and spatial heterogeneity in their effects on CO2EP of RCEP member countries. Additionally, the effects of industrial structure, merchandise trade, urbanization rate, and energy poverty on CO2EP of RCEP member countries are also characterized by spatial and temporal heterogeneity.
Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improve the Status of Hypoxic/Ischemic Cerebral Palsy Rats by Downregulating NogoA/NgR/Rho Pathway
Authors: Luo Yaoling , Qu Jiayang , He Zhengyi , Zhang Minhong , Zou Zhengwei , Li Lincai , Zhang Yuxian , Ye Junsong
Published: November 2023

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSC) have shown promising potential in ameliorating brain injury, but the mechanism is unclear. We explore the role of NogoA/NgR/Rho pathway in mediating hUCMSC to improve neurobehavioral status and alleviate brain injury in hypoxia/ischemia-induced CP (cerebral palsy) rat model in order to promote the clinical application of stem cell therapy in CP. The injury model of HT22 cells was established after 3 h hypoxia, and then co-cultured with hUCMSC. The rat model of CP was established by ligation of the left common carotid artery for 2.5 h. Subsequently, hUCMSC was administered via the tail vein once a week for a total of four times. The neurobehavioral status of CP rats was determined by behavioral experiment, and the pathological brain injury was determined by pathological staining method. The mRNA and protein expressions of NogoA, NgR, RhoA, Rac1, and CDC42 in brain tissues of rats in all groups and cell groups were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), Western blot, and immunofluorescence. The CP rats exhibited obvious motor function abnormalities and pathological damage. Compared with the control group, hUCMSC transplantation could significantly improve the neurobehavioral situation and attenuate brain pathological injury in CP rats. The relative expression of NogoA, NgR, RhoA mRNA, and protein in brain tissues of rats in the CP group was significantly higher than the rats in the sham and CP+hUCMSC group. The relative expression of Rac1, CDC42 mRNA, and protein in brain tissues of rats in the CP group was significantly lower than the rats in the sham and CP+hUCMSC group. The animal experiment results were consistent with the experimental trend of hypoxic injury of HT22 cells. This study confirmed that hUCMSC can efficiently improve neurobehavioral status and alleviate brain injury in hypoxia/ischemia-induced CP rat model and HT22 cell model through downregulating the NogoA/NgR/Rho pathway.
Strategic Flexibility of IRCTC in Commercialization of Indian Railways
Authors: Pancholi Namrata , Chaudhary Mona
Published: November 2023

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC), a public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Railways, was established to commercialize Indian Railways. Since its establishment, catering services became its key source of business. In July 2010, the Ministry of Railways announced a new mandate. The mandate was a serious jolt for IRCTC. Besides losing a major revenue source, IRCTC was also directed to revamp itself completely. The case majorly focuses on the strategy adopted by it to revamp and recover the loss occurring from the revised policy of the ministry. The case also describes the strategic initiatives taken by IRCTC while discharging the new mandate of the year 2010.
Agrarian Urbanism and Vernacular Capital in India
Authors: Upadhya Carol
Published: November 2023

Thomas Cowan. Subaltern Frontiers: Agrarian City-Making in Gurgaon (Cambridge University Press, 2022), 220 pp. $94.99. ISBN-13: 978-1-0091-0047-2 (E-book).

Sushmita Pati. Properties of Rent: Community, Capital and Politics in Globalising Delhi (Cambridge University Press, 2022), 320 pp. ₹995. ISBN-13: 978-1-0091-0047-2 (hard cover).
Dengue Virus: Molecular Biology and Recent Developments in Control Strategies, Prevention, Management, and Therapeutics
Authors: Hershan Almonther Abdullah
Published: November 2023

Dengue is a viral infection caused by one of four serotypes of dengue virus (DENV), which is responsible for causing potentially life-threatening disease and substantial public health as well as economic burden worldwide. The non-structural and structural proteins of DENV are essential to its viral activity and pathogenesis. Unfortunately, despite numerous efforts, there is still no cure for dengue. Most of the available therapeutic options only provide symptomatic treatment. Since there is a lack of cure and dengue-related substantial economic and public health burden, a safe and effective dengue vaccine is urgently required. Currently, there is only one approved dengue vaccine available that provides suboptimal protection; however, a range of other dengue vaccines are under development to lower the infection burden and decrease dengue morbidities. In addition, numerous dengue therapeutics are also being developed, which have great potential in dengue treatment. These therapeutics mostly act by decreasing viral replication, vascular pathologies, and/or inflammation. This review comprehensively summarizes the latest update on dengue vaccines and therapeutics. Moreover, various other important aspects of DENV, including molecular biology, pathogenesis, and control strategies, have also been discussed.
Team Membership Change Events: Processes That Support Gender Diverse Teams
Authors: Feitosa Jennifer , Davis Alicia S. , Romain Reggie , Delice Fabrice
Published: November 2023

Recent global events have triggered compositional changes in the workplace (e.g., intentional diversification and sudden team member removal). This study investigates whether team gender diversity and the novelty of membership changes moderate the relationship between team processes and performance. We found that development of team confidence plays a pivotal role in shaping performance through its influence on backup behavior. Moreover, gender-balanced teams were better at translating their confidence into backup behaviors, and teams experiencing reduced novelty during membership change events tend to leverage these behaviors more effectively, leading to enhanced overall performance. We explored several theoretical and practical implications.
Stigma Related to Observable Symptoms, But Not Stimulant Medication Use, in Young Women With ADHD
Authors: Canu Will H. , Cave M. Jamie , Nelson Jennifer M.
Published: November 2023

Objective:

ADHD is associated with stigma, but whether stimulant medication use contributes to this is unknown. We examined how perception of a young woman may be influenced by visible ADHD symptoms and/or prescribed stimulant medication use (PSMU).

Method:

Three-hundred-fourteen undergraduates were randomly assigned to watch one of four videos: a woman portraying (a) neither symptoms of ADHD nor PSMU, (b) no ADHD symptoms but disclosing PSMU, (c) ADHD symptoms but no PSMU, or (d) both ADHD symptoms and PSMU. Participants then completed measures of their liking of and desire for affiliation with the woman.

Results:

Analyses suggest that visible symptoms of ADHD were perceived negatively and are associated with less liking and desire for affiliation. PSMU was associated with negligible additive stigma.

Conclusion:

This supports that noticeable ADHD symptoms may be the primary driver of the stigma associated with the disorder, and specifically that directed at young women with ADHD.
Hypergraph-based locality-enhancing methods for graph operations in Big Data applications
Authors: Akbudak Kadir
Published: November 2023

The need for speeding up data analytics increases inevitably due to the need for extracting valuable information from social media, data generated by smart devices with sensors, patterns of people’s communications over the web, items viewed and bought by global-scale customers, cloud applications, etc., all of which take part in the “Big Data.” Such kind of interaction data is very well represented as sparse graphs to enable the graph analytics, which requires efficient underlying kernels. The breadth-first search (BFS)-based traversal is a commonly used kernel in graph algorithms such as the betweenness centrality algorithm for centrality analysis. In this work, we focus on parallel BFS operations and propose hypergraph-based combinatorial models that aim at reducing cache misses and hence exploiting data locality during the parallel BFS operations. Our models are based on finding new vertex visit orders so that locality in accessing the data associated with vertices is exploited. Experiments on graphs arising in a wide range of applications show that our proposed models achieve on average 9% performance improvement in the CPU-based Ligra data analytics framework.
In Silico Identification of Natural Food Compounds as Potential Quorum-Sensing Inhibitors Targeting the LasR Receptor of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Magri Meryam , Bouricha El Mehdi , Hakmi Mohammed , Jaoudi Rachid EL , Belyamani Lahcen , Ibrahimi Azeddine
Published: November 2023

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a major cause of nosocomial infections and is often associated with biofilm-mediated antibiotic resistance. The LasR protein is a key component of the quorum system in P. aeruginosa, allowing it to regulate its biofilm-induced pathogenicity. When the bacterial population reaches a sufficient density, the accumulation of N-(3-oxododecanoyl) acyl homoserine lactone (3O-C12-HSL) leads to the activation of the LasR receptor, which then acts as a transcriptional activator of target genes involved in biofilm formation and virulence, thereby increasing the bacteria’s antibiotic resistance and enhancing its virulence. In this study, we performed a structure-based virtual screening of a natural food database of 10 997 compounds against the crystal structure of the ligand-binding domain of the LasR receptor (PDB ID: 3IX4). This allowed us to identify four molecules, namely ZINC000001580795, ZINC000014819517, ZINC000014708292, and ZINC000004098719, that exhibited a favorable binding mode and docking scores greater than −13 kcal/mol. Furthermore, the molecular dynamics simulation showed that these four molecules formed stable complexes with LasR during the 150-ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, indicating their potential for use as inhibitors of the LasR receptor in P. aeruginosa. However, further experimental validation is needed to confirm their activity.
Smoking during pregnancy and risk of multiple sclerosis in offspring and mother: A Danish nationwide register-based cohort study
Authors: Nielsen Nete Munk , Frisch Morten , Gørtz Sanne , Stenager Egon , Skogstrand Kristin , Hougaard David M , Ascherio Alberto , Rostgaard Klaus , Hjalgrim Henrik
Published: November 2023

Background:

The association between intra-uterine exposure to maternal smoking and risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) has been little studied and with conflicting results.

Objective:

To examine the risk of MS in offspring exposed intra-uterine to maternal smoking. In addition, to re-examine prior observations of an elevated risk of MS among smokers, assuming that self-reported smoking during pregnancy reflects the woman’s general smoking habits.

Methods:

The study cohort included all Danish women, pregnant in the period 1991–2018, ( n = 789,299) and singletons from these pregnancies ( n = 879,135). Nationwide information on maternal smoking during pregnancy and MS cases in the study cohort were obtained from the Medical Birth Register and the National Patient Register. Cox regression analysis was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for the association between smoking and MS risk.

Results:

Women who smoked during pregnancy had a 42% increased risk of developing MS compared with non-smoking women (HR = 1.42 (1.32–1.52), n = 1,296). The risk of MS among singletons of women who smoked during pregnancy was 38% higher than that among singletons born to non-smoking women (HR = 1.38 (1.08–1.76), n = 110).

Conclusion:

Our observations add further to the evidence implicating smoking in the development of MS and suggest that intra-uterine exposure to tobacco smoke may increase MS risk.
Mapping globalised Chinese webnovels: Genre blending, cultural hybridity, and the complexity of transcultural storytelling
Authors: Ren Xiang
Published: November 2023

Recent years have seen a significant surge in the global popularity of Chinese webnovels as an emerging form of participatory transcultural storytelling. This research combines computational and interpretive textual analysis to map the cultural features embedded in webnovel content, aiming to identify the genre elements, common lexicon, and story themes of 4040 translated Chinese webnovels on global platforms. The analysis shows the hybridisation of Chinese cultures, digital cultures, and genre fiction elements in webnovel storytelling, contributing to the growing spectrum of diverse voices in international self-publishing. Simultaneously, webnovels depict a varied mosaic of imagined China, based on both cultural sharing and nonsharing within today's complex Chinese society and beyond the notion of ‘Chineseness’ rooted in common heritage or official values, amplifying diverse perspectives like subcultures and resistances in transcultural storytelling. While webnovels bear witness to China's cultural outreach and digital prowess converging in a new storytelling form, this research posits that their cultural production remains bound within a material process where borderless digital cultures collide with the imposed boundaries of platformed publishing and government control.
Operational modal identification of structures based on improved empirical wavelet transform
Authors: Xia Qi , Li Dan , Hu Yi-ding , Yang Ya-ru , Deng Wei-yao
Published: November 2023

When empirical wavelet transform (EWT) is used to identify the modal parameters of civil engineering structures, the frequency band division is generally not accurate due to the noise effect on the Fourier spectrum. This phenomenon will lead to modal mixing and false modes in the analysis results. Therefore, this article establishes a signal frequency band division method by taking advantages of maximal spectrum technique and spectral skewness index. Combining the random decrement technique (RDT) and the least square method of single component modal parameter identification, an adaptive approach based on the improved EWT for operational modal parameter identification of civil engineering structures under stationary environmental excitations is proposed. The traditional frequency band division method based on EWT can not completely and effectively divide the meaningful frequency bands. While the proposed frequency band division technology based on the spectral skewness index can prevent the phenomenon of insufficient division and excessive division and realize adaptive frequency band division. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is validated by a numerical three-story frame and a field three-span concrete box girder bridge under ambient vibrations. The modal identification results from both numerical and experimental validations demonstrate that the proposed approach can effectively and accurately decompose the vibration responses and identify the structural modal parameters under operational conditions.
Vibration and stability analyses of rotor–bearing-casing system in an axial piston pump subjected to bearing faults
Authors: Wu ZhuJin , Tang Hesheng , Ying Pingting , Ren Yan , Kumar Anil
Published: November 2023

Healthy roller bearings are essential for the safe performance of axial piston pumps. A dynamic failure model of a rotor–bearing-casing system was developed to investigate the effect of bearing damage on the vibration characteristics and stability. This model considers the effect of large-gap circulation on a wet rotor system model, which is closely related to the stirring conditions during actual operation of axial piston pumps. The stator and rotor of the pump were modelled using the centralised parameter technique and finite element method, which were combined to develop the rotor–bearing-casing model. Vibration and stability analyses were performed for the system model with bearing failure, considering the gap annular flow and hydraulic excitation force. The effects of the mass eccentricity, rotational speed, and discharge pressure on the vibration characteristics and stability were analysed under different types of bearing failures. Furthermore, the vibration behaviour of the rotor–bearing-casing system with a bearing fault was measured to validate the established dynamic model. The results indicated that the rotational speed and rotor eccentricity affected the churning and unbalanced effects of the rotor. With an increase in the rotor eccentricity, the rotor first transitioned from nonlinear motion to one-period motion and subsequently to periodic motion. The rotor energy reduction and steady state of the rotor–bearing-casing system were induced by the rotor churning action. As the annular gap decreased, churning losses increased, resulting in a more stable rotor motion.
Book review: Myers, G. 2020: Rethinking Urbanism: Lessons from Postcolonialism and the Global South
Authors: Sianes Antonio
Published: November 2023

Myers, G. 2020: Rethinking Urbanism: Lessons from Postcolonialism and the Global South. Bristol: Bristol University Press. 250pp., £79.99. ISBN: 9781529204452 (paperback).
Thermal efficiency optimization of a single cylinder gasoline engine based on active jet ignition
Authors: Zhao Ziqing , Qi Yunliang , Wang Zhi
Published: November 2023

Jet ignition is a promising technology for improving the thermal efficiency of internal combustion engines (ICEs). To achieve the highest possible thermal efficiency, the jet ignition strategy was studied on a gasoline engine. Firstly, a combustion process featuring three stages of heat release, based on uniformly distributed jet ignition, was proposed. Next, the geometric structure of an active jet igniter was optimized using numerical simulations. Using the designed jet igniter, the effects of engine operating conditions were explored, including auxiliary fuel injection in the jet igniter, gross excess air ratio, and engine load and speed, with the goal of maximizing thermal efficiency. A highest indicated thermal efficiency of 50.3% was achieved, verifying the effectiveness of the proposed combustion strategy with uniformly distributed jet ignition. This study provides a technical reference for developing high-efficiency gasoline engines using jet ignition.
Possible approaches to the study of emissions from ships during their operations in ports
Authors: Ergin Selma , Mocerino Luigia , Quaranta Franco
Published: November 2023

The emissions from ships are the key factor influencing the air quality near large ports. Although ship emissions are difficult to quantify, doing so can help port management find logistical solutions that can reduce the impact of having a large number of giant ships in a limited space. The joint study between the University of Naples and Istanbul Technical University, which focuses on the investigation of ship emissions in ports, is presented in this paper. It is expected that this study will lead to create new techniques for calculating, measuring, and validating emissions from ships at ports.
Old habits die hard: Assessing the validity of using homicide as an indicator of other violent crimes
Authors: van Breen Jolien , Rabolini Arnaldo , Liem Marieke
Published: November 2023

Homicide statistics are often used as an indicator for violent crime more generally. In this work, we evaluate the empirical support for this convention in a Western European context, specifically the Netherlands. Using data from Statistics Netherlands (CBS) and from the Dutch Homicide Monitor, we compare homicide rates to rates of other violent crimes between 2010 and 2020. Results show that homicide and violent crimes are related in a general sense, but it is difficult to say what those relationships look like concretely. In other words, there is an empirical relationship between homicide and the overarching concept of violent crime, but relationships between homicide and individual violent crimes vary considerably. Based on these findings, we advise that researchers tread carefully when using homicide as an indicator of violent crime.
More Diverse and Equal: Insights on Moving From “Real-Life” to “Remote” Practicum Experiences and Career Development From Undergraduate Global Public Health Students During COVID-19
Authors: Upton Rebecca L.
Published: November 2023

A key facet to typical undergraduate or graduate global public health programs is an applied practice experience (a practicum) that culminates in shared results and public presentations (e.g., research posters, conference and working papers, needs assessments). Requirements vary by program but may be between 80 and 200 hours of experiential learning. While not required by all undergraduate programs in global public health, a practicum occurs as part of a semester of coursework or internship experience after students have declared the major/minor or have completed an expected number of courses. Some students report that the practicum experience, while essential to their career development and future opportunities, presents certain challenges in terms of access. Practicum opportunities can be rife with assumptions that social networks, privilege, and implicit bias affect and even predict the ability to secure an effective, doable, and career-advantageous project. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic meant that much of the applied and experiential aspects of a practicum were necessarily shifted from “realworld” experiences to virtual and “remote” contexts. This article highlights insights from students enrolled in undergraduate global public health programs who were planning “real-life”, more “traditional” practicum experiences, and had to necessarily move to “remote” and online engagement. These cases suggest that participation in virtual fieldsites is seen as legitimate, fulfilling for students and stakeholders, and can increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in the public health curricula; fostering best practices in career development.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Complex Aortic Aneurysm Surgery
Authors: Palmier Mickael , Bosse Côme , Nana Petroula , Le Houérou Thomas , Tyrrell Mark , Guihaire Julien , Fabre Dominique , Haulon Stéphan
Published: November 2023

Introduction:

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID on total case load and peri-operative outcomes in patients undergoing open surgical repair (OSR) and endovascular repair (ER) of complex aortic aneurysms (cAAs).

Methods:

A single-center retrospective analysis of prospective data of patients managed with elective cAA ER or OSR from January 2018 to December 2021 was conducted. A comparative analysis on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the case volume and on the 30-day outcomes was assessed using time periods, before (2018–2019) and during the pandemic (2020–2021).

Results:

During the 4-year study period, 255 patients with cAA were managed with ER and 576 with OSR. The pandemic did not reduce the cAA ER volume (p=0.12), but a statistically significant reduction in OSR case load was recorded (p=0.04). Following OSR, hospital length of stay (11.1 vs 10.3 days), and early mortality (6.94% vs 4.63%), were similar before and during the pandemic. In the ER cohort, baseline characteristics, early mortality (3.6% vs 4.1%, p=0.976), and morbidity (10% vs 14%, p=0.44), were comparable during the 2 periods. For ER cases, the hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) stay both decreased significantly (8±8–6±7 days, p<0.001 and 2±4 vs 1±6 days p=0.01, respectively) during the pandemic.

Conclusion:

Resource pressures drove modifications in clinical practice to reduce the length of hospitalization, without compromising the clinical outcomes, in patients undergoing ER of cAA. This modification was not effective in patients undergoing OSR that resulted in a significant decrease of this activity.

Clinical Impact

The pandemic did not reduce complex endovascular repair (ER) volume (p=0.12) while a significant reduction in open surgical repair (OSR) case load was recorded (p=0.04). For the endovascular cohort, early mortality (p=0.976) and morbidity (p=0.44) remained stable, while the hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) stay decreased (p<0.001 and p=0.01, respectively) during the pandemic.
Impact of Renal Replacement Therapy on Rejection among Liver Transplant Recipients
Authors: Farghaly Sara , Sparkes Tracy , Masters Brian , Haririan Abdolreza , Jakhete Neha , Maluf Daniel , Barth Rolf N , Freedman Sari
Published: November 2023

Introduction: Renal dysfunction in liver transplant recipients is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality, with an even higher risk among patients requiring renal replacement therapy. There is limited data evaluating rejection outcomes in patients requiring renal replacement therapy after liver transplant. Program evaluation aims: To evaluate the incidence of biopsy-proven acute rejection, recipient and graft survival, infection, renal dysfunction, and immunosuppression practices. Design: This was a single-center, retrospective, cohort study. To be eligible, patients were deceased donor liver transplant recipients ≥18 year of age transplanted between January 2017 and August 2019 who received steroid-only induction and tacrolimus as part of their initial immunosuppression regimen. Results: Recipients that required renal replacement therapy (N  =  86) were compared to those who received no renal replacement therapy (N  =  158). Biopsy-proven acute rejection at 1-year posttransplant was significantly higher among those requiring renal replacement therapy (36% vs 13%, P < .001). Patient survival at 12 months was 77% for those requiring renal replacement therapy and 94% for those not requiring renal replacement therapy ( P < .001). Infection (HR 3.8, 95% CI 1.6-8.8; P < .001), but not rejection (HR 0.7, 95% CI 0.3-1.7; P  =  .5) was an independent predictor of mortality. The use of renal replacement therapy after liver transplant necessitated careful titration of immunosuppression to balance the detrimental risks of infection versus rejection in this high-risk population.
Role of Exosomal Non-Coding RNA in the Tumour Microenvironment of Genitourinary System Tumours
Authors: Wu Shuang , Mu Chao , Sun Jia-jia , Hu Xin-rong , Yao Yun-hong
Published: November 2023

In recent years, genitourinary system tumors are common in people of all ages, seriously affecting the quality of life of patients, the pathogenesis and treatment of these diseases are constantly being updated and improved. Exosomes, with a lipid bilayer that enable delivery of their contents into body fluids or other cells. Exosomes can regulate the tumor microenvironment, and play an important role in tumor development. In turn, cellular and non-cellular components of tumor microenvironment also affect the occurrence, progression, invasion and metastasis of tumor. Non-coding RNAs have been shown to be able to be ingested and released by exosomes, and are seen as a potential tool in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Here, we summarize the effect of non-coding RNAs of exosome contents on the tumor microenvironment of genitourinary system tumor, expound the significance of non-coding RNAs of exosome in the occurrence, development, diagnosis and treatment of cancers.
Merging Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with Exposure Exercises to Treat Social Anxiety in a Teen
Authors: Farley Caleb D. , Twohig Michael P.
Published: November 2023

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) often develops during teenager years, and it is important to conceptualize developmentally appropriate interventions. Exposure therapy framed from a perspective of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) shows promise for decreasing pathology and increasing wellbeing. This case illustrates the process through which exposure therapy was integrated with ACT to elicit meaningful outcomes in a case of SAD with a 16-year-old female. Treatment outcomes assessed included engagement in values-based activities as well as assessments of depression, anxiety, experiential avoidance, and context-specific wellness. Intervention focused on learning ACT principles through relatable metaphors and experiential exercises and practicing them with values-guided social exposures. This integration resulted in increased engagement of socially meaningful experiences and associated changes in treatment outcomes. Implications, guidelines, and recommendations are presented, including the need for skill-focused treatments, identifying deficits in psychological flexibility, and maintaining a compassionate yet growth-oriented course of treatment.
Framework for the Assessment of Virtual Archival Systems and Provision of Virtual Archival Services for Environmental Sustainability in South Africa
Authors: Maleki Nolundi , Salubi Oghenere
Published: November 2023

Archival records/resources in electronic and those that only existed in physical formats have been made available to a larger audience and received much more usage as a result of digitization and remote accessibility. Virtual archives can help to reduce the environmental impact of traditional archival practices by storing and sharing information digitally rather than physically. The aim of this paper is to assess and develop a framework for the delivery of a virtual archive system tailored to the needs of both users and archival institutions for the promotion of environmental sustainability especially in developing countries. The qualitative research explained user expectations and perspectives on the provision of a newly established electronic archival system for the provision of virtual archive services at an archival institution in the City of Cape Town. This paper anchored on the Expectation Confirmation Theory proposed the Virtual archival systems expectations and satisfaction (VASES) framework to identify electronic archival system users’ expectations, measure perceived performance of electronic archival systems, and assess confirmation and satisfaction.
A general method for the manipulability analysis of serial robot manipulators
Authors: Zou Zhihong
Published: November 2023

Manipulability quantification and evaluation of robot manipulators plays an important role in robotic mechanism design, motion planning, and control. In this article, a general methodology of using manipulability polytopes to characterize the manipulator’s capability to generate velocities, forces, and accelerations at the end-effector is proposed. This methodology can be used to determine the kinematic, mechanical, and dynamic manipulability of both redundant and nonredundant serial manipulators, where influences of gravity, joint velocities and accelerations, and end-effector payload on the dynamic manipulability are incorporated into the derivation of the manipulability polytopes. Since the manipulability polytope is the feasible region defined by all the joint constraints, the proposed method is suitable for solving the problems including both symmetric and asymmetric joint constraints. Furthermore, a systematic architecture and detailed procedures for performance computation with respect to different types of manipulability of serial robot manipulators are presented. Two typical application examples, respectively, for two and three degree-of-freedom planar manipulators are given to illustrate the correctness and capability of the proposed methodology.
A response: Forum on Snapshots from Home
Authors: Fierke K M
Published: November 2023

The commentary reflects on the contributions to the forum in light of the overall objectives of Snapshots from Home: Mind, Action and Strategy in an Uncertain World.
Introduction to the forum on: Karin Fierke, Snapshots from Home: Mind, Action and Strategy in an Uncertain World (Bristol University Press, 2022)
Authors: Bilgin Pinar
Published: November 2023

Karin Fierke situates Snapshots from Home at the intersection of two bodies of scholarship: one directed toward globalizing the study of world politics and the other drawing from quantum theory’s insights to study the social world. The first body of scholarship has a long history. That it did not make a mark on the study of world politics until the mid-2010s has to do with the narrow notion of “science” that dominated the study of world politics, also known as disciplinary International Relations (IR). By way of showing the obsolescence of the narrow notion of “science” that IR has modeled itself on, the body of efforts that draw from quantum theory’s insights has the potential to make more room for the first one. Fierke’s book, by way of exploring the parallels between quantum physics and Asian philosophies, allows us to identify this potential. The contributors to this special forum each elaborate on different aspects of this potential.