bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Content-based product image retrieval using squared-hinge loss trained convolutional neural networks
Authors: Rahman Arif , Winarko Edi , Mustofa Khabis
Published: June 2023

Convolutional neural networks (CNN) have proven to be highly effective in large-scale object detection and image classification, as well as in serving as feature extractors for content-based image retrieval. While CNN models are typically trained with category label supervision and softmax loss for product image retrieval, we propose a different approach for feature extraction using the squared-hinge loss, an alternative multiclass classification loss function. First, transfer learning is performed on a pre-trained model, followed by fine-tuning the model. Then, image features are extracted based on the fine-tuned model and indexed using the nearest-neighbor indexing technique. Experiments are conducted on VGG19, InceptionV3, MobileNetV2, and ResNet18 CNN models. The model training results indicate that training the models with squared-hinge loss reduces the loss values in each epoch and reaches stability in less epoch than softmax loss. Retrieval results show that using features from squared-hinge trained models improves the retrieval accuracy by up to 3.7% compared to features from softmax-trained models. Moreover, the squared-hinge trained MobileNetV2 features outperformed others, while the ResNet18 feature gives the advantage of having the lowest dimensionality with competitive accuracy.
Channel and spatial attention mechanism for fashion image captioning
Authors: Nguyen Bao T. , Nguyen Son T. , Vo Anh H.
Published: June 2023

Image captioning aims to automatically generate one or more description sentences for a given input image. Most of the existing captioning methods use encoder-decoder model which mainly focus on recognizing and capturing the relationship between objects appearing in the input image. However, when generating captions for fashion images, it is important to not only describe the items and their relationships, but also mention attribute features of clothes (shape, texture, style, fabric, and more). In this study, one novel model is proposed for fashion image captioning task which can capture not only the items and their relationship, but also their attribute features. Two different attention mechanisms (spatial-attention and channel-wise attention) is incorporated to the traditional encoder-decoder model, which dynamically interprets the caption sentence in multi-layer feature map in addition to the depth dimension of the feature map. We evaluate our proposed architecture on Fashion-Gen using three different metrics (CIDEr, ROUGE-L, and BLEU-1), and achieve the scores of 89.7, 50.6 and 45.6, respectively. Based on experiments, our proposed method shows significant performance improvement for the task of fashion-image captioning, and outperforms other state-of-the-art image captioning methods.
A novel defect detection method for software requirements inspections
Authors: Alqudah Bilal , Almazaydeh Laiali , Alsalameen Reyad
Published: June 2023

The requirements form the basis for all software products. Apparently, the requirements are imprecisely stated when scattered between development teams. Therefore, software applications released with some bugs, missing functionalities, or loosely implemented requirements. In literature, a limited number of related works have been developed as a tool for software requirements inspections. This paper presents a methodology to verify that the system design fulfilled all functional requirements. The proposed approach contains three phases: requirements collection, facts collection, and matching algorithm. The feedback results provided enable analysist and developer to make a decision about the initial application release while taking on consideration missing requirements or over-designed requirements.
Resource-efficient workload task scheduling for cloud-assisted internet of things environment
Authors: Chowdaiah Naveen Kumar , Dammur Annapurna
Published: June 2023

One of the most challenging tasks in the internet of things-cloud-based environment is the resource allocation for the tasks. The cloud provides various resources such as virtual machines, computational cores, networks, and other resources for the execution of the various tasks of the internet of things (IoT). Moreover, some methods are used for executing IoT tasks using an optimal resource management system but these methods are not efficient. Hence, in this research, we present a resource-efficient workload task scheduling (RWTS) model for a cloud-assisted IoT environment to execute the IoT task which utilizes few numbers of resources to bring a good tradeoff, achieve high performance using fewer resources of the cloud, compute the number of resources required for the execution of the IoT task such as bandwidth and computational core. Furthermore, this model mainly focuses to reduce energy consumption and also provides a task scheduling model to schedule the IoT tasks in an IoT-cloud-based environment. The experimentation has been done using the Montage workflow and the results have been obtained in terms of execution time, power sum, average power, and energy consumption. When compared with the existing model, the RWTS model performs better when the size of the tasks is increased.
Learning agent-based security schema mitigating man-in-the-middle attacks in fog computing
Authors: Elmansy Hossam , Metwally Khaled , Badran Khaled
Published: June 2023

The fast emerging of internet of things (IoTs) has introduced fog computing as an intermediate layer between end-users and the cloud datacenters. Fog computing layer characterized by its closeness to end users for service provisioning than the cloud. However, security challenges are still a big concern in fog and cloud computing paradigms as well. In fog computing, one of the most destructive attacks is man-in-the-middle (MitM). Moreover, MitM attacks are hard to be detected since they performed passively on the network level. This paper proposes a MitM mitigation scheme in fog computing architecture. The proposal mapped the fog layer on software-defined network (SDN) architecture. The proposal integrated multi-path transmission control protocol (MPTCP), moving target defense (MTD) technique, and reinforcement learning agent (RL) in one framework that contributed significantly to improving the fog layer resources utilization and security. The proposed schema hardens the network reconnaissance and discovery, thus improved the network security against MitM attack. The evaluation framework was tested using a simulation environment on mininet, with the utilization of MPTCP kernel and Ryu SDN controller. The experimental results shows that the proposed schema maintained the network resiliency, improves resource utilization without adding significant overheads compared to the traditional transmission control protocol (TCP).
Loss of Macrophage mTORC2 Drives Atherosclerosis via FoxO1 and IL-1β Signaling
Authors: Zhang Xiangyu , Evans Trent D. , Chen Sunny , Sergin Ismail , Stitham Jeremiah , Jeong Se-Jin , Rodriguez-Velez Astrid , Yeh Yu-Sheng , Park Arick , Jung In-Hyuk , Diwan Abhinav , Schilling Joel D. , Rom Oren , Yurdagul Arif , Epelman Slava , Cho Jaehyung , Lodhi Irfan J. , Mittendorfer Bettina , Razani Babak
Published: June 2023

BACKGROUND:

The mTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin) pathway is a complex signaling cascade that regulates cellular growth, proliferation, metabolism, and survival. Although activation of mTOR signaling has been linked to atherosclerosis, its direct role in lesion progression and in plaque macrophages remains poorly understood. We previously demonstrated that mTORC1 (mTOR complex 1) activation promotes atherogenesis through inhibition of autophagy and increased apoptosis in macrophages.

METHODS:

Using macrophage-specific Rictor- and mTOR-deficient mice, we now dissect the distinct functions of mTORC2 pathways in atherogenesis.

RESULTS:

In contrast to the atheroprotective effect seen with blockade of macrophage mTORC1, macrophage-specific mTORC2-deficient mice exhibit an atherogenic phenotype, with larger, more complex lesions and increased cell death. In cultured macrophages, we show that mTORC2 signaling inhibits the FoxO1 (forkhead box protein O1) transcription factor, leading to suppression of proinflammatory pathways, especially the inflammasome/IL (interleukin)-1β response, a key mediator of vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis. In addition, administration of FoxO1 inhibitors efficiently rescued the proinflammatory response caused by mTORC2 deficiency both in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, collective deletion of macrophage mTOR, which ablates mTORC1- and mTORC2-dependent pathways, leads to minimal change in plaque size or complexity, reflecting the balanced yet opposing roles of these signaling arms.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our data provide the first mechanistic details of macrophage mTOR signaling in atherosclerosis and suggest that therapeutic measures aimed at modulating mTOR need to account for its dichotomous functions.
Hyperglycemia, Ischemic Lesions, and Functional Outcomes After Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Lusk Jay B. , Covington Anna , Liu Li , Weikel Daniel P. , Li Yi‐Ju , Sekar Padmini , Demel Stacie L. , Aziz Yasmin N. , Kidwell Chelsea S. , Woo Daniel , James Michael L.
Published: June 2023

Background

Ischemic lesions observed on diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) magnetic resonance imaging are associated with poor outcomes after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). We evaluated the association between hyperglycemia, ischemic lesions, and functional outcomes after ICH.

Methods and Results

This was a retrospective observational analysis of 1167 patients who received magnetic resonance imaging in the
ERICH
(Ethnic and Racial Variations in Intracerebral Hemorrhage) study. A machine learning strategy using the elastic net regularization and selection procedure was used to perform automated variable selection to identify final multivariable logistic regression models. Sensitivity analyses with alternative model development strategies were performed, and predictive performance was compared. After covariate adjustment, white matter hyperintensity score, leukocyte count on admission, and
non‐Hispanic
Black race (compared with
non‐Hispanic
White race) were associated with the presence of
DWI
lesions. History of
ICH
and ischemic stroke, presence of
DWI
lesions, deep
ICH
location (versus lobar),
ICH
volume, age, lower Glasgow Coma Score on admission, and medical history of diabetes were associated with poor 6‐month modified Rankin Scale outcome (4–6) after covariate adjustment. Inclusion of interactions between race and ethnicity and variables included in the final multivariable model for functional outcome improved model performance; a significant interaction between race and ethnicity and medical history of diabetes and serum blood glucose on admission was observed.

Conclusions

No measure of hyperglycemia or diabetes was associated with presence of DWI lesions. However, both medical history of diabetes and presence of DWI lesions were independently associated with poor functional outcomes after ICH.
Partial Mural Cell Ablation Disrupts Coronary Vasculature Integrity and Induces Systolic Dysfunction
Authors: Cornuault Lauriane , Hérion François‐Xavier , Bourguignon Célia , Rouault Paul , Foussard Ninon , Alzieu Philippe , Chapouly Candice , Gadeau Alain‐Pierre , Couffinhal Thierry , Renault Marie‐Ange
Published: June 2023

Background

Although the critical role of pericytes in maintaining vascular integrity has been extensively demonstrated in the brain and the retina, little is known about their role in the heart. We aim to investigate structural and functional consequences of partial pericyte depletion (≈60%) in the heart of adult mice.

Methods and Results

To deplete pericytes in adult mice, we used platelet‐derived growth factor receptor β–Cre/ERT2; Rosa
DTA
mice and compared their phenotype with that of control mice (Rosa
DTA
) chosen among their littermates. Cardiac function was assessed via echocardiography and left ventricular catheterization 1 month after the first tamoxifen injection. We found mice depleted with pericytes had a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and an increased end‐diastolic pressure, demonstrating both systolic and diastolic dysfunction. Consistently, mice depleted with pericytes presented a decreased left ventricular contractility and an increased left ventricular relaxation time (dP/dt
min
). At the tissue level, mice depleted of pericytes displayed increased coronary endothelium leakage and activation, which was associated with increased CD45
+
cell infiltration. Consistent with systolic dysfunction, pericyte depletion was associated with an increased expression of myosin heavy chain 7 and decreased expression of ATPase sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2
+
transporting 2 and connexin 43. More important, coculture assays demonstrated, for the first time, that the decreased expression of connexin 43 is likely attributable to a direct effect of pericytes on cardiomyocytes. Besides, this study reveals that cardiac pericytes may undergo strong remodeling on injury.

Conclusions

Cardiac pericyte depletion induces both systolic and diastolic dysfunction, suggesting that pericyte dysfunction may contribute to the occurrence of cardiac diseases.
What Does Art History Have to Say About a Lebanese Sasquatch? The Body of Decolonial Struggle in Amanda Boulos's Art
Authors: El-Sheikh Tammer S.
Published: June 2023

This paper focuses on several works by the Palestinian-Canadian painter Amanda Boulos that communicate the shared desire of both Palestinians in the diaspora and Indigenous peoples of Canada to move beyond the normative identities of settler colonialism. Through co-ordinated social historical, formalist and iconographical readings of Boulos's work, I propose a shift in the discourse on global contemporary art, from postcolonial figures of the oriental, the subaltern and the hybrid to strategies of representation such as transformation, ambiguity and queering – a shift intended to foster alliances amongst members of BIPOC communities, against the divisive politics of settler colonialism in Palestine, Canada and elsewhere. To this end, the artworks are set in two interrelated contexts: one art historical and one more strictly political. Boulos's work is read in relation to that of contemporary artists dealing with postcolonial conflict zones, and Modern and contemporary Palestinian artists both in Palestine and its diaspora. Relevant political contexts for her work include Palestinian LGBTQ activism after the Second Intifada and the 2014 Israeli War on Gaza called Operation Protective Edge.
Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Memory Encoding and Memory Retrieval States
Authors: Hong Yuju , Moore Isabelle L. , Smith Devyn E. , Long Nicole M.
Published: June 2023

Memory encoding and memory retrieval are neurally distinct brain states that can be differentiated on the basis of cortical network activity. However, it is unclear whether sustained engagement of one network or fluctuations between multiple networks give rise to these memory states. The spatiotemporal dynamics of memory states may have important implications for memory behavior and cognition; however, measuring temporally resolved signals of cortical networks poses a challenge. Here, we recorded scalp electroencephalography from participants performing a mnemonic state task in which they were biased toward memory encoding or retrieval. We performed a microstate analysis to measure the temporal dynamics of cortical networks throughout this mnemonic state task. We find that Microstate E, a putative analog of the default mode network, shows temporally sustained dissociations between memory encoding and retrieval, with greater engagement during retrieve compared with encode trials. We further show that decreased engagement of Microstate E is a general property of encoding, rather than a reflection of retrieval suppression. Thus, memory success, as well as cognition more broadly, may be influenced by the ability to engage or disengage Microstate E in a goal-dependent manner.
A Diagnosis of Cartesian Atheism
Authors: Sakamoto Kuni , Kato Yoshi
Published: June 2023

The present paper analyzes Petrus van Maistricht’s (1630–1706) critique of Baruch Spinoza’s Theological-Political Treatise found in his Novitatum cartesianarum gangraena (1677). The paper shows, first, that Mastricht regarded Spinoza’s atheism as the inevitable outcome of the Cartesians’ denial of philosophy’s subordination to theology. Second, Mastricht, in refuting Spinoza, revised his earlier critique of Cartesianism. In his previous work, Mastricht had already pointed out the atheistic implications of Cartesianism, but in the Gangraena he could now clearly identify Spinoza’s Theological-Political Treatise as the atheistic consequence of Cartesianism. He was thus able to confirm his distinctive diagnosis of Cartesianism as a gangrene that would gradually worsen and eventually destroy the entire body of theology.
The Memphite Sacerdotal Decree of 161 BCE (Plates I–V)
Authors: Panov Maxim , Lanciers Eddy
Published: June 2023

The present article deals with a little-known sacerdotal decree composed under Ptolemy VI Philometor in 161 BCE and includes a new hieroglyphic copy, a translation, and a commentary. The document is the most recent of the preserved Ptolemaic priestly decrees. It is of particular historical interest because it provides information on coronation ceremonies for Ptolemy VI in Memphis, an event not mentioned in other sources. Other notable elements are the reference to a revolt or unrest and the fact that the royal cartouches are consistently erased. Although the text has the usual structure of the other synodal decrees and shows, in particular, several parallels with the decrees of 196 and 185 BCE, it contains significant deviations from these texts and cannot be considered a copy or simple update of these earlier texts.
Contrastive Corpus Studies of Pragmatic Markers
Authors: Andersen Gisle
Published: June 2023

The articles in this special issue account for the use of pragmatic markers in a variety of languages by taking a contrastive approach and applying corpus methodology. This introduction article describes these notions and the way they are manifested in each contribution. The studies contribute to the fledging field of contrastive pragmatics, which encompasses investigations of pragmatic phenomena by comparing usage across or within languages. Contrastive studies aim to uncover differences and similarities observable in language use along different dimensions, most notably across languages or varieties of the same language, or across structurally or conceptually different usage domains (or combinations of these). The studies of pragmatic markers explore how contextual factors have a bearing upon language use and variation across the domains that are compared.
Probabilistic Forecasting Methods of Winter Mixed-Precipitation Events in New York State Utilizing a Random Forest
Authors: Filipiak Brian C. , Bassill Nick P. , Corbosiero Kristen L. , Lang Andrea L. , Lazear Ross A.
Published: June 2023

Winter mixed-precipitation events are associated with multiple hazards and create forecast challenges that are due to the difficulty in determining the timing and amount of each precipitation type. In New York State, complex terrain enhances these forecast challenges. Machine learning is a relatively nascent tool that can help improve forecasting by synthesizing large amounts of data and finding underlying relationships. This study uses a random forest machine learning algorithm that generates probabilistic winter precipitation type forecasts. Random forest configuration, testing, and development methods are presented to show how this tool can be applied to operational forecasting. Dataset generation and variation are also explained because of their essential nature in the random forest. Last, the methodology of transitioning a machine learning algorithm from research to operations is discussed.

Significance Statement

Examining the role that machine learning can play in winter precipitation type forecasting is an area of research that has ample room for exploration, as much of the previous research has focused on applying machine learning to warm-season precipitation and severe weather events. Establishing a framework and methodology to successfully combine machine learning and weather research into effective operational tools is a valuable addition to the machine learning community. Because machine learning is increasingly being applied to meteorology, this work can act as a road map to help develop other meteorological tools based in machine learning.
Distinct Orographic Controls on the Asymmetrical Onset of the South Asian Summer Monsoon: Hindu Kush versus Himalaya–Tibet
Authors: Sha Yingying , Shi Zhengguo , Li Xinzhou , Cheng Hai , Liu Xiaodong , An Zhisheng
Published: June 2023

The relative impacts of the Tibetan Plateau–Himalaya (TPH) and the adjacent narrow mountains on the South Asian summer monsoon (SASM) are still unclear. We used a general circulation model to evaluate the relative effects of the TPH, the Hindu Kush Mountains (HKM), and the Iranian Plateau on the SASM from the perspective of the asymmetrical onset of the Bay of Bengal (BOB) summer monsoon (BOBSM) and the Indian summer monsoon (ISM). The results show that the abrupt onset of the BOBSM in May is affected by the TPH and HKM, which significantly strengthen precipitation over the BOB. By contrast, precipitation over the Indian subcontinent is suppressed by the TPH. In June, the TPH and the HKM contribute to strengthening and expanding precipitation over the Indian subcontinent and the ISM is significantly intensified. The strengthening of the SASM onset induced by the HKM is comparable with, or even larger than, that induced by the TPH. The effect of the Iranian Plateau on the SASM is much weaker and localized. The distinct role of the HKM is caused by the appearance of an anomalous low-level cyclone around the HKM and an anticyclone to the south, strengthening the India–Burma trough and the Somali jet. The topographic control of the HKM depends on the pre-existence of the TPH. We show that the sensible heat from the HKM accounts for 78.6% and 31.6% of the HKM-induced increase in precipitation during the onset of the BOBSM and ISM, respectively.

Significance Statement

The South Asian summer monsoon shows a prominent asynchronous feature in that it starts earlier over the Bay of the Bengal (BOB) during May and appears over the Indian subcontinent in June. However, how the adjacent mountain ranges modulate this monsoon advance is still unclear. Our climate model experiments show that both the Hindu Kush Mountains (HKM) and the Tibet Plateau–Himalaya (TPH) contribute to the strengthening of the asymmetrical onset of the monsoon. During May, the monsoon over the BOB is significantly intensified while the precipitation over the Indian subcontinent is largely suppressed. The HKM–TPH strengthens the precipitation over the Indian subcontinent in June. The HKM-induced strengthening is comparable with, or even larger than, that induced by the TPH.
The Influence of Convection Initiation Strength on Subsequent Simulated Supercell Evolution
Authors: Flournoy Matthew D. , Rasmussen Erik N.
Published: June 2023

Recent studies have shown how very small differences in the background environment of a supercell can yield different outcomes, particularly in terms of tornado production. In this study, we use a novel convection initiation technique to simulate six supercells with a focus on their early development. Each experiment is identical, except for the strength of thermal forcing for the initial convection initiation. Each experiment yields a mature supercell, but differences in storm-scale characteristics like updraft speed, cold pool temperature deficit, and vertical vorticity development abound. Of these, the time when the midlevel updraft strengthens is most strongly related to initiation strength, with stronger thermal forcing favoring quicker updraft development. The same is true for the low-level updraft, with the additional relationship that stronger thermal forcing also tends to yield stronger low-level updrafts for around the first 2 h of the simulations. The experiments with faster updraft development tend to be associated with more rapid surface vortex intensification; however, cold pool evolution differs between simulations with weaker versus stronger thermal forcing. Stronger thermal forcing also yields deviant rightward storm motion earlier in the supercell’s life cycle that remains more consistent for the duration of the simulation. These results highlight the range of supercellular outcomes that are possible across a background environment due to differences in storm-scale initiation strength. They are also of potential importance for predicting the paths and tornado potential of supercells in real time.

Significance Statement

Despite a better understanding of processes related to tornado production in supercell thunderstorms, forecasters still have difficulty discriminating between tornadic and nontornadic supercells in close proximity to each other within the same severe weather event. In this study, we use six simulations of supercells to examine how these different outcomes can occur. Our results show that, given the same background environment, a storm that is more strongly initiated will exhibit faster updraft development and, possibly, quicker tornado production. The opposite can be said for storms that are more weakly initiated. Differences in initiation strength are also associated with different storm motions. These findings inspire future work to better relate supercell evolution to characteristics of initiation and the environment.
Improved Analog Ensemble Formulation for 3-Hourly Precipitation Forecasts
Authors: Jeworrek Julia , West Gregory , Stull Roland
Published: June 2023

Analog ensembles (AnEns) traditionally use a single numerical weather prediction (NWP) model to make a forecast, then search an archive to find a number of past similar forecasts (analogs) from that same model, and finally retrieve the actual observations corresponding to those past forecasts to serve as members of an ensemble forecast. This study investigates new statistical methods to combine analogs into ensemble forecasts and validates them for 3-hourly precipitation over the complex terrain of British Columbia, Canada. Applying the past analog error to the target forecast (instead of using the observations directly) reduces the AnEn dry bias and makes prediction of heavy-precipitation events probabilistically more reliable—typically the most impactful forecasts for society. Two variants of this new technique enable AnEn members to obtain values outside the distribution of the finite archived observational dataset—that is, they are theoretically capable of forecasting record events, whereas traditional analog methods cannot. While both variants similarly improve heavier precipitation events, one variant predicts measurable precipitation more often, which enhances accuracy during winter. A multimodel AnEn further improves predictive skill, albeit at higher computational cost. AnEn performance shows larger sensitivity to the grid spacing of the NWP than to the physics configuration. The final AnEn prediction system improves the skill and reliability of point forecasts across all precipitation intensities.

Significance Statement

The analog ensemble (AnEn) technique is a data-driven method that can improve local weather forecasts. It improves raw model forecasts using past similar model predictions and observations, reducing future forecast errors and providing probabilities for a range of possible outcomes. One limitation of AnEns is that they commonly tend to make rare-event (e.g., heavy precipitation) forecasts appear less extreme. Usually, heavier precipitation events have a higher impact on society and the economy. This study introduces two new AnEn techniques that make operational forecasts of both probabilities and most likely amounts more accurate for heavy precipitation.
Perioperative Factors Associated With Intraoperative Transfusion in Patients Undergoing Major Lower Limb Amputation
Authors: Ganapathy Anand V. , Orloff Elliott A. , Ziegler Kenneth R.
Published: June 2023

Background

Intraoperative transfusions in vascular patients undergoing major lower limb amputations (LLAs) are associated with worse postoperative outcomes.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study from 2015 to 2020 to identify perioperative factors associated with the need for intraoperative transfusion for patients undergoing below knee or above knee amputations secondary to vascular disease.

Results

A total of 65 patients with major LLAs were identified, 39 (60%) with below knee and 26 (40%) with above knee amputations. There were 15 (23%) patients who were transfused intraoperatively and 50 (77%) who were not. Six (15%) of the below knee patients and 9 (34%) of the above knee patients required intraoperative transfusion. Of the variables studied, only preoperative hemoglobin (8.6 ± .4 vs 9.9 ± .2 g/dL, P = .01), change in hemoglobin (−.1 ± .4 vs .8 ± .2 g/dL, P = .01), estimated intraoperative blood loss (416 ± 168 vs 126 ± 14 mL, P = .04), and operative duration (116 ± 19 min. vs 89 ± 6 min, P = .046) were associated with a transfusion requirement with these patients having a longer length of stay (42 [13-76] vs 21 [12-31] days, P = .04) and a higher risk of mortality (33% vs 10%, P = .03).

Discussion

The study is limited by a small sample size from a single institution. However, patients who received an intraoperative transfusion had a lower starting hemoglobin, higher estimated blood loss, required longer hospital stays, and were at a higher risk for post-discharge mortality.
The Left Distal transradial access site could give a safe alternate site for transradial coronary intervention (The Litaunent Study)
Authors: Acar Emrah , Izci Servet , Donmez Ibrahim , Yilmaz Mehmet Fatih , Ozgul Neryan , Kayabası Oguz , Gokce Mustafa , Güneş Yilmaz , Izgi Ibrahim Akin , Kirma Cevat
Published: June 2023

Transradial Access (TRA) is the suggested method when performing coronary procedures. TRA has several advantages over the transfemoral approach, but also some restrictions. The present study compared the efficacy and safety of the traditional proximal transradial approach (pTRA) with a newer technique known as the distal transradial approach (dTRA) for performing a coronary angiography (CAG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Patients (n = 700) were placed into one of two categories (dTRA or pTRA) based on a random technique. The primary endpoint was RAO at follow-up. The secondary endpoints included the time required for sheath insertion, the rate of successful sheath insertion, rate of successful completion of CAG and PCI, total procedure time, total fluoroscopy time, total radiation dose, total contrast volume used, pain perception (visual analog scale 0–10), and hemostasis duration. dTRA patients had more skin punctures, failed punctures, failed wiring, overlap of access sites, sheath insertion time, and pain evaluation scale, while the pTRA group had more hemostasis time and first-time cannulation. RAO and pseudoaneurysm (PseA) were lower in the dTRA group. In this randomized study, dTRA had lower RAO and PseA than pTRA. However, multicenter, larger-patient trials are needed to provide definitive evidence.
Homeless Outreach Psychiatric Engagement for Lisboa (HOPE 4 Lisboa): One year of marontology, and one John Doe living with Diogenes syndrome
Authors: Gama Marques João , Chesi Daniela , Coelho Raquel Oliveira , Castanheira Costa Inês , Santos Antão Celso , Pedro Carlos Alberto , Silva Santos Paulo , Xavier Diogo José
Published: June 2023

Background:

In Europe, psychiatric disorders seem to affect up to 50% of the homeless. In Portugal there were, at a certain time, circa 3,396 homeless people, half living in the capital city, Lisboa.

Aims:

The Homeless Outreach Psychiatric Engagement for Lisboa (HOPE 4 Lisboa) was created, in January 1st 2022, as a collaboration including staff from the local state asylum, medical school and town hall in Lisboa, Portugal, in order to provide better treatment for the super difficult cases of psychiatric patients living homeless in Lisboa.

Method:

During 2022, the HOPE 4 team made night rounds, every 15 days on Tuesday’s night (20:30 to 23:30) trying to reach, at least, one dozen of homeless psychiatric patients, previously identified.

Results:

The HOPE 4 Lisboa interviewed 101 patients (53.4%) out of the 189 programed visits. From this group, 72 (72%) had already a previous psychiatric diagnosis. From those 101 patients, reports for 47 (47%) were sent for an eventual compulsory psychiatric assessment. From those 47 only 21 patients (21%) were admitted in the psychiatry ward. Finally we discuss the most super difficult patient we found, as a small case report: a John Doe living in complete Diogenes syndrome.

Conclusions:

there are still a few psychiatrists interested in treating homeless people completely or partially out of the classic mental health care systems. Some claim to be doing interstitial psychiatry, others street psychiatry, but we could also call it marontology.
Does scientific collaboration variety influence the impact of articles?
Authors: Jianhua Hou , He Yuyao , Ye Conglin , Zhuomalamu  , Suolanglamu  , Haoyang Song
Published: June 2023

This study attempts to investigate the relationship between scientific collaboration variety and scientific output in a specific field. The indicators were set from co-author variety (co-author’s academic background variety and co-author’s network structure variety as independent variables) and article impact (academic impact and social impact as dependent variables). Considering other factors affecting the research results, we also set up control variables (the number of co-authors, proportion of high-level authors and ratio of highly productive authors). We used the Scopus database as the data source and collected all articles published in the dental field in 2018 as data. We used multiple linear regression analyses to examine the impact of co-authors’ variety on the article impact. The results demonstrate that the relationship between scientific collaboration variety and article impact is complicated, which depends on the type of variety of the cooperative scientist. Conversely, the same variety indicator presents the same results as the correlation analysis of academic and social impact articles. The findings indicate that authors can improve their scientific output by collaborating with similar authors of academic backgrounds or stable groups of authors, which provides guidance for scientific cooperation.
Regulating the Undesirable: Statusless Women in Israel
Authors: Preser Ruth , Olier Ayala
Published: June 2023

This paper explores how laws and procedures in Israel concerning various forms of legal status deem women foreigners to be “statusless.” In particular, it examines the treatment of three groups: Palestinian women residents of the Occupied Palestinian Territories who are married to Palestinian citizens of Israel; asylum-seeking women from Africa; and women from the former Soviet Union who have been trafficked by the sex industry, or who have lost their legal status after separating from an Israeli-citizen spouse. Drawing on various data sources—such as information and case studies published by aid organizations; legal proceedings; discussions held by parliamentary legislative committees; state officials’ commentaries in the media; and interviews with women and service providers—we map the policies that manage the entry and residence of foreigners, and explore their ideological tenets and specific impact on women. We argue that statuslessness is being justified by an ethnocratic discourse that demarcates foreigners as undesirable, and that it is maintained by hobbling existing infrastructures, such as the Convention on the Status of Refugees, family unification procedure, or the Protocol for the Prevention of Human Trafficking—and draining them of their meaning.
Spatial Inequity of Transit and Automobile Access Gap across America for Underserved Population
Authors: Maharjan Sanju , Janatabadi Fatemeh , Ermagun Alireza
Published: June 2023

This study examines the correlates of the Modal Access Gap (MAG) between transit and automobile to employment opportunities in the 45 most populated American metropolitan areas by testing spatial lag regression models and employing the bivariate local indicator of spatial autocorrelation (BiLISA) at the census block group geographical level. Four findings are discerned. First, MAG is positive regardless of the metropolitan area and travel-time threshold and ranges from 0.22 to 0.98. This indicates transit trails automobile in offering access to employment opportunities. Second, millennials and carless households tend to reside in areas with a narrower MAG, while people with disabilities reside in areas with a wider MAG. Third, areas with a high share of carless households and relatively low transit access to employment opportunities are primarily clustered in the suburbs and exurbs of American metropolitan areas. Fourth, the MAG disproportionately affects socially vulnerable populations, including the elderly, people with disabilities, low-income households, Hispanics, and African Americans. Compared with the national average, modal access inequity is prevalent for the elderly in 27, for people with disabilities in 22, for low-income households in 17, for Hispanics in 14, and for African Americans in 12 metropolitan areas. This research is a necessary step forward for instilling social equity into transport planning strategies in parallel with governmental efforts.
Performance Case Study of Concrete Bridge-Rail Post on Deck Overhang
Authors: Loken Andrew E. , Steelman Joshua S. , Bielenberg Robert W. , Rosenbaugh Scott K. , Faller Ronald K.
Published: June 2023

Concrete post-and-beam bridge rails are a common bridge-rail type in the U.S. However, direct investigations of their performance on bridge-deck overhangs are rare, and current specifications do not clearly address this rail type or the design of decks supporting them. In this paper, the results of a performance case study of concrete bridge-rail posts on deck overhangs are presented. This study included (1) bogie testing of a MASH TL-4 concrete post on an instrumented deck, (2) development and calibration of a corresponding LS-DYNA model, and (3) use of the calibrated model to further describe system behavior, evaluate the effect of common design alternatives on performance, and corroborate the system performance from a full-scale crash test. The results of this study indicated that current design methods of the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications (BDS) resulted in a significant underestimation of lateral capacity, partially because their neglect of inertial resistance. In the bogie test of the concrete post, over 40% of the peak lateral resistance of the post was attributed to inertial effects. Similarly, the calibrated LS-DYNA model indicated that the full-scale system could withstand a simplified single-unit truck (SUT) loading consisting of a 150 kip pulse load while only sustaining minor damage, despite having a BDS-predicted capacity of 73 kips. Additional findings included a characterization of deck demands, performance effects of design alternatives, such as edge distance and slab thickness, and the influence of using straight versus hooked transverse deck bars.
Integrating Energy-Based Limit State Functions to Optimize Target Reliability of Bridge Pile for Seismic Events
Authors: Safari Mohammad , Ghasemi Seyed Hooman , Taghia Seiyed Ali Haj Seiyed , Norouzi Yasaman
Published: June 2023

The target reliability index is a safety and economic measure used to stipulate the optimal reliability level for structural elements. The conventional load and resistance factor design (LRFD) philosophy is premised on limit state functions that ignore structural performance by disregarding the structural stored energy capacity. Indeed, two significant concerns have yet to be adequately addressed within structural failure and safety analysis. The first pertains to the careful consideration of failure modes. The second involves the relationship between target reliability and hazard intensity. The main goal of this research is to propose a new energy-based limit state function to incorporate the performance-based design and LRFD philosophies concerning the target reliability of bridge substructure systems, including piles. The proposed energy-based limit state function can thoroughly examine a structure’s behavior in the presence of a natural disaster. This study’s reliability analysis corresponds to the seismic performance levels. The elastic and plastic energy resistance of pile elements is quantified concerning the various performance levels subjected to the loading scenarios. The uncertainties of soil and structural resistance and the structure’s dynamic response are considered and a new energy-based limit state function established. To validate the proposed limit state function, several finite element method models are examined to capture the probability energy distribution for structural resistance and loading conditions. Finally, the structural target reliability indices for the bridge piles are delineated using the proposed optimization approaches.
Empirical Study of Lane-Changing Maneuvers in a Weaving Area Based on Reconstructed Trajectories of Floating Car Data
Authors: Arman Mohammad Ali , Tampère Chris M. J.
Published: June 2023

The concentration of lane-changing maneuvers is the main contributor to speed drop and congestion in weaving areas. Despite their importance, lateral maneuvers have received less attention in research than longitudinal driver behavior. The main reason for this is the lack of appropriate data for comprehensive analysis. In this paper, we have used reconstructed lane-level accurate trajectories collected during 12 days in a weaving section with more than 3.3 km length. Examining the classification of maneuvers into mandatory and discretionary versus their classification based on the direction of the maneuver showed that the latter could be better described by traffic variables such as changes in density and speed of the target lane compared with the source lane. We have also shown that the origin–destination pattern of drivers and the time of day (traffic conditions at different hours) significantly affect the number and location of lane-change maneuvers. In addition, the location of performing the weaving maneuvers at different times of the day appears to affect the travel time experienced by drivers. This data source and in-depth analysis open many opportunities for improving empirical traffic flow theory, better design of weaving sections, and active management through vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication and online drivers’ guidance toward cooperative behavior.
Local Confederate Memorialization and Gender-Ethnic Variation in Mental Health among Black Residents
Authors: Talbert Ryan D. , Aboumahboob Jasmine L. , Hauver Cailey
Published: June 2023

Memorials romanticizing the short-lived Confederate States of America remain scattered across public spaces. Yet, little research examines whether memorials are consequential for residents that live proximate to them. This study relies on insights from social stress theory to examine associations between the local presence of public Confederate memorials and the mental health of African American and Afro-Caribbean adults. Data for this study are merged from the National Survey of American Life (n=4,740) and the Southern Poverty Law Center’s census of Confederate memorials. We examine associations between counts of local Confederate memorials and depressive symptomatology, self-rated mental health, and substance use disorder. Results from gender-stratified generalized models show that logged memorial counts are curvilinearly associated with mental health among Black women such that psychological adjustment is typically poorest in counties with an average number of memorials. In these spaces, African American women experience significantly greater depressive symptoms than Afro-Caribbean women. Moreover, social cohesion—familial support, membership with a pro-Black organization, frequent contact with neighbors, and ethnic closeness—modifies associations between memorials and mental health such that women with high levels of cohesion typically experience buffered mental health impacts when residing proximal to memorials. This study highlights the importance of critically investigating stressors extending from white supremacy across social statuses and theorizing resourcefulness against antiblack racism.
Work–Family Balance Satisfaction of Racially and Ethnically Minoritized Postdoctoral Scholars in the STEM Fields
Authors: Soto Sullivan Cristina M. , Deemer Eric D. , Yadav Aman
Published: June 2023

Postdoctoral scholars encounter challenges as they navigate the gap between graduate school and employment positions, one of which includes the challenge of work–family conflict and balance. We used structural equation modeling to test goal endorsement as a possible cultural moderator of the indirect relationship between work demand and work–family conflict. Results revealed that the indirect effect between work demand and work-family conflict was significant at low, but not high, levels of communal goal endorsement. In turn, work–family conflict was found to be a significant negative predictor of work–family balance satisfaction. Results suggest that minoritized postdoctoral scholars’ high value of communion serves as a protective factor in reducing the deleterious effects of challenging work environments on work–family conflict and satisfaction with work–family balance. Empirical and practical implications of the findings are presented.
Development and experimental validation of a dynamic numerical model for human articular cartilage
Authors: Mellors Ben , Allen Piers , Lavecchia Carolina E , Mountcastle Sophie , Cooke Megan E , Lawless Bernard M , Cox Sophie C , Jones Simon , Espino Daniel M
Published: June 2023

The purpose of this study was to create a preliminary set of experimentally validated Finite Element Analysis (FEA) models, in order to predict the dynamic mechanical behaviour of human articular cartilage (AC). Current models consider static loading with limited independent experimental validation, while the models for this study assess dynamic loading of AC, with direct comparison and validation to physical testing. Three different FEA models of AC were constructed, which considered both linear elastic and hyperelastic models; Neo-Hookean and Ogden. Models were validated using the data collected from compression testing of human femoral heads across 0–1.7 MPa (quasi-static tests and dynamic mechanical analysis). The linear elastic model was inadequate, with a 10-fold over prediction of the displacement dynamic amplitude. The Neo-Hookean model accurately predicted the dynamic amplitude but failed to predict the initial compression of the cartilage, with a 10 times overprediction. The Ogden model provided the best results, with both the initial compression lying within one standard deviation of that observed in the validation data set, and the dynamic amplitude of the same order of magnitude. In conclusion, this study has found that the fast dynamic response of human AC is best represented by a third order Ogden model.