bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Real-Time Tracking of Carbon Dioxide Concentration Using an Optical Microsphere Resonator Sensor
Authors: Demory Brandon , Echeveria Logan , Tolfa Christian , Harrison Sara , Khitrov Victor , Chang Allan S.P. , Bond Tiziana
Published: February 2024

Whispering gallery mode resonator sensors are nondisruptive optical sensors that can detect and monitor perturbations in a gaseous environment. Through its resonant properties of peak wavelength, amplitude, and quality factor (Q factor), changes in concentration can be quantified within seconds and monitored over days with great stability. In addition, the small footprint, low cost, and high sensitivity are ideal properties for a disposable sensor that can be utilized in extreme environments. The large Q factor of the resonant cavity enables long interaction lengths and amplifies the effect of small changes in the background refractive index, which is detectable in picometer shifts of the resonance wavelength. However, this measurement is susceptible to changes in other environmental factors such as temperature, pressure, and humidity, which manifest on the picometer wavelength scale, reinforcing the need to decouple the variables. In this work, we compare the spectral response of different diameter resonators to carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and its mixtures, observing the spectral shifting and broadening of the cavity resonance near 1550 nm. In addition, the effect of environmental temperature on spectral shifting due to the thermo-optic effect is characterized and quantified. Lastly, the gas concentrations are changed in real time to showcase the tracking and recovery capabilities of the resonator sensor.
“I’m Going to be Visible Because… That’s What’s Gonna Help Other People Like Me”: Young Black Trans and Gender Diverse People’s Experiences in Activism Work
Authors: Sostre Jules P. , Abreu Roberto L. , Lockett Gabriel M. , Vincent Destiny , Mosley Della V.
Published: February 2024

Anti-Black racism and cissexism have been strong motivators for Black trans and gender diverse (TGD) communities to engage in activism. Furthermore, Black TGD people have often been at the forefront of activist movements, yet they rarely receive recognition for their role in disrupting systems of oppression and contributing to liberation movements. Although researchers have documented that young Black and TGD people have played a crucial role in activist movements, they have yet to document the intersectional experiences of young Black TGD people within activism. This study used semistructured interviews to explore the experiences of 15 young Black TGD people within activism movements, including different forms of activism and factors related to involvement and impact. Reflexive thematic analysis resulted in five main themes and 13 subthemes as key aspects of activism: (a) community, (b) education, (c) identity, (d) intersectionality, and (e) prioritizing one’s well-being, plus 13 subthemes. We discuss implications for practice, training, and advocacy.
Community-Level Relationships Between Homelessness and Crime in Finland
Authors: Markowitz Fred E.
Published: February 2024

Evidence from several countries indicates that homeless persons, particularly those with a mental illness, are at increased risk of offending and victimization. However, there has been little community-level analysis of the relationship between homelessness and crime rates. In this study, we discuss the criminogenic consequences of homelessness and then use panel data from 261 municipalities over a 21-year period (2000–2020) in Finland to examine how homelessness is related to different types of criminal offenses. Results from random and fixed-effects equations indicate that, net of common covariates, rates of homelessness are associated with increased rates of violent crime, property crime, and public intoxication offenses. The findings suggest that, in addition to mental health treatment, efforts to reduce homelessness enhance community safety.
Democracy and Road Construction in Nigeria: A study of Enugu State, 1999–2015
Authors: Okwudili Chukwuma Nwosu , Matthias Chukwuma Nwande , Ugwuerua Emmanuel
Published: February 2024

The nexus between democracy and infrastructural development is debatable. In Nigeria, democracy appears to be discombobulated with infrastructural underdevelopment. On whether democracy constructed more roads than the military, two subsequent administrations were studied in Southeastern Nigerian Enugu State. The article draws on quantitative and qualitative data and stewardship theory. The study reveals that the roads constructed between 1999 and 2007 were better in quality and evenly distributed as against those constructed between 2007 and 2015 which was lopsided, though with more roads. Corruption among others impeded road construction and the study suggested among others addressing the major causes of corruption.
Thermoplastic starch nanocomposites derived directly from cornmeal
Authors: Chen Yanlin , Ma Qian , Wang Ke , Cho Mingyu , Jiang Long
Published: February 2024

A high content of water is needed in traditional thermoplastic starch (TPS) processing to plasticize the starch and facilitate the processing, which leads to relatively low strength and modulus of the products and causes the issue of product aging partially due to the gradual water loss over time. In this work, based on the results from our previous study on lignin and cellulose nanofibril-reinforced TPS composites, a low content of citric acid (<0.5 wt%) was used to replace all the added water in the prior study (∼20 wt%). Citric acid demonstrated a much stronger viscosity-reducing effect than water and enabled composite processing at a very low acid content. The resultant nanocomposites exhibited much higher strength and modulus than those containing 20 wt% water as the processing aid. Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR) results showed strong interactions between the polar groups of starch and other ingredients. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) photos indicated the disappearance of the two-phase “sea-island” morphology, suggesting the strong compatibilization effect of the acid. To lower the cost of the nanocomposites, we further replaced the starch and zein (an expensive biopolymer) components in the original composites with low-cost cornmeal. The new nanocomposites with cornmeal as the major ingredient exhibited similar processability and mechanical properties. With its low cost and high properties, this new type of agricultural byproduct-based nanocomposites is expected to be a promising material to replace synthetic polymers in many applications.
Relating Tabooness to Humor and Arousal Ratings in American English: What the F*** Is so Funny?
Authors: Shafto Meredith A. , Abrams Lise , James Lori E. , Hu Pengbo , Gray Genevieve
Published: February 2024

Emotion can have a profound effect on language processing, and taboo words have been increasingly used in research as highly emotional, negatively valenced stimuli. However, because taboo words as a lexical category are socially constructed and semantically idiosyncratic, they may also have complex emotional characteristics. This complexity may not be fully considered by researchers using taboo words as research stimuli. This study gathered tabooness, humor, and arousal ratings to provide a resource for researchers to better understand the sources and characteristics of the strong emotions generated by taboo words. A total of 411 participants aged 18–83 were recruited via online platforms, and all participants rated the same 264 words on tabooness, humor, and arousal. Analyses indicated that tabooness and humor ratings were positively related to each other, and both were predicted by arousal ratings. The set of ratings included here provides a tool for researchers using taboo stimuli, and our findings highlight methodological considerations while broadening our understanding of the cognitive and linguistic nature of highly emotional language.
Bereavement Counsellors’ Experiences Supporting the Families of Deceased Children Within a German Bereavement Network– A Qualitative Interview Study
Authors: Betke Merle , Stiel Stephanie , Schwabe Sven
Published: February 2024

Background: The “Bereavement Network Lower Saxony” (BNLS) provides professional bereavement support to families grieving for a child. The present study aimed at exploring the experiences of BNLS bereavement counsellors in providing bereavement support to affected families. Methods: 12 semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with bereavement counsellors of the BNLS between June and August 2022. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using qualitative content analysis, according to Mayring (2010). Results: Bereavement counsellors perceived that grief could be experienced very differently, and thus bereavement support must always be based on the individual needs and resources of bereaved family members. Bereavement counsellors appreciated exchange within the network and supervision to cope with emotional load that arises from compassion for those affected. Conclusions: Bereavement support within a network structure may improve the accessibility of individual support and enable exchange between counsellors, thus ensuring better bereavement support. Public outreach and strategic partnerships with clinics may amplify the positive impact of this support service.
White Tears: A Phenomenological Study of Perinatal Loss
Authors: Pekyiğit Aylin , Yildiz Dilek , Deniz Ayşe Özge , Çalik Bağriyanik Burcu
Published: February 2024

Perinatal loss is a traumatic experience for parents. This research was conducted to evaluate the experiences and needs of parents after perinatal loss. An interpretative phenomenological study was carried out between January 2021 and July 2022 with 6 parental pairs (12 people in total, 6 mothers and 6 fathers) who experienced a perinatal loss. Participants were reached by snowball sampling method. Data were collected using semi-structured audio recording interviews that were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. The themes of this study were determined as “attributing meaning to loss”, “fragmented parenting roles and expectations”, “changing relationships”, “expectations from healthcare professionals”, and “emotional responses”. Five sub-themes were created from the emotional responses theme which included. These are sadness and pain, denial, anger, guilt and fear. In the study, it was concluded that the experience of perinatal loss may have negative consequences on the psychological health of the parents. Therefore, specific, professional, adequate nursing support and continuity of support are needed to help parents cope with perinatal losses.
A word about . . . The freedom loophole and the baptist takeover of the world: Jeremiah 34:8-22 and Galatians 5:1,13-16a
Authors: Brenneman James E.
Published: February 2024

What happens when the fundamental “baptist”1 interpretation of freedom, once thought to be a radical notion, becomes largely mainstreamed and included in the constitutions of most Western democracies? What happens when, in relation to the church and the state, free-church baptist polity largely dictates the worldview of most, if not all, other Christian traditions, even if it has not yet influenced the very doctrinal and theological structures of those mainstream denominations? What happens when the four “fragile freedoms” of baptist life (soul freedom, Bible freedom, church freedom and religious freedom) are undermined by fellow-baptists and others who decry such freedom as too radical, “a figment of some infidel’s imagination,” or an ungodly paean to a “woke” culture gone mad? This article addresses those questions in the context of two “emancipation proclamations” in Scripture, that of the prophet Jeremiah (34:8-9) to King Zedekiah and of Apostle Paul’s letter to the Galatians (5:1,13-16a). Still other historical moments of the “baptist” faith-heritage underscore such biblical liberties further undoing any notion that being “woke” in the current cultural and political setting is a new concept at all. Indeed, it is this very old, already “woke,” biblical “baptist” worldview that holds out the greatest promise for Christian witness in the twenty-first century and beyond.
Sharing of Liturgical, Theological, and Ecumenical Gifts: A Quest for a Method
Authors: Noble Ivana
Published: February 2024

The article explores relations between the gift and the given. It combines Jean-Luc Marion's and Louis-Marie Chauvet's critique of the instrumentalization of the gift and of an exaggerated visibility of what comes from God, with Mother Maria Skobtsova's notion of non-possession applied also to spiritual wealth. With the assistance of these authors, the article interprets the ecumenicity of liturgical and theological tradition as a common heritage. Thus, it moves beyond assumptions that specific ecclesial groups could “own,” for example, the Easter Triduum, icons, biblical consciousness, or the right and proper manners of conversion, and as their “property” share it with others. It argues that if an ecumenical method is to remain dialogical at all levels, it needs to work both with the positive and the negative aspects of the common heritage, engage in the common process of discernment, and with regard to the multi-layered specificities of each legitimate position move beyond a search for synthesis.
‘Security’ and private governance in São Paulo’s corporate centrality frontier
Authors: De Biaggi Gabriella DD
Published: February 2024

In the last half-century, the ‘centre–periphery’ model has become insufficient to describe the increasingly fragmented and multicentric Latin American metropolises. Frontiers between central and peripheral areas are shifting, in part, due to the emergence of new corporate centralities, usually located outside historical city centres and heavily equipped with private ‘security’ agents and devices. By examining the evolving governing practices taking place in and around the dynamic frontier of a business centrality in São Paulo, Brazil, this article discusses the connections between the transformation in centre–periphery relations and the reworking of prior forms of socio-spatial control since the ‘security’ turn of the 1990s. More specifically, it explores the effects of the production of securitised corporate centralities on the racialised differential governance of urban space. For this purpose, the article draws from empirical work involving fieldwork, interviews with public and private ‘security’ agents, the observation of meetings of the local Public Security Community Council (CONSEG), and the analysis of police statistics. In sum, the argument presented here is that the evolution of segregation mechanisms and governing practices in Latin-American metropolises reproduces centre–periphery relations under new spatial configurations, and increases the capacity of private agents to subject urban space to their own rules and regulations.
Smart cities at the intersection of public governance paradigms for sustainability
Authors: Grossi Giuseppe , Welinder Olga
Published: February 2024

As a research domain, the smart city keeps growing, despite the remaining contradictions and ambiguity related to its conceptual aspects. We propose to dig deeper into the complex socio-technical nature of the smart city and examine the concept through the lens of different public governance paradigms, therefore aligning it with the sustainability outcomes. Embracing interrelated dimensions of humans, technologies and organisations, the smart city can be viewed through the intersection of public governance paradigms (digital governance, collaborative governance and networks). The case of the smart city initiative of Tampere in Finland serves as an empirical illustration of how the proposed conceptual model might be applied in practice. Providing a novel approach to the smart city from a public management perspective, this model would allow policymakers to acquire a more comprehensive understanding of smart city governance and its multi-dimensional outcomes, in terms of social, environmental and economic sustainability. This approach enables the unlocking of the potential to generate multiple values for each group of actors and ensure more effective integration of smart initiatives, policies and projects, based on the public governance paradigms.
Happy or Unhappy? Mental Health Correlates of Receiving Sexts and Unsolicited Sexual Images
Authors: Sciacca Beatrice , Mazzone Angela , Loftsson Magnus , O’Higgins Norman James , Foody Mairéad
Published: February 2024

This study investigated the prevalence of receiving sexts among adolescents and its relationship with depressive symptoms and self-esteem. A survey was administered to 728 high school students in Sweden in 2019 and 2020 (50.4% girls and 46.4% boys) using a cross-sectional design. Findings showed that significantly more boys (28.4%) than girls (12.6%) reported having happily received a sexual picture, while significantly more girls (48.8%) than boys (s.2%) reported having received an unwanted sexual picture at least once in their life. Happily receiving a sexual picture was not related to any of the investigated mental health correlates among girls, whereas it was positively associated with depressive symptoms among boys. Receiving an unsolicited sexual picture was associated with higher depressive symptoms and lower self-esteem for both boys and girls. This work offers a novel approach to studying the reception of sexual images by teenagers Practical implications of the present findings are discussed.
IL-17 expression and prognosis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Li Yun , Chen Ming
Published: February 2024

Objective: To investigate the roles of proinflammatory cytokine IL-17 in the prognosis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). Methods: In all, 67 LSCC patients were enrolled to evaluate the expression of IL-17, IL-23, CD8, CD31, and vascular endothelial growth factor by immunohistochemical staining. Cumulative survival time was determined by the Kaplan-Meier approach, and prognostic variables for overall survival (OS) were identified by Cox proportional-hazards models. Results: The expression of IL-17 and IL-23 was remarkably higher in LSCC tissue than in adjacent normal (AN) tissue ( P < .001). The Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that patients with cervical lymph node metastasis (CLNM), advanced tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage, poor-differentiated grade, high microvessel density (MVD) in LSCC tissues, and high IL-17 expression in AN tissues had poorer OS (all P < .05). Cox regression analysis revealed that CLNM (HR = 7.246; 95% CI: 2.598-20.208; P < .001), high MVD in tumor tissues (HR = 4.233; 95% CI: 1.482-12.092; P = .007), and low CD8 expression in AN tissues (HR = 3.996; 95% CI: 1.442-11.074; P = .008) were significantly associated with poorer OS in LSCC, while IL-17 expression in AN tissue was not. Conclusion: High IL-17 expression in AN tissues could indicate poor prognosis and may be a prognostic marker for LSCC. Low CD8 expression in AN tissues may represent poor frontline antitumor immunity and be associated with poor prognosis.
Towards a Sharper “Golden Anniversary” Focus for Macromarketing?
Authors: Shapiro Stanley J.
Published: February 2024

The future of macromarketing is in doubt should scholars not consider how our field's previous uniqueness has recently been co-opted by other marketing-oriented academic organizations. Proposed here is a new lens for macromarketing scholarship, one that is tightly focused on sustainable societal provisioning systems. Marketing systems literature, sociological research on provisioning systems and “doughnut economics” thinking collectively provide a contemporary basis for future research in macromarketing.
A Scoping Review to Find Reliable Smile Analysis Method
Authors: Husain Akhter , Neeraj  , Bhat H. Hari Kishore , Kuijpers-Jagtman Anne Marie
Published: February 2024

Background

The smile is one of the most fundamental facial expressions, used to convey friendship, agreement, and admiration. There are various smile analysis method available.

Objective

The aim of this scoping review to find most reliable smile analysis method. Which smile analysis method is most reliable and accurate while assessing the smile of patients undergoing orthodontic treatment?

Design

An electronic search was executed on PUBMED, Cochrane, SCOPUS, hand search was made on google scholar and references of the articles selected. Keyword used while searching the databases as “((smile analysis) AND methods) AND comparison.”

Results

A preliminary search of databases and grey literature yielded 525 articles. Following the application of the eligibility criteria, 16 articles were included.

Conclusion

With the use of latest technologies and knowledge in literature, a clinician can correctly identify the problem, assess the treatment need and give a satisfactory outcome to the patient.
Evaluation of Weibull parameters for wind energy analysis in the eastern region of the Kingdom of Morocco
Authors: El Kihel Badr , Kadri Elyamani Nacer Eddine El , Chillali Abdelhakim
Published: February 2024

This document delves into evaluating wind power potential within Morocco’s Oriental region, encompassing an extensive study of 23 locations over 43 years. The analysis was conducted using the advanced MERRA2 data reanalysis system coupled with MATLAB software. Our comprehensive study aims to map the wind energy capabilities across these sites. We employed eight distinct algorithms to adapt the Weibull distribution for the wind speed data. Additionally, the research includes an analysis of the wind rose and assesses the Capacity Factor ([Formula: see text]) to determine the most efficient periods for wind energy production. Our findings highlight that sites S4, S7, and S11 create an ideal geographic formation for wind farm placement. Within this formation, site S8, boasting a ([Formula: see text]) of 36.97%, emerges as a critical location, especially when paired with the EWT DW54 500 wind turbine model. This investigation opens new avenues for advancing wind energy in the region.
Bridge Approach Settlement and its Mitigation Schemes: A Review
Authors: Prakash Bhaskar , Tiwari Anoop Kumar , Dash Suresh R.
Published: February 2024

The primary function of the bridge approach is to provide a seamless transition from the highway or railway embankment to the bridge structure. However, a sudden change in elevation (drop/bump) at the transit of these two has often been observed. This sudden drop/bump acts as a potential cause for motorist discomfort, impact on the bridge deck, and cracks on the pavement surface. This phenomenon of ground settlement or deformation that can occur near the approach or abutment of a bridge for various reasons is often referred to as bridge approach settlement (BAS). Several researchers have contributed to formulating the reasons behind BAS and have proposed several mitigation techniques. This manuscript provides a comprehensive literature review on the causes of BAS, the contribution of various research works on mitigation techniques, and experimental, numerical, and field studies of various BAS mitigation schemes. The causes and mitigation techniques are categorized based on major components of the bridge structure, that is, the foundation, abutment, backfill soil, bridge approach, and bridge deck interface. Each of these mitigation schemes has advantages and disadvantages, and the best approach will depend on several factors, such as the type of soil, the loading conditions, and the design of the bridge and its approaches. The feasibility of various mitigation schemes is also reviewed with respect to their efficacy and ease of use.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Has Better Results for Long-term Functional Improvement and Pain Relief for Lateral Epicondylitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Xu Yang , Li Tao , Wang Li , Yao Lei , Li Jian , Tang Xin
Published: February 2024

Background:

Corticosteroids (CS) have shown good short-term performance in terms of pain relief and functional improvement. However, the safety and long-term efficacy of this treatment remains controversial. Several studies have reported good results of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the treatment of tendinopathies. However, whether its use in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis (LE) is superior to that of CS remains controversial.

Purpose:

To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of original studies to determine whether the prognosis of LE patients treated with PRP is better than that of CS.

Study Design:

Meta-analysis; Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

Two independent reviewers searched online databases from January 2000 to July 2022 according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines to evaluate prospective studies of PRP versus CS injection for LE. A third author addressed any discrepancies. Evidence quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Risk ratios for dichotomous variables and mean differences (MDs) for continuous variables were used to compare clinical outcomes. P values <.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results:

Eleven randomized controlled trials with 730 patients were included in this review. PRP provided a significantly worse short-term (<2 months) improvement in the visual analog scale (VAS) pain score (MD, 0.93 [95% CI, 0.42 to 1.44]; I2 = 85%; P = .0003) and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score (MD, 10.23 [95% CI, 9.08 to 11.39]; I2 = 67%; P < .0001) but better long-term (≥6 months) improvement in the VAS score (MD, –2.18 [95% CI, –3.13 to −1.22]; I2 = 89%; P < .0001), DASH score (MD, –8.13 [95% CI, –9.87 to −6.39]; I2 = 25%; P < .0001), and Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MD, 16.53 [95% CI, 1.52 to 31.53]; I2 = 98%; P = .03) than CS. The medium-term (2-6 months) reduction in the VAS score was not significantly different between the 2 groups. After sensitivity analysis, none of the results changed except for the short-term VAS scores (MD, 0.53 [95% CI, –0.13 to 1.19]; I2 = 78%; P = .12).

Conclusion:

Both PRP and CS injections are effective treatments for patients with LE. CS provides better short-term (<2 months) functional improvement and may be more advantageous in terms of short-term pain relief, while PRP provides better long-term (≥6 months) functional improvement and better performance regarding long-term pain relief.
Effect of thermoplastic particles on the mechanical performance and damage failure of notched fibre metal laminates
Authors: Dalfi Hussein , Rafiee Roham , Al-Obaidi Anwer , Abdulridha Nazar
Published: February 2024

This study aims to explore the open-hole tension of fibre metal laminates containing thermoplastic particles experimentally and theoretically. In this regard, a vacuum bagging infusion process has been used to manufacture glass and glass metal laminates. Further, the tensile strength and damage failure modes were predicted using the Abaqus software, finite element analysis (FEA). This prediction was performed under a tensile test for notched composite laminates. The results of experimental tests indicated that the notch sensitivity is very important in terms of fracture and failures of composites. Furthermore, the findings show that the fibre metal laminates are less notch sensitive than glass composite laminates because of enhancing the composite ductility. In total, 28% of tensile strength decrease has been achieved after having holes for glass composites while the reductions were only 22%, 15% and 13% for glass composite laminates that have one, two and three aluminium layers, respectively. This reduction also becomes 4% for glass composite laminates that have one aluminium layer and thermoplastic particles and they exhibit typical ductile damage failures compared to other laminates. Further, the findings of numerical simulation for tensile strength and damage failure modes follow experimental results both qualitatively and quantitatively for notched composite laminates under tension loading.
Efficacy and Safety of Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir in Severe Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 and in Patients at High Risk for Progression to Critical Illness: A Real-World Study
Authors: Chen Xiaohua , Zhu Ying , Shen Leer , Zhou Dan , Feng Nannan , Tong Qiang
Published: February 2024

Background: Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir is an orally administered anti-SARS-Cov-2 drug used in mild-to-moderate COVID-19 patients. Our retrospective cohort study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir in severe hospitalized patients with Omicron infection, as well as in patients at high risk for progression to critical illness in real-world settings. Methods: A total of 350 patients received Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir while 350 matched controls did not. Patients with confirmed COVID-19 were administered Nirmatrelvir 300 mg and Ritonavir 100 mg orally twice a day for 5 days, with the medication initiated on the first day after admission. The primary endpoint of the study was a composite outcome of hospitalization or death from any cause within 28 days. Secondary endpoints included the occurrence of adverse events and the evaluation of serum levels of IL-6 and viral load. Results: We documented the mortality risk from any cause within 28 days, viral load, serum IL-6 levels, and adverse events. Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir reduced the 28-day risk of all-cause mortality by 86% ( P = .011, hazard ratio (HR) = 0.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.03, 0.64). At baseline, the serum level of IL-6 was significantly higher in the antiviral treatment group compared to the control group ( P < .001), but no significant difference ( P = .990) was found between the two groups at discharge. In CKD patients undergoing hemodialysis, no significant worsening of renal function was observed in the Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir treatment group compared to the control group. Conclusion: Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir may reduce the 28-day risk of all-cause mortality in critically ill patients with COVID-19 and in patients at high risk for critical disease progression.
Impact of topography and added TiN-coating on adult human dermal fibroblasts after seeding on titanium surface in-vitro
Authors: Hauschild G. , Hardes J. , Dudda M. , Streitbürger A. , Wahrenburg M.
Published: February 2024

Complications of transcutaneous osseointegrated prosthetic systems (TOPS) focus on the metal-cutaneous interface at the stoma. Besides pain due to scare tissue as well as undefined neuropathic disorders, there is high evidence that the stoma presents the main risk causing hypergranulation and ascending infection. To restore the cutaneous barrier function in this functional area, soft-tissue on- or in-growth providing a vital and mechanically stable bio-artificial conjunction is considered a promising approach. In this study we assessed viability and proliferation of adult human dermal fibroblasts (HDFa) on modifications of a standard prosthetic titanium surface. Un-coated (TiAl6V4) as well as a titanium-nitrite (TiN) coated additive manufactured porous three-dimensional surface structures (EPORE®) were seeded with HDFa and compared to plain TiAl6V4 and polystyrene surfaces as control. Cell viability and proliferation were assessed at 24 h and 7 days after seeding with a fluorescence-based live-dead assay. Adhesion and cell morphology were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy at the respective measurements. Both EPORE® surface specifications revealed a homogenous cell distribution with flat and spread cell morphology forming filopodia at both measurements. Proliferation and trend to confluence was seen on un-coated EPORE® surfaces with ongoing incubation but appeared substantially lower on the TiN-coated EPORE® specification. While cell viability on both EPORE® specifications was comparable to plain TiAL6V4 and polystyrene controls, cell proliferation and confluence were less pronounced when compared to controls. The EPORE® topography allows for fibroblast adhesion and viability in both standard TiAl6V4 and – to a minor degree - TiN-coated specifications as a proof of principle.
Exposure to Neighborhood Violence and Gun Carrying Among Adolescents in the United States: Findings From A Population-Based Study
Authors: Baiden Philip , Park Yangjin , LaBrenz Catherine A. , Childress Saltanat
Published: February 2024

Although studies have investigated and found an association between victimization and weapon carrying, few studies have examined the association between exposure to neighborhood violence (NV) and gun carrying among adolescents. The objective of this study was to examine the cross-sectional association between exposure to NV and gun carrying among adolescents. Data for this study came from the 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. An analytic sample of 17,033 adolescents aged 14 to 18 years old (51.7% male) was analyzed using logistic regression with complementary log-log link function. The outcome variable investigated in this study is gun carrying and was measured as a binary variable, whereas the main explanatory variable examined in this study was exposure to NV, which was also measured as a binary variable. Of the 17,033 adolescents, 4.2% carried a weapon during the past year, and 18.7% were exposed to NV. Controlling for the effects of other factors, adolescents who were exposed to NV had more than double the odds of carrying a gun when compared to their counterparts not exposed to NV (adjusted odds ratio = 2.33, 95% Confidence Intervals [1.69, 3.23]). Other significant factors associated with gun carrying include being a male, non-Hispanic Black, being threatened or injured with a weapon, use of alcohol, cigarette smoking, and misuse of prescription opioids. High parental monitoring was protective against gun carrying. The findings of this study underscore the importance of developing age-appropriate intervention strategies to reduce gun carrying among adolescents. School counselors and other professionals working with adolescents in disadvantaged neighborhoods should actively engage parents in assessments and interventions.
Cognition and Wealth Changes in Mid-to-later Life: A Latent Class Trajectories Approach Using the Health and Retirement Study
Authors: Westrick Ashly C. , Esiaka Darlingtina K. , Meier Helen C.S. , Rooks Ronica N. , Manning Mark , Tarraf Wassim
Published: February 2024

Objectives

To assess how cognitive trajectories from mid-to-later life relate to wealth change, overall and by mid-life income. Methods: Data were from participants (51–64 years) in the 2000–2018 U.S. Health and Retirement Study who were cognitively healthy at baseline (year 2000; unweighted n = 3821). Longitudinal latent class analyses generated cognitive and wealth trajectories, independently, and multinomial logistic regressions estimated the association between cognitive trajectories and wealth profiles, overall and by median income. Results: We identified three cognitive: cognitively healthy (CH), increasing cognitive impairment (ICI), and increasing dementia (ID) and four wealth profiles: stable wealth loss (SWL), delayed gradual wealth loss (DGWL), stable wealth gain (SWG), and gradual wealth gain (GWG). The ID group had higher probability of being in the SWL group and lower probability of SWG, which was more pronounced in respondents with greater median income. Discussion: Individuals with ID may be vulnerable to wealth loss, particularly for middle-class households.
Noise effects, analysis and control in hospitals - A review
Authors: Raghuwanshi Naresh K , Yadav Sarvesh Kumar , Jayaswal Pratesh , Parey Anand
Published: February 2024

Noise pollution is a growing problem in hospitals. Noise is a common complaint among hospital staff, patients, and their families in hospitals. Research shows the negative impact of noise on patients. The common effects of noise on patients and staffs in hospitals are annoyance, irritation, high blood pressure, stress, poor mental health, and fatigue. But peoples are unaware about these effects. There are different noise sources in the hospitals e.g., medical equipment, talking of patient’s family members, staff conversation, opening-closing doors etc. There is need to control the noise level in the hospitals from the above noise sources. In this review paper, the noise effects on patients, noise sources in hospitals and noise controlling strategies are summarised and discussed. The aim of this review work is to increase the awareness about the noise effects on human health and show the actual condition of the hospital noise. Further, to increase the researcher’s curiosity to do in-depth research on noise pollution and control in hospitals.
Active noise control modeling for an electric bus driving position and its effect on sound quality
Authors: Zhang Enlai , Peng Zhilong , Chen Qian , Lian Jiading
Published: February 2024

Current electric bus has become an important public transport for people in China, and its interior sound quality directly affects the driver’s physical and mental health for a long working time and the comprehensive performance of the vehicle. Therefore, it is an inevitable and urgent trend to research electric bus interior sound quality. Aiming at the problem of subjective uncomfortable auditory sensation caused by different speeds, the noise signals near the driver’s ears were collected under two constant speed conditions. On the basis of principle analysis of feed-forward adaptive control system, the primary and secondary path transfer functions were presented using Simulink module in MATLAB to construct three active noise control models for an electric bus based on least mean square (LMS), normalized LMS (NLMS) and filtered-x LMS (FxLMS). Numerical simulation results indicate that the established control models are convergent, and four acoustic parameters are effectively reduced after controls to achieve the effect of improving the sound quality.
Safety and contagion in acute psychiatric wards: How the milieu is implicated in the occurrence of clustered safety incidents
Authors: Canvin Krysia , Brierley-Jones Lyn , Ramsey Lauren , Baker John , Berzins Kathryn
Published: February 2024

In psychiatry, clustered safety incidents are often attributed to behavioural contagion. Drawing on Kindermann and Skinner’s conceptual work in our analysis of staff accounts, we explored whether clustered safety incidents could be attributable to contagion and the role played by staff and the psychiatric milieu (as a physical, cultural, and therapeutic space). Our analysis suggests that whether the clustered incidents identified by staff are attributable to contagion depends on how broadly the “incident” is defined, with clear implications for the over or under identification of contagion. We also identified the role of staff and the milieu in what was often perceived as contagion. We argue that the pursuit of safety by creating a predictable milieu may paradoxically contribute to this clustering of safety incidents and staff’s perception of them as contagious via the mechanisms of risk amplification, involuntary convergence (increased exposure to safety incidents), and depletion of the milieu’s therapeutic potential.
Factors influencing the adoption of robotic technologies in academic libraries: A systematic literature review (SLR)
Authors: Shahzad Khurram , Khan Shakeel Ahmad , Iqbal Abid
Published: February 2024

The study aimed to identify the factors influencing the adoption of robotic technologies in academic libraries, investigate the impact of robots on library services, and reveal challenges to adopt robotic applications in academic libraries. A systematic literature review was applied to address the study’s objectives. The 16 most relevant seminal studies published in peer-reviewed journals were selected to conduct the study. Findings displayed that the factors of innovation, advancements in artificial intelligence, library security, and personalized services influenced positively the adoption of robotic technologies in academic libraries. The study also illustrated that robots had a significant positive impact on academic libraries by performing a variety of roles, solving space issues, and providing entertainment to library patrons. Results also revealed that loss of critical thinking, technical issues, lack of organizational planning, financial hurdles, fear of job loss, shortage of skilled manpower, and ethical considerations caused barriers to the successful implementation of robotic applications in academic libraries. The study has added valuable literature to the existing body of knowledge. It is the first systematic literature review on the factors influencing the adoption of robotic technologies in academic libraries. It has provided practical solutions in light of evidence-based data for the effective adoption of robotic technologies in academic libraries.
One-way street to the European Union? Between national and EU-level social dialogue 20 years after eastward EU enlargement
Authors: Akgüç Mehtap , Kahancová Marta , Masso Jaan
Published: February 2024

This article assesses perceptions among national and EU-level social partners of developments in social dialogue since the EU accession of Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries 20 years ago. The analysis evaluates the processes, structures and outcomes of interactions between social partners from CEE countries and the EU level. Social partners from CEE countries see the benefits of interaction with and exposure to EU-level social dialogue. On the other hand, their underdeveloped national structures for tripartite dialogue and sectoral bargaining pose a substantial barrier to capacity building and to voicing their interests at the EU level, undermining their legitimacy in EU-level structures. Even 20 years after enlargement, there is a perceived duality and internal competition between ‘Western’ and ‘Eastern’ social partners at the EU level, criticisms of the ability of EU-level social dialogue structures to deliver effective outcomes, and a diversity of actors’ preferences concerning binding and non-binding provisions.
Auditory imagery ability influences accuracy when singing with altered auditory feedback
Authors: Reed Courtney N. , Pearce Marcus , McPherson Andrew
Published: February 2024

In this preliminary study, we explored the relationship between auditory imagery ability and the maintenance of tonal and temporal accuracy when singing and audiating with altered auditory feedback (AAF). Actively performing participants sang and audiated (sang mentally but not aloud) a self-selected piece in AAF conditions, including upward pitch-shifts and delayed auditory feedback (DAF), and with speech distraction. Participants with higher self-reported scores on the Bucknell Auditory Imagery Scale (BAIS) produced a tonal reference that was less disrupted by pitch shifts and speech distraction than musicians with lower scores. However, there was no observed effect of BAIS score on temporal deviation when singing with DAF. Auditory imagery ability was not related to the experience of having studied music theory formally, but was significantly related to the experience of performing. The significant effect of auditory imagery ability on tonal reference deviation remained even after partialling out the effect of experience of performing. The results indicate that auditory imagery ability plays a key role in maintaining an internal tonal center during singing but has at most a weak effect on temporal consistency. In this article, we outline future directions in understanding the multifaceted role of auditory imagery ability in singers’ accuracy and expression.
More than Money: Political Participation by Elite Business Families
Authors: Duran Patricio , Ortiz Marcelo , Carney Michael
Published: February 2024

Business families directly participating in political roles have considerable influence in various countries. We explore political business families’ unique economic and social characteristics through a social embeddedness lens. We build a comprehensive dataset of Chilean business families and identify their direct political participation from 1989 to 2020. We find limited support for economic features tied to political participation, whereas social characteristics, such as nationally rooted origins, religious affiliations, and family generation, are shared features of political business families. We extend the literature by analyzing how business families with greater social embeddedness act as legitimate representatives of the big business class in the state.
Men at Work…Unsafely: Gender Differences in Compliance with Safety Regulations in the Trucking Industry
Authors: Scott Alex , Davis-Sramek Beth , Ketchen David J
Published: February 2024

Although safety within operational systems depends on compliance with regulations, non-compliance is common in many settings. Trucking is a meaningful industry for studying operational safety compliance given that the industry is large and important, truck accidents kill thousands annually, and such accidents collectively cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars. Although the truck driving occupation is dominated by men, significant efforts are underway to recruit more women into the profession. If women are safer behind the wheel than men, increasing their ranks could improve overall safety compliance. Building on theory and evidence suggesting that men have a greater willingness to take risky actions and break rules, we used data on 22 million truck inspections from 2010 to 2022 to identify an operational safety compliance gap between men and women truckers. Overall, men were 7.4% more likely to be cited for a major violation of rules governing working hours (known as hours-of-service or HOS rules) and 13.2% more likely to have a major unsafe driving violation. We then examined whether gap changes based on carrier size and type. We found that the HOS compliance gap is smaller for small carriers (vs. large) and private carriers (vs. for-hire), but not the unsafe driving gap. Finally, we tested whether the introduction of an intervention—electronic logging devices (ELDs) that automatically record truckers’ driving hours—closes the gap by increasing men's compliance. In line with predictions, differences between men and women disappeared after the mandate; but again, only for HOS compliance. Surprisingly, women had significantly more HOS violations in 2021 and 2022 than men—an outcome that may be tied to women truckers’ personal safety issues. In summary, the results and additional robustness checks indicate that men committed more unsafe driving violations (e.g., speeding) than women across the entire study period, while the pattern of HOS violations varied based on external events. We conclude by highlighting possible pathways for reducing the number of collisions involving trucks and thus lowering the number of fatalities and extent of economic losses.
Testing the Validity of the Expanded Five-Dimensional Model of Work Orientations
Authors: Willner Tirza , Lipshits-Braziler Yuliya , Gati Itamar , Shachrur Bar
Published: February 2024

Finding meaning and purpose in work has become increasingly important in today’s volatile world. Work orientations reflect the purpose individuals see in their work. The Work Orientation Questionnaire (WOQ), based on the expanded five-dimensional model of work orientation (Willner et al., 2020), was used to elicit individuals’ purpose of work - calling, job, career, social embeddedness, and busyness. In Study 1 ( N = 315 employees), the five work orientations were moderately associated with Schein’s (1990) career anchors supporting the WOQ’s convergent and discriminant validity. Study 2 using 5-year longitudinal data from 206 college graduates, revealed that the motives for selecting a college major had small to negligible associations with the five work orientations. Study 3 ( N = 414 employees), applying Holland’s (1997) classification of the six RIASEC environments, found that a calling orientation was most prominent among those working in a Social environment, whereas a job orientation was most prominent among individuals in a Conventional environment. Moreover, work orientations accounted for work satisfaction and career choice satisfaction beyond career anchors, motives for choosing a college major, and work environments. Theoretical and practical implications of cultivating purpose at work are discussed.