bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Introduction to Mathematical Language Processing: Informal Proofs, Word Problems, and Supporting Tasks
Authors: Meadows Jordan , Freitas André
Published: September 2023

Automating discovery in mathematics and science will require sophisticated methods of information extraction and abstract reasoning, including models that can convincingly process relationships between mathematical elements and natural language, to produce problem solutions of real-world value. We analyze mathematical language processing methods across five strategic sub-areas (identifier-definition extraction, formula retrieval, natural language premise selection, math word problem solving, and informal theorem proving) from recent years, highlighting prevailing methodologies, existing limitations, overarching trends, and promising avenues for future research.
Taxonomy, phylogeny, and successful cultivation of Marasmiellus scandens (Basidiomycota) associated with Aquilaria sinensis (agarwood tree) in China
Authors: ZHANG SHIYU , YE SHUANG , TIBPROMMA SAOWALUCK , KARUNARATHNA SAMANTHA C. , ZHAO GAOJUAN , MAPOOK AUSANA , XU JIANCHU
Published: September 2023

Endophytic fungi are isolated from all parts of plants and several have been reported from Aquilaria sinensis and most of them are ascomycetous species. In this study, an endophytic Marasmiellus species collected from Aquilaria sinensis in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China was isolated. Phylogenetic analyses of the Internal Transcribed Spacer (nrITS) gene region and morphological analyses confirmed the endophytic fungus as Marasmiellus scandens. In addition, fruiting bodies of M. scandens were successfully obtained in sawdust grow bags. A full description, illustrations, cultivation results, and a phylogenetic tree to show the placement of M. scandens are provided. Marasmiellus scandens is reported here as a new country and host record. In addition, this is the first report of the M. scandens cultivation in its endophytic form.
Agave mayo (sect. Littaea, Asparagaceae), a new species from northern Sinaloa, Mexico
Authors: VÁZQUEZ-GARCÍA J. ANTONIO , ROJAS-AGUILAR E. ITZEL , GÓNZALEZ-BERNAL MARCO A. , CARRILLO-GARCÍA JESÚS ALFREDO , ROSALES-MARTÍNEZ C. SANTIAGO
Published: September 2023

Agave mayo (sect. Littaea, Asparagaceae), a new species endemic to the Sierra de Barobampo, Sinaloa, Mexico, is described. This species shares morphological characteristics with A. schidigera, from which it is distinguished by its often falcate leaves leaves, inclined inflorescence, larger reddish flowers, larger tubes, larger tepal lobes, filaments inserted inserted in the middle of the tube, longer ovaries, and longer obpyriform fruits. A distribution map with biogeographic provinces is provided to place the species in an ecological and evolutionary context.
Assimilation of Sentinel-1 Backscatter into a Land Surface Model with River Routing and Its Impact on Streamflow Simulations in Two Belgian Catchments
Authors: Bechtold Michel , Modanesi Sara , Lievens Hans , Baguis Pierre , Brangers Isis , Carrassi Alberto , Getirana Augusto , Gruber Alexander , Heyvaert Zdenko , Massari Christian , Scherrer Samuel , Vannitsem Stéphane , De Lannoy Gabrielle
Published: September 2023

Accurate streamflow simulations rely on good estimates of the catchment-scale soil moisture distribution. Here, we evaluated the potential of Sentinel-1 backscatter data assimilation (DA) to improve soil moisture and streamflow estimates. Our DA system consisted of the Noah-MP land surface model coupled to the HyMAP river routing model and the water cloud model as a backscatter observation operator. The DA system was set up at 0.01° resolution for two contrasting catchments in Belgium: (i) the Demer catchment dominated by agriculture and (ii) the Ourthe catchment dominated by mixed forests. We present the results of two experiments with an ensemble Kalman filter updating either soil moisture only or soil moisture and leaf area index (LAI). The DA experiments covered the period from January 2015 through August 2021 and were evaluated with independent rainfall error estimates based on station data, LAI from optical remote sensing, soil moisture retrievals from passive microwave observations, and streamflow measurements. Our results indicate that the assimilation of Sentinel-1 backscatter observations can partly correct errors in surface soil moisture due to rainfall errors and overall improve surface soil moisture estimates. However, updating soil moisture and LAI simultaneously did not bring any benefit over updating soil moisture only. Our results further indicate that streamflow estimates can be improved through Sentinel-1 DA in a catchment with strong soil moisture–runoff coupling, as observed for the Ourthe catchment, suggesting that there is potential for Sentinel-1 DA even for forested catchments.

Significance Statement

The purpose of this study is to improve streamflow estimation by integrating soil moisture information from satellite observations into a hydrological modeling framework. This is important preparatory work for operational centers that are responsible for producing the most accurate flood forecasts for the society. Our results provide new insights into how and where streamflow forecasting could benefit from high-spatial-resolution Sentinel-1 radar backscatter observations.
The Impact of Surface Drag on the Structure and Evolution of Surface Boundaries Associated with Tornadogenesis in Simulated Supercells
Authors: Jiang Qin , Dawson Daniel T.
Published: September 2023

Surface boundaries in supercells have been suspected of being important in the arrangement and concentration of vorticity for the development and intensification of tornadoes, but there has been little attention given to the effects of the underlying surface roughness on their behavior. This study investigates the impact of surface drag on the structure and evolution of these boundaries, their associated distribution of near-surface vorticity, and tornadogenesis and maintenance. Comparisons between idealized simulations without and with drag introduced in the mature stage of the storm prior to tornadogenesis reveal that the inclusion of surface drag substantially alters the low-level structure, particularly with respect to the number, location, and intensity of surface convergence boundaries. Substantial drag-generated horizontal vorticity induces rotor structures near the surface associated with the convergence boundaries in both the forward and rear flanks of the storm. Stretching of horizontal vorticity and subsequent tilting into the vertical along the convergence boundaries lead to elongated positive vertical vorticity sheets on the ascending branch of the rotors and the opposite on the descending branch. The larger near-surface pressure deficit associated with the faster development of the near-surface cyclone when drag is active creates a downward dynamic vertical pressure gradient force that suppresses vertical growth, leading to a weaker and wider tornado detached from the surrounding convergence boundaries. A conceptual model of the low-level structure of the tornadic supercell is presented that focuses on the contribution of surface drag, with the aim of adding more insight and complexity to previous conceptual models.

Significance Statement

Tornado development is sensitive to near-surface processes, including those associated with front-like boundaries between regions of airflow within the parent storm. However, observations and theory are insufficient to understand these phenomena, and numerical simulation remains vital. In our simulations, we find that a change in a parameter that controls how much the near-surface winds are reduced by friction (or drag) can substantially alter the storm behavior and tornado potential. We investigate how surface drag affects the low-level storm structure, the distribution of regions of near-surface rotation, and the development of tornadoes within the simulation. Our results provide insight into the role of surface drag and lead to an improved conceptual model of the near-surface structure of a tornadic storm.
Climate Change and Adaptation: Exploring Drivers of Community and Gender-Disaggregated Social Vulnerability
Authors: Memon Manzoor Hussain , Aamir Naveed , Ahmed Nadeem
Published: September 2023

Climate change has forced the world into a state of emergency, but the urgency can also become an opportunity to strengthen the focus on sustainable development and reduce social vulnerability. For developing economies, the first and foremost challenge regarding climate change is to address the knowledge gap on sustainable development and vulnerability. Besides this, evidence-based inputs are needed for the policies and programs that intend to enhance the adaptive capacity and social capital from the gender perspective in comparatively more disaster-prone districts of the country. The environmental impact in terms of socioeconomic conditions specifically pertaining to rural areas of Pakistan cannot be ignored. Natural events such as floods and droughts have raised the question of the social and socioeconomic vulnerability of the rural communities. This paper is an attempt toward understanding that everyone who is affected will be impacted differently by climate change both within the same gender and between different genders, including gender minorities. In addition, an attempt is made to identify the drivers of gender-disaggregated social vulnerability in selected disaster-prone rural communities of the district of Dadu, Sindh Province, Pakistan. Both quantitative and qualitative techniques are employed to examine the differences in gender perception on climate change, experiences related to climate change, disasters, and impacts on their lives. Women and households headed by them are found to be relatively more vulnerable due to their socioeconomic and social status in the rural areas of Pakistan. The paper gives policy directives that not only address the measures for reduction in climate change impacts but also suggest the development of effective disaster management programs, policies, and strategies.
An analytical closed-form solution for the in-plane elastic modulus of plain-woven textile composites
Authors: Ghasempoor Alireza , Shahbeyk Sharif
Published: September 2023

Engineering application of textile composites needs simple relations for the estimation of their mechanical properties. Many homogenization and simplified models have been already proposed for the analytical characterization of the elastic moduli of this class of materials. Along this route, the current study introduces an analytical solution for the longitudinal elastic modulus of plain-woven textile composites. A hybrid beam-spring model of the representative unit cell (RUC) is postulated consisting of a horizontal beam connected to an inclined beam, two supporting springs beneath the free end of the horizontal beam and the common end of the horizontal and inclined beams, and a torsion spring at the free end of the inclined beam. The mechanical and geometrical properties of the beams and springs are calculated from the weave structure and the symmetry conditions. A reduction technique from the matrix analysis of structures is borrowed to consider the effect of internal degrees of freedom on the in-plane stiffness coefficient and a closed-form formula is extracted for the elastic modulus. The proposed analytical formula is finally verified against available experimental data and a wide range of FE predictions for the GFRP and CFRP plain-woven composites.
Less Is More? Shifting Power and Third-Party Military Assistance
Authors: Spaniel William , Savun Burcu
Published: September 2023

In contexts as diverse as civil war interventions, alliances, and military coalitions, states often militarily assist protégés to counteract unfavorable power shifts. Existing theoretical work finds that such assistance mitigates commitment problems and reduces the probability of war. We develop a model that captures this but also includes information asymmetries. In many cases, overcoming the commitment problem encourages the protégé to take greater risks in bargaining, thereby increasing the probability of war due to incomplete information. Using mechanism design, we show that in some cases, no feasible transfer can reduce the probability of war to zero. More broadly, our results indicate that encouraging policymakers to further expand military assistance can backfire despite empirical relationships that may appear otherwise.
“Without union power, there is no way of pursuing your policy goals”: when do labor unions use political mobilization as a revitalization strategy?
Authors: Voncken Luuk , Otjes Simon
Published: September 2023

In response to membership decline, trade unions have attempted a number of revitalization strategies. One of these is political campaigning. If used as a revitalization strategy, political campaigns are not just employed because the union desires a specific policy outcome but also as a way to convince new members to join the union. Drawing from the literature on both union revitalization and interest group strategies more in general, we seek to explain why some unions attempt this revitalization strategy where others do not. We use a controlled comparison of two trade union federations in the same country facing the same membership pressures to determine which factor or factors contribute to using this strategy. One trade union organized a campaign to increase the minimum wage specifically to boost its membership (the #Voor14 campaign), while the other did not. On the basis of interviews with key actors in both unions, we identify a key factor in determining union strategic choices: some groups risk their relations with the government and employers to gain more power at the negotiation table, while others believe that expanding membership is not worth risking the relations with the government and employers.
Comparing United States and European Union academic animal programs: Finances
Authors: Preisig Patricia , Macy James D. , Hau Jann
Published: September 2023

The Yale Animal Resource Cost and Benchmarking survey, conducted in United States (US) academic animal research/resource centres (ARC), was modified to capture similar information in European Union (EU) (including the non-EU countries Switzerland and the United Kingdom) academic ARCs, who are members of the League of European Research Universities (LERU). Participating institutions came from Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Scotland, Spain and Switzerland. Survey data analysis suggests that (a) per diem rates have similar compositions in LERU and US programs, with >50% of the rates dedicated to recovering salary and fringe, followed by supplies (∼25%), facility costs (∼10%) and other expenses (∼15%); (b)  ∼60% of US and LERU programs under-recover mouse care costs; (c) on average, LERU programs have a small positive net-operating balance, while US programs average a large deficit; (d) in LERU programs <50% of institutions fund the animal program deficit, while in US programs almost 100% of such deficits are covered by the institution; and (e) when setting per diem rates, both US and LERU programs rank cost accounting as the most influential factor. Both US and LERU programs are reluctant to raise per diem rates to the extent required to recover costs and, thus, continue to under-recover costs, resulting in the animal program being ‘caught in the middle’ between the competing financial challenges of investigator ‘affordability’ and the animal program’s fiduciary responsibility to the institution.
Convivial narratives as agency: Middle-class Muslims evading racialisation in Copenhagen
Authors: Hassani Amani
Published: September 2023

This article presents an ethnographic analysis of how young middle-class Muslims in Copenhagen create convivial narratives of their city. The article builds on Paul Gilroy’s idea of conviviality by bridging it with Saba Mahmood’s concept of agency. I argue that widening the conversation on urban conviviality to include a perspective on agency allows us to expand the sociological imagination to one that combines both phenomenological and critical theory in urban analysis. In the context of Denmark, middle-class Muslims’ convivial narratives can be understood as an agency to navigate Islamophobic or racist experiences, enabled by their spatial mobility and class positioning. The article concludes that Muslims’ conviviality is contingent on an intersectional understanding related to racialisation, gender and socio-economic position. This approach allows an appreciation of how socially mobile Danish Muslims can construct convivial narratives to evade racism and Islamophobia in everyday life.
Hospitality Work as Social Reproduction: Embodied and Emotional Labour during COVID-19
Authors: Jones Charlotte , White Lauren , Slater Tig , Pluquailec Jill
Published: September 2023

This article focuses on how the imaginary of a ‘safe’ environment was visualised and conveyed within the hospitality sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, drawing on diaries and interviews with 21 workers in the UK. Our findings show increased workloads for hospitality staff, compounded by anxieties of risk and individualised COVID-19 regulation work. This includes workers’ negotiations of corporeal boundaries and distancing from customers, the visible cleaning of communal areas and recuperation and care work for their own bodies and others in shared living spaces. We draw on conceptualisations of embodied and emotional labour to understand these experiences, reflecting on the importance of the actions performed by workers in maintaining community spaces and creating customer confidence in safely enjoying a ‘hospitable’ environment. This article contributes to social science scholarship of embodied and emotional labour, hospitality and social reproduction.
Does Bureaucracy Diminish Inclusion? Evidence from a County Government
Authors: DeHart-Davis Leisha , Dickerson Kimalee , Jiang Zhongnan
Published: September 2023

This article examines the influence of bureaucratic structure on a public employee’s sense of inclusion. We argue that bureaucratic structure influences inclusion by accentuating or minimizing status differences. To test this argument, we investigate three types of bureaucratic structure: centralization, hierarchy, and span of control, all expected to lower inclusion, and “green tape,” or effective organizational rules, expected to increase inclusion. To test these expectations, we use quantitative and qualitative survey data, as well as administrative data collected from the employees of 31 departments in a county government in the Southeastern United States. Findings indicate that higher centralization and wider span of control reduce inclusion, whereas green tape increases inclusion. Hierarchy shows no statistically significant inclusion effect. The article concludes with the implications of these results of public sector organizational design.
Elevating disabled voices: Decentering power in school psychology scholarship
Authors: Talapatra Devadrita , Snider Laurel A. , McCreadie Kayla , Cullen Eileen
Published: September 2023

People with intellectual disabilities (IDs) have experienced involuntary and inhumane research practices. Consequently, researchers have shifted towards excluding those with IDs; caregivers, teachers, or peers compose study samples, dominating a space they indirectly experience. Researcher bias regarding intellectual capacity has resulted in a unique research gap that overlooks insights from the population the research is intended to benefit. People with ID are interested in research participation and have a right to be included in decision-making that impacts them. Emancipatory inquiry allows school psychology scholars to center student voices while also promoting social justice. Emancipatory inquiry empowers the “subjects” of social inquiry by producing knowledge that directly benefits disenfranchised populations. Emancipatory inquiry aligns with the social justice frame of DisCrit, which compels us to privilege the voices of marginalized populations and recognize that many of the gains for disabled populations have largely occurred because of the benefits they afford White, able-bodied, middle-class citizens. Using Emancipatory inquiry, school psychology scholars can prepare trainees and future researchers to conduct ethically sound research, prioritize first-person voices of those with ID, provide socially valid services to students and their families, and move school psychology closer to partnership with the disabled community.
The Effects of Aberrant Responding on Model-Fit Assuming Different Underlying Response Processes
Authors: Reimers Jennifer , Turner Ronna C. , Tendeiro Jorge N. , Lo Wen-Juo , Keiffer Elizabeth
Published: September 2023

Aberrant responding on tests and surveys has been shown to affect the psychometric properties of scales and the statistical analyses from the use of those scales in cumulative model contexts. This study extends prior research by comparing the effects of four types of aberrant responding on model fit in both cumulative and ideal point model contexts using graded partial credit (GPCM) and generalized graded unfolding (GGUM) models. When fitting models to data, model misfit can be both a function of misspecification and aberrant responding. Results demonstrate how varying levels of aberrant data can severely impact model fit for both cumulative and ideal point data. Specifically, longstring responses have a stronger impact on dimensionality for both ideal point and cumulative data, while random responding tends to have the most negative impact on data model fit according to information criteria (AIC, BIC). The results also indicate that ideal point data models such as GGUM may be able to fit cumulative data as well as the cumulative model itself (GPCM), whereas cumulative data models may not provide sufficient model fit for data simulated using an ideal point model.
Joint Utility or Sub-optimal Outcomes? Household Income Development of Same-Sex and Different-Sex Couples Transitioning to Parenthood in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden
Authors: van der Vleuten Maaike , Evertsson Marie , Moberg Ylva
Published: September 2023

Unequal divisions of paid work and care among new parents contribute to increasing inequalities. One explanation for this is joint utility maximization and the benefits of partners (temporarily) specializing in paid work and care. This paper examines the (dis)advantages of specializing compared to dividing tasks more equally by studying whether differences in specialization between same-sex and different-sex couples lead to differences in household earnings after entering parenthood. Using register data from Norway, Finland, Denmark, and Sweden and examining first-time parents, we show that female couples have a more equal within-couple income development during the transition to parenthood than different-sex couples do. However, we find no differences in household income (including or excluding social transfers) between the two types of couples. Although a more equal task division may be preferred from an individual perspective, our results show no evidence of a “best strategy” when it comes to maximizing household income.
Lecompte maneuver for compressed left coronary artery after pulmonary artery banding
Authors: Takeyoshi Daisuke , Konuma Takeshi , Kojima Ai , Takeuchi Takamasa
Published: September 2023

A one-month-old baby boy with a complete atrioventricular septal defect underwent pulmonary artery banding. A high take-off of the left coronary artery, overlooked on the echocardiogram, was identified. It was compressed by the right pulmonary artery that was dilated owing to pulmonary artery banding. The patient developed severe heart failure, and a Lecompte maneuver was performed. The procedure helped effectively treat this congenital heart disease with a high take-off coronary artery compressed by the right pulmonary artery.
Parental separation and children’s well-being: Does the quality of parent-child relationships moderate the effect?
Authors: Kleinschlömer Pauline , Krapf Sandra
Published: September 2023

A considerable body of literature takes a deficit perspective and shows that children who experience a parental separation have more disadvantages than children who live in a two-biological-parent family. This article argues that not all children respond identically to their parents’ separation, and examines whether there are heterogeneous effects based on parent-child relationship quality. We expect that having a good relationship with the resident parent can buffer the potentially negative effects of parental separation on a child’s well-being. Using longitudinal data from waves 2 to 13 (2009/2010 – 2020/2021) of the German Family Panel pairfam, we estimate fixed-effects models based on a sample of 2,057 children aged 7 to 15, 99 of whom experienced the separation of their parents. We find that children who had a high level of conflict with the resident parent had significantly more emotional problems after parental separation, whereas children who had few conflicts with the resident parent had significantly fewer emotional problems after separation. Similarly, we find that only children in a parent-child dyad with a low level of intimate disclosure had more behavioral problems after parental separation than before.
Craft breweries and local place development – Perspectives from a Scandinavian context
Authors: Dalborg Cecilia , Skoglund Wilhelm , Wally Ryan Anne , Högberg Lovisa , Junker Eivind , Rennemo Øystein , von Friedrichs Yvonne
Published: September 2023

In recent decades, the craft beer sector has grown rapidly, and it has been studied across the world through various lenses. In Norway and Sweden, the sector is a well-established complement to large-scale beer producers, but it has yet to be thoroughly studied. Previous studies show that the location of a brewery is important in terms of marketing and branding approaches, but also that craft brewers contribute to place development. The aim of this study is to explore how context affects the possibilities of craft breweries to contribute to local place development. The study results are built on a web-survey, answered by 201 craft beer brewers in Norway and Sweden. The findings show that brewers, especially those located in rural areas, struggle under tough conditions regarding profit margins, as well as troublesome and limiting legislation. Place is considered very important, but breweries in rural areas use place-connection to a higher extent. Tourism is important, especially for breweries located in rural areas, and changes in regulation could increase the importance even more. The results of this study show that there exist contextual differences which also have an impact on the extent to which the brewers can contribute to their local community.
Assessing the Progress of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition From 1974 to 2022: A Narrative Review
Authors: Candelario Cristela Mae C.
Published: September 2023

Background:

Malnutrition remains a public health burden in the Philippines, with the country struggling to meet global nutrition targets.

Objective:

This study aims to review the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) and its progress in addressing malnutrition in the Philippines.

Methods:

A narrative literature review of the PPAN and its implementation from 1974 to 2022 was conducted, including an analysis of relevant data on the nutrition status and programs for Filipinos.

Results:

The study found that the PPAN has been largely supportive in addressing malnutrition in the Philippines over the years. However, obstacles hindering the achievement of its nutrition-related goals have been identified. Challenges include inadequate coordination of programs at the local level, concerns regarding data quality, and insufficient training of personnel involved in implementing the PPAN. The results also indicate that the country has made limited progress toward achieving the global nutrition targets set by the Sustainable Development Goals 2030.

Conclusion:

This study highlights the need to revisit and refine the PPAN to respond to the changing nature of malnutrition in the country. Recommendations to address the remaining gaps in the planning, implementing, and monitoring of the PPAN are discussed. Finally, the paper offers some valuable insights from the experiences of the PPAN that can be applied to other countries facing comparable nutrition contexts.
On Márkus’ new Marxist philosophy of language
Authors: Shao Shuai
Published: September 2023

This article elucidates Márkus’ new Marxist philosophy of language based on his critique of the paradigm of language represented by Popper, Wittgenstein, Lévi-Strauss, and Gadamer. His critique suggests that instrumental rationality, pure reason, alienated reason, and objective and idealistic rationality of the paradigm of language are elements that should be overcome. From his critical perspective, value rationality, practical reason, personal reason, and historical materialism are advocated instead. He not only critically develops the philosophy of language but also adds new levels of meaning to Marxism.
Childhood Emotional Neglect and Cognitive Function Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults: Mediating Role of Social Engagement
Authors: Wang Weiwei , Xia Xinger , Zhang Huiping
Published: September 2023

Studies have demonstrated that childhood maltreatment and adverse experiences lead to impaired cognitive function. However, relatively few studies have examined the independent effect of childhood emotional neglect on cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults, and the role of social engagement in this relationship. Using a sample from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, the current study examined the mediating role of social engagement in the association between childhood emotional neglect and cognitive function among middle-aged and older adults. Participants were 32,540 middle-aged and older adults ( Mage = 63.45, SD = 8.83). Data were analyzed using a fixed effects model for panel data and bootstrap resampling method. Results showed that participants who experienced emotional neglect had poorer cognitive function (β = −.068, p < .001). Social engagement mediated 7.55% of the association between emotional neglect and cognitive function (β = −.004, 95% CI [−0.006, −0.002], p < .05). The results indicated that interventions are required to improve awareness of emotional neglect and facilitate healthy parenting practices. Further research on how to motivate adults who experienced emotional neglect to engage in social activities is necessary.
Transcrystallization, enhanced interface strength and mechanical properties in PE/(PA6 nanofiber)/graphene oxide thermoplastic polymer-polymer nanocomposites via annealing and increased remolding temperature
Authors: Bateni Fatemeh , Hashemi Motlagh Ghodratollah , Khademsameni Helya , Zahedi Payam , Zarghami Reza
Published: September 2023

The importance of polymer-polymer thermoplastic composites is increasing due to ease of recycling. This work investigates the effects of remolding temperature and thermal annealing on the properties of polyethylene (PE) composites containing PA6 and GO/PA6 electrospun nanofibers. Nanocomposite samples were prepared by sandwiching several layers of PA6 or GO/PA6 electrospun mats and PE films in a hot press and subsequently were remolded at varying higher temperatures in a range of 180 to 210°C. Furthermore the remolded samples at 200°C were then annealed at 100°C for 10 h. SEM and DMTA results of the developed samples showed that the application of higher remolding temperatures, close to the melting point of PA6, improves wettability and interfacial strength in the composites. The DSC results of the samples revealed a slight increase in PE crystallinity due to the induced crystallization on the surface of nanofiber mat. It was also observed that an increase in the remolding temperature increases the tensile properties of the composites with the best properties obtained at a remolding temperature of 200°C. Increasing the remolding temperature beyond 200°C decreases the tensile properties of the composites due to melting and geometry degradation of the nanofibers. The results revealed that the annealing of the samples at 100°C for 10 h increases the degree of crystallinity and tensile properties. The highest yield strength, 16.4 MPa, and modulus, 277 MPa, were obtained for the composite containing 10.5 wt% of pure PA6 nanofibers. The elongation and toughness of this composite compared to those of pure matrix were increased by 61% and 83%, respectively. In the remolded and annealed nanocomposites, a crystalline region, as thick as 20 microns, grown on the surface of the nanofiber mat or nanofiber rich region, so called transcrystalline region, was observed by polarized reflected light microscopy.
Review on nanogels and their applications on dermal therapy
Authors: Botha Nandipha L , Mushonga Paul , Onani Martin O
Published: September 2023

A nanogel is a cross-linked nano-sized, a three-dimensional network of hydrophilic polymers with an ability to swell by holding large amount of water while maintaining the structure due to chemical or physical cross-linking of individual polymer chains. Nanogels can be made up of synthetic and/or natural polymers resulting in a cationic, anionic, or neutral system depending on the bound groups’ charges. Currently, these materials are receiving tremendous attention in research due to their properties. They are extensively investigated as carriers in the biomedical field. At present, there is an expansion of research into dermatologic treatment due to a critical need for new treatment options to treat skin diseases. The skin itself provides a natural barrier against particle penetration for topical delivery. However, it also offers a potential approach for the delivery of therapeutics, especially in diseased skin via the openings of hair follicles. Recent innovation might be achieved in the field of dermatological treatment with improvement in the dermal localization of bio-actives into the affected skin region. This report looks at what has been done in the investigation of nanogels as drug carriers for topical therapy.
Moral resilience in registered nurses: Cultural adaption and validation study
Authors: Tian Xu , He Qiaoling , Liu Xiaoling , Gan Xiuni , Jiménez Herrera María F
Published: September 2023

Background

Healthcare professionals, especially professional nurses, experience various types of moral suffering due to inevitable ethical conflicts. Moral resilience is recently proposed as a resource to address moral suffering. However, there is no tool to measure moral resilience in Chinese professional nurses.

Aim

This study aimed to translate the Rushton Moral Resilience Scale (RMRS) into Chinese and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of RMRS (Chi-RMRS).

Research design

A methodological and descriptive research design.

Participants and research context

A convenience sample of 411 Chinese professional nurses was recruited through an online survey platform between February and March 2023.

Ethical considerations

This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committees of the University and hospitals involved.

Results

The RMRS was translated and culturally adapted into a Chinese version. Neither floor nor ceiling effects were observed. The scale-level content validity index (CVI) was 0.922 with the item-level CVIs ranging from 0.833 to 1.000. The explanatory factor analysis (EFA) generated a three-factor structure for the Chi-RMRS, and the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) demonstrated the three-factor structure with factor loadings for each item ranging from 0.42 to 0.80. The scale-level Cronbach’s α coefficient was 0.811 with each dimension ranging from 0.717 to 0.821, and composite reliability (CR) coefficient for the overall scale was 0.920, with each dimension varying from 0.739 to 0.824. The standard error of measurement (SEM) and smallest detectable change (SDC) were 3.522 and 9.763, respectively.

Discussion

The Chi-RMRS is able to measure moral resilience of Chinese professional nurses, and has good validity and reliability. It can be used in research and practice to determine the level of moral resilience, thus helping nursing managers to monitor the status of Chinese professional nurses, then develop interventions to maintain the well-being of professional nurses and to ensure quality of care.
Scoping Reviews: Expanding Methodological Approaches to Literature Reviews in Adult Education
Authors: Samuel Anita
Published: September 2023

Literature reviews map the research landscape in a topic area, identify gaps that new research can address, or frame a future research project. Literature reviews inform research and are integral to developing evidence-based policies. In adult education, systematic, critical, integrative, and historical reviews have been conducted. Scoping reviews, however, have yet to be widely adopted, although they can provide adult educators with a systematic process for reviewing a heterogeneous body of literature in adult education. This article explores why scoping reviews are a good fit for adult education and presents a systematic approach to conducting scoping reviews. The paper presents an expanded nine-step scoping review process that begins with the conception of an idea and ends with writing a manuscript for publication. The article discusses best practices, highlights challenges, and provides suggestions to help adult education researchers avoid common pitfalls when conducting scoping reviews.
Instructional Leadership in Literacy in the Foundation Phase of Primary Schools During COVID-19 Pandemic, Capricorn District, South Africa
Authors: Mahlatji Maria Lethube , Seshoka Matome Winter , Mabasa Layane Thomas
Published: September 2023

The study focused on the needs of principals as instructional leaders in the foundation phase in South Africa. This was done because unless instructional leaders are appropriately empowered by addressing their needs, they may not be able to play their role as agents that are a fulcrum to educational reforms especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The qualitative research approach was used. Methods used are interviews and field notes. The findings revealed that there is a need to include clarification of instructional leadership roles, mobile digital technological resources, adequate support from the Department of Basic Education, and parental involvement in education.
An adaptive control algorithm for harmonic cancellation in multiple-input multiple-output vibration systems
Authors: Xu Zhenyu , Li Chao , Chen Zhangwei
Published: September 2023

This paper presents a time-domain adaptive algorithm designed to eliminate harmonics in a Multiple-input Multiple-output (MIMO) system, taking into account its coupling characteristics. The algorithm is an improvement over the X-filtered LMS (FxLMS) algorithm, and is specifically tailored to the triaxial vibration system. The proposed algorithm has been shown to achieve high convergence, even in the presence of identification errors, as confirmed through both theoretical derivation and numerical simulations. To validate the efficacy of the proposed MIMO harmonic cancellation algorithm, it was tested on a genuine triaxial vibration system. The experimental results clearly demonstrate that the algorithm effectively reduces the output harmonic disturbance of the three axes’ frequency components.
Comparing Tribbles Homolog 3 (TRIB3) Protein Expression Levels with Clinicopathological Characteristics and Survival Among Neuroblastoma Patients
Authors: Baran Burçin , Sanlav Gamze , Kızmazoğlu Deniz , Kum Özşengezer Selen , Aktaş Safiye , Altun Zekiye , Olgun Nur
Published: September 2023

Background:

Tribbles Homolog 3 (TRIB3) is a member of the pseudokinase family of tribbles and acts as an adaptor protein to regulate different cellular processes. Upregulation of TRIB3 expression was shown either as a favorable or an adverse prognostic factor in various adult malignancies. However, TRIB3 expression has not been examined in pediatric cancers. Neuroblastoma is the most common malignant solid tumor of childhood, which affects mostly children under 5 years old. Risk stratification of patients defined by International Neuroblastoma Risk Group was used to determine prognosis and treatment of the disease. This study aimed to examine the relationship between TRIB3 protein expression levels and clinicopathological features and survival of patients.

Methods:

TRIB3 protein expression was analyzed using immunohistochemical staining on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples of neuroblastoma patients (n = 56). Survival analyses were performed with Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank tests. Association between TRIB3 expression and clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed with Spearman’s correlation.

Results:

Of the patients, 32.1% were in the low-risk group, 21.4% in the medium-risk group, and 46.4% in the high-risk group. Survival analysis was performed in the entire neuroblastoma patient group and sub-risk groups of neuroblastoma patients. In the entire patient group, there was no significant difference in overall survival ( P = .202) and event-free survival ( P = .172) between TRIB3-positive and -negative patients. However, when survival analyses were performed in each risk group, TRIB3 expression was significantly associated with higher overall survival ( P = .034) and event-free survival ( P = .032) in low-risk group neuroblastoma patients. Nevertheless, no association was found between TRIB3 expression and overall survival ( P = .799) and event-free survival ( P = .448) in high-risk neuroblastoma patients. Furthermore, a significant correlation was identified between 1p36 loss-of-heterozygosity and TRIB3 expression ( P = .030). However, TRIB3 expression did not correlate with other clinicopathological features.

Conclusion:

TRIB3 expression is a potential predictive biomarker for low-risk neuroblastoma patients.
Social self-efficacy and mental well-being in autistic adults: Exploring the role of social identity
Authors: Camus Lorna , Rajendran Gnanathusharan , Stewart Mary Elizabeth
Published: September 2023

The double empathy problem proposes a lack of shared understanding between autistic and non-autistic people leads to interaction difficulties between them. Social self-efficacy (confidence in one’s social abilities) makes an important contribution to social interactions. Research has shown that autistic people show a social identity (one’s sense of self based on membership of social groups) with other autistic people, and this impacts positively on well-being. In addition, research shows that autistic people have a number of social identities. This study aims to understand whether social self-efficacy relates to mental well-being in autistic adults, and whether social identity plays a role in this relationship. A total of 512 autistic adults completed measures of social self-efficacy, social identity, mental well-being and autistic traits. In-group social self-efficacy was found to be higher than out-group social self-efficacy. Second, in-group social self-efficacy was positively associated with well-being. Finally, social identity did not mediate the relationships between social self-efficacy and mental well-being. These findings suggest social self-efficacy may relate to the nature of the group one interacts with. The findings support further research into the relationship between social self-efficacy and well-being, as well as using the double empathy problem as a framework for further investigations in other social groups.

Lay abstract

In the past, research has suggested that autistic people are not able to communicate well with non-autistic people because of autistic people’s communication difficulties. However, newer theories question this conclusion. It is now thought that the communication difficulties may be because autistic and non-autistic people both struggle to understand each other. This study explores how these differences in shared understanding relate to autistic people’s mental well-being, confidence in social situations and social identities (groups that we belong to and that influence how we see ourselves). We created an online survey taken by 512 autistic adults, which included questions about their confidence being social with people from different groups (such as other autistic people or people they share a hobby with), about the social groups they felt they belong to and about their mental well-being. First, participants reported higher social confidence when interacting with members of a social group they belonged to. Second, being confident during these interactions was linked to higher mental well-being. Finally, the groups participants belonged to did not influence the link between social confidence and mental well-being. These findings are important as they help us better understand autistic people’s experiences of social interactions and what contributes to good and poor mental well-being in autistic people. They also help us to think further about how to improve autistic people’s well-being.
Avoidance and empowerment: How do sex workers navigate stigma?
Authors: Daniel Toni , Lamb Jessica , Campbell Christine
Published: September 2023

It is well known that sex workers experience high levels of stigma. This research examined the techniques sex workers use to ameliorate the emotional and practical impacts of that stigma. Twenty female sex workers with varying roles of escorts, porn actresses, camgirls and content creators were interviewed. Our participants revealed that they used avoidance techniques, such as selective disclosure and the construction of alternate personas. Interestingly, they also reported that they employed positive techniques, such as being unapologetic and deriving confidence from their profession. We suggest that teaching stigma management techniques could be an important tool for sex work organisations to support both established and newer sex workers.
Changes in smoking due to COVID-19 pandemic among persons of migrant origin compared with the general population: a population-based study
Authors: Ruokolainen Otto , Lilja Eero , Ollila Hanna , Castaneda Anu E. , Koponen Päivikki , Skogberg Natalia
Published: September 2023

Aims:

Prior studies have implied that smokers may have changed their smoking behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, little is known about changes in smoking behaviour and correlates of change due to the pandemic among persons of migrant origin compared with the general population.

Methods:

Population-based cross-sectional studies with comparable study protocols and measures, one focusing on persons of migrant origin living in Finland ( n = 3587, response rate 60%) and the other on the general Finnish population ( n = 3444, response rate 56%), were utilised. The outcome measure was self-reported change in smoking behaviour due to COVID-19 among current smokers. Explanatory factors included sociodemographic-, health-, and COVID-19-related factors. Multinomial logistic regression was used in the analyses.

Results:

Most of the current smokers reported no change in their smoking behaviour. In the adjusted model, younger age was positively associated with increased smoking, while region of origin (Russia, Africa, Asia, and Latin America) and worrying about getting infected with COVID-19 were associated with decreased smoking among persons of migrant origin. In the general population, younger age, female sex, being other than employed/student, increased loneliness, and decreased contact with close ones were associated with increased smoking, while reduced working capacity and worries that someone close to the respondent will be infected with COVID-19 were associated with decreased smoking.

Conclusions:

The findings of this study contribute to better identification of at-risk populations in future crises situations. This will allow for more efficient targeting and tailoring of health promotion services, including smoking cessation.