bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Impact of Climate Variability on the Soil-Water Characteristics Curve
Authors: Rahman Fariha , Khan Md Fahimuzzaman , Nahian Audrika , Khan Sadik , Amini Farshad
Published: May 2024

The hydro-mechanical behavior of unsaturated soil, particularly expansive soil, is influenced significantly by cyclic wetting and drying. Understanding the soil parameters is crucial when evaluating the performance of infrastructures constructed on expansive clay. As a result of extreme rainfall events, highway slopes containing highly expansive Yazoo clay in Mississippi, U.S., become vulnerable to volume change. The phenomenon creates perched water zones within the slopes and poses a risk of slope failure. The soil-water characteristic curve (SWCC) defines the relationship between water content and soil suction, which can be obtained from different laboratory procedures. However, conventional laboratory methods have some limitations. To address this, various analytical and predictive models have been developed, but they can only offer estimates based on soil characteristics and lack seasonal variations occurring in field conditions. Studying seasonal SWCC through field measurements can help understand soil responses to changing moisture conditions. The current study utilized field data from six highway slopes in Mississippi and classified the data into different seasons: spring, summer, and fall. After obtaining van Genuchten parameters from the fitted curve for each season, the finite element method was applied to evaluate the parameters for accurate numerical analysis of infrastructures containing expansive clay. The study observed the variations in flow parameters with seasonal change that cannot be achieved when data from only one season is considered. The findings underscore the importance of field instrumentation data for developing SWCC and the significance of seasonal flow parameters in infrastructure design.
Performance and Return to Play After Surgery for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome in Professional Baseball Players: A Matched Cohort Analysis
Authors: Chauhan Aakash , Chalmers Peter N. , Erickson Brandon J. , Thompson Robert , Pearl Gregory J. , Romeo Anthony A. , Hoenecke Heinz R. , Ma Kevin , Tenner Zachary , Fronek Jan
Published: May 2024

Background:

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) remains a rare diagnosis but is being recognized as a cause of upper extremity dysfunction in professional baseball players.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The purpose was to determine performance and return-to-play (RTP) outcomes in professional baseball players after surgical treatment of TOS. The hypothesis was that there would be a high RTP rate in professional baseball players after TOS surgery with no statistical differences in performance between pitchers who had TOS surgery and matched controls.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

All professional baseball players who underwent surgical treatment of TOS between 2010 and 2017 were identified using the Major League Baseball Health and Injury Tracking System database. Demographic and performance data (before and after surgery) for each player were recorded. Performance variables were then compared between players who underwent TOS surgery and matched controls. The matching criteria were no history of previous surgeries on affected arm, age at time of surgery, throwing side, level of play (Major or Minor League Baseball), and years of experience playing professional baseball.

Results:

Overall, 52 players underwent surgery for TOS, of whom 46 (88%) were pitchers. The type of TOS was neurogenic in 69% and venous in 29%. One player had arterial TOS. After TOS surgery, 79% of players returned to play at the same or higher level (RTSP) by 9.5 months and played ≥3 years after surgery. No differences were found in RTSP rate based on the type of TOS. No statistical difference was found in RTP rates between major and minor league players. Pitchers had a 76% RTSP, which was similar to the natural attrition for control pitchers ( P = .874). After TOS surgery, pitchers saw a decline in several performance metrics, but these declines were not different from those of control pitchers, indicating that the decline in performance after TOS surgery was no faster than is seen in healthy professional pitchers as they age.

Conclusion:

The rate of RTSP after surgery for TOS in professional baseball players was 79%. There was no difference in RTP based on the type of TOS. Pitchers who underwent surgery for TOS had no significant differences in pitching performance metrics after surgery compared with matched controls.
In-situ consolidation of thermoplastic composites by automated fiber placement: Characterization of defects
Authors: Fereidouni Mahmoud , Hoa Suong Van
Published: May 2024

The emergence of automated manufacturing of composites has not only transformed the manufacturing of optimized and geometrically complex structures but has also expanded the promising prospect of in-situ manufacturing of thermoplastic composites (TPC), where both material placement and consolidation are carried out by automated fiber placement (AFP) equipment, streamlining the process into single step manufacturing. However, the inherent complexities in different aspects of robotic automation, imperfections in the supplied material, and the occurrence of multi-physical phenomena during in-situ consolidation introduce various manufacturing-induced defects. While the defects in thermoset composites (TSC) made by AFP have been widely studied in the past, this study explores the diverse defects at micro and macro scales for TPCs made by AFP, with a focus on carbon-fiber/poly-ether-ether-ketone (CF/PEEK) tapes consolidated using hot gas torch (HGT) heating system. An overview of defects and associated characteristics is presented across three phases: defects in supplied impregnated tapes, defects and limitations in performance of AFP system, and defects in the final in-situ consolidated composite. For the defects subject to studies in the past, the description is limited to a concise review, while those with limited understanding are supported by new empirical observations in this work.
Briefing on Investigational Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Immunotherapies in Pediatric Neoplasms
Authors: Stawicki Brielle , Schacher Tyler , Dushenkov Anna , Jungsuwadee Paiboon
Published: May 2024

The promising results seen in the treatment of refractory hematologic malignancies with tisagenlecleucel (Kymriah), the pioneering Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell immunotherapy, has stimulated a fast growth in research and clinical testing of novel CAR-T constructs, targets, and various generations of CAR T-cells. Pharmacists may receive inquiries about active clinical trials or may be contributing to the care of patients participating in these studies. This briefing discusses the on-going clinical trials that explore novel CAR T-cell immunotherapies in pediatric refractory malignancies of hematologic and solid organ origins. It can be valuable in assisting practitioners in navigating the rapidly evolving field of CAR T-cell immunotherapies.
Structural form and parameter optimization of manipulator grasping fragile workpieces to improve the impact characteristics based on the signal-to-noise ratio
Authors: Wang Liangwen , Zhang Zhichong , Kong Yangguang , Si Liang , Wang Caidong , Ding Shixing , Xie Guizhong , Zheng Huadong
Published: May 2024

The contact impact stress (CIS) between a manipulator finger and a fragile workpiece has a significant effect on clamping stability. The CIS is affected by various factors, for example, the structural form and parameters of the manipulator finger. In this paper, an optimization method combining Taguchi’s method with signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) theory is proposed to reduce the CIS by optimizing the structural form and parameters of the fingers of an internally supported manipulator. The process consists of three stages. In the first stage, finite element models are built using SolidWorks, HyperMesh, and LS-DYNA software to simulate the CIS of the manipulator when gripping fragile workpieces. In the second stage, the SNR theory is applied to evaluate the effect of CIS and its fluctuations on CIS by treating the CIS and its fluctuations as signals, and changes in the structural forms and parameters of the fingers as noise. In the third stage, the optimal combination corresponding to the maximum SNR is obtained, and the degree of influence and significance level of each factor on the impact force was obtained by calculating the SNR response and variance. The simulation results indicate that the optimized structural parameters reduce the CIS by 26.85% compared to the original design. The experimental results verify the correctness of the simulation results and the effectiveness of the proposed method in reducing CIS.
“The Law is too Grey”: Liminal Legality and Moral Injury in Encounters with Drug Law Enforcement
Authors: Michaud Liam , van der Meulen Emily , Chu Sandra Ka Hon , Butler-McPhee Janet
Published: May 2024

Overdose mortality and the legitimacy crisis facing policing have propelled momentum for drug law reform. Yet, resulting reforms and associated protections are often functionally undermined by enforcement practices and the legal environment faced by people who use drugs. To explore this tension, we conducted a community-based study in Ontario, Canada. Our findings show that people's experiences of policing at overdose events reflect a legal regime characterized by their ambiguous legal status and uncertain protections. We argue that the resulting state of liminal legality is enacted in large part through police discretion and the uneven distribution of enforcement practices across spaces and populations; individuals compensate for this legal environment by mobilizing their knowledge of legal risks. Together, these expressions of law and drug enforcement generate substantial moral injury among people who use drugs.
Antecedents and Outcomes of Positive Career Goal Progress Discrepancy Appraisal in Young Adults
Authors: Akmal Sari Z. , Hood Michelle , Duffy Amanda L. , Creed Peter A.
Published: May 2024

Informed by self-regulation theories, this study examines the role of positive career goal discrepancies, where young adults appraise their progress towards career goal outcomes as better than expected. The research investigates how person-specific factors, like career calling, and situational factors, such as career congruence with parents, relate to self-regulatory responses, specifically career satisfaction and optimism. The cross-sectional study was conducted to test the hypotheses in a sample of 295 young adults ( M Age = 18.58 years, SD = 0.70). The latent variable analyses results showed that career calling and congruence with parents correlate positively with career satisfaction and optimism, and that positive career goal discrepancy appraisals played a significant role in explaining these relationships. Notably, positive achievement/ability and effort discrepancies, but not standard discrepancies, explained how career calling and congruence with parents relate to career satisfaction, but not optimism. These insights contribute to our understanding of working with young adults who already perceive themselves as highly capable and motivated, helping them to optimize their career progress and success.
Changes in serum bone turnover markers and bone mineral density Z-score in children with osteogenesis imperfecta after zoledronic acid treatment
Authors: Jin Jiahui , Yue Luo , Lu Yili , Zhen Zhichao , Wu Huiping , Shan Xiaoou
Published: May 2024

The study aimed to investigate the changes in the levels of serum bone turnover markers (BTMs) and bone mineral density (BMD) Z-score in pediatric patients with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) after intravenous bisphosphonate therapy and their association with age and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). This retrospective study analyzed data from 10 pediatric OI patients treated with intravenous zoledronic acid for over 1 year. Patients’ clinical data were collected. The levels of BTMs and BMD Z-score before and after zoledronic acid treatment were analyzed. Significant improvement in BMD Z-score was observed after 6 and 12 months of treatment compared to baseline (all p < 0.05). The N-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PINP) levels decreased over time (all p < 0.05), indicating that zoledronic acid treatment decreased bone turnover. The levels of beta-C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen remained stable after treatment. No correlation was found between PINP level and age, eGFR, or BMD (all p > 0.05). Bisphosphonate treatment can improve BMD and decrease bone turnover (indicated by decreased levels of PINP) in pediatric OI patients. PINP may serve as an independent indicator for monitoring the efficacy of bisphosphonate treatment in pediatric OI patients, particularly in those under the age of 6, where standardized BMD Z-score criteria are lacking.
Comparative Analysis of Biomarkers in Type 2 Diabetes Patients With and Without Comorbidities: Insights Into the Role of Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Savvopoulos Symeon , Hatzikirou Haralampos , Jelinek Herbert F
Published: May 2024

Background:

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are 90% of diabetes cases, and its prevalence and incidence, including comorbidities, are rising worldwide. Clinically, diabetes and associated comorbidities are identified by biochemical and physical characteristics including glycemia, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and tests for cardiovascular, eye and kidney disease.

Objectives:

Diabetes may have a common etiology based on inflammation and oxidative stress that may provide additional information about disease progression and treatment options. Thus, identifying high-risk individuals can delay or prevent diabetes and its complications.

Design:

In patients with or without hypertension and cardiovascular disease, as part of progression from no diabetes to T2DM, this research studied the changes in biomarkers between control and prediabetes, prediabetes to T2DM, and control to T2DM, and classified patients based on first-attendance data. Control patients and patients with hypertension, cardiovascular, and with both hypertension and cardiovascular diseases are 156, 148, 61, and 216, respectively.

Methods:

Linear discriminant analysis is used for classification method and feature importance, This study examined the relationship between Humanin and mitochondrial protein (MOTSc), mitochondrial peptides associated with oxidative stress, diabetes progression, and associated complications.

Results:

MOTSc, reduced glutathione and glutathione disulfide ratio (GSH/GSSG), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and 8-isoprostane were significant ( P < .05) for the transition from prediabetes to t2dm, highlighting importance of mitochondrial involvement. complement component 5a (c5a) is a biomarker associated with disease progression and comorbidities, gsh gssg, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (mcp-1), 8-isoprostane being most important biomarkers.

Conclusions:

Comorbidities affect the hypothesized biomarkers as diabetes progresses. Mitochondrial oxidative stress indicators, coagulation, and inflammatory markers help assess diabetes disease development and provide appropriate medications. Future studies will examine longitudinal biomarker evolution.
The cultural representations and symbolizations emerging from Italian psychologists working in multidisciplinary assisted reproduction teams: A linguistic analysis with the emotional text mining
Authors: Di Trani Michela , Spoletini Roberta , Renzi Alessia , Monaco Silvia , Fedele Fabiola , Scaravelli Giulia
Published: May 2024

This study aims to explore the perspectives of Italian psychologists who work in assisted reproductive treatment (ART) centres regarding their roles within multidisciplinary teams. Twenty-eight psychologists were interviewed, recorded and their transcribed text was analysed using emotional text mining. The analysis revealed four clusters representing the psychologists’ cultural symbolizations of their works: ‘Clinical Practice with the patient’, ‘Placing Psychology within the Treatment’, ‘Psychologist’s Loneliness’ and; ‘Collusion with Medicine’. The symbolic representations emerging clearly highlighted a lack of integration of psychology within the medical field. Psychologists expressed emotional and practical difficulties in trying to integrate their role, including a desire to provide psychological assistance, feelings of loneliness and concerns about jeopardizing their professional opportunities, which are intertwined with the medical field. Present findings underscore the importance of integrating psychology within ART centres and multidisciplinary teams and of establishing operational guidelines for psychologists. These steps are crucial for reaching integration of psychologists within the medical setting.
Positive and negative affirmative action
Authors: Bengtson Andreas
Published: May 2024

Affirmative action continues to divide. My aim in this article is to present participants in the debate with a new distinction, namely one between negative and positive affirmative action. Whereas positive affirmative action has to do with certain goods, such as a place at a prestigious university or a job at a prestigious company, negative affirmative action has to do with certain bads, such as a firing or a sentence. I then argue that some of the most prominent arguments in favor of affirmative action speak at least as much in favor of negative as positive affirmative action. At the same time, at least one of the most prominent arguments put forward against affirmative action speaks less against negative affirmative action. Thus, the article should redraw the battle lines in the affirmative action debate.
Fungal mycelium-based biofoam composite: A review in growth, properties and application
Authors: Majib Nur Mawaddah , Yaacob Noorulnajwa Diyana , Ting Sam Sung , Rohaizad Nor Munirah , Azizul Rashidi Athirah Marsya
Published: May 2024

Recent years have shown a surge in interest in incorporating living systems into materials research to synthesize functional materials using biological resources. Among these, mycelium-based materials, notably biofoam, have emerged as innovative solutions for repurposing organic wastes that were previously considered unusable. The growth of mycelium, vital for the synthesis of biofoam, is influenced by a multuple of factors including substrate composition, moisture content, temperature, nutrient availability, pH levels, oxygen concentration, and measures for contamination control. Additionally, physical stimulation techniques have been explored to enhance mycelium growth, ranging from cold stress-induced adaptations to electrical shock-induced modifications and optimization of sound treatments and light exposure. This review highlights the growing interest in biofoam composite materials, a novel class of environmentally friendly and cost-effective materials that are gaining popularity, for advancing sustainable construction practices. Biofoam composites use organic fungal growth as a low-energy bio-fabrication process to transform abundant agricultural byproducts and waste into viable alternatives to energy-intensive manufactured building materials. Their versatility in composition and manufacturing methods allows them to be used in a wide range of applications, including insulation and door cores, panelling, flooring, and furniture components. Notably, biofoams outperform synthetic foams and engineered wood in terms of thermal insulation, sound absorption, and fire resistance, making them highly promising for construction industry. Besides, due to its customizable composition and production method, biofoam can be used in the replacement of foams, leather, wood, and plastics in a variety of applications such as water treatment and filtration, medical supplies and healthcare applications. However, despite their remarkable properties, biofoam typically serve as non- or semi-structural supplements to traditional construction materials due to inherent limitations. Nevertheless, the useful material properties of these materials, combined with their low cost, ease of manufacture, and environmental sustainability, imply that they will have an important part to play in the development of environmentally friendly materials in the future.
The Role of the Implementation Matrix in Designing and Reporting Integration Decisions in a Mixed Methods Study
Authors: Haynes-Brown Tashane K.
Published: May 2024

The purpose of this article is to illustrate the process and insights gleaned from developing an implementation matrix to convey a concise, yet detailed representation of the project integration steps in a single diagram. The article is based on an explanatory sequential study conducted with 248 teachers exploring how beliefs shaped their use of technology. This article contributes to mixed methods research (MMR) by providing an example that can be used as guide by other researchers in developing and using the implementation matrix as a tool for communicating procedurally the mixed methods project integration steps for an explanatory sequential study. It also provides analytical insights gleaned and recommendations for how the implementation matrix can be developed and utilized.
Implications of agro-industrial wastes on the durability and erosion characteristics of unfired soil-blocks reinforced with paddy straw fibers: Sustainable earth construction
Authors: Sharma Tarun , Singh Sandeep , Sharma Shubham , Sharma Umesh , Sharma Prashant , Gehlot Anita , Kumar Abhinav , Makki Emad , Abbas Mohamed
Published: May 2024

On Earth, there is an abundance of soil that has been utilized to build homes for millions of people. Manufacturing compacted stabilized adobe blocks requires adequate water added to the appropriate soil type that has been admixed with binders and fibers to attain maximum density. The mixture is then compressed using the appropriate adobe-forming machine. Currently, the major environmental and human health risks worldwide come from industrial and agricultural wastes because of disposal concerns. The production and use of cement and cement blocks bring numerous economic and environmental issues. Utilizing locally available resources and enhancing standard production and testing methods are two feasible options for sustainable growth. Researchers have seen the promise of earthen construction as an alternative building material, and it is becoming more popular in the context of sustainable development. Marble dust (MD) (Industrial waste), sugarcane bagasse ash (SBA), and paddy straw fiber (PSF) (Agricultural wastes) were utilized in this research to manufacture the unfired admixed soil blocks. This study utilizes marble dust composed up to 25%–35%, paddy straw fiber constituted 0.8%–1.2%, and bagasse ash made up 7.5%–12.5% of the soil. The marble-dust-bagasse-ash-soil mix was strongly adherent to PSF, according to SEM investigation. In addition, as is apparent from the image, the number of pores is insignificant. These images support the preceding conclusions regarding this sample’s increased flexural and tensile strength. The primary constituents discovered on the surface of an unfired ad-mixed soil block strengthened with PSF of length 75 mm were silica (Si) and oxygen (O), according to the EDS examination. Aluminum (Al) and magnesium (Mg) were found in trace amounts. The endurance characteristics of the block were determined by conducting different tests on the eighty-one (81) design mixes of the produced unfired ad-mixed adobe blocks, followed by modeling, optimization and microstructural analysis. The results show that the recommended technique improves the durability characteristics of admixed soil blocks without burning better than burnt bricks.
Cotton pigment printing and characterization from post-consumer lemon peel pectin binder
Authors: Amanuel Lami , Dessie Asaye , Alebachew Ashenafi
Published: May 2024

The study explores the use of pectin from lemon peel for pigment printing cotton fabric. The optimal extraction conditions were 95°C, 90 min, 1:40 MLR, and pH 2. The extracted pectin was light yellow, with a moisture content of 13.4%, volatile compound content of 82.3%, total ash content of 3.1%, fixed carbon content of 14.6%, and a pH of 3.5. The thermal stability of the pectin binder was determined to be 230°C. The study also found that pectin cross-linking was achieved through continuous extrusion using 1% citric acid and 0.3% AgNO3. The formulated pectin binder was found to improve textile pigment printing quality and performance. The rheological properties of the pectin-based and commercial binder pastes were evaluated, showing that the pectin-based binder can produce fine designs with shear thinning but retain consistency when applied force is released, resulting in defined edges in prints. The study suggests that pectin-based formulations can be used as an optional binder to commercial binders in textile pigment printing.
Sex differences in histopathological markers of cerebral amyloid angiopathy and related hemorrhage
Authors: Koemans Emma A , Perosa Valentina , Freeze Whitney M , Lee Hang , Kozberg Mariel G , Coughlan Gillian T , Buckley Rachel F , Wermer Marieke JH , Greenberg Steven M , van Veluw Susanne J
Published: May 2024

Background:

Men with cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) may have an earlier onset of intracerebral hemorrhage and a more hemorrhagic disease course compared to women. In this cohort study, we investigated sex differences in histopathological markers associated with amyloid-β burden and hemorrhage in cognitively impaired individuals and patients with CAA, using neuropathological data from two autopsy databases.

Methods:

First, we investigated presence of parenchymal (Thal score) and vascular amyloid-β (CAA severity score) in cognitively impaired individuals from the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center (NACC) neuropathology database. Next, we examined sex differences in hemorrhagic ex vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) markers and local cortical iron burden and the interaction of sex on factors associated with cortical iron burden (CAA percentage area and vessel remodeling) in patients with pathologically confirmed clinical CAA from the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) CAA neuropathology database.

Results:

In 6120 individuals from the NACC database (45% women, mean age 80 years), the presence of parenchymal amyloid-β (odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval (CI)) =0.68 (0.53–0.88)) but not vascular amyloid-β was less in men compared to women. In 19 patients with definite CAA from the MGH CAA database (35% women, mean age 75 years), a lower microbleed count (p < 0.001) but a higher proportion of cortical superficial siderosis and a higher local cortical iron burden was found in men (p < 0.001) compared to women. CAA percentage area was comparable in men and women (p = 0.732). Exploratory analyses demonstrated a possible stronger negative relation between cortical CAA percentage area and cortical iron density in men compared to women (p = 0.03).

Conclusion:

Previously observed sex differences in hemorrhage onset and progression in CAA patients are likely not due to differences in global CAA severity between men and women. Other factors, such as vascular remodeling, may contribute, but future studies are necessary to replicate our findings in larger data sets and to further investigate the underlying mechanisms behind these complex sex differences.
Cultural Sociology in Mexico: Meaning-Making as Hybridization, Power, and Cultural Structure
Authors: Arteaga Botello Nelson
Published: May 2024

This article analyzes how, at a very early stage, Mexican cultural sociologists explained meaning-making processes using a set of factors external to the cultural sphere and how, more recently, they have emphasized that such meaning-making processes have analytical autonomy. Mexican cultural sociology is marked by a dominant model based on the works of Gramsci, Bourdieu, and the Birmingham School that was built in the late 1970s; this model was derived from the analysis of cultural consumption and reached the peak of its development in the 1990s with the concept of cultural hybridization and efforts to introduce semiotics into cultural interpretation. At the beginning of the 21st century, decolonial theory and the ‘strong program’ in cultural sociology opened new avenues of reflection in Mexican cultural sociology.
Mobile phone activism during Israel’s ‘Operation Guardian of the Wall’ in Gaza
Authors: Abushbak Ali M , Majeed Tawseef , Kusuma Krishna Sankar
Published: May 2024

The 11-day war in May 2021 between Israel and Palestine (Gaza) is worth investigating as a phenomenon of recording war testimonies and memories by civilian mobile phone users. This article explores mobile phone usage by Palestinian civilians to record and document everyday war narratives. The users document, archive and disseminate diverse war memories on various social media platforms. Semi-structured (ethnographic) interviews and interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) are included in the methodological design to understand the patterns of mobile phone activism by civilians during Israel’s Operation Guardian of the Wall in Gaza. The authors argue that the physical and digital (phygital) spaces exist simultaneously, forming the socio-psychological presence of the users in the war and making them significant stakeholders of the Israel–Palestine war narrative. The emergence of a phygital presence signifies a comprehensive representation and archive of civilian war testimonies. Users’ mobile phone footage plays a significant role in shaping discourses of dissent and mobile activism, driving and sustaining collective emotions regarding the repercussions of war. These discourses also contribute to the socio-psychological construction of a phygital memory archive, enriching the conflict’s broader narrative.
Women on the move: Understanding the female face of migration to develop targeted policies
Authors: Teodorescu Loredana
Published: May 2024

Women migrants and refugees are playing an increasingly important socio-economic role in our societies. As gender has an impact on their experience and on their integration process, it is necessary to develop a gender-sensitive, targeted approach, which enables their contribution to society to be fully appreciated. Female migrants and refugees may face stronger, and double, discrimination and experience further barriers to integration in their host countries. Yet, the societal inclusion of women is key for their families; has multiplier effects; and can stimulate changes in social norms, gender relations and discriminatory practices. Furthermore, investing in women contributes to economic growth, social cohesion and stability. Therefore, promoting gender mainstreaming in migration policies is both a social and an economic necessity. It must not be overlooked.
Protecting fundamental EU values: In search of a balanced approach
Authors: Reho Federico Ottavio
Published: May 2024

This article reflects on the increasingly contentious nature of EU fundamental values under Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union. It argues that a ‘double encroachment’ is taking place in this field. Under the convenient veneer of defending ‘conservative’ values, the governments of some EU member states have taken measures that undermine basic rights, checks and balances. But at the same time, EU institutions have increasingly embraced an expansive and progressive interpretation of EU fundamental values that restricts member states’ ability to pursue conservative policies on such matters as family, gender and education. A restrained approach is advocated to strike the correct balance between the EU’s necessary responsibility to protect the core dimensions of the rule of law and fundamental rights across the member states and those states’ legitimate desires to filter their interpretations through the specific lenses of their societies’ histories, values and democratic preferences. Some recommendations to that effect are put forward.
Artificial Intelligence Language Models Are Useful Tools for Patients Undergoing Total Ankle Replacement
Authors: Samsonov Alan P. , Habibi Akram , Butler James J. , Walls Raymond J. , Kennedy John G.
Published: May 2024

Background

Artificial intelligence (AI) large language models (LLMs), such as Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (ChatGPT), have gained traction as both augmentative tools in patient care but also as powerful synthesizing machines. The use of ChatGPT in orthopaedic foot and ankle surgery, particularly as an informative resource for patients, has not been described to date. The purpose of this study was to assess the quality of information provided by ChatGPT in response to commonly asked questions about total ankle replacement (TAR).

Methods

ChatGPT was asked 10 frequently asked questions about TAR in a conversational thread. Responses were recorded without follow-up, and subsequently graded A, B, C, or F, corresponding with “excellent response,” “adequate response needing mild clarification,” “inadequate response needing moderate clarification,” and “poor response needing severe clarification.”

Results

Of the 10 responses, 2 were grade “A,” 6 were grade “B,” 2 were grade “C,” and none were grade “F.” Overall, the LLM provided good-quality responses to the posed prompts. Conclusion. Overall, the provided responses were understandable and representative of the current literature surrounding TAR. This study highlights the potential role LLMs in augmenting patient understanding of foot and ankle operative procedures.

Levels of Evidence:

IV.
Maternal satisfaction on delivery service and associated factors among mothers delivered at Arba Minch town governmental health facilities, South Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Ezo Elias , Getachew Hana , Degefu Sindu , Ashager Kidist
Published: May 2024

Objective:

To assess maternal satisfaction with delivery service and associated factors among mothers delivered at Arba Minch town governmental health facilities, South Ethiopia, 2022.

Methods:

A facility-based cross-sectional design study was conducted from 1 April to 30 June 2022. The total sample size was 320. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select mothers. Data were entered using Epi-data Version 3.1 and exported to SPSS Version 25 for analysis. Multicollinearity was considered using a variance inflation factor. The goodness of fit test was done using the Hosmer–Lemeshow model. Binary logistic regression was done, and variables with a p-value of <0.25 in the bivariable analysis were taken into the multivariable analysis. Statistically significant was declared at a p-value of <0.05 with an adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval.

Result:

The maternal satisfaction with delivery service was 75.0% (95% CI: 70.3%–79.4%). Being urban residence (AOR: 4.15, 95% CI: 1.87–9.19), absence of anemia during pregnancy (AOR: 2.38, 95% CI: 1.07–5.29), absence of antepartum hemorrhage (AOR: 2.96, 95% CI: 1.35–6.50), induction to onset labor (AOR: 0.08, 95% CI: 0.02–0.39), female sex of the newborn (AOR: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.15–0.72), absence of fetal distress during labor (AOR: 5.01, 95% CI: 1.69–14.86), absence of intrauterine meconium release (AOR: 2.77, 95% CI: 1.02–7.63), and presence of privacy measures during examination (AOR: 3.11, 95% CI: 1.37–7.04) were associated with maternal satisfaction.

Conclusion and recommendation:

About 8 in 10 mothers are satisfied with the delivery service. Residence, anemia during pregnancy, antepartum hemorrhage, the onset of labor, sex of the newborn, fetal distress during labor, intrauterine meconium release, and privacy measures during examination are associated with maternal satisfaction with delivery services. Therefore, preventing anemia during pregnancy and antepartum hemorrhage, minimizing induction of labor, preventing fetal distress and intrauterine meconium release during labor, and taking privacy measures during examination might enhance maternal satisfaction with delivery services.
How Does Financial Flexibility Strategy Impact on Risk Management Effectiveness?
Authors: Nguyen Quang Khai
Published: May 2024

In the context of emerging countries trying to attract foreign investors, building governance strategies and risk management of firms is an increasing concern. This study investigates the impact of financial flexibility strategies on the risk management effectiveness of firms and mechanism of these impacts by focusing on Vietnamese listed firms by applying the fixed effect and system GMM methods on a sample of 635 Vietnamese listed firms during the 2010 to 2021 period to derive empirical models under the high risk-high return approach. We also applied robustness tests to ensure that the results are reliable. We also investigate the level of risk management effectiveness among these firms during the 2010 to 2021 period. We found that financial flexibility strategies negatively impact risk management effectiveness of firms through reducing both firm risk and firm performance. Furthermore, we found that the degree of risk management effectiveness differs between low- and high-risk firms in Vietnam, with low-risk firms displaying more effective risk management compared to high-risk firms. Our research shows that financial flexibility strategies are not conducive to risk management effectiveness; however, firms can control the impact of flexibility strategies on risk management by controlling firm performance and risk.

JEL Classification: G30, G32, G39
Subsidizing the Shift to Renewable Energy in Korea: A Levelized Cost Analysis and Computation of Required Subsidies
Authors: Lee Sung-Tae , Jung Sun-Moon
Published: May 2024

This study addresses the pivotal challenge of transitioning from nuclear to renewable energy sources, considering the distinctive energy landscape of South Korea characterized by high land costs and high dependence on nuclear energy. Amidst global momentum toward sustainable and carbon-neutral energy, South Korea’s Renewable Energy 3020 Implementation Plan aims to achieve 20% of power generation from renewables by 2030. Shifting away from nuclear energy, however, may lead to rising energy costs, supply disruptions, and environmental ramifications. Furthermore, achieving grid parity between renewable energy and nuclear power by the late 2030s is unlikely, in contrast to earlier projections. This is primarily due to the comparatively lower production cost of nuclear energy. To expedite the shift toward renewable energy, our study suggests transitioning from the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS) to a Feed-in-Tariff (FiT) system. This change would offer voluntary incentives for investment in renewable energy. Additionally, we compute Feed-in-Tariff subsidies required to achieve grid parity by 2030, concluding that the amount of subsidies required to reach grid parity by 2030 is 54% of retail electricity price. This research offers valuable insights for policy formulation and energy transition planning.
A Predictive Model Based on TripAdvisor Textual Reviews: Early Destination Recommendations for Travel Planning
Authors: Zhang Yating , Tan Hongbo , Jiao Qi , Lin Zhihao , Fan Zesen , Xu Dengming , Xiang Zheng , Law Rob , Zheng Tianxiang
Published: May 2024

Although many studies have considered the effects of online reviews on tourists’ decisions, none have directly investigated how to leverage open data analyses to create early choice sets and facilitate destination planning. This paper illustrates how salient characteristics can be mined from the shared experiences embedded in review data and incorporated into a predictive model to build a travel counseling approach. The model is designed by first defining a prediction-based mechanism from online reviews and then generating a multinomial classification problem on all candidate destinations of interest. The model is implemented by applying Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Deep Learning (DL) technologies to review textual features. The model is validated using 75,315 reviews from TripAdvisor along with destinations from 257 U.S. national parks. Empirical results indicate a best classification accuracy of 67%, outperforming two previous approaches. Findings shed light on how to exploit past tourists’ experiences to generate early destination recommendations to identify items for choice sets and reduce tourists’ travel-planning effort. Theoretical and managerial implications regarding social media analytics are provided based on online review meta-data in touristic management.
Public Health Students and Instructors Weigh in on Generative Artificial Intelligence: Are They on the Same Page?
Authors: Anderson Olivia S. , Laubepin Frederique A. , August Ella T.
Published: May 2024

Generative artificial intelligence (genAI) technology is used among students, yet it remains unclear how public health students and instructors perceive it to be effective in a learning environment. We described how and why public health students and instructors are using genAI technology along with their perceived benefits and limitations of using genAI, noting where perceptions overlap. We surveyed public health students and instructors at a higher education institution in the United States. Student survey questions covered which genAI technologies they used, which activities they used genAI for, and perceived benefits and limitations of using genAI. Questions for instructors covered which genAI technology they used, course activities genAI was integrated, and perceived benefits and limitations of using genAI. Student respondents ( n = 300) indicated using genAI technology for writing or clarifying concepts. Students and instructors ( n = 62) agreed genAI technology could save time on tedious tasks and will be part of our future workforce. They agreed that appropriate use in the classroom will better prepare future professionals. Alternatively, students and instructors indicated genAI may impede learning, produce inaccurate information, and pose opportunities for unethical behavior. While students and instructors agree on many aspects of genAI technology, instructors should be explicit about their expectations and rationale for use of genAI technology in classrooms.
Re-infrastructuring higher education
Authors: Williamson Ben
Published: May 2024

Higher education is undergoing ‘digital transformation’ through the introduction of new digital platforms in processes and practices of research and teaching. This brief forum article explores how research and teaching in many regions are being ‘platformised’ by a combination of academic publishers, the edtech industry, and Big Tech firms. Together, these processes of platformising research and teaching are integrating universities into complex digital infrastructures for many of their central operations. Universities are being re-infrastructured. They are also being ‘assetised’ as control of platforms and infrastructures allows their proprietors to extract value from the HE sector. These developments call for concerted dialogue on the conditions and prospects of academic labour in the digital university, and close attention to how emerging technological devices and systems are integrated into, challenged or transformed by scientific and pedagogic practice.
Seismic design of concrete structures for damage control
Authors: Opabola Eyitayo A , Elwood Kenneth J
Published: May 2024

Recent earthquakes have demonstrated that code-conforming modern (i.e. post-1970s) reinforced concrete (RC) buildings can satisfy life safety performance objectives. However, the accumulated earthquake damage in these modern buildings raised concerns about their performance in future events, contributing to widespread demolition and long-term closure of damaged buildings. The economic and environmental impacts associated with the demolition and long-term closure of modern buildings led to societal demands for improved design procedures to limit damage and shorten recovery time after earthquakes. To address societal demands, this study proposes a damage-control-oriented seismic design approach that targets functional recovery by ensuring structural component demands do not exceed the damage-control limit state (DLS) under design-level events. Herein, DLS is defined as the post-earthquake state beyond which the strength and deformation capacity of a structural component is compromised, and its performance in a future event cannot be relied upon without safety-critical repair. This study proposes a methodology to determine component deformation limits for the design of structures for damage control. Using the developed methodology, we propose component rotation limits for RC beams, columns, and walls. The seismic performance and capability of buildings designed using the proposed design approach to satisfy recovery-based performance objectives is demonstrated through nonlinear response history and recovery analyses (using the ATC-138 methodology) of four archetype frame buildings, designed per New Zealand standards to different beam deformation limits. The analyses show that building codes can achieve functional recovery using the proposed component deformation limits without the need for sophisticated recovery analyses.
The association between alcohol consumption and pulmonary function: a scoping review
Authors: Nielsen Line Bjerrehave , Johansen Maria Oxbøl , Riddersholm Signe Juul , Weinreich Ulla Møller
Published: May 2024

Introduction:

The health effects of alcohol are well established but the influence on pulmonary function remains debated. Studies indicate that small amounts of alcohol are beneficial and heavy consumption is harmful, suggesting a U-shaped association. Our objective is to determine whether there is an association between alcohol intake and changes in pulmonary function parameters, exploring the potential protective effect of moderate alcohol consumption and the harm caused by heavy drinking.

Methods:

A comprehensive search from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane and CINAHL was carried out, and studies were evaluated using the JBI methodological framework for scoping reviews. Two independent reviewers conducted parallel screening and data extraction. A data extraction form was utilised to organise key themes, with qualitative analysis and visual representation of the results.

Results:

Among 4427 screened abstracts, 179 underwent full-text review, resulting in 30 eligible studies. Of these, 10 showed a negative effect, nine reported no impact, nine exhibited a positive effect and two indicated a nonlinear U-shaped association between alcohol consumption and pulmonary function parameters.

Conclusion:

While the U-shaped curve hypothesis remains unconfirmed by the current literature, there are notable associations. Heavy alcohol consumption appears to negatively affect pulmonary function, while low to moderate intake shows a positive influence in included studies. However, the diversity in study quality, the nonstandardised alcohol intake quantification and the confounding role of smoking challenge definitive conclusions. The need for consistent, long-term international studies is evident to further explore this relationship while addressing the complex interplay between alcohol and smoking.