bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incubating Ideas: A Typology of Design Thinking Academic Centers in American Higher Education
Authors: Konkel Margaret T.
Published: December 2024

Twenty years after the founding of the Hasso–Plattner Institute of Design (the d.School) at Stanford University, a wide range of academic centers and institutes have been established to prioritize innovation, creativity, and design thinking. This qualitative study presents a typology of these centers across the United States, drawing on “About Us” language from 44 entities. Typologies drawn from the data analysis position the centers as innovators in engaging design to: reimagine higher education, cultivate a strong societal purpose or mission, develop the student as an entrepreneur, develop the student as a designer, confront problems and create solutions, support making as a learning experience, and develop the field of design.
Choosing the abdominal incision for the surgical management of severe placenta accreta spectrum: Patient satisfaction and long‐term safety of the Soleymani and Collins transverse abdominal incision
Authors: Soleymani majd Hooman , Aggarwal Aakriti , Ismail Lamiese , Collins Annie E. , Supramaniam Prasanna , Lim Lee , Addley Susan , Hunter Alicia , Pert Lexie , Collins Sally L.
Published: December 2024

Synopsis

Comparing a novel transverse abdominal entry technique to midline laparotomy for managing severe placenta accreta spectrum, demonstrating excellent long‐term outcome and improved patient satisfaction.
High‐intensity ultrasound treatment of shiitake mushroom protein isolate: effects on physicochemical, structural properties, and functional performance
Authors: Cao Qinghui , Du Hongying
Published: December 2024

Background

With increasing consumer demand for healthy and sustainable food, plant proteins have been used widely in meat substitutes, dairy alternatives, and functional foods. However, in comparison with animal proteins, plant proteins often exhibit weaker functional properties, such as solubility, emulsifying, and gelation, which limit their application in food processing. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of high‐intensity ultrasound treatments (HIUTs) on the physicochemical properties, structural characteristics, emulsifying properties, and antioxidant capacity of shiitake mushroom protein isolate (SMPI). This study investigates how HIUTs affect SMPI. It also provides insights into potential applications within the food industry.

Results

When treated with a 300 W intensity ultrasound, SMPI exhibited higher solubility, water‐holding capacity (WHC), oil‐holding capacity (OHC), and antioxidant activity in comparison with the control (0 W). These results indicate that HIUT can enhance the functional properties of SMPI significantly. The molecular structure of SMPI after ultrasound treatment also underwent significant changes, suggesting that the treatment affects not only the physical properties but also the spatial conformation of SMPI. The concentration of free sulfhydryl (‐FSH) group concentrations increased from 3.615 ± 0.080 μmol g−1 to 13.020 ± 0.061 μmol g−1, and the emulsifying ability index (EAI) significant increased, indicating that a significant change produced in the tertiary structure of SMPI.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that ultrasonic treatment can alter the physicochemical and functional attributes of SMPI significantly, increasing its potential for use within the food industry. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Do sustainable development goals (SDGs) boost green productivity in national marine fisheries? International evidence
Authors: Phan Kieu-Thi , Hsu Yu-Lung , Chen Sheng-Hung
Published: December 2024

Objective

This study examines the determinants of green total factor productivity in marine fisheries, considering the role of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14) in promoting sustainable marine resource utilization and conservation.

Methods

This study employs panel data from 57 countries between 2001 and 2021 to estimate efficiency scores through the directional distance function and the Malmquist–Luenberger model by incorporating inputs (labor, fishing vessels, and energy consumption) and outputs (gross ocean product and carbon dioxide emissions). A truncated regression analysis is conducted to explore the relationship between SDG 14 and green total factor productivity (GTFP) while controlling for financial resources and macroeconomic indicators.

Result

The findings indicate that SDG 14 significantly enhances both constant returns to scale (CRS) technical efficiency and variable returns to scale (VRS) pure technical efficiency, underscoring the importance of marine conservation and sustainable resource management. Additionally, financial resources (like green lending and government investment), research and innovation (like research and development, the number of researchers, and foreign funds), and macroeconomic factors (like the gross ocean product, gross domestic product, and inflation) positively influence green productivity.

Conclusion

The results underscore the importance of marine conservation and sustainable practices for enhancing GTFP in fisheries. Integrated policies focusing on financial investment, innovation, and macroeconomic stability are essential to achieve greater sustainability and efficiency in this sector.
The RAB32 p.Ser71Arg Variant in Parkinsonisms: Insights from a Large Italian Cohort
Authors: Magistrelli Luca , Brumana Marta , Rimoldi Valeria , Poggi‐Longostrevi Sofia , Contaldi Elena , Pezzoli Gianni , Straniero Letizia , Isaias Ioannis U. , Asselta Rosanna
Published: December 2024

Background and Objective

Recently, RAB32 has been identified as possibly linked to Parkinson's disease. We studied the prevalence and clinical correlates of the p.Ser71Arg variant in the RAB32 gene in a large case series of Italian patients with Parkinson's disease or atypical parkinsonism.

Methods

A single‐center cohort with a case‐control component (consecutively collected at the Parkinson Institute of Milan between 2002 and 2023) was screened for the RAB32 p.Ser71Arg variant. Detailed clinical characteristics of carriers were reviewed. Healthy control subjects were partners or unrelated caregivers. The variant was detected by a TaqMan polymerase chain reaction assay.

Results

A total of 4600 patients (3762 with PD and 838 with atypical parkinsonisms) and 1722 healthy control subjects were consecutively included in the study. We identified 20 new variant carriers that, together with the 8 previously identified, had younger age at onset than noncarriers (51.0 ± 10.7 vs. 58.3 ± 11.0 years, respectively; P = 0.01). All carriers had a good response to dopaminergic therapy and device‐aided therapies. Carriers had mild or no cognitive decline and mild or no depressive symptoms; six had impulse control disorders and one a REM behavior disorder. Family history was positive in 55.5% of cases versus 22.0% of patients without the variant (P < 0.001) and was compatible with a dominant pattern of inheritance. The variant was not identified in patients with atypical parkinsonisms.

Conclusions

This study confirms that RAB32 is associated with a relatively young adult‐onset PD with a favorable therapeutic response. This variant should be included in genetic panels used for the diagnosis of familial and/or relatively young‐onset PD. © 2024 The Author(s). Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Rates of PIT tag ingestion and gastric retention in three species of hatchery-reared salmonids and potential implications for postrelease monitoring
Authors: Hemeon Kathleen M. , Peterson Douglas P. , Twibell Ronald G. , Kennedy Benjamen M. , Piteo Matthew S.
Published: December 2024

Objective

The current laboratory study was conducted to better quantify ingestion rates of shed passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags by hatchery-reared Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. during captive rearing, whether this phenomenon exists among salmonid species, how long ingested tags are retained, and whether tag ingestion affects survival and growth.

Methods

Passive integrated transponder tag ingestion rates were obtained for steelhead O. mykiss, Coho Salmon O. kisutch, and spring Chinook Salmon O. tshawytscha by exposing fish to loose PIT tags as a proxy for shed tags. Fish that volitionally ingested shed tags were monitored for the effect of ingested tags on individual growth, and time to tag expulsion was determined to estimate the probability of individual tag retention over time. The potential for tag collision between an ingested and implanted tag was evaluated using a three-antenna array.

Result

Coho Salmon and steelhead ingested 51% and 69% of available PIT tags, respectively, in two separate week-long trials. Chinook Salmon did not volitionally ingest tags. Steelhead were estimated to expel ingested tags faster (50% probability of expulsion within 5 days) than Coho Salmon (50% probability of expulsion within 51 days) and Chinook Salmon (gastrically implanted tags; 50% probability of expulsion within 22 days). Across all species, 20–27% of ingested tags were retained for at least 230 days with no apparent effect on survival. Growth rates of Coho Salmon and steelhead that ingested tags were not significantly different from control fish by the end of the study. Tag detection trials used to evaluate tag collision between an ingested and an implanted PIT tag resulted in reduced implanted tag detection by 94% and reduced ingested tag detection by 85% when both tags were present within the body of a smolt-sized salmonid.

Conclusion

Biologists and managers should be aware of how tag ingestion by hatchery salmonids can not only complicate the estimation of tag retention, but also cause tag collisions or the misidentification of individual fish during postrelease monitoring.
Development of a Cochlear Implantation Program in Malawi: Audiometric and Speech Perception Results From a Series of Implantees
Authors: Mulwafu Wakisa , Chabaluka Chikondi , Anderson Ilona , Strachan David , Raine Christopher
Published: December 2024

Background

Malawi performed its first cochlear implantation in 2014. Since then, the number of users has grown. This larger cohort facilitates a more rigorous analysis of the hearing outcomes that have been achieved by the Malawi cochlear implant (CI) program.

Methods

Nineteen children with postlingual severe‐to‐profound deafness underwent unilateral cochlear implantation between 2014 and 2022. Pure‐tone audiometric (PTA) thresholds were obtained for both ears preoperatively, and aided thresholds were determined for the implanted ear postoperatively. To assess hearing outcomes, a battery of open‐ and closed‐set speech environmental sound perception tests were administered postoperatively. Observations related to the educational status of each participant were also documented.

Results

Cochlear implantation reduced the mean PTA4 threshold from 110.8 (range 96.3‐120 dB hearing loss [HL]) to 37.8 dB HL (31.3‐42.5 dB HL) in the implanted ear, improvements which were clinically meaningful and statistically significant (Wilcoxon signed‐rank test: z = −3.184; P = .001). Satisfactory environmental and speech sound perception were observed for all tested CI users postimplantation.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate that the CI program of Malawi can effectively treat severe‐to‐profound HL in postlingual children. However, several challenges remain for the expansion of this program.
Utilization of waste polyethylene terephthalate felt in hybrid polymer composites: A sustainable approach for recycling and mechanical property enhancement
Authors: Liu Song , Jamil Abuzar , Yu Ruiwen , M.N. Prabhakar , Lee Dong Woo , Song Jung‐il
Published: December 2024

The waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as a continuous fiber reinforcement is utilized in hybrid arrangement with flax fiber in thermosetting polymer composites to provide alternative for PET recycling. The flexure properties and Izod impact energy of different hybrid configurations are compared with their virgin counterparts. Moreover, engineering data for Pure PET/VE (Vinyl ester) composite and pure flax/VE composite are generated to perform analytical and numerical analysis as well. The results from the flexural test show that the interlaminar hybridization of flax/PET has no significant contribution to the flexural strength compared with the virgin flax/VE and PET/VE composites but the modulus exhibited an increment of almost 50% in both 8/2 and 5/5 flax/PET hybrids. The absorbed energy during Izod impact was maximum for PET/VE composite and 2/8 flax/PET hybrid. The 5/5 flax/PET hybrid showed a 50% drop in the energy absorbed during the Izod impact test. The engineering data generated from the virgin composites was useful in predicting the modulus of hybrid composites using the classical lamination theory (CLT) with a maximum deviation of 18%, moreover, the flexural strength for the hybrids was closely predicted using the numerical analysis tool with a maximum deviation of 15%. Overall, the waste PET felt showed potential to be used in interlaminar hybrid arrangements with natural fiber to complement each other in mechanical properties in addition to being an alternative for not only recycling but manufacturing sustainable structures.
Enhanced biodegradable copolymers: Synthesis and characterization of high molecular weight poly(L‐lactide‐r‐ε‐caprolactone)
Authors: Dongyang Liu , Qi Xia , Wuyou Ye , Shinuo Zhang , Wenjie Yu , Zhengzhe Zhou , Zhongyong Fan
Published: December 2024

Semi‐crystalline poly(L‐lactide‐r‐ε‐caprolactone) (P(LLA‐r‐ε‐CL)) as an important biodegradable material applied in biomedical devices has attracted much attention from researchers. A series of high molecular weight P(LLA‐r‐ε‐CL) semi‐crystalline copolymers attached with various monomer molar ratio of L‐lactide (LLA) and ε‐caprolactone (ε‐CL) with up to 2.9 × 105 g/mol were synthesized first time by ring‐opening copolymerization under high vacuum condition. The chemical composition, chain sequence microstructure and their relationship of P(LLA‐r‐ε‐CL) were characterized by 1H NMR and 13C NMR. Spectra results shown that as the ε‐CL content increased from 3 mol% to 15 mol%, the average LLA sequence length decreased from 80.4 to 19.6 units. With decrease of LLA sequence length, the glass transition temperature (Tg), melting temperature(Tm) and the crystallinity (χc) of copolymers had a reduction. Meantime, it resulted in a high degradation rate of samples in enzyme‐catalyzed condition. With loss of rigid crystal and plasticization from soft ε‐CL segment, P(LLA‐r‐ε‐CL) had an improved toughness as the elongation at break reaching 195.5%, while still had a considerable tensile strength of 49.2 MPa. Further data analysis exhibited an exponential relationship between LLA sequence length and mechanical performance. Additionally, biocompatibility assessments through CCK‐8 and Live/Dead cell assays confirmed the good cytocompatibility of the enhanced biomedical materials.
Registration of three long grain rice germplasm lines containing improved blast resistance with the Ptr gene, low chalk, excellent milling quality, and good yield
Authors: Jia Yulin , Gibbons James , Jackson Aaron K. , Box Heather , Zhao Haijun , Wang Xueyan , Jia Melissa H. , Famoso Adam , Groth Don
Published: December 2024

Rice blast disease (caused by the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae B.C. Couch) is the most threatening disease of rice (Oryza sativa L.) worldwide. Three rice germplasm lines, designated as CS272 (Reg. no. GP‐151, GSOR 201), CS324 (Reg. no. GP‐152, GSOR 202), and CS353 (Reg. no. GP‐153, GSOR 203) were selected from among nine 900 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross of the US‐adapted cultivars ‘Cybonnet’ (PI 636726) and ‘Saber’ (PI 633624). These Cybonnet–Saber (CS) RILs were officially released by the USDA‐ARS and the University of Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station in cooperation with Louisiana State University, Crowley, LA. These three RILs have resistance to blast as determined under greenhouse conditions and uninoculated field trials conducted in Puerto Rico in 2017 and Crowley in 2018 and 2019. The RILs were resistant to most blast races as determined in inoculated greenhouse tests, resistant to leaf blast when tested in an upland blast nursery in Crowley, and resistant to panicle blast under flood conditions in Puerto Rico and Crowley. These CS RILs contain the major blast resistance gene Ptr identified on chromosome 12 originating from the Cybonnet parent. These three CS RILs are superior in panicle size and have many agronomic and grain‐quality characteristics comparable to or better than those of both parents. The CS RILs can be used in rice‐breeding programs for improving blast resistance, quality, and yield.
Plasma‐Assisted Nitrogen Fixation for Mars: A Simulation Study on in Situ Resource Utilization
Authors: Luo Yuqing , Li Jiacheng , Yin Yuran , Liu Dawei
Published: December 2024

This study explores nitrogen fixation in the Martian atmosphere using plasma technology. By combining microwave and dielectric barrier discharges (DBD), nitrogen was converted into water‐soluble nitrogen fertilizer (N₂O₅) for agriculture. Despite the low pressure and temperature of Mars, optimized discharge conditions and reactor design significantly boosted the generation efficiency of N₂O₅ precursors, NO₂, and O₃ production. The microwave discharge achieved NOx concentrations of 63.6 ppm, close to experimental values; adjusting DBD pressure to 760 Torr enhanced O₃ concentration by 105 times, yielding 3.8 mol/m³ N₂O₅. The findings lay a technological foundation for future Martian ecosystem development and highlight the need for further experimental validation and system optimization.
Development of Green Synthesized Novel Carbon Dots from Ruta Graveolens L. for Fluorescent and Intracellular Sensing of Mercury Ions in Pico‐molar (pm) Concentration
Authors: Joseph Neethu , Balachandran Manoj
Published: December 2024

Green nanotechnology, which uses carbon nanomaterials for environmental remediation, is the pioneer among the prevailing approaches for the production and characterization. In the present study, highly fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) from Ruta Graveolens (ARH‐CD) is developed, and its efficacy as a fluorescent sensor and biomarker is investigated. They act as a fluorescence sensor for Hg2+ over an extensive concentration range of 1 picomolar (pm) to 1 molar (m), with a detection limit as low as 26.75 pm. The studies reveal ARH‐CD as an effective biomarker for intracellular toxicity analysis and a fluorescent probe for multi‐colored (blue, green, and red) imaging of HEK293 cell lines. After 24 h of incubation, it is found that the ARH material reveals noticeable biocompatibility and visible fluorescence, with a viability of 98.88% at 5 µg mL−1 and over 78.33% even at a concentration of 100 µg mL−1. The IC50 value for the MTT assay for cell viability results is calculated to be 224.56 ± 4.67 µg, which further confirms the appreciable biocompatibility of the ARH‐CD. The obtained samples are effective in being inspected for the intracellular detection of Hg2+ and serve as a possible candidate for cell imaging.
A Chlorine Dioxide Sustained‐Release System Based on Cellulose Porous Microspheres: A Novel Approach for Grape Preservation
Authors: Liu Yijun , Xu Shuyan , Zhang Zhiqiang
Published: December 2024

Porous microspheres were fabricated utilizing the sol–gel phase transfer method of microcrystalline cellulose, exhibiting a three‐dimensional porous structure with notable adsorption capabilities. Employing these cellulose microspheres as the carrier, sodium chlorite as the precursor and acid as the activator, the microspheres physically adsorbed sodium chlorate to a level of 20.029 mg/g. Subsequently, a chlorine dioxide (ClO2) sustained‐release system was prepared through a chemical reaction with the citrate‐adsorbed cellulose microspheres in a sealed environment, theoretically yielding a cumulative ClO2 release of 11.957 mg/g. The release profile of ClO2 was found to be significantly influenced by factors such as temperature, humidity, the type of acid activator and the content of the hygroscopic agent. Notably, the rate of ClO2 release from the wet cellulose microsphere sustained‐release system could be modulated by adjusting the temperature. By fitting the release data to an S‐curve, the underlying release pattern was elucidated. Mathematical modelling revealed that the operation of the sustained‐release system encompasses two distinct stages: the reaction stage and the diffusion release stage. Water serves as a prerequisite for initiating the reaction stage, leading to an induction period in the dried cellulose microsphere release system. During this induction period, water absorption triggers the chemical reactions, allowing for the adjustment of ClO2 release amount and duration through variation in the hygroscopic agent content. These findings demonstrate the adjustability of the ClO2 sustained‐release system, positioning it as a promising green bactericidal agent for use in the preservation packaging of fruits and vegetables. When applied to grape preservation, the effectiveness of the sustained‐release chlorine dioxide system was assessed by monitoring key indicators such as grape decay rate, firmness, soluble solids content and titratable acidity. The results confirmed that the ClO2 sustained‐release system demonstrated favourable preservative effects on grapes, effectively prolonging their storage duration to over 5 days without compromising grape quality or altering their natural flavour.
Migration and Health Policy: Applying the Nexus to Safety Issues of Migrants Crossing the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Maatouk Christopher , Germanos Orestis , Khattab Yousef , Aad Anna‐Maria , Aboelhassan Youssry Mohamed Elsawy Ibrahim , Gandour Georges , Hafeez Hamza Shafiq , Vicerra Paolo Miguel Manalang , Budhathoki Shyam Sundar , Lucas David , Canals Maria Luisa , Lucero‐Prisno Don Eliseo
Published: December 2024

The Mediterranean Sea is the risky path utilized by migrants primarily seeking economic and physical security in Europe. Drowning is the most lethal among the many hardships they face on their way. In the pursuit of protecting individuals between countries of origin and destination, many European Union (EU) member states worked to decrease the number of migrants, most notably including the action involving the European agenda issued in 2015 when such migration peaked. Recognizing the nexus of migration and health policy underscores the imperative to develop comprehensive healthcare strategies that address the unique needs of migrant populations, promoting equitable access to healthcare services and safeguarding public health across borders. In an attempt to tackle the problem by its roots, European states established cooperation with third countries and provided multifaceted support, that is, economic assistance and personal safety, among others, to developing countries. They also relocated migrants to different parts of the region to decrease the stress faced by only selected countries. However, this plan, like other approaches, faced challenges. Despite their focus on enforcing the migration laws, the lack of unification of these laws hinders cooperation. Unifying the migration laws between EU members, a strict policy requiring the return of migrants at sea to their points of origin and making legal migration more accessible would render the process safer for all sides. A “New Pact on Migration and Asylum” has been proposed, but it still needs to be agreed on in full, and action must be taken. Moreover, these solutions could be joined by training programs in the countries of origin, in the hopes of securing employment in the country of destination, hence benefiting both countries. In addition, each EU country could partner with developing economies to create such job opportunities and build strong cooperative relations.
Instrumental peer mentoring using visual arts to support university students: A scoping review
Authors: Aldossary Maryam S. , Smith Cindy A. , Paris Lisa F.
Published: December 2024

Higher education institutions have devoted substantial efforts to providing first‐year students with resources and support to successfully navigate their academic journey. The rapid challenges at the academic and social levels lead to the need for more inclusive and innovative supporting methods. This scoping review explores the use of shared activities in an instrumental peer mentoring context to promote the academic and social engagement of university students. The focus of this review is to explore the extent of utilising shared art activities in peer mentoring contexts and identify evidence of using these activities to enhance metacognitive skills to promote first‐year students' experience. Following the PRISMA statement for scoping reviews, relevant published studies were searched in seven databases according to the eligibility criteria. A total of 430 articles were identified across the fields of peer mentoring, art‐based interventions and metacognition. There were 43 articles included, data extracted and synthesised. The purpose was to examine three groups of research, including peer mentoring for university students, particularly those that utilise collaborative activities overall, art‐based interventions and, finally, research on metacognitive strategies when used within instrumental activities to enhance student university experiences. Results of the scoping review indicate that students in their first year of university might benefit from instrumental peer mentoring programmes that provide a link between visual arts and metacognitive insights. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.
Growth of Highly‐Ordered‐Crystalline Indium‐Gallium‐Oxide Thin‐Film via Plasma‐Enhanced ALD for High Performance Top‐Gate Field‐Effect Transistors
Authors: Kim Min Jae , Bang Seon Woong , Hur Jae Seok , Yoon Seong Hun , Choi Cheol Hee , Chung Sang Won , Oh Jeong Eun , Kim Yena , Park Bang Ju , Lee Jeonga , Yang Hoichang , Ha Daewon , Cho Min Hee , Jeong Jae Kyeong
Published: December 2024

This study introduces a novel method for achieving highly ordered‐crystalline In2‐xGaxO3 [0 ≤ x ≤ 0.6] thin films on Si substrates at 250 °C using plasma‐enhanced atomic‐layer‐deposition (PEALD) with dual seed crystal layers (SCLs) of γ‐Al2O3 and ZnO. Field‐effect transistors (FETs) with random polycrystalline In2‐xGaxO3 channels (grown without SCLs) show a mobility (µFE) of 85.1 cm2 V−1s−1, attributed to high indium content. In contrast, FETs with highly ordered In2‐xGaxO3 grown via SCLs exhibit superior performance, with µFE reaching 95.5 cm2 VV−1s−1 and enhanced reliability due to the uniform growth of high‐quality bixbyite films. The role of γ‐Al2O3 and ZnO SCLs in enabling this growth and the correlation between cation composition, crystalline structure, and electrical properties are comprehensively analyzed. This approach provides new insights into the high‐quality bixbyite In2‐xGaxO3 system, offering an alternative to conventional amorphous or polycrystalline structures. The highly ordered crystalline structure paves the way for advanced applications in 3D heterogeneous semiconductor chips, expanding beyond displays to include memory, logic, and artificial intelligence devices.
Employing a Mental Model Framework to Explore Systems Thinking
Authors: Schaffernicht Martin F. G. , López‐Astorga Miguel , Rojas‐Barahona Cristian A. , Castillo Ramón D.
Published: December 2024

This article conceptualizes systems thinking from the perspective of mental models. It portrays systems thinking as a combination of perception, prior knowledge and reasoning processes for guiding decision‐making in complex, dynamic situations. Systems thinking is mostly considered as a skill, and assessment instruments are based on the observable products of thinking. However, there is a lack of research on the cognitive processes involved in generating mental representations of complex dynamic systems, deriving possible behaviours and decisions. Thus, we propose a conceptual framework that combines mental models of dynamic systems and the cognitive theory of reasoning with mental models of possibilities. This theory identifies an intuitive and a deliberative reasoning process describing how the deliberative process influences the mental model of the perceived situation. While remaining compatible with the existing literature on systems thinking, this framework addresses this gap. Through examples, the study illustrates how the distinct levels of systems thinking knowledge of three stylized agents lead to different models, even when the reasoning process is identical. Boundary mismatch errors in the represented structure lead to errors in judging‐system behaviours as necessary, possible or impossible, leading to different decisions. Based on this finding, several new research questions are proposed concerning the dynamics of the cognitive processes and mental models over the iterations of dynamic decision‐making in laboratory experiments. We close with a call for more research to move beyond the current limitations.
Based on the Thermomechanical Control Process–Ultrafast Cooling–Intercritical Annealing and Tempering Process: Effect of Intercritical Annealing Temperature on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Cr‐Alloyed 5.5% Ni Steels
Authors: Sun Yang , Wu Zhonglin , Wang Pengjie , Ji Yifan , Wu Siwei , Luo Deng , Wang Houxin , Cao Guangming , Liu Zhenyu
Published: December 2024

An innovative process (thermomechanical control process–ultrafast cooling–intercritical annealing and tempering, TMCP‐UFC‐IAT) is used to prepare 5.5% Ni steel. The evaluation of microstructure and mechanical properties of Cr‐alloyed 5.5% Ni steels at various intercritical annealing temperatures is studied. Higher intercritical annealing temperatures enhance lath fresh martensite formation, refine grain size, and facilitate granular reversed austenite during tempering. During the intercritical annealing, alloying elements concentrate along the γ/α interface, resulting in most alloy‐rich austenite transforming into fresh martensite and stabilized reversed austenite after quenching. After tempering, alloying elements diffuse into the reversed austenite, enhancing its stability. Heat treatment and optimized composition regulate the ratio of soft/hard phases, grain size, and boundary angles, further enhancing reversed austenite stability. This approach synergistically combines grain refinement strengthening, dislocation strengthening, and grain boundary strengthening to achieve an excellent balance of strength and cryogenic toughness. After intercritical annealing at 700 °C, the tensile strength exceeds 860 MPa, and the impact energy at −196 °C is greater than 180 J, resulting in excellent mechanical properties.
Effects of Pulsed Current on the Static Recrystallization Behavior of Cold‐Rolled 304 Stainless‐Steel Ultrathin Strips
Authors: Liu Qi , Fan Wanwan , Ma Bo , Jiang Yiqiang , Wang Tao , Huang Qingxue
Published: December 2024

In the present study, the effects of pulsed current on the microstructure and mechanical properties of cold‐rolled 304 stainless‐steel ultrathin strips are examined by designing a comparative experiment of pulsed current treatments and heat treatments. At the same treatment temperature and time, the recrystallization degree of the sample after the pulsed current treatment is significantly higher than that after the heat‐treatment process. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the pulsed current‐treated sample at 710 °C for 5 min are similar to those of the heat‐treated sample at 810 °C for 1 h. The pulsed current causes the sample to recrystallize at a lower temperature in a shorter time. The electrical effect of the pulsed current provides additional energy for the deformed sample, reduces the energy barrier of recrystallization, and reduces the recrystallization temperature of the sample. The pulsed current increases the vacancy diffusion flux inside the sample, promotes atomic diffusion and dislocation movements, accelerates the recrystallization rate, and shortens the recrystallization time.
Partnerships to Improve Access to Healthcare for Refugees and Immigrants in Philadelphia
Authors: Deffler Jessica , Salas-Tam Chelsea , Gosnay Jenna , Altshuler Marc
Published: December 2024

The United States has welcomed refugees since World War II. Currently, the world is experiencing an unparalleled refugee crisis that calls for action by nations across the globe. There are over 82 million people who are forcibly displaced from their homes today (UNHCR Global Trends, Forced displacement in 2020. [cited 2021 Sep 28]. Available from: https://www.unhcr.org/flagship-reports/globaltrends/). Over the last decade, Philadelphia has become home to hundreds of refugees from countries in Southeast and Central Asia, Africa, the Middle East, as well as many others. For newly arrived refugees, finding stable housing, medical care, and employment is difficult due to cultural, language, and socioeconomic barriers. To provide comprehensive care to refugees in Philadelphia, a network of medical providers and social services was formed in 2010. Through the Philadelphia Refugee Health Collaborative, refugees access medical care and refugee resettlement services upon arrival. More recently, inspired by the need for a patient-centered medical home with collocated medical and social services, the Hansjorg Wyss Wellness Center opened in 2021 and serves both refugees and immigrants in the community. This case study explores the partnership journey to serve refugees and immigrants in Philadelphia.
Building Partnerships and Confronting Challenges: Implementation of an Ebola Virus Vaccine Clinical Study During an Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Authors: Bausch Daniel G. , Kavunga-Membo Hugo , Grais Rebecca F. , Imbault Nathalie , Roberts Natalie , Kanwagi Robert , Watson Deborah , Tamfum Jean-Jacques Muyembe ,   on behalf of the DRC-EB-001-JnJ Ebola Vaccine Study (TUJIOKOWE) Team
Published: December 2024

Research, especially clinical trials, during outbreaks often poses enormous challenges, and up until very recent times was often considered almost impossible. However, for diseases such as Ebola virus disease, which are seen almost exclusively in outbreak form, outbreaks are the only opportunity to perform studies and accrue knowledge. Here, we discuss our experiences and lessons learned implementing a clinical study of an Ebola virus vaccine during an outbreak of that disease in 2018–20 in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Keys to success is these settings include forging partnerships with diverse and complementary experience and skills, working out clear roles and responsibilities, communicating and engaging with the community as an essential partner, and maintaining flexibility to adapt to unexpected events. Progress in these complex settings requires both quick action to implement studies as soon as possible, coupled with patience, realizing that results often come with a sequential long-term approach across outbreaks as opportunities arise. Despite the many challenges, where the political will is there and the right team assembled, significant progress can be made, contributing both to control of the present outbreak and prevention or enhanced control of the next one.
Building Partnerships to Empower Women Through Home Self-Sampling for Sexual and Reproductive Tract Infections
Authors: Phiri Comfort R. , Chola Namakau , Bustinduy Amaya L.
Published: December 2024

This team actively created strong bonds with stakeholders to successfully research the validity and feasibility of rolling out sexual and reproductive health (SRH) self-screening programs. The success of this effort relied on local and external support from all involved, from the field to the policy-making level. This resulted in a novel transdisciplinary approach to integrate surveillance for well-researched infections, such as HIV and human papillomavirus, with less understood and hence neglected diseases, such as female genital schistosomiasis. Active support from local institutions was also crucial. In this chapter we will elaborate on the experience of the first partnership built to integrate several SRH issues in an endemic community in Zambia, with a special emphasis on how the partnership was developed. Through the prism of a case study, we review the lessons learned that could be applied widely across different sectors as a woman-centered approach. Barriers to implementation are also discussed.
Social Movement and Empowerment in Shaping Global Health Priorities: Past, Present, and Future Perspectives from India
Authors: Bilimale Anil S. , Arathi Rao P. , Nayar Kesavan Rajsekharan , Som Meena , Penugondla Anjana , Xavier Ashok Gladston
Published: December 2024

Social movements can play an important role in shaping the policies and local implementation of sustainable development goals and global health priorities. A major challenge is to understand the interconnectedness of the origins of social movements and their processes required to empower them. It is important to understand the pivotal role of people, partnerships, products, and policy to ensure solidarity, social security, system strengthening, and social justice. In addition to flagging existing challenges in the system, social movements can be instrumental in bringing substantive changes to systems and policies that are then reflected on the ground. A few prominent social movement examples from India are used to illustrate successful approaches that have led to lasting policy changes and positive health outcomes in local communities. Successful initiatives have focused on ensuring comprehensive coverage, community participation, collaboration with stakeholders, empowerment of women, and approach focused on equity to attain equality for healthcare access among women, underprivileged and hard to reach population. These efforts can inform future visions of global health partnerships with social movements.
Gender Equity in African Academia: An Implementation Science Evaluation of the Kenya Context
Authors: Ngaruiya Christine
Published: December 2024

Progress toward equity in the academic context in Africa continues to lag despite local, regional, and international calls for progress. Implementation science, “the scientific study of methods to promote the systematic uptake of research findings and other evidence-based practices into routine practice,” provides a set of tools to dissect why this is the case. Implementation science is a discipline with theories, models, and frameworks that are applicable to generating sustainable interventions that can be applied to various problems and settings. Arguably, the “practice” of gender equity in global health and academic partnerships has not been routine in nature and, in large part, is still not evidence-based. Strategies on how to approach this plethora of problems and what to prioritize have not been well addressed, and there is a lack of recommendations based on the African sociocultural context. In this chapter, an analysis of the status quo of gender equity in academia and academic partnerships is addressed using the CFIR-ERIC tool—a well-established implementation science framework. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) domains are used to delineate the problem at different system levels. The associated Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) in the tool provide strategies ranked based on priority. The CFIR-ERIC tool was developed in Western contexts and so may have some limitations with generalizability to the Africa context. This initial analysis provides incipient guidance on action strategies. Also, it presents the need for implementation science and other methodologies to evaluate best practices for evidence-based strategies to close the gender gap.
A Holistic Systems Approach to Global Health Research, Practice, and Partnerships
Authors: Borbor-Cordova Mercy , Ryan Sadie , Lowe Rachel , von Borries Rosa , Stewart Ibarra Anna
Published: December 2024

Emerging and persistent infectious diseases are global threats that have evidenced the interconnectedness and interdependence of the environment, animal, and human systems. To identify solutions to these complex real-world challenges, a systemic approach is needed to understand the interactions among natural and human systems. Collaborative partnerships among researchers from diverse disciplines with policy practitioners and societal actors are also key. Research and public health practice frameworks based on systems thinking approaches have been developed to address the complexity of infectious diseases and other global health threats from local to global scales. For example, the Planetary Health framework focuses on human health and the interactions with the natural systems upon which it depends, stating that the health of human civilization depends on a healthy planet. The One Health approach aims to achieve optimal health and well-being outcomes by recognizing the interconnections between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment. Indigenous Peoples recognize that humans are inextricably interconnected with all life on the planet. Accordingly, the climate crisis and disease threats constitute a “relationship problem.” These holistic knowledge paradigms support a better understanding of infectious disease risks and the development of context-specific interventions to reduce disease transmission through transdisciplinary research and strong multinational partnerships. The theoretical concepts of these perspectives are described in this chapter and illustrated by the authors’ experiences co-developing research approaches for zoonotic and vector-borne diseases, including early warning systems for dengue fever.
The Accuracy of Landslide Susceptibility Mapping in Young Glacial River Valleys
Authors: Małka Anna , Laskowicz Izabela , Grabowski Dariusz
Published: December 2024

Many aspects affect the accuracy of the geographical information system- and statistically-based susceptibility maps. These aspects can be divided into four categories related to: (α) study area, (β) scale, (γ) input data, and (δ) methods, used for susceptibility calculation, landslide representation and map visualisation. Most of these aspects have an impact on the others and each of them is very complex. Due to the complexity of this issue, the article is limited to two aspects, i.e. scale and one of the crucial causal factors, namely geology. The selection of the research area is a key aspect in susceptibility mapping. The research area can influence the choice of scale (pixel size), input data, and methods. In the case of the young glacial Lower Vistula and Central Radunia Valleys, small-scale susceptibility maps give an inaccurate conclusion: on the continental scale, the susceptibility of these areas is underpredicted; on the national scale, the susceptibility is usually overpredicted. The geological structure of young glacial river valleys is complex due to the presence of alternating permeable (sands, gravels) and non-permeable (clays, silts) sediments in the profile, which affects water circulation on the slope and landslide activation. According to the prediction rate method for the Lower Vistula Valley and the classification and regression trees method for the Central Radunia Valley, the maps of surface deposits were of little relevance to landslide susceptibility prediction. However, the inclusion of a quasi-three-dimensional geological model—a typical lithologic sequence layer in the susceptibility mapping of the Vistula Valley, shows that it is one of the most important factors.
How to Detect the Previous Large-Scale Landslide: Source of Future Landslides by Interpretation of Ground Topography from Digital Maps
Authors: Miyagi Toyohiko , Loi Doan Huy
Published: December 2024

Large-scale landslides often occur in the same place as previous landslides. Determining the location of potential future landslides is crucial and helpful for reducing landslide risk. In this paper, we compared the landslide topography distribution map and the 2011 landslide disasters in the Kii Peninsula to determine the overlap of new landslides in 2011 and past landslides. We found that over 60% of large-scale landslides took place in areas where previous landslides had been identified in the landslide topography distribution map. Following this finding, we created the landslide distribution maps for four regions in Sri Lanka from AW3D data to assess the risk of large-scale landslides.
Characteristics of Landslides Affecting Road Networks in Ethiopia: Evidence from 25 Years Research, Practice and Documentation
Authors: Woldearegay Kifle
Published: December 2024

Over the last four decades, Ethiopia has been involved in massive road constructions which pass through complex geological, geotechnical, hydrological and terrain conditions of the country. The sustainability and functionality of these roads is, however, hugely affected by interrelated geohazards. This paper presents on the characteristics of landslides that have been affecting road networks in Ethiopia with data from research, practice and documentation over 25 years period (1997–2022). The study involved: (1) field inventory and characterization of 158 landslide-affected road sections, (2) investigations of the geological, geohydrological and geotechnical conditions, (3) monitoring groundwater levels and spring discharges, (4) measurement of flood levels of rivers/streams close to landslides, (5) in-situ and laboratory tests of the engineering properties of soils and rocks, (6) assessments on the association of the landslides with gully erosion, construction, and other factors, and (7) assessments on the performances of mitigation measures implemented. Results revealed that debris/earth slides are the dominant types of failures, with some debris/earth flows. Failures occurred in unconsolidated sediments with certain conditions: (a) concave terrains with slope angles 12°–38°, (b) variable depths of failures: maximum values 2.5–13.5 m, (c) shallow groundwater systems: water level fluctuated between 0 and 3.5 m below surface, and (d) active stream/river incisions at downslope sides of the roads. Broadly, the landslide-road-landscape interactions could be categorized into three: (a) failure of the upslope part of the road, (b) failure of the downslope part of the road, and (c) failure of the whole road section (upslope, road and downslope). Though different mitigation measures were implemented in 125 sites, the measures were unsuccessful in 70 sites (56%). In all the landslide-affected road sections, no comprehensive geological/geotechnical site investigations and slope stability analysis were carried out and the landslide-road-landscape interactions were poorly understood. With the expected increase in road/railway network development, limited capacity, climate change and fragile nature of the Ethiopian landscapes, landslides and associated problems are expected to pose major risks unless due attention is given to these interrelated geohazards. This calls for further collaborative research, innovations, and capacity building to address landslides and related geohazards in Ethiopia and in other developing countries with similar conditions.